WO2016184841A1 - Procédé de gestion en toute sécurité de l'activation et de la désactivation d'un moteur électrique, et appareil correspondant - Google Patents

Procédé de gestion en toute sécurité de l'activation et de la désactivation d'un moteur électrique, et appareil correspondant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016184841A1
WO2016184841A1 PCT/EP2016/060991 EP2016060991W WO2016184841A1 WO 2016184841 A1 WO2016184841 A1 WO 2016184841A1 EP 2016060991 W EP2016060991 W EP 2016060991W WO 2016184841 A1 WO2016184841 A1 WO 2016184841A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sstate
state
rli
switching device
terminal
Prior art date
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PCT/EP2016/060991
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English (en)
Inventor
Christian Montebello
Vincenzo Aprea
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Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
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Publication of WO2016184841A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016184841A1/fr

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/28—Air properties
    • D06F2103/34—Humidity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/44—Opening, closing or locking of doors
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F33/74—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
    • D06F58/04—Details 
    • D06F58/08—Driving arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/50—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to electric appliances, such as washing, drying, washing/drying, dishwashing appliances, both for domestic and professional use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a circuit and a method for safely managing activation/deactivation of electric motors in such appliances.
  • appliances make use of electric motors.
  • the electric motor is intended to rotate a rotatable drum (i.e. the rotatable container arranged inside the appliance wherein a laundry load is placed/housed in order to be washed and/or dried).
  • the appliance In order to activate/deactivate the electric motor, the appliance typically comprises electrically-operated switching devices and a power conversion/driving system for converting an AC supply voltage into a DC supply voltage allowing driving of the electric motor.
  • the power conversion/driving system comprises a rectifying arrangement and a bulk capacitor for providing said DC supply voltage, and a driving arrangement, fed with said DC supply voltage, for driving the electric motor (e.g. , for controlling activation/deactivation thereof). Due to inherently low input resistance exhibited by the power conversion/driving system, especially when the bulk capacitor is initially discharged, large surge currents (or inrush currents) may arise, which are very stressful to power conversion/driving system.
  • Inrush current limiting devices e.g. including negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor or resistor
  • NTC negative temperature coefficient
  • each switching device which the known solutions makes use of is prone to errors (e.g., absence of switching), thus impairing appliance operation.
  • Some known solutions provide sensing arrangements for sensing the switching state of the switching devices, however these sensing arrangements provide high-voltage sensing (as typically based on sensing provision/absence of the AC supply voltage through the switching device), which translates into power consumptions not compatible with nowadays restrictive powers saving requirements.
  • Low sensing activity also involves that some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures) are handled by the appliance in a manner not oriented to avoid safety risks for the user.
  • An aspect of the present invention relates to a washing and/or drying appliance.
  • the appliance comprises:
  • the driving arrangement for driving the electric load, the driving arrangement having first and second terminals coupleable, respectively, to a line terminal and to a neutral terminal providing a reference voltage,
  • sensing network for sensing the first or second states of the switching device and for providing a corresponding state signal
  • the sensing network having a first terminal, and a second terminal coupled to a reference terminal providing a further reference voltage lower than the reference voltage.
  • the reference terminal and the first terminal of the sensing network being coupled to each other such that the first terminal of the sensing network receives the reference voltage and the state signal takes a first level equal to the reference voltage, in the second state the state signal taking a second level lower than the first level.
  • the reference terminal and the first terminal of the sensing network are coupled to each other with interposition of the inrush current limiting device, whereby the second level of the state signal is between the first the reference voltage and the further reference voltage according to a partition between the inrush current limiting device and the sensing network.
  • the first terminal of the sensing network is electrically floating, whereby the second level of the state signal is at the further reference voltage by pull-down action of the sensing network.
  • the switching device has a first contact electrically coupled, during sensing, to the sensing network, a second contact coupled to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
  • the switching device has a first contact electrically floating, a second contact, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
  • the appliance also comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the second contact of the switching device to the first terminal of the sensing network or to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, respectively.
  • the first terminal of the sensing network is coupled, during sensing, to the second contact of the switching device, in the second state of the further switching device the state signal taking a third level equal to the further reference voltage.
  • the sensing network is a resistive network.
  • the appliance further comprises a filtering arrangement for suppressing disturbances from the state signal.
  • the inrush current limiting device is a fusible resistor or a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.
  • the electric load is an electric motor, for example a "Variable-Frequency Drive” motor or a Brushless DC motor
  • the appliance is a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations, or a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations, or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations.
  • the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric load is activated.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a washing and/or drying appliance.
  • the appliance comprises:
  • an electric motor and a driving arrangement for driving it the driving arrangement being coupleable to a line terminal and to a neutral terminal providing a reference voltage, between the neutral terminal and the driving arrangement, an inrush current limiting device and a switching device, the switching device being operable between first and second states allowing and preventing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device, and
  • a sensing arrangement configured for sensing the first or second states of the switching device and for providing a corresponding state signal, in the first state of the switching device the state signal taking a first level equal to the reference voltage, and in the second state of the switching device the state signal taking a second level lower than the first level.
