FR2601389A1 - CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LAUNDRY OR DRIER WITH AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF THE LAUNDRY LOAD. - Google Patents

Abstract

WASHING MACHINE OR DRYER INCLUDING AUTOMATIC MEANS OF DETECTION OF A SIZE RELATED TO THE LAUNDRY, SUCH AS THE LOAD, ACTING ON THE WASHING OR DRYING PARAMETERS. A USER-ACTIONABLE ADJUSTMENT BODY DEACTIVATES THE AUTOMATIC SIZE DETECTION MEANS AND ALLOWS THE WASHING OR DRYING PARAMETERS TO BE MODIFIED AT WILL. FOR MOVING THE ADJUSTMENT IN ONE DIRECTION, THE EFFICIENCY OF WASHING OR DRYING IS INCREASED, AND FOR MOVING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, SAVINGS OR GAIN OF TIME ARE REALIZED; TWO GRADUATIONS 32, 33 REPRESENT WASHING EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY.

Description

260 1389

  CONTROL DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINE OR DRIER WITH AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF LAUNDRY LOAD

  The invention relates to a washing machine or tumble dryer comprising means for detecting the load of laundry introduced into the drum. In a washing machine the pieces of laundry are introduced into a perforated drum, arranged inside a tank in which

  find the wash or rinse water, and turning around a usually horizontal axis. The brewing of the laundry is achieved by providing projections of the cylindrical inner surface of the drum.

  0 Wash performance parameters, including quantity 10

  of water and the duration of each operation, are generally provided for the maximum load of laundry that can receive the drum.

  Thus, when only a fraction of the maximum load is introduced into the machine, the quantity of water and the duration of the washing are considered too important. So we tried to adapt 15

  the washing program by the weight of linen.

  In a first type of machine the load of laundry is determined automatically, without the user having to intervene, and the washing parameters automatically adapt to the load. Such a washing machine is described for example in the patent

  French No 8316997 in the name of the Esswein Company.

  In other machines (eg French patent n

  8403800 in the name of the Applicant) the adaptation of the operating parameters of the washing machine depends on the display, by the user, 25 of a weight of laundry introduced into the machine.

  Both types of washing machines were found to have

  limitations that could be inconvenient for the user. Thus the performance of a washing machine with automatic load determination can not be modified by the user; for a washing

  the load in which the user displays the load, the latter must appreciate the weight of the laundry, which is not always easy.

  The invention overcomes these disadvantages.

  It is characterized in that it comprises a means of automatic detection of the load of laundry acting on the operating parameters of the washing machine (or washing parameters) to adapt to the load, and a member operable by the user to put out of action this means and vary at will washing parameters to either improve the efficiency of washing, or to save water, energy or time. The user operable member may act on the wash program in the same manner as the automatically determined load signal; in this case the body is similar to that of a machine in which the load is displayed at will by the user. But this organ is then used for a different purpose. For example, if a high efficiency of washing is desired, the display member is adjusted so that it corresponds to a large quantity of laundry, even if the load of laundry is low. Conversely, if it is desired to save time and / or save money, even if the load of laundry is large, the display member will be positioned in such a way that it corresponds to a small amount of space.

quantities of laundry.

  Another size than the load can be used to control the washing machine program. Thus, alternatively, lavelinge comprises an automatic detection means of the type of laundry introduced into the machine, for example that described in French Patent 8402437, and the adaptation of the washing program is performed automatically according to the value of this magnitude. In this case, the adjustment member also makes it possible either to increase the efficiency of the washing or to save money or

to save time.

  As another size detectable automatically and acting on the program can also indicate the degree of

  soiling or the moisture content of the laundry.

  The invention also applies to a tumble dryer comprising means for automatically detecting a quantity linked to the laundry, such as the load, acting on the drying parameters, which is characterized in that it comprises in one member action5

  the user is able to deactivate the size detection means and which makes it possible to modify the parameters (washing or drying). The size related to the laundry may be in this case the load of laundry, the nature of the laundry and the degree of humidity.

  The drying parameters controlled by the user-operable member can be the operating time of the tumble dryer

  and the energy supplied to this dryer.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent with the description of some of its embodiments, this being done with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIG.

