WO2018202592A1

WO2018202592A1 - A carrier for detecting dryness, a charging unit suitable for the carrier and a washer/dryer wherein the carrier is used

Info

Publication number: WO2018202592A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/060950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Cahit OZDEMIR; Gamze TANC; Namik Yilmaz
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-05-05
Filing date: 2018-04-27
Publication date: 2018-11-08
Also published as: TR201706624A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier (3) suitable for use in a washer/dryer (1) having a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, comprising at least two electrodes (4) that are used for detecting the dryness of the laundry in the drum (2) by contacting the laundry, a control unit (7) that evaluates the dryness data detected by the electrodes (4), wherein the electrodes (4) are placed on the carrier (3) and the carrier (3) carries the electrodes (4), the present invention also relating to a charging unit (10) that is connected to the main energy source and to a washer/dryer (1) suitable for use with the carrier (3).

Description

A CARRIER FOR DETECTING DRYNESS, A CHARGING UNIT SUITABLE FOR THE CARRIER AND A WASHER/DRYER WHEREIN THE CARRIER IS USED

The present invention relates to a carrier for detecting the dryness, a charging unit for charging the carrier and a washer/dryer that operates in interaction with the carrier.

In washer/dryers, during the drying process, parameters such as the dryness, the temperature, etc. of the laundry in the drum must be measured accurately. The duration of the drying process depends on the correct dryness and temperature value of the laundry, and when said level is reached, the drying process is terminated. The washer/dryer comprises various sensors that enable parameters such as conductivity, dryness, moisture, etc. to be measured and the washer/dryer is controlled based on the data received from said sensors.

In general, in washer/dryers, conductivity measurement is performed during the drying process and the drying process is terminated according to this measurement. The conductivity measurement is performed by means of two electrodes that are arranged on the front section of the drum. During the drying process, when the laundry in the drum contacts said electrodes, the conductivity of the laundry can be measured.

The conductivity is higher when the laundry is wet. As the laundry dries and the moisture therein is reduced, the conductivity thereof decreases. During the drying process, the conductivity of only the laundry that contacts the electrodes can be measured. When there is a small amount of laundry in the drum with a non-homogeneous distribution, the probability of the contact between the electrodes and the laundry decreases considerably and determining the dryness level becomes difficult. In this case, the drying process is terminated by means of the timer. As a result, the laundry cannot be dried sufficiently or the laundry gets overdried and damaged due to overheating.

In the state of the art, various embodiments have been developed for the detection of the dryness of the laundry. In one of these embodiments, at least two electrodes are placed at a position so as to contact the laundry during the drying process and when the wet laundry contacts the two electrodes, a current bridge forms between the two electrodes and the dryness level is detected by measuring the difference between the resistance values of the electrodes.

In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP2387643, a washer/dryer is disclosed, comprising a drum that rotates around the horizontal axis and further comprising electrodes that are fixed to the inlet opening of the drum by means of plastic injection and that enable the dryness to be detected.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20030041428, a washer/dryer is disclosed, comprising a dryness detection unit having electrodes that are fixed onto the wall of the drum in the drum.

Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the International Patent Application No. WO2004022836. In this patent application, a washer/dryer is disclosed, comprising a sensor that is arranged on the drum and that communicates with the control unit by means of contactless signal transmission.

Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP0940494. In this document, a washer/dryer is disclosed, comprising a conductivity sensor that is used for the detection of the dryness of the laundry and that communicates with the control unit by means of wireless communication.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a carrier for detecting the dryness, a charging unit for charging the carrier and a washer/dryer that operates in interaction with the carrier.

Another aim of the present invention is the realization of a carrier that can be easily charged.

The carrier realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof is placed into the drum together with the laundry and moves freely in the drum together with the laundry, enabling the parameters related to the dryness of the laundry such as the humidity, temperature, the dryness, etc. of the laundry to be accurately and precisely measured by contacting the laundry in the drum, wherein the carrier comprises at least two electrodes and a switching circuit that evaluates the information received from the electrodes in the first position, that provides connection to a control unit in the carrier and that cuts the connection between the electrodes and the control unit so as to charge the energy source. Thus, by means of the electrodes that are enabled to contact almost all the laundry to be dried in the drum in the first position, the data can be obtained accurately and precisely in real-time while in the second position the switching circuit provides the charging of the carrier by means of the same electrodes.

By means of the switching circuit, the connection between the control unit and the electrodes directly connected to the control unit is interrupted, and the charging is carried out directly by means of the electrodes, thus preventing the control unit from being damaged.

