EP3095911A1 - Metohd for safely managing electric motor activation and deactivation, and corresponding appliance - Google Patents
Metohd for safely managing electric motor activation and deactivation, and corresponding appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3095911A1 EP3095911A1 EP15168654.0A EP15168654A EP3095911A1 EP 3095911 A1 EP3095911 A1 EP 3095911A1 EP 15168654 A EP15168654 A EP 15168654A EP 3095911 A1 EP3095911 A1 EP 3095911A1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- state
- switching device
- terminal
- appliance
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- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 title claims description 47
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- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 35
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- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 76
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 claims description 16
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- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 claims description 8
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- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 34
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 11
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- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical group [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
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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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
-
- 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
- D06F2103/28—Air properties
- D06F2103/34—Humidity
-
- 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
- D06F2103/44—Current or voltage
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/44—Opening, closing or locking of doors
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/46—Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
-
- 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
- D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot airĀ
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryersĀ
- D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/74—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumpsĀ
-
- 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
- D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof
-
- 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
- D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
- D06F58/04—DetailsĀ
- D06F58/08—Driving arrangements
-
- 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 dryersĀ
- D06F58/34—Control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryersĀ characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F58/50—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to electric appliances, such as washing, drying, washing/drying, dishwashing appliances, both for domestic and professional use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a circuit and a method for safely managing activation/deactivation of electric motors in such appliances.
- appliances make use of electric motors.
- the electric motor is intended to rotate a rotatable drum (i.e. the rotatable container arranged inside the appliance wherein a laundry load is placed/housed in order to be washed and/or dried).
- the appliance In order to activate/deactivate the electric motor, the appliance typically comprises electrically-operated switching devices and a power conversion/driving system for converting an AC supply voltage into a DC supply voltage allowing driving of the electric motor.
- the power conversion/driving system comprises a rectifying arrangement and a bulk capacitor for providing said DC supply voltage, and a driving arrangement, fed with said DC supply voltage, for driving the electric motor (e.g., for controlling activation/deactivation thereof). Due to inherently low input resistance exhibited by the power conversion/driving system, especially when the bulk capacitor is initially discharged, large surge currents (or inrush currents) may arise, which are very stressful to power conversion/driving system.
- Inrush current limiting devices e.g . including negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor or resistor
- NTC negative temperature coefficient
- each switching device which the known solutions makes use of is prone to errors (e.g ., absence of switching), thus impairing appliance operation.
- Some known solutions provide sensing arrangements for sensing the switching state of the switching devices, however these sensing arrangements provide high-voltage sensing (as typically based on sensing provision/absence of the AC supply voltage through the switching device), which translates into power consumptions not compatible with nowadays restrictive powers saving requirements.
- Low sensing activity also involves that some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures) are handled by the appliance in a manner not oriented to avoid safety risks for the user.
- An aspect of the present invention relates to a washing and/or drying appliance.
- the appliance comprises:
- the reference terminal and the first terminal of the sensing network are coupled to each other with interposition of the inrush current limiting device, whereby the second level of the state signal is between the first the reference voltage and the further reference voltage according to a partition between the inrush current limiting device and the sensing network.
- the first terminal of the sensing network is electrically floating, whereby the second level of the state signal is at the further reference voltage by pull-down action of the sensing network.
- the switching device has a first contact electrically coupled, during sensing, to the sensing network, a second contact coupled to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
- the switching device has a first contact electrically floating, a second contact, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
- the appliance also comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the second contact of the switching device to the first terminal of the sensing network or to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, respectively.
- the first terminal of the sensing network is coupled, during sensing, to the second contact of the switching device, in the second state of the further switching device the state signal taking a third level equal to the further reference voltage.
- the sensing network is a resistive network.
- the appliance further comprises a filtering arrangement for suppressing disturbances from the state signal.
- the inrush current limiting device is a fusible resistor or a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.
- the electric load is an electric motor, for example a "Variable-Frequency Driveā motor or a Brushless DC motor
- the appliance is a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations, or a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations, or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations.
- the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric load is activated.
- Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a washing and/or drying appliance.
- the appliance comprises:
- the method comprises, under the control of a control unit of the appliance and in response to a motor activation request:
- the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric motor is activated.
- the method further comprises enabling mechanical door locking, said feeding the driving arrangement with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device being performed if mechanical door locking is enabled.
- the appliance further comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the switching device to the sensing arrangement or to the driving arrangement, respectively, in the first state of the further switching device the state signal taking the first or second levels according to the first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
- Said enabling mechanical door locking if the state signal takes the second level comprises:
- the state signal in the second state of the further switching device the state signal takes a third level lower than the first and second levels.
- the method further comprises, after said enabling mechanical door locking:
- the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
- the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
- FIG. 1 schematically shows an appliance 100, for example for domestic use ( i . e ., a household appliance), wherein the present invention may be applied.
- the appliance 100 may for example be a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations ( i . e ., without laundry drying operations), a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations ( i . e ., without laundry washing operations), or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations (as generically illustrated in the figure, and to which reference will be made in the following by way of a non-limiting example only).
- the appliance 100 preferably comprises a substantially parallepiped-shaped cabinet 105, which encloses an inner compartment.
- the inner compartment accommodates a tub (not visible), adapted to be filled with washing water, and a (e.g., perforated) rotatable drum 110 mounted therein (in either a horizontal or vertical orientation) adapted to house the laundry to be treated ( i . e ., the laundry to be washed and/or dried, in the example at issue).
- the inner compartment may accommodate, instead of the tub and the rotatable drum 110, any suitable treatment chamber (e.g ., a rotatable, non-perforated drum in case of a laundry drying appliance).
- the inner compartment i . e ., the rotatable drum 110
- the inner compartment is accessible through an access door 115 (shown in a closed configuration), preferably provided on a front panel 105 F of the cabinet 105 for loading/unloading the laundry.
- the inner compartment also accommodates, not visible in such a figure, a number of well-known electronic, electro-hydraulic and/or electro-mechanical components, which form (as a whole) a circuit system allowing operation of the appliance 100.
- FIG. 2 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- coupling will be used for denoting both direct and indirect coupling (unless explicitly referring to direct coupling, when relevant for the present invention).
- the circuit system 200 comprises one or more electric loads, such has the electric load 205, for example an electric motor for drum rotation.
- the electric motor 205 is a " Variable - Frequency Driveā (VFD) motor or a Brushless DC motor, so that control of drum rotation speed (e.g., according to an actual laundry load, and/or to an actual amount of washing water within the rotatable drum 110) is possible.
- VFD Variable - Frequency Drive
- Brushless DC motor so that control of drum rotation speed (e.g., according to an actual laundry load, and/or to an actual amount of washing water within the rotatable drum 110) is possible.
- the present invention may be applied for any electric load (for example, an electric heater, a drain or recirculation pump, a fan).
- the circuit system 200 also comprises a driving arrangement, generally configured for driving the electric motor 205.
- the driving arrangement preferably comprises a motor module 210, powered between first V DC1 and second V DC2 DC supply voltages, for controlling activation and deactivation of the electric motor 205, as well as a power conversion arrangement for providing said DC supply voltages V DC1 , V DC2 according to an AC supply voltage selectively received from supply (e.g., line) T L and reference ( e.g., neutral) T N terminals of an AC power supply.
- the power conversion module comprises a rectifying circuit (e.g., a diodes bridge) 215, having two input terminals T 215,IN1 ,T 215,IN2 (selectively coupleable to the line T L and neutral T N terminals, respectively) for receiving the AC supply voltage and two output terminals T 215,OUT1 ,T 215,OUT2 for providing pulsed DC voltages (deriving from full-wave rectification of the AC supply voltage), and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals T C1 ,T C2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals T 215,OUT1 ,T 215,OUT2 , respectively, of the rectifying circuit 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages V DC1 ,V DC2 .
- a rectifying circuit e.g., a diodes bridge
- the input terminals T 215,IN1 ,T 215,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 also represent, by the logical viewpoint, input terminals of the driving arrangement as a whole (although the motor module 210, typically provided as a dedicated printed circuit board, is structurally separated from the power conversion module 215,C), the driving arrangement 210,215,C being thus selectively coupleable to the line T L and neutral T N terminals by means of the input terminals T 215,IN1 ,T 215,IN2 , respectively.
- the circuit system 200 also comprises an AC-DC conversion circuit (denoted by the reference CC in the figure) comprising transforming, rectifying and regulating components for receiving the AC supply voltage and providing one or more further DC voltages, such as a lower reference, or ground, voltage GND ( e.g., 0V), and an upper reference voltage Vcc (e.g., a 5V DC voltage with respect to the ground voltage GND ) for powering electronic components of the appliance 100 (as mentioned in the following).
- the neutral terminal T N is preferably set at the upper reference voltage Vcc (so as to allow proper driving of power components of the appliance 100, e.g. triacs, not shown).
- An inrush current limiting device R NTC (better discussed in the following) is provided between the neutral terminal T N and the input terminal T 205,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 ( i . e ., of the driving arrangement 210,215,C) in order to limit large peak surge currents, or inrush currents, flowing through (thus electrically stressing) the rectifying arrangement 215 and the bulk capacitor C (especially when the bulk capacitor C is initially discharged).
- a safety switch e.g., a door switch
- SW L is provided between the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN1 of the rectifying arrangement 215, whereas a switching arrangement is provided between the neutral terminal T N and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215.
- the switching arrangement comprises a ( e.g ., electromagnetic) relay RL 1 having bypass functions (thus, referred to as bypass relay RL 1 hereinafter) electrically coupled to the neutral terminal T N , and a ( e.g ., electromagnetic) relay RL 2 having safety functions (thus, referred to as safety relay RL 2 hereinafter) provided between the bypass relay RL 1 and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 (the bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays being assumed preferably structurally similar to each other).
- a (e.g ., electromagnetic) relay RL 1 having bypass functions thus, referred to as bypass relay RL 1 hereinafter
- safety relay RL 2 safety functions
- bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays comprise respective contacts C A,RL1 ,C B,RL1 ,C C,RL1 and C A,RL2 ,C B,RL2 ,C C,RL2 , as well as a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core.
- a central contact of each relay e.g. the contact C B,RL1 ,C B,RL2 , is movable with respect to the other, or fixed, (mechanically separated and electrically insulated) side contacts of the same relay ( i.e. the side contacts C A,RL1 ,C C,RL1 and C A,RL2 ,C C,RL2 , respectively).
- each relay RL 1 ,RL 2 is electrically coupled to a respective side contact, e.g. the contact C A,RL1 ,C A,RL2 (and an air gap, and hence electrical insulation, is established between the central contact C B,RL1 ,C B,RL2 and the opposite side contact C C,RL1 ,C C,RL2 ).
- bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays are in a first, de-energized, state wherein the central contacts C B,RL1 ,C B,RL2 contact the side contacts C A,RL1 ,C A,RL2 , respectively, and are operable in a second, energized, state wherein the central contacts C B,RL1 ,C B,RL2 contact the side contacts C C,RL1 ,C C,RL2 , respectively.
- the side contact C A,PL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 is floating, whereas the central contact C B,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 is electrically coupled to the neutral terminal T N (so as to contact the side contact C A,RL1 or the side contact C C,RL1 in the de-energized or energized states, respectively, of the bypass relay RL 1 ).
- the side C A,RL2 ,C C,RL2 and central C B,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL 2 are instead electrically coupled to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215, to a sensing arrangement 220 (as discussed in the following) and to the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 , respectively.
- the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 is electrically coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 (through the side C A,RL2 and central C B,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL 2 ), and in the energized state of the safety relay RL 2 the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 is electrically coupled to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215, whereas the bypass relay RL 1 in the energized state identifies said first configuration of the switching arrangement ( i .
- the door switch SW L can be switched between an opened, or off, condition electrically decoupling the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 from each other thereby preventing, in door-opened configuration, energization of the electric motor 205 (and/or of any other electric loads downstream the door switch SW L ), and a closed, or on, condition.
- the door switch SW L is instead in the closed condition, electrical coupling between the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 is established, and mechanical lock of the door 115 is commanded ( e.g. , by means of a proper door-lock command, not shown, provided to a proper mechanical door-lock device, also not shown).
- such a mechanical lock is provided to prevent opening of the door for safety reasons, e.g. when the electric motor 205 is activated, when washing or rinsing water is provided within the tub, when a dangerous temperature in the inner compartment is detected, or when the drum 110 is still rotating.
- the inrush current limiting device R NTC may be a fusible resistor or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass relay RL 1 .
- NTC thermistor R NTC is electrically coupled between the central C B,RL1 and side C C,RL1 contacts of the bypass relay RL 1 .
- the NTC thermistor R NTC is a resistive component whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases.
- the bypass relay RL 1 in the de-energized state and the safety relay RL 2 in the energized state (so that the neutral terminal T N is electrically coupled to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 through the NTC thermistor R NTC and the safety relay RL 2 , i.e. the central C B,RL2 and side C C,RL2 contacts thereof)
- the temperature of the NTC thermistor R NTC is cold and its resistance is high, and a relatively low starting current is allowed to flow therethrough.
- the bypass relay RL 1 is operated into the energized state ( i . e ., central contact C B,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 being moved into contact with the side contact C C,RL1 thereof), thus bypassing ( i .
- the NTC thermistor R NTC and allowing a working current (substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance) to be fed to the rectifying arrangement 215 (through the bypass relay RL 1 , i.e. the central C B,RL1 and side C C,RL1 contacts thereof, and the safety relay RL 2 , i.e. the central C B,RL2 and side C C,RL2 contacts thereof).
- the circuit system 200 also comprises a sensing arrangement 220, selectively coupleable to the side contact C A,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 .
- the sensing arrangement 220 is configured for sensing the first or second states (i . e ., the energized or de-energized states) of the bypass relay RL 1 , as well as the energized or de-energized states of the safety relay RL 2 (being the sensing allowed/prevented based on the de-energized/energized state of the safety relay RL 2 ), and for providing a corresponding signal S STATE (hereinafter, state signal).
- the state signal S STATE may advantageously take three different levels according to the bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays states, namely a low level S STATE,L equal to the lower reference voltage GND, a high level S STATE,H equal to the upper reference voltage V CC , and an intermediate level S STATE,L between the low S STATE,L and high S STATE,H levels.
- the sensing arrangement 220 comprises a sensing network, for example a (e.g ., resistive) pull-down network R PD (schematically represented as a single resistor in the figure, and referred to as pull-down resistor in the following), having a first terminal T RPD,1 providing the state signal S STATE and adapted to be electrically coupled to the side contact C C,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 (and hence, to the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 ) and a second terminal T RPD,2 receiving the lower reference voltage GND.
- a sensing network for example a (e.g ., resistive) pull-down network R PD (schematically represented as a single resistor in the figure, and referred to as pull-down resistor in the following), having a first terminal T RPD,1 providing the state signal S STATE and adapted to be electrically coupled to the side contact C C,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 (and hence, to the side contact C C,RL
- a filtering arrangement e.g ., a low pass filter
- F LP is provided for suppressing possible disturbances from ( i . e ., associated with) the state signal S STATE - anyway, as should be readily understood, embodiments are possible wherein the filtering arrangement F LP is not provided, in which case the state signal S STATE may be directly taken from the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD .
- the safety relay RL 2 is operable in a first, energized, state electrically coupling the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 to sensing arrangement 220 ( i . e ., to the pull-down network R PD ) or in a second, de-energized, state electrically coupling the side contact C C,RL1 of the bypass relay RL 1 to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the driving arrangement 210,215,C, respectively.
- the actual sensing start is controlled by means of an electrically-operated switching device (e.g., a MOS transistor) 225 between the side terminal C C,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 and the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD - with the sensing start that may take place, as herein exemplary considered, according to closed/opened states of the MOS transistor 225 controlled according to corresponding values of a control signal S 225 .
- an electrically-operated switching device e.g., a MOS transistor
- bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays states may be discriminated (and signaled, through the respective high S STATE,H , low S STATE,L or intermediate S STATE,I levels of the state signal S STATE ):
- the NTC thermistor R NTC is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass relay RL 1 , thus the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD and the neutral terminal T N are both at the upper reference voltage V CC .
- the neutral terminal T N and the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD are coupled to each other such that the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor receives the upper reference voltage V CC
- a direct coupling (unless unavoidable parasitic components - such as wires, contacts C B,RL1 ,C C,RL1 and MOS transistors 225 parasitic resistances) is established between the neutral terminal T N and the pull-down resistor R PD .
- the state signal S STATE takes the high level S STATE,H .
- Safety relay RL 2 in the energized state (bypass relay RL 1 either in the energized or de-energized states).
- the central contact C B,RL2 of the safety relay RL 2 is electrically coupled to the side contact C C,RL2 , the side contact coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 ( i . e ., the side contact C A,RL2 ) being instead floating ( i . e ., no direct or indirect coupling between the neutral terminal T N and the pull-down resistor R PD takes place).
- the pull-down resistor R PD by effect of the pull-down resistor R PD , the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD is pulled-down to the lower reference voltage GND.
- the state signal S STATE takes the low level S STATE,L .
- the neutral terminal T N and the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD are coupled to each other with interposition of the NTC thermistor R NTC .
- the neutral terminal T N and the pull-down resistor R PD take place, and a conductive path is generated from the neutral terminal T N and the pull-down resistor R PD through the NTC thermistor R NTC and the safety relay RL 2 ( i . e ., the central C B,RL2 and side C C,RL2 contacts thereof).
- the state signal S STATE takes the intermediate level S STATE,I (whose value depends on NTC thermistor R NTC and pull-down resistor R PD sizing, not limiting for the present invention).
- the circuit system 200 further comprises a control unit 230, for example a microcontroller/microprocessor.
- the control unit 230 is configured to receive the state signal S STATE (or, in the considered example, a filtered version thereof) from the sensing arrangement 220 ( i .
- control unit 230 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly.
- the illustrated circuit system 200 allows achieving a low-voltage sensing, which makes it highly power-saving and reliable. Moreover, the circuit system 200 makes use of a single sensing arrangement for sensing the states of both bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays, thus some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures, discussed below) may be handled by the appliance 100 in a manner totally oriented to avoid safety risks for the user, while substantially unaffecting power consumption.
- FIG. 3 shows a simplified flowchart of a motor activation procedure 300, carried out under the control of the control unit 230 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor activation procedure 300 is aimed at activating the electric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays are both in the de-energized state ( i . e ., the state signal S STATE takes the intermediate level S STATE,I ), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current ( i .
- the electric current limited by the NTC thermistor R NTC is correctly fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C, communication between the electric motor 205 and the driving arrangement 205,210,C is active, and the working current is allowed to be fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C ( i . e ., bypass relay RL 1 in the de-energized state and safety relay RL 2 in the energized state).
- the motor activation procedure 300 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass relay RL 1 , safety relay RL 2 or NTC thermistor R NTC failures.
- a low level S STATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected high level S STATE,L ) may denote NTC thermistor R NTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL 2
- an intermediate level S STATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected high level S STATE,H ) may denote a bypass relay RL 1 energization failure
- a level different from the high S STATE,H , intermediate S STATE,I and low S STATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
- the motor activation procedure 300 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 360), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors.
- a high level S STATE,H of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected intermediate level S STATE,I ) may denote NTC thermistor R NTC short-circuit or bypass relay RL 1 de-energization failure
- a low level S STATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected intermediate level S STATE,I ) may denote NTC thermistor R NTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL 2
- a level different from the high S STATE,H , intermediate S STATE,I and low S STATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
- Undesired energized state of the safety relay RL 2 is the least likely error that could affect the circuit system 200 at decision blocks 310 and 320 (indeed, as better understood from the following description, safety relay RL 2 de-energization state is ensured before ending each motor deactivation procedure).
- the motor activation procedure 300 continues by switching the door switch SW L into the closed configuration (by means of the signal S SWL , so that electrical coupling between the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 is established), and by providing the door lock command to the mechanical lock of the door (activity block 325), thereafter correct door locking is checked at the decision block 330.
- the motor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), as the possibility of opening the door 115 when the electric motor 105 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of the decision block 330, it meaning that the electric motor 105 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open the door 115, the motor activation procedure 300 goes on by operating the safety relay RL 2 into the energized stated (activity block 335) - thereby allowing the AC supply voltage to be fed across the input terminals T 205,IN1 ,T 205,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 and a limited inrush current ( i .
- the motor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of the detected error.
- FIG. 4 it shows a simplified flowchart of a motor deactivation procedure 400 carried out by the control unit 230 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking only if, upon motor deactivation has occurred, the safety relay RL 2 is operated into the de-energized state ( i .
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals S COMM , deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 405) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the safety relay RL 2 into the de-energized state (action block 420) as soon as the electric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the command signals S COMM .
- This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 410 (wherein electric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 415 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked).
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 keeps running the decision blocks 410,415 as long as the electric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 410) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 415). Instead, if ( i . e ., as soon as) the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 410), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 415), the safety relay RL 2 is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 420).
- elapsing of the predefined time interval might mean that communication between the electric module 205 and the motor module 210 is temporary or permanently prejudiced (in which case the motor module 210 may not have deactivated the electric motor 205, or may not have received confirmation about electric motor 205 stopping), so that operating the safety relay RL 2 into the de-energized state allows safely interrupting electric motor 205 powering in any case.
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440).