  1 is a diagram of a washing machine programmer according to the invention, FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c are diagrams illustrating the operation of a part of the device of FIG. 1, FIG. a diagram of a lavelinge control member according to the invention and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing part of the

  programming of the microprocessor of the device of FIG. 1.

  The programmer of the washing machine that we will describe in relation 25

  with the figures comprises, on the one hand, an electromechanical component and, on the other hand, an electronic microprocessor component 12.

  The electromechanical component is formed of an electric motor 10 driving one or more cams (not shown).

  acting on the open-state or closed state of switches 131, 132 and 133.

  The motor 10 is in series with a triac 11 whose trigger is connected to an output 121 of the microprocessor 12. This triac is in

  parallel with a switch 25 of the electromechanical component.

  The states of the switches 131, 132 and 133 represent, at each moment, the state of progress of the washing program. In other words, according to their state, the switches make it possible to know if the washing machine is in the period of pre-washing, washing, rinsing or spinning. The signals representing these states of switches are applied to a common input 14 of the microprocessor 12 which controls, via interface circuits (not shown), the feeding of the washing machine drum drive motor and its direction. as well as the duration of each phase of the program to be performed. For this purpose the microprocessor 12 controls, thanks to the triac 11 and the switch 25, the rotation of the micromotor

  to move from one phase of the program to another.

  Some of the switches of the electromechanical programmer typically control other washing machine components such as the water heating resistance,

  drain pump and the solenoid valves.

  In addition to the output 12 1 connected to the gate of the triac 11, the microprocessor has an output 122 for controlling the drive motor of the drum and an input 126 connected by the interrupter of an interface circuit 28 to the terminal Common to triac 11,

  at the switch 25 and the motor 10.

  The triac is used to trigger the transition from one step of the wash program to another and this triac 11 is cut off when it is found that the step step operation has begun.25 The microprocessor 12 monitors, by the 126, the conduction state of the switch 25 and, as soon as it has detected that this

  switch is closed, the triac 11 is open.

  When the microprocessor 12 controls the conduction of the triac 11 the motor 10 begins to rotate. To enable the monitoring of the conduction state of the switch 25, this triac 11 is periodically open, for example for a ten-fold alternation of the AC supply network signal, and during this time the microprocessor uses the data introduced by his entry 126 for

  determine whether the switch 25 is open or ferron S. this switch 25 is open the terminal 27 is in the air and the circuit 28 transmits a binary signal, which is for example "0", on the input 126.

  Under these conditions, after this alternation, the triac 11i is closed again and the reading is performed again periodically in the manner described. When the switch 25 is closed I circuit transmits a signal "1" on the input 126. In this case, after detection of

this signal, the triac 11 is open.

  At the end of the passage of step switch 25 opens, the triac 11

remaining open.

  A terminal of each switch 13 is connected to a terminal 16

  AC power supply or mains supply.

  The other terminal of each switch is connected to a common terminal 16 'via a resistor, respectively 171, 172 and 173I. The terminal 16' is connected to the base of an NPN type transistor 20. through a resistor 19. By the way terminal 16 '

  is connected to ground through a resistor 21.

  The emitter of the transistor 20 is grounded while its collector is connected to the input 14 of the microprocessor 12 as well as to a terminal 22, brought to a reference potential, via

resistance 23.

  At each alternation of the alternating current (50 Hz), the conduction duration of the transistor 20 depends on the amplitude of the alternating signal applied on its base 20. This property appears clearly in FIGS. 2a and 2b on which the abscissa time t and ordinate the potential on the basis of the transistor 20 (for Figure 2a) and the potential of the collector 20 (for Figure 2b). The transistor 20 is conductive when the potential of its base exceeds the threshold VBE. It can thus be seen that, for a first AC signal 30 of larger amplitude than a second AC signal 31, the conduction duration T1 is greater than the duration t2 for the second

second signal.

  The microprocessor 12 is programmed to convert the

time ti and t2 in binary numbers.

  The values of the resistors 171, 172, and 173 are sufficiently distinct that all possible combinations of states (open or closed) of the switches 131, 132, and 133 correspond to

  signals of different values on the input 14.

