FR2894996A1 - Top-loading horizontal axis washing machine/drier has sensor for measuring volume of drum contents and adjusting cycle accordingly - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine and/or drier differs by incorporating a sensor (15) that measures the volume of the laundry inside its drum (11) and puts out a signal based on the distance from the sensor to the surface of articles inside the drum. The sensor, comprising one or more infrared detectors, can be located outside the drum, on one of its access flaps (14) or inside the drum, in the latter case transmitting a wireless signal to a processor. The washer can also be equipped to measure the weight of the load and adjust its cycle and the amount of detergent required accordingly.

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine and / or dryer tinge

  comprising a drum adapted to contain the tinge. It also relates to a method for controlling the parameters of a cycle of washing and / or drying of a washing machine and / or drying the tinge.

  In general, the present invention relates to the field of washing machines, dryer with condenser or evacuation and domestic washing machine. In this type of machine, it is known to enslave, that is to say regulate washing parameters (duration of the different phases of washing, spin, rinse, quantity of water) or drying (temperature, dui-6e cycle) depending on the type of load to be processed. To date, known control methods take into account the mass of tinge placed in the drum or the type of textile program by the user.

  The aim of the present invention is to propose a machine for washing and / or drying the tinge and a servo-control method implemented in such a machine which makes it possible to enslave the washing or drying cycles more precisely so as, in particular, to improve the care brings to the tinge and to limit the wear of the machines.

  For this purpose, the invention relates in a first aspect to a washing machine and / or dry tinge comprising a drum adapted to contain tinge. It comprises means for measuring a value representative of the volume of tinge contained in the drum.

  This measurement of a representative value of the tinge volume makes it possible, alone or in combination with other measurements carried out by independent sensors, to improve the qualification of the tinge to be treated, and thus to adapt more finely the process of treatment of the tinge. laundry. In practice, the measuring means comprise at least one sensor having an output signal depending on the distance separating the sensor from an obstacle. When the tinge is placed in the drum, a signal measured at the output of the sensor makes it possible to access the distance separating this sensor from the tinge, and thus to evaluate the height or the level of the tinge present in the drum, a value directly connected to the tinge volume.

  In practice, the sensor is positioned on the machine, outside the drum. This positioning makes it possible to connect the sensor to processing means and in particular enables the direct connection of the connector connected to the sensor to the electronic card conventionally presented in the machine for managing the washing and / or drying processes. The integration of such a sensor also requires few modifications in a machine. In order to improve and make reliable the measurement made by the sensors, the drum has an opening in the ferrule adapted in a loading position of the tinge in the drum to correspond with an opening of a tank of the machine, two sensors being arranged. symmetrically on both sides of the tank opening. Alternatively, the sensor can be arranged inside the drum, the sensor being associated with transmission means without fit of the output signal to means for processing the output signal. This arrangement makes it possible to perform tinge volume measurements even after drum closure by the user, before or after water filling, before or after rotation of the drum and at any time of the cycle. Moreover, this sensor is not very visible for the consumer.

  In practice, in this embodiment, the sensor is disposed on a door access to the drum.

  For example, the measuring means comprise an infrared sensor. According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for controlling the parameters of a cycle of washing and / or drying of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry comprising a drum adapted to contain the laundry. This servo method includes a step of measuring a value representative of the volume of the laundry in the drum of the washing machine and / or drying the laundry.

  As previously indicated in connection with the machine, the acquisition of a representative value of the volume of the laundry in the drum makes it possible, alone or in combination with other parameters, to improve the control of the washing or drying cycle. In particular, the step of measuring a representative value of the volume of laundry is carried out beforehand at the start of a washing cycle and / or drying, and a step of determining the mass of laundry is implemented. The measurement of a representative value of the volume of laundry contained in the drum thus makes it possible to access an evaluation of the mass of laundry. In another embodiment of the invention, the step of measuring a representative value of the volume of laundry is carried out before starting a washing cycle and / or drying and the method of enslaving Furthermore, it comprises a step of determining the mass of laundry introduced into the drum and a step of determining the density of the laundry introduced into the drum as a function of the mass of laundry and the representative value of the laundry volume. Thus, by obtaining on the one hand a value representative of the volume of laundry, and on the other hand the mass of laundry introduced into the drum, it is possible to access the density of the laundry to be treated. .

  The access to a density measurement makes it possible to refine the enslavement of the washing and drying cycles, and in particular the duration of the drying cycle or even the optimization of the wetting phase and the management of the wiping operations.

  This measurement of density can be further aflinee when the servo-control method comprises a step of measuring a value representative of the volume of laundry implemented after the introduction of water into the drum. The correlation of the volume measurement when the laundry is dry and when the laundry is wetted makes it possible to deduce the behavior of the laundry and to refine the density evaluation, and other features and advantages of the invention will still appear in the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example: FIG 1 is a perspective view of a drum equipped with a drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drum equipped with a drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic side and front views of a washing machine illustrating the operating principle of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 4A and 4B. are schematic side and front views of a Drying machine according to a third embodiment of the invention. A washing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described first with reference to Figure 1. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a washing machine but can also be applied to a dryer machine or a washer / dryer.

  In FIG. 1, only a tank 10 having a drum 11 and an upper portion 12 of a machine body are shown. These elements of the machine as well as the other parts that have been omitted are consistent with those implemented in a conventional washing machine. They are well known to those skilled in the art and do not need to be described in more detail here. In particular, this is a top-loading washing machine, the drum 11 having an opening 11a for introducing and removing the tinge in the drum. 11a corresponds to an opening 10a housed in the tank (see in particular Figure 3a). In a conventional manner, a gate 14 makes it possible to close the opening 11a of the drum 11. According to the invention, the washing machine comprises means The measuring means 15 comprises two sensors 15, the signal of which depends on the distance separating said sensor from an obstacle. this embodiment, the sensors 15 are positioned on the upper portion 12 of the machine, outside the drum 11. Of course, the number of sensors is not limited to 2. In particular, a single sensor may be uses or a number greater than two. In particular, as the number of sensors used increases, the accuracy of the measurement is improved. Indeed, the surface of the laundry contained in the drum being not flat, the use of several sensors makes it possible to average the measurements made by each sensor 30 A number of sensors equal to two perrnet however to achieve a compromise between the cost of the sensors and the precision of the volume measurement thus obtained.

  Thus, when the drum 11 has an opening 11a in the adapted ferrule, in a laundry loading position in the drum, to correspond with an opening 10a of the vessel 10, the sensors 15 are arranged preferably symmetrically on both sides. Another of the opening 10a of the tank 10. In this embodiment, the sensors 15 are mounted on the upper part 12 of the body on either side of the opening of the tank. Due to the presence of the gates 14, the sensors 15 are mounted preferably on the dimensions 12a of the bodywork of the machine extending perpendicularly to the gates 14. The sensors 15 are arranged so that their axis of sensitivity is oriente towards the inside and at the very ends of the bottom of the drum 11. By positioning as shown in FIG. 1, the sensors 15 on either side of the drum and substantially in the middle of the opening 11a, the measurement can be carried out to the bottom of the drum 11, without title generated by the edges. Of course, the positions of the sensors are not limiting. In particular, these sensors 15 are preferably positioned in the corners at the gates 14 or even in the corners of the washing machine on each side of the drum. Furthermore, these sensors can be placed on the same side of the opening 11a of the drum 11. By placing these sensors outside the drum, it is possible to connect this sensor, for the transmission of the output signal, directly on the electronic card controlling the operation of the washing machine. In this embodiment, it is thus possible to measure a representative value of the laundry volume before closing the drum by the doors 14. A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. .

  Only parts similar to those described in Figure 1 are again represented. In this embodiment, the sensors 15 are disposed inside the drum 11.

  In this embodiment, the sensors 15 are respectively disposed on an access gate 14 of the drum 11. In practice, the sensors 15 are respectively placed on the inner faces of two leaves 14 constituting the access gate. In this embodiment, each sensor 15 is then associated with wireless transmission means 16 for transmitting the output signal transmitted by the sensor to means for processing the output signal, in particular an electronic card. control of the operation of the washing machine. The positioning of the sensor inside the drum thus makes it possible to perform a measurement at the end of loading laundry in the drum, or even after the start of a washing or drying cycle in order to refine the volume measurement. Preferably, the signal transmission means 16 conventionally comprises means for transmitting a radio frequency signal. The transmission means 16 is adapted to transmit information to a receiver directly connected to the computer card for the processing of the information. Note that the transmission of the signal can not be done by an antenna present inside the drum which would then constitute a Faraday cage. On the other hand, the drum itself can act as an antenna for transmitting information.On the other hand, it is possible to insert an antenna coming out of the drum by a slot to enable the transmission of information from the transmission means 16 to the transmitter. It will be noted that the positioning of the sensors 15 on the gate 14 causes these sensors to come into contact with the laundry inside the drum, and they must therefore be inserted into a block of electrodes. tightness in order to be robust with respect to the different external aggressions (presence of water and basic detergent, mechanical stresses due to the movement of the tinge which rubs against the sensor or the high temperature of the water present in the drum and vibrations related to the rotational movement of the drum.) Preferably, in the embodiments described above, the sensors 15 consist of infrared sensors including for example the voltage in This allows an output signal to be generated depending on the distance separating the infrared sensor from an obstacle.

