Washing machine and procedure for displaying a fill level of a detergent drawer in a washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine (100) comprising: an insertion compartment (102) for inserting at least one detergent container (104, 106), at least some parts of which are transparent; at least one light source located in the insertion compartment (102) for illuminating the detergent container (104, 106); and a control device designed to control the light source according to the fill level of the detergent container (104, 106).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a washing machine and a method for indicating the fill level of a detergent container in a washing machine.

[0002] The empty detergent dispenser in a washing machine can, for example, be displayed in text form on the washing machine's display. Furthermore, there are known methods that use LEDs to indicate the empty dispenser.

[0003] Against this background, the present invention aims to create an improved washing machine and an improved method for indicating the fill level of a detergent container in a washing machine.

[0004] Further washing machines of this type are disclosed in DE 10 2015 112719 A1, DE 10 2009 028066 A1, DE 10 2005 049078 A1, EP 2 000 577 A1, WO 2011 / 012468 A2, WO 2013 / 045299 A1 and US 5 873 268 A as well as GB 2 128 640 A and EP 2 459 789 A1, US 2012 / 019114 A1 and EP 2 459 794 B1.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a washing machine and a method with the features of main claims 1 and 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0006] The invention offers the advantage that an empty detergent container can be indicated by illuminating it with light. The detergent container acts as a light guide, designed as a cartridge. Thus, the empty level can be displayed directly on the detergent container. This has the advantage that, for example, when using several detergent containers simultaneously, the user of the washing machine can immediately see which container is empty. The empty level indicator is achieved by illuminating the

[0007] For example, in addition to the text-based indicator for empty detergent dispensers, the empty level can also be displayed on the washing machine's screen. A particularly useful effect can be achieved, for instance, if the detergent dispenser is made to flash rhythmically by illuminating it when it is detected as empty.

[0008] A washing machine with the following features is presented: a slot for inserting at least one detergent container that is at least partially translucent; at least one light source arranged in the slot for illuminating the detergent container; and a control unit designed to control the light source depending on the fill level of the detergent container.

[0009] A washing machine can generally be understood to be a household appliance that uses water. More specifically, a washing machine can also be a laundry treatment appliance, including a washer-dryer.

[0010] A drawer can be understood, for example, as a compartment accessible from the front of the washing machine. The drawer can be located above or below the washing drum. To guide the detergent dispenser when it is inserted, the drawer may, for example, have a guide rail. The drawer can also be designed to hold two detergent dispensers. These dispensers can be inserted side-by-side, a configuration also known as the TwinDos system.

[0011] A detergent dispenser can be understood as a replaceable cartridge for storing a textile treatment agent or other cleaning or care product, for example, also for cleaning the washing machine. The detergent dispenser can be cylindrical or cuboid in shape, for example. Depending on the design, the detergent dispenser can be inserted horizontally, vertically, or at an angle into the slot. The detergent dispenser is made partially or entirely of a transparent or translucent material, in particular a suitable plastic.

[0012] If at least one end face of the detergent container, which faces the front of the washing machine when the detergent container is inserted, and one back face of the detergent container opposite the end face are made of the translucent material, then the end face is backlit by illuminating the back face.

[0013] The detergent container can, for example, be inserted into the slot in such a way that at least a section of the front side is visible from the outside when the detergent container is inserted.

[0014] A light source can be, for example, a light bulb, a light-emitting diode (LED), or an arrangement of several light bulbs or LEDs. The light source must be directed at the inserted detergent dispenser to illuminate it effectively. For this purpose, the light source is positioned on a section of the dispenser's back wall.

[0015] A control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals accordingly. The control unit can have an interface, which can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware-based implementation, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which incorporates various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software-based implementation, the interfaces can be software modules, which, for example, are located on a microcontroller alongside other software modules. According to the invention, the light source is arranged on a rear wall of the slot.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the light source can include at least one LED. A rear wall of the drawer can, for example, be understood to be a section of the drawer wall opposite an opening of the drawer. The rear wall can be opposite the detergent dispenser when the dispenser is inserted into the drawer, for example, such that the light source is at a maximum distance of 3 cm from the detergent dispenser. This design allows for effective backlighting of the detergent dispenser with high light intensity.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the control unit can be configured to switch on the light source when the fill level reaches a lower threshold, where the lower threshold represents an empty detergent dispenser. This allows the empty detergent dispenser to be displayed directly on the dispenser. The control unit can also be configured to switch the light source on and off alternately when the fill level reaches the lower threshold. This causes the detergent dispenser to flash, thus increasing the effectiveness of the empty dispenser indicator.

