TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to determining the loading and/or the level of vibrations
of a washer drum of a washing machine. The invention further relates to a measuring
device performing such determination, and a washing machine comprising the measuring
device. Also, a method for determining the loading and/or the level of vibrations
of a washer drum of a washing machine is provided.
TECHNCIAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a rotating or spinning washer drum of a washing machine is exposed to
high stress due to the high rotational speed of the washer drum inside a washing machine
body surrounding the washer drum. Therefore, costly bearings are used in order to
increase the durability of the washing machine.
[0003] However, when washing the laundry, the stress on a bearing on which the pressure
drum is rotatably mounted increases, wherein the increase of stress depends on the
weight of the added laundry. The high rotational speeds of the washer drum can cause
an accumulation of laundry for example at one side of the washer drum which can lead
to noisy vibrations during rotation of the pressure drum. This can further cause increased
wear for example of the bearing on which the pressure drum is mounted or could even
lead to a collision of the washer drum with the washing machine body surrounding the
washer drum. Further, the accumulation of the laundry at one side of the washing drum
can lead to the fact that the laundry may not be properly washed, for example if the
laundry is wrapped together.
[0004] In order to identify dangerous vibrations or too heavy loading of the washer drum,
it is known in the prior art to perform measurements in order to calculate the loading
of the pressure drum and the vibrations of the pressure drum during its rotation.
However, the state-of-the-art uses different sensors for the measurement of the loading
and the measurement of the vibrations, wherein the loading of the washer drum is calculated
based on a measured vertical displacement of the drum due to the increased load and
an estimation by a software, and the vibrations of the washer drum are measured by
an additional excellent accelerometer sensor, wherein the software needs perform at
different calculation from the acceleration measurements in order to come to vibration
values. Therefore, the necessity of having two different sensors is costly. Further,
a more expensive software needs to be used which can perform two different calculation
programs.
[0005] Additionally, it is only known to take measurements of a one-dimensional movement
of the washer drum, such that only a displacement in one direction can be detected,
while a displacement in another direction cannot be detected.
[0006] US 5 713 221 A discloses a drum that is located within the tub, wherein a sensor detects an out-of-balance
condition during the spin cycle by detecting oscillations of the tub. The sensor includes
a target attached to the cabinet having a reflecting surface, a light source attached
to the tub and positioned to direct infra red light toward the reflecting surface,
and a light receiver attached to the tub and positioned to receive infra red light
reflected from the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a pattern of varying
reflectivity so that the light receiver receives a different quantity of infra red
light when the splash tub moves relative to the cabinet.
SUMMARY
[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the state of the art, particularly to provide a cost efficient and
precise measuring device for determining the loading and the vibrations of a washer
drum of a washing machine. Preferably, it shall be possible to measure a two or three
dimensional displacement of the washer drum. It is a further object of the present
invention to provide a method for determining the loading and the vibrations of the
washer drum of a washing machine in accordance with the described measuring device.
[0008] This objective is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous
embodiments are subject to the dependent claims and will be set out herein below.
[0009] An example embodiment of the invention provides a measuring device for determining
the loading and the vibrations of a washer drum of a washing machine. The use of the
measuring device in a washing machine is only exemplary. The measuring device may
also be used in different environments or applications, where the rotation of a rotating
or spinning part with respect to a stationary part, preferably surrounding the rotating
part, is to be monitored and/or controlled.
[0010] The measuring device comprises a first light emitter which is able to emit light
of a first wavelength λ1 and a second light emitter which is able to emit light of
a second wavelength λ2. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
second wavelength λ2 differs from the first wavelength λ1. Using different wavelengths
allows performing distinct measurements simultaneously. However, it is also possible
to use the same wavelength for both light emitters, e.g. when controlling the light
emitters in a time-multiplex fashion.
[0011] A reflector is illuminated by the first and the second light emitters in order to
at least partially reflect the received light of the first wavelength λ1 and of the
second wavelength λ2. Preferably, the light beam of the first light emitter and the
light beam of the second light emitter are focused in a way that the resulting light
cones are significantly smaller than the reflector. The first light emitter and the
second light emitter can be arranged with respect to the reflector such that the light
is illuminated from the light emitters to the reflector in an essentially horizontal
manner. The reflector comprises a plurality of reflection zones having different reflection
rates (It is apparent that the reflection zones may also be regarded as having different
absorption rates). A light receiver measures the intensity of the light being reflected
by the reflector, wherein the measured intensity depends on the reflection zone reflecting/absorbing
the light beam of the first light emitter and the light beam of the second light emitter,
respectively. Thus, the first and the second light emitters illuminate the reflector
with light of the wavelength λ1 and wavelength λ2, respectively, and the reflector
reflects both the light of the wavelength λ1 and wavelength λ2, respectively, depending
on the reflection zone being illuminated by the respective light emitter.
[0012] The measurement arrangement is used to perform measurements by detecting a variation
of the measured intensity of the received light between an initial state and a working
state which is caused by a first relative displacement of the reflector with regard
to the first and second light emitters and the light receiver. The initial state may
be defined by an unloaded state of the washer drum, i.e. a state before a washing
program that rotates the washer drum is started and in which no laundry is placed
in the washing drum. The working state may be defined by a loaded state of the washer
drum. This this loaded states the washing drum of the washer performs a rotational
movement around its rotational washer drum axis, while laundry is present in the washer
drum.
[0013] When the washer drum is loaded with laundry the total mass of the washer drum is
increased such that the washer drum is lowered and sinks vertically downwards. This
may be achieved by a flexible bearing of the washer drum inside of the washing machine
body in order to compensate an increased loading. The addition of laundry into the
washer drum may cause a continuous linear vertical displacement of the washer drum
leading to an even first relative displacement of the reflector with regard to the
first light emitter, the second light emitter and the light receiver relative to the
reflector. The reflector or alternatively an assembly formed by the first light emitter,
the second light emitter, and the light receiver are fixedly provided on the washer
drum.
[0014] Further, a difference between the received light intensity of the wavelength λ1 and
the received light intensity of the wavelength λ2 between the initial state and the
working state is caused by a different (second) relative displacement of the reflector
with regard to the first light emitter and the second light emitter. In case of vibration,
which causes the washer drum to perform an unbalanced rotation around its rotational
axis, there will be an additional (second) relative displacement of the reflector
with regard to the first light emitter, the second light emitter and the light receiver,
which can be identified by the measuring device. The second relative displacement
is directed off the dimensional axis of the first relative displacement, i.e. the
second relative displacement is also at least partially a further dimensional axis.
Consequently, the reflector is turned with regard to both light emitters such that
the first light emitter (characterized by its first wavelength λ1) illuminates a different
reflection zone than the second light emitter (characterized by its second wavelength
λ2).
[0015] As a result, a difference between the relative displacement of the first light emitter
and the relative displacement of the second light emitter with regard to the reflector
can be detected and/or measured. In order to determine and/or calculate the loading
of the washer drum based on the first relative displacement and to determine and/or
calculate the vibrations of the washer drum based on the second relative displacement,
a controller may be foreseen in the measuring device. The controller may be implemented
by processing circuitry, e.g. a processor, application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
The processing circuitry may also be provided as part of a System on Chip (SoC).
