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 
  • D06F33/30—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
  • D06F33/34—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of water filling
• • 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
  • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2101/14—Time settings
• • 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
  • D06F2103/06—Type or material
• • 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
  • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
  • D06F2105/02—Water supply

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a washing machine, which can detect the types of the laundry and a control method thereof.
• detecting the type and amount of the laundry is important for developing control algorithms, water, energy and detergent optimization.
• various methods are utilized for detecting the type of the laundry to be washed.
• the aim of the present invention is to design a washing machine wherein washing is performed effectively by detecting the type of the laundry to be washed and a control method thereof.
• Figure 1 - is the side schematic view of a washing machine.
• Figure 2 - is the front schematic view of a washing machine.
• Figure 3 - is the flow chart of the control method of a washing machine.
• the washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a tub (2), a drum (3) situated inside the tub (2), rotating within the tub (2), into which the laundry is placed, a motor (8) that actuates the drum (3), a control card (6) providing the control, a valve (7) providing intake of water into the tub (2), a pressure sensor (4) which measures the pressure of the mixture inside the tub (2) during wetting of the laundry placed inside the drum (3) and a flow sensor (5) enabling the water amount determined by the pressure sensor (4) to be taken into the tub (2).
• the control card (6) comprises a memory (8) in which the experimental data is stored for comparison purposes.
• the water absorbing and releasing characteristics of the laundry varies with the type and amount of the laundry.
• the amount of water to be absorbed by certain type and amount of laundry is known. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the pressure values corresponding to the water intake for each of the wool, cotton, synthetic laundry are determined experimentally in advance. These values are compared with the pressure values measured during the method of the present invention and the type of the laundry is detected according to the compared value. According to these detections, for a certain amount of laundry, the smallest amount of water is consumed for washing synthetic fabrics, and the biggest amount of water is consumed for washing woolens.
• the woolen laundry absorbs more water than the cotton laundry, and the cotton laundry absorbs more water than the synthetic laundry.
• Lji amount of water to be used in washing Xi amount of j type laundry
• the amount of laundry (Xi) is determined by using one of the known load sensing algorithms.
• the amount of water that can be absorbed by certain (Lji) amount of laundry (Xi) and the required water amount (Lji) to be taken in corresponding to the amount of laundry (Xi) is determined by experimental data in the amounts table (Table 1) and is stored into the memory (8).
• These water amounts (Lji) are taken into the washing machine (1) by way of the flow sensor (5) in an accurate manner. Since the type of the laundry is not known, the soaking procedures for wool (Y), cotton (P) and synthetic (S) laundry are employed one after another, to make the laundry to absorb an optimum amount of water taken in.
• the water amounts absorbed (Lji) by different amounts (Xi) of laundry is measured by the pressure sensor (8) and the type of the laundry is determined.
• Table 1 A water amount table showing the amount of water to be taken into the washing machine according to the amount and type of laundry to be washed.
• the memory (8) comprises the stored maximum water intake values (Lji) determined experimentally in advance for different laundry types and amounts, the decision table (Table 2) formed by the pressure (Fpressure) intervals (BNji - BXjj) determined and stored in advance for each of the wool (Y), cotton (P), synthetic (S) laundry.
• Table 2 formed by the pressure (Fpressure) intervals (BNji - BXjj) determined and stored in advance for each of the wool (Y), cotton (P), synthetic (S) laundry.
• Table 2 It is the decision table comprising pre-determined pressure values for detecting the type of laundry according to the amount of the laundry to be washed.
• the control card (6) provides the water amount (LYi) stored in advance in the memory (8) for the type of laundry which absorbs the maximum amount of water, for example wool, to be taken into the tub (2), and compares the measured pressure values with the pre-stored pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) in the memory (8) enabling the starting of the method of the present invention.
• LYi water amount stored in advance in the memory (8) for the type of laundry which absorbs the maximum amount of water, for example wool, to be taken into the tub (2), and compares the measured pressure values with the pre-stored pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) in the memory (8) enabling the starting of the method of the present invention.
• the water amount (Lji) that should be taken in according to the amount of laundry (Xi) detected is taken in under the control of the flow sensor (5).
• this first step of water intake the procedure is started by taking in the wool (Y) water amount (Lji) corresponding to the measured amount of laundry.
