Method and circuit arrangement for determining the load and/or unbalance of a laundry drum of a washing machine
US9096964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F2105/54
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
In a method for determining a load and/or an unbalance of a laundry drum of a washing machine driven by an electric motor having a stator with at least one winding coupled to a power inverter controlled by a control unit, the laundry drum is accelerated to a predetermined rotational speed and then slowed down. During the slow-down, the motor operates in generator mode and an electric current flowing through the at least one winding and/or an electric intermediate circuit voltage is measured. The time dependence of the electric power supplied by the electric motor in generator mode is evaluated during a revolution of the laundry drum. The unbalance and/or the load are determined from the measured current values and/or the intermediate circuit voltage and from the determined electric power. A corresponding circuit arrangement and a washing machine with this circuit arrangement are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.