• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The laundry treatment device comprises a container (2) which is suspended from a support (20). The carrier (20) rests on two rods (17) of a frame (15). At least one deformation sensor (22) is attached to at least one of the rods (17) in order to measure the deformation of the rod (s) (17). This enables an accurate measurement of the weight of the container (2).
    公开号:CH716187B1
    申请号:CH01227/20
    申请日:2018-04-27
    公开日:2021-11-15
    发明作者:Sibak Martin；Güdel Daniel
    申请人:V Zug Ag；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of invention
    The invention relates to a laundry treatment device, in particular to a washing machine or a washer-dryer.
    background
    Laundry treatment devices, such as washing machines and / or washer-dryers, can contain a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the laundry container. This can be used, for example, to determine the amount of laundry to be washed or the amount of water in the container.
    Typically, the weight is measured on the suspension of the container, for example on a spring element from which the container is suspended. However, this approach is complicated and does not offer good accuracy, especially if the container is additionally equipped with damping elements which, due to their sticking / sliding behavior, tend to influence such measurements.
    Presentation of the invention
    The problem to be solved with the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment device, in particular a washing machine, of the type mentioned above with an accurate but economical weight sensor.
    This problem is solved by the laundry treatment device of claim 1.
    Accordingly, the laundry treatment device comprises the following elements:A frame: This is a stationary structure within the device.A variety of feet: The feet are attached to the frame and support it e.g. against a floor or a shelf under the device.A container: the container is the part that holds the laundry to be treated. For example, it can consist of the tub and drum of a washing machine or the tub of a tumble dryer.A carrier: The carrier is a stationary structure of the device that supports the weight of the container. In particular, it carries at least 80%, in particular at least 90% of the weight of the container.A weight sensor: This sensor is suitable for weighing the container.
    According to the invention, the frame comprises at least one rod which is suspended between two of the feet, and the carrier rests on the rod. The weight is thus absorbed by the rod and creates a deformation of the rod. The weight sensor consists of a deformation sensor to measure this deformation.
    This construction makes it possible to measure the weight of the container at a location other than a suspension spring element and to use a simple deformation sensor for this purpose.
    In one embodiment, the carrier comprises a support member having a head portion extending beyond the container and two leg portions disposed on opposite sides of the container. Each of these leg sections rests on the frame. In other words: The support element extends over the container, e.g. in the form of an inverted "U". The device further comprises at least one spring element which extends between the support element and the container. This at least one elastic spring element can carry at least part of the weight of the container. The spring elements can advantageously carry at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the weight of the container.
    In this case the frame can comprise at least two rods. Each bar supports one of the leg sections. In particular, a deformation sensor can be arranged on each rod. Alternatively, a deformation sensor can only be arranged on one of the rods, since the weight of the container is usually evenly distributed over the rods.
    In addition, the device can comprise at least one damping element that dampens vibrations of the container. For example, a non-elastic, frictional damping element can be used. This damping element extends between the container and the rod, so that any weight of the container carried by the damping element also contributes to the deformation of the rod, making the measurement more accurate.
    The device consists in particular of at least two such damping elements, each of the two rods carrying at least one of the damping elements.
    In one embodiment, the weight sensor can include a strain gauge attached to the rod. Such a strain gauge is a simple and inexpensive means of measuring the deformation of the rod.
    Advantageously, the carrier rests on the center of the rod between the two feet. In this context, “to rest on the center” means that the distance between the center of that part of the support that touches the bar and the center of the bar between the feet is less than 25% of the distance between the feet.
    The present invention is particularly suitable for devices in which the container has a drum which can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation.
    The device is preferably a household appliance.
    It can be, for example, a washing machine and / or a tumble dryer. It can also be a washer-dryer, i.e. a machine that is both a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
    Brief description of the drawings
    The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description. This description refers to the accompanying figures, where FIG. 1 shows a schematic section through a washer-dryer, FIG. 2 shows a view of a specific embodiment of a washing machine drive, FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device from FIG. 2, FIG a detail from FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows a front view of the device from FIG. 2.
