WO2012084933A1

WO2012084933A1 - Switching unit for switching a drive motor of an oscillating device, device for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2012084933A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/073385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torsten Böttger; Rainer Jurmann; Wolfram SCHUBERT; Jörg SKRIPPEK
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2011-12-20
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: DE102010063945A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching unit (5) which connects a drive motor (4) of an oscillating device (2, 4) of a domestic appliance (1), wherein said switching unit (5) comprises an acceleration sensor (6) for monitoring the oscillation behavior of the oscillating device (2, 4). The invention further relates to a device for a domestic appliance, which oscillates during operation, and a domestic appliance having such a device.

Description

Switching unit for switching a drive motor of a vibrating device, device for a household appliance and household appliance

The invention relates to a switching unit, which provides the connection of a drive motor of a vibrating device of a household appliance. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for a household appliance, which oscillates in operation, comprises a drive motor, a drive unit driven by the drive vibrating unit and a switching unit. The invention also relates to a household appliance for the care of laundry with such a device.

In household appliances for the care of laundry items, such as dryers or washing machines, a drum for receiving laundry is driven by a drive motor. The drum rotates about its horizontal axis of rotation and occur due to the loading of laundry imbalances. Excessive imbalances lead to wear of the components.

The imbalances lead to vibrations of the drum and possibly the drive motor. These vibrations can be detected by sensors according to the prior art. Usually, a sensor system is used which has components, some of which are mounted on the oscillating system and others on the housing of the household appliance. Such a sensor system measures the position of the oscillating system relative to the device housing.

A switching unit which provides a connection for a drive motor is known, for example, from DE 10 2005 060 358 A1.

There are also known household appliances in which acceleration sensors are used to measure the vibrations of the oscillating system or the entire household appliance. A washing machine with a vibration sensor is known from DE 10 2005 037 144 B4. In this case, the vibration sensor is designed as a printed circuit board component and arranged on the power electronics of the motor. The power electronics are rigidly connected to the motor. Depending on the type of motor used, different power electronics adapted to the motor type must be designed with this concept. Thus, it is disadvantageous in such a concept that for the use of a vibration sensor always different power electronics must be provided, which have an integrated vibration sensor. A disadvantage of this concept is also that on the one hand, the power electronics with a program control and a power supply electrically coupled and on the other hand, the power electronics with a switching unit of the engine must be coupled to its control.

It is an object of the invention to provide a switching unit, a device for a household appliance and a household appliance, with the or with the vibrations, regardless of the type of motor or from the power electronics used reliably, little effort and inexpensive recognize.

This object is achieved by a switching unit, which has the features of claim 1, a device for a household appliance, which has the features of claim 7, and a domestic appliance with the features of claim 11.

A switching unit according to the invention is used for switching a drive motor of a vibrating device of a household appliance and comprises an acceleration sensor for monitoring the vibration behavior of the vibrating device. The oscillating device may in particular a tub and a rotatable drum disposed therein, for. As a drum for receiving laundry items, as well as components that drive this drum. A drive motor of such a tub or such a drum may in particular be itself part of the oscillating device. About such a drive motor z. For example, the drum is caused to rotate, with any laundry items present in it causing an imbalance which then causes the apparatus comprising the drum and the drive motor to vibrate. The resulting vibration behavior is monitored by the acceleration sensor. The In particular, vibration behavior does not have to be uniformly periodic, but may also have irregular or chaotic traits, which nevertheless can be reliably detected by the acceleration sensor. The switching unit is in particular designed to provide the wiring of the drive motor. With the wiring or the contacting of the drive motor power electronics with the engine components, in particular with windings and / or with other sensors arranged on the engine, such as a speedometer, produced via an electrical connection, which means of the switching device electrical switching operations on the drive motor can be performed , The switching unit thus also represents a connection unit of the drive motor.

