Self-contained and wireless device for a washing machine
First Claim
1. A self-contained and wireless monitoring device for use in a washing machine to indicate shortage of detergent in said washing machine, said monitoring device comprising:
- a sensor arranged to monitor detergent concentration in washing liquid of said washing machine by floating in the washing liquid and to provide a signal indicative of a monitored detergent concentration;
a processor configured to receive the monitored detergent concentration signal, to compare it with a detergent concentration target value, and to provide an alarm signal when the monitored detergent concentration is below the target value; and
at least one of a group consisting of a lamp and a sound-emitting device configured to receive the alarm signal and to communicate to a user that the monitored detergent concentration is below the target value in response to said alarm signal.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a self-contained and wireless monitoring device (10) for use in a washing machine (1) to indicate shortage of detergent in said washing machine. The monitoring device comprises a sensor (13) arranged to monitor detergent concentration in washing liquid (5) of said washing machine and to provide an alarm signal (A) when said monitored detergent concentration is below a target value. The monitoring device is capable of floating in said washing liquid and comprises signalling means (11) for indicating said shortage of detergent in response to said alarm signal. The invention further relates to a package containing such a monitoring device and a method for indicating shortage of detergent.
6 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A self-contained and wireless monitoring device for use in a washing machine to indicate shortage of detergent in said washing machine, said monitoring device comprising:
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a sensor arranged to monitor detergent concentration in washing liquid of said washing machine by floating in the washing liquid and to provide a signal indicative of a monitored detergent concentration; a processor configured to receive the monitored detergent concentration signal, to compare it with a detergent concentration target value, and to provide an alarm signal when the monitored detergent concentration is below the target value; and at least one of a group consisting of a lamp and a sound-emitting device configured to receive the alarm signal and to communicate to a user that the monitored detergent concentration is below the target value in response to said alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for indicating shortage of detergent in a washing machine by a monitoring device capable of floating in washing liquid of said washing machine and comprising a sensor, a processor, and at least one of a group consisting of a lamp and a sound-emitting device to indicate shortage of detergent for said washing machine, comprising the steps of:
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floating the monitoring device in said washing liquid of said washing machine; monitoring detergent concentration in the washing liquid with the sensor; providing a signal indicative of the monitored detergent concentration; comparing the monitored detergent concentration signal with a detergent concentration target value; providing an alarm signal when the monitored detergent concentration is below the target value; receiving the alarm signal by the at least one of the lamp and the sound-emitting device; and communicating to a user with the at least one of the lamp and the sound-emitting device that refilling of detergent is required based on the provided alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A wireless monitoring device for use in a washing machine to indicate shortage of detergent in the washing machine, the monitoring device comprising:
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a body member capable of floating in washing liquid, the body member including a plurality of panel members defined by plate-shaped wings extending in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, the body member further including a plate member extending in a third direction different from at least one of the first and second directions and joining the panel members, the panel members and the plate member shaped to permit passage of washing liquid flow past the body member in a drain of the washing machine; and a sensor connected to the body member arranged to monitor detergent concentration in the washing liquid in the washing machine and provide a signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification