Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
  • D06F34/18—Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
  • D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
  • D06F2103/04—Quantity, e.g. weight or variation of weight
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2103/24—Spin speed; Drum movements
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2103/38—Time, e.g. duration
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
  • D06F2103/46—Current or voltage of the motor driving the drum
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
  • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
  • D06F33/46—Control of the energy or water consumption
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F34/28—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
  • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
  • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
  • D06F58/48—Control of the energy consumption

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a household appliance for the rotary treatment of linen, in particular a washing machine, dryer, or washer-dryer machine
• domestic washing machines comprise a supporting and housing structure, inside which a washing tub is housed provided with a front opening closable by a porthole door frontally hinged to the housing.
• a drum for accommodating the linen to be washed is arranged inside the washing tub in a rotatable manner about a horizontal or inclined axis. The drum, too, delimits a front opening positioned at the opening of the washing tub, to allow the loading and unloading of the linen.
• the washing tub is adapted to contain the washing liquid during the linen washing steps.
• a washing water loading system which is connectable to the water supply network.
• a drain duct is provided on the bottom of the washing tub, associated with a drain pump, which removes the washing liquid from the washing tub and which controls, together with the loading system, the level of liquid inside the washing tub.
• the detergent tray may be configured as a drawer which can be extracted from and inserted into the housing structure and which can be filled manually for each wash with an amount of detergent and/or treatment additive sufficient for a single washing cycle.
• Washing machines with so-called “multiple dispensing" washing substance dispensing and dosing systems are also known configured to contain an amount of treatment substance sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles and to automatically dispense a controlled dose of treatment substance for each washing cycle.
• an electrical resistor is provided, arranged inside the washing tub, in the gap between the wall of the washing tub and the linen drum.
• Recirculation systems usually comprise a recirculation duct which extends outside the washing tub from a lower opening of the washing tub (for drawing the liquid to be recirculated) to an upper opening of the washing tub (for reintroducing the recirculated liquid), as well as an electric recirculation pump or ejector.
• Some washing machines comprise a sensor to detect the linen load and a control device which controls the execution of a washing program also depending on the detected linen load.
• the linen load is detected during the execution of a washing program which has already started, e.g. by monitoring the water absorption in the linen or by force sensors interposed between the washing tub and the housing.
• the detection of the linen load is intertwined with the progress of the washing program itself, and the result of the linen load detection influences the further progress of the washing program, without the possibility of user intervention, e.g. for adjusting the detergent dosage by the user, an additional filling with additional linen items or a withdrawal of a part of the linen to reduce the linen load.
• the linen load detection procedures are complex or require expensive detectors, and their repetitive performance in the various steps of the washing procedures takes an undesirably long time, and the result of the linen load detection is subject to many uncertainties due to the many influencing factors which cannot be predicted with certainty, e.g., the distribution of the linen inside the drum, the degree and unevenness of water absorption in the linen, the amount of water in the washing tub, etc.
• [0019] - can be requested by the user independently of a specific washing program, and/or
• [0020] - is done quickly and reliably, and/or [0021] - can be performed without wetting the linen.
• a washing machine comprises:
• a linen drum for containing the linen to be washed, supported rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the linen drum delimits a loading opening, which is closable by means of a door connected to the housing, for the loading and unloading of the linen to be washed,
• a linen treatment system configured to perform, on the linen inside the linen drum, one or more treatment steps which are different from the rotation of the linen drum, said treatment steps comprising one or more of:
• the electronic control system is configured to control the electric motor and the treatment system depending on the treatment program selected by means of the user interface
• the electronic control system comprises a module for determining the mass of the linen contained in the linen drum
• the user interface is configured for the input of a command for determining the mass (quantity meaning the amount) of the linen without performing said treatment steps
• the user interface may receive a command for starting a selected washing program
• the washing machine may receive a manual dosage of detergent or the user interface allows the selection of a quantity and/or type of detergent for the selected washing program.
