EP0898009B1 - Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier - Google Patents

Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0898009B1
EP0898009B1 EP98114948A EP98114948A EP0898009B1 EP 0898009 B1 EP0898009 B1 EP 0898009B1 EP 98114948 A EP98114948 A EP 98114948A EP 98114948 A EP98114948 A EP 98114948A EP 0898009 B1 EP0898009 B1 EP 0898009B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
conductance
fluctuation range
laundry
determined
load
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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EP98114948A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0898009A1 (en
Inventor
Uwe-Jens Dipl.-Ing. Krausch
Ulrich Dipl.-Ing. Nehring
Dietmar Dipl.-Ing. Pech
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BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
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BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/18—Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/02—Characteristics of laundry or load
    • D06F2103/08—Humidity
    • D06F2103/10—Humidity expressed as capacitance or resistance
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/32—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers  characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • D06F58/36—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F58/38—Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of drying, e.g. to achieve the target humidity

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of loading a clothes dryer according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the drying process plays alongside the moisture and the type of laundry that is usual is dried in a drum, including the load the dryer plays a big role. Therefore, for various reasons, it is about for accurate remaining time prediction, for optimal control of the drying process or for customized heating output, advantageous, the load to determine the dryer.
  • Methods for determining the amount of loading of are from the prior art Washer dryers known, which are based on the evaluation of temperature or temperature gradient measurements, on the current draw of the motor to move the laundry drum or based on a measurement of the electrical capacity of the drum.
  • DE 29 45 696 A1 describes a method for determining the amount of loading known from tumble dryers, in which the electrical conductivity of the laundry is used becomes.
  • two electrodes are attached in the drum, which temporarily touch the laundry when the drum is rotated and by means of which determines the electrical conductivity.
  • This master value signal which with the Movement of laundry in the drum varies and has impulses, is at one Threshold switch connected, which concerns the concern of a piece of laundry itself in a dry state on the electrodes by making a hit signal more constant Returns height, which is then integrated.
  • the more often and the longer a piece of laundry at the electrodes the more frequent and longer the hit signals and the higher the value of the integration of these hit signals.
  • integration poses of these hit signals is a measure of the load of the dryer, which can be used to control the drying process.
  • DE 4 403 625 A1 discloses a method in which the duration of the signal emitted by the resistance measuring device for Determination of the load quantity is used.
  • the threshold value formation with subsequent integration of the hit signals requires one high component and circuit complexity, which is uneconomical and the risk of failure elevated. Furthermore, this method only works if the conductance is at a very high level low value falls, which is still below that which corresponds to the conductivity of dry laundry, so that even minor disturbances in the conductance measurement lead to a faulty one Determine the load quantity. As to the function of this method the certain Conductivity, at least at times, has to assume very low values higher load, where there is always a piece of laundry on the electrodes, not an exact one It is now possible to determine the load quantity.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of a method for determination the load of tumble dryers of the type mentioned to be improved in such a way that it can be carried out with little expenditure on components and circuitry is highly insensitive to interference and even at higher loads enables reliable determination of the load.
  • the fluctuation range of the electrical light value is for this purpose determined and used as a measure of the load.
  • the tumble dryer is very likely to be on the electrode there is no item of laundry so that there is a large fluctuation range in the conductance established.
  • the greater the load the less likely it is that there is no laundry on the electrode and the less the fluctuation range of the conductance.
  • This method enables the amount of loading to be determined with little or completely without additional components and circuitry, since it is based on a conductance measurement based in most tumble dryers to determine laundry moisture is implemented anyway. Furthermore, this method enables even with higher loads an exact determination of the loading quantity, since every change of the determined Conductivity is detected without falling below a certain threshold got to. This also results in greater insensitivity to interference.