By means of the present invention, without the need for providing an additional opening or connection inlet for charging, the carrier is enabled to be charged by means of the available electrodes that are used for detection.

The energy need of the carrier and the units therein is supplied by at least one battery that is disposed in the carrier and that is used as the energy source.

The carrier is in the form of a hollow housing and, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is composed of a lower and an upper part to have a spherical form. The lower and upper parts are connected to each other firmly in a leak-tightly manner by means of the threads formed on the edges thereof. Thus, the moisture, vapor and water are prevented from entering the carrier in the humid environment of the drum.

The charging unit of the present invention is suitable for use with the carrier, and when the carrier is placed thereon, the charging unit transmits energy to the carrier so as to charge the energy source by means of the electrodes.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit transmits electrical energy to the carrier and comprises at least two plates that are produced from conductive material and that, when the carrier is placed thereon, contact the electrodes so as to provide the transmission of electrical energy to the electrodes.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit transmits electromagnetic energy to the carrier and comprises a coil that, when the carrier is placed thereon, provides the induction of current on the electrodes.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier comprises a sensor that is affected by magnetic field and that is used for detecting the placement of the carrier on the charging unit. The charging unit further comprises at least one magnet that is disposed preferably just under the plates or the coil.

In the washer/dryer of the present invention, the parameters related to the dryness of the laundry in the washer/dryer are collected from almost every part of the laundry by means of the electrodes.

By means of the present invention, the electrodes providing the detection of dryness are used for charging the energy source, hence the carrier by means of the switching circuit.

A carrier and the washer/dryer that operates in interaction with the carrier realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the washer/dryer of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the carrier related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the view of the carrier and a charging unit related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the view of the carrier and the charging unit together related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the cross-sectional view of the carrier and the charging unit related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the cross-sectional view of the carrier and the charging unit together related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washer/dryer
Drum
Carrier
Electrode
Switching circuit
Energy source
Control unit
Second control unit
Holder
Charging unit
Plate
Sensor
Magnet
Housing
Coil
Communication device

The carrier (3) suitable for use in a washer/dryer (1) having a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed comprises at least two electrodes (4) that are used for detecting the dryness of the laundry in the drum (2) by contacting the laundry, a control unit (7) that evaluates the dryness data detected by the electrodes (4), and at least one energy source (6) that enables the circuit components to be energized. The carrier (3) moves freely in the drum (2) and carries the electrodes (4).

The carrier (3) of the present invention comprises at least one switching circuit (5)

that enables the electrodes (4) to connect to the control unit (7) in the first position, and
that, in the second position, enables the electrodes (4) to be disconnected from the control unit (7) and to be connected to the energy source (6) such that the energy source (6) can be charged with the energy supplied from an external energy source

(Figure 1 and Figure 2).

