WO2019120876A1

WO2019120876A1 - Method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance having a spectrometer and domestic appliance suitable therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2019120876A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/082334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philipp Neumaier
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2017-12-20
Filing date: 2018-11-23
Publication date: 2019-06-27
Also published as: DE102017223324A1; CN111492103A; CN111492103B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance and to a domestic appliance suitable therefor having a drum (16) for receiving items (5, 17) to be treated, a controller (18), and a spectrometer (1, 32, 38), which comprises a beam source (2, 29, 35), a beam detector (3, 30, 36) and a microcomputer (4, 31, 37), the method comprising the following steps: emitting radiation from the beam source (2, 29, 35) in a wavelength range such that the radiation impinges on at least one item (5, 17) in the drum (16), and the beam detector (3, 30, 36) registers the radiation reflected by the item as a measurement signal that is transmitted to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37); evaluating the measurement signal, by means of an evaluation routine, to find a characteristic of the item (5, 17) in the drum (16) and a distance (x 6) between the spectrometer (1, 32, 38) and the item (5, 17) in the drum, the characteristic being transmitted to the controller (18) if the distance does not deviate from a predefined threshold value (S); and selecting and/or adapting a treatment process using the controller (18) on the basis of the transmitted characteristic, the method steps being carried out once or multiple times.

Description

Method for operating a water-conducting household appliance with a spectrometer and suitable household appliance

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-conducting household appliance with a drum for receiving objects to be treated, a control device, and at least one spectrometer, which comprises at least one radiation source, at least one radiation detector and a microcomputer. The invention also relates to a suitable for carrying out the method water-conducting household appliance.

In particular, for a control of treatment programs that is as optimal as possible and coordinated with the objects to be treated in a household appliance, it is important to have as much information as possible about the properties of the objects to be treated before and during the course of a treatment program. To obtain this information, a home appliance generally has one or more sensors, which may include spectrometers.

Household appliances with spectrometers are therefore already known in the above-mentioned contexts. However, a disadvantage of the prior art solutions is that spectrometers are generally fixedly mounted in a home appliance. The scope of the spectrometers used is therefore limited. Another disadvantage is that measurements made during the execution of treatment programs do not provide the quality and accuracy of the information obtained. This is especially the case when the measuring distances between the spectrometer and the object to be measured vary, for example during the rotation of a drum.

It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide a method and a household appliance for its implementation, which can improve the accuracy of sensor-generated information and increase operational safety.

Water-bearing household appliances with improved control are already known. The publication DE 10 2012 017 323 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance for washing laundry, having a treatment area, a metering pump, at least one treatment agent container and a display device, wherein the treatment agent container is used for receiving a quantity of a flowable treatment agent which is used for several Treatments in the treatment area is sufficient. The amount of the treatment agent delivered by the metering pump and / or a residual amount of the treatment agent in the treatment agent container is displayed by the display device.

The publication DE 10 2010 002 773 A1 describes a dosing system comprising a dosing device which can be positioned inside a water-conducting domestic appliance for dispensing at least one preparation into the interior of the water-bearing domestic appliance, a cartridge which can be coupled to the dosing device for storing at least one flowable preparation, and a conductivity sensor , which is positioned in or on the dosing device so that a conductivity determination of washing or rinsing water during operation of the water-conducting household appliance is possible. The dosing system further comprises a control unit, which is coupled at least to the conductivity sensor, wherein at least one preparation has a conductivity of at least 500 m.sup.5 / o.sup.Ί, preferably at least 750 m.sup.5 / o.sup.Ί, particularly preferably at least 1,000 m.sup.5 / o.sup.2, very particularly preferably at least 2500 m.sup.5 / s. 0Gh and the dosing device is configured so that at least 20 ml, preferably at least 30 ml, more preferably at least 50 ml of this preparation is discharged during operation of the water-conducting household appliance from the dosing device inside the water-bearing household appliance.

The publication DE 10 2010 039 611 A1 describes a dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher, with a control device, in which at least one washing program for executing a washing cycle comprising several partial washing cycles is stored for cleaning and / or drying dishes, and with an operating device for inputting operating commands for the control device. At least one operating command for executing one or more adaptation measures can be entered at least one of the rinsing programs at the operating device, by means of which the avoidance of stains on the items to be washed and / or the Drying result on items to be washed when performing the rinse on the basis of the adjusted wash program is improved.

The publication DE 10 2014 212 294 A1 describes a water-conducting domestic appliance with a number of actuators for carrying out a plurality of washing programs, a user interface for selecting one of the plurality of washing programs, a sensor for providing a sensor signal for indicating a parameter for washing dishes used rinsing liquor, a determination unit for determining a sensor setting of a plurality of predetermined sensor settings for the sensor, a control unit which is adapted to control the actuators for carrying out the selected wash program by means of a signal signal processing using the sensor signal, and an adjustment unit for adjusting the signal processing in dependence from the particular sensor setting.