  • the method comprises, under the control of a control unit of the appliance and in response to a motor activation request:
  • the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric motor is activated.
  • the method further comprises enabling mechanical door locking, said feeding the driving arrangement with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device being performed if mechanical door locking is enabled.
  • the appliance further comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the switching device to the sensing arrangement or to the driving arrangement, respectively, in the first state of the further switching device the state signal taking the first or second levels according to the first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
  • Said enabling mechanical door locking if the state signal takes the second level comprises: operating the switching device in the first state,
  • the state signal in the second state of the further switching device the state signal takes a third level lower than the first and second levels.
  • the method further comprises, after said enabling mechanical door locking:
  • the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
  • the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an appliance wherein the present invention may be applied
  • Figure 2 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system of the appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS 3 and 4 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system of Figure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system of the appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS 6 and 7 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system of Figure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows an appliance 100, for example for domestic use (i.e., a household appliance), wherein the present invention may be applied.
  • the appliance 100 may for example be a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations (i.e., without laundry drying operations), a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations (i.e., without laundry washing operations), or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations (as generically illustrated in the figure, and to which reference will be made in the following by way of a non-limiting example only).
  • the appliance 100 preferably comprises a substantially parallepiped- shaped cabinet 105, which encloses an inner compartment.
  • the inner compartment accommodates a tub (not visible), adapted to be filled with washing water, and a (e.g., perforated) rotatable drum 110 mounted therein (in either a horizontal or vertical orientation) adapted to house the laundry to be treated (i.e., the laundry to be washed and/or dried, in the example at issue).
  • the inner compartment may accommodate, instead of the tub and the rotatable drum 110, any suitable treatment chamber (e.g., a rotatable, non-perforated drum in case of a laundry drying appliance).
  • the inner compartment i.e., the rotatable drum 110
  • the inner compartment is accessible through an access door 115 (shown in a closed configuration), preferably provided on a front panel 105F of the cabinet 105 for loading/unloading the laundry.
  • the inner compartment also accommodates, not visible in such a figure, a number of well-known electronic, electro-hydraulic and/or electro-mechanical components, which form (as a whole) a circuit system allowing operation of the appliance 100.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • coupling will be used for denoting both direct and indirect coupling (unless explicitly referring to direct coupling, when relevant for the present invention).
  • the circuit system 200 comprises one or more electric loads, such has the electric load 205, for example an electric motor for drum rotation.
  • the electric motor 205 is a "Variable-Frequency Drive” (VFD) motor or a Brushless DC motor, so that control of drum rotation speed (e.g., according to an actual laundry load, and/or to an actual amount of washing water within the rotatable drum 110) is possible.
  • VFD Very-Frequency Drive
  • Brushless DC motor so that control of drum rotation speed (e.g., according to an actual laundry load, and/or to an actual amount of washing water within the rotatable drum 110) is possible.
  • the present invention may be applied for any electric load (for example, an electric heater, a drain or recirculation pump, a fan).
  • the circuit system 200 also comprises a driving arrangement, generally configured for driving the electric motor 205.
  • the driving arrangement preferably comprises a motor module 210, powered between first VDCI and second VDC2 DC supply voltages, for controlling activation and deactivation of the electric motor 205, as well as a power conversion arrangement for providing said DC supply voltages VDCI,VDC2 according to an AC supply voltage selectively received from supply (e.g. , line) TL and reference (e.g. , neutral) TN terminals of an AC power supply.
  • supply e.g. , line
  • reference e.g. , neutral
  • the power conversion module comprises a rectifying circuit (e.g. , a diodes bridge) 215, having two input terminals T 2 I5,INI,T 2 IS,IN2 (selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals, respectively) for receiving the AC supply voltage and two output terminals ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ , ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ 2 for providing pulsed DC voltages (deriving from full- wave rectification of the AC supply voltage), and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals Tci,Tc2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ , ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ 2, respectively, of the rectifying circuit 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages VDCI,VDC2.
  • a rectifying circuit e.g. , a diodes bridge
  • the input terminals T215,INI,T215,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 also represent, by the logical viewpoint, input terminals of the driving arrangement as a whole (although the motor module 210, typically provided as a dedicated printed circuit board, is structurally separated from the power conversion module 215, C), the driving arrangement 210,215, C being thus selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals by means of the input terminals T215,INI,T215,IN2, respectively.
  • the circuit system 200 also comprises an AC-DC conversion circuit (denoted by the reference CC in the figure) comprising transforming, rectifying and regulating components for receiving the AC supply voltage and providing one or more further DC voltages, such as a lower reference, or ground, voltage GND (e.g. , 0V), and an upper reference voltage Vcc (e.g. , a 5V DC voltage with respect to the ground voltage GND) for powering electronic components of the appliance 100 (as mentioned in the following).
