Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-08-07
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
C008S159000, C068S012020, C068S012030, C068S012050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269506
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide methods and arrangements with which recognition of foam formation is enabled without requiring additional sensors in a washing machine.
In general terms the present invention is a method for computer-assisted determination of clusters for recognizing foam formation in a washing machine. In the method the following quantities are measured during a washing process; a pressure in the washing machine, a temperature prevailing in the washing machine, and an amount of water present in the washing machine. Training data vectors are formed from the measured quantities. Depending on the training data vectors, clusters are determined which indicated if a foam formation is to be anticipated for a set of measured quantities.
The present invention is also a method for recognizing foam formation in a washing machine. In the method the following quantities are measured during a washing process; a pressure in the washing machine, a temperature in the washing machine, and an amount of water in the washing machine. Application vectors are formed from the measured quantities. Fuzzy affiliation values of the application vectors for predetermined clusters are identified for the application vectors. A foam formation is recognized dependent on the fuzzy affiliation values.
The present invention is further an arrangement for determining clusters for recognizing foam formation in a washing machine. A processor is configured such that the following quantities are measured during a washing process; a pressure in the washing machine, a temperature in the washing machine, and an amount of water in the washing machine. Training data vectors are formed from the measured quantities. Depending on the training data vectors, clusters are identified which indicate if a foam formation is to be anticipated for a set of measured quantities.
The present invention is also an arrangement for recognizing foam formation in a washing machine comprises a processor that is configured such that the following quantities are measured during a washing process; a pressure in the washing machine, a temperature in the washing machine, and an amount of water present in the washing machine. The processor is also configured such that application vectors are formed from the measured quantities, and fuzzy affiliation values of the application vectors for predetermined clusters are identified for the application vectors. A foam formation is recognized depending on the fuzzy affiliation values.
The invention achieves a significantly more economical and faster recognition of foam formation within a washing machine than prior art methods. This became particularly possible due to the perception that the foam formation is essentially dependent on the quantities of temperature, pressure, amount of water in the washing machine.
Advantageous developments of the present invention are as follows.
A method based on a fuzzy clustering method is preferably utilized for determining the clusters. In this way, a simple, automatic identification of the clusters is possible on the basis of the training data vectors. Dependent on the recognition result of the foaming, a control with which an intervention is made in the foam formation in the washing machine is preferably undertaken.
The control preferably ensues such that at least one of the following actions is implemented: water is supplied to the washing machine, the temperature prevailing in the washing machine is lowered, cycle with which a changing speed and/or rotational direction of a drum rotating in the washing machine is varied, and a de-foaming material is supplied to the washing machine. What is to be understood by a de-foaming material is a substance with which the foam formation within the washing machine is reduced. Thus, for example, an oil-containing additive bonds the tensides in the water and thereby inhibits the foam formation.
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Hollatz Juergen
Runkler Thomas
Coe Philip R.
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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