[0016] In an example embodiment, the positions of the first light emitter, the second light
emitter and the light receiver (light sensor) are stationary with regard to each other,
so that they form a movement unit. In case of a displacement of the movement unit,
the first and second light emitters and the light sensor evenly move relative to the
reflector. Particularly, in the initial state the first and the second light emitters
each define an initial received light intensity at the light receiver depending on
a corresponding initial state reflection zone (for each emitted wavelength). In the
working state the first relative displacement involves an equal movement of the first
light emitter, the second light emitter and the light sensor. Further, the second
relative displacement involves a discrepancy between the relative displacement of
the first light emitter and the relative displacement of the second light emitter
due to different corresponding working state reflection zones.
[0017] Preferably, the first and the second light emitters are configured as a light-emitting
diode (LED), wherein particularly at least one of the wavelength λ1 of the first light
emitter and the wavelength λ2 of the second light emitter is in the range of infrared
light or visible light. In case of different wavelengths of the first and the second
light emitter, the wavelengths λ1 and λ2 are chosen such that they can easily be separated
by the light receiver and consequently assigned to the respective light emitter.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the reflector is configured as a preferably rectangular,
quadratic or semi-circle shaped, thin strip or plate. The length and/or the width
dimension of the strip or plate may be larger than its thickness. The reflector may
for example comprise a color or greyscale gradient, particularly from light to dark
to define the plurality of reflection zones. The gradient may be a linear gradient,
but may also be a circular or elliptic gradient. In generally, the gradient may change
in only on direction, but it is also possible to use a gradient which varies in two
different directions. The gradient may be continuous, in contrast to having a limited
number of defined steps of gradient changes. Apparently, the light absorption of a
lighter color will be higher than the absorption of a darker color, which means that
the reflection rate of the lighter color is less than the reflection rate of the darker
color.
[0019] As indicated above, the plurality of reflection zones may also be curved such that
the gradient varies in two directions. The two directions may be perpendicular to
each other. The reflector blade lies in the plane defined by gradient directions.
In an embodiment, the reflector is white at the top and black at the bottom (or vice
versa). It may be realized by a continuous gradient so that the reflection zones get
continuously darker from the top to the bottom.
[0020] In an embodiment, the light receiver/detector/sensor is configured as a photodiode
or phototransistor. However also another type of light receivers, e.g. charge coupled
devices (CCDs) could be used. The light receiver is designed to detect the light intensities
of both, the reflected light having the first wavelength λ1 and the reflected light
having the second wavelength λ2. Hence, only one light receiver needs to be provided
for determining the loading as well as the vibrations of the washer drum. Further,
the measurement arrangement allows for measuring at least one further dimension of
displacement, namely two-dimensional or three-dimensional displacement, of the washer
drum with regard to its initial unloaded state. In order to distinguish between the
received light from the first light emitter and the second light emitter, the light
emitters may use different wavelength. The controller can distinguish between both
measured light intensities based on the different wavelengths of the reflected light.
[0021] Another alternative is to perform a chronologically clocked (time-multiplex) illumination
of the reflector by the first and second light emitters. This means, that at least
temporarily only one of the first and the second light emitters illuminate the reflector
such that the reflector temporarily only reflects either light of the wavelength λ1
or light of the wavelength λ2 such that light receiver receives only input from one
of the first and second light emitters at a given point in time. Consequently, the
clocking only needs to be adapted to a calculation program of the controller so as
to chronologically perform the calculation of the respective relative displacement
in a clocked manner with regard to the first light emitter and the second light emitter.
[0022] In an example embodiment, the first light emitter, the second light emitter and the
light sensor are vertically or horizontally distributed . In another embodiment, the
first light emitter and the second light emitter are horizontally or vertically spaced
to each other. The light sensor may be arranged centrally and/or horizontally or vertically
spaced with regard to the first and second light emitters. However, the distances
between the first light emitter and the second light emitter, the first light emitter
and the reflector, the second light emitter and the reflector may be chosen such that
emitted light from each of the light emitters is reflected by the reflector and received
by the light receiver.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller may implement some functional
logic (e.g. at least in part by means of a control program) to calculate the loading
and vibrations of the washer drum based on the measured light intensities caused by
the first and the second relative displacement. The functional logic may compare the
calculated loading and/or vibrations with predetermined threshold values of the loading
and/or vibrations in order to initiate counteractions. These counteractions may aim
to prevent damage and/or wearing of the washer drum and the washing machine. The functional
logic may generate control commands to the water supply of the washing machine in
order to adjust the amount of water in the washer drum. Alternatively or in addition,
the functional logic may generate control commands to a driving means of the washing
machine in order to adjust the rotational speed of the washer drum and/or the drive
force.
[0024] In an embodiment, calculation of the loading and the vibrations of the washer drum
can be performed as follows. Measured initial state light intensities of the wavelengths
λ1 and λ2, respectively, are compared with their corresponding working state light
intensities of the wavelengths λ1 and λ2, respectively.
[0025] The measurement and the comparison can be for example performed periodically. Further,
the measurement and the comparison may depend on an angular velocity of the rotating
washer drum, i.e. each time the first light emitter, the second light emitter and
the light receiver are facing the reflector during rotation of the washer drum a measurement
is performed.
[0026] In case of no change in the light intensities for both wavelengths λ1 and λ2 between
the initial state and a rotating state of the washer drum, the measuring device may
detect this situation as no laundry being added into the washer drum. In case of equal
changes in light intensities for the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength λ2 between the
initial state and the rotating working state of the washer drum, the measuring device
recognizes a one-dimensional displacement of the washer drum, which may be interpreted
as laundry being present in the washer drum. The extent of the change depends on the
weight of the laundry in the washer drum. In case of different changes in light intensity
for the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength λ2 between the initial state and the rotating
working state of the washer drum, the measuring device detects a two-dimensional displacement
of the washer drum and may interpret as a vibration of the washer drum. The extent
of the difference in change in light intensities depends on the strength of the vibrations
of the washer drum.
[0027] The measured displacement values may be transformed into magnitudes of the loading
and the vibrations of the washer drum using some conversion factor. Counteractions
may be triggered by the measuring device based on the magnitudes of the loading and
the vibrations of the washer drum. This may involve a comparison of the magnitudes
of the loading and the vibrations of the washer drum with predetermined threshold
values that define the normal operating state of the washer. If one or more thresholds
are exceeded, this may indicate a loading and/or vibration that could cause damage
to the washer drum and/or the washing machine and the measuring device may take counteractions.
However, it may be advantageous when the counteractions are not performed each time
a threshold value is exceeded. Instead, in one example implementation, the measuring
device may determine a running average value from a given number of last measurements/calculations.
For example, counteractions may be triggered, if an average value of at least 5, particularly
10, 20, 30 or 50, calculated values exceeds the threshold value. Alternatively, counteractions
may be triggered, if a counter exceeds a threshold value, where the counter is incremented
when the current measurement of magnitudes of the loading and the vibrations of the
washer drum exceeds one or both threshold values for the loading and vibrations, and
is decremented otherwise.