  • the neutral terminal TN is preferably set at the upper reference voltage Vcc (so as to allow proper driving of power components of the appliance 100, e.g. triacs, not shown).
  • An inrush current limiting device RNTC (better discussed in the following) is provided between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T 2 05,iN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 (i.e. , of the driving arrangement 210,215, C) in order to limit large peak surge currents, or inrush currents, flowing through (thus electrically stressing) the rectifying arrangement 215 and the bulk capacitor C (especially when the bulk capacitor C is initially discharged).
  • a safety switch e.g., a door switch
  • SWL is provided between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T 2 15,INI of the rectifying arrangement 215
  • a switching arrangement is provided between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215.
  • the switching arrangement comprises a (e.g. , electromagnetic) relay RLi having bypass functions (thus, referred to as bypass relay RLi hereinafter) electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN, and a (e.g. , electromagnetic) relay RL2 having safety functions (thus, referred to as safety relay RL2 hereinafter) provided between the bypass relay RLi and the input terminal T2i5,iN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 (the bypass RLi and safety RL2 relays being assumed preferably structurally similar to each other).
  • a (e.g. , electromagnetic) relay RLi having bypass functions thus, referred to as bypass relay RLi hereinafter
  • safety relay RL2 safety functions
  • bypass RLi and safety RL2 relays comprise respective contacts CA,RLI,CB,RLI,CC,RLI and CA,RL2,CB,RL2,CC,RL2, as well as a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core.
  • a central contact of each relay e.g. the contact CB,RLI,CB,RL2, is movable with respect to the other, or fixed, (mechanically separated and electrically insulated) side contacts of the same relay (i.e. the side contacts CA,RLI,CC,RLI and CA,RL2,CC,RL2, respectively).
  • each relay RLi,RL2 In absence of current across the coil (relay de-energization), the central contact CB,RLI,CB,RL2 of each relay RLi,RL2 is electrically coupled to a respective side contact, e.g. the contact CA,RLI,CA,RL2 (and an air gap, and hence electrical insulation, is established between the central contact CB,RLI,CB,RL2 and the opposite side contact CC,RLI,CC,RL2).
  • a respective side contact e.g. the contact CA,RLI,CA,RL2 (and an air gap, and hence electrical insulation, is established between the central contact CB,RLI,CB,RL2 and the opposite side contact CC,RLI,CC,RL2).
  • bypass RLi and safety RL2 relays are in a first, de-energized, state wherein the central contacts CB,RLI,CB,RL2 contact the side contacts CA,RLI,CA,RL2, respectively, and are operable in a second, energized, state wherein the central contacts CB,RLI,CB,RL2 contact the side contacts CC,RLI,CC,RL2, respectively.
  • the side contact CA,RLI of the bypass relay RLi is floating, whereas the central contact CB,RLI of the bypass relay RLi is electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN (SO as to contact the side contact CA,RLI or the side contact CC,RLI in the de-energized or energized states, respectively, of the bypass relay RLi).
  • the side CA,RL2,CC,RL2 and central CB,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL2 are instead electrically coupled to the input terminal T2i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215, to a sensing arrangement 220 (as discussed in the following) and to the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi, respectively.
  • the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi is electrically coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 (through the side CA,RL2 and central CB,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL2), and in the energized state of the safety relay RL2 the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi is electrically coupled to the input terminal T2i5,iN2 of the rectifying circuit 215, whereas the bypass relay RLi in the energized state identifies said first configuration of the switching arrangement (i.e., electric current being prevented from flowing through the inrush current limiting device RNTC) and the bypass relay RLi in the de-energized states identifies said second configuration of the switching arrangement (i.e., electric current being allowed to flow through the inrush current limiting device RNTC).
  • the door switch SWL can be switched between an opened, or off, condition electrically decoupling the line terminal TL and the input terminal T2i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 from each other thereby preventing, in door-opened configuration, energization of the electric motor 205 (and/or of any other electric loads downstream the door switch SWL), and a closed, or on, condition.
  • the door switch SWL is instead in the closed condition, electrical coupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T 2 IS,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 is established, and mechanical lock of the door 115 is commanded (e.g. , by means of a proper door-lock command, not shown, provided to a proper mechanical door-lock device, also not shown).
  • such a mechanical lock is provided to prevent opening of the door for safety reasons, e.g. when the electric motor 205 is activated, when washing or rinsing water is provided within the tub, when a dangerous temperature in the inner compartment is detected, or when the drum 110 is still rotating.
  • the inrush current limiting device RNTC may be a fusible resistor or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass relay RLi.
  • NTC thermistor RNTC is electrically coupled between the central CB,RLI and side CC,RLI contacts of the bypass relay RLi.