  Furthermore, the microprocessor 12 has an input 123 connected to: an armature of a capacitor 40, to the first resistor terminals 41 and 42, and to the first end terminal 431 of a

potentiometer 43.

  The second armature of the capacitor 40 is connected to a terminal 441 on which is applied. a potential Vcc of predetermined value.

  The resistor 41 constitutes a reference resistance of

  a precisely-known value Ro, for example of the order of + 1%, and its second terminal is connected to an output 127 of the micro-processor 12.

  Resistor 42 is a thermistor for measuring the temperature of the water in the tub of the washing machine. Its second terminal

  is connected to an output 128 of the microprocessor.

  The receptacle 433 of the potentiometer 43 is connected to an output 129 of the microprocessor 12. The second end terminal 432 of this potentiometer 43 is connected to an output 1210 of the microprocessor via a switch 44 of the end-of-stroke type. . The potentiometer 43 and the switch 44 are actuated by a slider 45 (FIG. 3) movable continuously between two end positions 46 and 47. In the position 46 of the slider 45 the switch 44 is open, while in the the other positions this switch

44 is closed.

  To determine, using the microprocessor 12, the value R of the resistor 42, that is to say the temperature of the water in the laveninge tank, the procedure is as follows: the capacitor 40 is 30

  first discharged, for example by connecting the terminals 441 and 123 of the same potential, that Vcc which is permanently applied to the terminal 441. Then the terminal 123 is again an input.

  Then the output 127 of the microprocessor is connected to ground (potential

  0). By against the outputs 128, 129, 1210 are in the air. Under these conditions the capacitor 40 charges through the resistor 41.

  The signal on the input 123 is the potential V of the first armature of the capacitor 40 (FIG. 2c). At time t = 0 this potential has the value Vcc and then decreases as represented by the curve 50 on the cc diagram of Figure 2C. The microprocessor 12 is programmed to measure the time t1 after which this signal V on the input 123 reaches the value V0. This time tI is converted into a binary number by the microprocessor 12. The value V0 constitutes the threshold

input of the microprocessor.

  Then the capacitor 40 is discharged again and the output 128 is connected to the ground while the outputs 127, 129 and 121 are in the air. The capacitor 40 then charges through the resistor 42. On the input 123, the curve 51 is obtained and the time t2 is measured at which point the potential V on the input 123 reaches the

value V0.

  Then the microprocessor determines the value R of the resistor 42 according to the following formula R = Ro t2 -2 t1 To determine the position 433 of the tap of the potentiometer 43, that is to say the position of the slider 45 (FIG. 3) the procedure is analogous: the capacitor 40 is discharged and then the time t1 for which the potential V on the input 123 reaches the potential V0 is measured when the capacitor 40 is charged through the total resistance of the potentiometer 43, switch 44 is then of course closed; then the time t2 is determined so that the potential on the input 123 reaches the value V0 when the capacitor 40 is charged by the resistor presented between the terminals 431 and 433. In this case the position of the slider 45 is represented by the number c: <= t2 t 1 The position of the cursor 45, that is to say of the catch 433, is: chosen by the user before the machine is started. If, when the start-up is controlled, the slider 45 is in the position 46, the microprocessor controls the operation of the washing machine according to a sequence described in the French patent 8316997 to determine the load of laundry, and the various subsequent steps of operation of the washing machine are adjusted to the value

the load thus measured.

  By against when the switch 44 is closed, that is to say when the slider 45 is not in its end position 46, the operating parameters of the washing machine depend on the position of the cursor between the ends 46 and 47, that is to say the number o. The selection between these two types of operation corresponds to the flowchart of Figure 4 which is part of the

  description of this application.

  The microprocessor is programmed such that, when the slider 45 is moved (rectilinearly in the example), in the direction of the arrow 32 (Figure 3), to the position 47 the washing efficiency increases. In particular the time of each operation, the energy used during each of these operations, the quantity of water and, possibly (if the washing machine comprises an automatic doser), detergent product increase as and when

  that we are getting closer to the position 47.

