DE102012001830A1 - Process for the wet treatment of, in particular, laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

Washing machines for commercial laundries are mechanically loaded and unloaded. In order to avoid interference, a loading hopper (18) and a discharge chute (21) are provided with sensors. However, the sensors can only provide a small amount of information. The invention provides for the laundry to be detected visually by a camera (22, 26) during loading and / or unloading of the washing machine. The cameras (22, 26) can determine the flow of laundry during loading and unloading and so give the operator in case of failure information. In addition, the structure or the color of the laundry items from the cameras (22, 26) can be determined. In this way, it can be monitored whether the correct washing program for white laundry or colored laundry is set or automatically adjusted by a controller.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the wet treatment of, in particular, laundry according to the preamble of claim 1.

In commercial laundries, washing machines with larger quantities of linen are mechanically loaded and unloaded. The washing machines may be so-called continuous washing machines which have a drum which can be driven in rotation about a preferably horizontal longitudinal central axis. In the elongated drum with successive chambers, the laundry is washed in a single pass and optionally subjected to further treatments. For this purpose, the laundry during the wet treatment in the longitudinal direction (called passage direction) is transported through the drum. After washing and optionally rinsing, the laundry is unloaded from the drum and transferred to a subsequent dewatering device. In the dewatering device, the washed laundry is freed from a large part of the still bound treatment liquid (bound liquor). Optionally, the rinsing in the dewatering device can take place.

In commercial laundries and washing machines are used in a only a single chamber having (short) drum. The loading and unloading of the washing machine can be done both from the same front side and from different end faces. The dewatering and / or rinsing of the laundry washed in the washing machine can take place in a separate dewatering device, in so-called washing-sling washing machines but also in the drum, in which washing also takes place. A reloading of the washing machine in the drainage device can then be omitted.

When loading and unloading the washing machine or even when reloading washed laundry from the washing machine into the drainage device, a variety of faults can occur. For example, it may happen that the loading and unloading of the washing machine is not yet complete when the washing machine or the subsequent drainage device is set in motion. This can lead to damage to the laundry. Furthermore, depending on the type of laundry, especially depending on the color of the laundry, different washing programs are required. In particular, white linen and coloreds must be washed separately with different washing programs. Otherwise, washing causes discoloration, especially white laundry. Finally, it can come when unloading the washing machine to blockages of the laundry. It will not unload the entire batch of laundry, which often goes unnoticed and can lead to disturbances during subsequent operation of the washing machine.

Based on the above, the present invention seeks to provide a method for easy and reliable monitoring of the wet treatment of particular laundry.

A method for achieving this object comprises the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, at least one imaging device is used during loading and / or unloading of the laundry items. As a result, especially the loading and / or unloading process of the washing machine and possibly also the drainage device can be monitored. The imaging device not only detects the presence of laundry, but it can also be a visual or visual laundry detection, preferably as image recognition, take place. This leads to a much more reliable monitoring and detection of the laundry than was possible with the previously used sensors.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the laundry is detected visually at least during loading and / or unloading of the washing machine by the imaging device, which can also be referred to as an image recognition device or image-forming device. There are thus generated by the imaging device images that allow conclusions by an appropriate electronic evaluation on the loading and / or unloading. Preferably, the type of laundry is determined by the imaging device, in particular during loading and / or unloading of the washing machine or the drum thereof. This is preferably the color and / or structure of the laundry. This makes it possible to draw conclusions about the type of laundry and / or whether it is colored or white laundry. Thereafter, the required wash program can be set automatically or monitoring whether an operator has selected the correct wash program. In addition, individual images, image sequences or image sequences recorded by the at least one imaging device can be stored for quality control or quality monitoring.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the laundry before and / or behind the drum of the washing machine and optionally before the dewatering device is detected by the at least one imaging device. Usually there is a loading chute in front of the drum and behind the drum a discharge chute. Then the expediently Laundry, which enters the drum via the loading chute and / or the laundry, which is discharged from the drum via the discharge chute, continuously, preferably continuously or at certain intervals visually and / or figuratively detected. This allows conclusions to be drawn on the loading and / or unloading.