According to the invention, the switching unit here also comprises the acceleration sensor. An otherwise exclusive for the circuit, i. For the wiring or contacting, the drive motor responsible switching unit is thus connected to an acceleration sensor such that a new switching unit is created, which allows both the electrical control operations of the drive motor, and includes the acceleration sensor with the required components for measuring and connections. In particular, acceleration sensors known from the prior art can be used.

The integration of the acceleration sensor into the switching unit of the drive motor does not increase the number of required components with additional functionality (measurement of the movement sequence of the oscillating device). The small number of parts improves the testability and interference immunity of the entire system. The assembly of switching unit and acceleration sensor is simplified as a whole. It is particularly advantageous that the switching unit with the acceleration sensor can be used for different types of motor, while the plug connection for contacting the drive motor can remain unchanged. As a result, the complexity and variety of variants in the production of corresponding household appliances can be reduced.

The measurement of the vibration behavior of the vibrating device is contactless. The switching unit is self-sufficient and, taken in isolation, can reliably and effortlessly monitor the oscillatory behavior of the oscillating device, without cooperation with other components mounted outside the vibrating device would be required. In particular, the position of the switching unit relative to a possibly given housing in which the oscillating device is located is not relevant. In particular, the acceleration sensor does not have to be complicatedly adjusted. A monitoring of the rest position of the vibrating device is eliminated. The switching unit with the acceleration sensor is small, compact and inexpensive to manufacture, especially because the switching unit itself does not include power electronics for controlling the drive motor. Thus, with this essentially passive switching unit, a common connection of the motor and an acceleration sensor with different types of power electronics can be provided in a particularly simple manner, in particular via only one common cable harness.

Preferably, the acceleration sensor is arranged stationarily on a support of the switching unit. The carrier of the switching unit is used in particular to secure the switching unit safely and with little effort on the vibrating device. For this purpose may be provided on the carrier attack sites for suitable fastening means. For example, the carrier may have holes or recesses for screws. As a result, the carrier with the switching unit, for example, can be firmly and securely connected to the drive motor of the oscillating device. Vibrations and vibrations of the vibrating device are thus unchanged and transmitted directly to the support of the switching unit. Since, according to the advantageous embodiment, the acceleration sensor is also arranged stationarily on the carrier, relative movements between the carrier and the acceleration sensor are reliably prevented. This results in a direct and undisturbed transmission of the vibration behavior of the vibrating device to the acceleration sensor, so that a particularly accurate measurement of the occurring accelerations of the vibrating device is achieved. Unwanted unbalance of the vibrating device are detected so particularly early and reliable.

Preferably, the acceleration sensor is arranged at an angle to the main axis of the carrier on the carrier. A main axis of the carrier is given in particular by a preferred orientation direction in the attachment of the switching unit on a drive motor of the oscillating device. In particular, the Support plate-like and be formed substantially rectangular. The rectangular support plate then has a longitudinal side and a transverse side. The main axis may in particular be formed parallel to such a longitudinal or transverse side. Are on the carrier z. B. recesses provided for fastening means, so the main axis z. B. also be determined by a straight line passing through the recesses. The acceleration sensor is oriented at a suitable angle to such a major axis. For example, the acceleration sensor itself is characterized by a further main axis, so that the main axis of the carrier with the main axis of the acceleration sensor includes a particular non-zero Wnkel. For example, the acceleration sensor has a substantially rectangular sensor housing, so that a main axis of the acceleration sensor can be defined by a straight line which runs parallel to one of the sides or edges of the housing. This embodiment allows to align the orientation of the acceleration sensor flexibly to a predetermined by the oscillating device coordinate system. Although the switching unit as a whole can be arbitrarily aligned with its carrier relative to this coordinate system, the acceleration sensor can be suitably oriented in order to achieve the highest possible measuring accuracy. Since imbalances of the oscillating device can also be influenced in particular by the direction of gravity (that is to say by the orientation of the oscillating device relative to the earth's surface), a preferred axis is defined by the direction of gravity and runs in this direction. Then, the acceleration sensor can be mounted on the carrier in particular so that an acceleration measurement in the direction of this preferred direction and a further acceleration measurement takes place perpendicular thereto. The embodiment ensures a high measurement accuracy at the same time few adjustment steps. In particular, the orientation of the carrier of the switching unit does not have to be selected appropriately. Assembly and calibration of the acceleration sensor are simplified as a whole.

Preferably, the switching unit has a stamped grid, which serves for the electrical contacting of both the drive motor and the acceleration sensor. The stamped grid is in particular made of an electrically conductive metal. It is particularly due to similar trained, parallel to each other, lamellar metal strips formed. Punching grids are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and allow a simple and secure contacting of the acceleration sensor and drive motor. The complexity of the switching unit is kept low overall, whereby a low susceptibility to errors is ensured.

Preferably, the switching unit has a connector which serves both for electrical contacting of the drive motor and for electrically contacting the acceleration sensor. By so formed common connector a simple and inexpensive connection option is achieved. Very good electrical contact with the drive motor and acceleration sensor is ensured. At the same time, the number of required components is kept low. A possible maintenance of the switching unit is simplified as a whole.

Preferably, alternatively, it can also be provided that the switching unit has a first connector for electrical contacting of the drive motor and comprises a second connector for electrically contacting the acceleration sensor. For drive motor and acceleration sensor so separate connectors are provided. The connectors can be formed similar. However, it can also be provided that the two connectors are structurally different from each other. This ensures an adapted to the respective type, needs-based contacting of acceleration sensor and drive motor. The electrical contact can be interrupted individually for drive motor and acceleration sensor. This also facilitates a possible maintenance and a possible replacement of components. Existing manufacturing processes can be ideally applied to the switching unit. An optionally already given for the contacting of the switching unit harness can be used in modified form. In particular, no new harness for the electrical connection is necessary. A device according to the invention for a domestic appliance can oscillate during operation and comprises a drive motor, a vibration unit drivable by the drive motor and a switching unit. The oscillating unit may in particular be a drum for receiving laundry items, which rotates in operation about a preferably substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The drum is preferably arranged in a tub, which is arranged in a housing of the household appliance and is connected by means of spring and damper elements with the housing. In a rotary motion of the drum occur, for. B. due to unevenly distributed in the drum laundry items, imbalances, through which the vibrating unit begins to vibrate. In order to enable the lowest possible vibration and to limit the oscillation amplitudes, the oscillating unit can be suitably mounted for this purpose. The axis of rotation of the oscillating unit can in particular be parallel or perpendicular to the earth's surface. An axis of rotation of the drive motor may in particular run parallel to the axis of rotation of the oscillating unit. The drive motor is in particular an electric motor.

Preferably, the switching unit is firmly connected to the drive motor. The switching unit is thus connected to the drive motor so that relative movements between the switching unit and the drive motor are prevented in particular during rocking. As a result, a particularly direct transmission of the vibration behavior of the drive motor to the switching unit is possible. As a result, since the acceleration sensor is mounted on the switching unit, accelerations on the drive motor can be detected in a particularly effective and error-free manner. During operation of the household appliance, the oscillating unit preferably rotates about a third axis straight line. Preferably, the acceleration sensor is configured to detect a first acceleration along a first axial line. Then it is further preferred that the first axis line is perpendicular to the third axis line. In this way, accelerated movements of the oscillating unit can be detected, in which the axis of rotation of the oscillating unit is not stationary. This is z. Example, then the case when the oscillating unit during its rotation has imbalances and consequently does not rotate evenly. Such imbalances can then be detected particularly easily and reliably with the acceleration sensor. It is then further preferred if the acceleration sensor is designed to detect a second acceleration along a second axial line. This second axial line then runs so that the third axis line is perpendicular to the first and second axial line. Preferably, the first and second axial line are perpendicular to each other. In this way can be through the acceleration sensor not only the vibrations in a spatial direction detect particularly safe, but it can be detected in two dimensions, the vibration behavior. Such a two-dimensional detection is particularly optimal when the first axis line for the detection of the first acceleration and the second axis line for the detection of the second acceleration are perpendicular to each other. Then the vectorial components of an actual acceleration, ie any vibration of the oscillating device, can be optimally measured. Imbalance of the vibrating device can then be detected extremely reliable. The household appliance according to the invention serves to care for items of laundry and comprises a device according to the invention. The household appliance is z. B. a washing machine, a tumble dryer or a washer dryer. The oscillating unit preferably comprises a drum for receiving laundry items. The household appliance can be designed in particular as a front loader or top loader. The laundry drum is thus aligned so that it rotates about an axis of rotation, which runs parallel or perpendicular to the mounting plane (or ground surface) of the household appliance.

The presented for the switching unit according to the invention preferred embodiments and their advantages apply correspondingly for the device according to the invention and the household appliance according to the invention.

Further features emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations and / or features and feature combinations shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without to leave the scope of the invention.

Reference to exemplary embodiments, the invention is explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a household appliance; a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention switching unit; Fig. 3 shows a detail of a household appliance with a drive motor and a

Switching unit;

Fig. 4A a predetermined by the location of a drum of a household appliance

Coordinate system; and

4B is a schematic plan view of a switching unit with a to

Coordinate system of Fig. 4A related orientation.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a household appliance 1, which is designed for the care of laundry and in the embodiment is a washing machine. The household appliance 1 comprises a vibrating unit with a drum 2, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation R perpendicular to the plane of the figure. In the drum 2 laundry items 3 are introduced. The household appliance 1 further comprises a drive motor 4, which is provided for driving the drum 2 in a manner not shown and is substantially rigidly connected to the oscillating unit. On the drive motor 4, a switching unit 5 is fixedly mounted, which comprises an acceleration sensor 6. At least the drum 2 and the drive motor 4 belong to a vibrating device, which is movable relative to the housing of the household appliance 2 shown schematically as a frame. The switching unit 5 is designed to perform switching operations on the drive motor 4, for example, after receiving control signals by a control unit or power electronics, not shown. In this way, the rotational movement of the drum 2 can be variably controlled. In particular, the acceleration sensor 6 can act on the switching unit 5 in such a way that the rotation of the drum 2 is reduced or even completely adjusted in the event of excessive vibrations or imbalances. 2 shows a perspective view of the switching unit 5. This comprises a carrier 7, which is substantially rectangular in its basic shape and has screw holes 14, via which the switching unit can be fastened on another component or another assembly by means of screws. The connecting line through the two screw holes 14 defines a major axis H of the carrier. The switching unit 5 further comprises a plurality of connectors 8, via which the drive motor 4 and the acceleration sensor 6 can be electrically contacted. The acceleration sensor 6 is seated in a rectangular housing and is fixedly mounted on the carrier 7. The resulting switching unit 5 is small overall, compact and has a small number of components. About the screw holes 14, it is easy and uncomplicated to the drive motor 4 fastened.

Fig. 3 shows the switching unit 5, which is fixed to the drive motor 4. The specified coordinate system with the axes x and z are the orientation of the image detail shown in Fig. 3 within the household appliance 1 again. If the household appliance 1 is ideally set up on a supporting surface, the axis z runs perpendicular to the ground or parallel to the direction of the acting gravitation. The motor axis M then runs perpendicular to these two axes x and z, ie perpendicular to the image plane. The carrier 7 of the switching unit 5 is within the plane defined by the axes x and z plane; it is thus perpendicular to the motor axis M. The main axis H of the carrier passing through the screw holes 14 lies in the plane of the drawing and assumes a non-zero angle with respect to the axes x and z. The carrier 7 is fixedly attached to the drive motor 4 via screws 9, which are seated in the screw holes 14, so that the switching unit 5 follows in the case of the vibration of the drive motor 4 whose oscillatory motion is one to one. The rectangular housing of the acceleration sensor 6 is aligned with respect to its housing edges parallel to the axes x and z.