  • the difference between the maximum and determined the minimum value of the master value within a certain time interval By restricting the determination of the fluctuation range to a time interval the frequency of the fluctuation width values determined can be varied by varying the time interval influence and by increasing the duration of the time interval Reduce the influence of short-term disturbances.
  • the conductance is advantageously measured at periodic intervals and the Fluctuation range of the individual conductance measurements determined.
  • By winning Discrete guide values can easily determine and evaluate the fluctuation range done with digital components.
  • by choosing the measurement period the frequency of the determined guide values and thus the computing effort required for evaluation freely determine depending on the requirements and possibilities.
  • the maximum and minimum values of the conductance are advantageously averaged and the range of fluctuation in each case determines the mean values. Through this averaging the influence of short-term disturbances is reduced and the measuring certainty of the determination of the load increased. In addition, it is also possible to find implausible ones Suppress values such as outliers and disregard them when averaging.
  • the ones obtained Average fluctuation ranges and the fluctuation range mean as a measure of the Load to use. This can reduce the influence of short-term disturbances and the measuring certainty can be increased. In addition, it is also possible here, not plausible recognizing appearing values, such as outliers, and not taking them into account when averaging.
  • FIG. 1 Therein is a schematic circuit structure for performing one Embodiment of the method according to the invention shown.
  • the drum 1 has an electrode 12, wherein the drum 1 itself serves as the second electrode.
  • the drum 1 is connected to the mass 4 of the dryer and the electrode 12 connected to a constant voltage 5 via a series resistor 13.
  • the Laundry in the drum 1 has a laundry resistance 14, on the one hand, via the Drum 1 with the mass 4 of the dryer and on the other hand via the electrode 12 is connected to the resistor 13 and therefore with this one voltage divider forms.
  • a measurement signal 15 is obtained, which is a measure of the laundry conductance serves.
  • This conductance measurement signal is connected to the input of an anti-aliasing low-pass filter 2 connected, the output of which is connected to an analog input of a microcontroller 3 is.
  • the load of the tumble dryer is determined when moving the laundry in the drum 1 by rotating it.
  • the laundry gets at least at times in contact with the electrode 12, which is a time-varying conductivity measurement signal 15 results. Every time the electrode 12 is touched by a piece of laundry or each time the electrode 12 and drum 1 change measured laundry resistance 14, the conductance measurement signal 15 jumps or have an impulse. In cases where no laundry touches the electrode 12, or a piece of laundry touches the electrode very little, and therefore less If the conductance is determined, the conductance measurement signal has a minimum value. at very good electrical connection between the electrode 12 and the laundry is against it the signal 15 have a maximum value.
  • This master value signal is by means of of a microcontroller 3, being used to prevent incorrect measurements Anti-aliasing filter 2 is interposed.
  • the microcontroller 3 now measures periodically Distances the conductance and determined by forming the difference between one Maximum and a minimum value of the master value within a certain time interval the fluctuation range.
  • the microcontroller can use the fluctuation range of the electrical conductivity determine the load of the tumble dryer.
  • the solution according to the invention thus becomes a method for determining the loading quantity of a tumble dryer created with the avoidance of a high Component and circuit expenditure an exact determination even with higher loads the amount of loading is possible and high insensitivity to Disturbances can be achieved.
  • This method can be used particularly advantageously in tumble dryers use in which a microcontroller is used anyway and a conductance measurement the laundry is carried out.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge eines Wäschetrockners nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of loading a clothes dryer according to the preamble of claim 1.

Beim Trocknungsvorgang spielt neben der Feuchte und der Art der Wäsche, die üblicherweise in einer Trommel getrocknet wird, unter anderem auch die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners eine große Rolle. Daher ist es aus verschiedenen Gründen, etwa zur genauen Restzeitvorhersage, zur optimalen Steuerung des Trocknungsprozesses oder zur bedarfsangepaßten Heizleistungsabgabe, von Vorteil, die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners zu bestimmen.The drying process plays alongside the moisture and the type of laundry that is usual is dried in a drum, including the load the dryer plays a big role. Therefore, for various reasons, it is about for accurate remaining time prediction, for optimal control of the drying process or for customized heating output, advantageous, the load to determine the dryer.