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
- a low level S STATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected high level S STATE,L ) may denote safety relay RL 2 de-energization failure
- an intermediate level S STATE,L of the state signal S STATE (instead of the expected high level S STATE,H ) may denote undesired de-energized state the bypass relay RL 1
- a level different from the high S STATE,H , intermediate S STATE,I and low S STATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 220.
- the motor deactivation procedure 400 goes on by operating the bypass relay RL 1 into the de-energized state (activity block 430), and by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 435) -preferably, while switching on the door switch SW L by means of the control signal S SWL , so as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215), thereafter the motor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440).
- bypass relay RL 1 de-energization is advantageously carried out for consistency with a following motor activation procedure (such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing) providing the de-energized state of both bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays as default starting configuration for inferring failures - anyway, nothing prevents from carrying out bypass relay RL 1 de-energization at the start of the motor activation procedure 300.
- a following motor activation procedure such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing
- bypass relay RL 1 de-energization is advantageously carried out for consistency with a following motor activation procedure (such as the motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing) providing the de-energized state of both bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays as default starting configuration for inferring failures - anyway, nothing prevents from carrying out bypass relay RL 1 de-energization at the start of the motor activation procedure 300.
- no check of whether bypass relay RL 1 de-energization has taken place correctly
- FIG. 5 it schematically shows a portion of a circuit system 500 of the appliance 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- the circuit system 500 is similar to the circuit system 200, reason why, in the following, same or similar elements will not be discussed again for the sake of conciseness.
- the circuit system 500 comprises, as above, the electric motor 205, the motor module 210 (powered between the first V DC1 and second V DC2 DC supply voltages), the power conversion arrangement for (selectively) providing said DC supply voltages V DC1 , V DC2 according to the AC supply voltage selectively received from the line T L and neutral T N terminals of the AC power supply, and the sensing arrangement 220.
- the power conversion arrangement comprises, as before, the rectifying arrangement 215, whose input terminals T 215,IN1 ,T 215,IN2 are selectively coupleable to the line T L and neutral T N terminals, respectively, for receiving the AC supply voltage and whose output terminals T 215,OUT1 ,T 215,OUT2 provide pulsed DC voltages, and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals T C1 ,T C2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals T 215,OUT1 ,T 215,OUT2 , respectively, of the rectifying arrangement 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages V DC1 , V DC2 .
- the switching arrangement comprises a single (e.g. , electromagnetic) relay RL having both bypass and safety functions (thus, referred to as bypass/safety relay hereinafter), and electrically coupled between the neutral terminal T N and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215.
- a single relay RL having both bypass and safety functions (thus, referred to as bypass/safety relay hereinafter), and electrically coupled between the neutral terminal T N and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215.
- the bypass/safety relay RL e.g . structurally similar to the bypass RL 1 and safety RL 2 relays, comprises side (fixed) contacts C A,RL C C,RL electrically coupled to a sensing arrangement 520 and to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215, respectively, and a central contact C B,RL , movable with respect to the side contacts C A,RL C C,RL , electrically coupled to the neutral terminal T N .
- the bypass/safety relay RL is herein assumed, in the de-energized state ( i . e ., in absence of current across the coil), with the central contact C B,RL electrically coupled to a respective side contact (e.g.
- the side contact C A,RL in the energized state ( i . e ., in presence of an electric current across the coil)with the central contact C B,RL electrically coupled to the other side contact ( i . e ., the side contact C C,RL ).
- the circuit system 500 also comprises an inrush current limiting device, for example a NTC thermistor (as before) or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a fusible resistor R FUSE electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass/safety relay RL for mitigating the inrush current experienced during startup.
- an inrush current limiting device for example a NTC thermistor (as before) or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a fusible resistor R FUSE electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass/safety relay RL for mitigating the inrush current experienced during startup.
- the fusible resistor R FUSE is electrically coupled between the central C B,RL and side C C,RL contacts of the bypass/safety relay RL (and, hence, between the neutral terminal T N and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215).
- a fusible resistor is a standard resistor by the electrical viewpoint, and if further designed to open without flames when overloaded (thus, sometimes also referred to as flameproof resistor).
- the use of the fusible resistor R FUSE instead of the NTC thermistor R NTC makes the circuit system 500 cheaper than the circuit system 200, and ensures a constant starting current to be fed to the rectifying arrangement during startup.
- the neutral terminal T N is electrically coupled to the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215 through the fusible resistor R FUSE , and a fixed starting current (depending on fusible resistor R FUSE resistance) is allowed to flow therethrough.
- the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state ( i . e ., central contact C B,RL thereof moved to the side contact C C,RL ), thus bypassing ( i .
- the fusible resistor R FUSE and allowing a working current (substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance) to be fed to the rectifying arrangement 215 (through the bypass/safety relay RL, i.e. the central C B,RL and side C C,RL contacts thereof).
- the sensing arrangement 520 comprises, similarly to the sensing arrangement 220, the pull-down resistor R PD , whose first terminal T RPD,1 is adapted to be electrically coupled to the side terminal C A,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (e.g., as above, by means of the MOS transistor 225, or other electrically-operated switching device) and whose second terminal T RPD,2 is configured to receive the lower reference voltage GND, and, preferably, the filtering arrangement F LP .
- the sensing arrangement 520 when coupled to the side contact C A,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (MOS transistor 225 in the on condition), is intended to sense the (energized or de-energized) state of the bypass/safety relay RL and to provide a corresponding state signal S* STATE .
- the state signal S* STATE may take two different levels according to the bypass/safety relay RL state, namely the low S STATE,L and high S STATE,H levels.
- bypass/safety relay RL states may be discriminated (and signaled, through the respective high S STATE,H or low S STATE,L levels of the state signal S* STATE ):
- the fusible resistor R FUSE is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass/safety relay RL.
- the central terminal C B,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL is electrically coupled to the side terminal C C,RL , the side terminal coupled to the sensing arrangement 520 ( i . e ., the side terminal C A,RL2 ) being instead floating.
- the pull-down resistor R PD by effect of the pull-down resistor R PD , the first terminal T RPD,1 of the pull-down resistor R PD is pulled down to the lower reference voltage GND.
- the state signal S* STATE takes the low level S STATE,L .
- the state signal S* STATE takes the high level S STATE,H .
- errors to the bypass/safety relay RL or to the fuse resistor R FUSE may also be inferred when the state signal S* STATE takes a level different from the expected one.
- the circuit system 500 further comprises a control unit 530, similar to the control unit 230, configured to receive the state signal S* STATE from the sensing arrangement 520 and the standard error/control messages MSG from the motor module 210, and, accordingly, to control the door switch SW L , the bypass/safety relay RL and the MOS transistor 225 (e.g., by means of respective control signals S SWL ,S RL ,S 225 ) and to command motor module 210 (e.g., by means of the command signals S COMM ) .
- the control unit 530 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door 115 (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly.
- FIGS 6 and 7 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system of Figure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 it shows a motor activation procedure 600 carried out under the control of the control unit 530 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor activation procedure 600 is aimed at activating the electric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass/safety RL is in the de-energized state ( i . e ., the state signal S STATE takes the high level S STATE,H ), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current ( i .
- the motor activation procedure 600 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass/safety relay RL or fuse resistor R FUSE .
- the motor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 640), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors.
- a low level S STATE,L of the state signal S* STATE (instead of the expected high level S STATE,H ) may denote fuse resistor R FUSE short-circuit or undesired bypass/safety relay RL energized state, whereas a level different from the high S STATE,H and low S STATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
- the motor activation procedure 600 goes on by enabling mechanical door locking (activity block 610), thereafter correct door locking is checked at the decision block 615.
- the motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640), as the possibility of opening the door 115 when the electric motor 205 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of the decision block 615, it meaning that the electric motor 205 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open the door 115, the motor activation procedure 600 goes on by determining (decision block 620) correct, active and functioning communication between the electric motor 205 and the motor module 210 by means of the standard error/control messages MSG.
- the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state (activity block 625) - so that the working current substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance is entirely fed to the rectifying arrangement 215). Otherwise, the motor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place, possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of the detected error.
- the error detected in this case may be either fusible resistor R FUSE opening (so that the motor module 210, being not powered, is not able to provide the standard error/control messages MSG to the control unit 530) or motor module 210 malfunctioning.
- the motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640) without motor activation, possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
- a level different from the high S STATE,H and low S STATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
- FIG. 7 it shows a simplified flowchart of a motor deactivation procedure 700 carried out under the control of the control unit 530 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor deactivation procedure 700 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking if motor deactivation has occurred, and if, after operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the energized state, the state signal S* STATE takes the high level S STATE,H and if a predefined time period has passed since motor deactivation request.
- the motor deactivation procedure 700 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals S COMM , deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 705) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the de-energized state (action block 720) as soon as the electric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the motor deactivation request (or, alternatively, from transmission of the command signals S COMM ) .
- This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 710 (wherein electric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 715 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked).
- the motor deactivation procedure 700 keeps running the decision blocks 710,715 as long as the electric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 710) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 715). Instead, if ( i . e ., as soon as) the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 710), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that the electric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 715), the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 720).
- bypass/safety relay RL de-energization causes intervention of the fusible resistor R FUSE , and hence unpowering the motor module 210 (in fact, the inrush current through the fusible resistor R FUSE is not sufficient to keep the electric motor 205 powered).
- the motor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740) without door unlocking (so as to prevent the user from opening the door 115 in a not safe condition of the appliance 100), preferably by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors.
- a level different from the high S STATE,H and low S STATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520.
- the motor deactivation procedure 700 goes on by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 735) - preferably, while switching off the door switch SW L by means of the control signal S SWL , so as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal T L and the input terminal T 215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215) - after a safety time interval (e.g. , from bypass/safety relay RL de-energization) has elapsed(decision block 730), thereafter the motor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740).
- a safety time interval e.g. , from bypass/safety relay RL de-energization
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Abstract
an electric load (205),
a driving arrangement (210,215,C) for driving the electric load (205), the driving arrangement (210,215,C) having first (T205,IN1) and second (T205,IN2) terminals coupleable, respectively, to a line terminal (TL) and to a neutral terminal (TN) providing a reference voltage (VCC ),
an inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC) and a switching device (RL;RL1) between the reference terminal (TN) and the second terminal (T205,IN2) of the driving arrangement (210,215,C), the switching device (RL;RL1) being operable in first or second states preventing or allowing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE,RNTC), and
a sensing network (RPD) for sensing the first or second states of the switching device (RL;RL1) and for providing a corresponding state signal (SSTATE;S*STATE ), the sensing network (RPD) having a first terminal (TRPD,1), and a second terminal (TRPD,2) coupled to a reference terminal providing a further reference voltage (GND) lower than the reference voltage (VCC ), wherein, during sensing:
in the first state of the switching device (RL;RL1) the reference terminal (TN) and the first terminal (TRPD,1) of the sensing network (RPD) being coupled to each other such that the first terminal (TRPD,1) of the sensing network (RPD) receives the reference voltage (VCC ) and the state signal (SSTATE;S*STATE ) takes a first level (SSTATE,H) equal to the reference voltage (VCC ), in the second state the state signal (SSTATE, S*STATE ) taking a second level (SSTATE,I;SSTATE,L) lower than the first level (SSTATE,H).
