WO2019192888A1

WO2019192888A1 - A washing machine comprising a screen

Info

Publication number: WO2019192888A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/057566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkan Ozturk; Cagatay Buyuktopcu; Eray EREN; Rohat IBISHUKCU
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2019-03-26
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a door (4) capable of opening and closing, provided on the front portion of the washing machine (1), a glass window (5) provided on the door (4), a drum (3) provided in the interior of the washing machine (1), a drum front plate (11) provided in front of the drum (5), a reflection device (8) placed on said drum front plate (11) and a plurality of light sources (7) placed on said reflection device (8) such that light emitted from said light sources is reflected on the glass window (5)

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A SCREEN

The present invention relates to washing machine comprising a screen displaying the current stage of a washing program, on which various notifications can also be shown.

In washing machines, using screens displaying the current stage of a program during operation, is known. Information screens are generally disposed on the upper portion of the front facade of the body in front load washing machines, and on the front surface or on the upper portion where the loading door is disposed, in top load washing machines. In washing machines, loading ports are formed as large as possible to enable convenient use for the users. Therefore, a very limited space remains for the screen on the panel where the loading port, detergent drawer and the program buttons are placed. Due to the small size of information screens, the symbols, texts or numerals displayed thereon are sized relatively small.

A user has to come close to a washing machine to be able to see the information displayed on a screen. Development works are ongoing for systems in which a user can be remotely informed about the state of a washing machine from a given distance and without having to look at the screen of the machine. There are alternative solutions known in the art such as notifying the user by reflecting light on the ground, or by a washing machine door glass changing colors.

State of the art Chinese patent application no. CN204667824 mentions a three dimensional image created by rotating a LED screen.

State of the art Korean patent application no. KR20100034924 defines a washing machine door informing the user by means of a color changing glass window.

State of the art Chinese patent application no. CN102560980 defines a washing machine door having a glass window which can be dimmed when desired.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine capable of creating an image on which a user can clearly see the operating state information of the machine.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a body, a control unit provided in the body, controlling the machine, a door capable of opening and closing, enabling placing the laundry items in the body, a glass window provided on the door, enabling visibility therethrough, a drum provided in the body, enabling cleaning the laundry items by rotating them, a drum front plate having a structural opening in front of the drum to place the laundry items therein, a reflection device fastened to the drum, communicating with the control unit of the washing machine, and a light source placed on the reflection device. The placed light source scans and illuminates an area much larger than its footprint because it rotates together with the drum.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light source of the reflection device placed in the drum can be turned on and off (flashed) in a desired frequency by means of the signals transmitted from the control unit of the washing machine. This enables transmitting information such as the current state of the washing machine, the current stage of the washing program, various texts, numerals, patterns, logos and the like, by means of the light source. Since the light source provided on the reflection device scans an area larger than its footprint upon rotation of the drum, its visualization area is also larger. A system is thus designed, by means of which the users can perceive the state of the washing machine without having to approach.

In another embodiment of the invention, the signals transmitted from the transmitter provided on the washing machine control unit are transmitted wirelessly to the receiver provided on the reflection device placed on the drum. This eliminates the need for wiring required to transmit signals to the screen body fastened to a structure continuously rotating during the washing process, and the need for a connection assembly required for the wiring harness to rotate freely.

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine control unit determines the rotation speed of the drum and adjusts the illumination frequency of the light source fastened on the drum accordingly. This enables displaying a clear image on the door window. A light source flashing without taking rotational speed into account would create a blurry and deformed image.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reflection device with the light source provided thereon, can be fastened on the front plate section of the drum. This embodiment enables selecting the location and the angle that would give the clearest information image to the user independently from the volume and the size of the washing machine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reflection device with the light source provided thereon, can be fastened on the rear plate section of the drum. This embodiment enables selecting the location and the angle that would give the clearest information image to the user independently from the volume and the size of the washing machine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the energy required for the light source and the reflection device to which it is connected, is obtained from the mechanical energy generated during rotation of the drum. This embodiment enables eliminating the wiring required to transfer energy to a system on the drum rotating with high revolutions, and the connection assembly required for the wiring harness to rotate.

The invention enables displaying washing machine operating information on a glass window.

A washing machine realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a washing machine with the light source connected to the drum front plate.

The elements and steps in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washing machine
Body
Drum
Door
Door glass window
Control unit
Light source
Reflection device
Transmitter
Receiver
Drum front plate
Drum rear plate

The washing machine (1) comprises

a control unit (6) provided in the body (2),
a door (4) capable opening and closing, provided in front of the body (2),
a glass window (5) disposed in the door (4), and
a drum (3) provided in the body (2), performing the washing process by means of rotational motion.

The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a reflection device (8) on which a plurality of light sources (7) are provided, enabling the light emitted from the light sources (7) to be reflected on the glass window (5) (Figure 1). The reflection device (8) is fastened on the drum (3). A drum (3) should continuously rotate in order to be able to perform the washing process in washing machines (1). Due to the rotation of the drum (3), the area illuminated by the light source (7) expands to a much larger area than it would illuminate in a stationary state.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit (6) controls the light source (7) being turned on and off (flashed) for a given duration and in a given frequency. The light source (7) of the reflection device (8) placed in the drum (3) can be turned on and off in a desired frequency by means of the signals transmitted from the control unit (6) of the washing machine (1). Changes desired to be implemented on the light source (7) may be executed in a constant manner throughout rotation,or may vary according to its angle. This enables visualizing information such as the current state of the washing machine, the current stage of the washing program, various texts, numerals, patterns, logos and the like, on the area scanned by the light source (7).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a transmitter (9) provided on the control unit (6), and a receiver (10) provided on the reflection device (8), enabling data transmission from the control unit (6) to the reflection device (8). The signals from the control unit (6) are wirelessly transmitted by means of a transmitter (9) provided on the control unit (6), to the receiver (10) provided on the reflection device (8) placed on the drum (3). This eliminates the need for wiring required to transmit signals to the reflection device (8) fastened to a structure continuously rotating during the washing process, and the need for a connection assembly required for the wiring harness to rotate freely.

In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (6) determines the rotational speed of the drum (3) and changes the flashing frequency of the light source (7) according to the determined rotational speed. The control unit (6) determines the rotational speed of the drum (3) and compares the determined rotational frequency with the frequency values predetermined by the producer, thereby calculating the flashing frequency of the light source (7) corresponding to the related frequency values. The control unit (6) thus enables the light source (7) provided on the reflection device (8) to be operated in the flashing frequency creating the clearest image. This enables eliminating blurriness or deformations likely to occur on the image generated on the glass window (5).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a drum front plate (11) disposed between the door (4) and the drum (3), and a reflection device (8) placed on said drum front plate (11). In this embodiment, the reflection device (8) with the light source (7) thereon, can be fastened on the drum front plate (11) provided in front of the drum (3) and having an opening required to place the laundry items therethrough. This embodiment enables selecting the location and the angle that would give the clearest information image to the user independently from the volume and the size of the washing machine (1).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a drum rear plate (12) disposed between the body (2) and the drum (3), and a reflection device (8) placed on said drum rear plate (12). In this embodiment, the reflection device (8) with the light source (7) thereon, can be fastened on the drum rear plate (12) provided on the rear portion of the drum (3) and reinforcing the drum (3). This embodiment enables selecting the location and the angle that would give the clearest information image to the user independently from the volume and the size of the washing machine (1).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a reflection device (8) capable of generating energy from the mechanical motion of the rotation of the drum (3) and of storing this energy. The energy required to operate the light source (7) and the reflection device (8) to which it is connected, is obtained from the mechanical energy generated during rotation of the drum (3). This embodiment enables eliminating the wiring required to transfer energy to a system on the drum (3) rotating with high revolutions, and the connection assembly required for the wiring harness to rotate.

The washing machine (1) of the invention enables informing the users through an image transmitted to the glass window (5) by means of the light source (7) and the reflection device (8).

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a control unit (6) provided on the body (2), a door (4) capable opening and closing, provided on the body (2), a glass window (5) disposed on the door (4), and a drum (3) having an opening disposed at the inner portion of the door (4) for loading laundry, characterized by a reflection device (8) on which a plurality of light sources (7) are provided, enabling the light emitted from the light sources (7) to be reflected on the glass window (5).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the control unit (6) controlling the light source (7) to be turned on and off for a given duration and in a given frequency.
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by a transmitter (9) provided on the control unit (6), and by a receiver (10) provided on the reflection device (8), enabling data transmission from the control unit (6) to the reflection device (8).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the control unit (6) determining the rotational sped of the drum (3) and changing the flashing frequency of the light source (7) according to the determined rotational speed.
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drum front plate (11) disposed between the door (4) and the drum (3), and by the reflection device (8) placed on said drum front plate (11).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drum rear plate (12) disposed between the body (2) and the drum (3), and by the reflection device (8) placed on said drum rear plate (12).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the reflection device (8) generating energy by means of the mechanical motion of the rotation of the drum (3) and capable of storing this energy.