WO2011023821A1

WO2011023821A1 - A washing machine comprising a gas sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2011023821A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/062654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zehra Ulger Atabay; Tevfik Inal
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2009-08-31
Filing date: 2010-08-31
Publication date: 2011-03-03
Also published as: CN102471982A; EP2473662A1; EP2473662B1; CN102471982B; PL2473662T3

Abstract

The washing machine (1 ) of the present invention comprises a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry (L) is placed, a tub (4) wherein the drum (3) moves and a gas sensor (5) that detects the volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) placed in the drum (3).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A GAS SENSOR

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a gas

sensor.

[0002] Detecting the level of dirtiness of the laundry to be washed in the washing machine and determining the washing parameters accordingly is important in terms of energy, water, detergent savings. In the state of the art embodiments detecting the level of dirtiness of laundry is based on the principle of measuring the parameters of turbidity, pH, conductivity, surface tension etc. of the suspension after dirt mixes in the washing suspension. In these embodiments, since the detection process is performed after the dirt mixes in the washing suspension, the completion of the washing process is controlled more than the performance of washing depending on the dirt amount. Moreover, it is not possible to carry out optimum washing programs according to the level of dirtiness of laundry at the start of washing since the washing parameters can be determined after detecting the dirtiness. Therefore, the level of dirtiness of the laundry is required to be determined at the start of the washing process.

[0003] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP 1602766, a

washing machine is described wherein the odor of laundry placed therein is detected by means of an odor sensor and deodorizing process is performed independently of the washing process.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the level of dirtiness of the laundry is detected and the washing process is performed in accordance with this detection.

[0005] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims.

[0006] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a gas sensor that detects odors of the laundry and a control unit that determines the level of dirtiness of laundry by evaluating the odors detected with the gas sensor. The control unit further determines the washing parameters according to the level of dirtiness of the laundry and provides the washing process to be performed in compliance with these parameters.

Unnecessary consumption of energy, time and water is prevented by determining the washing parameters like the washing temperature, rotation and stop times of the drum, the total water amount, the total washing time in accordance with the level of dirtiness of the laundry.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor is disposed between the drum and the tub. Consequently, the reliability of the measurements taken by the gas sensor is increased by positioning the gas sensor at a point near to the laundry.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention an air flow conduit is

disposed between the gas sensor and the drum. A pump is provided on the flow conduit to be situated prior to the gas sensor. The door of the washing machine is closed after the laundry is placed and the drum air is delivered to the gas sensor by operating the pump.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the process of detecting odor of the laundry is performed before the start of the washing process, in other words when water is not yet received into the washing machine. The detected odor values are delivered to the control unit and level of dirtiness of the laundry and the relevant washing parameters are determined by the control unit. Washing performance is improved by determining the washing parameters at the start of washing according to the level of dirtiness of the laundry.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the drum is rotated

several times before performing odor detection process by the gas sensor. Consequently, the odor in the laundry is provided to diffuse into the drum and measurement reliability of the gas sensor is increased.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit, after determining the level of dirtiness of the laundry according to odor detected by the gas sensor, informs the user on this matter by transmitting the level of dirtiness to the display. Accordingly, the user is provided to use the optimum amount of detergent by taking into consideration the level of dirtiness of the laundry.

[0012] By means of the present invention, the level of dirtiness of the laundry placed into the drum and the washing parameters in accordance with this level of dirtiness are provided to be determined.

[0013] A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present

invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0015] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of a washing machine relating to an

embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Drum

4. Tub

5. Gas sensor

6. Control unit

7. Flow conduit

8. Pump

9. Display

[0017] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), a drum (3) disposed in the body (2) wherein the laundry (L) is placed, a tub (4) wherein the drum (3) moves, a gas sensor (5) placed in the drum (3) that detects volatile organic compounds causing dirt in the laundry (L) and a control unit (6) that determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) and the washing parameters according to the level of dirtiness by evaluating data received from the gas sensor (5) and provides to perform the washing process according to these parameters (Figure 1).

