Abstract
A retrofittable sensor unit for controlling a dosing device of a cleaning machine includes an acquisition module having at least one sensor for capturing measurement variables, at least one monitoring unit for determining a current degree of soiling of articles for cleaning on the basis of the captured measurement variables, a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one dosing device, in particular to transmit a dosing command to at least one dosing device depending on the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning. The retrofittable sensor unit can be arranged separately from the dosing device.
Claims
1. A retrofittable sensor unit for controlling a dosing device of a cleaning machine, comprising: an acquisition module having at least one sensor configured to capture measurement variables; at least one monitoring unit configured to determine a current degree of soiling of articles for cleaning on the basis of the captured measurement variables; and at least one communication unit configured to transmit a dosing command to at least one dosing device depending on the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning; wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is arranged separately from the dosing device.
2. The retrofittable sensor unit for according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor of the acquisition module is configured to capture the condition of a washing solution.
3. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 2, wherein besides the at least one sensor configured to capture the condition of the washing solution, the acquisition module has at least one sensor arranged on the sensor unit and/or the dosing device and/or the cleaning machine for measuring one of the following measurement variables: geometrical measurement variables; mechanical measurement variables; dynamic measurement variables; thermal and calorific measurement variables; climatic measurement variables; optical measurement variables; acoustic measurement variables; electrical measurement variables; and chemical, biological or medical measurement variables.
4. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition module has at least one mini- or microcamera for capturing a condition of an article for cleaning.
5. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a wireless communication unit configured for wireless communication with other cleaning machines and/or for communication with portable user terminals.
6. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, further comprising an autarchic energy conversion system and/or mobile energy supply units and/or a device for inductive and contactless transmission of electrical energy.
7. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is at least in part substantially spherical.
8. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is at least in part embodied as a substantially flat part.
9. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit of the retrofittable sensor unit is embodied as a self-learning unit.
10. A mobile dosing device for measured dispensing of cleaning agents in cleaning machines, comprising: at least one metering chamber; at least one feed unit; and at least one communication unit configured to communicate with at least one retrofittable sensor unit arranged separately from the dosing device and configured to receive a dosing command from the retrofittable sensor unit depending on a degree of soiling of articles for cleaning determined by the retrofittable sensor unit; wherein the dosing device is configured such that a metered supply of cleaning agent is dispensed to the cleaning machine based on the communication with the retrofittable sensor unit.
11. The mobile dosing device according to claim 10, wherein the dosing device has multiple metering chambers embodied as a structure unit and/or at least one electrical valve and the associated control electronics.
12. A mobile dosing device according to claim 10, further comprising an autarchic energy conversion system and/or mobile energy supply units and/or a device for inductive and contactless transmission of electrical energy.
13. The mobile dosing device according to claim 10, further comprising a measurement device for measuring a fill level of at least one cleaning agent.
14. A method for measured dispensing of cleaning agents in cleaning machines, the method comprising the steps of: capturing at least one measurement variable by a retrofittable sensor unit; determining a degree of soiling of articles for cleaning on the basis of the at least one captured measurement variable by a retrofittable sensor unit; and communicating between the retrofittable sensor unit and a mobile dosing unit in such manner that a metered quantity of cleaning agent is dispensed to the cleaning machine depending on the communication between the retrofittable sensor unit and the mobile dosing unit.
15. A system, comprising: a retrofittable sensor unit including: an acquisition module having at least one sensor configured to capture measurement variables, at least one monitoring unit configured to determine a current degree of soiling of articles for cleaning on the basis of the captured measurement variables, and at least one communication unit configured to transmit a dosing command to a mobile dosing device depending on the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning; and the mobile dosing device arranged separately from the retrofittable sensor unit with the mobile dosing device including at least one metering chamber, at least one feed unit, and at least one communication unit configured to communicate with the retrofittable sensor unit to receive the dosing command from the retrofittable sensor unit; wherein the system is configured to carry out a method according to claim 14.
16. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure viscosity, turbidity, pollen load, water hardness, colour flush, pH value, or odour of the washing solution.
17. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 7, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is substantially hemispherical.
18. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is at least partially embodied as a foil.
19. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is arranged on a cleaning machine.
20. The retrofittable sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the retrofittable sensor unit is arranged inside a cleaning machine.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0079] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
[0080] FIG. 1a shows a cross-sectional representation of a retrofittable sensor unit according to a first design arranged on the back of the washing drum of a washing machine;
[0081] FIG. 1b shows a plan view of the retrofittable sensor unit of FIG. 1a;
[0082] FIG. 2 shows a retrofittable measuring and dosing system with separately located dosing device and sensor unit arranged in a washing machine;
[0083] FIG. 3 shows a retrofittable measuring and dosing system as a single combined unit for placement in a detergent compartment of a washing machine;
[0084] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a retrofittable sensor unit in a ball bearing mounted variant;
[0085] FIG. 5 shows a module comprising a combination of retrofittable sensor unit and dosing device embodied as a single unit, arranged in one of the baskets of a dishwasher;
[0086] FIG. 6 shows a retrofittable sensor unit integrated in the outflow of a cleaning machine;
[0087] FIG. 7a shows a cross-section through a design of the retrofittable sensor unit in the form of an adhesively attachable foil;
[0088] FIG. 7b shows a plan view of the retrofittable sensor unit of FIG. 7a; and
[0089] FIG. 8 shows a possible implementation form of communication paths between a retrofittable sensor unit in a cleaning machine and a cloud and user terminals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0090] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the subject matter as described herein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
[0091] FIG. la shows an exemplary assembly of a retrofittable sensor unit 1 which is arranged on the back of the washing drum 4 of a washing machine 44preferably in the middle above the rotation shaft of the washing drum 4and rotates about the axis of rotation 2 of the drum 4 when the washing machine 44 is in operation. In order to minimise friction losses between the sensor housing 8 and the laundry load, the sensor unit 1 is for example conical or hemispherical. According to FIG. 1a, a detection area 12 is conformed as in the housing 8 of the retrofittable sensor unit 1 in form of a recess. The detection area 12 accommodates microcameras 16 andin this examplea viscosity sensor 18 for capturing the condition of a washing solution. With the aid of the microcameras 16 and the viscosity sensor 18, the captured condition of the washing solution may be used to determine a current degree of soiling of the article for cleaning. A dosing command may be transmitted via the communication unit 6 to a dosing device 3 arranged for example in a detergent compartment 30 of the washing machine 44 on the basis of the determined degree of soiling of the article for cleaning. Batteries or rechargeable batteries 10 may be provided to supply energy to the retrofittable sensor unit 1. Alternatively, the retrofittable sensor unit may also be supplied with electrical energy by an energy conversion unitnot shown here. A suitable energy conversion unit may be for example a vibratory gyroscope or dynamo for generating electrical energy from rotational energy. Besides the viscosity sensor 18, a turbidity sensor 18 is also arranged to enable the condition of a washing solution to be captured more accurately, but in the representation of FIG. 1a is concealed by the viscosity sensor 18. Of course, other sensors for capturing a condition of a washing solution apart from a viscosity sensor 18 and a turbidity sensor 18 may also be arranged there. Equally, other supporting sensors which do not capture the condition of a washing solution but measure other variables, and which help to determine a degree of soiling of articles for cleaning more quickly and/or more accurately may be arranged on the retrofittable sensor unit 1. The various sensors, in particular the viscosity and turbidity sensors 18, 18 and the optical sensors in the form of microcameras 16 are positioned in the recess in such manner that the washing solution flows around them. Alternatively, the recesses may also be realised as channels which extend from one side to the other of the sensor housing 8. The retrofittable sensor unit 1 is advantageously attached permanently to the back of the washing drum 4, in particular by force-fitting or material bonding. The retrofittable sensor unit 1 may be attached to the rear wall of the washing drum 4 by screwing a adhesive bonding. Or mounting unitnot shown herewhich is attached securely t the drum 4 of a washing machine 44 and into which a retrofittable sensor unit 1 may be inserted may also be provided for fastening the retrofittable sensor unit 1.
[0092] FIG. 1b shows a plan view of a retrofittable sensor unit 1 as represented in FIG. 1a. Here, the turbidity sensor 18 obscured by the viscosity sensor 18 in the representation according to FIG. la is visible as well as the viscosity sensor.
[0093] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary assembly of a retrofittable measuring and dosing system with separately arranged dosing device 3 and a measuring unit embodied as sensor unit 1. According to FIG. 2, the mobile dosing device 3 is located in the detergent compartment 30 of the washing machine 44, whereas the retrofittable sensor unit 1 of FIG. 1a is arranged in the drum 4 of the washing machine 44. The dosing device 3 and the sensor unit 1 preferably communicate wirelessly via WLAN or Bluetooth with each other and if necessary also with a user terminal 22 such as a user's smartphone or tablet.
[0094] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary assembly of a retrofittable measuring and dosing system as a single, combined unit 1 for placement in the detergent compartment 30 of a washing machine 44. The dosing device 3 arranged on the left side has a cleaning agent chamber 30 and a refilling opening 32 for filling the cleaning agent chamber 30 with cleaning agent. The dosing device 3 is connected to the water line 28 via the electric valve 26 to enable cleaning agent to be supplied through valve 26 in electronically controlled manner. Control is assured in this case via the monitoring unit 20 of the sensor unit 1, which is connected to the electric valve 26 via a control cable 24. The water for the washing machine 44 which flows into the water line 28 from the top during a washing cycle may be analysed by the viscosity and turbidity sensors 18, 18 arranged in the water line 28, enabling a conclusion to be drawn about the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning placed in the washing drum. The retrofittable sensor unit 1 is further equipped with an autonomous power supply in the form of batteries or rechargeable batteries 10 and a communication unit 6 which is configured for wireless communication with any other sensors or a user's user terminal 22, such as a smartphone or a tablet via Bluetooth or WLAN. Of course, the configuration of a retrofittable measuring and dosing system may be realised variously in terms of dimensions and shape depending on the type of the cleaning machine 44. For example, the dosing device 3 may also include multiple chambers 30 which have individual refill openings 32 and are connected to the water line 28 via individual feed devices and electrical valves 26. In this case, the individual valves 26 are advantageously connected to the monitoring unit 20 via individual control cables 24, thereby enabling separate measured dispensing of different cleaning agents depending on the determined degree of soiling of the article for cleaning, controlled by the retrofittable sensor unit 1.
[0095] FIG. 4 shows ball bearing mounted variant of a retrofittable sensor unit 1, in which the sensor unit 1 does not rotate with the drum 4 of a washing machine 44. In this variant, the sensor unit 1 is connected to a mounting 34 that is attached to the rear sidecentrally above the rotation shaft of the washing drum 4so that the sensor unit 1 is able to compensate for the rotation of the drum 4 by the ball bearing 36 and remains in the prescribed position and orientation even while the drum rotates.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows a system 1 designed as a unit combining a retrofittable sensor unit 1 and dosing device 3, arranged in one of the baskets 38 of a dishwasher 42. In this variant, it is advantageous if the retrofittable sensor unit 1 and the dosing device 3 are connected to each other electrically by direct wiring. The system 1 is preferably equipped with an integrated autarchic power supply and may alternatively also be arranged in the cutlery basket 38a of the dishwasher 42.
[0097] FIG. 6 shows an implementation of the retrofittable sensor unit 1 in which the sensor unit 1 is installed in the outflow 48 of a washing machine 44. This includes the integration of an immense variety of sensors at various locations in the outflow 48 for example for measuring viscosity, turbidity and the hardness of the water as it is pumped out, so that conclusions may be reached about the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning. These sensors are connected to the monitoring unit 20, which initiates further measured dispensing with commands to the retrofittable dosing unit 3, which may be arranged in the detergent compartment 30 of the washing machine 44 for example. In this context, the communication unit establishes a wireless connection with the dosing unit via WLAN or Bluetooth for example. The system communicates with a user terminal or home automation system as shown in FIG. 2, also preferably wirelessly.
[0098] FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional view through a version of the retrofittable sensor unit 1 embodied as an adhesively bonded foil. The foil preferably has a diameter of approximately 1 cm and a layer thickness of approximately 1 mm, and may be stuck for example to the inner side of a washing machine 44 door or an inner side of a dishwasher 42 door. In this context, the sensor unit 1 preferably includes printed electrical connections and has a communication unit 52 for preferably wireless communication between the sensor unit 1 and the dosing device 3 as well as with other sensors or user terminals 22. Besides the communication unit 52, a viscosity and turbidity sensor 18, 18 for capturing a condition of a washing solution and an energy supply system comprising rechargeable batteries or batteries 10 in the form of button cells are also provided. Finally, a monitoring unit 20 is also provided for controlling the retrofittable sensor unit.
[0099] FIG. 7b shows a plan view of the retrofittable sensor unit 1 embodied as an adhesive foil as shown in FIG. 7a. Of course, the foil does not have to be circular as shown here, it may equally well be rectangular, trapezoidal, oval or any other such shape.
[0100] FIG. 8 shows one possible form in which communication paths may be realised between an exemplary retrofittable sensor unit 1 arranged on a washing machine and a cloud 56 and user terminals 22 such as a smartphone 22, a tablet 22a or a PC 22b. Control is provided via the monitoring unit 20 of the retrofittable sensor unit 1, which communicates with user terminals 22 via the communication unit 6. In the design represented in FIG. 8, the retrofittable sensor unit 1 is arranged together with the mobile dosing device 3 in the detergent compartment 30 of the washing machine 44. Through the monitoring unit 20, the retrofittable sensor unit 1 may establish a link for example via a Bluetooth connection 64b, a WLAN connection 64c or an Ethernet connection 64d to a router 58 in a private or public network. Through the router 58, which may also be integrated in a home automation system 60, a connection may be established with a cloud 56, either by mobile communications using a wireless router over connection 62b for example with GSM, UMTS, 3G or LTE, or also with a cable link via Ethernet/glass fibre/ADSL or XDSL via connection 62a in the case of a DSL or VDSL router. The cloud 56 includes for example an internet service 54 and implements an internet site which can be opened from a user terminal 22, 22a, 22b following the corresponding authentication. Authentication of the user terminals 22, 22a, 22b with the internet service 54 may also take place over a cable link via Ethernet or wirelessly by WIFI or Bluetooth across paths 68a-c. Upon successful authentication, the desired information can be retrieved and controls of the machine 44 adopted. Alternatively, the cleaning machine 44 may be connected to the cloud 56 or a service 54 running therein directly by mobile communications using GSM, UMTS, 3G or LTE via link 64a. As an alternative to the cloud 56, the cleaning machine 44 may also communication with a user terminal and be controlled thereby with mobile communications directly via the link 66.
[0101] The designs of the present disclosure and the optional features and properties associated with each of said designs as explained in the preceding text are intended to be considered disclosed also in all combinations thereof with each other. In particular, the description of a feature included as part of one designunless the contrary is explicitly indicatedis not to be construed as an indispensable or essential feature for the functioning of said design. The sequence of method steps set forth in the individual workflow diagrams in this specification is not mandatory, alternative sequences of the method steps are conceivable. The method steps may be implemented in various ways, for example an implementation in software (by program instructions), hardware or a combination of the two is conceivable for implementing the method steps.
[0102] Terms used in the patent claims such as comprise, include, contain and the like do not preclude further elements or steps. The formulation at least partly includes the notions of both partly and completely. The formulation and/or is intended to be construed to mean that both the alternative and the combination are to be disclosed, i.e. A and/or B means (A) or (B) or (A and B). The use of the indefinite article does not preclude a plurality. A single device may perform the functions of several units and/or devices described in the patent claims. Reference signs appearing in the patent claims are not to be considered as limiting of the means and steps used.
[0103] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the various embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the various embodiments as set forth in the appended claims.