Aus dem Stand der Technik sind Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschtrocknern bekannt, die auf der Auswertung von Temperatur- bzw. Temperaturgradientenmessungen, auf der Stromaufnahme des Motors zum Bewegen der Wäschetrommel oder auf einer Messung der elektrischen Kapazität der Trommel beruhen.Methods for determining the amount of loading of are from the prior art Washer dryers known, which are based on the evaluation of temperature or temperature gradient measurements, on the current draw of the motor to move the laundry drum or based on a measurement of the electrical capacity of the drum.

Ferner ist aus der DE 29 45 696 A1 ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern bekannt, bei dem der elektrische Leitwert der Wäsche herangezogen wird. Gemäß dieser Druckschrift sind in der Trommel zwei Elektroden angebracht, die bei einer Drehung der Trommel die Wäsche zeitweise berühren und mittels derer der elektrische Wäscheleitwert bestimmt wird. Dieses Leitwertsignal, das mit der Bewegung der Wäsche in der Trommel variiert und Impulse aufweist, ist an eine Schwellenwertschaltung angeschlossen, die das Anliegen eines Wäschestückes selbst in trockenem Zustand an den Elektroden anzeigt, indem es ein Treffersignal konstanter Höhe abgibt, das anschließend integriert wird. Je häufiger und je länger ein Wäschestück an den Elektroden anliegt, desto häufiger und länger sind die Treffersignale und desto höher ist der Wert der Integration dieser Treffersignale. Somit stellt die Integration dieser Treffersignale ein Maß für die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners dar, das zur Steuerung des Trocknungsprozesses verwendet werden kann.Furthermore, DE 29 45 696 A1 describes a method for determining the amount of loading known from tumble dryers, in which the electrical conductivity of the laundry is used becomes. According to this document, two electrodes are attached in the drum, which temporarily touch the laundry when the drum is rotated and by means of which determines the electrical conductivity. This master value signal, which with the Movement of laundry in the drum varies and has impulses, is at one Threshold switch connected, which concerns the concern of a piece of laundry itself in a dry state on the electrodes by making a hit signal more constant Returns height, which is then integrated. The more often and the longer a piece of laundry at the electrodes, the more frequent and longer the hit signals and the higher the value of the integration of these hit signals. Thus, integration poses of these hit signals is a measure of the load of the dryer, which can be used to control the drying process.

DE 4 403 625 A1 offenbart ein Verfahren, bei dem die Dauer des von der Widerstands-Meßeinrichtung abgegebenen Signals zur Ermittlung der Beladungsmenge herangezogen wird. DE 4 403 625 A1 discloses a method in which the duration of the signal emitted by the resistance measuring device for Determination of the load quantity is used.

Bei Anwendung dieses Verfahrens zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern ergeben sich im wesentlichen folgende Nachteile.When using this method to determine the load of laundry dryers The following disadvantages essentially arise.