The publication DE 10 2013 210 996 A1 describes an analysis device for analyzing items of laundry outside a laundry treatment appliance, comprising at least one camera and an evaluation device for determining at least one laundry care property of at least one item of laundry based on at least one image taken by the camera thereof.

Publication WO 00/32865 describes a laundry treating machine having an electronic control device for automatically carrying out laundry treatment programs, wherein a decision making means is provided for automatically identifying the type of laundry and for making a decision as to which laundry treatment program the laundry items are treatable with, information dispensing means are provided, by means of which the laundry treatment program of a person automatically determined by the decision-making means can be presented as a proposal, and wherein an input means actuatable by a person is provided for actuating the machine-determined laundry treatment program. The use of radiation sensors, eg IR sensors, for the detection of textile types, level and amount of water in the drum of washing machines and dryers is known.

The publication WO 2001/046509 A1 describes a device for treating textiles with a device for detecting properties of a textile, wherein the device comprises at least one transmitting and at least one receiving element for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation as well as an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element in which the radiation emitted by the transmitting element and reflected and / or transmitted by the textile is receivable by the receiving element and can be evaluated in the evaluation circuit.

The publication DE 10 2015 100 395 A1 describes a spectrometer, in particular for installation in a sensor module with a radiation source and following, a beam path defining or along the beam path arranged components: a sample space for a fluid to be examined, a first lens, a diffraction element , a second lens, and a detector. Between the sample space and the diffraction element, a restriction aperture is provided for limiting the effective diameter of the beam impinging on the diffraction element.

The publication EP 0 816 551 B1 discloses an infrared temperature detection for a drum dryer control, in particular a dryer with a rotary drum for receiving and for spinning moist articles to be dried, a heater for heating the articles, a blower unit for passing air over the articles in FIG the drum and an infrared detecting device which provides a control signal corresponding to the temperature of the articles in the drum. There is also disclosed a method of detecting the completeness of a drying pass in a rotary drum dryer and an infrared sensing device which provides a measurement of the temperature of the articles in the drum.

The publication EP 1242665 B1 describes a device for treating textiles with an evaluation circuit for detecting the type of textile and / or the moisture of a Undergarment. The device uses transmitting and receiving elements for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation as well as an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element. Described is also a method for detecting properties of a piece of textile, for example in a washing machine or a tumble dryer.

U.S. Patent No. 5,396,715 describes a microwave clothes dryer and fire protection method wherein the temperature within the drum is registered by means of an IR sensor and, upon reaching a predetermined value indicating the burning of laundry, stops the operation of the dryer becomes.

Publication WO 2004/053220 A1 describes a method for identifying a textile parameter of a soiled textile article requiring treatment, the method comprising: irradiating the surface of a soiled textile article with electromagnetic radiation comprising a spectral region which is suitable for generating spectral sample data for a subsequent comparison ; collecting spectral sample data from the surface of the textile article and identifying textile parameters by comparing said spectral sample data with reference spectral data obtained from textile reference material; wherein said spectral sample data comprises a spectral region having a width of at least 400 nm, and the spectral region comprises the wavelength region from 783 nm to 1 183 nm.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a method that enables improved control of a water-conducting household appliance. Preferably, a more accurate control and safe operation of the household appliance should be possible. In addition, a water-conducting household appliance suitable for carrying out this process should be provided.

The solution of this object is achieved according to this invention by a method and a suitable for carrying out this water-conducting household appliance with the features of the corresponding independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention and of the household appliance according to the invention are listed in the respective dependent claims. Correspond to preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention preferred embodiments of the household appliance according to the invention and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly stated herein.

The invention thus relates to a method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance having a drum for receiving objects to be treated, a control device, at least one spectrometer comprising at least one radiation source, at least one radiation detector and a microcomputer, the method comprising the following steps:

(B) emitting radiation from the at least one radiation source of the at least one spectrometer in a wavelength range of li to l ₂ , so that at least one object in the drum is exposed to the radiation, and the at least one radiation detector which reflected from the at least one object Registering radiation as a measurement signal and transmitting the measurement signal registered by the at least one radiation detector to the microcomputer;

(c) evaluating the measurement signal from step (b) with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer with respect to at least one property of the at least one object in the drum and a distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum and transmitting the at least one property to the controller when the distance x does not deviate from a predetermined threshold S; and

(d) selecting and / or optionally adjusting a treatment by the controller with respect to the at least one property transmitted in step (c), wherein steps (b) to (d) are performed one or more times.