[0028] Another embodiment of the invention provides a washing machine with a measuring device
according to one of the various embodiments described herein. The washing machine
comprises a washer drum being able to rotate around its rotational washer drum axis
within a washing machine body surrounding the washer drum. The reflector of the measuring
device is fixedly mounted to a periphery of the washer drum and the first light emitter,
the second light emitter and the light receiver are fixedly mounted on an inner surface
of the washing machine body and at least temporarily face the reflector during rotation
of the washer drum, or vice versa. Preferably, the washer drum comprises a cylindrical
shape and the washing machine body comprises a substantially cuboid shape, wherein
particularly the cylinder end faces are parallel to a corresponding inner surface
of the washing machine body. In a preferred embodiment, the reflector is mounted on
one of the end faces of the cylindrical washer drum, preferably a back side of the
pressure drum, and the first and the second light emitters as well as the light receiver
are mounted on an inner surface of the washing machine body facing the pressure drum
end face at least temporarily during relative rotation of the pressure drum with respect
to the washing machine body.
[0029] Further, embodiments provide a method of using a measuring device for determining
the loading and the vibrations of a washer drum of a washing machine.
[0030] It is noted that a method can be defined such that it realizes the measuring of the
loading and the vibrations of a washer drum of the washing machine according to the
described aspects of the invention, and vice versa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same
reference numbers may be used in different drawings to identify the same or similar
elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation,
specific details are set forth such as particular structures, functionality, etc.
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the claimed
invention.
[0032] However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the
present disclosure that the various aspects of the invention claimed may be practiced
in other examples that depart from these specific details. In certain instances, descriptions
of well-known devices and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description
of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
- Fig. 1A
- shows a schematic sideview of a washer drum comprising a measuring device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein a reflector of the measuring
device is not provided on the washer drum;
- Fig. 1B
- shows a schematic sideview of the washer drum of Fig. 1A comprising a measuring device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the reflector of the
measuring device is provided on the washer drum;
- Fig. 2A
- shows a reflector according to the measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention having a greyscale gradient with a lighter color at the top and a
darker color at the bottom;
- Fig. 2B
- shows a reflector according to the measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention having a greyscale gradient with a darker color at the top and a
lighter color at the bottom;
- Fig. 2C
- shows a reflector according to the measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention having a greyscale gradient having curved reflection zones, wherein
a lighter color is provided at top and a darker color is provided at the bottom;
- Fig. 2D
- shows a reflector according to the measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention having a greyscale gradient having curved reflection zones, wherein
a darker color is provided at top and a lighter color is provided at the bottom;
- Fig. 3A
- shows a schematic exemplary arrangement of a first light emitter, a second light emitter
and a light receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 3B
- shows an alternative schematic exemplary arrangement of the first light emitter, the
second light emitter and the light receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of
the invention;
- Fig. 4A
- shows a schematic arrangement of a measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention on a washer drum of the washing machine;
- Fig. 4B
- shows exemplary relative arrangements of the reflector with regard to the first light
emitter, the second light emitter and the light receiver of a measuring device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 5
- shows a schematic view of the measuring device according to the an embodiment of an
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 6
- shows an exemplary method of using the measuring device according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention; and
- Fig. 7
- shows the method of using the measuring device according to Fig 6 with an exemplary
method of introducing counteractions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention
a measuring device for determining the loading and the vibrations of a washer drum
105 of a washing machine (not shown) is generally indicated by the reference number
100.
[0034] In Fig. 5, an exemplary measuring device 100 is schematically illustrated. The measuring
device 100 comprises a first light-emitting diode 102 which is able to emit light
of a first wavelength λ1, a second light-emitting diode 103 which is able to emit
light of a second wavelength λ2, a greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 and a light
receiving photodiode 104. Using different wavelengths allows performing distinct measurements
simultaneously. However, it is also possible to use the same wavelength for both light
emitters, e.g. when controlling the light emitters in a time-multiplex fashion.
[0035] Referring to Fig. 1A, a schematic sideview of the washer drum 105 of the washing
machine is shown. The washer drum 105 is arranged such that a cylinder end face 107
is oriented in parallel to an inner surface 109 of the washing machine. The measuring
device 100 is provided such that the first light-emitting diode (LED) 102, the second
light-emitting diode (LED) 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104 are fixedly
mounted to the cylinder end face 107 and the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101
is fixedly mounted to the inner washing machine surface 109. As illustrated, the first
LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104 are arranged to
at least temporarily face the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 during a rotational
movement of the washer drum 105 in order to perform the measuring process, namely
to enable the first and the second LEDs 102, 103 to illuminate the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101, which then reflects the received light of the first and the second
LEDs 102, 103 to the light receiving photodiode 104.
[0036] It can be seen, that the vertical dimension of the greyscale gradient reflector plate
101 is bigger than the vertical dimensions of each of the first and second LEDs 102,
103 and the light receiving photodiode 104, which ensures that at least part of the
light from the light emitters 102, 103 is reflected by the greyscale gradient reflector
plate 101 in order to reach the light receiving photodiode 104 to have input data
for the calculation process for determining the loading and the vibrations of the
washer drum 105. The light irradiated from the first and second LEDs 102, 103 is shown
by arrows indicated by the reference number 111, wherein the reflected light from
the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 is indicated by a dotted arrow having the
reference number 113. During rotation, the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101
is stationarily mounted on the inner washing machine surface 109 wherein the first
LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104 are rotated according
to the rotational speed of the washer drum 105. Therefore, when the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 faces the light emitters 102, 103 and the light receiving photodiode
104 during their rotational movement, temporarily light is reflected by the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101 and identified by the light receiving photodiode 104
to perform the calculation process, namely to calculate the loading of the washer
drum and the vibrations of the washer drum 105.
[0037] According to Fig. 1B, an alternative embodiment of the measuring device is shown
which differentiates from the embodiment according to Fig. 1A in that the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101 is fixedly mounted on the cylinder end face 107 of the
washer drum 105 and the first LED 102, the second LED 103, and the light receiving
photodiode 104 are stationarily fixedly mounted on the inner washing machine surface
109. The light emission, reflection and reception as well as the calculation process
are performed analogously to above-described embodiment.
[0038] The greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 is illuminated by the first and the second
LED 102, 103 in order to at least partially reflect the received light of the first
wavelength λ1 and of the second wavelength λ2. Preferably, the light beam of the first
LED 102 and the light beam of the second LED 103 are focused in a way that the resulting
light cones are significantly smaller than the greyscale gradient reflector plate
101. The first LED 102 and the second LED 103 can be arranged with respect to the
greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 such that the light is illuminated from the
LEDs to the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 in an essentially horizontal manner.
The greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 comprises a plurality of reflection zones
201 having different reflection rates (It is apparent that the reflection zones 201
may also be regarded as having different absorption rates). A light receiving photodiode
104 measures the intensity of the light being reflected by the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101, wherein the measured intensity depends on the reflection zone
201 reflecting/absorbing the light beam of the first LED 102 and the light beam of
the second LED 103, respectively. Thus, the first and the second LED 102, 103 illuminate
the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 with light of the wavelength λ1 and wavelength
λ2, respectively, and the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 reflects both the
light of the wavelength λ1 and wavelength λ2, respectively, depending on the reflection
zone 201 being illuminated by the respective LED.