Die Schwellenwertbildung mit anschließender Integration der Treffersignale erfordert einen hohen Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand, der unwirtschaftlich ist und die Ausfallgefahr erhöht. Ferner funktioniert dieses Verfahren nur, wenn der Leitwert auf einen sehr geringen Wert fällt, der noch unter dem liegt, der dem Leitwert trockener Wäsche entspricht, so daß bereits geringe Störungen bei der Leitwertmessung zu einer fehlerhaften Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge führen. Da zur Funktion dieses Verfahrens der bestimmte Leitwert zumindest zeitweise sehr geringe Werte annehmen muß, ist bei einer höheren Beladung, bei der immer ein Wäschestück an den Elektroden anliegt, keine genaue Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge mehr möglich.The threshold value formation with subsequent integration of the hit signals requires one high component and circuit complexity, which is uneconomical and the risk of failure elevated. Furthermore, this method only works if the conductance is at a very high level low value falls, which is still below that which corresponds to the conductivity of dry laundry, so that even minor disturbances in the conductance measurement lead to a faulty one Determine the load quantity. As to the function of this method the certain Conductivity, at least at times, has to assume very low values higher load, where there is always a piece of laundry on the electrodes, not an exact one It is now possible to determine the load quantity.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt deshalb die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge von Wäschetrocknern der eingangs genannten Art derart zu verbessern, daß es mit geringem Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand durchzuführen ist, eine hohe Störunempfindlichkeit aufweist und auch bei höherer Beladung eine sichere Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge ermöglicht.The present invention is therefore based on the object of a method for determination the load of tumble dryers of the type mentioned to be improved in such a way that it can be carried out with little expenditure on components and circuitry is highly insensitive to interference and even at higher loads enables reliable determination of the load.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

Erfindungsgemäß wird zu diesem Zweck die Schwankungsbreite des elektrischen Leftwertes bestimmt und als Maß für die Beladungsmenge verwendet. Bei geringer Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit groß, daß an der Elektrode kein Wäschestück anliegt, so daß sich eine große Schwankungsbreite des Leitwertes einstellt. Je größer die Beladungsmenge wird, desto geringer wird die Wahrscheinlichkeit, daß an der Elektrode kein Wäschestück anliegt und desto geringer wird die Schwankungsbreite des Leitwertes.According to the invention, the fluctuation range of the electrical light value is for this purpose determined and used as a measure of the load. With a small load the tumble dryer is very likely to be on the electrode there is no item of laundry so that there is a large fluctuation range in the conductance established. The greater the load, the less likely it is that there is no laundry on the electrode and the less the fluctuation range of the conductance.

Dieses Verfahren ermöglicht die Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge mit geringem oder ganz ohne zusätzlichen Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand, da es auf einer Leitwertmessung beruht, die in den meisten Wäschetrocknern zur Bestimmung der Wäschefeuchte ohnehin implementiert ist. Ferner ermöglicht dieses Verfahren auch bei höherer Beladung eine genaue Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge, da jede Veränderung des bestimmten Leitwertes erfaßt wird, ohne daß eine bestimmte Schwelle unterschritten werden muß. Dadurch ergibt sich auch eine höhere Unempfindlichkeit gegenüber Störungen. This method enables the amount of loading to be determined with little or completely without additional components and circuitry, since it is based on a conductance measurement based in most tumble dryers to determine laundry moisture is implemented anyway. Furthermore, this method enables even with higher loads an exact determination of the loading quantity, since every change of the determined Conductivity is detected without falling below a certain threshold got to. This also results in greater insensitivity to interference.

Vorteilhafterweise wird als Schwankungsbreite die Differenz zwischen dem Maximalund dem Minimalwert des Leitwertes innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitintervalls bestimmt. Durch die Beschränkung der Bestimmung der Schwankungsbreite auf ein Zeitintervall läßt sich durch die Variierung des Zeitintervalls die Frequenz der ermittelten Schwankungsbreitenwerte beeinflussen und durch Erhöhung der Dauer des Zeitintervalls der Einfluß kurzzeitiger Störungen verringern.Advantageously, the difference between the maximum and determined the minimum value of the master value within a certain time interval. By restricting the determination of the fluctuation range to a time interval the frequency of the fluctuation width values determined can be varied by varying the time interval influence and by increasing the duration of the time interval Reduce the influence of short-term disturbances.