  Note that this type of sensor is in no way limiting and that sensors by sound waves or laser telemetry can be used, although more expensive. The operation of a washing machine according to the invention, particularly with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as well as the method for controlling the parameters of a washing and / or drying cycle that can be used in accordance with the invention, will now be described. In particular, thanks to the presence of the sensors 15 previously described, and as clearly illustrated in FIG. 3B, a representative value of the volume of the laundry in the drum of the washing machine can be measured. the output signal measured at the level of the sensors 15 is representative of the distance separating each sensor 15 from the surface S of the laundry present in the drum, Given that this surface S is rarely flat, it can be seen that by multiplying the number With sensors 15, and for example using two sensors, it is possible to obtain measurements different from the distance d separating each sensor 15 from the laundry surface S. This distance measurement d, supplied ad The software processing means provided in the electronic card for controlling and servocontrolling the machine makes it possible to obtain a mean distance separating the sensors from the tinge surface.

  Thanks to an algorithm taking into account both the geometry and the volume of the drum as well as the distance separating for example the sensors 15 from the bottom of the empty drum, it is possible to deduce the volume of tinge contained inside the drum.

  In particular, this step of measuring a value representative of the volume of the laundry can be implemented prior to the start of a wash cycle and / or drying. This is particularly the case when the sensors are arranged as illustrated in Figure 1 on the body of the machine and the measurement is no longer accessible when the drum is closed by the gate 14 and the washing cycle has started. Thanks to this representative value of the volume of the tinge, it is possible to deduce the mass of tinge present in the drum thanks to a step of determining mass of linen.

  In particular, this tinge mass determination step implements an algorithm for determining the tinge mass according to the volume and the nature of the laundry. In particular, it will be noted that for an identical mass of tinge, the volume of a load tinge only synthetic is less than the volume occupied by a load of laundry only cotton. On the other hand, a laundry load only made of sponge textile occupies a much larger volume for the same mass. As a matter of fact, and only in a particular embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use a relationship of the type V = axM + b where V is the volume of laundry (in liter) M is the mass of laundry (in kilograms) a varies between a minimum value corresponding to a synthetic textile and a maximum value corresponding to a sponge textile, and b is a calibration value dependent on the geometry of the drum.

  This determination of the mass is thus implemented from the laundry volume value calculated by the sensors 15 and the nature of the laundry generally indicated by the user at the time of loading the laundry into the drum.

  In practice, the algorithm making it possible to deduce the mass of laundry as a function of the measured volume makes it possible to obtain an approximation of the mass of laundry according to the nature of the textile to approximately 500 g of preschool. Thanks to the determination of the mass of laundry, it is possible to adapt parameters of the washing cycle and / or drying of the machine.

  In particular, the washing machine can offer different programs modified in duration of different operating phases, duration and speed of spin, amount of water used, temperature, ... As non-limiting examples, a distinction may be used carried out between the loads of linen lower than 1.5 kg, loads of linen whose mass is between 1.5 and 3 kg and loads of linen superior to 3 kg. In addition, the servo-control method may comprise a detergent dosing preconization carried out as a function of the volume of the measured linen.

  Note also that in the embodiment as described in Figure 1, when the sensors 15 are outside the drum, it is possible to realize the measurement of laundry volume introduced as far as the load of laundry in the drum In order to transmit information to the user allowing him / her to adjust the quantity of laundry with washing recommendations, when this measure is implemented before the start of the washing cycle, it is possible to display on a real time, at a display of the control panel of the machine, the mass of laundry introduced into the drum.