• the linen is neither wet nor subject to treatment substances, detergent, etc., allowing the user to freely set or vary the parameters of the washing program, including the start time, taking into account the suggestion of quantity and/or type of detergent generated through the user interface, but completely free from any constraints given by a possible treatment of the linen already started.
• a washing machine comprises: [0042] - a housing, [0043] - a linen drum for containing the linen to be washed, supported rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the linen drum delimits a loading opening, which is closable by means of a door connected to the housing, for the loading and unloading of the linen to be washed,
• a linen treatment system configured to perform, on the linen inside the linen drum, one or more treatment steps which are different from the rotation of the linen drum, said treatment steps comprising one or more of:
• the electronic control system is configured to control the electric motor and the treatment system depending on the treatment program selected by means of the user interface
• the electronic control system comprises a module for determining the mass of the linen contained in the linen drum, configured to:
• each inrush step comprising:
• the inrush current of the electric motor can be considered either solely or predominantly correlated to the mass inertial moment of the assembly formed by the drum and the linen contained therein. This simplifies the correlation of the mass inertial moment, and thus the mass itself, with the detected motor current, allowing a more accurate, reliable, and rapid determination of the linen mass.
• the linen mass can be determined with dry linen and independently of a specific washing or drying program or a specific step in a washing or drying program.
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a block chart of a procedure for determining the linen mass according to an embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a procedure for determining the linen mass according to a further embodiment.
• a washing machine 1 or washer-dryer comprises a supporting and housing structure 2, inside which a washing tub 3 is housed, provided with an opening (either frontal or peripheral) closable by a door 4 (e.g. a porthole door) hinged either frontally or on top to the housing 2.
• a linen drum 5 for accommodating the linen to be washed 3 is housed inside the washing tub in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis R-R, e.g. horizontal or inclined.
• the linen drum 5 may also delimit a front opening positioned at the opening of the washing tub 3 or a peripheral closable opening, to allow loading and unloading the linen.
• the washing machine comprises a linen treatment system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21 of the linen configured to perform one or more treatment steps on the linen inside the linen drum 5, in particular, linen washing steps by means of soaking in water and detergent and/or linen drying steps by means of forced ventilation.
• the washing tub 3 is adapted to contain the washing liquid during the linen washing steps.
• a water loading system 6 connectable to the water mains is provided to allow loading the washing tub 3 with water from the mains.
• the loading system 6 may comprise a plurality of ducts which extend from, for example, one or more, for example, two, supply solenoid valves 7, 8, either directly or through detergent compartments of a detergent tray 9 to the washing tub 3.
• a draining duct 11 is connected to the bottom 10 of the washing tub 3 with associated draining pump 12 which removes the washing liquid from the washing tub 3 and which controls, together with the supply solenoid valves 7, 8, the liquid level inside the washing tub 3.
• An electric resistor 13 may be provided inside the washing tub 3, in particular, arranged on the washing tub bottom 10, in the gap between the wall of the washing tub 3 and the linen drum 5 for heating the washing liquid contained in the washing tub 3.
• the washing machine 1 may further comprise a dispensing system 18 of the “multiple dosing" type for dispensing linen treatment substances.
• the dispensing system 18 comprises, for example, a plurality of tanks 19 to contain the treatment substances, e.g. detergent for resistant white items, detergent for delicate colored items, detergent for wool, perfuming substances, enzymes, fixing substances and/or fabric softener.
• the plurality of tanks 19 may be, for example, positioned in the porthole door 4, in the detergent compartment 9, or in the housing 2, and the single tanks 19 are dimensioned each to contain a volume of the treatment substance sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles.
• the washing machine 1 may further comprise a system 20 for recirculating the washing liquid from the bottom 10 of the washing tub to the linen drum 5.
• the washing machine 1 may further comprise a drying system 21 , e.g. a drying air circuit 22 having conveying means 23, air heating means 24, and moisture condensing means 25 of the conveyed air.
• a drying system 21 e.g. a drying air circuit 22 having conveying means 23, air heating means 24, and moisture condensing means 25 of the conveyed air.