Ferner wird vorteilhafterweise der Leitwert in periodischen Abständen gemessen und die Schwankungsbreite der einzelnen Leitwertmessungen bestimmt. Durch die Gewinnung diskreter Leitwerte kann die Bestimmung und Auswertung der Schwankungsbreite problemlos mit digitalen Komponenten erfolgen. Ferner läßt sich durch Wahl der Meßperiode die Frequenz der ermittelten Leitwerte und damit der zur Auswertung nötige Rechenaufwand je nach den Erfordernissen und Möglichkeiten frei bestimmen.Furthermore, the conductance is advantageously measured at periodic intervals and the Fluctuation range of the individual conductance measurements determined. By winning Discrete guide values can easily determine and evaluate the fluctuation range done with digital components. Furthermore, by choosing the measurement period the frequency of the determined guide values and thus the computing effort required for evaluation freely determine depending on the requirements and possibilities.

Vorteilhafterweise werden die Maximal- und Minimalwerte des Leitwertes gemittelt und die Schwankungsbreite jeweils der Mittelwerte bestimmt. Durch diese Mittelwertbildung wird der Einfluß kurzzeitiger Störungen verringert und die Meßsicherheit der Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge erhöht. Zusätzlich ist es auch möglich, nicht plausibel erscheinende Werte, wie Ausreißer, zu unterdrücken und bei der Mittelung nicht zu berücksichtigen.The maximum and minimum values of the conductance are advantageously averaged and the range of fluctuation in each case determines the mean values. Through this averaging the influence of short-term disturbances is reduced and the measuring certainty of the determination of the load increased. In addition, it is also possible to find implausible ones Suppress values such as outliers and disregard them when averaging.

Von Vorteil ist es auch, die Schwankungsbreite mehrmals zu bestimmen, die erhaltenen Schwankungsbreiten zu mitteln und den Schwankungsbreitenmittelwert als Maß für die Beladung zu verwenden. Dadurch kann der Einfluß kurzfristiger Störungen verringert und die Meßsicherheit erhöht werden. Zusätzlich ist es auch hier möglich, nicht plausibel erscheinende Werte, wie Ausreißer, zu erkennen und bei der Mittelung nicht zu berücksichtigen.It is also advantageous to determine the fluctuation range several times, the ones obtained Average fluctuation ranges and the fluctuation range mean as a measure of the Load to use. This can reduce the influence of short-term disturbances and the measuring certainty can be increased. In addition, it is also possible here, not plausible recognizing appearing values, such as outliers, and not taking them into account when averaging.

Ferner ist es von Vorteil, die Bestimmung der Schwankungsbreite des Leitwertes im wesentlichen ab Beginn des Trocknungsvorganges und vorzugsweise nur über eine relativ kurze Zeitdauer durchzuführen, da zu diesem Zeitpunkt unterschiedlich schnell trocknende Wäschestücke noch eine annähernd gleiche Feuchte aufweisen und somit Leitwertunterschiede aufgrund verschiedener Feuchtegrade keinen störenden Einfluß auf die Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge haben. It is also advantageous to determine the range of fluctuation of the conductance essentially from the beginning of the drying process and preferably only over a relative to be carried out for a short period of time, as drying takes place at different times at this time Items of laundry still have approximately the same moisture and thus conductance differences due to different degrees of moisture no disturbing influence have the determination of the load quantity.

Besonders vorteilhafterweise wird zur Bestimmung der Schwankungsbreite des Leitwertes ein Mikrocontroller mit zugeordnetem Analog/Digital-Wandler verwendet. Dies ist insbesondere dann von Vorteil, wenn zur Steuerung des Wäschetrockners ohnehin ein Mikrocontroller mit zugeordnetem Analog/Digital-Wandler verwendet wird, da in so einem Fall überhaupt kein zusätzlicher Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand erforderlich wird. Unabhängig davon läßt sich dadurch in jedem Fall eine sehr hohe Genauigkeit bei der Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge erreichen, und dies bei relativ geringem Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwand.It is particularly advantageous to determine the fluctuation range of the conductance a microcontroller with an assigned analog / digital converter is used. This is particularly so then an advantage if a microcontroller is used to control the dryer anyway is used with an assigned analog / digital converter, because in such a If no additional components and circuitry is required at all. Independently of which, in any case, this allows a very high accuracy in the Achieve determination of the load quantity, and this with relatively low component and Circuitry.

