Digital sensor and laundry care apparatus having digital sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital sensor (100) for detecting a measurement signal (106) of a laundry care device. The digital sensor comprises a logic circuit (104) for detecting a measurement signal (106) from the laundry care device, converting the measurement signal (106) into digital sensor data (107) for communication according to a predetermined communication protocol (103) and providing it for transmission. The digital sensor further comprises an integrated circuit (102) which can be electrically connected to the data bus system (101) for data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol and which is electrically connected to the logic circuit via a serial data line, wherein the integrated circuit is designed to receive the digital sensor data provided by the logic circuit in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol and to transmit it to the data bus system in accordance with a predetermined data bus protocol. The invention also relates to a laundry care device having such a digital sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital sensor for detecting a measurement signal, such as a measurement signal of a clothing care device, and a clothing care device with one or more such digital sensors. In particular, the present invention relates to a combination of a bus interface integrated circuit and a microcontroller or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for detecting analog signals and the connection to a bus system as a digital sensor. Background Art

[0002] In order to evaluate the measurement signal in a microcontroller or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), it must be digitized, for example by means of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This task can be performed by an ADC integrated in the microcontroller or ASIC. In order to decentralize this task, sensors can be used that contain a microcontroller or ASIC and then transmit the data further in digital form. This relieves the central processing unit. For the further transmission of the data, a bus system can be used. A tried-and-tested solution is to use a microcontroller or ASIC on the sensor, which on the one hand digitizes the measurement signal with an ADC and on the other hand also takes over the bus communication for the further transmission of the data. The disadvantage is that bus communication usually requires several pins and a large microcontroller. Moreover, bus systems such as D-Bus also have several lines and require special circuits, which are not only costly but also require additional space, which is usually not available, especially for small sensors. Therefore, it is often not profitable to develop digital sensors. In addition, software must be developed to implement bus communication on the microcontroller, which in turn increases the development costs of the sensor. Summary of the invention

[0003] The basic object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, highly efficient digital sensor which is able to detect and further transmit measurement signals with low hardware complexity.

[0004] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a laundry care device having such a digital sensor.

[0005] The object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the preferred technical solution of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the optional technical solution, the description and the drawings.

[0006] The present invention includes a combination of a microcontroller or ASIC and a bus interface IC. The present invention also includes the characteristics of a microcontroller or a sensor-specific ASIC, which acts as a sensor and transmits data to the bus via the bus interface IC. Here, the microcontroller or ASIC can act as a master device to actively transmit data via the bus interface IC, and can also act as a slave device to passively accept inquiries or requests from the bus interface integrated circuit.

[0007] The purpose is to digitize the measured data through a microcontroller or ASIC and connect it to the corresponding bus system. In this combination, the microcontroller or ASIC is responsible for the digitization and processing of the data, while the bus interface IC is responsible for communicating with the bus. The combination of the two meets the purpose of the digital sensor.

[0008] As a result, the following technical advantages are obtained:

[0009] There are bus systems, such as the smart sensor bus, which is a two-wire bus that is resistant to interference and can be used over long distances and at low cost due to the small number of lines. It is therefore attractive to use digital sensors on the bus. The CAN bus is used as an example here. However, the CAN bus, the single-wire bus and other buses should also be mentioned, and the present invention can also be used in an advantageous manner for these buses.

[0010] Since there is an ASIC EM8720, which is responsible for modulating the data on the bus and is inexpensive, no complex wiring is required to connect the digital sensor to the bus. As a result, space can be saved for the sensor and the design can be kept small. Since I2C communication is possible between the ASIC EM8720 and the microcontroller or ASIC (which in this combination is responsible for digitizing the measurement signal, for example), only two pins are required. This allows the use of very small and attractively priced microcontrollers or ASICs, while also achieving a small design. Task separation also allows the use of less powerful microcontrollers or application-specific integrated circuits, because the task separation results in less computing time required for each component. In addition, standardized libraries on the microcontroller can be used to provide templates from the ASIC EM8720 and the microcontroller, which can be applied to many sensors, thereby reducing the software development costs.

[0011] The EM8720 is a low-power, low-voltage user-specific integrated circuit suitable for battery and mains-powered applications in the consumer and automotive sectors. Other ASICs with the same or similar functionality may be used in addition to or instead of the EM8720.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the task of the present invention is solved by a digital sensor for detecting measurement signals, such as measurement signals of a clothing care device, the digital sensor comprising the following: a logic circuit, which is constructed to detect measurement signals, such as measurement signals from a clothing care device, convert the measurement signals into digital sensor data for communication according to a predetermined communication protocol, and make them available for transmission; and an integrated circuit, which can be electrically connected to a data bus system according to a predetermined data bus protocol for data transmission, and the integrated circuit is electrically connected to the logic circuit via a serial data line, wherein the integrated circuit is constructed to receive the digital sensor data provided by the logic circuit according to a predetermined communication protocol, and transmit it to the data bus system according to a predetermined data bus protocol.