[0018] Most of the dirt contained in the laundry (L) is made up of body dirt. For example, the dirt amount in approximately 3 kilograms of laundry varies between about 10 g. to 100 g. The rate of visible stains among this dirt is approximately 25 % and the rate of body dirt is nearly 75 %. The level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) placed in the drum (3) for washing is

determined by detecting the amount of volatile organic compounds present in the body dirt that cause dirtiness in the laundry (L) by means of the gas sensor (5). [0019] The odor values of the laundry (L) placed into the drum (3) is detected by the gas sensor (5) and the detected odor values are delivered to the control unit (6). The levels of dirtiness corresponding to the odor values of the laundry (L) obtained with previously taken measurements by the producer are recorded in the memory of the control unit (6). The control unit (6) determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) by comparing the data recorded in its memory with the data detected by the gas sensor (5). For example, the control unit (6) determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) as low, medium or very dirty as a result of the evaluation. The control unit (6) executes the washing process by using the washing parameters like the washing temperature, mechanical movement percentage (the percentage of drum (3) rotation and stop) and the total washing time recorded in its memory depending on the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L). Unnecessary energy, time and water consumption is prevented by determining the washing parameters in accordance with the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L). Moreover, washing performance is improved by selecting the washing parameters according to the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor (5) is disposed between the drum (3) and the tub (4). Consequently, the gas sensor (5) is provided to take measurement from the area closest to the laundry (L).

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a flow conduit (7) that connects the drum (3) and the gas sensor (5) to each other and a pump (8) disposed on the flow conduit (7) which delivers the air in the drum (3) to the gas sensor (5) (Figure 2). After the washing machine (1) door is closed upon placing the laundry (L) in the drum (3), the air in the drum (3) is provided to be delivered to the gas sensor (5) by operating the pump (8). In a version of this embodiment, the drum (3) air passed from the gas sensor (5) is again directed into the drum (3) through the other end of the flow conduit (7). In yet another version of this embodiment, the drum (3) air passed over the gas sensor (5) is discharged to the outside surrounding after the measurement.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor (5) detects the volatile organic compounds that cause dirtiness in the laundry (L) before the washing process starts. The process of detecting odor and hence the dirtiness of the laundry (L) by the gas sensor (5) is realized after the laundry (L) is placed in the drum (3) and the door of the washing machine (1) is closed before the washing machine (1) receives water. The detected odor values are delivered to the control unit (6). The control unit (6) determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) and the washing parameters depending on the odor values delivered thereto. Energy and water savings is provided by determining the washing parameters at the start of washing according to the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L).

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor (5) detects the volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) before water is received into the tub (4), after the drum (3) is rotated several times. Upon activation of the drum (3), the odor in the laundry (L) is provided to be more disseminated inside the drum (3). Consequently, the measurement precision of the gas sensor (5) is increased.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas sensor (5) detects the volatile organic compounds that cause dirtiness in the laundry (L) at intervals predetermined by the producer during the washing. The odor amount of the laundry (L) is detected by means of the gas sensor (5) at certain intervals and delivered to the control unit (6). The control unit (6) determines the level of dirtiness according to the detected odor amount and updates the required washing parameters relating to the continuation of the washing. For example, whether or not additional rinsing is necessary is evaluated by the control unit (6) depending on the odor value detected after the first rinsing. Consequently, the washing performance of the laundry (L) is improved by the gas sensor (5) performing the odor detection process in different steps of the washing.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a display (9) which transmits the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) inside the drum (3) detected by the gas sensor (5) to the user. The odor of the laundry (L) placed inside the drum (3) is detected by the gas sensor (5) and delivered to the control unit (6). The control unit (6) determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) by comparing with the reference values recorded in its memory and transmits this to the display (9). Consequently, the user is enabled to adjust the amount of detergent used in the washing process by providing to inform the user about the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L). Accordingly, in the case the laundry (L) is less dirty the damage to the environment is decreased by using less detergent, and in the case the laundry (L) is very dirty the washing effectiveness is improved by using more detergent.

[0026] By means of the present invention, the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) placed into the drum (3) can be detected by means of a gas sensor (5). The washing parameters are determined according to the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) and the washing process is executed accordingly.

Consequently, savings in energy, water and time is provided in the washing process.

[0027] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the

embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These different embodiments should also be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) disposed in the body (2) wherein the laundry (L) is placed and a tub (4) wherein the drum (3) moves, and characterized by a gas sensor (5) placed in the drum (3) that detects volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) and a control unit (6) that determines the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) and the washing parameters according to the level of dirtiness and provides to perform the washing process according to these parameters by evaluating data received from the gas sensor (5).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the gas sensor (5)

placed between the drum (3) and the tub (4).

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a flow conduit (7) that connects the drum (3) and the gas sensor (5) to each other and a pump (8) disposed on the flow conduit (7) which delivers the air in the drum (3) to the gas sensor (5).

4. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the gas sensor (5) that detects the volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) before the washing process starts.

5. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the gas sensor (5) that detects the volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) before water is received into the tub (4), after the drum (3) is rotated several times.

6. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the gas sensor (5) that detects the volatile organic compounds causing dirtiness in the laundry (L) at intervals predetermined by the producer during the washing.

7. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a display (9) which transmits the level of dirtiness of the laundry (L) inside the drum (5) detected by the gas sensor (5) to the user.