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
  • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
  • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
  • D06F37/06—Ribs, lifters, or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
  • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
  • D06F37/12—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
  • D06F37/14—Ribs or rubbing means forming part of the receptacle
• • 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
  • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
  • D06F2103/08—Humidity
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
  • D06F2103/08—Humidity
  • D06F2103/10—Humidity expressed as capacitance or resistance
• • 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
  • D06F2103/12—Temperature
• • 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 
  • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• • 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
  • D06F34/04—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
  • D06F34/05—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
  • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a laundry washing/drying machine wherein the washing and/or drying operations are controlled by measuring the parameters relating to laundry.
• the parameters of the laundry like humidity level, temperature, amount (load) should be measured in order to control the washing and/or drying operations.
• the washing and/or drying operations cannot be controlled properly, errors cannot be detected, the length of the washing and/or drying operations is prolonged and energy consumption increases.
• the data, detected by means of the sensors in the medium of the drum wherein the laundry is placed is transferred to the main control unit situated outside the drum; however, data transfer is adversely affected due to the distance between the sensors and the main control unit and hence the cable lengths being long.
• the precision in data transfer from the sensors to the main control unit decreases, the data transfer cables are affected by electromagnetic noise originating from the mains and other electric devices in the outside environment, thereby resulting in loss of data.
• a laundry dryer wherein the dryness degree of the laundry is detected by temperature and moisture sensors secured to a bulkhead having an air outlet opening from which the humid air in the drum is discharged.
• the aim of the present invention is the realization of a laundry washing/drying machine wherein parameters relating to the laundry like temperature, humidity and amount of load are measured correctly and safely.
• the laundry washing/drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an auxiliary control unit disposed at the inner region of the drum baffle, that converts the continuous analog signals symbolizing the data received from the laundry and/or the drum by means of various sensors to discrete digital signals by means of a microprocessor and delivers the discrete digital signals to the main control unit.
• the sensors for example the temperature sensor, humidity sensor or the load sensor, are disposed on the drum baffle or on the drum in the vicinity of the baffle.
• the data is transferred to the auxiliary control unit by means of cables extending from the sensors to the interior of the baffle.
• the laundry washing/drying machine comprises a humidity sensor composed of a first electrode disposed on the drum baffle and a second electrode disposed on the inner surface of the drum.
• the baffle itself can be used as the first electrode and the drum itself as the second electrode.
• the amount of load is measured by a strain gauge that is disposed on the outer surface of the drum.
• the load data is transferred to the auxiliary control unit inside the baffle.
• the digital signals generated in the auxiliary control unit are transferred to the main control unit by means of a brush positioned to contact the drum and the cables.
• the metal screw providing the mounting of the baffle is also used in data transfer from the auxiliary control unit to the main control unit.
• the data transfer from the auxiliary control unit to the main control unit is provided by wireless transfer methods like RFID.
• the auxiliary control unit is energized by a power source situated inside the baffle.
• the energy of the auxiliary control unit is supplied from the main control unit by means of the brush and cables.
• the data relating to the laundry inside the drum is detected by the sensors disposed on or in the vicinity of the drum baffle and the data received from the sensors is transferred to the auxiliary control unit inside the drum baffle.
• the lengths of the cables between the sensors and the auxiliary control unit are decreased, thus data transfer is prevented from being affected by the cable resistance or the electromagnetic noise in the environment. Safety is provided in data transfer and data losses are prevented.
• Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a laundry washing/drying machine.
• Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a laundry washing/drying machine in another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 - is the schematic view of a portion of the drum and a drum baffle.
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed, one or more than one baffle (3) mounted on the circular inner surface of the drum (2) that provides the tumbling of the laundry, one or more than one sensor (4, 104, 204) disposed in the drum (2) that provides the detection of parameters relating to the laundry like humidity, temperature, laundry amount (load) and type of laundry, and a main control unit (5) that regulates the washing/drying operations.
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) of the present invention comprises an auxiliary control unit (6) disposed inside the baffle (3), that converts the analog signals received from the sensor (4, 104, 204) to digital signals and transfers the digital signals to the main control unit (5).
• the transfer of analog signals from the sensors (4, 104, 204) to the auxiliary control unit (6) is provided by the analog signal transfer cables (will be referred as the cable (K1) shortly) connected to the auxiliary control unit (6) by extending into the interior of the baffle (3).
• the analog data received continuously from the sensors (4, 104, 204) is transferred to the auxiliary control unit (6) by means of the cables (K1), the auxiliary control unit (6) processes and converts the analog data into digital data limited by numbers (1,0) and transfers the digital data to the main control unit (5).
• the auxiliary control unit (6) is situated at the nearest position to the laundry and the sensors (4, 104, 204) inside the drum (2) by being mounted into the baffle (3).
• the length of the cables (K1) extending between the sensors (4, 104, 204) and the auxiliary control unit (6) is minimized, the cable (K1) resistance decreases and data loss is prevented. Data transfer is realized without interruption and is not affected from the electromagnetic noise originating from the mains or other electrical devices in the outside environment.
• the baffle (3) serves as a protector that prevents the auxiliary control unit (6) from being affected from the effects of water or the humid environment inside the drum (2).
• the sensors (4, 104, 204) are disposed on the baffle (3) and/or on the body of the drum (2) in the vicinity of the baffle (3).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a temperature sensor (4) disposed on the surface of the baffle (3) facing the interior of the drum (2).