[0013] Such digital sensors are low-cost and highly efficient due to the integration of two hardware such as a logic circuit and an integrated circuit into one digital sensor, and require only a small amount of hardware complexity to detect and further transmit the measurement signal.

[0014] In addition to the above-mentioned measurement signals from clothing care devices, digital sensors can of course also detect any other analog and / or digital measurement signals and transmit them to the bus system, such as measurement signals from consumer products, electronic and drive systems, dish care devices, general household appliances, refrigeration equipment, cooking equipment, air conditioning equipment and other equipment.

[0015] A data bus system is a transmission system with multiple hardware modules connected to each other via a data bus. In addition to pure data, control instructions and addresses can also be transmitted via the data bus.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the integrated circuit is designed to request the digital sensor data from the logic circuit according to a predetermined communication protocol upon a request for the digital sensor data by the controller on the data bus system and to transmit the digital sensor data to the controller according to a predetermined bus protocol.

[0017] Thus, the digital sensor can act as a slave device, which transmits digital sensor data to the master device upon request of the master device or the controller operating as the master device.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the integrated circuit is designed to make the digital sensor data provided by the logic circuit available to the controller on the data bus system for transmission in accordance with a predetermined bus protocol.

[0019] In addition to functioning as a slave, a digital sensor can also function as a master, providing or transmitting its digital sensor data to a device operating as a slave or to a controller operating as a slave.

[0020] The provision of digital sensor data by the integrated circuit can for example take place cyclically or when new measured values ​​are available. The provision of digital sensor data can take place independently by the integrated circuit.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the integrated circuit can be connected to the data bus system via two electrical lines.

[0022] This significantly reduces hardware and software costs, since only two wires need to be laid for the data bus system. These can be made, for example, of twisted copper pairs, which reduces the susceptibility of data transmission to interference, such as electromagnetic fields generated by the operation of clothing care devices.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the integrated circuit comprises two connection pins, which are connected to two corresponding connection pins of the logic circuit via a serial data line.

[0024] This two-wire connection reduces hardware and software costs because only two electrical lines need to be implemented between the logic circuit and the integrated circuit. Therefore, the structure of the two modules can be simpler, reducing the wiring required for the interconnection between the two modules.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the bus protocol specifies (or stipulates) a smart sensor bus, a controller area network, a CAN bus or a single-wire bus.

[0026] The smart sensor bus provides a simple and efficient smart bus protocol so that digital sensor data of multiple digital sensors can be transmitted via the data bus. The smart sensor bus modulates the digital sensor data with the help of current modulation and transmits it via the twisted pair. In addition, the smart sensor bus can also use error detection mechanisms such as CRC ("Cyclic Redundancy Check") to prevent errors in the data transmitted via the data bus.

[0027] The CAN (Controller Area Network) bus works according to the "multi-master principle", that is, it connects multiple control units or controllers with the same authorization. To increase transmission reliability, a cyclic redundancy check can be used. In the case of copper wires, the CAN bus works with two twisted pairs; the third wire is optional, but is usually used together with the fourth wire for the 5V power supply.

[0028] A single-wire bus refers to a serial interface managed using one data line, which is used as both a power line and a send and receive line. Its advantages are simple implementation and high cost-effectiveness.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the communication protocol specifies (or provides for) communication according to the International Integrated Circuit (I2C) standard or the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) standard.

[0030] The I2C standard specifies (or prescribes) a serial data bus that is primarily used for internal communication between different circuit components, such as communication between a controller and a peripheral integrated circuit. I2C is designed as a master-slave bus. Data transmission is always initiated by the master device (controller); slave devices addressed by addresses respond to this. There can be multiple controllers (multi-controller operation). If a controller module also operates as a slave device in multi-controller mode, another controller can communicate directly with it by addressing it as a slave device.

[0031] The Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) is a bus system that represents a standard for a synchronous serial data bus, via which digital circuits can be connected to one another according to the master-slave principle.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the logic circuit comprises an analog-to-digital converter which is designed to digitize a measurement signal detected from the laundry care appliance.