Description
- The present invention generally relates to electric appliances, such as washing, drying, washing/drying, dishwashing appliances, both for domestic and professional use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a circuit and a method for safely managing activation/deactivation of electric motors in such appliances.
- Nowadays most of electric appliances, hereinafter appliances, make use of electric motors. In case of a laundry washing appliance, a laundry washing/drying appliances and a laundry drying appliance, the electric motor is intended to rotate a rotatable drum (i.e. the rotatable container arranged inside the appliance wherein a laundry load is placed/housed in order to be washed and/or dried).
- In order to activate/deactivate the electric motor, the appliance typically comprises electrically-operated switching devices and a power conversion/driving system for converting an AC supply voltage into a DC supply voltage allowing driving of the electric motor.
- According to known solutions, the power conversion/driving system comprises a rectifying arrangement and a bulk capacitor for providing said DC supply voltage, and a driving arrangement, fed with said DC supply voltage, for driving the electric motor (e.g., for controlling activation/deactivation thereof). Due to inherently low input resistance exhibited by the power conversion/driving system, especially when the bulk capacitor is initially discharged, large surge currents (or inrush currents) may arise, which are very stressful to power conversion/driving system.
- Inrush current limiting devices (e.g. including negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor or resistor) connected between the AC power supply and the power conversion/driving system and electrically-operated switching devices in parallel with the inrush current limiting devices, are often used to mitigate the inrush current during starting.
- The Applicant has realized that the known solutions are not satisfactory for modem requirements.
- Indeed, each switching device which the known solutions makes use of is prone to errors (e.g., absence of switching), thus impairing appliance operation. Some known solutions provide sensing arrangements for sensing the switching state of the switching devices, however these sensing arrangements provide high-voltage sensing (as typically based on sensing provision/absence of the AC supply voltage through the switching device), which translates into power consumptions not compatible with nowadays restrictive powers saving requirements.
- Due to high power consumption of the sensing arrangement, only some of the switching devices are typically sensed (low sensing activity), thus exposing the appliance to reliability issues when failures of the non-sensed switching devices arise.
- Low sensing activity also involves that some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures) are handled by the appliance in a manner not oriented to avoid safety risks for the user.
- One or more aspects of the present invention are set out in the independent claims, with advantageous features of the same invention that are indicated in the dependent claims.
- An aspect of the present invention relates to a washing and/or drying appliance. The appliance comprises:
- an electric load,
- a driving arrangement for driving the electric load, the driving arrangement having first and second terminals coupleable, respectively, to a line terminal and to a neutral terminal providing a reference voltage,
- an inrush current limiting device and a switching device between the reference terminal and the second terminal of the driving arrangement, the switching device being operable in first or second states preventing or allowing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device, and
- a sensing network for sensing the first or second states of the switching device and for providing a corresponding state signal, the sensing network having a first terminal, and a second terminal coupled to a reference terminal providing a further reference voltage lower than the reference voltage. During sensing, in the first state of the switching device the reference terminal and the first terminal of the sensing network being coupled to each other such that the first terminal of the sensing network receives the reference voltage and the state signal takes a first level equal to the reference voltage, in the second state the state signal taking a second level lower than the first level.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the second state of the switching device the reference terminal and the first terminal of the sensing network are coupled to each other with interposition of the inrush current limiting device, whereby the second level of the state signal is between the first the reference voltage and the further reference voltage according to a partition between the inrush current limiting device and the sensing network.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the second state of the switching device the first terminal of the sensing network is electrically floating, whereby the second level of the state signal is at the further reference voltage by pull-down action of the sensing network.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switching device has a first contact electrically coupled, during sensing, to the sensing network, a second contact coupled to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the switching device has a first contact electrically floating, a second contact, and a third contact electrically coupled to the reference terminal and contacting the first or second contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device. The appliance also comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the second contact of the switching device to the first terminal of the sensing network or to the second terminal of the driving arrangement, respectively.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal of the sensing network is coupled, during sensing, to the second contact of the switching device, in the second state of the further switching device the state signal taking a third level equal to the further reference voltage.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing network is a resistive network.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appliance further comprises a filtering arrangement for suppressing disturbances from the state signal.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inrush current limiting device is a fusible resistor or a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric load is an electric motor, for example a "Variable-Frequency Drive" motor or a Brushless DC motor
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appliance is a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations, or a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations, or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric load is activated.
- Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a washing and/or drying appliance. The appliance comprises:
- an electric motor and a driving arrangement for driving it, the driving arrangement being coupleable to a line terminal and to a neutral terminal providing a reference voltage,
- between the neutral terminal and the driving arrangement, an inrush current limiting device and a switching device, the switching device being operable between first and second states allowing and preventing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device, and
- a sensing arrangement configured for sensing the first or second states of the switching device and for providing a corresponding state signal, in the first state of the switching device the state signal taking a first level equal to the reference voltage, and in the second state of the switching device the state signal taking a second level lower than the first level.
- The method comprises, under the control of a control unit of the appliance and in response to a motor activation request:
- if the state signal takes the second level, feeding the driving arrangement with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device, and
- if communication between the electric motor and the driving arrangement is active, operating the switching device into the second state thereby allowing a second electric current not limited by the inrush current limiting device to be fed to the driving arrangement, and activating the electric motor.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appliance further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door thereby preventing door opening when the electric motor is activated. The method further comprises enabling mechanical door locking, said feeding the driving arrangement with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device being performed if mechanical door locking is enabled.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the appliance further comprises a further switching device operable in first or second states electrically coupling the switching device to the sensing arrangement or to the driving arrangement, respectively, in the first state of the further switching device the state signal taking the first or second levels according to the first or second states, respectively, of the switching device. Said enabling mechanical door locking if the state signal takes the second level comprises:
- operating the switching device in the first state,
- if the state signal takes the first level, operating the switching device in the second state, and
- if the state signal takes the second level, performing said enabling mechanical door locking.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the second state of the further switching device the state signal takes a third level lower than the first and second levels. The method further comprises, after said enabling mechanical door locking:
- if mechanical door locking is enabled, operating the further switching device in the second state, and
- performing said operating the switching device into the second state if communication between the electric motor and the driving arrangement is active and if the state signal takes the third level.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
- if motor deactivation has occurred, operating the further switching device into the first state, and
- if the state signal takes the second level, operating the switching device into the first state and disenabling mechanical door locking.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises, in response to a motor deactivation request:
- if motor deactivation has occurred, operating the switching device into the first state, and
- if the state signal takes the first level and if a predefined time period has passed since motor deactivation request, disenabling mechanical door locking.
- These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of some exemplary and non limitative embodiments thereof; for its better intelligibility, the following description should be read making reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an appliance wherein the present invention may be applied; -
Figure 2 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system of the appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Figures 3 and4 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system ofFigure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Figure 5 schematically shows a portion of a circuit system of the appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention, and -
Figures 6 and7 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system ofFigure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Referring now to the drawings,
Figure 1 schematically shows anappliance 100, for example for domestic use (i.e., a household appliance), wherein the present invention may be applied. Theappliance 100 may for example be a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations (i.e., without laundry drying operations), a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations (i.e., without laundry washing operations), or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations (as generically illustrated in the figure, and to which reference will be made in the following by way of a non-limiting example only). - The
appliance 100 preferably comprises a substantially parallepiped-shapedcabinet 105, which encloses an inner compartment. - In the exemplarily considered appliance 100 (which is intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations), the inner compartment accommodates a tub (not visible), adapted to be filled with washing water, and a (e.g., perforated)
rotatable drum 110 mounted therein (in either a horizontal or vertical orientation) adapted to house the laundry to be treated (i.e., the laundry to be washed and/or dried, in the example at issue). Anyway, according to the considered appliance (and, hence, according to the treatment the appliance is intended/designed to perform), the inner compartment may accommodate, instead of the tub and therotatable drum 110, any suitable treatment chamber (e.g., a rotatable, non-perforated drum in case of a laundry drying appliance). - The inner compartment (i.e., the rotatable drum 110) is accessible through an access door 115 (shown in a closed configuration), preferably provided on a
front panel 105F of thecabinet 105 for loading/unloading the laundry. - The inner compartment also accommodates, not visible in such a figure, a number of well-known electronic, electro-hydraulic and/or electro-mechanical components, which form (as a whole) a circuit system allowing operation of the
appliance 100. - Hereinafter, reference will be also made to
Figure 2 , which schematically shows a portion of acircuit system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, in order to take into account possible circuit system variants, all falling within the scope of the present invention, the term coupling will be used for denoting both direct and indirect coupling (unless explicitly referring to direct coupling, when relevant for the present invention). - The
circuit system 200 comprises one or more electric loads, such has theelectric load 205, for example an electric motor for drum rotation. Preferably, although not necessarily, theelectric motor 205 is a "Variable-Frequency Drive" (VFD) motor or a Brushless DC motor, so that control of drum rotation speed (e.g., according to an actual laundry load, and/or to an actual amount of washing water within the rotatable drum 110) is possible. However, as will be understood from the following description, the present invention may be applied for any electric load (for example, an electric heater, a drain or recirculation pump, a fan). - In the considered embodiment, the
circuit system 200 also comprises a driving arrangement, generally configured for driving theelectric motor 205. In order to achieve that, the driving arrangement preferably comprises amotor module 210, powered between first VDC1 and second VDC2 DC supply voltages, for controlling activation and deactivation of theelectric motor 205, as well as a power conversion arrangement for providing said DC supply voltages VDC1 , VDC2 according to an AC supply voltage selectively received from supply (e.g., line) TL and reference (e.g., neutral) TN terminals of an AC power supply. - Preferably, the power conversion module comprises a rectifying circuit (e.g., a diodes bridge) 215, having two input terminals T215,IN1,T215,IN2 (selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals, respectively) for receiving the AC supply voltage and two output terminals T215,OUT1,T215,OUT2 for providing pulsed DC voltages (deriving from full-wave rectification of the AC supply voltage), and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals TC1,TC2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals T215,OUT1,T215,OUT2, respectively, of the
rectifying circuit 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages VDC1,VDC2. By virtue of the considered implementation, the input terminals T215,IN1,T215,IN2 of therectifying circuit 215 also represent, by the logical viewpoint, input terminals of the driving arrangement as a whole (although themotor module 210, typically provided as a dedicated printed circuit board, is structurally separated from thepower conversion module 215,C), the driving arrangement 210,215,C being thus selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals by means of the input terminals T215,IN1,T215,IN2, respectively. - The
circuit system 200 also comprises an AC-DC conversion circuit (denoted by the reference CC in the figure) comprising transforming, rectifying and regulating components for receiving the AC supply voltage and providing one or more further DC voltages, such as a lower reference, or ground, voltage GND (e.g., 0V), and an upper reference voltage Vcc (e.g., a 5V DC voltage with respect to the ground voltage GND) for powering electronic components of the appliance 100 (as mentioned in the following). As visible in the figure, the neutral terminal TN is preferably set at the upper reference voltage Vcc (so as to allow proper driving of power components of theappliance 100, e.g. triacs, not shown). - An inrush current limiting device RNTC (better discussed in the following) is provided between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T205,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 (i.e., of the driving arrangement 210,215,C) in order to limit large peak surge currents, or inrush currents, flowing through (thus electrically stressing) the
rectifying arrangement 215 and the bulk capacitor C (especially when the bulk capacitor C is initially discharged). - Selective coupling between line TL and neutral TN terminals and the
rectifying circuit 215 is achieved by means of a number of electrically-operated switching devices. As illustrated, a safety switch (e.g., a door switch) SWL is provided between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN1 of the rectifyingarrangement 215, whereas a switching arrangement is provided between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215. - According to the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the switching arrangement comprises a (e.g., electromagnetic) relay RL1 having bypass functions (thus, referred to as bypass relay RL1 hereinafter) electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN , and a (e.g., electromagnetic) relay RL2 having safety functions (thus, referred to as safety relay RL2 hereinafter) provided between the bypass relay RL1 and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying circuit 215 (the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays being assumed preferably structurally similar to each other).