[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 is
configured as a rectangular plate. The length and/or the width dimension of the strip
or plate may be larger than its thickness. The greyscale gradient reflector plate
101 may for example comprise a color or greyscale gradient, particularly from light
to dark to define the plurality of reflection zones. The gradient may be a linear
gradient, but may also be a circular or elliptic gradient. In generally, the gradient
may change in only on direction, but it is also possible to use a gradient which varies
in two different directions. The gradient may be continuous, in contrast to having
a limited number of defined steps of gradient changes. Apparently, the light absorption
of a lighter color will be higher than the absorption of a darker color, which means
that the reflection rate of the lighter color is less than the reflection rate of
the darker color.
[0040] Fig. 2A to 2D show different embodiments of an exemplary greyscale gradient reflector
plate 101, wherein the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 according to Fig. 2A
and 2B comprises straight reflection zones 201A, 201B and the greyscale gradient reflector
plate 101 according to Fig. 2C and 2D the reflection zones 201C, 201D. The preferably
rectangular shaped greyscale gradient reflector plate 101, having a length and/or
with dimension being larger than its thickness, comprises a color gradation in the
manner of a greyscale from light to dark (Figs. 2A, 2C), respectively from dark to
light (Figs. 2B, 2D). The plurality of reflection zones 201A to 201D are defined by
the gradient such that the intensity of reflected light from the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 depends on the position of the reflection zone 201A to 201D along
the extension of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101. To summarize, the lighter
the reflection zone 201 is, the higher is the intensity of reflected light received
by the light receiving photodiode 104 which is transformed into information on the
washer drum 105 loading and the washer drum 105 vibrations.
[0041] The reflection zones 201C, 201D according to Fig. 2C and 2D are curved, particularly
in order to determine and/or measure a preferably two-dimensional displacement of
the washer drum 105 with respect to its initial, preferably unloaded, state. For example
regarding the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101C in Fig 2C, the reflection zones
201 C vary in two directions, namely vary from the top to the bottom and from the
right to the left such that a two-dimensional displacement of the washer drum 105
can be measured.
[0042] The exemplary measurement arrangement, particularly according to Fig. 4A, is used
to perform measurements by detecting a variation of the measured intensity of the
received light between an initial state and a working state which is caused by a first
relative displacement of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 with regard to
the first and second LED 102, 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104. The initial
state may be defined by an unloaded state of the washer drum 105, i.e. a state before
a washing program that rotates the washer drum 105 is started and in which no laundry
is placed in the washing drum. The working state may be defined by a loaded state
of the washer drum 105. This this loaded states the washing drum of the washer performs
a rotational movement around its rotational washer drum 105 axis, while laundry is
present in the washer drum 105.
[0043] When the washer drum 105 is loaded with laundry the total mass of the washer drum
105 is increased such that the washer drum 105 is lowered and sinks vertically downwards.
This may be achieved by a flexible bearing of the washer drum 105 inside of the washing
machine body in order to compensate an increased loading. The addition of laundry
into the washer drum 105 may cause a continuous linear vertical displacement of the
washer drum 105 leading to an even first relative displacement of the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 with regard to the first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light
receiving photodiode 104 relative to the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101. The
greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 or alternatively an assembly formed by the
first LED 102, the second LED 103, and the light receiving photodiode 104 are fixedly
provided on the washer drum 105.
[0044] Further, a difference between the received light intensity of the wavelength λ1 and
the received light intensity of the wavelength λ2 between the initial state and the
working state is caused by a different (second) relative displacement of the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101 with regard to the first LED 102 and the second LED 103.
In case of vibration, which causes the washer drum 105 to perform an unbalanced rotation
around its rotational axis, there will be an additional (second) relative displacement
of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 with regard to the first LED 102, the
second LED 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104, which can be identified by
the measuring device 100. The second relative displacement is directed off the dimensional
axis of the first relative displacement, i.e. the second relative displacement is
also at least partially a further dimensional axis. Consequently, the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 is turned with regard to both LEDs such that the first LED 102
(characterized by its first wavelength λ1) illuminates a different reflection zone
201 than the second LED 103 (characterized by its second wavelength λ2).
[0045] As a result, a difference between the relative displacement of the first LED 102
and the relative displacement of the second LED 103 with regard to the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 can be detected and/or measured. In order to determine and/or
calculate the loading of the washer drum 105 based on the first relative displacement
and to determine and/or calculate the vibrations of the washer drum 105 based on the
second relative displacement, a controller (not shown) may be foreseen in the measuring
device 100. The controller may be implemented by processing circuitry, e.g. a processor,
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), field
programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processing circuitry may also be provided
as part of a System on Chip (SoC).
[0046] In an example embodiment, the positions of the first LED 102, the second LED 103
and the light receiving photodiode 104 are stationary with regard to each other, so
that they form a movement unit. In case of a displacement of the movement unit, the
first and second LED 102, 103 and the light sensor evenly move relative to the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101. Particularly, in the initial state the first and the
second LED 102, 103 each define an initial received light intensity at the light receiving
photodiode 104 depending on a corresponding initial state reflection zone 201 (for
each emitted wavelength). In the working state the first relative displacement involves
an equal movement of the first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light sensor. Further,
the second relative displacement involves a discrepancy between the relative displacement
of the first LED 102 and the relative displacement of the second LED 103 due to different
corresponding working state reflection zones.
[0047] However, the plurality of reflection zones 201 may also be curved such that the gradient
varies in two directions. The two directions may be perpendicular to each other. The
greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 blade lies in the plane defined by gradient
directions. In an embodiment, the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 is white
at the top and black at the bottom (or vice versa). It may be realized by a continuous
gradient so that the reflection zones 201 get continuously darker from the top to
the bottom.
[0048] In an embodiment, the light receiver/detector/sensor is configured as a photodiode
or phototransistor. However also another type of light receiving photodiode 104s,
e.g. charge coupled devices (CCDs) could be used. The light receiving photodiode 104
is designed to detect the light intensities of both, the reflected light having the
first wavelength λ1 and the reflected light having the second wavelength λ2. Hence,
only one light receiving photodiode 104 needs to be provided for determining the loading
as well as the vibrations of the washer drum 105. Further, the measurement arrangement
allows for measuring at least one further dimension of displacement, namely two-dimensional
or three-dimensional displacement, of the washer drum 105 with regard to its initial
unloaded state. In order to distinguish between the received light from the first
LED 102 and the second LED 103, the LEDs may use different wavelength. The controller
can distinguish between both measured light intensities based on the different wavelengths
of the reflected light.
[0049] Another alternative is to perform a chronologically clocked (time-multiplex) illumination
of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 by the first and second LED 102, 103.
This means, that at least temporarily only one of the first and the second LED 102,
103 illuminate the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 such that the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101 temporarily only reflects either light of the wavelength
λ1 or light of the wavelength λ2 such that light receiving photodiode 104 receives
only input from one of the first and second LED 102, 103 at a given point in time.
Consequently, the clocking only needs to be adapted to a calculation program of the
controller so as to chronologically perform the calculation of the respective relative
displacement in a clocked manner with regard to the first LED 102 and the second LED
103.