• the linen drum 5 can be actuated in rotation by an electric motor 14 and a transmission 15, e.g. a belt.
• the operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by an electronic control system 16 in signal connection with the electric motor 14, with the treatment system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21 and with a user interface 17 for the selection of a treatment program from a plurality of treatment programs.
• the user interface 17 may be positioned at an exterior wall or port 4 of the housing 2, or at an electronic device separate from the housing 2.
• the control unit 16 drives the various components of the washing machine 1 for automatically washing and/or drying the linen.
• the electronic control system 16 is configured to control the electric motor 14 and the treatment system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21 depending on the treatment program selected by means of the user interface.
• the electronic control system 16 comprises a module 26 for determining the linen mass contained in the linen drum 5, and the user interface 17 is configured for entering a linen mass determination command without performing the aforesaid treatment steps.
• the electronic control system 16 In response to the entry of the command for determining the linen mass without performing the treatment steps, the electronic control system 16:
• the electronic control system 16 puts the washing machine 1 in a standby configuration during which:
• the user interface 17 may receive a command for starting a selected washing program
• the washing machine 1 may receive a manual dosage of detergent or the user interface 17 allows the selection of a quantity and/or type of detergent for the selected washing program. [0081] This allows the user to take corrective action still before the start of an actual washing program, e.g. by correcting the type and/or amount of detergent or the amount of linen, or by waiting until the washing machine 1 is optimally filled.
• the linen is neither wet nor subject to treatment substances, detergent, etc., allowing the user to freely set or vary the parameters of the washing program, including the start time, taking into account the suggestion of quantity and/or type of detergent generated through the user interface 17, but completely free from any constraints given by a possible treatment of the linen already started.
• the electronic control system 16 controls the user interface 17 to generate a request for the user to enter the command for determining the linen mass before entering a command to start any washing program.
• the electronic control system 16 is configured to complete the procedure for determining the linen mass and generating the notification containing the suggestion for quantity and/or type of detergent in less than two minutes, preferably less than one minute.
• control system 16 generates a quantitative detergent indication depending on the determined linen mass, and the user interface displays said quantitative detergent indication.
• control system 16 generates the quantitative detergent indication also depending on technical detergent data, stored in a memory of the electronic control system 16, on water hardness data, which are pre-set or may be entered by the user and, optionally, on dirt intensity data which can be entered by the user.
• control system 16 generates the quantitative detergent indication also depending on different detergent types (e.g. liquid, powder) either selectable or settable by the user, or generates and displays (e.g. at the same time) a plurality of quantitative detergent indications in association with a plurality of different detergent types.
• different detergent types e.g. liquid, powder
• the quantitative indication of detergent includes the possibility of indicating four different detergent levels. This simplification makes the indication intuitive and immediately understandable.
• the linen mass determination command which can be entered in the user interface 17 is configured as a command for determining an amount of detergent for the linen load in the linen drum 5.
• the electronic control system 16 is configured to: [0092] - determine the linen mass M, even if not requested by the user, by means of a specific entry of a command for determining the linen mass, as a step preceding, and independent of, a linen treatment cycle which may be selected by the user, and [0093] - perform the linen treatment cycle selected by the user depending on the determined linen mass M.
• the linen mass calculation result can be advantageously correlated not only to the amount of detergent required, but also to the amount of water, washing/drying times and temperatures, and spin speeds.
• the electronic control system 16 comprises a module 26 for determining the linen mass contained in the linen drum 5, configured to:
• each inrush step comprising:
• step STP 1 actuating the electric motor 14 to accelerate the rotating linen drum 5 from an initial speed v init equal to zero to a predetermined maximum speed v max, with a predetermined acceleration, e.g., substantially constant (step STP 1),
• step STP 2 in a detection time interval during the acceleration of the rotating linen drum from the initial speed v init equal to zero to the predetermined maximum speed v max, detecting the inrush current l inrush drawn by the electric motor 14, the rotational speed v of the electric motor 14 and the time t (step STP 2),
• step STP 3 calculating a parameter P of rotational power generated by the electric motor 14 depending on the detected inrush current l inrush for each single inrush step
• step STP 5 calculating for the entire first sequence of consecutive inrush steps an average value P_avg of the rotational power parameters P calculated for the single inrush steps (step STP 5),
• step STP 13 determining the linen mass M in the linen drum 5 depending on the average value P_avg of the rotational power parameters P and on the predetermined characterization parameters P_0, A of the washing machine 1 (step STP 13).