The carrier (3) is used for measuring the dryness level of the objects that the carrier (3) contacts in the environment the carrier (3) is placed by the user. The electrodes (4) produced from conductive materials collect real-time data from the objects that the electrodes (4) contact in the environment the electrodes (4) are placed. Since the carrier (3) can move freely when the environment such as the drum (2) of a washer/dryer (1) wherein the carrier (3) is placed is in motion, the carrier (3) contacts almost every part of the laundry in the drum (2) and enables the dryness information of the entire laundry to be collected in real-time. Thereby, independently of the amount and the distribution of the laundry in the drum (2), the electrodes (4) are enabled to contact all the laundry and the information related to the parameters in relation to the dryness of the laundry can be obtained precisely and accurately. The electric current forming between the electrodes (4) when the electrodes (4) contact the laundry is transferred to the control unit (7) and the dryness of the laundry is determined. In this case, the switching circuit (5) is in the first position and the data collected by means of the electrodes (4) is transmitted to the control unit (7). When the carrier (3) is taken out of the drum (2), the switching circuit (5) is changed to the second position. In this position, the electrical connection between the electrodes (4) and the control unit (7) is interrupted, and the energy source (6) in the carrier (3) is enabled to be electrically connected to an external energy source outside the drum (2) and to be charged. By means of the switching circuit (5), the electrodes (4) are enabled to be used for detecting the dryness of the laundry by contacting the laundry and the energy source (6) is enabled to be connected to the external energy source, thus charging the energy source (6), hence the carrier (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) comprises at least one energy source (6) that is disposed therein and that supplies the energy required by the components on the carrier (3). In this embodiment of the present invention, a battery is used as the energy source (6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) comprises a sensor (12) that is affected by magnetic field, that is used for detecting whether the carrier (3) is placed into the correct position for charging, and that enables the switching circuit (5) to shift to the second position. When the carrier (3) is placed into the correct position for charging, the magnetic field in the charging position thereof affects the sensor (12), thus enabling the switching circuit (5) to shift from the first position to the second position and the energy source (6) to be charged. Thus, by means of the sensor (12) affected by the magnetic field, in the first position, the switching circuit (5) interrupts the connection of the electrodes (4) with the control unit (7) and prevents the external energy source from directly connecting to the control unit (7) via the electrodes (4). At the same time, the switching circuit (5) shifts to the second position, and by establishing the connection between the electrodes (4) and the energy source (6), the energy source (6) is enabled to connect to the external energy source via the electrodes (4), thus providing the charging of the energy source (6) (Figure 4 and Figure 6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (12) is a switch like a relay that opens/closes when affected by magnetic field.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes (4) are connected to each other in series.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) comprises two electrodes (4) that are disposed parallel to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) comprises two pairs of electrodes (4).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) is a hollow, closed housing with the electrodes (4) placed on the outer surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) is in the form of a hollow sphere that is composed of two hemispheres. Two of the electrodes (4) are arranged on the upper hemisphere and two other are arranged on the lower hemisphere. In this embodiment, the electrodes (4) are strip-shaped and have a curvature that matches that of the sphere. In this embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes (4) are disposed on the same line on the outer wall of the carrier (3). The control unit (7) and the energy source (6) are disposed inside the carrier (3). The two hemispheres are locked to each other preferably by means of the matching threads that are formed along the edges thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes (4) is suitable for applying voltage thereon so as to allow the energy source (6) to be charged with electrical energy. When the switching circuit (5) is in the second position, the electrodes (4) act as a voltage feeding terminal, and when voltage is applied onto the electrodes (4), the circuit whereon the energy source (6) is disposed is fed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the second position, the electrodes (4) are connected to each other in series so as to allow the energy source (6) to be charged with electromagnetic energy. In this embodiment, when the switching circuit (5) is in the second position, the strip-shaped electrodes (4) surrounding the carrier (3) are connected to each other so as to form a coil. When the carrier (3) is placed on a transmitter coil providing electromagnetic energy, the surrounding electrodes (4) connected in series act as a receiver coil. Thus, current is induced on the electrodes (4) and the circuit whereon the energy source (6) is disposed is fed, inductively charging the energy source (6). This embodiment is advantageous in that the need for directly contacting the electrodes (4) is eliminated, providing ease of use (Figure 4).

The charging unit (10) of the present invention is suitable for use with the carrier (3) disclosed above and connected to the main energy source, and when the carrier (3) is placed thereon, the charging unit (10) transmits energy to the carrier (3) by means of the electrodes (4) so as to charge the energy source (6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit (10) is suitable for use with the carrier (3) wherein the energy source (6) is charged with electrical energy, and comprises at least two plates (11) that are produced from conductive material and that contact the electrodes (4) so as to provide the application of voltage onto the electrodes (4). The charging unit (10) comprises at least two plates (11) produced from conductive material whereon the electrodes (4) fully contact when the carrier (3) is placed on the charging unit (10). The plates (11) acts as a connector. The charging unit (10) enables the energy supplied by the main energy source to be converted and rendered suitable for charging the energy source (6) in the carrier (3) (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit (10) is suitable for use with the carrier (3) wherein the energy source (6) is charged with electromagnetic energy, and comprises at least one coil (15) that transfers electromagnetic energy onto the electrodes (4). In this embodiment, the coil (15) is a transmitter coil and, when the carrier (3) is placed onto the charging unit (10), interacts with the receiver coil formed by the electrodes (4) that connect to each other in series in the second position of the switching circuit (5) and transfers energy to the carrier (3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit (10) comprises at least one magnet (13) that triggers the sensor (12) when the carrier (3) is placed onto the charging unit (10). When the carrier (3) is placed onto the charging unit (10), the sensor (12) that is disposed on the carrier (3) and that is affected by magnetic field interacts with the magnet (13). Thus, as the carrier (3) is placed onto the charging unit (10), the switching circuit (5) automatically shifts to the second position and the charging process starts.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the charging unit (10) comprises a housing (14) with a form matching that of the carrier (3) so as to receive the carrier (3). When desired to be charged, the carrier (3) is placed into the housing (14) on the charging unit (10).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (3) comprises one or more than one holder (9) that is disposed in the carrier (3) and whereon the control unit (7) and the energy source (6) placed into the latter are fixed. The holders (9) prevent the units in the carrier (3) from moving relative to the carrier (3).