  In addition, a recommendation of the detergent dose to be introduced may be made and also indicated to the user via a display of the control panel, prior to the start of a wash cycle.

  In this embodiment in which the sensors 15 are outside the drum, the sensors 15 can operate continuously when the drum door is open. The detection of the closure of the door 14 of the drum by the electronic control board, by means of a known sensor for detecting the closed position of the two leaves 14 of the door, can cause the standby of the sensors 15. The measurements of tinge volume are then suspended when the gate 14 of the machine is closed, corresponding to a start of the machine or a stop thereof.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, in addition to the sensors for determining the volume of laundry introduced into the drum, the machine may comprise means for determining the mass, independent of the volume measurement sensors. These means for detecting the mass of tinge introduced into the drum can for example be achieved by means of displacement sensors of the drum 11 suspended in the tank 10. Thanks to the independent measurement of the mass of laundry and the volume of introduced laundry in the drum, the servo-control method may comprise a step of determining the density of the laundry introduced into the drum as a function of the mass and the representative value of the volume of laundry. Thus, the servo-control method may comprise a step of preconizing a washing and / or drying cycle depending not only on the mass of laundry and the nature of the laundry but also on the density of the tinge introduced into the drum. .

  Due to the density of the tinge, the type of cycle recommended can be determined in a finer way. In particular, taking into account the density, it is possible to improve the washing phase and more particularly the wetting phase of the laundry. Thus, a denser tinge is more difficult to wet at the center of the tinge load. In practice, a higher tinge density will lead to recommending a washing cycle in which the water introduction and washing phase is modified to allow an increase in the quantity of water introduced and / or an increase in the quantity of water introduced. -6e of the washing phase. Similarly, the presence of a high density cloth will tend to create a significant imbalance during spinning.

  This information can be used to enslave the intermediate spin phases and the final spin of a washing program. Similarly, a rinsing phase will be prolonged if the laundry has a high density. When the sensors 15 are disposed inside the drum, as illustrated in FIG. 2, it is possible to carry out a measuring step of a representative value of the volume of laundry after the closing of the gate 14, before the beginning of a washing cycle or after introduction of water into the drum. The measurement before the beginning of the washing cycle can, as in the previous example, be used to control the washing process from the mass of laundry, the nature of the laundry and the density if it can be determined by has a mass measurement of laundry independent of the volume measurement. On the other hand, the cloth wets being cup in the bottom of the drum 11, a new measurement of the volume occupied by the wet cloth and the associated mass makes it possible to obtain a more accurate density measurement. This measurement of density during the washing cycle can be used by the program to optimize the wash cycle chosen, as indicated above, for example by changing the duration of the rinsing, washing or spinning. A third embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this example, there is illustrated a dryer machine with front loading laundry. Only the parts necessary for the understanding of the invention are shown schematically in these FIGS. 4A and 4B and will be described hereinafter.

  The machine for drying the laundry comprises, in a known manner, a rotatably mounted drum 11 in the bodywork of the machine. The opening in a side of the drum can be closed by a door 18 in front of the machine.

  Generally, a control panel 19 is disposed above the door 18, in front of the machine to allow the user to control the operation of the apparatus. A sensor 15, of the infrared sensor type as dealt with in the preceding embodiments, is used to measure the distance separating the sensor 15 from an obstacle, and here the surface S of the laundry introduced into the drum 11. Twist the laundry introduced into a dryer is wet and cup naturally in the bottom of the drum, it is distributed homogeneously fawn. A single sensor 15 can thus be used reliably to obtain a measurement of a value representative of the volume of laundry contained in the drum 11. Preferably, the sensor 15 is positioned on the front part of the machine, close to I opening closed by the door 18 of the dryer. The sensor 15 is positioned, for example on a fixed part, vis-a-vis the drum 11 rotates. In practice, it is possible to use an orifice that is traditionally present in the tumble dryers for lighting the drum. By positioning the sensor 15 on a fixed part, it is possible to make the wired connection of this sensor 15 to an electronic control board without difficulty. Moreover, as is well illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sensor 15 is preferably positioned in the upper part of the opening of the drum 11, so that the measurement angle of the distance d favors the taking of measurement. . As before, the measurement of the volume of laundry introduced makes it possible to control certain parameters of operation of the dryer, and for example to modify the duration and the temperature of the drying cycle.

  The dryer according to the invention thus makes it possible to perform a measurement of a value representative of the volume of tinge introduced into the drum 11 before starting a drying cycle. So, i! It is possible to obtain in an dryer an estimate of the mass of laundry at the beginning of the cycle, and possibly the density of the laundry introduced into the drum. The measurement from the sensor 15 can be done at the end of loading, at the moment when the user closes the dryer, in order to obtain an estimate of the mass at the beginning of the cycle.

  From this estimate of the mass, and depending on the moisture content of the laundry, an approximate drying time may be displayed before the start of the drying cycle. According to an improved embodiment, the step of preconizing a drying cycle can also be carried out continuously during the introduction of the tinge into the drum, the preconising cycle evolving as a function of the mass of tinge introduced into the drum. drum. Thus, it is possible to measure in real time the mass of tinge introduced into the drum and to evolve the preconization cycle according to this estimated mass. At the end of loading, if the recommendation of cycle is suitable, the user can confirm the choice of this cycle by pressing a start button of the machine. For example, at the beginning of loading, with a mass of laundry of the order of 1 kg, a short program is advocated. If tinge is added, the mass of tinge reaching for example 2.5 kg, a mixed program may be advocated. Finally, if the mass of tinge exceeds 5 kg, a cotton cycle can be advocated. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Thus, although a top-loading washing machine has been illustrated, the present invention also applies to a front-loading washing machine.

  In this case, a sensor may be inserted into the fixed part of the tank on the front panel facing the inside of the drum. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to a washing machine but can also be applied to a dryer or a washing-drying machine.

Claims (14)

  1. Washing machine and / or drying machine comprising a drum (11) adapted to contain the laundry, characterized in that it comprises measuring means (15) of a value representative of the volume of laundry contained in the drum (11). ).   2. Machine for washing and / or drying the laundry according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring means comprise at least one sensor (15) having a distance-dependent output signal (d, d ') separating said sensor (15) of an obstacle (S).   3. Machine for washing and / or drying the laundry according to claim 2, characterized in that said sensor (15) is positioned on the machine, outside the drum (11).   4. Washing and / or drying machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the drum (11) has an opening (11a) in the adapted ferrule, in a laundry loading position in the drum, a correspond with an opening (10a) of a tank (10) of said machine, two sensors (15) being arranged symmetrically on either side of said tank opening (10a).   5. Washing machine and / or dryer tinge according to claim 2, characterized in that said sensor (15) is disposed within the drum (11), said sensor (15) being associated with transmission means without fit (16) of said output signal to means for processing the output signal.   Washing machine and / or drying machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said sensor (15) is provided on an access door (14) to the drum (11).   Washing machine and / or drying machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said measuring means comprise one or more infrared sensors (15).   8. Method for controlling the parameters of a cycle of washing and / or drying of a washing machine and / or dryer tinge comprising a drum (11) adapted to contain tinge, characterized in that it comprises a step of measuring a value representative of the volume (V) of the tinge in the drum (11) of said washing machine and / or drying the laundry.   9. Control method according to claim 8, characterized in that said measuring step of a value representative of the volume (V) of the tinge is carried out beforehand at the start of a wash cycle and / or drying, and in that a step of determining the mass of laundry is carried out from an algorithm depending on the representative value of the volume (V) and the nature of tinge.   10. Servo-control method according to rune claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said step of measuring a value representative of the volume (V) of the laundry is implemented before the start of a cycle of washing and / or drying, and in that the servo-control method further comprises a step of determining the mass (M) of laundry introduced into the drum (11) and a step of determining the density of the laundry introduced into the drum according to the mass (M) of laundry and the representative value of the volume (V) of laundry.   11. Servo control method according to rune claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a step of measuring a representative value of the volume (V) of the laundry is implemented after introduction of water into the drum.   12. Servo control method according to rune of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a step of preconisation of a quantity of detergent to be introduced before the start of a wash cycle.   13. Servo control method according to rune of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a step of preconisation of a cycle of washing and / or drying according to the mass (M) of laundry, the nature of the tinge and possibly the density of tinge introduced into the drum.   14. Servo-control method according to claim 13, characterized in that said step of preconisation of a washing cycle and / or drying is implemented continuously during the introduction of the laundry into the drum, the preconise cycle evolving according to the mass of laundry introduced into the drum.