Weitere Einzelheiten, Merkmale und Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung einer Ausführungsform unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnung. Darin ist ein schematischer Schaltungsaufbau zum Durchführen einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens dargestellt.Further details, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to FIG the drawing. Therein is a schematic circuit structure for performing one Embodiment of the method according to the invention shown.

Wie aus der einzigen Figur ersichtlich, weist die Trommel 1 eine Elektrode 12 auf, wobei als zweite Elektrode die Trommel 1 selbst dient. Zur Gewinnung des Wäscheleitwertes ist die Trommel 1 mit der Masse 4 des Wäschetrockners verbunden und die Elektrode 12 über einen Vorwiderstand 13 an eine Konstantspannung 5 angeschlossen. Die Wäsche in der Trommel 1 weist einen Wäschewiderstand 14 auf, der einerseits über die Trommel 1 mit der Masse 4 des Wäschetrockners und andererseits über die Elektrode 12 mit dem Widerstand 13 verbunden ist und daher mit diesem einen Spannungsteiler bildet. An dem Verbindungspunkt zwischen dem Wäschewiderstand 14 und dem Widerstand 13 wird ein Meßsignal 15 gewonnen, das als Maß für den Wäscheleitwert dient. Dieses Leitwertmeßsignal ist mit dem Eingang eines Anti-Aliasing-Tiefpaßfilters 2 verbunden, dessen Ausgang mit einem Analogeingang eines Mikrocontrollers 3 verbunden ist.As can be seen from the single figure, the drum 1 has an electrode 12, wherein the drum 1 itself serves as the second electrode. For obtaining the conductivity value the drum 1 is connected to the mass 4 of the dryer and the electrode 12 connected to a constant voltage 5 via a series resistor 13. The Laundry in the drum 1 has a laundry resistance 14, on the one hand, via the Drum 1 with the mass 4 of the dryer and on the other hand via the electrode 12 is connected to the resistor 13 and therefore with this one voltage divider forms. At the connection point between the laundry resistor 14 and the resistor 13, a measurement signal 15 is obtained, which is a measure of the laundry conductance serves. This conductance measurement signal is connected to the input of an anti-aliasing low-pass filter 2 connected, the output of which is connected to an analog input of a microcontroller 3 is.

Die Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners geschieht bei Bewegung der Wäsche in der Trommel 1 durch deren Drehung. Dabei gerät die Wäsche zumindest zeitweise in Berührung mit der Elektrode 12, was ein zeitlich veränderliches Leitwertmeßsignal 15 zur Folge hat. Bei jeder Berührung der Elektrode 12 durch ein Wäschestück oder bei jeder Veränderung des zwischen der Elektrode 12 und der Trommel 1 gemessenen Wäschewiderstandes 14 wird das Leitwertmeßsignal 15 einen Sprung bzw. einen Impuls aufweisen. In den Fällen, in denen kein Wäschestück die Elektrode 12 berührt, oder ein Wäschestück die Elektrode nur sehr wenig berührt, und daher ein geringerer Leitwert bestimmt wird, weist das Leitwertmeßsignal einen Minimalwert auf. Bei sehr guter elektrischer Verbindung zwischen der Elektrode 12 und der Wäsche wird dagegen das Signal 15 einen Maximalwert aufweisen. Dieses Leitwertsignal wird mittels eines Mikrocontrollers 3 gemessen, wobei zur Verhinderung von Fehlmessungen ein Anti-Aliasing-Filter 2 zwischengeschaltet ist. Der Mikrocontroller 3 mißt nun in periodischen Abständen den Leitwert und bestimmt durch Differenzbildung zwischen einem Maximal- und einem Minimalwert des Leitwertes innerhalb eines bestimmten Zeitintervalls die Schwankungsbreite.The load of the tumble dryer is determined when moving the laundry in the drum 1 by rotating it. The laundry gets at least at times in contact with the electrode 12, which is a time-varying conductivity measurement signal 15 results. Every time the electrode 12 is touched by a piece of laundry or each time the electrode 12 and drum 1 change measured laundry resistance 14, the conductance measurement signal 15 jumps or have an impulse. In cases where no laundry touches the electrode 12, or a piece of laundry touches the electrode very little, and therefore less If the conductance is determined, the conductance measurement signal has a minimum value. at very good electrical connection between the electrode 12 and the laundry is against it the signal 15 have a maximum value. This master value signal is by means of of a microcontroller 3, being used to prevent incorrect measurements Anti-aliasing filter 2 is interposed. The microcontroller 3 now measures periodically Distances the conductance and determined by forming the difference between one Maximum and a minimum value of the master value within a certain time interval the fluctuation range.