- For the purposes of the present disclosure, the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays comprise respective contacts CA,RL1,CB,RL1,CC,RL1 and CA,RL2,CB,RL2,CC,RL2, as well as a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core. A central contact of each relay, e.g. the contact CB,RL1,CB,RL2, is movable with respect to the other, or fixed, (mechanically separated and electrically insulated) side contacts of the same relay (i.e. the side contacts CA,RL1,CC,RL1 and CA,RL2,CC,RL2, respectively). In absence of current across the coil (relay de-energization), the central contact CB,RL1,CB,RL2 of each relay RL1,RL2 is electrically coupled to a respective side contact, e.g. the contact CA,RL1,CA,RL2 (and an air gap, and hence electrical insulation, is established between the central contact CB,RL1,CB,RL2 and the opposite side contact CC,RL1,CC,RL2). When instead an electric current is passed through the coil (relay energization), a magnetic field is generated that activates movement of the central contact CB,RL1,CB,RL2 from the side contact CA,RL1,CA,RL2 to the respective side contact CC,RL1,CC,RL2 (until mechanical and electrical contacting is established therebetween). Thus, in the considered embodiment, the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays are in a first, de-energized, state wherein the central contacts CB,RL1,CB,RL2 contact the side contacts CA,RL1,CA,RL2, respectively, and are operable in a second, energized, state wherein the central contacts CB,RL1,CB,RL2 contact the side contacts CC,RL1,CC,RL2, respectively.
- In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the side contact CA,PL1 of the bypass relay RL1 is floating, whereas the central contact CB,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 is electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN (so as to contact the side contact CA,RL1 or the side contact CC,RL1 in the de-energized or energized states, respectively, of the bypass relay RL1 ). The side CA,RL2,CC,RL2 and central CB,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL2 are instead electrically coupled to the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying
arrangement 215, to a sensing arrangement 220 (as discussed in the following) and to the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 , respectively. In other words, in the de-energized state of the safety relay RL2 , the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 is electrically coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 (through the side CA,RL2 and central CB,RL2 contacts of the safety relay RL2 ), and in the energized state of the safety relay RL2 the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 is electrically coupled to the input terminal T215,IN2 of therectifying circuit 215, whereas the bypass relay RL1 in the energized state identifies said first configuration of the switching arrangement (i.e., electric current being prevented from flowing through the inrush current limiting device RNTC ) and the bypass relay RL1 in the de-energized states identifies said second configuration of the switching arrangement (i.e., electric current being allowed to flow through the inrush current limiting device RNTC ). - The door switch SWL can be switched between an opened, or off, condition electrically decoupling the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying
arrangement 215 from each other thereby preventing, in door-opened configuration, energization of the electric motor 205 (and/or of any other electric loads downstream the door switch SWL ), and a closed, or on, condition. When the door switch SWL is instead in the closed condition, electrical coupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215 is established, and mechanical lock of thedoor 115 is commanded (e.g., by means of a proper door-lock command, not shown, provided to a proper mechanical door-lock device, also not shown). Preferably, such a mechanical lock is provided to prevent opening of the door for safety reasons, e.g. when theelectric motor 205 is activated, when washing or rinsing water is provided within the tub, when a dangerous temperature in the inner compartment is detected, or when thedrum 110 is still rotating. - Thus, when the door switch SWL is in the opened condition, no activation of the
electric motor 205 arises (regardless of the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays states, either energized or de-energized states), and when the door switch SWL is in the closed condition, energization of theelectric motor 205 can take place only upon energization of the safety relay RL2 (thus allowing the AC supply voltage from the line TL and neutral TN terminals to be fed across the input terminals T215,IN1,T215,IN1 of the rectifying arrangement 215). - The inrush current limiting device RNTC may be a fusible resistor or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass relay RL1 . According to the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the NTC thermistor RNTC is electrically coupled between the central CB,RL1 and side CC,RL1 contacts of the bypass relay RL1 .
- Basically, the NTC thermistor RNTC is a resistive component whose resistance decreases as its temperature increases. During startup, with the door switch SWL in the closed condition, the bypass relay RL1 in the de-energized state and the safety relay RL2 in the energized state (so that the neutral terminal TN is electrically coupled to the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying
arrangement 215 through the NTC thermistor RNTC and the safety relay RL2 , i.e. the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof), the temperature of the NTC thermistor RNTC is cold and its resistance is high, and a relatively low starting current is allowed to flow therethrough. As operation continues, the temperature of the NTC thermistor RNTC increases (due to starting current flowing therethrough) and its resistance decreases, thereby an increasing amount of starting current is allowed to flow therethrough. After startup completing or preset time elapsing, the bypass relay RL1 is operated into the energized state (i.e., central contact CB,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 being moved into contact with the side contact CC,RL1 thereof), thus bypassing (i.e., substantially short-circuiting) the NTC thermistor RNTC and allowing a working current (substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance) to be fed to the rectifying arrangement 215 (through the bypass relay RL1 , i.e. the central CB,RL1 and side CC,RL1 contacts thereof, and the safety relay RL2 , i.e. the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof). - As mentioned above, the
circuit system 200 also comprises asensing arrangement 220, selectively coupleable to the side contact CA,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 . Broadly speaking, thesensing arrangement 220 is configured for sensing the first or second states (i.e., the energized or de-energized states) of the bypass relay RL1 , as well as the energized or de-energized states of the safety relay RL2 (being the sensing allowed/prevented based on the de-energized/energized state of the safety relay RL2 ), and for providing a corresponding signal SSTATE (hereinafter, state signal). As better discussed herebelow, by virtue of the consideredcircuit system 200 implementation, the state signal SSTATE may advantageously take three different levels according to the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays states, namely a low level SSTATE,L equal to the lower reference voltage GND, a high level SSTATE,H equal to the upper reference voltage VCC, and an intermediate level SSTATE,L between the low SSTATE,L and high SSTATE,H levels. - In order to achieve that, the
sensing arrangement 220 comprises a sensing network, for example a (e.g., resistive) pull-down network RPD (schematically represented as a single resistor in the figure, and referred to as pull-down resistor in the following), having a first terminal TRPD,1 providing the state signal SSTATE and adapted to be electrically coupled to the side contact CC,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 (and hence, to the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 ) and a second terminal TRPD,2 receiving the lower reference voltage GND. - Preferably, as illustrated, a filtering arrangement (e.g., a low pass filter) FLP is provided for suppressing possible disturbances from (i.e., associated with) the state signal SSTATE- anyway, as should be readily understood, embodiments are possible wherein the filtering arrangement FLP is not provided, in which case the state signal SSTATE may be directly taken from the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD .
- As mentioned above, the safety relay RL2 is operable in a first, energized, state electrically coupling the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 to sensing arrangement 220 (i.e., to the pull-down network RPD ) or in a second, de-energized, state electrically coupling the side contact CC,RL1 of the bypass relay RL1 to the input terminal T215,IN2 of the driving arrangement 210,215,C, respectively. Preferably, as illustrated, the actual sensing start is controlled by means of an electrically-operated switching device (e.g., a MOS transistor) 225 between the side terminal CC,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 and the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD- with the sensing start that may take place, as herein exemplary considered, according to closed/opened states of the
MOS transistor 225 controlled according to corresponding values of a control signal S225. - During sensing, the following configurations of the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays states may be discriminated (and signaled, through the respective high SSTATE,H, low SSTATE,L or intermediate SSTATE,I levels of the state signal SSTATE ):
- In this configuration, the NTC thermistor RNTC is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass relay RL1 , thus the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD and the neutral terminal TN are both at the upper reference voltage VCC. Otherwise stated, the neutral terminal TN and the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD are coupled to each other such that the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor receives the upper reference voltage VCC In other words, a direct coupling (unless unavoidable parasitic components - such as wires, contacts CB,RL1,CC,RL1 and
MOS transistors 225 parasitic resistances) is established between the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD . Thus, the state signal SSTATE takes the high level SSTATE,H. - In this configuration, the central contact CB,RL2 of the safety relay RL2 is electrically coupled to the side contact CC,RL2 , the side contact coupled to the sensing arrangement 220 (i.e., the side contact CA,RL2 ) being instead floating (i.e., no direct or indirect coupling between the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD takes place). As a result of that, by effect of the pull-down resistor RPD , the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD is pulled-down to the lower reference voltage GND. Thus, the state signal SSTATE takes the low level SSTATE,L.
- In this configuration, the neutral terminal TN and the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD are coupled to each other with interposition of the NTC thermistor RNTC. Thus, no direct coupling between the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD takes place, and a conductive path is generated from the neutral terminal TN and the pull-down resistor RPD through the NTC thermistor RNTC and the safety relay RL2 (i.e., the central CB,RL2 and side CC,RL2 contacts thereof). As a result of that, the upper reference voltage VCC at the neutral terminal TN experiences a partition between the NTC thermistor RNTC and the pull-down resistor RPD (omitting possible resistive effects of the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays and/or of the transistor 225). Hence, the state signal SSTATE takes the intermediate level SSTATE,I (whose value depends on NTC thermistor RNTC and pull-down resistor RPD sizing, not limiting for the present invention).
- As better discussed in the following, when the state signal SSTATE takes levels different from the expected one in a current (expected) bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays configuration, other problems to the bypass relay RL1 or to the safety relay RL2 or to the NTC thermistor RNTC or to the circuit system may also be inferred (such as contacts and/or resistors wear).
