IP Library Granted Patent US 7,845,198
Granted Patent B2
US 7,845,198 · App. 12/384,363 · Granted Dec 7, 2010

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

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,845,198
App. No.
12/384,363
Granted
Dec 7, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An acceleration sensor for a household device which serves for leveling 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 in a sealed chamber which contains a gas, undergoes a displacement as a result of the acceleration, which is measured by temperature sensors arranged on a flat plate.

Claims (40)

1. A household appliance comprising:

at least one sensor that measures a temperature profile of a heating device integrated in the sensor,

wherein the temperature profile changes based on an acceleration of the household appliance caused by an imbalance or loading of the household appliance,

wherein the temperature profile changes based on a position of the household appliance relative to a direction of a vector of acceleration due to gravity, and

wherein the at least one sensor outputs a sensor signal for leveling the household appliance; and

a display connected to the at least one sensor that receives the sensor signal and displays instructions on an adjustment of the household appliance,

wherein the display displays a deviation of the household appliance from a horizontal position.

2. The household appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the display displays a centering cross when the horizontal position of the household appliance is completely level.

3. The household appliance according to claim 1 ,

wherein the household appliance includes a plurality of feet, and

wherein the display shows which of the plurality of feet of the household appliance need to be adjusted in height.

4. The household appliance according to claim 1 ,

wherein the at least one sensor comprises four sensors, and

wherein each one of the four sensors is assigned to a corner of the household appliance.

5. The household appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the display is one of:

on the household appliance, and

coupled to the household appliance by one of an electrical connection and a radio connection.

6. The household appliance according to claim 1 , comprising:

a plurality of positioning motors that adjust a height of the household appliance based on the sensor signal.

7. The household appliance according to claim 1 , comprising:

one of a pneumatic pressure line system and a hydraulic pressure line system that adjusts a height of the household appliance based on the sensor signal.

8. The household appliance according to claim 1 ,

wherein the household appliance includes one of a damper and a foot, and

wherein the one of the damper and the foot includes the at least one sensor.

9. The household appliance according to claim 1 , comprising:

a measuring device that determines a weight of an item introduced into the household appliance based on the sensor signal output by the at least one sensor.

10. The household appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the household appliance is a cooking appliance,

wherein the cooking appliance comprises:

a frame;

a sheet-metal guide frame suspended from the frame of the cooking appliance by a plurality of springs such that the sheet-metal guide frame is moveable vertically within the cooking appliance, and

wherein the temperature profile of the at least one sensor changes based on a vertical position of the sheet-metal guide frame within the cooking appliance.

11. The household appliance according to claim 1 ,

wherein the household appliance is a linen treatment device having a soapy water container, and

wherein the at least one sensor is disposed on the soapy water container.

12. The household appliance according to claim 11 , comprising:

a warning device that emits a warning signal when the linen treatment device is overloaded.

13. The household appliance according to claim 1 ,

wherein the household appliance is a linen treatment device having a soapy water container,

wherein the household appliance includes a lever device coupled to the soapy water container, and

wherein the sensor is coupled to the lever device.

Assignments (2)
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 →