EP3794176A1

EP3794176A1 - A bearer for detecting dryness and a washer/dryer operating in interaction with said bearer

Info

Publication number: EP3794176A1
Application number: EP19720858.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Resul KARTAL; Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu; Basak BENGU; Kadir Ceran; Nihat Gunduz
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-05-17
Filing date: 2019-04-29
Publication date: 2021-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-29
Also published as: WO2019219365A1; EP3794176B1

Abstract

The bearer (3) of the invention is suitable for being used with a washer-dryer (1) having a drum (2) in which the laundry items are placed, and comprises at least two electrodes (14) used for detecting dryness of the laundry items by contacting the laundry items inside the drum (2), a control unit in which the dryness information detected by the electrodes (14) is evaluated, at least one battery (4), a base (5), a seat (7) with an open top, provided on the base (5), in which the battery (4) is placed, and a retainer (6) on which the electrodes (14) are placed, bearing the electrodes (14), having at least one support (8) at least partially surrounding the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7) and at least one arch (9) exerting pressure on the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7).

Description

A BEARER FOR DETECTING DRYNESS AND A WASHER/DRYER OPERATING IN INTERACTION WITH SAID BEARER

The present invention relates to a bearer for detecting dryness, and a washer-dryer operating in interaction with said bearer.
In washer-dryers during drying process, parameters of the laundry items in a drum such as dryness, temperature, etc. have to be measured precisely and accurately. The duration of drying process depends on the laundry items reaching the accurate levels of dryness and temperature, and upon reaching of said levels drying process is terminated. Various sensors are provided on washer-dryers, enabling measuring parameters such as conductivity, temperature, humidity, etc., and the washer-dryer is controlled by means of the data received from such sensors.
Generally in washer-dryers, conductivity is measured during drying process and drying process is terminated according to this measurement. Conductivity is measured by means of two electrodes stably placed at the front portion of a drum. During drying process, the conductivity value of the laundry items can be measured when the laundry items in the drum contact said electrodes.
Laundry items are more conductive in humid state. The conductivity of the laundry items decreases as it dries and loses its humidity. The conductivity of only the laundry items contacting the electrodes can be measured during drying. The possibility of the electrodes contacting the laundry items significantly decreases when there is a small amount of laundry items in the drum which are not distributed homogeneously, thereby making it more difficult to determine drying. In this case, drying process is terminated by a timer. This, however, leads to drying process not being fully performed or the laundry items being thermally damaged by being over-dried.
There are several applications for detecting the dryness of the laundry items in the state of the art. One of these applications is, as mentioned above, detecting dryness by placing at least two electrodes to a position where they will contact the laundry items during drying process, and forming a current bridge between two electrodes when the damp laundry items contacts the two electrodes, and evaluating the difference between the resistance values of the electrodes.
A state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the international patent application no. WO2004022836. This patent application discloses a washer-dryer comprising a sensor provided on a drum, communicating with a control unit by contactless signal transmission.
Another embodiment of the state of the art is disclosed in the European Patent Application no. EP0940494. Said document also discloses a washer-dryer comprising a conductivity sensor used for detecting dryness of laundry items, and wirelessly communicating with a control unit.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a bearer for detecting dryness, and a washer-dryer operating in interaction with said bearer.
The bearer realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, is placed in the drum together with the laundry items, moves freely in the drum with the laundry items, enables parameters relating to dryness of the laundry items such as humidity, temperature, dryness to be measured precisely and accurately by contacting all of the laundry items in the drum, and comprises at least one battery, a base, a seat with an open top provided on the base, in which the battery is placed, at least one support at least partially surrounding the portion of the battery disposed out of the seat, and which comprises at least one arch applying pressure in parallel to the support on the portion of the battery disposed out of the seat.
In an embodiment of the invention, a retainer comprises two supports which are parallel to each other, with a given distance in between. In this embodiment, the arch is disposed between two supports.
The support and the arch partially surround the wall of the battery disposed out of the seat.
The retainer comprises a first flange and a second flange provided on both ends of the support and the arch, enabling the retainer to be fastened to the base.
In an embodiment of the invention, the bearer comprises a slit provided on one side of the seat, into which the first flange disposed on an end of the retainer enters. The slit is quadrangular. In this embodiment of the invention, the first flange is shaped as a cascade, and the first flange passes through said slit and abuts the base from below.
In another embodiment of the invention, the bearer comprises a hole provided on the other side of the seat, by means of which the second flange is fastened, and a fastening member enabling fastening the second flange to said hole. When the first flange is completely fitted in the slit, the second flange corresponds to said hole and is fastened to the hole by means of the fastening member. The retainer is thus fastened on the base.
In an embodiment of the invention, the arch has a more flexible structure compared to the support. The battery is thus enabled to be kept in the seat without vibrating and being effected from movement of the bearer.
In an embodiment of the invention, the arch is made of a polymer material.
The force exerted on the battery can be varied by using different polymer materials.
The battery is placed in the seat on the base. The first flange is passed through the slit and the supports and the arch extend from one side of the battery to the other side so as to contact the battery wall. In this state, the second flange correspondingly rests in full on the hole provided on the base. When the second flange is fastened through the hole to the base by means of the fastening member, the battery and the retainer are completely assembled to the bearer. The invention prevents the battery disposed in the bearer moving freely inside the washer-dryer, from being effected from said movement of the bearer. The retainer enables keeping the battery stationary in the seat without vibrating.
The energy needs of the bearer and the components provided therein are supplied by at least one battery positioned in the bearer and used as a power supply.
The bearer is shaped as a hollow chamber, and in the preferred embodiment, it consists of two parts, namely the upper and lower parts, and is preferably shaped as a sphere. The two parts, namely the lower and the upper parts are coupled to each other by means of the base. In this state, the base is interposed between the upper and the lower parts.
The invention also relates to a washer-dryer adapted to operate in interaction with the bearer.
The bearer and the washer-dryer adapted to operate in interaction with the bearer realized to achieve the aims of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washer-dryer.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bearer and electrodes.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of a battery, the base, fastening member and the retainer.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retainer from above.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the retainer from below.
Figure 6 is a combined view of the retainer and the battery fastened on the base, from above.
Figure 7 is a combined view of the retainer and the battery fastened on the base, from below.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washer/dryer
Drum
Bearer
Battery
Base
Retainer
Seat
Support
Arch
First flange
Second flange
Slit
Hole
Electrode
Fastening member
Rib

