WO2019037986A1

WO2019037986A1 - A washer/dryer comprising a bearer

Info

Publication number: WO2019037986A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/069858
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Cahit OZDEMIR
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-08-24
Filing date: 2018-07-23
Publication date: 2019-02-28

Abstract

The washer-dryer (1) of the invention comprises a bearer (3) placed in the drum (2) together with laundry items by a user, and the electrodes (4) made of conductive material, provided on the bearer (3) and used for measuring the dryness level of the laundry items, move freely during drying process together with the laundry items and independent of the drum (2), and collect real-time data from the laundry items.

Description

A WASHER/DRYER COMPRISING A BEARER

The present invention relates to a washer-dryer comprising a bearer enabling parameters of laundry items, such as dryness, temperature, humidity to be measured precisely and accurately during drying process.

In washer-dryers during drying process, parameters of the laundry items in a drum such as dryness, temperature, etc. have to be measured precisely and accurately. The duration of drying process depends on the laundry items reaching the accurate levels of dryness and temperature, and upon reaching of said levels drying process is terminated. Various sensors are provided on washer-dryers, enabling measuring parameters such as conductivity, temperature, humidity, etc., and the washer-dryer is controlled by means of the data received from such sensors. Generally in washer-dryers, conductivity is measured during drying process and drying process is terminated according to this measurement. Conductivity is measured by means of two electrodes stably placed at the front portion of a drum. During drying process, the conductivity value of the laundry items can be measured when the laundry items in the drum contact said electrodes.

Laundry items are more conductive in humid state. The conductivity of the laundry items decreases as it dries and loses its humidity. The conductivity of only the laundry items contacting the electrodes can be measured during drying. The possibility of the electrodes contacting the laundry items significantly decreases when there is a small amount of laundry items in the drum which are not distributed homogeneously, thereby making it more difficult to determine drying. In this case, drying process is terminated by a timer. This, however, leads to drying process not being fully performed or the laundry items being thermally damaged by being over-dried.

There are several applications for detecting the dryness of the laundry items in the state of the art. One of these applications is, as mentioned above, detecting dryness by placing at least two electrodes to a position where they will contact the laundry items during drying process, and forming a current bridge between two electrodes when the damp laundry items contacts the two electrodes, and evaluating the difference between the resistance values of the electrodes.

State of the art European Patent no. EP2387643 discloses a washer-dryer having a drum rotating in horizontal axis, the washer-dryer comprising electrodes fixed on the inlet port of the drum by way of plastic injection, enabling detecting dryness.

State of the art Korean Patent Application no. KR20030041428 discloses a washer-dryer comprising a dryness detection unit provided in the drum, having electrodes fixed on the wall of the drum.

Another embodiment of the state of the art is disclosed in the international patent application no. WO2004022836. This patent application discloses a washer-dryer comprising a sensor provided on a drum, communicating with a control unit by contactless signal transmission.

Another embodiment of the state of the art is disclosed in the European Patent Application no. EP0940494. Said document also discloses a washer-dryer comprising a conductivity sensor used for detecting dryness of laundry items, and wirelessly communicating with a control unit.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washer-dryer in which parameters such as dryness and temperature are enabled to be measured precisely and accurately during drying process.

The washer-dryer realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a bearer placed in a drum together with laundry items, moving freely in the drum, enabling accurately and precisely measuring the parameters related to the dryness of the laundry items such as humidity, temperature, and dryness by contacting all of the laundry items, on which at least one sensor is provided, and a seat provided on the control panel, enabling the bearer to be charged by being placed thereon and to be further used as a button. The position of the bearer in the seat is determined according to the magnetic field generated by a primary coil provided in the seat, and the voltage values measured by means of the coils on each of the three axes of the secondary coil wound over the bearer. The bearer is thus enabled to be used as a conductivity sensor in the drum, and as a button on the control panel out of drum. In addition, the bearer is not required to be moved away from the washer-dryer to be charged, thereby minimizing the risk of the bearer and the charging unit getting lost.