Durch Berücksichtigung der Tatsache, daß sich bei geringer Beladungsmenge eine höhere Schwankungsbreite einstellt, kann der Mikrocontroller aus der Schwankungsbreite des elektrischen Leitwertes die Beladungsmenge des Wäschetrockners bestimmen.By taking into account the fact that with a small load, a higher Sets the fluctuation range, the microcontroller can use the fluctuation range of the electrical conductivity determine the load of the tumble dryer.

Somit wird durch die erfindungsgemäße Lösung ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge eines Wäschetrockners geschaffen, mit dem unter Vermeidung eines hohen Bauteile- und Schaltungsaufwandes auch bei höherer Beladung eine genaue Bestimmung der Beladungsmenge möglich ist und eine hohe Unempfindlichkeit gegenüber Störungen erreicht werden kann. Besonders vorteilhaft läßt sich dieses Verfahren in Wäschetrocknern einsetzen, in denen ohnehin ein Mikrocontroller eingesetzt und eine Leitwertmessung der Wäsche durchgeführt wird.The solution according to the invention thus becomes a method for determining the loading quantity of a tumble dryer created with the avoidance of a high Component and circuit expenditure an exact determination even with higher loads the amount of loading is possible and high insensitivity to Disturbances can be achieved. This method can be used particularly advantageously in tumble dryers use in which a microcontroller is used anyway and a conductance measurement the laundry is carried out.

Claims (7)

  1. Method of determining the load quantity of a laundry drier in which the laundry is moved in a drum (1) and the electrical conductance of the laundry is determined by means of electrodes (12, 1), which at least partly contact the laundry, characterised in that the fluctuation range of the electrical conductivity is determined and serves as a measure for the load quantity.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the difference between the maximum and minimum value of the conductance within a specific time interval is determined as fluctuation range.
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the conductance is measured at periodic intervals and the fluctuation range of the individual conductance measurements is determined.
  4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the maximum and minimum values of the conductance are averaged and the fluctuation range each time of the mean values is ascertained.
  5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fluctuation range of the electrical conductance is determined several times, the obtained fluctuation range are averaged and the fluctuation range mean value serves as a measure of the load.
  6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the determination of the fluctuation range of the conductance is carried out substantially from the start of the drying process and preferably takes place only over a relatively short time period.
  7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a microcontroller (3) with associated analog-to-digital converter is used for determining the fluctuation range of the conductance.
EP98114948A 1997-08-21 1998-08-07 Method for determining the loading of a laundry drier Expired - Lifetime EP0898009B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE19736419 1997-08-21
DE19736419A DE19736419A1 (en) 1997-08-21 1997-08-21 Method for determining the load of a tumble dryer

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EP0898009B1 true EP0898009B1 (en) 2002-05-15

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US6462564B1 (en) 2002-10-08
DE19736419A1 (en) 1999-02-25
DE59804119D1 (en) 2002-06-20

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