• the laundry is soaked by making motor (9) movements to enable optimum amount of soaking since the type of laundry is not known.
• the pressure signal (F pressure) read in the waiting step is analized.
• the obtained pressure value (F pressure) is checked whether it is between BNYi and BXYi determined for the measured wool laundry amount (Xi) by the help of the decision table. If it is between these values, the laundry type is decided to be wool (Y).
• the measured pressure value (F pressure) if required for enabling optimum washing, water is taken in until reaching the water amount (LYi) determined in the table of amounts (Table 1) for the amount of laundry (Xi) measured and the main washing is started.
• the laundry is soaked by making the optimum motor (9) movements required for cotton laundry.
• the pressure sensor (4) values are read and analized during the waiting step.
• the obtained pressure value (F pressure) is checked to see if it is between BNPi and BXPi determined for the measured cotton laundry amount (Xi) by the help of the decision table ( Figure 5). If it is beteen these values, the laundry type is decided to be cotton (P).
• the measured pressure value (F pressure) if required for enabling optimum washing, water is taken in until reaching the water amount (LPi) determined in the table of amounts (Table 1) for the amount of laundry (Xi) measured and the main washing is started.
• the data of the flow sensor (5) and the pressure sensor (4) are utilized for detecting the laundry type.
• water intake into the washing machine is achieved in two basic steps.
• the first step the first water in the amount determined for wool in the water intake table is taken in according to the amount of measured laundry.
• the aim is to detect the type of the laundry.
• the water amount to be taken in is controlled in an accurate way by the flow sensor (5).
• the laundry is soaked by optimum motor (9) movements and the water amount absorbed and released out is analized by the pressure sensor (4). This information is obtained by measuring the pressure sensor (4) data.
• the extra water required for optimum washing suitable for the type and amount of laundry is taken in and water intake step is completed and main washing is started.
• the control card (6) evaluates these factors enabling the reaching of two main aims. These two aims are the accuracy of detecting the type of the laundry and the detection duration.
• the control card (6) after water is taken into the tub (2) according to the detected laundry amount, the control card (6) enables repeating the steps of soaking, stopping, pressure measuring and comparison of measured pressure with the pressure intervals stored in the memory (8) until the measured value corresponds to one of the stored pressure intervals.
• the control card (6) pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) have an order according to water absorption characteristics of the laundry and with respect to this order; the control card (6) enables the comparison of the measured pressure values until the type of the laundry is detected.
• the control card (6) allows the comparison of the measured pressure values with the pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) stored in the memory (8) for a different type of laundry after each soaking, stopping step.
• control card (6) provides the execution of the soaking, stopping and comparison of the pressure values steps as much as the number of the type of laundry detected.
• the control card (6) provides going on to the stopping step after water is taken into the tub (2) according to the detected laundry amount, measuring the pressure by the pressure sensor (8) after each soaking and stopping step and comparingthe measured pressure values with the pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) stored in the memory (8) for the amount and type of laundry, deciding on the type of the laundry when the measured pressure value is within the stored pressure interval (BXji - BNji), if the type decision can not be made, repeating the steps of soaking, stopping and measuring pressure until a decision is made and comparing the new pressure value with the pressure intervals (BXji - BNji) stored in the memory (8) for a different type of laundry, if necessary taking water into the tub (2) in the amount determined in advance according to the amount of laundry and stored in the memory (8) according to the decision made on the type, and going on to the main washing step.
• the control method of the present invention comprises following steps:
• control card (6) provides the measuring of the pressure values of the amount of water absorbed and released out by the laundry and the timing of absorbing-releasing water, comparing the measured pressure and timing values with the pre-set pressure values and water intake and release timings of the measured laundry amount stored in the memory (8) and deciding on the type of laundry during the step of soaking the laundry with optimum motor (9) movements after taking in water for the accurate detection of the laundry type.
• laundry water discharge speed data is used for decision of laundry type, especially for cotton and synthetic types.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
• Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
• Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (6)

• 2006
  • 2006-01-04 EP EP06701578A patent/EP1844191B1/de active Active
  • 2006-01-04 WO PCT/IB2006/050032 patent/WO2006072912A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-01-04 DE DE602006012937T patent/DE602006012937D1/de active Active
  • 2006-01-04 AT AT06701578T patent/ATE461311T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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