[0033] An A / D converter can be part of a logic circuit to efficiently convert analog signals such as temperature or pressure into digital signals. For digital signals that need to be detected, such as on / off signals, the logic circuit can also detect the digital sensor signal directly without A / D conversion.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the logic circuit comprises a microcontroller or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0035] The microcontroller or ASIC can digitize the detected measurement signals and connect them to the corresponding data bus system. A simple microcontroller or ASIC that does not require a large amount of circuitry is sufficient for this task. Such a component can be, for example, a standard component that is inexpensive to design and does not require complex hardware.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the integrated circuit comprises a bus interface integrated circuit.

[0037] The bus interface integrated circuit is responsible for coupling and adapting the digital sensor to an existing bus system. For example, it can be a standard electronic module, which is used here together with the logic circuit to realize the functions of the digital sensor so that the digital sensor can be manufactured cost-effectively. Cost-effectiveness here refers to the hardware and software expenditure required to provide the digital sensor.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the logic circuit and the integrated circuit are accommodated in a common housing.

[0039] As a result, the digital sensor can be installed close to the measurement signal to be measured, thereby achieving interference-free or at least low-interference detection of the digital measurement signal.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the digital sensor, the logic circuit and the integrated circuit are mounted on a common printed circuit board.

[0041] The common circuit board can be mounted in the laundry care appliance in the vicinity of the measurement signal to be measured.

[0042] According to a second aspect, the task of the present invention is solved by a clothing care device, which includes: at least one digital sensor according to the first aspect, for detecting a measurement signal of the clothing care device; a controller, for controlling the clothing care device; and a data bus system, which is constructed for data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol, wherein the controller and the at least one digital sensor are electrically connected to the data bus system for transmitting digital sensor data.

[0043] Such laundry care devices can also be produced cost-effectively thanks to the cost-effectiveness of digital sensors, which can simply and precisely detect various measurement signals and transmit them to the controller without causing major disruptions.

[0044] In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the data bus system comprises two wires and is designed to transmit the data of the digital sensor from the at least one digital sensor to the controller via the two wires in accordance with a predetermined bus protocol.

[0045] Since the data bus system in the clothing care device only needs to lay two wires, the hardware and software costs are greatly reduced. The two wires can be implemented by twisted pair copper wires, etc., so as to reduce the susceptibility of data transmission to interference, such as electromagnetic field interference generated during the operation of the clothing care device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

[0047] In the attached figure:

[0048] Figure 1 A block diagram showing a digital sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0049] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a clothing care device 200 with a plurality of digital sensors 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Figure 1 A block diagram of a digital sensor 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0051] The digital sensor 100 is used to detect a measurement signal 106, for example a measurement signal of a clothing care device. As mentioned above, it can also be a measurement signal of other devices.

[0052] The digital sensor 100 includes a logic circuit 104 and an integrated circuit 102 .

[0053] The logic circuit 104 is designed to acquire a measurement signal 106 from the laundry care appliance, convert the measurement signal 106 into digital sensor data 107 for communication according to a predetermined communication protocol 103 and make it available for transmission.

[0054] The integrated circuit 102 can be electrically connected to the data bus system 101 for data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol. The integrated circuit 102 is electrically connected to the logic circuit 104 via a serial data line. The integrated circuit 102 is designed to receive digital sensor data 107 provided by the logic circuit 104 according to a predetermined communication protocol 103 and transmit it to the data bus system 101 according to a predetermined data bus protocol.

[0055] The communication protocol may be different from the data bus protocol or may also correspond to the data bus protocol.

[0056] For example, the integrated circuit 102 may be designed to be configured according to the controller 210 on the data bus system 101 (as described below for Figure 2 100), requests the digital sensor data 107 from the logic circuit 104 according to the predetermined communication protocol 103 and transmits the digital sensor data 107 to the controller 210 according to the predetermined bus protocol 101. Here, the controller 210 can operate as a master device and the digital sensor 100 can operate as a slave device. Both the controller 210 and the digital sensor 100 can operate as a master device or a slave device.

[0057] For example, the integrated circuit 102 can be designed to provide the digital sensor data 107 provided by the logic circuit 104 to the controller 210 on the data bus system 101 for transmission according to the predetermined bus protocol 101. The controller 210 can operate as a slave device, and the digital sensor 100 can operate as a master device. Not only the controller 210 but also the digital sensor 100 can operate as a master device or a slave device.

[0058] For example, the integrated circuit 102 may be connected to the data bus system 101 via two wires.

[0059] The integrated circuit 102 may include two connection pins, which are connected to two corresponding connection pins of the logic circuit 104 through a serial data line.

[0060] For example, the bus protocol 101 may specify a smart sensor bus, a controller area network, a CAN bus or a single-wire bus or the like.