• inrush events i.e., acceleration events of the motor 14 (and the linen drum 5) from a static condition to a maximum rotational speed
• a predetermined, e.g., constant, rotational acceleration ramp the inrush current of the electric motor 14 can be considered either solely or predominantly correlated to the mass inertial moment of the assembly of linen drum 5 and the linen contained therein. This simplifies the correlation of the mass inertial moment, and thus the mass itself, with the detected motor current 14, allowing a more accurate, reliable, and rapid determination of the linen mass.
• the linen mass can be determined with dry linen and independently of a specific washing or drying program or a specific step in a washing or drying program.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to:
• step STP 5 calculate for the entire first sequence of consecutive inrush steps an average value R_avg of the ohmic resistances R of the electric motor 14 detected for the single inrush steps (step STP 5),
• this allows taking account of temperature-dependent changes in the electrical characteristics of the electric motor 14, thereby increasing the linen mass determination accuracy.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to: [00106] - include in the calculation of the rotational power parameter P for the single inrush step values of the inrush current, motor rotational speed, time, and (if provided) ohmic resistance of the motor 14, detected starting from the initial speed v init equal to zero of the linen drum 5, but with the electric motor 14 energized, until reaching an upper limit rotational speed v limit of the linen drum 5, smaller than the predetermined maximum rotational speed v max.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to:
• step STP_5 calculate a deviation value P dev between at least two of the rotational power parameters P calculated for the first sequence of inrush steps, preferably an absolute difference P dev between two extreme rotational power parameters, maximum P max and minimum P min (step STP_5), and
• step STP 5A compare the calculated deviation value P dev with a threshold deviation value DEVJimit (step STP 5A), and
• each additional inrush step comprising:
• step STP 8 actuating the electric motor to accelerate the rotating linen drum 5 from an initial speed v init equal to zero to a predetermined maximum speed v max, with a predetermined angular acceleration, e.g., substantially constant (step STP 8),
• step STP 9 in a detection time interval during the acceleration of the rotating linen drum 5 from the initial speed v init equal to zero to the predetermined maximum speed v max, detecting the inrush current l inrush drawn by the electric motor 14, the rotational speed v of the electric motor 14, the ohmic resistance R of the electric motor 14 and the time t (step STP 9),
• step STP 12 calculate for the entire second sequence of additional inrush steps an additional average value P_avg_1 of the rotational power parameters P_1 calculated for the additional inrush steps (step STP 12),
• step STP 13 determine the linen mass M in the linen drum 5 depending on the average value P_avg of the rotational power parameters P and on the additional average value P_avg_1 of the rotational power parameters P_1 and on the predetermined characterization parameters P_0, A of the washing machine 1 (step STP 13).
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to compare (step STP 5A) an ohmic resistance parameter R (dependent on the detected ohmic resistance value R or an average ohmic resistance value R_avg), with a predetermined ohmic resistance threshold value R_0 (based on a default characterization (of the motor 14 and the washing machine 1 during their manufacturing) and, if the ohmic resistance parameter R exceeds the predetermined threshold value R_0, performing said second sequence of additional consecutive inrush steps.