The bearer (3) suitable for being used with a washer-dryer (1) having a drum (2) in which the laundry items are placed, comprises at least two electrodes (14) used for detecting dryness of the laundry items by contacting the laundry items inside the drum (2), a control unit in which the dryness information detected by the electrodes (14) is evaluated, at least one battery (4), a base (5), a seat (7) with an open top, provided on the base (5), in which the battery (4) is placed, and a retainer (6) having at least one support (8) at least partially surrounding the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7) and at least one arch (9) exerting pressure on the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7) (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3).
The bearer (3) on which the electrodes (14) are placed and bearing the electrodes (14), is placed in the drum (2) together with the laundry items, moves freely with the laundry items in the drum (2), and enables parameters relating to dryness of the laundry items such as humidity, temperature, dryness to be measured precisely and accurately by contacting all of the laundry items in the drum (2). The battery (4) is prevented from escaping the seat (7) in which it is placed by means of the retainer (6) of the invention, and is prevented from vibrating by means of the arch (9).
The battery (4) is a power source provided in the bearer (3), providing the energy required by the components on the bearer (3).
In an embodiment of the invention, the retainer (6) comprises two supports (8) which are parallel to each other, having a given distance in between. In this embodiment, the arch (9) is disposed between two supports (8). The supports (8) are shaped suitably for the outer wall of the battery (4) and are preferably "U" shaped (Figure 4 and Figure 5).
The support (8) and the arch (9) partially surround the wall of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7).
The retainer (6) comprises a first and a second flange (10 and 11) provided on both ends of the support (8) and the arch (9), enabling the retainer (6) to be fastened to the base (5).
In an embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) comprises a slit (12) provided on the base (5) in parallel to the seat (7) on one side of the seat (7), into which the first flange (10) disposed on an end of the retainer (6) enters. The slit (12) is quadrangular. In this embodiment of the invention, the first flange (10) is shaped as a cascade, and the first flange (10) passes through said slit (12) and abuts the base (5) from below. The retainer (6) pivots about the first flange (10) by means of the first flange (10) being fitted in the slit (12). The slit (12) and the first flange (10) act as a kind of a hinge.
In another embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) comprises a hole (13) provided on the base on the other side of the seat (7), by means of which the second flange (11) is fastened, and a fastening member (15) enabling fastening the second flange (11) to said hole (13). When the first flange (10) is completely fitted in the slit (12), the second flange (11) corresponds to said hole (13) and is fastened to the hole (13) by means of the fastening member (15). The retainer (6) is thus enabled to be fastened on the base (5). When the fastening member (15) is removed, the second flange (11) disengages the hole (13) and the retainer (6) is detached from the battery (4) by being pivoted about the first flange (10), enabling the battery (4) to be removed from the seat (7) (Figure 6 and Figure 7).
In an embodiment of the invention, at least one rib (16) is provided on the support (16) in order to enforce the support (8) and to prevent it from flexing.
In an embodiment of the invention, the arch (9) has a more flexible structure compared to the support (8). The battery (4) is thus enabled to be kept in the seat (7) without vibrating and being effected from movement of the bearer (3).
In an embodiment of the invention, the arch (9) is made of a polymer material.
The force exerted on the battery (4) can be varied by using different polymer materials.
First, the battery (4) is placed in the seat (7) on the base (5). The first flange (10) is passed through the slit (12) and the supports (8) and the arch (9) extend from one side of the battery (4) to the other side so as to contact the battery (4) wall. In this state, the second flange (11) correspondingly rests in full on the hole (13) provided on the base (5). When the second flange (11) is fastened through the hole (13) to the base (5) by means of the fastening member (15), the battery (4) and the retainer (6) are completely assembled to the bearer (3). The invention prevents the battery (4) disposed in the bearer (3) moving freely inside the washer-dryer (1), from being effected from said movement of the bearer (3). The retainer (6) enables keeping the battery (4) stationary without vibrating. When it is desired to remove the battery (4) from the seat (7), the fastening member (15) is dismounted, enabling disengaging the second flange (11) from the hole (13) and therefore from the base (5). Then, the first flange (10) is pivoted about the slit (12), uncovering the battery (4), and the battery (4) is easily removed the seat (7).
The bearer (3) is shaped as a hollow chamber, and in the preferred embodiment, it consists of two parts, namely the upper and lower parts, and is preferably shaped as a sphere. The two parts, namely the lower and the upper parts are coupled to each other by means of the base (5). In this state, the base (5) is interposed between the upper and the lower parts.
The bearer (3) is used to measure the dryness level of the objects it contacts in the environment in which it is placed by the user. The electrodes (14) made of conductive material, collect data in real-time from the objects contacting the bearer in the environment in which it is placed. In case the environment in which the bearer (3) is placed is moving, e.g. the drum (2) of a washer-dryer (1), the bearer (3) contacts almost all of the laundry items in the drum (2) as it can move freely, and enables receiving real-time dryness information from all of the laundry items. The electrodes (14) are thus enabled to contact all of the laundry items independent of the amount and the distribution of the laundry items in the drum (2), thereby enabling collecting the information of the parameters related to the dryness of the laundry items in the most precise and accurate manner. The electric current generated between the electrodes (14) during contacting of the electrodes (14) to the laundry items, is transmitted to the control unit (7) and the dryness of the laundry items is evaluated.
In another embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) is a hollow, enclosed chamber and the electrodes (14) are disposed on its outer wall. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) is shaped as a hollow sphere formed by combining two semi-spheres. Two of the electrodes (14) are disposed on the upper semi-sphere, and the other two are disposed on the lower semi-sphere. In this embodiment, the electrodes (14) are tape-shaped and have a curvature adapted to the curvature of the sphere. In this embodiment of the invention, the electrodes (14) are disposed on the same line on the outer wall of the bearer (3). The control unit (7) and the battery (4) are positioned in the bearer (3). The two semi-spheres are sealingly interlocked.