    Ways of Carrying Out the Invention
    Generally:
    Fig. 1 shows a washer-dryer with a housing 1. In the housing 1, a container 2 is arranged for receiving the laundry. Container 2 comprises a tub 3 and a drum 4, for example.
    The drum 4 can be rotated about an axis of rotation 5. The axis of rotation 5 is advantageously horizontal, i.e. its deviation from a horizontal direction is less than 10 °.
    In a clothes dryer, the drum 4 is attached to the tub 3 with a pivot bearing 6, for example. A drive 7 is provided for rotating the drum 4.
    The drum 4 has a front end with an opening 8. It faces a door 9 of the device.
    Since the device is a washer-dryer, it comprises a drying and heating unit for drying and heating the process air. This drying and heating unit is shown schematically in FIG. 1 under the reference number 11.
    The device further comprises a control unit 12 for controlling the various elements of the device, for taking measurements and for interacting with the user. For example, the control unit 12 may comprise a microprocessor programmed to carry out the steps for operating the device.
    The device further comprises a frame 15 and a plurality of feet 16.
    The frame 15 comprises at least one rod 17 which is suspended between two of the feet 16.
    The frame 15 is advantageously arranged at the bottom of the device, at a level lower than the lowermost part of the container 2.
    The container 2 is supported by a carrier 20, which is formed, for example, as an inverted "U" shape, which extends over the container 2 and has two vertically extending leg portions 21, each of which on one of the Rods 17 of the frame 15 rests.
    The container 2 is, for. B. suspended within the support 20, e.g. B. by means of one or more spring elements (not shown in Fig. 1).
    Therefore, the weight (or a substantial part thereof) of the container 2 and its contents rests on the rods 17. Therefore, the rods 17 are deformed as a function of this weight.
    To measure this deformation, a strain gauge or some other type of deformation sensor 22 is provided.
    The control unit 12 receives the signal from the deformation sensor 22 and uses it to measure the weight or a weight-dependent size of the container 2.
    As can be seen from FIG. 1, the feet 16 are connected directly to the housing 1. In other words, the weight of the housing 1 is borne directly by the feet. It is not supported by the rods 17, in particular not by that part of the rods 17 which receives the weight from the carrier 20, i.e. the weight of the housing 1 does not deform the rods 17 at the location of the deformation sensor 22. This allows more accurate measurements to be obtained.
    Mechanical construction:
    An example of the mechanical structure of such a device is shown in FIGS. 2-5, which show the device with only part of the housing 1.
    As can be seen, the frame 15 can be formed, for example, from two lateral bars 17 and two transverse bars 17 'arranged at right angles to each other. The rods 17, 17 'are suspended between the feet 16.
    The rods are advantageously made of metal, in particular steel.
    The carrier 20 has a head part 24 which extends over the container 2. It advantageously extends transversely, in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation 5.
    The head part 24 is supported by the leg portions 21 on both sides of the container 2.
    The lower ends of the leg portions 21 rest on the rods 17 of the frame 15. Advantageously, they are firmly connected therewith, e.g. B. by consoles or flanges 25.
    The deformation sensor 22 is best seen in FIG. It is, for example, a strain gauge that is mounted on the rod 17. It changes its electrical resistance as a function of the deformation according to FIG. 17. It is advantageous that it is mounted on the underside of the rod 17.
    In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5, the container 2 is suspended from the carrier 20 by means of two or more spring elements 27. The spring elements extend between carrier 20 and container 2.
    In addition, the device shown comprises two or more friction damping elements 28. Each damping element 28 extends between the container 2 and one of the rods 17.
    Design considerations:
    The rods 17 can be dimensioned in such a way that they deform under the weight change of a full and an empty container 2 in such a way that the deformation can be measured with the aid of the deformation sensor 22.
    In order to make the deformations easily measurable, the point at which the weight of the container 2 is guided into the rod 17 should be far from the feet 16, advantageously at least 50 mm.
    As shown in FIG. 1, the reference number 30 designating the contact area in which the carrier 20, in particular the leg section 21, contacts the rod 17. It has an extension W in the direction that extends between the feet 16 and the support rod 17.
    The deformation of the rod 17 is greatest at the edges 31 of the contact area 30. The deformation sensor 22 should therefore advantageously extend over at least one of the edges 31.