  Conversely, when the cursor is moved from the position 47 to the position 46 (excluded), that is to say according to the arrow 33, the program is performed in a decreasing time and allowing savings to be made. However the quality of the washing also decreases. In one embodiment, the washing programs implemented in the first case (switch 44 open) and in the second case 30 (switch 44 closed) are identical, that is to say that each position of the slider 45 (outside end 46) corresponds to a load of laundry, the lowest loads to the most

elevated (in position 47).

  However, progress is not necessarily the same in both cases. For example, in the extreme position 47 of the slider, for increased efficiency, the washing time is greater than the corresponding time for the maximum load when the slider is in the position 46. By way of example again, to save time, in the extreme position to the left, in the immediate vicinity of the position 46, the washing time is shorter than for the smallest load provided in the program when the switch 44 is open. It is also possible, when the switch 44 is closed, to act on the energy supplied to the washing machine

  (Drum rotation time, water heating capacity), the quantity of water and the quantity of detergent, so as to obtain more possibilities than in the case of automatic detection of the load and automatic adaptation of the washing parameters to the load signal.

  It should be noted that, when the slider 45 is in the position 46, it is possible to automatically detect the nature of the laundry introduced into the drum, as for example described in the French patent no.

  8402437. In this position it is also possible to detect the degree of soiling of the laundry or the degree of humidity of the laundry.

  The arrow 32 (Figure 3) can be replaced by a scale with numbers or other indications representing the efficiency of washing. Similarly, the arrow 33 may be materialized, parallel to the path of movement of the cursor 45, by a graduation with 25 digits or other indications representing the saving or saving time.

  In a simplified variant, the automatic detection of laundry load is eliminated.

260 1,389

Claims (13)

  1. A washing machine comprising means for automatically detecting a quantity linked to the laundry, such as the load, acting on the parameters of the washing, characterized in that it comprises a member (45) for adjustment that can be operated by the user. to put out of action the automatic detection means of magnitude and which   allows to modify at will the parameters of the washing.   2. Washing machine according to claim I characterized in that the washing parameters controlled by the member (45) operable by the user are at least one of the following: the operating time of the washing machine, the amount of water,   the energy supplied to the washing machine, and the amount of detergent.   3. Washing machine according to claim I or 2 characterized in that the adjusting member is associated with two graduations one (32) relating to the effectiveness of washing and the other (33) relating to washing efficiency and the other (33) saving or saving time.   4. Washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3   characterized in that the adjusting member comprises a slider (45),   for example, movable rectilinearly.   Laundry machine according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that the actuation of said member (45) acts   on the position of the socket (433) of a potentiometer (43).   6. Washing machine according to claim 5 characterized in that the potentiometer (43) is in series with a switch (44) which is open when the automatic load detection means 25   laundry or other laundry related setting are in action.   7. Washing machine according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that at each position of the adjusting member, for which the automatic detection means of a size 30 linked to the laundry are out of action, corresponds to a washing program   identical to that provided for a specific value of the quantity determined automatically.   Washing machine according to one of claims 1 to 6   characterized in that at least for certain positions of the adjusting member (45) the washing program is different from the programs provided in operation with automatic detection of the size related to linen.   Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the laundry-related quantity which is automatically detected is at least one of the following: the load of laundry, the nature of the laundry, the degree of soiling and the degree of humidity.   Washing machine comprising an actuator (45) displaceable by the user to act on operating parameters of the machine, characterized in that, for a displacement in one direction, the parameter (s) varies (nt) to increase the efficiency of the washing and for a displacement in the other direction the (s) parameter (s) varies (s) to save or save time, two graduations (32, 33) representing washing efficiency and economy   being associated with these displacements.   11. Tumble dryer comprising means for automatically detecting a quantity related to the laundry, such as the load, acting on the drying parameters, characterized in that it comprises a user-actuable adjustment member for out of action the means of automatic detection of greatness and which   allows you to modify the drying parameters at will.   Tumble dryer according to claim 11, characterized in that the laundry-related quantity which is automatically detected is at least one of the following:   the load of laundry, the nature of the laundry and the degree of humidity.   Tumble dryer according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the drying parameters controlled by the user-actuable member are at least one of the following: the running time of the tumble dryer and the supplied energy to this tumble dryer.