• the temperature sensor (4) disposed on the baffle (3) detects the temperature by directly contacting the laundry and advantage is provided over methods wherein the temperature data of the laundry is obtained indirectly by remote temperature measurements.
• the data detected by the temperature sensor (4) is transferred to the auxiliary control unit (6) inside the baffle (3) whereon the temperature sensor (4) is located by means of the cables (K1) and is transferred to the main control unit (5) as digital signals by being processed in the auxiliary control unit (6).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a humidity sensor (104) that detects the degree of dryness by measuring electrical conductivity of the laundry, having a first electrode (7) situated on the surface of the baffle (3) facing the interior of the drum (2) and a second electrode (8) disposed in the vicinity of the baffle (3) on the inner surface of the drum (2).
• the baffle (3) functions as the first electrode (7) and the body of the drum (2) functions as the second electrode (8).
• the data detected by the humidity sensor (104) is transferred to the auxiliary control unit (6) inside the baffle (3) whereon the first electrode (7) is located by means of the cables (K1) and is transferred to the main control unit (5) as digital signals by being processed in the auxiliary control unit (6).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a load sensor (204) disposed on the outer surface of the drum (2), having a strain gauge that provides the determination of the amount of load in the drum (2) by measuring the elongations occurring on the body of the drum (2) with the effect of laundry weight.
• the data detected by the load sensor (204) is transferred to the auxiliary control unit (6) inside the baffle (3) by means of the cables (K1) extending from the outside of the drum (2) and is transferred to the main control unit (5) as digital signals by being processed in the auxiliary control unit (6).
• data transfer between the auxiliary control unit (6) and the main control unit (5) is provided by means of digital signal transfer cables (will be referred as the cable (K2) shortly).
• the data transferred from the cables (K2) extending between the auxiliary control unit (6) and the main control unit (5) is in digital format and the cables (K2) cannot possibly be affected by the cable (K2) resistance and the external electromagnetic noise. Long cables (K2) can be used between the auxiliary control unit (6) and the main control unit (5).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a brush (9) composed of copper or steel wires and positioned outside the drum (2) so as to remain fixed thereon while the drum (2) rotates, providing the transfer of the digital signals generated in the auxiliary control unit (6) to the main control unit (5) by means of the cables (K2).
• the signals generated in the auxiliary control unit (6) are transferred to the main control unit (5) by means of the brush (9) and the cables (K2).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a screw (10) which provides the baffle (3) to be mounted to the drum (2), produced from conductive material, the end of which extends into the baffle (3), connected to the auxiliary control unit (6) with the cables (K1) with the brush (9) contacting its head portion that is seated on the outer surface of the drum (2).
• the screw (10) completes the conduction path between the auxiliary control unit (6) and the main control unit (5) for the transfer of signals.
• the screw (10) furthermore is used in securing the baffle (3) to the drum (2) and thereby an additional fastening element is not required.
• the signals generated in the auxiliary control unit (6) are transferred to the screw (10) by means of the cables (K1) and are transferred from the auxiliary control unit (6) to the main control unit (5) by means of the brush (9) and the cables (K2).
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a conductive strip (11) disposed between the screw (10) head and outer surface of the drum (2), that receives the signals transferred outside the drum (2) by means of the screw (10) with the brush (9) contacting thereon.
• the conductive strip (11) is wrapped all around the drum (2) and secured to the drum (2) by the screw (10).
• the brush (9) contacts the conductive strip (11) during the rotation of the drum (2) and continuity is provided in data transfer.
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a non-conductive strip (12) disposed between the conductive strip (11) and the drum (2).
• the non-conductive strip (12) provides the safe transfer of signals to the conductive strip (11) and prevents the signals from getting lost by dispersing in the body of the drum (2).
• the signals generated in the auxiliary control unit (6) are transferred to the main control unit (6) by means of a wireless transfer means (not shown in the figures), for example like RFID.
• the laundry washing/drying machine (1) comprises a power source (13) like battery or super capacitor, disposed on the inner surface of the baffle (3) or on the auxiliary control unit (6), which energizes the auxiliary control unit (6).
• a power source (13) like battery or super capacitor
• the low amount of energy required for functioning of the components like the microprocessor in the auxiliary control unit (6) is supplied by means of the power source (13).
• the energy required for functioning of the auxiliary control unit (6) is supplied from the main control unit (5) by means of the cables (K2) and the brush (9).
• the data relating to the laundry inside the drum (2) like humidity, temperature, amount of load are detected by the sensors (4, 104, 204) disposed on the baffle (3) and/or in the vicinity of the baffle (3) in close position to the laundry and is transferred to the auxiliary control unit (6) inside the baffle (3) to be converted into digital signals by being processed.
• the distance between the sensors (4, 104, 204) and the auxiliary control unit (6) is minimized and the signals are prevented from being affected by the electromagnetic noise in the environment.
• Safety is provided in data transfer and data losses are prevented.
• the parameters relating to the laundry are measured precisely from points close to the laundry, the errors are detected quickly and the washing/drying performance is improved.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=48470966

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (11)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2013
  • 2013-05-17 EP EP13724245.9A patent/EP2859143A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-05-17 WO PCT/EP2013/060284 patent/WO2013182402A1/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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