- The
circuit system 200 further comprises acontrol unit 230, for example a microcontroller/microprocessor. As conceptually represented in the figure, thecontrol unit 230 is configured to receive the state signal SSTATE (or, in the considered example, a filtered version thereof) from the sensing arrangement 220 (i.e., the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD) and standard error/control messages MSG from themotor module 210, and, accordingly, to control the door switch SWL , the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays and the MOS transistor 225 (e.g., by means of respective control signals SSWL,SRL1,SRL2,S225 ) and to command motor module 210 (and, hence, electric motor 205) activation/deactivation (e.g., by means of command signals SCOMM ). Thecontrol unit 230 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly. - The illustrated
circuit system 200 allows achieving a low-voltage sensing, which makes it highly power-saving and reliable. Moreover, thecircuit system 200 makes use of a single sensing arrangement for sensing the states of both bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays, thus some critical procedures (such as electric motor activation and deactivation procedures, discussed below) may be handled by theappliance 100 in a manner totally oriented to avoid safety risks for the user, while substantially unaffecting power consumption. -
Figure 3 shows a simplified flowchart of amotor activation procedure 300, carried out under the control of thecontrol unit 230 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Broadly speaking, themotor activation procedure 300 is aimed at activating theelectric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays are both in the de-energized state (i.e., the state signal SSTATE takes the intermediate level SSTATE,I), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current (i.e., the electric current limited by the NTC thermistor RNTC ) is correctly fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C, communication between theelectric motor 205 and the driving arrangement 205,210,C is active, and the working current is allowed to be fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C (i.e., bypass relay RL1 in the de-energized state and safety relay RL2 in the energized state). In addition, as better discussed herebelow, themotor activation procedure 300 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass relay RL1, safety relay RL2 or NTC thermistor RNTC failures. - The
motor activation procedure 300 starts by operating the bypass relay RL1 into the energized state (action block 305), and by checking (decision block 310) whether SSTATE=SSTATE,H - which means that bypass relay RL1 energization has taken place correctly, the safety relay RL2 is in the de-energized state (as expected from the last motor deactivation procedure), and no malfunction affect the NTC resistor RNTC. - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 310), the
motor activation procedure 300 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 360), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors. Among the inferable errors, a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,L) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL2 , an intermediate level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,H) may denote a bypass relay RL1 energization failure, whereas a level different from the high SSTATE,H, intermediate SSTATE,I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of thesensing arrangement 220. - Otherwise (exit branch Y of the decision block 310), the
motor activation procedure 300 continues by operating the bypass relay RL1 into the de-energized state (activity block 315) and by checking (decision block 320) whether SSTATE =SSTATE,I (i.e., whether the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays are both in the de-energized state and no malfunction affect the NTC resistor RNTC). - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 320), the
motor activation procedure 300 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 360), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors. Among the inferable errors, a high level SSTATE,H of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected intermediate level SSTATE,I) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC short-circuit or bypass relay RL1 de-energization failure, a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected intermediate level SSTATE,I) may denote NTC thermistor RNTC open-circuit or undesired energized state the safety relay RL2 , whereas a level different from the high SSTATE,H, intermediate SSTATE,I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of thesensing arrangement 220. Undesired energized state of the safety relay RL2 is the least likely error that could affect thecircuit system 200 at decision blocks 310 and 320 (indeed, as better understood from the following description, safety relay RL2 de-energization state is ensured before ending each motor deactivation procedure). - Back to decision block 320, if instead the state signal SSTATE takes the intermediate level SSTATE,L (exit branch Y of the decision block 320), the
motor activation procedure 300 continues by switching the door switch SWL into the closed configuration (by means of the signal SSWL, so that electrical coupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215 is established), and by providing the door lock command to the mechanical lock of the door (activity block 325), thereafter correct door locking is checked at thedecision block 330. - If mechanical lock of the door has failed, exit branch N of the
decision block 330, themotor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), as the possibility of opening thedoor 115 when theelectric motor 105 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of thedecision block 330, it meaning that theelectric motor 105 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open thedoor 115, themotor activation procedure 300 goes on by operating the safety relay RL2 into the energized stated (activity block 335) - thereby allowing the AC supply voltage to be fed across the input terminals T205,IN1,T205,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215 and a limited inrush current (i.e., the inrush current limited by the NTC thermistor RNTC ) to softly charge the bulk capacitor C at the DC supply voltages VDC1,VDC2 - and by checking (decision block 340) whether safety relay RL2 energization has taken place correctly - i.e., whether SSTATE =SSTATE,L indicating that the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays are in the de-energized and energized states, respectively, and no malfunction affects the NTC thermistor RNTC. - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 340), the
motor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360), possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of the detected error. - In the positive case (exit branch Y of the decision block 340), another check is performed for determining (decision block 345) correct, active and functioning communication between the
electric motor 205 and themotor module 210 by means of the standard error/control messages MSG. If correct, active and functioning communication between theelectric motor 205 and themotor module 210 is determined (exit branch Y of the decision block 345), the bypass relay RL1 is operated into the energized state (activity block 350) - so that the working current substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance is entirely fed to the rectifying arrangement 215) - andmotor module 210 activation (and, hence,electric motor 205 correct and safe activation) is commanded by means of the command signals SCOMM (activity block 355), otherwise (exit branch N of the decision block 345) themotor activation procedure 300 ends (activity block 360) possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of the detected error. As visible in the figure, themotor activation procedure 300 ends in any case afterelectric motor 205 activation. - Turning now to
Figure 4 , it shows a simplified flowchart of amotor deactivation procedure 400 carried out by thecontrol unit 230 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Broadly speaking, themotor deactivation procedure 400 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking only if, upon motor deactivation has occurred, the safety relay RL2 is operated into the de-energized state (i.e., state signal SSTATE taking the intermediate level SSTATE,I, so that no electric current is allowed to flow to the driving arrangement 210,215,C any longer), and the bypass relay RL1 is operated into the de-energized state (for consistency with a following motor activation procedure, wherein, as discussed above, the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays in the de-energized states represent the preferred default starting configuration for inferring failures). - The
motor deactivation procedure 400 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals SCOMM , deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 405) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the safety relay RL2 into the de-energized state (action block 420) as soon as theelectric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the command signals SCOMM. This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 410 (whereinelectric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 415 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked). Briefly, themotor deactivation procedure 400 keeps running the decision blocks 410,415 as long as theelectric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 410) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 415). Instead, if (i.e., as soon as) theelectric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 410), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that theelectric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 415), the safety relay RL2 is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 420). As should be understood, elapsing of the predefined time interval might mean that communication between theelectric module 205 and themotor module 210 is temporary or permanently prejudiced (in which case themotor module 210 may not have deactivated theelectric motor 205, or may not have received confirmation aboutelectric motor 205 stopping), so that operating the safety relay RL2 into the de-energized state allows safely interruptingelectric motor 205 powering in any case. - The
motor deactivation procedure 400 goes on by checking (decision block 425) whether the bypass relay RL2 de-energization has taken place correctly and the bypass relay RL1 is energized, as expected - i.e., whether the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays are in the energized and de-energized states, respectively, namely whether SSTATE=SSTATE,H. - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 425), meaning that safe interruption of
electric motor 205 powering is not possible, emergency procedures, not shown, are invoked (possibly, by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of the detected error), thereafter themotor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440). Preferably, themotor deactivation procedure 400 ends by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors. Similarly to the above, among the inferred errors, a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,L) may denote safety relay RL2 de-energization failure, an intermediate level SSTATE,L of the state signal SSTATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,H) may denote undesired de-energized state the bypass relay RL1 , whereas a level different from the high SSTATE,H, intermediate SSTATE,I and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of thesensing arrangement 220. - If instead the state signal SSTATE takes the high level SSTATE,H (exit branch Y of the decision block 425), the
motor deactivation procedure 400 goes on by operating the bypass relay RL1 into the de-energized state (activity block 430), and by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 435) -preferably, while switching on the door switch SWL by means of the control signal SSWL, so as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215), thereafter themotor deactivation procedure 400 ends (activity block 440). - As mentioned above, bypass relay RL1 de-energization, altough not necessary, is advantageously carried out for consistency with a following motor activation procedure (such as the
motor activation procedure 300 discussed in the foregoing) providing the de-energized state of both bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays as default starting configuration for inferring failures - anyway, nothing prevents from carrying out bypass relay RL1 de-energization at the start of themotor activation procedure 300. For the same reasons, as illustrated, no check of whether bypass relay RL1 de-energization has taken place correctly is carried out after the activity block 430 (this check being indeed carried out at the start of the motor activation procedure following the motor de-activation procedure 400), although this should not be construed limitatively. - Turning now to
Figure 5 , it schematically shows a portion of acircuit system 500 of theappliance 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Thecircuit system 500 is similar to thecircuit system 200, reason why, in the following, same or similar elements will not be discussed again for the sake of conciseness. - Specifically, according to the considered embodiment, the
circuit system 500 comprises, as above, theelectric motor 205, the motor module 210 (powered between the first VDC1 and second VDC2 DC supply voltages), the power conversion arrangement for (selectively) providing said DC supply voltages VDC1, VDC2 according to the AC supply voltage selectively received from the line TL and neutral TN terminals of the AC power supply, and thesensing arrangement 220. - The power conversion arrangement comprises, as before, the rectifying
arrangement 215, whose input terminals T215,IN1,T215,IN2 are selectively coupleable to the line TL and neutral TN terminals, respectively, for receiving the AC supply voltage and whose output terminals T215,OUT1,T215,OUT2 provide pulsed DC voltages, and a smoothing (or bulk) capacitor C, whose terminals TC1,TC2 are electrically coupled to the output terminals T215,OUT1,T215,OUT2, respectively, of the rectifyingarrangement 215 for smoothing the pulsed DC voltages into said DC supply voltages VDC1 ,VDC2. - Selective reception of the AC supply voltage from line TL and neutral TN terminals is achieved by means of a number of electrically-operated switching devices, comprising, as above, a door switch SWL provided between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN1 of the rectifying
arrangement 215, and a switching arrangement provided between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215. Differently from the above, the switching arrangement comprises a single (e.g., electromagnetic) relay RL having both bypass and safety functions (thus, referred to as bypass/safety relay hereinafter), and electrically coupled between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifyingarrangement 215. The use of a single relay RL makes thecircuit system 500 more simple and cheap than thecircuit system 200. - The bypass/safety relay RL, e.g. structurally similar to the bypass RL1 and safety RL2 relays, comprises side (fixed) contacts CA,RLCC,RL electrically coupled to a sensing arrangement 520 and to the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying
arrangement 215, respectively, and a central contact CB,RL, movable with respect to the side contacts CA,RLCC,RL , electrically coupled to the neutral terminal TN . In the considered example, the bypass/safety relay RL is herein assumed, in the de-energized state (i.e., in absence of current across the coil), with the central contact CB,RL electrically coupled to a respective side contact (e.g. the side contact CA,RL), and, in the energized state (i.e., in presence of an electric current across the coil)with the central contact CB,RL electrically coupled to the other side contact (i.e., the side contact CC,RL). - In order avoid (in the off condition of the door switch SW1 ) large peak surge currents, or inrush currents, flowing through (thus electrically stressing) the door switch SWL , the rectifying
arrangement 215 and the bulk capacitor C (especially when the bulk capacitor C is initially discharged), thecircuit system 500 also comprises an inrush current limiting device, for example a NTC thermistor (as before) or, as in the exemplary considered embodiment, a fusible resistor RFUSE electrically coupled in parallel with the bypass/safety relay RL for mitigating the inrush current experienced during startup. According to the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the fusible resistor RFUSE is electrically coupled between the central CB,RL and side CC,RL contacts of the bypass/safety relay RL (and, hence, between the neutral terminal TN and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215). - Basically, a fusible resistor is a standard resistor by the electrical viewpoint, and if further designed to open without flames when overloaded (thus, sometimes also referred to as flameproof resistor). The use of the fusible resistor RFUSE instead of the NTC thermistor RNTC makes the
circuit system 500 cheaper than thecircuit system 200, and ensures a constant starting current to be fed to the rectifying arrangement during startup. - Thus, by proper sizing of the fusible resistor RFUSE , during startup (door switch SWL in the on condition and bypass/safety relay RL in the de-energized state) the neutral terminal TN is electrically coupled to the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying
arrangement 215 through the fusible resistor RFUSE , and a fixed starting current (depending on fusible resistor RFUSE resistance) is allowed to flow therethrough. After startup completing or preset time elapsing, the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state (i.e., central contact CB,RL thereof moved to the side contact CC,RL ), thus bypassing (i.e., substantially short-circuiting) the fusible resistor RFUSE and allowing a working current (substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance) to be fed to the rectifying arrangement 215 (through the bypass/safety relay RL, i.e. the central CB,RL and side CC,RL contacts thereof). - The sensing arrangement 520 comprises, similarly to the
sensing arrangement 220, the pull-down resistor RPD , whose first terminal TRPD,1 is adapted to be electrically coupled to the side terminal CA,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (e.g., as above, by means of theMOS transistor 225, or other electrically-operated switching device) and whose second terminal TRPD,2 is configured to receive the lower reference voltage GND, and, preferably, the filtering arrangement FLP. - The sensing arrangement 520, when coupled to the side contact CA,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL (
MOS transistor 225 in the on condition), is intended to sense the (energized or de-energized) state of the bypass/safety relay RL and to provide a corresponding state signal S*STATE. As better discussed herebelow, by virtue of the consideredcircuit system 500 implementation, the state signal S*STATE may take two different levels according to the bypass/safety relay RL state, namely the low SSTATE,L and high SSTATE,H levels. - During sensing, the following bypass/safety relay RL states may be discriminated (and signaled, through the respective high SSTATE,H or low SSTATE,L levels of the state signal S*STATE ):
- In this state, the fusible resistor RFUSE is short-circuited (bypassed) by the bypass/safety relay RL. The central terminal CB,RL of the bypass/safety relay RL is electrically coupled to the side terminal CC,RL , the side terminal coupled to the sensing arrangement 520 (i.e., the side terminal CA,RL2 ) being instead floating. As a result of that, by effect of the pull-down resistor RPD , the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD is pulled down to the lower reference voltage GND. Thus, the state signal S*STATE takes the low level SSTATE,L.
- In this state, the first terminal TRPD,1 of the pull-down resistor RPD and the neutral terminal TN are both at the upper reference voltage VCC (as being directly coupled to each other). Thus, the state signal S*STATE takes the high level SSTATE,H.
- As better discussed in the following procedures, errors to the bypass/safety relay RL or to the fuse resistor RFUSE may also be inferred when the state signal S*STATE takes a level different from the expected one.
- The
circuit system 500 further comprises acontrol unit 530, similar to thecontrol unit 230, configured to receive the state signal S*STATE from the sensing arrangement 520 and the standard error/control messages MSG from themotor module 210, and, accordingly, to control the door switch SWL , the bypass/safety relay RL and the MOS transistor 225 (e.g., by means of respective control signals SSWL,SRL,S225 ) and to command motor module 210 (e.g., by means of the command signals SCOMM ). As for thecontrol unit 230, thecontrol unit 530 is herein assumed to be capable of commanding mechanical lock of the door 115 (by means of the door lock command), and determining whether such a mechanical lock has taken place correctly. -
Figures 6 and7 show simplified flowcharts of respective procedures implemented by the circuit system ofFigure 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. - With reference first to
Figure 6 , it shows amotor activation procedure 600 carried out under the control of thecontrol unit 530 in response to a motor activation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Broadly speaking, themotor activation procedure 600 is aimed at activating theelectric motor 205 if, from a default configuration wherein the bypass/safety RL is in the de-energized state (i.e., the state signal SSTATE takes the high level SSTATE,H), mechanical door locking is enabled, the starting current (i.e., the electric current limited by the fuse resistor RFUSE ) is correctly fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C, communication between theelectric motor 205 and the driving arrangement 205,210,C is active, and the working current is allowed to be fed to the driving arrangement 205,210,C (i.e., bypass/safetyrelay RL in the energized state). In addition, as better discussed herebelow, themotor activation procedure 600 also performs check phases aimed at evaluating bypass/safety relay RL or fuse resistor RFUSE . - The
motor activation procedure 600 starts by checking (decision block 605) whether S*STATE =SSTATE,H - it meaning that bypass/safety relay RL is in the de-energized state (as expected from the last motor deactivation procedure), and no malfunction affect the fuse resistor RFUSE. - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 605), the
motor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place (activity block 640), possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of detected or inferred errors. Among the inferable errors, a low level SSTATE,L of the state signal S*STATE (instead of the expected high level SSTATE,H) may denote fuse resistor RFUSE short-circuit or undesired bypass/safety relay RL energized state, whereas a level different from the high SSTATE,H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520. - Otherwise (exit branch Y of the decision block 605), the
motor activation procedure 600 goes on by enabling mechanical door locking (activity block 610), thereafter correct door locking is checked at thedecision block 615. - If mechanical lock of the door has failed, exit branch N of the
decision block 615, themotor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640), as the possibility of opening thedoor 115 when theelectric motor 205 is activated is not prevented. Otherwise, exit branch Y of thedecision block 615, it meaning that theelectric motor 205 can be activated without risks for any user accidentally tenting to open thedoor 115, themotor activation procedure 600 goes on by determining (decision block 620) correct, active and functioning communication between theelectric motor 205 and themotor module 210 by means of the standard error/control messages MSG. - If correct, active and functioning communication between the
electric motor 205 and themotor module 210 is determined (exit branch Y of the decision block 620), the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the energized state (activity block 625) - so that the working current substantially depending on the AC supply voltage and on the experienced impedance is entirely fed to the rectifying arrangement 215). Otherwise, themotor activation procedure 600 ends without that motor activation takes place, possibly by displaying an error code and/or emitting a sound alarm signal indicative of the detected error. Preferably, the error detected in this case may be either fusible resistor RFUSE opening (so that themotor module 210, being not powered, is not able to provide the standard error/control messages MSG to the control unit 530) ormotor module 210 malfunctioning. - Then,
decision block 630, themotor activation procedure 600 checks wether bypass/safety relay RL energization has taken place correctly - i.e., whether S*STATE =SSTATE,L. In the affirmative case (exit branch Y of the decision block 630),motor module 210 activation (and, hence,electric motor 205 correct and safe activation) is commanded by means of the command signals SCOMM (activity block 635), thereafter themotor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640). - If instead bypass/safety relay RL energization has not taken place correctly (exit branch N of the decision block 630), the
motor activation procedure 600 ends (activity block 640) without motor activation, possibly by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors. Among the inferable errors, a level different from the high SSTATE,H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote, as before, a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520. - Turning now to
Figure 7 , it shows a simplified flowchart of amotor deactivation procedure 700 carried out under the control of thecontrol unit 530 in response to a motor deactivation request, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Broadly speaking, themotor deactivation procedure 700 is aimed at disenabling mechanical door locking if motor deactivation has occurred, and if, after operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the energized state, the state signal S*STATE takes the high level SSTATE,H and if a predefined time period has passed since motor deactivation request. - The
motor deactivation procedure 700 starts by commanding, by means of the command signals SCOMM, deactivation of the electric motor 205 (activity block 705) in response to the motor deactivation request, and by operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the de-energized state (action block 720) as soon as theelectric motor 205 has stopped or, anyway, after a predefined time interval has elapsed from the motor deactivation request (or, alternatively, from transmission of the command signals SCOMM ). This is conceptually represented in the figure by loop connection between a decision block 710 (whereinelectric motor 205 stopping is checked) and a decision block 715 (wherein predefined time interval elapsing is checked). Briefly, themotor deactivation procedure 700 keeps running the decision blocks 710,715 as long as theelectric motor 205 has not stopped (exit branch N of the decision block 710) and the predefined time interval has not elapsed (exit branch N of the decision block 715). Instead, if (i.e., as soon as) theelectric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 710), or the predefined time interval has elapsed without that theelectric motor 205 has stopped (exit branch Y of the decision block 715), the bypass/safety relay RL is operated into the de-energized state (activity block 720). As discussed above, elapsing of the predefined time interval might mean that communication between theelectric module 205 and themotor module 210 is temporary or permanently prejudiced (in which case themotor module 210 may not have deactivated theelectric motor 205, or may not have received confirmation aboutelectric motor 205 stopping), so that operating the bypass/safety relay RL into the de-energized state allows safely interruptingelectric motor 205 powering in any case. Indeed, bypass/safety relay RL de-energization causes intervention of the fusible resistor RFUSE , and hence unpowering the motor module 210 (in fact, the inrush current through the fusible resistor RFUSE is not sufficient to keep theelectric motor 205 powered). - The
motor deactivation procedure 700 goes on by checking (decision block 725) whether the bypass/safety relay RL de-energization has taken place correctly - i.e., whether S*STATE=SSTATE,H . - In the negative case (exit branch N of the decision block 425), the
motor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740) without door unlocking (so as to prevent the user from opening thedoor 115 in a not safe condition of the appliance 100), preferably by displaying proper error codes and/or emitting alarm signals indicative of detected or inferred errors. Similarly to the above, among the inferred errors, a level different from the high SSTATE,H and low SSTATE,L levels may denote a generic error of the sensing arrangement 520. - If instead the state signal S*STATE takes the high level SSTATE,H (exit branch Y of the decision block 725), the
motor deactivation procedure 700 goes on by disenabling mechanical door locking (activity block 735) - preferably, while switching off the door switch SWL by means of the control signal SSWL, so as to cause electrical decoupling between the line terminal TL and the input terminal T215,IN2 of the rectifying arrangement 215) - after a safety time interval (e.g., from bypass/safety relay RL de-energization) has elapsed(decision block 730), thereafter themotor deactivation procedure 700 ends (activity block 740). - Naturally, in order to satisfy local and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply to the invention described above many logical and/or physical modifications and alterations. More specifically, although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details as well as other embodiments are possible. In particular, different embodiments of the invention may even be practiced without the specific details (such as the numeric examples) set forth in the preceding description for providing a more thorough understanding thereof; on the contrary, well known features may have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary particulars.