The method may be developed in such a way that at least one imaging device detects a loading-side starting region and / or a discharge-side end region of the drum. The respective imaging device then looks almost onto or into the beginning region and / or end region of the drum. In this way it can be determined how the laundry behaves in the loading area and / or unloading area. For example, it can be recognized whether laundry blockages are present in the loading or unloading area. By observing the discharge area of the drum, it can be determined whether the respective laundry item has been completely unloaded from the drum, in particular the last chamber thereof.

Another advantageous embodiment of the method provides to detect the loading of the drainage device by at least one imaging device. This makes it possible to determine whether the entire laundry to be unloaded from the washing machine has been transferred to the dewatering device. So it can be ensured that not individual items of laundry have only partially entered the drainage device, which at the start of the drainage device destruction of the same would result. Preferably, the same imaging device is used to detect the loading of the dewatering device, which is also used to detect the discharge of the washing machine. For this purpose, the imaging device can be designed such that it detects both the unloading of the washing machine and the loading of the drainage device. However, it is also conceivable to pivot the imaging device in a controlled manner, so that it is directed either to the rear discharge area of the washing machine or to the starting area of the dewatering press and generates corresponding images. In an analogous manner, the imaging device at the loading end of the washing machine can also be controlled such that it generates images of different areas in front of the washing machine, for example the area of the loading chute or the first treatment chamber of the drum of the washing machine.

Optionally, the method may be developed so that the detection of the laundry by the at least imaging device in response to a presence of laundry detecting sensor starts and / or stopped. In this way, it is possible to take the respective imaging device only when needed in operation or make a switch between different imaging devices, in particular at the beginning and at the end of the drum.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the individual images, image sequences or also a film-yielding image sequences are recorded or generated by the at least one imaging device. Advantageously, such images, image sequences or films are stored, for example, in a database. The stored images or films can be used to document the loading and / or unloading process or the washing process. The stored images or films can then be used in any complaints for cause research or serve for quality control or quality assurance. It is also conceivable to compare the images or image sequences or image sequences (films) recorded by the at least one imaging device with computer-aided image evaluations with previously stored images or films and, in the case of deviations, to inform the operator station, for example, so that countermeasures can be taken if necessary.

It is preferably provided to determine a suitable and required washing program on the basis of the information captured by the at least one imaging device, such as images of the laundry. Preferably, the corresponding washing program is automatically selected and set and / or the manual adjustment of the washing program is checked by the operator. For this purpose, the color and / or structure or fabric type of the laundry are used. When the color of the laundry is used, the imaging device is ideally one which captures and generates colored images. This can be avoided, for example, that white linen is treated as coloreds. It is also recognizable whether a laundry item contains not only white linen, but also coloreds or vice versa.

It is conceivable that it is procedurally provided to detect the flow of the items of laundry from the at least one imaging device, in particular when unloading the drum of the washing machine. As a result, any blockages or other irregularities occurring in the end region of the drum during unloading can be detected and corresponding countermeasures can be initiated automatically or operator-guided.

For discharging, it is provided in a preferred embodiment of the method, after a certain period of time in which the imaging device no longer detects any discharged laundry, automatically start the dewatering device. This procedure is based on the knowledge that the entire discharged laundry must be in the dewatering device if, over a certain period of time, the imaging device has not detected any items of laundry. The time period is chosen to be greater than occasional breaks in the flow of laundry when unloading the washing machine. If no laundry passes through the unloading chute for an extended period of time, a complete unloading of the laundry load can be assumed. After this period of time, the last items of laundry must also have been loaded into the dewatering device so that the dewatering device can be started without the risk of damaging individual items of laundry.

A further refinement of the method is conceivable in which, based on the images or image sequences recorded by the respective imaging device, it is determined by an automatic comparison by, for example, electronic image processing with previously recorded images or image sequences, whether the loading and / or unloading process has begun or has begun. finished. It is thus determined by deviations of recorded at different times images, image sequences or image sequences, whether deviations are present. From such deviations, not only the beginning or end of the loading and unloading can be determined, also other information can be derived from it, for example, blockages inside the drum.

A further advantageous refinement of the method provides for an automatic indirect determination of the amount of laundry to be determined with images acquired by the respective imaging device over a specific period of time. The images supplied by the respective imaging device allow, in particular, if they are evaluated over a certain period evaluated, a computational laundry determination. It. conclusions are possible, whether the whole laundry item has been unloaded from the washing machine and it can also make laundry items with a certain amount of laundry when loading the washing machine. Even malfunctions, such as blockages of the laundry at the beginning or at the end of the drum of the washing machine, can be determined. The same procedure can be followed when loading the dewatering device and / or when unloading the washing machine in order to automatically determine whether the entire batch of laundry has been discharged from the last treatment chamber.