Claims

A bearer (3) suitable for being used with a washer-dryer (1) having a drum (2) in which the laundry items are placed, comprising at least two electrodes (14) used for detecting dryness of the laundry items by contacting the laundry items inside the drum (2), a control unit in which the dryness information detected by the electrodes (14) is evaluated, characterized by at least one battery (4), a base (5), a seat (7) with an open top, provided on the base (5), in which the battery (4) is placed, and by a retainer (6) having at least one support (8) at least partially surrounding the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7) and at least one arch (9) exerting pressure on the portion of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7).
A bearer (3) according to claim 1, characterized by the retainer (6) comprising two supports (8) which are parallel to each other, with a given distance in between.
A bearer (3) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the arch (9) disposed between two supports (8).
A bearer (3) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by the support (8) and the arch (9) partially surrounding the wall of the battery (4) disposed out of the seat (7).
A bearer (3) according to claim 1, characterized by the retainer (6) comprising a first and a second flange (10 and 11) provided on both ends of the support (8) and the arch (9), enabling the retainer (6) to be fastened to the base (5).
A bearer (3) according to claim 5, characterized by a slit (12) provided on the base (5) in parallel to the seat (7) on one side of the seat (7), into which the first flange (10) disposed at the end of the retainer (6) enters.
A bearer (3) according to claim 6, characterized by the quadrangular slit (12).
A bearer (3) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized by the cascade shaped first flange (10), abutting the base (5) from below by passing through the slit (12).
A bearer (3) according to claim 5, characterized by a hole (13) provided on the base (5) on the other side of the seat (7), by means of which the second flange (11) is fastened, and by a fastening member (15) enabling fastening the second flange (11) to said hole (13).
A bearer (3) according to claim 1, characterized by the arch (9) having a more flexible structure compared to the support (8).
A bearer (3) according to claim 10, characterized by the arch (9) made of a polymer material.
A bearer (3) according to claim 1, characterized by the retainer (6) comprising at least one rib (16) provided on the support (8), enabling reinforcing the support (8).