[0061] For example, the communication protocol 101 may specify communication according to the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) standard or according to the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) standard.

[0062] The logic circuit 104 may comprise an analog-to-digital converter 105, which is designed to digitize a measurement signal 106 acquired from the laundry care device. The measurement signal 106 may be an analog or digital measurement signal.

[0063] For example, the logic circuit 104 may include a microcontroller or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., or may also be designed as a microcontroller or an application-specific integrated circuit.

[0064] The integrated circuit 102 may include a bus interface integrated circuit, or may be designed as a bus interface integrated circuit.

[0065] For example, the logic circuit 104 and the integrated circuit 102 may be mounted in a common housing and / or on a common circuit board.

[0066] In one embodiment of the digital sensor 100, the digital sensor 100 includes the following electronic components:

[0067] 101 : bus system, the digital sensor 100 is connected to the bus system via an interface IC 102 , such as an intelligent sensor bus or a CAN bus.

[0068] 102: A bus interface IC that communicates with the bus, such as EM8720, CAN transceiver.

[0069] 103: Communication protocol between components on the digital sensor 100, such as SPI, I2C.

[0070] 104: A microcontroller or ASIC which records the measured values ​​of the digital sensor and processes the data.

[0071] 105: Data digitization methods, such as ADC and timer.

[0072] 106: The analog signal to be measured, which can also be a digital signal.

[0073] 100: The combination of components is called a digital sensor.

[0074] Bus systems 101, such as smart sensor buses, are two-wire buses that are resistant to interference and can be used for longer distances, and are less expensive due to the small number of lines. Therefore, it is attractive to use the digital sensor 100 described herein on these bus systems 101. Of course, in addition to smart sensor buses, CAN buses, single-wire buses, and other bus protocols can also be used.

[0075] Since the integrated circuit 102 (e.g. ASIC EM8720) is responsible for data modulation on the bus and is relatively inexpensive, the digital sensor 100 can be connected to the bus 101 without complex circuits. As a result, space can be saved on the sensor 100 and the structure can be kept compact. Since I2C communication can be carried out between the integrated circuit 102 (e.g. ASIC EM8720) and the logic circuit 104 (e.g. microcontroller or ASIC, which is used in this combination, for example, to digitize the measurement signal 106), only two pins are required. In this way, very small and attractively priced microcontrollers or application-specific integrated circuits can be used, while also achieving a compact structure. The division of tasks also allows the use of less powerful microcontrollers or ASICs, because the division of tasks can reduce the computing time required for each component. In addition, a template consisting of the integrated circuit 102 or ASIC EM8720 and the logic circuit 104 or microcontroller can be provided by a standardized library on the logic circuit 104 or microcontroller, which can be applied to many sensors, thereby reducing the workload of software development.

[0076] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a clothing care device 200 with a plurality of digital sensors 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this example, two digital sensors 100 are exemplarily shown. It goes without saying that there may be only one digital sensor 100, or there may be more than two digital sensors 100, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, or more than 10.

[0077] The clothing care device 200 includes at least one digital sensor 100, as described above with respect to Figure 1 The measurement signal 106 is used to detect the clothing care device 200.

[0078] The clothing care device 200 comprises a controller 210 for controlling the clothing care device 200. The controller 200 may be a part of a central control system, or may also represent a central control system.

[0079] The clothing care device 200 comprises a data bus system 101 designed for data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol, wherein the controller 210 and the at least one digital sensor 100 are electrically connected to the data bus system 101 for transmitting digital sensor data 107 .

[0080] For example, the data bus system 101 includes two wires and is designed to transmit digital sensor data from the at least one digital sensor 100 to the controller 210 through the two wires according to a predetermined bus protocol. For example, the two wires can be two twisted copper wires, which form the data bus system 101. The two wires can be connected to each digital sensor 100 shown in the figure from the controller 210 in the form of a bus, so as to connect the digital sensor to the controller 210 through the data bus system 101.

[0081] The clothing care device 200 is an embodiment of a household appliance. In particular, the clothing care device 200 can be a common clothing care device, such as a washing machine.

[0082] The clothing care device 200 has a device housing 201, which encloses a device inner space 203 (the device inner space is Figure 2 The outer space 204 of the clothing care device 200 (which is only schematically shown in FIG. Figure 2 are shown schematically only).

[0083] The clothing care device 200 has a power interface (not shown) for electrically connecting to a power source. The clothing care device 200 includes one or more digital sensors 100, the design of which can be referred to as Figure 1 and is electrically connected to the controller 210 via the data bus system 101 .