[0050] In an example embodiment, the first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light sensor
are vertically or horizontally distributed. In another embodiment, the first LED 102
and the second LED 103 are horizontally or vertically spaced to each other. The light
sensor may be arranged centrally and/or horizontally or vertically spaced with regard
to the first and second LED 102, 103. However, the distances between the first LED
102 and the second LED 103, the first LED 102 and the greyscale gradient reflector
plate 101, the second LED 103 and the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 may be
chosen such that emitted light from each of the LEDs is reflected by the greyscale
gradient reflector plate 101 and received by the light receiving photodiode 104.
[0051] In Fig. 3A and 3B, two schematic exemplary arrangements of the first LED 102, the
second LED 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104 are shown. According to Fig.
3A, the first LED 102A and the second LED 103A are horizontally spaced to each other,
wherein the light receiving photodiode 104A is arranged centrally and vertically downwardly
spaced with regard to the first and the second LEDs 102A, 103A. According to Fig.
3B, the first LED 102B, the second LED 103B and the light receiving photodiode 104B
are evenly vertically distributed with respect to each other, wherein the light receiving
photodiode 104B is arranged at a lowermost position of the first and second LEDs 102B,
103B and the light receiving photodiode 104B.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller may implement some functional
logic (e.g. at least in part by means of a control program) to calculate the loading
and vibrations of the washer drum 105 based on the measured light intensities caused
by the first and the second relative displacement. The functional logic may compare
the calculated loading and/or vibrations with predetermined threshold values of the
loading and/or vibrations in order to initiate counteractions. These counteractions
may aim to prevent damage and/or wearing of the washer drum 105 and the washing machine.
The functional logic may generate control commands to the water supply of the washing
machine in order to adjust the amount of water in the washer drum 105. Alternatively
or in addition, the functional logic may generate control commands to a driving means
of the washing machine in order to adjust the rotational speed of the washer drum
105 and/or the drive force.
[0053] In an embodiment, calculation of the loading and the vibrations of the washer drum
105 can be performed as follows. Reference is also made to the exemplary flow charts
in Fig. 6, 7 according to exemplary methods of using the measuring device. Similar
method steps between Fig. 6, 7 are increased by 100.
[0054] The measurement and the comparison can be for example performed periodically. Further,
the measurement and the comparison may depend on an angular velocity of the rotating
washer drum 105, i.e. each time the first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light
receiving photodiode 104 are facing the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 during
rotation of the washer drum 105 a measurement is performed (steps 601 to 605 and 701
to 705).
[0055] In case of no change in the light intensities for both wavelengths λ1 and λ2 between
the initial state and a rotating state of the washer drum 105, the measuring device
100 may detect this situation as no laundry being added into the washer drum 105.
In case of equal changes in light intensities for the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength
λ2 between the initial state and the rotating working state of the washer drum 105,
the measuring device 100 recognizes a one-dimensional displacement of the washer drum
105, which may be interpreted as laundry being present in the washer drum 105. The
extent of the change depends on the weight of the laundry in the washer drum 105.
In case of different changes in light intensity for the wavelength λ1 and the wavelength
λ2 between the initial state and the rotating working state of the washer drum 105,
the measuring device 100 detects a two-dimensional displacement of the washer drum
105 and may interpret as a vibration of the washer drum 105. The extent of the difference
in change in light intensities depends on the strength of the vibrations of the washer
drum 105.
[0056] The measured displacement values may be transformed into magnitudes of the loading
and the vibrations of the washer drum 105 using some conversion factor (step 606 and
706). Counteractions may be triggered by the measuring device 100 based on the magnitudes
of the loading and the vibrations of the washer drum 105. This may involve a comparison
of the magnitudes of the loading and the vibrations of the washer drum 105 with predetermined
threshold values that define the normal operating state of the washer. If one or more
thresholds are exceeded, this may indicate a loading and/or vibration that could cause
damage to the washer drum 105 and/or the washing machine and the measuring device
100 may take counteractions. However, it may be advantageous when the counteractions
are not performed each time a threshold value is exceeded. Instead, in one example
implementation, the measuring device 100 may determine a running average value from
a given number of last measurements/calculations. For example, counteractions may
be triggered, if an average value of at least 5, particularly 10, 20, 30 or 50, calculated
values exceeds the threshold value.
[0057] An alternative method is exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 7 where counteractions may
be triggered if a counter exceeds a threshold value. The counter is incremented when
the current measurement of magnitudes of the loading and the vibrations of the washer
drum 105 exceeds one or both threshold values for the loading and vibrations, and
is decremented otherwise (steps 707, 708a, b). If the counter then exceeds a predetermined
counter threshold value a counteraction is triggered (steps 709, 710).
[0058] Referring to Fig. 4A, a schematic view of a front side of the washer drum 105 is
shown, wherein the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 is mounted on a periphery
of the washer drum 105. The first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light receiving
photodiode 104 are spaced apart from the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101. A
vertical direction, corresponding to a vertical displacement of the washer drum 105,
is indicated by an arrow 401, a horizontal direction, corresponding to a horizontal
displacement of the washer drum 105, is indicated by an arrow 402.
[0059] Based on the arrangement of the components and on the definition of the horizontal
respectively to vertical direction, Fig. 4B illustrates exemplary relative positions
respectively displacements of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 with respect
to the first and second LEDs 102, 103 and light receiving photodiode 104, each corresponding
to a point of time, at which light is emitted by the light emitters 102, 103 to the
greyscale gradient reflector plate 101, and then reflected by the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 in direction to the light receiving photodiode 104 as input data
for calculating the loading and/or the vibrations of the washer drum 105 by the processor
(not shown). Position 403 indicates an initial state of the washer drum 105, respectively
an initial arrangement of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 with respect
to the first LED 102, the second LED 103 and the light receiving photodiode 104. As
can be seen, a reference line 407 defines a lowermost position of the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101 in the initial state of the washer drum 105. Positions 404a, 404b
illustrate a change of the loading of the washer drum 105 which leads to a vertical
displacement of the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101 being mounted on the washer
drum 105.consequently, in comparison to position 403, the first LED 102 and the second
LED 103 now eliminate different reflection zones 201 such that the light receiving
photodiode 104 receives different light intensity values for light having the wavelength
λ1 and also for light having the wavelength λ2 reflected from the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101, in comparison to position 403. Therefore, a difference of the
light intensity of the wavelength λ1 between position 403 and positions 404a, 404b
equals a difference of the light intensity of the wavelength λ2 between position 403
and positions 404a, 404b.
[0060] Referring now to positions 405a, 405b, the greyscale gradient reflector plate 101
has performed a further relative displacement with regard to the light emitters 102,
103 and the light receiving photodiode 104, namely a turning displacement, preferably
in combination with a horizontal displacement, which is caused by an unbalance due
to an accumulation of laundry within the washer drum 105. The first LED 102 and the
second LED 103 are facing and therefore illuminating different reflection zones 201,
thereby causing different reflection intensities which lead to different light intensities
received by the light receiving photodiode 104. As a consequence, a difference of
the light intensity of the wavelength λ1 between position 403 and positions 405a,
404b does not equal a difference of the light intensity of the wavelength λ2 between
position 403 and positions 404a, 404b. The differences can now be compared by the
processor (not shown) with predetermined particularly threshold values indicating
a critical vibration value of the washer drum 105 in order to monitor an operation
of the washer drum 105 and/or to control the operation of the washer drum 105 by performing
counter actions, respectively adjust a water supply or a driving force, in order to
prevent the washer drum 105, and therefore the washing machine, from damage and/or
increased wear and noise. Below table illustrates the measurement of the light receiving
photodiode 104.