The position of the bearer in the seat is determined according to the relation between the voltage values on the secondary coils wound on three axes, measured when the bearer is at any position and the magnetic field generated by means of the primary coils provided on the seat. In addition, since in any position there would be secondary coils perpendicular to the magnetic field generated by means of the primary coils provided on the seat, voltage is loaded on said secondary coils and the power supply can be easily charged independently of the bearer's position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit obtains the initial position of the bearer by means of the voltages acquired and directed separately from each axis. The voltage values detected from all three axes in the initial position, are compared to the maximum voltage value that could be received from each one of the axes, i.e. the value of voltage on the secondary coils in the position in which it is fully perpendicular to the magnetic field. The same calculation is also performed for the second position. The differences between the voltage values in two separate positions and the degree of being offset from the perpendicular position, is obtained in percent value for each axis. By this, the position of the bearer in the seat is detected and the obtained positions are used as button data when the bearer functions as a button.

With the invention, the condition for cable-free charging that the magnetic field generated in the seat and the secondary coils positioned in the bearer having to be perpendicular to each other, is met without considering how the bearer is positioned thanks to the secondary coils wound on all of the three axes. In addition, the position of the bearer in the seat is exactly determined by detecting the position in at least two dimensions, enabling the user interface to be used more effectively.

The energy needs of the bearer and the units provided therein are supplied by at least one battery positioned in the bearer and used as a power supply.

The bearer is shaped as a hollow chamber, and in the preferred embodiment, it consists of two parts, namely the upper and lower parts, and is preferably shaped as a sphere. The upper and lower parts are firmly and sealingly joined to each other by the screw threads formed on their sides. By this, humidity, vapor or water is prevented from entering into the bearer in the drum with a humid environment.

The bearer insulated completely from the outer environment by means of the present invention, is wirelessly charged via the control panel. For wireless charging AC voltage is induced on the secondary coils positioned on the inner surface of the bearer by means of a magnetic field. Said voltage is directed and regulated, and is used for charging the power supply. The primary coils enabling inducing voltage for charging, are disposed on the rear surface of the seat. By this, insulation is provided and the appearance is not compromised.

The secondary coil is wound in a helical shape on three axes perpendicular to each other.

One of the significant advantages of the invention is being able to use the wireless communicating bearer as a button by detecting its position on the seat in at least two dimensions. By this, bearer is used in the drum as a conductivity detector, and out of the drum, it is also used as a button on the control panel. As a result of winding the secondary coils on three axes perpendicular to each other, the position of the bearer in the seat can be exactly determined in at least two axes and without requiring utilization of an additional sensor, by observing the difference between the components perpendicular to the magnetic field generated by means of the primary coils. The user interface is thus enabled to be used effectively.

With the invention, the bearer is enabled to be charged in all positions, independent of its position thanks to the coils wound on all three axes. In addition, the information relating to the position of the bearer in the seat can be obtained without using an additional sensor, and the bearer is enabled to be used as an improved button. Humidity, heat and fluid insulation is fully provided as there are no coupling members between the interior and the exterior of the bearer.

A washer-dryer realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washer-dryer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bearer and sensors.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the bearer.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the control panel.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the control panel and the bearer placed in the seat.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the control panel from behind.

Figure 7 is a partial view of the bearer illustrating the secondary coils.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washer/dryer
Drum
Bearer
Sensor
Control panel
Power supply
Control unit
Seat
Holder
Communication unit
Primary coil
Secondary coil

The washer-dryer (1) comprises a control unit (7) in which its operational parameters are controlled, a drum (2) in which laundry items are placed, a bearer (3) suitable to be used in the drum (2), moving freely within and independently of the drum (2), having at least one sensor enabling collecting at least one data such as conductivity and temperature from the laundry items by contacting the laundry items, and bearing said sensors (4), and a control panel (5) through which the operation of the washer-dryer (1) is controlled by a user, and

a seat (8) provided on the control panel (5), on which the bearer (3) is placed when the bearer (3) is not used in the drum (2),
at least one primary coil (11) provided on the seat (8), and
at least one secondary coil (12) provided on the bearer (3), extending on three axes perpendicular to each other, and
the control unit (7) determines the position of the bearer (3) in the seat (8) according to the relation between the voltage values retrieved via the secondary coil (12) and the magnetic field generated by the primary coil (11) (Figure 1 and Figure 4).