In the following, the emission of radiation from the at least one radiation source of the at least one spectrometer in a wavelength range of l 1 to l ₂ , so that at least one object in the drum is exposed to the radiation, and the at least one radiation detector that of the at least one Object reflected radiation as a measuring signal registered in step (b) of the method according to the invention for the sake of clarity, be summarized as "measuring" described.

According to the invention is not limited, whether in step (b) of the method according to the invention acted upon by radiation at least one object in the drum Subject is still to be treated, subjected to treatment in the water-bearing household appliance or has undergone.

In addition, the number of objects in the drum according to the invention is not limited. For example, this can vary depending on user behavior. For example, in multi-person households, for example, more items are more likely to be handled in a water-bearing household appliance than in single-person households.

In any case, the inventive method provides in step (b) that at least one object in the drum with radiation from the at least acts on a spectrometer at a wavelength range of li to I _2, and the at least one radiation detector, the radiation reflected by the at least one object registered as a measuring signal. If there is more than one object in the drum, it is advantageous if at least step (b) of the method according to the invention is carried out several times in order to be able to measure all objects in the drum. In this way, a composition of the articles, for example, with respect to a type of textile when these laundry items are, can be detected very accurately.

In any case, items to be treated herein include items which are about to undergo a treatment program in the water-bearing domestic appliance. It may, for example, be new, freshening or soiled items or the like. The objects will usually be at least partially dry items. However, depending on the nature and / or degree of contamination, it is also possible that a certain degree of moisture is present due to liquid contaminants, which may for example result from the spillage of a beverage.

Accordingly, articles which have undergone or have undergone treatment in the domestic water-conducting appliance may, for example, be objects which are currently being washed, or even objects for which a desired treatment has just been completed in the water-bearing domestic appliance. The type of objects is not limited according to the invention. However, preference is given to objects which can be treated in a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer. Particularly preferred are the items of laundry.

The term "treatment" is to be interpreted broadly herein. A treatment is carried out according to the invention controlled by the control device. It may be a single operational measure in the water-bearing household appliance, such as merely moistening with a predetermined amount of water W _F , but also the partial or complete execution of a treatment program.

The term treatment program is also to be interpreted broadly herein. Depending on the type and design of the water-conducting household appliance, different numbers of treatment programs will be stored in the control device. For example, a high-priced home appliance will have more treatment programs than a low-priced one. A treatment program can be a treatment program implemented in the factory in a water-bearing household appliance, one or more additional options or even a user-defined treatment program.

The measuring of the at least one object in the drum in step (b) of the method according to the invention is not restricted and can be carried out in different ways, for example, depending on the spectrometer used.

The term "measurement signal" is to be interpreted broadly herein. The measurement signal may be, for example, a snapshot, so for example, a single measurement, or even an accumulation of several temporally successive individual measurements.

The emission of radiation from the at least one spectrometer is not restricted according to the invention with respect to the wavelength range from li to l ₂ . The emitting may take place in the entire wavelength range or also at one or more discrete wavelengths and / or in one or more subregions within the wavelength range from 1 to 1 _. Step (c) of the method according to the invention provides inter alia the evaluation of the measurement signal from step (b) with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer with regard to at least one property of the at least one object in the drum and a distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum.

The at least one property is not restricted according to the invention. But it can be determined for example by the choice of the wavelength range of li to l ₂ or by the nature of the information to be obtained from it. Thus, if the at least one article in the drum is, for example, a piece of laundry, the at least one property may be a type of textile. However, the at least one property can also be, for example, a degree of moisture.

According to the invention, it is advantageous if data for a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior are stored for the at least one property in the microcomputer and / or in an external server, so that these for the measurement in step (b) and the evaluation in step (c) of the invention Method can be used.

If the at least one property is, for example, a type of textile, then data for a wavelength-dependent reflection behavior for at least one textile type, but preferably several types of textile, can be stored.

Textile types are for example cotton, silk, polyester, linen, acrylic or mixed fabrics. Namely, with the method according to the invention it is e.g. it is possible to identify individual items of laundry in the drum on the basis of the evaluated measurement signal (s).

The same applies, for example, but also for a degree of moisture or a type or amount of treatment agent or also a type or quantity of contamination. Also, data on the wavelength-dependent reflection behavior of combinations of the properties can be stored, such as a combination of different types of textile, each with different degrees of moisture. Data for the wavelength-dependent reflection behavior are preferably deposited in such a way that a plurality of individual wavelengths and / or partial regions within the wavelength range from li to l ₂ comprise at least one wavelength in which no radiation is reflected with regard to the at least characteristic to be evaluated. It is again preferred that these multiple individual wavelengths and / or partial regions within the wavelength range from li to l ₂ comprise at least five wavelengths or wavelength ranges.

If, for example, the water-conducting domestic appliance is a washer-dryer, then in this way, for example, the drying process for textile types can be controlled very precisely with regard to a desired residual moisture level. Of course, the degree of moisture before the start of the drying process can also be determined so that an adaptation of the drying program to the type of textile and the degree of moisture is possible very precisely at the beginning. Moreover, then advantageously a load of laundry items in the drum can be determined.

According to the invention the wavelength range from li to l _{2 is} not limited, it may be, for example, in the infrared or in the ultraviolet range, as well as in the visible range or overlap individual areas or include several areas entirely.

Advantageously, the wavelength range from li to A ₂ is chosen so that in this area the wavelength-dependent reflection behavior of at least one type of textile, but preferably several types of textile, and / or a degree of moisture can be detected.

Particularly advantageously, in step (b) of the method according to the invention, the wavelength range from li to l _{2 is} in the infrared range.

Step (c) of the method according to the invention provides for the evaluation of the measurement signal from step (b) with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer with regard to at least one property of the at least one object in the drum and a distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one Object in the drum and transmitting the at least one property to the control device, when the distance x does not deviate from a predetermined threshold value S, before.

By evaluating the measurement signal from step (b) with respect to a distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum even higher accuracy in step (d) of the method according to the invention, the selections and / or possibly adjusting a treatment by the controller with respect to the at least one property transmitted in step (c), since distance effects can be reduced, the signal-to-noise ratio can be kept small, and the constancy of the baseline can be improved. As a selection criterion for compliance with a desired distance x is used for the distance x predetermined threshold S.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention a relationship between a wavelength l _c with li <l _c > l ₂ and an extinction value E _{x is} deposited in the microcomputer, which specifies the threshold value S for the distance x.

The extinction value E, which can be obtained from the reflectivity R, is dependent inter alia on the wavelength l, the concentration c of a substance to be measured and the distance x between the spectrometer and the measured object. From an extinction value E, the distance x between the spectrometer and the measured object can therefore be deduced under certain conditions.

The inventors have advantageously found that, for a given wavelength l _c, the measurement signals of different textile types overlap in a common extinction value E _x when the items of laundry are at the same distance x from the spectrometer. If, for example, the distance x between a piece of laundry and the spectrometer changes, then E _new FE _x is valid. Particularly preferred is therefore a relationship between a wavelength l _c with li <l _c > l ₂ and an extinction value E _x for at least two types of textile stored in the microcomputer, which sets the threshold value S for the distance x.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one upper extinction value E _max , which predefines the threshold value S for the distance x, is stored in the microcomputer. In this embodiment, the fact is exploited that, for example, for a maximum distance value x, the extinction value E does not exceed a maximum value E _max over the entire wavelength range.

Particularly preferably, an extinction range DE = E ₂ - Ei can also be stored in the microcomputer, which accordingly specifies an upper and a lower threshold value S ₀ and S _u for the distance x.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the water-conducting domestic appliance additionally comprises at least one distance measuring device, which is connected to the microcomputer, and the method additionally comprises the step

(a) measuring a distance x with the at least one distance measuring device between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum and transmitting the measured distance x to the microcomputer, wherein steps (a) to (d) are performed one or more times ,

According to the distance measuring device is not limited. Any type of distance measuring device may be used if it allows a distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum to be measured.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, step (a) and step (b) are carried out simultaneously. Preferably, the at least one distance measuring device and the at least one spectrometer are activated simultaneously by the control device. Particularly preferred are the at least one distance measuring device and the at least one spectrometer a same measuring point on the at least one object in the drum, so that the measurement of the distance x between the at least one spectrometer and the at least one object in the drum can be as accurate as possible. However, correction correlations can also be stored in the microcomputer which take into account any differences in the evaluation of the measurement signal from step (b) with regard to the distance x measured in step (a). This is advantageous, for example, when the at least one distance measuring device and the at least one spectrometer are placed at different locations in the water-bearing domestic appliance, are not directed to the same measuring point or there is a time offset between the response of the at least one distance measuring device and the at least one spectrometer.

If step (a) and step (b) of the method according to the invention are carried out simultaneously, the at least one distance measuring device is preferably a time of flight sensor.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, step (a) is carried out before step (b). Preferably, step (a) can also be carried out several times before step (b). Particularly preferably, step (a) can be carried out until the measured distance x lies within the predetermined threshold value S.

In a most preferred embodiment, the at least one distance measuring device is a contact sensor and step (b) is performed when the contact sensor responds in step (a).

According to the invention, it is not restricted at what point in time the process according to the invention is carried out. The inventive method can also be carried out once or several times.

The invention also relates to a water-conducting household appliance with a drum for receiving objects to be treated, a control device, at least one spectrometer, which at least one radiation source, at least one Radiation detector and a microcomputer, wherein the control device is adapted to carry out a method comprising the following steps:

According to the invention, the water-conducting household appliance is preferably selected from the group comprising a washing machine, a washer-dryer and a dryer.

The household appliance according to the invention generally has a treatment agent container and preferably also a dosing unit. The type and configuration of the dosing unit is not limited according to the invention. It may be a dosing unit for the manual dosing of treatment agent or an automated dosing unit.

If the dosing unit is an automated dosing unit, which is connected to the control device and can be controlled by it in order to meter treatment agent, advantageously in step (d), as an adaptation of a treatment with respect to the at least one property, a quantity of treatment agent can also be replenished, for example when falling below an optimal dosage amount C _opt . According to the invention, the at least one radiation source of the at least one spectrometer is not restricted, so that, for example, an infrared (IR) -,

Ultraviolet (UV) or UV-visible (ultraviolet and visible) radiation source can be used.

The at least one radiation source may be a broadband source, a tunable radiation source, but also a narrow band radiation source, such as a radio frequency source. an IR LED. In addition, the radiation source can also have optical aids, such as a focusing optics, filter platelets, filter foils or lacquers or else a MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter, which can make it possible to set a wavelength range. The spectrometer may also have a plurality of such radiation sources, which may also be different.

Advantageously, the at least one radiation source is a broadband source for emitting radiation in the infrared range.

The radiation source is particularly preferred for emitting radiation in the

Used in the near infrared region and is selected from the group comprising a tungsten-halogen lamp and a MOEMS black body radiator.

Also, the at least one radiation detector is not restricted according to the invention. The radiation detector can, for example, be a broadband detector with at least one sensitive detector surface N. However, the radiation detector can also have a plurality of sensitive surfaces N, or else a linear array of detector surfaces N, for example in the form of pixels. The detector may additionally comprise optical aids, such as a MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter, narrow-band filters or a dispersive wedge. The material from which the radiation detector is made, is not limited according to the invention. However, the radiation detector preferably consists at least of a semiconductive material.

Advantageously, however, the at least one radiation detector has a frequency filter; the frequency filter is particularly advantageously a MOEMS Fabry-Perot frequency filter. In a preferred embodiment of the water-conducting household appliance, the household appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer and the at least one spectrometer is an IR spectrometer.

In a further preferred embodiment of the domestic water-conducting appliance, the domestic appliance additionally comprises a distance measuring device which is connected to the microcomputer and the control device is set up for carrying out a method which additionally comprises the step:

The configuration of the at least one distance measuring device is not restricted according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, the at least one distance measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a time-of-flight sensor, a camera, a contact sensor and an RFID sensor.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive water-conducting household appliance, the at least one distance measuring device is a time-of-flight sensor. A time-of-flight sensor is understood to mean an optical sensor which emits light which detects light reflected by an object closest to the sensor and determines a time which the light requires in order to move from the optical sensor to the object closest to the sensor and get back again. From the measured time, the distance between the sensor and the detected object can be determined. In particular, advantageous step (a) and step (b) of the method according to the invention can be carried out simultaneously.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one distance measuring device is a contact sensor. In particular, advantageous step (b) of the method according to the invention can be carried out only when the contact sensor in step (a) of the method according to the invention responds. For this purpose, the contact sensor may advantageously be configured as a conductivity sensor, which is set up such that a circuit closes in contact, for example, with a moist piece of laundry, so that the contact sensor responds. Particularly advantageously, the at least one spectrometer is then arranged at a predetermined distance from the contact sensor, so that upon triggering of the contact sensor, the laundry triggering the sensor can be measured with the at least one spectrometer in a predetermined distance x by the arrangement.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the water-conducting domestic appliance according to the invention, the at least one article in the drum additionally has an RFID tag and the at least one distance measuring device is an RFID sensor. Advantageously, the water-conducting domestic appliance can also have 3 RFID sensors, so that the position of the object in the drum and thus the distance x from the at least one spectrometer can be determined by triangulation of the RFID signal. Alternatively, with an RFID sensor, the distance x to the at least one spectrometer can also be determined via an RFID signal attenuation, for this purpose the spectrometer and the RFID sensor are advantageously arranged adjacent to one another.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the drum has at least one Wäschemitnehmer and the at least one spectrometer and the at least one distance measuring device are arranged in the Wäschemitnehmer. In this way, it can be made possible that both the at least one spectrometer and the at least one distance measuring device are placed as close as possible to objects located in the drum; furthermore, spectrometer and distance measuring device can advantageously be placed next to each other, for example in a sensor node, in that spectrometer and Distance measuring device on the at least one object to capture the same measuring point.

In particular, for a household with networked devices, the water-conducting household appliance preferably additionally has an interface for wireless data transmission, wherein the control device then to the wireless Information exchange is set up. In this way, the water-conducting household appliance is also suitable for operation in a network and can be operated by means of an external operating unit, such as a mobile phone and / or a tablet PC preferably via an app.

Particularly preferably, the water-conducting household appliance is then integrated into a home network with at least one further household appliance. Advantageously, information for controlling treatment programs can then be transferred from one household appliance to another.

If the water-conducting domestic appliance is, for example, a washing machine, then, for example, a determined residual moisture content for washed items of laundry can be transferred to a dryer in the home network and the drying program to begin with can then be adapted precisely to the residual moisture content.

In general, household appliances have at least one display unit, which can be designed to output information in the form of text, image and / or characters, colored and / or black and white, static and / or animated. Preferably, information and / or warnings can be output to a user via the display device. However, the display device is very particularly preferably an external display device, for example the touchscreen of a smartphone or tablet PC.

The invention has numerous advantages. The method according to the invention makes it possible to increase the measuring accuracy of the spectrometer in the event that the distances x between the spectrometer and the object to be measured vary uncontrollably. This is the case, for example, with a drum rotation. By means of the consideration of the distance x in the evaluation of measurement signals provided according to the invention, effects due to varying distances, such as for example the "tilting" of spectra, can be avoided. In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved in this way. As a result, an even better and even more accurate selection and / or adaptation of a treatment to an object to be treated in the water-bearing domestic appliance can be carried out. In addition, in embodiments by an even more accurate way to Detection of textile types improves the reliability of the water-bearing household appliance with regard to incorrect loading. A more environmentally friendly operation is also possible, for example, by a possible in embodiments more accurate determination of the loading amount.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments. Here, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3.

1 shows a schematic representation of the measuring principle underlying the method according to the invention.

2 shows, in a non-limiting embodiment, a water-conducting household appliance according to the invention with a time-of-flight sensor which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a further non-limiting embodiment of a water-conducting domestic appliance according to the invention suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention with a contact sensor.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the measuring principle on which the method according to the invention is based. The measuring principle is based on a reflection measurement. In a reflection measurement, in general, after emission of radiation from a radiation source, in this case an IR radiation source 2, the radiation diffusely reflected by an object 5, here a piece of laundry, is registered as a measurement signal by a radiation detector 3. The registered measurement signal can then be evaluated by a microcomputer 4. Such an evaluation can be carried out, for example, in the following way:

As a rule, a textile spectrum of a piece of laundry 5 obtained from the measurement signal is given in a relative unit, reflectivity in%. With the help of a reflection standard (eg spectra) the reflectivity R can be normalized as follows:

In this case, I (l, c, x) is the intensity of the radiation reflected by the item of laundry 5 at the wavelength l and I ₀ (l) is the intensity of the standard of reflection at the wavelength l. One piece of information that can be obtained from a textile spectrum is the concentration c of a substance to be measured, such as a water content. If one calculates the extinction E from the reflectivity R, one obtains a linear dependence:

E (,, c, x) = - log ₁₀ (R (,, c)) and thus E (,, c, x) oc c

The measuring principle on which the method according to the invention is based takes into account the fact that the extinction value E can generally have a dependence on the distance x 6:

E (λ, c, x) oc-log ₁₀ (-)

c ^D

In a non-limiting embodiment of the method according to the invention, therefore, it is possible, for example, to use the fact that, for a given wavelength l _c 9, the spectra of different textile types 7, here three spectra, overlap at an extinction value E _x 8 for a given distance x 6 between spectrometer 1 and laundry item 5. The value pair of extinction value Ex 8 and wavelength lc 8 can then be stored for a predetermined distance value x 6 as a threshold value S in the microcomputer 4, so that in step (c) of the method according to the invention those evaluated measurement signals at which the value pair of extinction value E _x 8 and wavelength l _c 9 indicates a deviation of the distance x 6 from the threshold value S, can be discarded. In this way, the accuracy of the evaluation of the measurement signals in step (c) of the method according to the invention can be increased. In alternative embodiments, for example, a maximum extinction value E _max or an extinction range DE for establishing a threshold value S for the distance x 6 may also be stored in the microcomputer. In further embodiments, the distance x 6 can also be determined by at least one distance measuring device. FIG. 2 shows, in a non-limiting embodiment, a water-conducting domestic appliance according to the invention which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The water-conducting household appliance is designed in this embodiment as a washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 has a housing 25, in which a tub 15 is arranged, in which a drum 16 for receiving laundry 17 is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the plane axis. In the drum 16 two Wäschemitnehmer 14 are arranged.