  • the NTC thermistor RNTC is a resistive component whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases.
  • the bypass relay RLi in the de-energized state and the safety relay RL 2 in the energized state (so that the neutral terminal TN is electrically coupled to the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 through the NTC thermistor RNTC and the safety relay RL 2 , i.e. the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof)
  • the temperature of the NTC thermistor RNTC is cold and its resistance is high, and a relatively low starting current is allowed to flow therethrough.
  • the bypass relay RLi is operated into the energized state (i.e. , central contact CB,RLI of the bypass relay RLi being moved into contact with the side contact CC,RLI thereof), thus bypassing (i.e. , substantially short-circuiting) the NTC thermistor RNTC and allowing a working current (substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance) to be fed to the rectifying arrangement 215 (through the bypass relay RLi, i.e. the central CB,RLI and side CC,RLI contacts thereof, and the safety relay RL 2 , i.e. the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof).
  • the circuit system 200 also comprises a sensing arrangement 220, selectively coupleable to the side contact CA,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 .
  • the sensing arrangement 220 is configured for sensing the first or second states (i.e. , the energized or de-energized states) of the bypass relay RLi, as well as the energized or de-energized states of the safety relay RL 2 (being the sensing allowed/prevented based on the de-energized/energized state of the safety relay RL 2 ), and for providing a corresponding signal S STATE (hereinafter, state signal).
  • the state signal SSTATE may advantageously take three different levels according to the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays states, namely a low level SSTATE,L equal to the lower reference voltage GND, a high level SSTATE,H equal to the upper reference voltage Vcc, and an intermediate level SSTATE.I between the low SSTATE,L and high SSTATE.H levels.
  • the sensing arrangement 220 comprises a sensing network, for example a (e.g. , resistive) pull-down network RPD (schematically represented as a single resistor in the figure, and referred to as pull-down resistor in the following), having a first terminal TRPD,I providing the state signal SSTATE and adapted to be electrically coupled to the side contact CC,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 (and hence, to the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi) and a second terminal TRPD,2 receiving the lower reference voltage GND.
  • a sensing network for example a (e.g. , resistive) pull-down network RPD (schematically represented as a single resistor in the figure, and referred to as pull-down resistor in the following), having a first terminal TRPD,I providing the state signal SSTATE and adapted to be electrically coupled to the side contact CC,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 (and hence, to the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay
  • a filtering arrangement e.g. , a low pass filter FLP is provided for suppressing possible disturbances from (i.e. , associated with) the state signal SSTATE- anyway, as should be readily understood, embodiments are possible wherein the filtering arrangement FLP is not provided, in which case the state signal SSTATE may be directly taken from the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD.
  • the safety relay RL 2 is operable in a first, energized, state electrically coupling the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi to sensing arrangement 220 (i.e. , to the pull-down network RPD) or in a second, de-energized, state electrically coupling the side contact CC,RLI of the bypass relay RLi to the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the driving arrangement 210,215, C, respectively.
  • the actual sensing start is controlled by means of an electrically-operated switching device (e.g.
  • a MOS transistor 225 between the side terminal CC,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 and the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD - with the sensing start that may take place, as herein exemplary considered, according to closed/opened states of the MOS transistor 225 controlled according to corresponding values of a control signal S225.
  • bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays states may be discriminated (and signaled, through the respective high SSTATE.H, low SSTATE,L or intermediate SSTATE.I levels of the state signal SSTATE):
  • the NTC thermistor RNTC is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass relay RLi, thus the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD and the neutral terminal TN are both at the upper reference voltage Vcc Otherwise stated, the neutral terminal TN and the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD are coupled to each other such that the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor receives the upper reference voltage Vcc In other words, a direct coupling (unless unavoidable parasitic components - such as wires, contacts CB,RLI,CC,RLI and MOS transistors 225 parasitic resistances) is established between the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD. Thus, the state signal SSTATE takes the high level
  • Safety relay RL 2 in the energized state (bypass relay RLi either in the energized or de-energized states).
  • the central contact CB,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 is electrically coupled to the side contact CC,RL2, the side contact coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 (i.e., the side contact CA,RL2) being instead floating (i.e. , no direct or indirect coupling between the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD takes place).
  • the pull-down resistor RPD by effect of the pull-down resistor RPD, the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD is pulled-down to the lower reference voltage GND.
  • the state signal SSTATE takes the low level SSTATE,L.
  • the neutral terminal TN and the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD are coupled to each other with interposition of the NTC thermistor RNTC.
  • the safety relay RL 2 i.e. , the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof.
  • the state signal SSTATE takes the intermediate level SSTATE.I (whose value depends on NTC thermistor RNTC and pull-down resistor RPD sizing, not limiting for the present invention).
  • the circuit system 200 further comprises a control unit 230, for example a microcontroller/microprocessor.