[0061] Generally, the reflected light emitted by the light emitters 102, 103 is measured
by the light receiving photodiode 104, after being reflected by the greyscale gradient
reflector plate 101. The received light intensity is separated and respectively assigned
to the corresponding one of the light emitters 102, 103 by the processor (not shown)
based on the known different wavelengths λ1 and λ2 of the light emitters or due to
a chronological clocking of the illumination of the greyscale gradient reflector plate
101 by the light emitters 102, 103. Then the received light intensities associated
to the respective light emitters 102, 103 may be quantized so as to have values in
a predetermined range, e.g. between 0 and 10. The measured value (M1) for the first
LED 102 and the measured value (M2) for the second LED 102 for each position 403 to
405b according to an example maybe as follows:
Position 403 |
M1=3/10 |
and |
M2=3/10; |
Position 404a |
M1=4/10 |
and |
M2=4/10; |
Position 404b |
M1=2/10 |
and |
M2=2/10; |
Position 405a |
M1=3/10 |
and |
M2=2/10; and |
Position 405b |
M1=4/10 |
and |
M3=2/10. |
[0062] For the positions 403 to 404b, the measurements, respectively the light intensity
values, generated for the first LED 102 and the second LED 103 equal each other, wherein
for the positions 405a, 405b the measured light intensity values for the first LED
102 differ from the measured light intensity values for the second LED 103.
[0063] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be
significant for the realization of the invention in its different embodiments individually
as in any combination.
Reference Sign List
[0064]
- 100
- measuring device
- 101
- reflector
- 102
- first light emitter
- 103
- second light emitter
- 104
- light receiver
- 105
- washer drum
- 107
- cylinder end face
- 109
- inner washing machine surface
- 111
- light emission from the light emitters
- 113
- light reflection from the reflector
- 201A - 201D
- reflection zones
- 401
- vertical direction
- 402
- horizontal direction
- 407
- reference line
- M1
- measured value for the first light emitter
- M2
- measured value for the second light emitter
1. A measuring device (100) for determining the loading and the vibrations of a washer
drum (105) of a washing machine, comprising:
a first light emitter (102) configured to emit light of a first wavelength λ1;
a second light emitter (103) configured to emit light of a second wavelength λ2, wherein
particularly the second wavelength λ2 differs from the first wavelength λ1;
a reflector (101) to be illuminated by the first and the second light emitters (102,
103) and configured to at least partially reflect the light having the first wavelength
λ1 and the light having the second wavelength λ2, the reflector (101) comprising a
plurality of reflection zones (201A - 201D) having different reflection rates;
a light receiver (104) configured to measure the intensity of the light being reflected
by the reflector (101), wherein the measured intensity depends on the reflection zone,
such that a variation of the measured intensity of the received light between an initial
state, particularly unloaded state of the washer drum (105), and a working state,
particularly loaded state of the washer drum (105), is caused by a first relative
displacement of the reflector (101) with regard to the first and second light emitters
(102, 103) and the light receiver (104), and that a difference between the received
light intensity of the wavelength λ1 and the received light intensity of the wavelength
λ2 between the initial and the working state is caused by a different second relative
displacement of the reflector (101) with regard to the first light emitter (102) and
the second light emitter (103); and
a processor configured to determine the loading of the washer drum (105) based on
the first relative displacement and for determining the vibrations of the washer drum
(105) based on the second relative displacement.
2. The measuring device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the positions of the first
light emitter (102), the second light emitter (103) and the reflector (101) are stationary
with regard to each other, preferably to form a movement unit, wherein particularly
in the initial state the first and the second light emitters (102, 103) each define
an initial received light intensity at the light receiver (104) depending on a corresponding
initial state reflection zone, wherein in the working state the first relative displacement
involves an equal movement of the first light emitter (102), the second light emitter
(103) and the reflector (101), and the second relative displacement involves a discrepancy
between the relative displacement of the first light emitter (102) and the relative
displacement of the second light emitter (103) due to different corresponding working
state reflection zones (201A - 201D).
3. The measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
and the second light emitters (102, 103) are configured as a light-emitting diode,
wherein particularly at least one of the wavelengths λ1 of the first light emitter
(102) and λ2 of the second light emitter (103) is in the range of infrared light or
visible light.
4. The measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector
(101) is configured as a preferably rectangular, quadratic or semi-circle shaped,
thin strip or plate, wherein particularly the length and/or the width dimension of
the strip or plate is larger than its thickness, and comprises a color gradation particularly
from light to dark, in particular a grey scale gradation, to define the plurality
of reflection zones (201A - 201D), wherein particularly the color gradient varies
continuously along the plurality of reflection zones (201A - 201D).
5. The measuring device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of reflection
zones (201A - 201D) are curved such that the color gradient varies in two directions,
particularly being perpendicular to each other, lying in a plane defined by the reflector
(101) plate.
6. The measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light
receiver (104) is configured as a light-emitting diode, particularly a photodiode
or phototransistor, wherein particularly the light receiver (104) is designed to receive
both the light having the first wavelength λ1 and the light having the second wavelength
λ2, wherein in order to distinguish between the received light from the first light
emitter (102) and the second light emitter (103), the first wavelength λ1 differs
from the second wavelength λ2, or the first and second light emitters (102, 103) are
adapted to perform a chronologically clocked illumination of the reflector (101).
7. The measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first
light emitter (102), the second light emitter (103) and the light receiver (104) are
vertically or horizontally preferably evenly distributed, or the first light emitter
(102) and the second light emitter (103) are horizontally or vertically spaced to
each other and the light receiver (104) is arranged centrally and/or horizontally
or vertically spaced with regard to the first and second light emitters (102, 103).
8. The measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor
comprises a software, particularly with an algorithm, to calculate the loading and
the vibrations of the washer drum (105) based on the measured light intensities caused
by the first and the second relative displacement, wherein the software is able to
compare the calculated loading respectively vibrations with predetermined preferably
threshold values of the loading respectively vibrations in order to initiate counteractions
to prevent the washer drum (105) and the washing machine from damage and/or wearing,
wherein particularly the software generates control commands to adjust the amount
of water in the washer drum (105), the rotational speed of the washer drum (105) and/or
the drive force.
9. Washing machine comprising:
a washer drum (105) being able to rotate within a washing machine body surrounding
the washer drum (105); and
a measuring device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector
(101) is fixedly mounted to a periphery of the washer drum (105) and the first light
emitter (102), the second light emitter (103) and the light receiver (104) are fixedly
mounted on an inner surface (109) of the washing machine body and at least temporarily
face the reflector (101) during rotation of the washer drum (105), or vice versa.
10. Use of a measuring device (100) for determining the loading and the vibrations of
a washer drum (105) of a washing machine according to any of the preceding claims.