• a predetermined ohmic resistance threshold value R_0 based on a default characterization (of the motor 14 and the washing machine 1 during their manufacturing
• the second sequence of additional inrush steps may hence be necessary, independently, either based on the detected resistance criterion or based on the calculated rotational power parameter criterion.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to:
• step STP 9 detect also the additional ohmic resistance R_1 of the electric motor 14 in the detection time interval during the acceleration of the rotating linen drum 5 from the initial speed v init equal to zero to the predetermined maximum speed v max, (step STP 9),
• step STP 12 calculate for the entire second sequence of additional inrush steps an additional average value R_1_avg of the additional ohmic resistances R_1 of the electric motor 14 detected for the single additional inrush steps (step STP 12),
• DD1 determine the linen mass M in the linen drum 5 also depending on the additional average value R_1_avg of the additional ohmic resistances R_1 of the electric motor 14 detected during the second sequence of the additional inrush steps (step STP 13).
• step STP 13 the additional average value R_1_avg of the additional ohmic resistances R_1 of the electric motor 14 detected during the second sequence of the additional inrush steps.
• the inclusion of the ohmic resistance R of the motor 14, in the calculation of the linen mass M allows taking into account variations in the electrical behavior of the motor 14 due, for example, to temperature variations (cold motor, very hot motor) and, therefore, to increase the accuracy and reliability of the result of the linen mass determination.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to:
• step STP 7 stop the electric motor 14 at an additional detection initial position different from a first detection initial position in the first inrush step sequence.
• the number n, e.g., ten, of consecutive inrush steps of the first sequence is greater than the number m, e.g., six, of additional inrush steps of the second sequence and, possibly less than twice the number m of additional inrush steps of the second sequence.
• the average value P_avg of the rotational power parameters P calculated for the first inrush step sequence and the additional average value P_avg_1 of the rotational power parameters P_1 calculated for the second additional inrush step sequence are to be weighted, or are weighted average values, according to the ratio of the number of inrush steps n to the number of additional inrush steps m (step STP 13).
• the rotational power parameter is an integral, calculated numerically by a summation, of a product of a torque parameter T dependent on the detected inrush current l inrush and a motion parameter Mov (kinematic parameter) of the motor, in a motion domain, e.g. in the time domain, cumulative (angular) position, or (angular) speed.
• the torque parameter T may be, for example, a value of power absorbed by the electric motor 14, such as an average power value, for each numerical summation step.
• the motion parameter Mov may be, for example, the speed (angular or expressed in rpm) or a speed increment (angular or expressed in rpm) of the motor 14 for each numerical summation step.
• the rotational power parameter is not an expression of instantaneous power, but of the kinematic energy of the moving system.
• the calculation of the average value P_avg, P_1_avg of the rotational power parameters P, P_1 excludes the two calculated minimum and maximum extremal values, namely the minimum rotational power parameter P min, P_1_min, and the maximum rotational power parameter P max, P_1_max.
• the calculation of the average value R_avg, R_1_avg of the ohmic resistances R, R_1 of motor 14 excludes the two detected minimum and maximum extremal values, namely the minimum ohmic resistance R min, R_1_min and the maximum ohmic resistance R max, R_1_max.
• the linen mass determination module 26 is configured to compare an ohmic resistance parameter R (dependent on the detected ohmic resistance value R, R_1 or an average ohmic resistance value R_avg, R_1_avg, preferably a weighted average ohmic resistance value depending on the ratio of the number of inrush steps n and additional inrush steps m) with a predetermined ohmic resistance threshold value R_0 (based on a default characterization of the motor 14 and the washing machine 1 during manufacturing) and, if the ohmic resistance parameter R exceeds the predetermined threshold value R_0, reduce the calculated linen mass M depending on the detected ohmic resistance, in particular depending on the ohmic resistance parameter R.
• a predetermined ohmic resistance threshold value R_0 based on a default characterization of the motor 14 and the washing machine 1 during manufacturing
• the linen mass determination module 26 may be configured to detect, through a temperature sensor, the temperature of the motor 14 and the calculation of the linen mass M takes place also depending on the detected temperature of the motor 14.
• the motor inrush current is the name given to the peak current used in an electric motor to increase its speed from a static condition (i.e. accelerate from 0 rpm).
• the motor inrush current is assumed to be related to the inertia, thus the mass of a rotating object according to the following equation: wherein:
• I nrush is the motor inrush current which can be measured when the motor starts
• co m is the rotational speed of the rotating mass
• T d is the variable torque, which is related to the unbalanced masses
• B m is the coefficient of friction p is the number of poles of the electric motor cpmg is the magnetic flux
• Jm is the inertia, which is correlated to the mass m, located at a distance r from the rotation axis as follows
• the method implemented according to the invention correlates the inrush event with the mass within the drum.
• the calculated linen mass value can be advantageously correlated to the amount of detergent needed and sufficient, i.e. optimal.
• the speed profile of a multiple measurement scheme will be similar to a sawtooth profile.
• Motor actuation (STP_1 ; STP_8): Motor actuation 14, starting from a stationary condition (initial speed v init is equal to 0 rpm) with constant acceleration. Actuation interruption of the motor 14 as soon as the linen drum speed 5 is equal to the maximum speed v max. Afterward, deceleration from maximum speed v max to Orpm.
• the integral should extend precisely from the initial condition to the final condition of the detection interval. This may require an interpolation procedure.
• the calculated deviation value P dev is either equal to or exceeds the threshold deviation value DEVJimit (criterion indicative of insufficient accuracy), [00163] - the calculated deviation value P dev is lower than the threshold deviation value DEVJimit (criterion indicative of sufficient accuracy).
• the average value R_avg of the electrical resistance (affected by motor temperature) is compared with the threshold value of ohmic resistance R_0 (predetermined value based on characterization tests of the washing machine 1), and two conditions may occur:
• the average value R_avg is less than or equal to the threshold value R_0 or, for example, R_avg - R_0 £ constant_comparison (criterion indicative of sufficient accuracy),
• Linen agitation Before starting the second sequence of inrush steps, redistribute the linen within the linen drum 5 and change the initial measurement position by rotating the linen drum 5 in the opposite direction to its rotation during the first sequence of inrush steps, e.g. for 10 seconds and e.g. with a rotational speed of the linen drum 5 between 40 rpm and 80 rpm.
• a total average rotational power value P_tot_avg and a total average ohmic resistance value R_tot_avg are then calculated from the partial average values P_avg, R avg of the first sequence of inrush steps and P_avg_1 , R_avg_1 of the second sequence of additional inrush steps, weighted on the basis of the number of repetitions of the inrush steps n max and the additional inrush steps m max, for example through the equations:
• P_tot_avg (n max * P_avg + m max * P_avg_1) / (n max + m max)
• R_tot_avg (n max * R_avg + m max * R_avg_1) / (n max + m max)
• the total average resistance value R_tot_avg is either equal to or less than the threshold value R_0 or, for example, R_tot_avg - R_0 £ constant_comparison (criterion indicative of a non-excessive electrical resistance),
• Detergent notification generation (STP_14): Based on the calculated (dry) linen mass M, the detergent suggestion notification described above is generated. [00183]
• the described predetermined constant parameters can have values in the following ranges:
• DEVJimit can take a numeric value between 300 and 700.
• the constant rotational acceleration can be 50rpm/sec.
• the maximum rotational speed of drum 5 can be 80rpm.
• the upper limit v limit rotational speed of the linen drum 5 can be 60rpm.
• the parameter A can be a numeric value between 0 and 10000.
• the parameter B can be a numeric value between 0 and 10000.
• the parameter R_0 can be an average ohmic resistance value measured during the characterization of the washing machine 1 , e.g. in the order of magnitude of the detected ohmic resistance values.
• the parameter P_0 can be a numeric value between 0 and 10000.

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

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Citations (5)

• 2021
  • 2021-03-25 IT IT102021000007244A patent/IT202100007244A1/it unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-03-10 EP EP22161448.0A patent/EP4063552A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-03-16 WO PCT/IB2022/052380 patent/WO2022200927A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2022-03-25 CN CN202210307653.9A patent/CN115125698A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

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