  • the control unit 230 is configured to receive the state signal SSTATE (or, in the considered example, a filtered version thereof) from the sensing arrangement 220 (i.e.
  • control unit 230 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly.
  • the illustrated circuit system 200 allows achieving a low-voltage sensing, which makes it highly power-saving and reliable. Moreover, the circuit system 200 makes use of a single sensing arrangement for sensing the states of both bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays, thus some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures, discussed below) may be handled by the appliance 100 in a manner totally oriented to avoid safety risks for the user, while substantially unaffecting power consumption.
  • FIG. 3 shows a simplified flowchart of a motor activation procedure 300, carried out under the control of the control unit 230 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the motor activation procedure 300 is aimed at activating the electric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays are both in the de-energized state (i.e. , the state signal SSTATE takes the intermediate level SSTATE.I), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current (i.e.
  • the electric current limited by the NTC thermistor RNTC is correctly fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C, communication between the electric motor 205 and the driving arrangement 205,210,C is active, and the working current is allowed to be fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C (i.e., bypass relay RLi in the de-energized state and safety relay RL 2 in the energized state).
  • the motor activation procedure 300 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass relay RLi, safety relay RL 2 or NTC thermistor RNTC failures.
  • the motor activation procedure 300 starts by operating the bypass relay RLi into the energized state (action block 305), and by checking (decision block 310) whether - which means that bypass relay RLi energization has taken place correctly, the safety relay RL 2 is in the de-energized state (as expected from the last motor deactivation procedure), and no malfunction affect the NTC resistor
  • a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,L) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL 2
  • an intermediate level SSTATE.I of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,H) may denote a bypass relay RLi energization failure
  • a level different from the high SSTATE.H, intermediate SSTATE.I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
  • the motor activation procedure 300 continues by operating the bypass relay RLi into the de-energized state (activity block 315) and by checking (decision block 320) whether (i.e. , whether the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays are both in the de-energized state and no malfunction affect the NTC resistor RNTC).
  • the motor activation procedure 300 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 360), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors.
  • a high level SSTATE.H of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected intermediate level SSTATE.I) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC short-circuit or bypass relay RLi de-energization failure
  • a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected intermediate level SSTATE.I) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL 2
  • a level different from the high SSTATE,H, intermediate SSTATE.I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
  • Undesired energized state of the safety relay RL 2 is the least likely error that could affect the circuit system 200 at decision blocks 310 and 320 (indeed, as better understood from the following description, safety relay RL 2 de-energization state is ensured before ending each motor deactivation procedure).
  • the motor activation procedure 300 continues by switching the door switch SWL into the closed configuration (by means of the signal SSWL, SO that electrical coupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T 2 IS,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 is established), and by providing the door lock command to the mechanical lock of the door (activity block 325), thereafter correct door locking is checked at the decision block 330.
  • the motor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), as the possibility of opening the door 115 when the electric motor 105 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of the decision block 330, it meaning that the electric motor 105 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open the door 115, the motor activation procedure 300 goes on by operating the safety relay RL 2 into the energized stated (activity block 335) - thereby allowing the AC supply voltage to be fed across the input terminals T 2 05,INI,T 2 05,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 and a limited inrush current (i.e.
  • the inrush current limited by the NTC thermistor RNTC to softly charge the bulk capacitor C at the DC supply voltages VDCI,VDC2 - and by checking (decision block 340) whether safety relay RL 2 energization has taken place correctly - i.e., whether indicating that the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays are in the de-energized and energized states, respectively, and no malfunction affects the NTC thermistor RNTC.
  • the motor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of the detected error.
  • FIG 4 shows a simplified flowchart of a motor deactivation procedure 400 carried out by the control unit 230 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking only if, upon motor deactivation has occurred, the safety relay RL 2 is operated into the de-energized state (i.e., state signal S S TATE taking the intermediate level SsTATE.i, so that no electric current is allowed to flow to the driving arrangement 210,215, C any longer), and the bypass relay RLi is operated into the de-energized state (for consistency with a following motor activation procedure, wherein, as discussed above, the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays in the de-energized states represent the preferred default starting configuration for inferring failures).
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals SCOMM, deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 405) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the safety relay RL 2 into the de-energized state (action block 420) as soon as the electric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the command signals SCOMM.
  • This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 410 (wherein electric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 415 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked).
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 keeps running the decision blocks 410,415 as long as the electric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 410) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 415). Instead, if (i.e., as soon as) the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 410), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 415), the safety relay RL 2 is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 420).
  • elapsing of the predefined time interval might mean that communication between the electric module 205 and the motor module 210 is temporary or permanently prejudiced (in which case the motor module 210 may not have deactivated the electric motor 205, or may not have received confirmation about electric motor 205 stopping), so that operating the safety relay RL 2 into the de- energized state allows safely interrupting electric motor 205 powering in any case.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 goes on by checking (decision block 425) whether the bypass relay RL 2 de-energization has taken place correctly and the bypass relay RLi is energized, as expected - i.e. , whether the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays are in the energized and de-energized states, respectively, namely whether In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 425), meaning that safe interruption of electric motor 205 powering is not possible, emergency procedures, not shown, are invoked (possibly, by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of the detected error), thereafter the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440).
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
  • a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,L) may denote safety relay RL 2 de-energization failure
  • an intermediate level SSTATE.I of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE.H) may denote undesired de-energized state the bypass relay RLi
  • a level different from the high SSTATE.H, intermediate SSTATE.I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 400 goes on by operating the bypass relay RLi into the de-energized state (activity block 430), and by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 435) -preferably, while switching on the door switch SWL by means of the control signal SSWL, SO as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215), thereafter the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440).
  • bypass relay RLi de-energization is advantageously carried out for consistency with a following motor activation procedure (such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing) providing the de-energized state of both bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays as default starting configuration for inferring failures - anyway, nothing prevents from carrying out bypass relay RLi de-energization at the start of the motor activation procedure 300.
  • a following motor activation procedure such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing
  • bypass relay RLi de-energization is advantageously carried out for consistency with a following motor activation procedure (such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing) providing the de-energized state of both bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays as default starting configuration for inferring failures - anyway, nothing prevents from carrying out bypass relay RLi de-energization at the start of the motor activation procedure 300.
  • no check of whether bypass relay RLi de-energization has taken place correctly
  • FIG 5 it schematically shows a portion of a circuit system 500 of the appliance 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the circuit system 500 is similar to the circuit system 200, reason why, in the following, same or similar elements will not be discussed again for the sake of conciseness.
  • the circuit system 500 comprises, as above, the electric motor 205, the motor module 210 (powered between the first VDCI and second VDC2 DC supply voltages), the power conversion arrangement for (selectively) providing said DC supply voltages VDCI,VDC2 according to the AC supply voltage selectively received from the line TL and neutral TN terminals of the AC power supply, and the sensing arrangement 220.
  • the power conversion arrangement comprises, as before, the rectifying arrangement 215, whose input terminals T 2 I5,INI,T 2 IS,IN2 are selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals, respectively, for receiving the AC supply voltage and whose output terminals ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ , ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ 2 provide pulsed DC voltages, and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals Tci,Tc2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ , ⁇ 2 ⁇ 5, ⁇ 2, respectively, of the rectifying arrangement 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages
  • the switching arrangement comprises a single (e.g. , electromagnetic) relay RL having both bypass and safety functions (thus, referred to as bypass/safety relay hereinafter), and electrically coupled between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215.
  • bypass/safety relay e.g. , electromagnetic
  • the bypass/safety relay RL e.g. structurally similar to the bypass RLi and safety RL 2 relays, comprises side (fixed) contacts CA,RLCC,RL electrically coupled to a sensing arrangement 520 and to the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215, respectively, and a central contact CB,RL, movable with respect to the side contacts CA,RLCC,RL, electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN.
  • the bypass/safety relay RL is herein assumed, in the de- energized state (i.e. , in absence of current across the coil), with the central contact CB,RL electrically coupled to a respective side contact (e.g. the side contact CA,RL), and, in the energized state (i.e. , in presence of an electric current across the coil)with the central contact CB,RL electrically coupled to the other side contact (i.e. , the side contact CC,RL).
  • the circuit system 500 also comprises an inrush current limiting device, for example a NTC thermistor (as before) or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a fusible resistor RFUSE electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass/safety relay RL for mitigating the inrush current experienced during startup.
  • an inrush current limiting device for example a NTC thermistor (as before) or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a fusible resistor RFUSE electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass/safety relay RL for mitigating the inrush current experienced during startup.
  • the fusible resistor RFUSE is electrically coupled between the central CB,RL and side CC,RL contacts of the bypass/safety relay RL (and, hence, between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215).
  • a fusible resistor is a standard resistor by the electrical viewpoint, and if further designed to open without flames when overloaded (thus, sometimes also referred to as flameproof resistor).
  • the use of the fusible resistor RFUSE instead of the NTC thermistor RNTC makes the circuit system 500 cheaper than the circuit system 200, and ensures a constant starting current to be fed to the rectifying arrangement during startup.
  • the neutral terminal TN is electrically coupled to the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 through the fusible resistor RFUSE, and a fixed starting current (depending on fusible resistor RFUSE resistance) is allowed to flow therethrough.
  • the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state (i.e., central contact CB,RL thereof moved to the side contact CC,RL), thus bypassing (i.e.