[0084] The clothing care device 200 also has a communication interface 205, which is coupled to the controller 210 through communication technology. For example, the communication interface 205 can transmit data processed by the controller 210 (such as digital sensor data 107) to the outside, such as to an application of a mobile communication terminal.

[0085] from Figure 2 As can be seen in the figure, the clothing care device 200 optionally has at least one user interface 213, such as a knob or a button, for selecting clothing care parameters of the clothing care device 200. Here, the user interface 213 is arranged on the outer side of the panel of the housing 201 facing the outer space 204 of the clothing care device 200, for example.

[0086] In addition, for example, a Figure 2The device door 217 is shown only schematically.

[0087] For example, one of the digital sensors 100 may be placed on the appliance door 217 and indicate whether the appliance door 217 is open or closed. For example, the same or another digital sensor 100 may detect the number of revolutions of the drum of the garment care appliance 200. Another digital sensor 100 may detect the temperature of the garments of the garment care appliance 200, such as the temperature inside the drum of the garment care appliance 200.

[0088] All features explained and shown in conjunction with the individual embodiments of the invention can be employed in different combinations within the subject matter of the invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0089] The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features described in the description or shown in the drawings.

[0090] Reference numerals list

[0091] 100 Digital Sensors

[0092] 101 Data bus system

[0093] 102 Integrated circuit or bus interface IC

[0094] 103 Communication protocols, such as I2C or SPI

[0095] 104 Logic circuits, such as microcontrollers or ASICs

[0096] 105 ADC and / or timer

[0097] 106 Measurement signals, analog or digital

[0098] 107 Digital sensor data

[0099] 200 Clothing Care Equipment

[0100] 205 Communication interface for clothing care equipment or household appliances

[0101] 201 Equipment housing

[0102] 203 Space inside the device

[0103] 204 Clothing Care Equipment External Space

[0104] 210 Controller or central control system

[0105] 213 User Interface

[0106] 217 Equipment door.

Claims

1. A digital sensor (100) for detecting a measurement signal (106) of a clothing care device, Its characteristics are: a logic circuit (104) configured to detect a measurement signal (106) from the laundry care device, convert the measurement signal (106) into digital sensor data (107) for communication according to a predetermined communication protocol (103) and provide it for transmission; and An integrated circuit (102) is electrically connectable to a data bus system (101) to perform data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol, and is electrically connected to the logic circuit (104) via a serial data line, wherein the integrated circuit (102) is configured to receive digital sensor data (107) provided by the logic circuit (104) according to a predetermined communication protocol (103) and transmit the digital sensor data to the data bus system (101) according to the predetermined data bus protocol.

2. The digital sensor (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integrated circuit (102) is configured to, based on a request for digital sensor data (107) by a controller (210) on the data bus system (101), request the digital sensor data (107) from the logic circuit (104) according to a predetermined communication protocol (103) and transmit the digital sensor data (107) to the controller (210) according to a predetermined bus protocol (101).

3. The digital sensor (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The integrated circuit (102) is configured to provide the digital sensor data (107) provided by the logic circuit to a controller (210) on the data bus system (101) for transmission according to a predetermined bus protocol (101).

4. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The integrated circuit (102) can be connected to the data bus system (101) via two electric lines.

5. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The integrated circuit (102) comprises two connection pins, and the connection pins are connected to two corresponding connection pins of the logic circuit (104) via a serial data line.

6. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bus protocol (101) specifies a smart sensor bus, a controller area network, a CAN bus or a single wire bus.

7. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The communication protocol (101) specifies communication according to the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) standard or according to the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) standard.

8. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The logic circuit (104) comprises an analog-to-digital converter (105) which is configured to digitize a measurement signal (106) detected from the laundry care appliance.

9. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The logic circuit (104) includes a microcontroller or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

10. The digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The integrated circuit (102) includes a bus interface IC.

11. The digital sensor (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The logic circuit (104) and the integrated circuit (102) are mounted in a common housing.

12. A clothing care device (200), characterized in that: at least one digital sensor (100) according to one of the preceding claims, for detecting a measurement signal (106) of the laundry care device (200); A controller (210), used for controlling the clothing care device (200); as well as A data bus system (101) is configured to perform data transmission according to a predetermined data bus protocol, wherein the controller (210) and the at least one digital sensor (100) are electrically connected to the data bus system (101) to transmit digital sensor data (107).

13. The clothing care device (200) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The data bus system (101) includes two wires and is configured to transmit digital sensor data (107) from the at least one digital sensor (100) to the controller (210) via the two wires according to a predetermined bus protocol.

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