The bearer (3) is loaded by the user in the drum (2) together with the laundry items, and the washer-dryer (1) is turned on. The sensor (4) provided on the bearer (4) and used to determine at least one physical condition of the laundry items such as dryness, temperature or humidity, moves freely during drying process together with the laundry items and independent of the drum (2), and collects real-time data from the laundry items. Since the bearer (3) can move freely in the drum (2), it contacts almost all of the laundry items in the drum (2), and enables receiving real-time dryness information from all of the laundry items. The sensor (4) is thus enabled to contact all laundry items independent of the amount and the distribution of the laundry items in the drum (2), thereby enabling collecting the information of the parameters related to the dryness of the laundry items in the most precise and accurate manner. When the bearer (3) is removed out of the drum (2), it is placed on the seat (8) provided on the control panel (5). The primary coil (11) provided in the seat (8) is the coil generating magnetic field, through which passes an alternative current of a frequency higher than the mains frequency. The secondary coils (12) are the coils provided on the bearer (3), energized by the magnetic field generated by the primary coil (11). The secondary coils (12) should be positioned perpendicularly to the magnetic field generated by the primary coils (11) for current to form thereon. Otherwise, the transmitted amount energy decreased or energy transmission is canceled out. Therefore, for the transmitted energy not to be canceled out at all, secondary coil (12) is formed and wound on the bearer (3) on all three axes perpendicular to each other. Thus, energy transmission is provided in all positions, independently of the bearer's (3) position. By this, both charging process and position detection process can be easily performed through the bearer (3). In addition, the bearer (3) is kept in the seat (8) on the control panel (5) without being removed from the washer-dryer (1) when it is not utilized in the drum (2). This minimizes the risk of losing the bearer (3) likely to occur due to keeping it in a location away from the washer-dryer (1).

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit (7) obtains the initial position of the bearer (3) by means of the voltages acquired and directed separately from each axis. The voltage values retrieved from each of the three axes in the initial position, are compared to the maximum voltage value that could be received from each one of the axes, i.e. the value of voltage on the secondary coils (12) in the position in which it is fully perpendicular to the magnetic field. The same calculation is also performed for the second position. The differences between the voltage values in two separate positions and the degree of being offset from the perpendicular position, is obtained in percent value for each axis. By this, the position of the bearer (3) in the seat (8) is detected and the obtained positions are used as button data when the bearer (3) functions as a button.

In another embodiment of the invention, the washer-dryer (1) comprises at least one power supply (6) provided in the bearer (3), providing energy required by the elements on the bearer (3). In this embodiment of the invention, a battery is used as the power supply (6) (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the invention, the washer-dryer (1) comprises a plurality of secondary coils (12) provided in the bearer (3), and one or more of primary coils (11) provided on the rear surface of the seat (8). In this embodiment, when the bearer (3) is placed on the seat (8), the seat (8) functions as a charging unit enabling charging the power supply (6) provided in the bearer (3). When the bearer (3) is placed on the seat (8), AC voltage is loaded (induced) on the secondary coil (12) in the bearer (3) by the magnetic field generated by means of the primary coil (11) provided on the rear surface of the seat (8). The power supply (6) in the bearer (3) is enabled to be charged by directing and regulating said voltage. The bearer (3) is thus charged on the seat (8). Thus, when the bearer (3) is removed out of the drum (2), the power supply (6) provided in the bearer (3) is enabled to electrically connect to a power supply (6) and to be recharged thanks to the seat (8) on the control panel (5). By this, safety of the bearer (3) is enhanced by providing electrical, humidity and thermal insulation as there are no charging connectors provided on the bearer (3). In addition, the bearer (3) is enabled to be charged on the control panel (5), without leaving the washer-dryer (1) (Figure 5 and Figure 6).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washer-dryer (1) comprises a communication unit (10) provided on the bearer (3), enabling contactless data transmission to the control unit (7). In a version of this embodiment, the communication unit (10) enables contactless communication optically by light. In the preferred version of this embodiment, the communication unit (10) enables wireless communication.