When the carrier (3) is placed onto the charging unit (10), the magnetic field created by the magnet (13) in the charging unit (10) triggers the sensor (12), thus enabling the switching circuit (5) to shift from the first position to the second position and the energy source (6) to be charged. Thus, by means of the sensor (12) affected by the magnet (13), in the first position, the switching circuit (5) interrupts the connection of the electrodes (4) with the control unit (7) and prevents the plates (11) connected to the main energy source from directly connecting to the control unit (7) via the electrodes (4). At the same time, the switching circuit (5) shifts to the second position, and by establishing the connection between the electrodes (4) and the energy source (6), the energy source (6) connects to the main energy source via the charging unit (10), thus providing the charging of the energy source (6).

The washer/dryer (1) of the present invention that operates in interaction with the carrier (3) disclosed above and that has a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed comprises a communication means (16) for receiving dryness data by communicating with the control unit (7), and a second control unit (8) that enables at least one of the operating parameters to be changed by means of the dryness information. The washer/dryer (1) can be a laundry drying machine or a laundry washing/drying machine.

By means of the present invention, by using the electrodes (4) both as a energy source and as a dryness sensor, the carrier (3) is enabled to be charged without the need for an additional connector. Thus, the components in the carrier (3) are efficiently insulated from moisture, heat and liquid, and the risk of the energy source (6) contacting liquids is reduced, thus improving the safety of the carrier (3). Moreover, by means of the present invention, a simplified charging unit (10) is realized.

Claims

A carrier (3) suitable for use in a washer/dryer (1) having a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, comprising at least two electrodes (4) that are used for detecting the dryness of the laundry in the drum (2) by contacting the laundry, a control unit (7) that evaluates the dryness data detected by the electrodes (4), and at least one energy source (6) that enables the circuit components to be energized, characterized by at least one switching circuit (5)

- that enables the electrodes (4) to connect to the control unit (7) in the first position,

- that, in the second position, enables the electrodes (4) to be disconnected from the control unit (7) and to be connected to the energy source (6) such that the energy source (6) can be charged with the energy supplied from an external energy source.
A carrier (3) as in Claim 1, characterized by a battery used as the energy source (6).
A carrier (3) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by a sensor (12) that is affected by magnetic field so as to enable the switching circuit (5) to shift from the first position to the second position and that is used for detecting whether the carrier (3) is placed into the correct position for charging.
A carrier (3) as in Claim 3, characterized by the sensor (12) that is a switch that opens/closes when affected by the magnetic field.
A carrier (3) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least two electrodes (4) that are arranged parallel to each other.
A carrier (3) as in Claim 5, characterized by two pairs of electrodes (4) arranged thereon.
A carrier (3) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the strip-shaped electrodes (4).
A carrier (3) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the electrodes (4) whereon in the second position electrical energy is applied so as to allow the energy source (6) to be charged with electrical energy.
A carrier (3) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the electrodes (4) that, in the second position, are connected to each other in series so as to allow the energy source (6) to be charged with electromagnetic energy.
A charging unit (10) suitable for use with a carrier (3) as in any one of the above claims, that is connected to the main energy source and that, when the carrier (3) is placed thereon, transmits energy to the carrier (3) via the electrodes (4) so as to enable the energy source (6) to be charged.
A charging unit (10) as in Claim 10, suitable for use with a carrier (3) as in Claim 8, characterized by at least two plates (11) that are produced from conductive material and that contact the electrodes (4) so as to provide the application of voltage onto the electrodes (4).
A charging unit (10) as in Claim 10, suitable for use with a carrier (3) as in Claim 9, characterized by at least one coil (15) that transmits electromagnetic energy onto the electrodes (4).
A charging unit (10) as in Claim 10 to Claim 12, characterized by at least one magnet (13) that triggers the sensor (12) when the carrier (3) is placed on the charging unit (10).
A charging unit (10) as in any one of Claim 10 to Claim 13, characterized by a housing (14) with a form matching that of the carrier (3) so as to receive the carrier (3).
A washer/dryer (1) that operates in interaction with a carrier (3) as in any one of Claim 1 to Claim 9, characterized by and that has a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed comprises a communication means (16) for receiving dryness data by communicating with the control unit (7), and a second control unit (8) that enables at least one of the operating parameters to be changed by means of the dryness information.