  • the sensing arrangement 520 comprises, similarly to the sensing arrangement 220, the pull-down resistor RPD, whose first terminal TRPD,I is adapted to be electrically coupled to the side terminal CA,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (e.g. , as above, by means of the MOS transistor 225, or other electrically-operated switching device) and whose second terminal TRPD,2 is configured to receive the lower reference voltage GND, and, preferably, the filtering arrangement FLP.
  • the pull-down resistor RPD whose first terminal TRPD,I is adapted to be electrically coupled to the side terminal CA,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (e.g. , as above, by means of the MOS transistor 225, or other electrically-operated switching device) and whose second terminal TRPD,2 is configured to receive the lower reference voltage GND, and, preferably, the filtering arrangement FLP.
  • the sensing arrangement 520 when coupled to the side contact CA,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (MOS transistor 225 in the on condition), is intended to sense the (energized or de-energized) state of the bypass/safety relay RL and to provide a corresponding state signal S*STATE.
  • the state signal S* STATE may take two different levels according to the bypass/safety relay RL state, namely the low SSTATE,L and high SSTATE.H levels.
  • bypass/safety relay RL in the energized state
  • the fusible resistor RFUSE is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass/safety relay RL.
  • the central terminal CB,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL is electrically coupled to the side terminal CC,RL, the side terminal coupled to the sensing arrangement 520 (i.e. , the side terminal CA,RL2) being instead floating.
  • the pull-down resistor RPD by effect of the pull-down resistor RPD, the first terminal TRPD,I of the pull-down resistor RPD is pulled down to the lower reference voltage GND.
  • the state signal S* STATE takes the low level SSTATE,L.
  • the state signal S* STATE takes the high level SSTATE.H.
  • errors to the bypass/safety relay RL or to the fuse resistor RFUSE may also be inferred when the state signal S* STATE takes a level different from the expected one.
  • the circuit system 500 further comprises a control unit 530, similar to the control unit 230, configured to receive the state signal S*STATE from the sensing arrangement 520 and the standard error/control messages MSG from the motor module 210, and, accordingly, to control the door switch SWL, the bypass/safety relay RL and the MOS transistor 225 (e.g., by means of respective control signals SSWL,SRL,S225) and to command motor module 210 (e.g. , by means of the command signals SCOMM).
  • the control unit 530 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door 115 (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly.
  • Figures 6 and 7 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system of Figure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 6 shows a motor activation procedure 600 carried out under the control of the control unit 530 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 is aimed at activating the electric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass/safety RL is in the de-energized state (i.e. , the state signal SSTATE takes the high level SSTATE,H), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current (i.e.
  • the electric current limited by the fuse resistor RFUSE is correctly fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C, communication between the electric motor 205 and the driving arrangement 205,210,C is active, and the working current is allowed to be fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C (i.e. , bypass/safetyrelay RL in the energized state).
  • the motor activation procedure 600 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass/safety relay RL or fuse resistor RFUSE.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 starts by checking (decision block 605) whether - it meaning that bypass/safety relay RL is in the de- energized state (as expected from the last motor deactivation procedure), and no malfunction affect the fuse resistor RFUSE.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 640), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors.
  • a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal S* STATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,H) may denote fuse resistor RFUSE short-circuit or undesired bypass/safety relay RL energized state, whereas a level different from the high SSTATE.H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 goes on by enabling mechanical door locking (activity block 610), thereafter correct door locking is checked at the decision block 615.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640), as the possibility of opening the door 115 when the electric motor 205 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of the decision block 615, it meaning that the electric motor 205 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open the door 115, the motor activation procedure 600 goes on by determining (decision block 620) correct, active and functioning communication between the electric motor 205 and the motor module 210 by means of the standard error/control messages MSG.
  • the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state (activity block 625) - so that the working current substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance is entirely fed to the rectifying arrangement 215). Otherwise, the motor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place, possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of the detected error.
  • the error detected in this case may be either fusible resistor RFUSE opening (so that the motor module 210, being not powered, is not able to provide the standard error/control messages MSG to the control unit 530) or motor module 210 malfunctioning.
  • the motor activation procedure 600 checks wether bypass/safety relay RL energization has taken place correctly - i.e. , whether In the affirmative case (exit branch Y of the decision block 630), motor module 210 activation (and, hence, electric motor 205 correct and safe activation) is commanded by means of the command signals SCOMM (activity block 635), thereafter the motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640).
  • the motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640) without motor activation, possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
  • a level different from the high SSTATE.H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
  • FIG 7 shows a simplified flowchart of a motor deactivation procedure 700 carried out under the control of the control unit 530 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking if motor deactivation has occurred, and if, after operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the energized state, the state signal S*STATE takes the high level SSTATE,H and if a predefined time period has passed since motor deactivation request.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals SCOMM, deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 705) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the de-energized state (action block 720) as soon as the electric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the motor deactivation request (or, alternatively, from transmission of the command signals SCOMM).
  • This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 710 (wherein electric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 715 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked).