This orientation is discussed in more detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A again shows the coordinate system known from FIG. In addition, the axis of rotation R of the drum 2 is drawn, which is perpendicular to the axes x and z. As a result, a coordinate system is defined, which is given by a desired position of the household appliance on the earth's surface. Within this coordinate system, the switching unit 5 is arranged in a certain manner. We already known from Fig. 3, the major axis H assumes a non-zero angle to the axes x and z. On the other hand, the switching unit 5 is mounted on the support 7 in such a way that the contour sides of its basic shape, which is rectangular in plan view, extend parallel to the axes x and z, respectively. A longitudinal side of the switching unit 5 is parallel to the z-axis, while a transverse side is parallel to the x-axis. A main axis B of the switching unit 5 can be defined, which is given by a straight line parallel to the longitudinal side. This straight line thus runs parallel to the z-axis and lies completely in the xz-plane. The main axis B of the acceleration sensor 6 encloses an angle a with the main axis H of the carrier 7. This angle a is different from zero in the exemplary embodiment. This arrangement is suitable for an optimal adjustment of the acceleration sensor 6 in order to measure the vibration behavior of the drum 2 or the drive motor 4.

FIG. 4B also schematically shows a stamped grid of the switching unit 5. A first part of the parallel metal slats forms a motor terminal 12 for the drive motor 4. Another part of these slats forms a sensor terminal 13 for the acceleration sensor 6. The acceleration sensor 6 is contacted directly via contact points 1 1 with the lamellae of the lead frame 10 electrically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 home appliance

2 drum

3 pieces of laundry

4 drive motor

5 switching unit

6 acceleration sensor

7 carriers

8 connectors

9 screw

10 punched grid

11 contact point

12 motor connection

13 sensor connection

14 screw hole a angle

B, H main axis

M motor axle

R rotation axis x, y, z axes

Claims

claims

Switching unit (5), which provides the connection of a drive motor (4) of a vibrating device (2, 4) of a household appliance (1),

characterized in that

the switching unit (5) has an acceleration sensor (6) for monitoring the vibration behavior of the oscillating device (2, 4).

Switching unit (5) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the acceleration sensor (6) is fixedly arranged on a carrier (7) of the switching unit (5). 3. switching unit (5) according to claim 2,

characterized in that

the acceleration sensor (6) is arranged on the carrier (7) at an angle (a) to the main axis (H) of the carrier (7).

Switching unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the switching unit (5) has a stamped grid (10) for electrically contacting the drive motor (4) and the acceleration sensor (6).

Switching unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the switching unit (5) has a connector (8, 12, 13) for electrical

Having contact of the drive motor (4) and for electrical contacting of the acceleration sensor (6).

6. Switching unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that the switching unit (5) has a first connector (8, 12) for electrical

Contacting of the drive motor (4) and a second connector (8, 13), which in particular structurally different from the first connector (8, 12), for electrical contacting of the acceleration sensor (6).

Device for a household appliance which vibrates in operation and one

Drive motor (4), one by the drive motor (4) drivable vibration unit (2) and a switching unit (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

Device according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the switching unit (5) with the drive motor (4) is firmly connected.

Device according to claim 7 or 8,

characterized in that

the acceleration sensor (6) is designed to detect a first acceleration along a first axial line (B, z) and the oscillating unit (2) rotates about a third axial line (R) during operation of the domestic appliance (1) and the first axial line (B , z) is perpendicular to the third axial line (R).

Device according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the acceleration sensor (6) is designed to detect a second acceleration along a second axial line (x) and the third axial line (R) is perpendicular to the first (B, z) and second axial line (x).

Domestic appliance (1) for the care of laundry (3) with a device according to one of claims 7 to 10.

Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 11,

characterized in that

the oscillating unit comprises a drum (2) for receiving laundry items (3).