In another embodiment of the invention, when placed on the seat (8) on the control panel (5), the bearer (3) operates as a button enabling various parameters to be controlled by the user.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor (4) is a pair of electrodes enabling detecting dryness of the laundry items. The electric current generated between the electrodes during contacting of the sensor (4) to the laundry items, is transmitted to the control unit (7) and the dryness of the laundry items is evaluated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electrodes (4) are connected in series.

In an embodiment of the invention, the washer-dryer (1) comprises two electrodes (4) placed parallel to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two pairs of electrodes (4) are disposed on the bearer (3).

In another embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) is a hollow, enclosed chamber and the electrodes (4) are disposed on its outer wall. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearer (3) is shaped as a hollow sphere formed by combining two semi-spheres. Two of the electrodes (4) are disposed on the upper semi-sphere, and the other two are disposed on the lower semi-sphere. In this embodiment, the electrodes (4) are tape-shaped and have a curvature adapted to the curvature of the sphere. In this embodiment of the invention, the electrodes (4) are disposed on the same line on the outer wall of the bearer (3). The control unit (7) and the power supply (6) are positioned in the bearer (3). The two semi-spheres are sealingly interlocked by the screw threads formed suitably for each other preferably along their sides.

In another embodiment of the invention, the washer-dryer (1) comprises one or more holders (9) provided in the bearer (3), in which the communication unit (10) and the power supply (6) are placed and fastened. The holders (9) restrict the units provided in the bearer (3) from moving with respect to the bearer (3).

Claims

A washer-dryer (1) comprising a control unit (7) in which its operational parameters are controlled, a drum (2) in which laundry items are placed, a bearer (3) suitable to be used in the drum (2), moving freely within and independently of the drum (2), having at least one sensor enabling collecting at least one data such as conductivity and temperature from the laundry items by contacting the laundry items, and bearing said sensors (4), and a control panel (5) through which the operation of the washer-dryer (1) is controlled by a user, characterized by

- a seat (8) provided on the control panel (5), on which the bearer (3) is placed when the bearer (3) is not used in the drum (2),

- at least one primary coil (11) provided on the seat (8),

- at least one secondary coil (12) provided on the bearer (3), extending on three axes perpendicular to each other, and by

- the control unit (7) determining the position of the bearer (3) in the seat (8) according to the relation between the voltage values retrieved via the secondary coil (12) and the magnetic field generated by the primary coil (11).
A washer-dryer (1) according the claim 1, characterized by the control unit (7) determining the position of the bearer (3) in the seat (8) by the values obtained by comparing the voltage values retrieved from each of the three axes to the maximum voltage value which can be retrieved from each one of the axes.
A washer-dryer (1) according the claim 1 or 2, characterized by the control unit (7) summating for two separate positions the values obtained by comparing the voltage values retrieved from each of the three axes to the maximum voltage value which can be retrieved from each one of the axes, and determining the offset from perpendicular position of the differences between voltage values to the magnetic field.
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one power supply (6) provided in the bearer (3), supplying energy required by the elements provided on the bearer (3).
A washer-dryer (1) according to claim 4, characterized by a battery being used as the power supply (6).
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of secondary coils (12) provided in the bearer (3), and one or more of primary coils (11) provided on the rear surface of the seat (8).
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the seat (8) enabling charging the power supply (6) in the bearer (3) when the bearer (3) is placed thereon.
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the communication unit (10) provided on the bearer (3), enabling contactless data transmission to the control unit (7).
A washer-dryer (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the communication unit (10) enabling contactless communication optically by light.
A washer-dryer (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the communication unit (10) enabling wireless communication.
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the sensor (4) which is a pair of electrodes enabling detecting the dryness level of the laundry items.
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the bearer (3) being a hollow, enclosed chamber on whose outer wall the sensors (4) are disposed.
A washer-dryer (1) according to claim 11, characterized by the hollow sphere shaped bearer (3) formed by combining two semi-spheres.
A washer-dryer (1) according to the claims 11 to 13, characterized by the electrodes (4) of which two are disposed on the upper semi-sphere and the other two disposed on the lower semi-sphere.
A washer-dryer (1) according to any one of the claims 11 to 14, characterized by the tape-shaped electrodes (4).