    Furthermore, as mentioned, the carrier 20, in particular the leg section 21, should rest on the center of the rod 17. In this context, “lying on the center” means that the distance D between the center 32 of the part 21 of the support 20 which contacts the rod 17 and the center 33 of the rod 17 between the feet 16 is less than 25% of the distance L. between the feet 16 is.
    Another important parameter is the extension W compared to the distance L. In order to obtain strong deformations, W should be much smaller than L. In particular, W is advantageously no more than 25% of L.
    It is advantageous that the damping elements 28 are connected to the rod 17 in the contact area 30 in order to direct the weight that they could carry to the same point as the carrier 20.
    Applications:
    The control unit 12 can use the signal from the deformation sensor 22 for a number of applications, for example:Estimation of the weight of the laundry: when the user loads the laundry, for example, the change in the signal from sensor 22 is a measure of the weight of the laundry added.Estimating the amount of water in container 2: When the control unit 22 fills water into container 3, the weight of the container increases. The change in the signal from sensor 22 is a measure of the amount of water filled into container 2. In particular, the signal from sensor 22 can be used to control the amount of water that is filled into container 2.Estimation of the imbalance of the rotating drum 4: During the rotation, in particular during the spinning (spinning) of the laundry, a strong imbalance leads to periodic deformations of the rods 17, which in turn can be measured with the aid of the signal from sensor 22.Estimation of the water loss in the laundry during the drying of the laundry: When the laundry is dried, water is removed from the laundry and the weight of container 2 decreases. The signal from sensor 22 is therefore a measure of the drying process. For example, at the beginning of a drying process, water can be withdrawn at high speed, which is why the signal from sensor 22 changes quickly. However, as soon as the laundry is almost dry, the signal from sensor 22 will change more slowly. The signal from sensor 22 can therefore be used, for example, to determine the drying status of the laundry and, in particular, to stop the drying process.
    The calibration:
    The control device 12 can also be designed to calibrate sensor 22. For this purpose, the control unit 12 feeds a known amount of water into container 2 and monitors the change in the signal from sensor 22. With this change and the (known) weight of the added water, sensor 22 can be calibrated, ie the control unit 12 can measure the signal change per Calculate weight.
    In order to control the amount of water supplied to the container 2, the container 2 can contain, for example, a water level sensor which generates a signal as soon as the water level in the container 2 reaches a certain level.
    Remarks:
    While the above description shows washer-dryer, the invention can also be implemented in a device that has only washing function or only drying function.
    While presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but can be embodied and practiced in various ways within the scope of the following claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1]
    1. Laundry treatment device, in particular a washing machine, comprisinga frame (15),a plurality of feet (16) mounted on and supporting the frame (15),a container (2) to hold the laundry to be treated,a carrier (20) carrying a weight of said container (2),a weight sensor suitable for weighing the container (2),wherein the frame (15) has at least one rod (17), each of the at least one rod being suspended between two of the feet (16),wherein the carrier (20) lies on the at least one rod (17),and wherein the weight sensor comprises a deformation sensor (22) which measures a deformation of the at least one rod (17).
    [2]
    2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (20) has a support element (20) with a head part (24) which extends over the container (2), and two leg sections (21) which lie on opposite sides of the container (2 ) are arranged, wherein each of the two leg sections (21) lies on the frame (15) and at least one of the two leg sections (21) lies on the at least one rod (17), wherein the device further comprises at least one spring element which extends between the support element (20) and the container (2).
    [3]
    Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frame (15) comprises two of the at least one rod (17), each of the two rods (17) supporting one of the leg portions (21).
    [4]
    4. Apparatus according to claim 3, each having a deformation sensor (22) for each of the two rods (17).
    [5]
    5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one damping element (28) which extends between the container (2) and at least one of the at least one rod (17).
    [6]
    6. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 or 4 and according to claim 5, wherein the device comprises at least two damping elements (28), each of the two rods (17) supporting at least one of the at least two damping elements (28).
    [7]
    7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deformation sensor (22) has a strain gauge attached to at least one of the at least one rod (17).