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 keeps running the decision blocks 710,715 as long as the electric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 710) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 715). Instead, if (i.e. , as soon as) the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 710), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 715), the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 720).
  • bypass/safety relay RL de-energization causes intervention of the fusible resistor RFUSE, and hence unpowering the motor module 210 (in fact, the inrush current through the fusible resistor RFUSE is not sufficient to keep the electric motor 205 powered).
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 goes on by checking (decision block 725) whether the bypass/safety relay RL de-energization has taken place correctly - i.e., whether
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740) without door unlocking (so as to prevent the user from opening the door 115 in a not safe condition of the appliance 100), preferably by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
  • a level different from the high SSTATE.H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
  • the motor deactivation procedure 700 goes on by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 735) - preferably, while switching off the door switch SWL by means of the control signal SSWL, SO as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T 2 i5,iN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215) - after a safety time interval (e.g. , from bypass/safety relay RL de-energization) has elapsed(decision block 730), thereafter the motor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740).
  • a safety time interval e.g. , from bypass/safety relay RL de-energization

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de lavage et/ou de séchage (100). L'appareil comporte : une charge électrique (205), un agencement d'entraînement (210, 215, C) servant à entraîner la charge électrique (205), l'agencement d'entraînement (210, 215, C) ayant des première (T205,IN1) et deuxième (T205,IN2) bornes en mesure d'être couplées, respectivement, à une borne de ligne (TL) et à une borne neutre (TN) à des fins de mise en œuvre d'une tension de référence (VCC), un dispositif de limitation de courant d'appel (RFUSE; RNTC) et un dispositif de commutation (RL ; RL1) entre la borne de référence (TN) et la deuxième borne (T205, IN2) de l'agencement d'entraînement (210, 215, C), le dispositif de commutation (RL ; RL1) servant dans des premier ou deuxième états pour empêcher ou permettre, respectivement, à un courant électrique de s'écouler au travers du dispositif de limitation de courant d'appel (RFUSE, RNTC), et un réseau de détection (RPD) servant à détecter les premier ou deuxième états du dispositif de commutation (RL ; RL1) et servant à fournir un signal d'état correspondant (SSTATE ; S*STATE), le réseau de détection (RPD) ayant une première borne (TRPD,1), et une deuxième borne (TRPD,2) couplée à une borne de référence fournissant une autre tension de référence (GND) inférieure à la tension de référence (VCC), dans lequel, au cours de la détection : dans le premier état du dispositif de commutation (RL ; RL1), la borne de référence (TN) et la première borne (TRPD,1) du réseau de détection (RPD) sont couplées l'une par rapport à l'autre de telle sorte que la première borne (TRPD,1) du réseau de détection (RPD) reçoit la tension de référence (V CC ) et le signal d'état (SSTATE; S*STATE) prend un premier niveau (SSTATE,H) égal à la tension de référence (V CC ), dans le deuxième état le signal d'état (SSTATE, S*STATE) prend un deuxième niveau (SSTATE, I; SSTATE,L) inférieur au premier niveau (SSTATE,H).
PCT/EP2016/060991 2015-05-21 2016-05-17 Procédé de gestion en toute sécurité de l'activation et de la désactivation d'un moteur électrique, et appareil correspondant WO2016184841A1 (fr)

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EP15168654.0A EP3095911B1 (fr) 2015-05-21 2015-05-21 Procédé permettant de gérer en toute sécurité l'activation et la désactivation d'un moteur électrique et appareil correspondant
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Cited By (1)

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CN112323351A (zh) * 2020-09-25 2021-02-05 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 一种洗衣机门开关安全控制电路及洗衣机

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US10541607B2 (en) 2017-05-23 2020-01-21 Whirlpool Corporation Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive
WO2021172959A1 (fr) * 2020-02-28 2021-09-02 엘지전자 주식회사 Appareil de traitement de vêtements

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DE102006060208A1 (de) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-26 Miele & Cie. Kg Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Ermitteln und Begrenzen eines Überstromes in einem elektronisch kommutierten Motor
WO2012025395A2 (fr) * 2010-08-24 2012-03-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Circuit servant à faire fonctionner un appareil électroménager et procédé correspondant
EP2586898A1 (fr) * 2011-10-25 2013-05-01 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Système de contrôle de courant d'appel

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006060208A1 (de) * 2006-12-18 2008-06-26 Miele & Cie. Kg Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Ermitteln und Begrenzen eines Überstromes in einem elektronisch kommutierten Motor
WO2012025395A2 (fr) * 2010-08-24 2012-03-01 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Circuit servant à faire fonctionner un appareil électroménager et procédé correspondant
EP2586898A1 (fr) * 2011-10-25 2013-05-01 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Système de contrôle de courant d'appel

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112323351A (zh) * 2020-09-25 2021-02-05 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 一种洗衣机门开关安全控制电路及洗衣机

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