Claims (18)
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) comprising:an electric load (205),a driving arrangement (210,215,C) for driving the electric load (205), the driving arrangement (210,215,C) having first (T205,IN1) and second (T205,IN2) terminals coupleable, respectively, to a line terminal (TL) and to a neutral terminal (TN) providing a reference voltage (VCC ),an inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC ) and a switching device (RL;RL1 ) between the reference terminal (TN) and the second terminal (T205,IN2) of the driving arrangement (210,215,C), the switching device (RL;RL1 ) being operable in first or second states preventing or allowing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE,RNTC), anda sensing network (RPD) for sensing the first or second states of the switching device (RL;RL1 ) and for providing a corresponding state signal (SSTATE ;S*STATE ), the sensing network (RPD) having a first terminal (TRPD,1), and a second terminal (TRPD,2) coupled to a reference terminal providing a further reference voltage (GND) lower than the reference voltage (VCC ), wherein, during sensing:in the first state of the switching device (RL;RL1 ) the reference terminal (TN ) and the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD ) being coupled to each other such that the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD) receives the reference voltage (VCC ) and the state signal (SSTATE;S*STATE ) takes a first level (SSTATE,H) equal to the reference voltage (VCC ), in the second state the state signal (SSTATE, S*STATE ) taking a second level (SSTATE,I;SSTATE,L) lower than the first level (SSTATE,H).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to Claim 1, wherein in the second state of the switching device (RL1 ) the reference terminal (TN) and the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD) are coupled to each other with interposition of the inrush current limiting device (RNTC ), whereby the second level (SSTATE,I) of the state signal (SSTATE ) is between the first the reference voltage (VCC ) and the further reference voltage (GND) according to a partition between the inrush current limiting device (RNTC ) and the sensing network (RPD ).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to Claim 1, wherein in the second state of the switching device (RL) the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD) is electrically floating, whereby the second level (SSTATE,L) of the state signal (SSTATE ) is at the further reference voltage (GND) by pull-down action of the sensing network (RPD ).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to Claim 3, wherein the switching device (RL) has a first contact (CA,RL) electrically coupled, during sensing, to the sensing network (RPD), a second contact (CC,RL) coupled to the second terminal (T205,IN2) of the driving arrangement (210,215,C), and a third contact (CB,RL) electrically coupled to the reference terminal (TN) and contacting the first (CA,RL) or second (CC,RL) contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device (RL).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching device (RL1 ) has a first contact (CA,RL1) electrically floating, a second contact (CC,RL1), and a third contact (CB,RL1) electrically coupled to the reference terminal (TN) and contacting the first (CA,RL1 ) or second (CC,RL1 ) contacts in first or second states, respectively, of the switching device (RL1 ), and wherein
the appliance (100) also comprises a further switching device (RL2 ) operable in first or second states electrically coupling the second contact (CC,RL1 ) of the switching device (RL1 ) to the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD) or to the second terminal (T215,IN2) of the driving arrangement (210,215,C), respectively. - Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to Claim 5, wherein the first terminal (TRPD,1 ) of the sensing network (RPD) is coupled, during sensing, to the second contact (CC,RL1 ) of the switching device (RL1 ), and wherein in the second state of the further switching device (RL2 ) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes a third level (SSTATE,L) equal to the further reference voltage (GND).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the sensing network (RPD) is a resistive network (RPD ).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, further comprising a filtering arrangement (FLP) for suppressing disturbances from the state signal (SSTATE, S*STATE ).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC ) is a fusible resistor (RFUSE ) or a negative temperature coefficient thermistor (RNTC ).
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the electric load (205) is an electric motor, for example a "Variable-Frequency Drive" motor or a Brushless DC motor
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the appliance is a laundry washing appliance intended to perform only laundry washing operations, or a laundry drying appliance intended to perform only laundry drying operations, or a laundry washing/drying appliance intended to perform both laundry washing and laundry drying operations.
- Washing and/or drying appliance (100) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the appliance (100) further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door (120) thereby preventing door opening when the electric load (205) is activated.
- Method (300,400;600,700) for operating a washing and/or drying appliance (100), the appliance (100) comprising:an electric motor (205) and a driving arrangement (205,210,C) for driving it, the driving arrangement (210,215,C) being coupleable to a line terminal (TL) and to a neutral terminal (TN) providing a reference voltage (VCC ),between the neutral terminal (TN) and the driving arrangement (210,215,C), an inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC ) and a switching device (RL;RL1 ), the switching device (RL;RL1 ) being operable between first and second states allowing and preventing, respectively, an electric current to flow through the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE,RNTC ), anda sensing arrangement (220) configured for sensing the first or second states of the switching device (RL;RL1 ) and for providing a corresponding state signal (SSTATE ;S*STATE ), in the first state of the switching device (RL;RL1 ) the state signal (SSTATE;S*STATE ) taking a first level (SSTATE,H) equal to the reference voltage (VCC ), and in the second state of the switching device (RL;RL1 ) the state signal (SSTATE, S*STATE ) taking a second level (SSTATE,I;SSTATE,L) lower than the first level (SSTATE,H),the method comprising, under the control of a control unit (230,530) of the appliance (100) and in response to a motor activation request:if (310;605) the state signal (SSTATE;S*STATE ) takes the second level (SSTATE,I;SSTATE,L), feeding (335,340;615) the driving arrangement (205,210,C) with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC), andif (345;620) communication between the electric motor (205) and the driving arrangement (205,210,C) is active, operating (350;625) the switching device (RL,RL1) into the second state thereby allowing a second electric current not limited by the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC ) to be fed to the driving arrangement (205,210,C), and activating (355;635) the electric motor (205).
- Method (300,400;600,700) according to Claim 13, wherein the appliance (100) further comprises a mechanical door-lock device for mechanically locking an appliance door (120) thereby preventing door opening when the electric motor (205) is activated, wherein the method (300,400;600,700) further comprises enabling (325;610) mechanical door locking, and wherein said feeding (335,340;615) the driving arrangement (205,210,C) with a first electric current limited by the inrush current limiting device (RFUSE;RNTC ) is performed if (330;615) mechanical door locking is enabled.
- Method (300) according to Claim 14, wherein the appliance (100) further comprises a further switching device (RL2 ) operable in first or second states electrically coupling the switching device (RL1 ) to the sensing arrangement (220) or to the driving arrangement (205,210,C), respectively, in the first state of the further switching device (RL2 ) the state signal (SSTATE ) taking the first (SSTATE,H) or second (SSTATE,I) levels according to the first or second states, respectively, of the switching device (RL1 ), and wherein said enabling (325) mechanical door locking if (310;605) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes the second level (SSTATE,I) comprises:operating (305) the switching device (RL1 ) in the first state,if (310) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes the first level (SSTATE,I), operating (315) the switching device (RL1 ) in the second state, andif (320) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes the second level (SSTATE,I), performing said enabling (325;610) mechanical door locking.
- Method (300) according to Claim 15, wherein in the second state of the further switching device (RL2 ) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes a third level (SSTATE,L) lower than the first (SSTATE,H) and second (SSTATE,I) levels, the method further comprising, after said enabling (325;610) mechanical door locking:if (330) mechanical door locking is enabled, operating (335) the further switching device (RL2 ) in the second state, andperforming said operating (350) the switching device (RL1 ) into the second state if (345) communication between the electric motor (205) and the driving arrangement (205,210,C) is active and if (340) the state signal (SSTATE ) takes the third level (SSTATE,L).
- Method (400) according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, further comprising, in response to a motor deactivation request:if (410,415) motor deactivation has occurred, operating (420) the further switching device (RL2 ) into the first state, andif the state signal (SSTATE ) takes the second level (SSTATE,I), operating (430) the switching device (RL1 ) into the first state and disenabling (435) mechanical door locking.
- Method (700) according to Claim 14, further comprising, in response to a motor deactivation request:if (710,715) motor deactivation has occurred, operating (720) the switching device (RL) into the first state, andif the state signal (SSTATE) takes the first level (SSTATE,H) and if (730) a predefined time period has passed since motor deactivation request, disenabling (735) mechanical door locking.
Priority Applications (2)
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EP15168654.0A EP3095911B1 (en) | 2015-05-21 | 2015-05-21 | Method for safely managing electric motor activation and deactivation, and corresponding appliance |
PCT/EP2016/060991 WO2016184841A1 (en) | 2015-05-21 | 2016-05-17 | Method for safelty managing electric motor activation an deactivation, and corresponding appliance |
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EP15168654.0A EP3095911B1 (en) | 2015-05-21 | 2015-05-21 | Method for safely managing electric motor activation and deactivation, and corresponding appliance |
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EP3095911B1 EP3095911B1 (en) | 2018-05-09 |
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Cited By (2)
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US10541607B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2020-01-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US20230102943A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2023-03-30 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating apparatus |
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WO2012025395A2 (en) * | 2010-08-24 | 2012-03-01 | BSH Bosch und Siemens HausgerƤte GmbH | Circuit configuration for operating a household appliance and corresponding method |
EP2586898A1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2013-05-01 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Inrush current control system |
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2015
- 2015-05-21 EP EP15168654.0A patent/EP3095911B1/en active Active
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- 2016-05-17 WO PCT/EP2016/060991 patent/WO2016184841A1/en active Application Filing
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DE102006060208A1 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2008-06-26 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Device for determining and limiting over current in coil in three-phase or poly-phase electrical motor for use in washing machine, has comparator, by which current is compared in direct current voltage intermediate circuit |
WO2012025395A2 (en) * | 2010-08-24 | 2012-03-01 | BSH Bosch und Siemens HausgerƤte GmbH | Circuit configuration for operating a household appliance and corresponding method |
EP2586898A1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2013-05-01 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Inrush current control system |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10541607B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2020-01-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US10811964B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2020-10-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US11193227B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2021-12-07 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US11578447B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2023-02-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US11753760B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2023-09-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Voltage doubling circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power variable frequency drive |
US12018422B2 (en) | 2017-05-23 | 2024-06-25 | Whirlpool Corporation | Circuit for laundry treating appliance with high power drive |
US20230102943A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2023-03-30 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating apparatus |
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EP3095911B1 (en) | 2018-05-09 |
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