In the embodiment shown here, a lye container drain line 11 is connected to a drain opening 12 in a bottom of the tub 15, which leads via a lint 13 to a suction side of a pump 27. To a pressure side of the pump 27, a drain line 24 is connected. Drain line 24 opens outside the housing 25, not shown here, in a domestic drainage pipe or floor drainage. A variable-speed drive motor 26, which may be configured, for example, as a permanent-magnet, multi-strand synchronous motor with MOSFET component and a power detector 28, is drivingly connected to the pump 27 and the drum 16.

FIG. 2 also shows an automated dosing unit 20 for treatment agent, which is connected to an induction bowl 22. About the dispenser tray 22 is the liquor tank 15 from a fresh water line 23 coming from supplied water. For this purpose, there is a check valve 21 in the fresh water line 23, which is controlled by a control device 18 in accordance with a treatment program sequence or optionally in accordance with an evaluated measurement signal transmitted by a microcomputer 31 of a spectrometer 32. The washing machine 10 also has in this embodiment a display unit 19, which is suitable for displaying information in the form of text, image and / or animation in black and white and / or color.

The spectrometer 32 is configured in this embodiment as an infrared spectrometer and has a corresponding radiation source 29, a radiation detector 30 and a microcomputer 31. In this embodiment, the spectrometer is integrated in one of the two Wäschemitnehmer 14. In addition is in the same Wäschemitnehmer 14 a distance measuring device, here designed as a time-of-flight sensor 33 integrated. Advantageously, the IR spectrometer 32 and the time-of-flight sensor 33 can also be integrated into or form a sensor node. By placing the spectrometer 32 and the time-of-flight sensor 33 in the same Wäschemitnehmer 14 can advantageously be made possible that both sensors detect approximately the same measuring point with the same distance x on one of the laundry 17 in the drum 16. In such an arrangement, the steps (a) and (b) of the method according to the invention are particularly advantageously carried out simultaneously, so that the distance x between the laundry 17 and the spectrometer 32 in situ, ie while the spectrometer actively measures according to step (b) of the method according to the invention can be determined by the time-of-flight sensor 33. In this way, a very accurate distance determination is possible even with drum rotation.

FIG. 3 shows a further non-limiting embodiment of a water-conducting domestic appliance according to the invention which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. The water-conducting household appliance is also configured as a washing machine 10 in this embodiment. In the following, those features which correspond to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will not be described again, but only the differences.

The spectrometer 38 is configured in this embodiment as an infrared spectrometer and has a corresponding radiation source 35, a radiation detector 36 and a microcomputer 37. In this embodiment, the spectrometer is integrated in one of the two Wäschemitnehmer 14. In addition, in the same Wäschemitnehmer 14 a distance measuring device, here designed as a contact sensor 34, integrated. The contact sensor 34 is based on a conductivity measurement in this embodiment. For this purpose, the contact sensor 34 has an opening toward the interior of the drum. If a damp piece of laundry 17 completely covers the opening of the contact sensor 34, a circuit is closed by the item of laundry 17 and the contact sensor 34 responds. In this non-limiting embodiment, the IR spectrometer 38 is positioned behind the contact sensor 34 so that the spectrometer 38 can detect the laundry 17 covering the opening of the contact sensor 34. For this purpose, optical aids can be used advantageously. Especially Advantageously, the steps (a) and (b) of the method according to the invention are carried out successively in such an arrangement. The distance x between the laundry article 17 and the spectrometer 38 is predetermined by the arrangement of the contact sensor 34 and the spectrometer 38. The spectrometer 38 is then advantageously activated by the response of the contact sensor 34, according to step (b) of the method according to the invention.

reference numeral

1 spectrometer, infrared spectrometer

2 radiation source, infrared radiation source

3 radiation detector

4 evaluation unit

5 item, laundry item

6 distance x

7 spectrum (infrared spectrum) of three textile types: extinction E versus wavelength l

8 Extinction value E _x

9 Discrete wavelength l _c

10 Water-bearing household appliance, washing machine

1 1 tub drain line

12 Drain opening in the bottom of the tub

13 fluff separator

14 laundry pickup

15 tubs

16 drum

17 pieces of laundry

18 control device

19 display unit

20 (automatic) dosing unit

21 check valve

22 Einspülschale

23 fresh water pipe

24 drainage pipe

25 housing

26 drive motor

27 pump

28 service providers

29 radiation source, infrared radiation source

30 radiation detector

31 microcomputers 32 spectrometers

33 Distance measuring device (time-of-flight sensor)

34 distance measuring device (contact sensor)

35 radiation source, infrared radiation source

36 radiation detector

37 microcomputers

38 spectrometers, IR spectrometer

Claims

1. A method for operating a water-conducting household appliance (10) with a drum (16) for receiving objects to be treated (5, 17), a control device (18), at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38), which at least one radiation source (2, 29, 35), at least one radiation detector (3, 30, 36) and a microcomputer (4, 31, 37), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

(b) emitting radiation from the at least one radiation source (2, 29, 35) of the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) in a wavelength range of l 1 to l ₂ , so that at least one object (5, 17) in the radiation is applied to the drum (16), and the at least one radiation detector (3, 30, 36) registers the radiation reflected by the at least one object (5, 17) as a measurement signal and transmits the radiation emitted by the at least one radiation detector (3 , 30, 36) registered measurement signal to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37);

(c) evaluating the measurement signal from step (b) with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) with regard to at least one property of the at least one article (5, 17) in the drum (16) and a distance x (6) between the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) and the at least one article (5, 17) in the drum (16) and transmitting the at least one property to the control device (18) when the distance x ( 6) does not deviate from a predetermined threshold S; and

(d) selecting and / or optionally adjusting a treatment by the control device (18) with respect to the at least one property transmitted in step (c),

wherein steps (b) to (d) are performed one or more times.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) a relationship between a wavelength l _c with li <l _c > l ₂ and an extinction value E _{x is} deposited, which the threshold value S for the distance x (6) pretends.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that in the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) at least one upper extinction value E _{max is} deposited, which specifies the threshold value S for the distance x (6).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water-conducting domestic appliance (10) additionally comprises at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) which is connected to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) and the method in addition to Step includes:

(a) measuring a distance x (6) with the at least one

Distance measuring device (33, 34) between the at least one

Spectrometer (1, 32, 38) and the at least one article (5, 17) in the drum (16) and transmitting the measured distance x (6) to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37),

wherein steps (a) to (d) are performed one or more times.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that step (a) and step

(b) be carried out simultaneously.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that step (a) before step (b) is performed.

A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) is a contact sensor (34) and step (b) is performed when the contact sensor (34) responds in step (a).

8. A water-conducting household appliance (10) with a drum (16) for receiving objects to be treated (5, 17), a control device (18), at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38), which at least one radiation source (2, 29 , 35), at least one radiation detector (3, 30, 36) and a microcomputer (4, 31, 37), characterized in that the control device (18) is arranged to carry out a method comprising the following steps: (b) emitting radiation from the at least one radiation source (2, 29, 35) of the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) in a wavelength range of l 1 to l ₂ , so that at least one object (5, 17) in the radiation is applied to the drum (16), and the at least one radiation detector (3, 30, 36) registers the radiation reflected by the at least one object (5, 17) as a measurement signal and transmits the radiation emitted by the at least one radiation detector (3 , 30, 36) registered measurement signal to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37);

(c) evaluating the measurement signal from step (b) with an evaluation routine stored in the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) with regard to at least one property of the at least one object (5, 17) in the drum (16) and a distance x (6) between the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) and the at least one article (5, 17) in the drum (16) and transmitting the at least one property to the control device (18) when the distance x (6 ) does not deviate from a predetermined threshold S; and

wherein steps (b) to (d) are performed one or more times.

9. Household appliance (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the household appliance (10) additionally comprises a distance measuring device (33, 34) which is connected to the microcomputer (4, 31, 37) and the control device (18) is arranged for carrying out a method additionally comprising the step of:

(a) measuring a distance x (6) with the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) between the at least one

wherein steps (a) to (d) are performed one or more times.

10. Household appliance (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) is selected from the group consisting of a time-of-flight sensor (33), a camera, a contact sensor (34). and an RFID sensor.

1 1. Household appliance (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) is a time-of-flight sensor (33).

12. Household appliance (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 1 1, characterized in that the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) is a contact sensor (34).

13. Household appliance (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the at least one object (5, 17) in the drum (16) in addition to a

RFID tag and the at least one distance measuring device (33, 34) is an RFID sensor.

14. Household appliance (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the drum (16) has at least one Wäschemitnehmer (14) and the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) and the at least one

Distance measuring device (33, 34) in the Wäschemitnehmer (14) are arranged.

15. Household appliance (10) according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the household appliance (10) is a washing machine (10) or a washer-dryer and the at least one spectrometer (1, 32, 38) is an IR spectrometer (1 , 32, 38).