1. Messvorrichtung (100) zur Bestimmung der Beladung und der Vibrationen einer Waschtrommel
(105) einer Waschmaschine, umfassend:
einen ersten Lichtemitter (102), der dazu ausgestaltet ist, Licht einer ersten Wellenlänge
λ1 zu emittieren;
einen zweiten Lichtemitter (103), der dazu ausgestaltet ist, Licht einer zweiten Wellenlänge
A2 zu emittieren, wobei insbesondere die zweite Wellenlänge A2 sich von der ersten
Wellenlänge λ1 unterscheidet;
einen Reflektor (101), der durch den ersten und den zweiten Lichtemitter (102, 103)
zu beleuchten ist und dazu ausgestaltet ist, das Licht mit der ersten Wellenlänge
λ1 und das Licht mit der zweiten Wellenlänge A2 wenigstens teilweise zu reflektieren,
wobei der Reflektor (101) mehrere Reflexionszonen (201A - 201D) mit unterschiedlichen
Reflexionsraten umfasst;
einen Lichtempfänger (104), der dazu ausgestaltet ist, die Intensität des Lichts,
das durch den Reflektor (101) reflektiert wird, zu messen, wobei die gemessene Intensität
von der Reflexionszone abhängt, derart dass eine Veränderung der gemessenen Intensität
des empfangenen Lichts zwischen einem Initialzustand, insbesondere unbeladenem Zustand
der Waschtrommel (105), und einem Arbeitszustand, insbesondere beladenem Zustand der
Waschtrommel (105), durch eine erste relative Verlagerung des Reflektors (101) in
Bezug auf den ersten und zweiten Lichtemitter (102, 103) und den Lichtempfänger (104)
bewirkt wird und dass ein Unterschied zwischen der empfangenen Lichtintensität der
Wellenlänge λ1 und der empfangenen Lichtintensität der Wellenlänge A2 zwischen dem
Initial- und dem Arbeitszustand durch eine andere zweite relative Verlagerung des
Reflektors (101) in Bezug auf den ersten Lichtemitter (102) und den zweiten Lichtemitter
(103) bewirkt wird; und
einen Prozessor, der dazu ausgestaltet ist, basierend auf der ersten relativen Verlagerung
die Beladung der Waschtrommel (105) zu bestimmen und basierend auf der zweiten relativen
Verlagerung die Vibrationen der Waschtrommel (105) zu bestimmen.
2. Messvorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Positionen des ersten Lichtemitters
(102), des zweiten Lichtemitters (103) und des Reflektors (101) in Bezug aufeinander
feststehend sind, vorzugsweise um eine Bewegungseinheit auszubilden, wobei insbesondere
im Initialzustand der erste und der zweite Lichtemitter (102, 103) jeweils eine anfängliche
empfangene Lichtintensität an dem Lichtempfänger (104) definieren, die von einer entsprechenden
Initialzustand-Reflexionszone abhängt, wobei in dem Arbeitszustand die erste relative
Verlagerung eine gleiche Bewegung des ersten Lichtemitters (102), des zweiten Lichtemitters
(103) und des Reflektors (101) beinhaltet und die zweite relative Verlagerung eine
Abweichung zwischen der relativen Verlagerung des ersten Lichtemitters (102) und der
relativen Verlagerung des zweiten Lichtemitters (103) aufgrund unterschiedlicher entsprechender
Arbeitszustand-Reflexionszonen (201A - 201D) beinhaltet.
3. Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der erste und
der zweite Lichtemitter (102, 103) als lichtemittierende Diode ausgestaltet sind,
wobei insbesondere wenigstens eine der Wellenlängen λ1 des ersten Lichtemitters (102)
und A2 des zweiten Lichtemitters (103) im Bereich von Infrarotlicht oder sichtbarem
Licht liegt.
4. Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Reflektor
(101) als vorzugsweise rechteckige(r), quadratische(r) oder halbkreisförmige(r) dünne(r)
Streifen oder Platte ausgestaltet ist, wobei insbesondere die Längen- und/oder die
Breitenabmessung des Streifens oder der Platte größer ist als dessen/deren Dicke,
und eine Farbabstufung, insbesondere von hell zu dunkel, insbesondere eine Graustufenabstufung,
umfasst, um die mehreren Reflexionszonen (201A - 201D) zu definieren, wobei insbesondere
der Farbgradient entlang der mehreren Reflexionszonen (201A - 201D) kontinuierlich
variiert.
5. Messvorrichtung (100) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die mehreren Reflexionszonen (201A -
201D) derart gekrümmt sind, dass der Farbgradient in zwei Richtungen variiert, die
insbesondere rechtwinklig zueinander sind und in einer Ebene liegen, die durch die
Platte des Reflektors (101) definiert wird.
6. Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Lichtempfänger
(104) als lichtemittierende Diode, insbesondere eine Photodiode oder ein Phototransistor,
ausgestaltet ist, wobei insbesondere der Lichtempfänger (104) dazu gestaltet ist,
sowohl das Licht mit der ersten Wellenlänge λ1 als auch das Licht mit der zweiten
Wellenlänge A2 zu empfangen, wobei, um zwischen dem empfangenen Licht von dem ersten
Lichtemitter (102) und dem zweiten Lichtemitter (103) zu unterscheiden, die erste
Wellenlänge λ1 sich von der zweiten Wellenlänge A2 unterscheidet oder der erste und
zweite Lichtemitter (102, 103) dazu ausgelegt sind, eine zeitlich getaktete Beleuchtung
des Reflektors (101) vorzunehmen.
7. Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der erste Lichtemitter
(102), der zweite Lichtemitter (103) und der Lichtempfänger (104) vertikal oder horizontal
vorzugsweise gleichmäßig verteilt sind oder der erste Lichtemitter (102) und der zweite
Lichtemitter (103) horizontal oder vertikal zueinander beabstandet sind und der Lichtempfänger
(104) mit Bezug auf den ersten und zweiten Lichtemitter (102, 103) mittig angeordnet
und/oder horizontal oder vertikal beabstandet ist.
8. Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Prozessor
eine Software, insbesondere mit einem Algorithmus, umfasst, um die Beladung und die
Vibrationen der Waschtrommel (105) basierend auf den gemessenen Lichtintensitäten,
die durch die erste und die zweite relative Verlagerung bewirkt werden, zu berechnen,
wobei die Software in der Lage ist, die berechnete(n) Beladung bzw. Vibrationen mit
vorgegebenen, vorzugsweise Schwellen-, Werten der Beladung bzw. Vibrationen zu vergleichen,
um Gegenmaßnahmen einzuleiten, um eine(n) Beschädigung und/oder Verschleiß der Waschtrommel
(105) und der Waschmaschine zu verhindern, wobei insbesondere die Software Steuerbefehle
erzeugt, um die Wassermenge in der Waschtrommel (105), die Drehzahl der Waschtrommel
(105) und/oder die Antriebskraft anzupassen.