[0018] Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to switch off the light source when the fill level reaches an upper threshold, where the upper threshold represents a full detergent dispenser. This allows an empty or full detergent dispenser to be indicated simply by switching the light source on or off.

[0019] Furthermore, the control unit can be designed to control the light source depending on whether the detergent dispenser is present in the dispenser drawer. For example, the control unit can be designed to illuminate the dispenser drawer with the light source if the detergent dispenser is missing, thus making it easier for the user to insert the dispenser. This can increase the ease of use of the washing machine.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the washing machine can have a housing flap for closing the detergent drawer. The control unit can be designed to control the light source depending on the position of the housing flap. A housing flap can be, for example, a pivoting or removable cover element for covering the opening of the detergent drawer. This embodiment can ensure, for example, that the detergent dispenser is only illuminated when the detergent drawer is open.

[0021] Advantageously, the light source can be designed to emit light in a variable color spectrum. The control unit can then be configured to vary the color spectrum depending on the fill level. This allows the detergent dispenser to be illuminated effectively in different colors.

[0022] The washing machine may have a detergent dispenser, which is inserted into the drawer.

[0023] The approach presented here further provides a method for displaying a fill level of a detergent container in a washing machine according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method includes at least the following step: outputting a control signal for controlling the light source using a measured value representing a measured fill level of the detergent container.

[0024] This method allows for an effective empty level indicator locally on the detergent container.

[0025] This process can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware, or in a hybrid form of software and hardware, such as in a control unit.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a section of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a drawer of a washing machine made of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a procedure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a washing machine 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. By way of example, the section shows a drawer 102 located below a washing drum of the washing machine 100 for inserting a first detergent container 104 and a second detergent container 106. The drawer 102 is accessible from the front of the washing machine 100. The two detergent containers 104 and 106 are each shown in a fully inserted state, in which one end face of each container, facing the front of the housing, is visible. The detergent containers 104 and 106 are, by way of example, cuboid in shape and can be inserted longitudinally into the drawer 102.

[0028] To indicate to a user of the washing machine 100 that the detergent containers 104, 106 are empty, the washing machine 100 is designed, for example, to backlight the relevant detergent container within the insertion compartment 102 so that the front of the respective detergent container is clearly visible from the outside. For this purpose, the detergent containers 104, 106 are, depending on the embodiment, completely or partially translucent, for example by using a transparent or translucent plastic as the container material.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the drawer 102 can be closed with a pivoting housing flap 108. In one embodiment, the washing machine 100 is designed to illuminate the detergent containers 104, 106 depending on the position of the housing flap 108. For example, they are only illuminated when the housing flap 108 releases the drawer 102, as shown in Figure 1 shown.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a slot 102 made of Figure 1The drawer 102 is shown in a front view without the two detergent containers, so that a rear wall 200 of the drawer 102 is visible. According to this embodiment, a first light source 202 for backlighting the first detergent container and a second light source 204 for backlighting the second detergent container are arranged on the rear wall 200. According to an alternative embodiment, the drawer 102 has only one light source for backlighting both detergent containers or only one of the two detergent containers. The light sources 202, 204 are, for example, two LEDs directed at the detergent containers, here each at one rear side of the detergent container, when these are inserted into the drawer 102. Alternatively, the light sources 202, 204 each have more than one LED.

[0031] In contrast to the one in Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the first light source 202 or the second light source 204 can also be placed on another wall section of the insert compartment 102, for example on a side wall, a ceiling or a floor of the insert compartment 102.

[0032] The two light sources 202 and 204 are connected to a control unit 206 of the washing machine. A control unit 207 of the control unit 206 is designed to control the two light sources 202 and 204 depending on the respective fill level of the detergent containers. For this purpose, the control unit 206 is coupled, for example, to a suitable measuring device for measuring the respective fill level, from which the control unit 207 receives a measured value 208 representing the respective fill level. The control unit 207 evaluates the measured value 208 by comparing it with a lower or upper threshold value, where the lower threshold value represents an empty detergent container and the upper threshold value represents a full detergent container. Depending on the result of the comparison, the control unit 207 generates a control signal 210 to switch the light sources 202 and 204 on or off.

[0033] For example, the control unit 207 generates the control signal 210 to switch on the first light source 202 when the measured value 208 reaches the lower threshold. Conversely, the control unit 207 generates the control signal 210 to switch off the first light source 202 again when the measured value 208 reaches the upper threshold, which occurs, for example, after refilling or replacing the first detergent dispenser. It is particularly effective if the first detergent dispenser is made to flash by alternately switching the first light source 202 on and off using the control signal 210 when it is detected as empty.

[0034] The control of the second light source 204 by means of the control signal 210 can be carried out analogously to the control of the first light source 202 depending on the fill level of the second detergent container.

[0035] Figure 3Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 300 for indicating a fill level of a detergent container in a washing machine can, for example, be derived from the preceding example by means of Figure 2 The described control unit is used. In an optional step 310, a suitable measuring device in the washing machine, for example an optical measuring device, measures the fill level of the detergent dispenser and generates the measured value representing the fill level. In a further step 320, the control signal is output using the measured value to switch the light source in the dispenser drawer either on or off, or alternately on and off, depending on the measured fill level.

[0036] The fill level indicator using X-rays of two detergent containers is made possible, for example, by inserting two light-emitting diodes opposite the backs of the detergent containers in a guide for the detergent containers in the insert compartment.

[0037] Depending on the specific design, different states of the detergent containers are indicated by appropriate control of the light sources as follows: Detergent dispenser full: light off; detergent dispenser empty: flashing; detergent dispenser missing: light on.

[0038] According to another embodiment, the light sources are controlled by sensing the housing flap in such a way that the light sources are only switched on when the housing flap is opened.

[0039] The backlit detergent dispensers not only indicate when they are empty, but also show the exact location of each empty dispenser. This improves user guidance.

Claims

1. Washing machine (100) comprising: a detergent container (104, 106) and a slide-in compartment (102) for sliding in the at least one detergent container (104, 106); at least one light source (202, 204) arranged in the slide-in compartment (102) for backlighting the detergent container (104, 106); the light source (202, 204) being arranged on a rear wall (200) of the slide-in compartment (102); a control unit (206) which has a measuring device for measuring the relevant filling level of the detergent container (104, 106), the control unit (206) being designed to control the light source (202, 204) depending on the filling level of the detergent container (104, 106); characterised by a detergent container (104, 106) which is transparent at least in some portions and designed as a replaceable cartridge for storing a textile treatment agent or a cleaning or care agent, the light source (202, 204) being arranged on a rear wall (200) of the slide-in compartment (102).

2. Washing machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light source (202, 204) has at least one light emitting diode.

3. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (206) is designed to switch on the light source (202, 204) when the filling level reaches a lower threshold, the lower threshold representing an empty detergent container (104, 106).

4. Washing machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (206) is designed to alternately switch the light source (202, 204) on and off when the filling level reaches the lower threshold.

5. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (206) is designed to switch off the light source (202, 204) when the filling level reaches an upper threshold, the upper threshold representing a full detergent container (104, 106).

6. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (206) is designed to control the light source (202, 204) depending on a presence of the detergent container (104, 106) in the slide-in compartment (102).

7. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a housing flap (108) for closing the slide-in compartment (102), the control unit (206) being designed to control the light source (202, 204) depending on a position of the housing flap (108).

8. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light source (202, 204) is designed to emit light in a variable colour spectrum, the control unit (206) being designed to vary the colour spectrum depending on the filling level.

9. Washing machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, the detergent container (104, 106) being slid into the slide-in compartment (102).

10. Method (300) for indicating a filling level of a detergent container (104, 106) in a washing machine (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, the method (300) comprising at least the step of: outputting (320) a control signal (210) for controlling the light source (202, 204) using a measured value (208) representing a measured filling level of the detergent container (104, 106).

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