Detection system of washing machines removable basket and method for detection of washing machines removable basket

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for detecting washing machines removable basket, which comprises at least one washing basket (1) attached to the washing machine, at least one washing basket (2) removable from the washing machine and at least one structural component (3) attached to the washing machine. The system itself consists of at least one sensor (4) and at least one component (5) able to cause excitation in the sensor (4), wherein the sensor (4) can be physically associated to the structural component (3) attached to the washing machine and the component (5) can be physically associated with the washing basket (2) removable from the washing machine. Alternatively, the sensor (4) can be physically associated to the washing basket (2) removable from the washing machine and the component (5) may be physically associated to the structural component (3) attached to the washing machine. The subject method provides for at least one driving step of the motive source (6) and at least one checking step of the output signal of the sensor (4), the detection of the removable washing basket (2) being performed by checking the change of the output signal of the sensor (4).

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising: a first washing basket attached to the washing machine; a second washing basket configured to be removable from the washing machine; a structural component, which is annularly shaped and is attached to the washing machine; a sensor; and a part configured to cause excitation of the sensor, wherein: the sensor is located on the structural component, and the part is located on the second washing basket.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an inductive sensor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an electromagnetic sensor.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the part comprises a magnet.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the part comprises an electromagnet.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the part comprises a light source.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the part comprises a refractive element.

10. A washing machine, comprising: a first washing basket attached to the washing machine; a second washing basket configured to be removable from the washing machine; a structural component, which is annularly shaped and is attached to the washing machine; a sensor; and a part configured to cause excitation of the sensor, wherein: the sensor is located on the second washing basket, and the part is located on the structural component.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises an inductive sensor.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a magnetic sensor.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises an electromagnetic sensor.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the part comprises a magnet.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the part comprises an electromagnet.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the part comprises a light source.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the part comprises a refractive element.

19. A method for detecting a removable basket of a washing machine, the method comprising: activating a motive source of the washing machine; checking an output signal of a sensor of the washing machine; detecting a change of the output signal of the sensor; and determining a presence or an absence of the removable basket if the change of the output signal of the sensor is detected; wherein: the sensor is located on an annularly shaped structural component attached to the washing machine, a part is located on the removable basket, the part is configured to cause excitation of the sensor, and the motive source is configured to be operatively connected to the removable basket.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the activating step of the motive source comprises a rotary driving of at least one complete mechanical turn.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the activating step of the motive source is interrupted at an instant wherein a change in the output of the sensor is detected.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the activating step of the motive source is performed before an initial step of a washing process.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the determining the presence of the removable basket is performed by comparing the change of the output signal of the sensor and a predetermined analog parameter.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the determining the presence of the removable basket is performed by checking at least one peak of the output signal of the sensor.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the determining the absence of the removable basket is detected by checking a maintenance of the output signal of the sensor along at least one activating step of the motive source.

26. A method for detecting a removable basket of a washing machine, the method comprising: activating a motive source of the washing machine; checking an output signal of a sensor of the washing machine; detecting a change of the output signal of the sensor; and determining a presence or an absence of the removable basket if the change of the output signal of the sensor is detected; wherein: the sensor is located on the removable basket, a part is located on an annularly shaped structural component attached to the washing machine, the part is configured to cause excitation of the sensor, and the motive source is configured to be operatively connected to the removable basket.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the activating step of the motive source comprises a rotary driving of at least one complete mechanical turn.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the activating step of the motive source is interrupted at an instant wherein a change in the output of the sensor is detected.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the activating step of the motive source is performed before an initial step of a washing process.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the determining the presence of the removable basket is performed by comparing the change of the output signal of the sensor and an analog parameter previously known.

31. The method according to claim 26, wherein the determining the presence of the removable basket is performed by checking at least one peak of the output signal of the sensor.

32. The method according to claim 26, wherein the determining the absence of the removable basket is detected by checking a maintenance of the output signal of the sensor along at least one driving step of the motive source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be detailed based on the figures listed below, which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic section a washing machine fundamentally based on the second concept (two washing tanks, one attached and the other removable, free of fluid communication with each other) previously detailed;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic prospective the detection system of washing machines removable basket according to the present invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates in schematic top view the detection system of washing machines removable basket according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) As previously mentioned, it is within the knowledge of the technicians skilled in the art that washing machines can take an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1.

(6) In FIG. 1, it is illustrated in schematic section a washing machine mainly composed of an structural set defined by an outer case and a movable lid which provides access to the interior of said outer case.

(7) Inside the outer case, it is provided one washing basket 1 that, attached to the washing machine, is susceptible to rotational movement inherent to the steps of the washing process. The washing basket 1, in its different possibilities of configuration and/or embodiment, is notorious to the technicians versed in the subject matter.

(8) Inside said washing basket 1, it is arranged a stirrer, which is essentially composed by a base and a column. The current state of the art provides for a wide range of configurations and/or embodiments of stirrers, and thus the stirrer is also evident to the technicians skilled in the art.

(9) In general, both the washing basket 1 and the stirrer are functionally connected to a rotating mechanism (not shown) capable of transmitting rotation to these two components. This aspect is also within the knowledge of the technicians skilled in the subject matter.

(10) Inside the washing basket 1, it is provided for the existence of a washing basket 2 that, removable from the washing machine, is capable of rotational movement (inherent to the steps of the washing process) through a motive source 6.

(11) According to the mentioned FIG. 1, the motive source 6 of the washing basket 2 is the column of the stirrer existing inside the washing basket 1. However the motive source 6 of the washing basket 2 may comprise any set capable to transmit the rotational movement of the rotational mechanism (not shown) to said washing basket 2.

(12) The existence of a washing basket 2 removable from the washing machine and arranged within the washing basket 1 attached to the washing machine is also already described in documents belonging to the current state of the art. More particularly, the aforementioned document U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,020 already describes the use of a removable washing basket liable of coupling to the upper end of the column of the washing machine stirrer.

(13) Still according to FIG. 1, it is also noted that the washing machine comprises at least one structural component 3 attached to the washing machine. Such a structural component can comprise from one collector ring of washing inputs up to a connection element of between two or more internal components that make up the washing machine.

(14) Thus, it is important to note that, according to the subject invention, the attached structural component 3 can comprise any component/part/element that, being located inside the washing machine, does not present any kind of movement (except eventual vibrating movements inherent to the conventional operation of the washing machine).

(15) According to the present invention, said structural component 3 is an attached annular structure arranged (and free of physical contact) on the washing basket 1.

(16) All the features and descriptions explained above comprise the current state of the art.

(17) The major inventive aspect of the subject invention mainly consists of allocating a sensor 4 in said structural component 3 and, in addition, allocating a component 5 (able to cause excitation in sensor 4) in the washing basket.

(18) Optionally, the scheme of “allocation” could be otherwise. The sensor (4) could be allocated in the washing basket 2 and the component 5 (able to cause excitation in sensor 4) could be allocated in the structural component 3.

(19) With the addition of these two components, the main objective of the subject invention—provide a simplified system capable of detecting the presence of the washing basket 2 inside the washing basket 1—is fully achieved.

(20) According to the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor 4 is, in fact, arranged in an attached manner along the structural component 3, while the component 5 (able to cause excitation in the sensor 4) is, in fact, disposed on the top edge of the washing basket 2.

(21) Preferably, the sensor 4 and the component 5 (able to cause excitation in the sensor 4) are horizontally aligned.

(22) In this preferred embodiment, the sensor 4 comprises an inductive sensor able to generate an output signal relatively variable to the accuracy of electromagnetic fields.

(23) However, the sensor 4 may also comprise a magnetic or electromagnetic sensor.

(24) Still in this preferred embodiment, the component 5 (able to cause excitation in the sensor 4) comprises a magnet of fixed magnetic field, which can even be injected together with the thermosetting material of the washing basket 2.

(25) However, the component 5 (able to cause excitation in the sensor 4) could comprise an electromagnet (although this embodiment is difficult to achieve, after all, the electromagnet feeding would have to be able to work together with the movement of the washing basket 2).

(26) Anyway, the main idea is that the component 5 (able to cause excitation in the sensor 4), when approaching the sensor 4, change the output signal of the latter, and that this change of the output signal of the sensor 4 is used (by a mechanical, electromechanical or electronic system) to detect the presence of the washing basket 2. Obviously, the non-changing of the output signal of the sensor 4 comprises, however, an indication that the washing basket 2 is not coupled the upper end of the stirrer.

(27) Considering this fundamental concept of the detection system of washing machines removable basket disclosed herein, it can be considered feasible the possible use of a sensor set 4+component 5 based on optical interaction (as opposed to magnetic interaction).

(28) This means that the present system is functional if the sensor 4 comprises optical sensor 4 and the component 5 comprises a generating or refracting source of light.

(29) The present invention further provides a method for detecting washing machines removable basket, which is particularly suitable to the detection system of washing machines removable basket detailed above.

(30) In general, the subject method has the premise of forcing the approaching of the component 5 to the sensor 4, if the washing basket 2 is coupled to the upper end of the stirrer. With this, it is intended to eliminate a possible “false negative” diagnosis that might occur if said washing basket 2 is properly attached to the washing machine, but with the component 5 away from the sensor 4.

(31) Accordingly, the subject method is to activate the motive source 6 (that in the preferred embodiment of the system is the stirrer itself, which is rotated from an electric motor) of the washing basket 2 by at least one mechanical turn, so that the entire circumference of the washing basket 2 is approximated to the sensor 4.

(32) Thus, it is guaranteed that, if the washing basket 2 is in conditions of use, the component 5 will approach to the sensor 4 in order to change its output signal.

(33) Thus, it is guaranteed that the change of the output signal of the sensor 4, along a mechanical turn of the motive source 6, indicates that the washing basket 2 is not coupled to the washing machine.

(34) On the other hand, the non-changing of the output signal of the sensor 4, along a mechanical turn of the motive source 6, indicates that the washing basket 2 is not coupled to the washing machine.

(35) The above change of the output signal of the sensor 4 can be verified by microprocessor forms and systems already known, and the detection confirmation of the washing basket 2 may be triggered by a single peak of the output signal of the sensor 4 (if this sensor generates an output signal related to an electrical quantity easily measurable), or even, and the detection confirmation of the washing basket 2 may be triggered by comparing the change of the output signal of the sensor 4 and an analog parameter previously known (if this sensor generates an output signal related to an electrical quantity not easily measurable).

(36) Also noteworthy is that the activating of the motive source 6 must preferably be performed before the initial step of the washing process (with a rotation lower than the conventional rotation) and can be stopped at the instant in that a variation in the output of the sensor is detected 4.

(37) The mechanical and/or electromechanical and/or electronic means able to activate or deactivate the motive source 6 from various stimuli (for example, the previous detection of the washing basket 2) are widely known by those skilled in the art and does not comprise, somehow, the inventive core of the subject invention.

(38) The same occurs with the electronic (microprocessor and/or micro controlled) means able to verify, estimate and compare the change of the output signal of the sensor 4, that is, such media are widely known by those technicians skilled on the subject and do not comprise, anyway, the inventive core of the subject invention.

(39) Examples of the concepts of the present invention having been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the scope thereof encompasses other possible variations, which are solely limited by the wording of the claims, including therein the possible equivalent means.