9. Waschmaschine, umfassend:
eine Waschtrommel (105), die in der Lage ist, sich innerhalb eines Waschmaschinenkörpers,
der die Waschtrommel (105) umgibt, zu drehen; und
eine Messvorrichtung (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Reflektor
(101) fest an einer Peripherie der Waschtrommel (105) befestigt ist und der erste
Lichtemitter (102), der zweite Lichtemitter (103) und der Lichtempfänger (104) fest
an einer Innenfläche (109) des Waschmaschinenkörpers befestigt sind und während einer
Drehung der Waschtrommel (105) wenigstens zeitweilig dem Reflektor (101) zugewandt
sind, oder umgekehrt.
10. Benutzung einer Messvorrichtung (100) zur Bestimmung der Beladung und der Vibrationen
einer Waschtrommel (105) einer Waschmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.
1. Dispositif de mesure (100) pour déterminer la charge et les vibrations d'un tambour
(105) d'une machine à laver, comprenant :
un premier émetteur de lumière (102) configuré pour émettre une lumière d'une première
longueur d'onde λ1 ;
un second émetteur de lumière (103) configuré pour émettre une lumière d'une seconde
longueur d'onde λ2, dans lequel, plus particulièrement, la seconde longueur d'onde
λ2 diffère de la première longueur d'onde λ1 ;
un réflecteur (101) qui doit être éclairé par le premier et le second émetteurs de
lumière (102, 103) et configuré pour réfléchir au moins partiellement la lumière qui
présente la première longueur d'onde λ1 et la lumière qui présente la seconde longueur
d'onde λ2, le réflecteur (101) comprenant une pluralité de zones de réflexion (201A-201D)
ayant des taux de réflexion différents ;
un récepteur de lumière (104) configuré pour mesurer l'intensité de la lumière réfléchie
par le réflecteur (101), dans lequel l'intensité mesurée dépend de la zone de réflexion,
si bien qu'une variation de l'intensité mesurée de la lumière reçue entre un état
initial, et plus particulièrement un état déchargé du tambour (105), et un état de
fonctionnement, et plus particulièrement un état chargé du tambour (105), est provoquée
par un premier déplacement relatif du réflecteur (101) par rapport au premier et aux
second émetteurs de lumière (102, 103) et au récepteur de lumière (104), et une différence
entre l'intensité de lumière reçue de la longueur d'onde λ1 et l'intensité de lumière
reçue de la longueur d'onde λ2 entre l'état initial et l'état de fonctionnement est
provoquée par un second déplacement relatif différent du réflecteur (101) par rapport
au premier émetteur de lumière (102) et au second émetteur de lumière (103) ; et
un processeur configuré pour déterminer le chargement du tambour (105) sur la base
du premier déplacement relatif et pour déterminer les vibrations du tambour (105)
sur la base du second déplacement relatif.
2. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les positions du
premier émetteur de lumière (102), du second émetteur de lumière (103) et du réflecteur
(101) sont stationnaires les unes par rapport aux autres, de préférence afin de former
une unité de mouvement, dans lequel, plus particulièrement dans l'état initial, le
premier et le second émetteurs de lumière (102, 103) définissent chacun une intensité
de lumière reçue initiale au niveau du récepteur de lumière (104) selon une zone de
réflexion d'état initial correspondante, dans lequel, dans l'état de fonctionnement,
le premier déplacement relatif implique un mouvement identique du premier émetteur
de lumière (102), du second émetteur de lumière (103) et du réflecteur (101), et le
second déplacement relatif implique un écart entre le déplacement relatif du premier
émetteur de lumière (102) et le déplacement relatif du second émetteur de lumière
(103) en raison des différentes zones de réflexion d'état de fonctionnement correspondantes
(201A-201 D).
3. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le premier et le second émetteurs de lumière (102, 103) sont configurés
comme une diode électroluminescente, dans lequel, plus particulièrement, au moins
l'une des longueurs d'onde λ1 du premier émetteur de lumière (102) et λ2 du second
émetteur de lumière (103) se trouve sur la plage de la lumière infrarouge ou de la
lumière visible.
4. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le réflecteur (101) est configuré de préférence sous une forme rectangulaire,
quadratique ou en demi-cercle, ou comme une bande mince ou une plaque, dans lequel,
plus particulièrement, la longueur et/ou la largeur de la bande ou de la plaque est
supérieure à son épaisseur, et comprend une gradation de couleur plus particulièrement
du clair au foncé, et en particulier une gradation d'échelle de gris, afin de définir
la pluralité de zones de réflexion (201A-201D), dans lequel, plus particulièrement,
le gradient de couleur varie en continu le long de la pluralité de zones de réflexion
(201A-201 D).
5. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les zones de réflexion
(201A-201 D) sont incurvées de sorte que le gradient de couleur varie dans deux dimensions,
et sont plus particulièrement perpendiculaires les unes aux autres, sur un plan défini
par la plaque de réflecteur (101).
6. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le récepteur de lumière (104) est configuré comme une diode électroluminescente,
et plus particulièrement une photodiode ou un phototransistor, dans lequel, plus particulièrement,
le récepteur de lumière (104) est conçu pour recevoir la lumière qui présente la première
longueur d'onde λ1 et la lumière qui présente la seconde longueur d'onde λ2, dans
lequel, afin de faire la distinction entre la lumière reçue de la part du premier
émetteur de lumière (102) et du second émetteur de lumière (103), la première longueur
d'onde λ1 diffère de la seconde longueur d'onde λ2, ou le premier et le second émetteurs
de lumière (102, 103) sont adaptés pour effectuer un éclairage chronologique du réflecteur
(101).
7. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le premier émetteur de lumière (102), le second émetteur de lumière (103)
et le récepteur de lumière (104) sont répartis à la verticale ou à l'horizontale,
de préférence de manière homogène, ou le premier émetteur de lumière (102) et le second
émetteur de lumière (103) sont espacés horizontalement ou verticalement l'un de l'autre
et le récepteur de lumière (104) est disposé au centre et/ou est espacé horizontalement
ou verticalement par rapport au premier et au second émetteurs de lumière (102, 103).
8. Dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le processeur comprend un logiciel, et plus particulièrement avec un algorithme,
afin de calculer la charge et les vibrations du tambour (105) sur la base des intensités
de lumière mesurées provoquées par le premier et le second déplacements relatifs,
dans lequel le logiciel est capable de comparer la charge et les vibrations calculées
avec des valeurs de seuil de préférence prédéterminées de la charge et des vibrations
afin de déclencher des contre-mesures destinées à empêcher le tambour (105) et la
machine à laver d'être endommagés et/ou de s'user, dans lequel, plus particulièrement,
le logiciel génère des commandes destinées à ajuster la quantité d'eau dans le tambour
(105), la vitesse de rotation du tambour (105), et/ou la force d'entraînement.
9. Machine à laver comprenant :
un tambour (105) capable de tourner dans un corps de machine à laver qui entoure le
tambour (105) ; et
un dispositif de mesure (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le réflecteur (101) est monté de manière fixe sur une périphérie du tambour
(105), et le premier émetteur de lumière (102), le second émetteur de lumière (103)
et le récepteur de lumière (104) sont montés de manière fixe sur une surface interne
(109) du corps de machine à laver et font au moins temporairement face au réflecteur
(101) pendant la rotation du tambour (105), ou inversement.
10. Utilisation d'un dispositif de mesure (100) pour déterminer la charge et les vibrations
d'un tambour (105) d'une machine à laver selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes.