IP Library Granted Patent US 7,536,881
Granted Patent B2
US 7,536,881 · App. 10/774,978 · Granted May 26, 2009

Linen treatment device with imbalance monitoring, level monitoring or load monitoring

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,536,881
App. No.
10/774,978
Granted
May 26, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an acceleration sensor for a household device ( 20 ) which serves for levelling the appliance and also for weighing the material introduced into the appliance, for example on a laundry unit or crockery and furthermore, in particular for a linen treatment device, for monitoring imbalances. The sensor is based on the principle that a temperature profile, generated by a thermal source, for example, an immersion heater ( 5 ), in a scaled chamber ( 6 ) which contains a gas, undergoes a displacement as a result of the acceleration, which is measured by temperature sensors arranged on a flat plate ( 4 ).

Claims (23)

1. A linen treatment device, comprising:

an arrangement for determining an imbalance of the linen treatment device;

said arrangement including a sensor and a lever device, said sensor coupled to a soapy water container of said linen treatment device by said lever device, said sensor measuring a temperature profile of a heating device built into said sensor; and

said temperature profile being altered by acceleration caused by an imbalance of said linen treatment device,

wherein said lever device includes a first lever arm coupled to said linen treatment device and a fulcrum, a second lever arm coupled to said fulcrum and a hinge joint, and a rail coupled to said hinge joint, said sensor mounted to said rail.

2. The linen treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein said second lever arm is pivotable about said fulcrum.

3. The linen treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein said first lever arm is parallel to a rotational axis of said linen treatment device.

4. A linen treatment device, comprising:

a soapy water container; and

an arrangement for determining an imbalance of the soapy water container, the arrangement including:

a lever device coupled to the soapy water container; and

a sensor on the lever device that measures a temperature profile of a heating device built into the sensor, wherein the temperature profile of the heating device is altered by acceleration resulting from the imbalance of the soapy water container,

wherein the lever device comprises:

a first lever arm having a first end coupled to the soapy water container and a second end coupled to a fulcrum;

a second lever arm having a first end coupled to the fulcrum and a second end coupled to a hinge joint; and

a rail coupled to the hinge joint,

wherein the sensor is mounted on the rail.

5. The linen treatment device according to claim 4 , wherein the first lever arm is pivotable about the fulcrum.

6. The linen treatment device according to claim 4 , wherein the second lever arm is pivotable about the fulcrum.

7. The linen treatment device according to claim 4 , wherein the first lever arm is parallel to a rotational axis of the soapy water container.

8. The linen treatment device according to claim 4 , wherein the lever device pivoting about the fulcrum converts movement of the soapy water container to translational movement of the sensor on the rail.

9. The linen treatment device according to claim 8 , wherein the movement of the soapy water container includes movement of the soapy water container in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the soapy water container.

10. The linen treatment device according to claim 8 , wherein the movement of the soapy water container includes movement of the soapy water container in a direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the soapy water container.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO REMOVE USSN 14373413; 29120436 AND 29429277 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035624 FRAME: 0784. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jun 19, 2015
From: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
To: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
Reel/Frame 036000/0848 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 11, 2015
From: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
To: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
Reel/Frame 035624/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2004
From: LORENZ, TILMANN; REITMEIER, WILLIBALD
To: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
Reel/Frame 014919/0741 →