    [8]
    8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the carrier (20) contacts the at least one of the at least one rod (17) in a contact area (30) and wherein the strain gauge extends over at least one edge (31) of the contact area (30).
    [9]
    9. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6 and 8, wherein at least one of the at least one damping element (28) in the contact area (30) is connected to the at least one of the at least one rod (17).
    [10]
    10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (20) on the center (33) of at least one of the at least one rod (17) lies between the two feet (16).
    [11]
    11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (20) touches at least one of the at least one rod (17) in a contact area (30) and wherein an extension (W) of the contact area (30) along a direction between the two feet (16), between which the at least one of the at least one rod (17) extends, is less than 25% of a distance (L) between the two feet (16).
    [12]
    12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (1), a weight of the housing being carried by the feet (16) without resting on any of the at least one rod (17) between the feet (16).
    [13]
    13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (12) which is suitable for measuring a signal from the deformation sensor (22) and which is suitable for using this signal for at least one of the following purposes- Estimation of the weight of the laundry mentioned,- the estimate of the amount of water inside the container (2),- Estimation of an imbalance of a rotating drum of said container (2),- the estimate of water loss in said laundry during drying of the laundry,- the control of an amount of water supplied to the container (2),- Calibrating the deformation sensor (22) by feeding a known amount of water into the container (2).
    [14]
    14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) has a drum (4) which is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (5).
    [15]
    15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drum (4) is rotatably arranged in a tub (3).
    [16]
    16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (15) is arranged at a level below the container (2).
    [17]
    17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is a washing machine and / or wherein the device is a clothes dryer.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    EP2047024B1|2012-05-02|Method of determining a loading quantity for a laundry-treatment appliance, and laundry-treatment appliance suitable therefor
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    CH681178A5|1993-01-29|
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    DE102009042154B4|2014-09-11|Liquid storage container and tumble dryer with the same
    DE2034847A1|1972-01-27|Enclosed washing machine
    WO2013092486A1|2013-06-27|Household appliance for caring for pieces of laundry as well as a method for determining an error status of an oscillating device in a household appliance
    DE112018007523T5|2021-02-18|Laundry treatment device with weight sensor
    EP2740828A1|2014-06-11|Laundry treatment device and method for operating the same
    DE102009027933A1|2011-01-27|Method for recognizing foam in tub of drum-type washing machine during main washing phase, involves evaluating temperature curves by continuous determination of gradients of temperature curves over preset time period
    EP1108810A1|2001-06-20|Laundry treating machine
    EP3363942B1|2020-04-08|Water supply control and washing machine
    EP3346050A1|2018-07-11|Laundry treatment device and method for operating same
    EP1143058B1|2004-01-14|Method for rinsing laundry in a washing machine
    DE19629805C2|2002-03-07|Method for controlling an electric clothes dryer
    DE102005042382A1|2007-03-08|Method for dividing a laundry item and apparatus for treating laundry
    DE2618926A1|1976-11-11|METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF A RUNNING STRAND OF MATERIAL
    EP3346049B1|2019-11-13|Laundry device and method for operating the same
    DE102018004188B4|2019-12-05|Laundry treatment device
    DE102018104018A1|2019-08-22|The invention relates to an aggregate for a washing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a washing machine, which is equipped with such an aggregate
    DE102017103189A1|2018-08-16|Method for operating a washing machine and washing machine
    DE102015204392A1|2016-09-15|Domestic appliance for treating laundry
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    DE112018007523T5|2021-02-18|
    WO2019204948A1|2019-10-31|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    DE2034847A1|1970-07-07|1972-01-27|Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh|Enclosed washing machine|
    PL1953291T3|2007-01-30|2010-09-30|Electrolux Home Products Corp Nv|Laundry treating machine with weight sensing means|
    WO2012089442A1|2010-12-27|2012-07-05|Arcelik Anonim Sirketi|Washing machine comprising a load sensor|
    CN105970555B|2015-03-12|2019-11-08|青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司|A kind of washing machine automatic weighing device|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/CH2018/000019|WO2019204948A1|2018-04-27|2018-04-27|Laundry treatment appliance with weight sensor|
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