Finally, it is provided that a camera, for example a digital camera, is preferably used as the imaging device. In particular, this is a color camera or digital color camera. Although black-and-white cameras allow the color of the laundry to be determined by light / dark discrimination, color cameras, especially digital color cameras, are more suitable because it is also possible to determine which color the respective laundry items have.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

1 a schematic side view of a commercial washing machine with a subsequent dewatering device,

2 an enlarged view of a loading end of the washing machine of 1 .

3 an alternative view of the loading end according to the 2 .

4 an enlarged view of a discharge end of the washing machine with the subsequent dewatering device, and

5 the discharge end of the washing machine according to the 4 with a subsequent other drainage device.

The figures show different apparatus for washing and dewatering laundry. Such devices are commonly referred to as washes. The washing machine is used to wash the laundry by the post.

The washing machines shown in the figures are so-called continuous washing machines 10 commonly used in commercial laundries. The drainage facilities may be a drainage press 11 ( 1 to 4 ) or a laundry centrifuge 12 (Slingshot) act.

The pass-through washing machine 10 has an elongated drum 13 with a cylindrical drum shell. The drum 13 is about a horizontal longitudinal central axis 14 rotatable drivable. Depending on the operating mode, the drum 13 driven in different directions. The drum is unloaded 13 driven in a different direction than for washing.

The drum 13 the pass-through washing machine 10 is divided into different along the longitudinal central axis 14 successive treatment chambers 15 , The laundry passes by the way in the direction of treatment 16 successive treatment chambers 15 , When unloading a laundry item from the last treatment chamber 15 at the same time a transfer of the laundry from a treatment chamber 15 in the next treatment chamber 15 , One or more treatment chambers 15 form different treatment zones in the drum 13 , in particular a prewash zone, one in the treatment direction 16 subsequent final wash zone and optionally a rinse zone and / or aftertreatment zone. The treatment chambers 15 can be the same, but also different in size. Also, the number of treatment chambers 15 in the drum 13 be arbitrary, in particular of the continuous washing machine shown 10 with new treatment chambers 15 differ.

One (in the 1 left) input end 17 the drum 13 the pass-through washing machine 10 is a loading funnel 18 upstream. About the loading funnel 18 becomes the drum 13 the pass-through washing machine 10 , in the treatment direction 16 seen first treatment chamber 15 , through its front wall having an opening 19 loaded. The opposite output end 20 the drum 13 associated discharge end 20 is a discharge chute 21 assigned. The unloading chute 21 is designed so that from this the laundry directly into the continuous washing machine 10 downstream dewatering press 11 can get. Thus, the dewatering press 11 over the discharge chute 21 the pass-through washing machine 10 loaded.

The 2 and 3 show one to the loading end 17 associated imaging device. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the imaging device is so in front of the loading end 17 arranged that they are the loading hopper 18 is assigned, in the treatment direction 16 seen above and slightly in front of the loading hopper 18 , The imaging device is in the illustrated embodiment as a camera 22 educated. This is preferably a digital camera. In particular, as a camera 22 used a digital color camera. An image axis 23 the camera 22 runs in the embodiment shown at an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° to the vertical, in such a way that the image axis 23 in the middle of the loading hopper 18 and / or the opening in the end wall 19 the loading end 17 the drum 13 is addressed ( 2 and 3 ). The camera 22 suitably has such a focal length that they the entire interior of the loading hopper 18 and at least a majority of the opening in the end wall 19 the drum 13 can capture.

The laundry, of which in the 2 and 3 a single piece of laundry 24 is hinted, is posted from the top of the loading hopper 18 entered. In the embodiment shown is an open laundry bag 25 above the loading hopper 18 shown, from which the laundry items 24 of the laundry lot gradually into the loading hopper 18 be thrown off and from there preferably with the addition of pre-wash or pre-wash in the first treatment chamber 15 the loading end 17 the drum 13 be washed in. With the camera 22 becomes during the loading process of the continuous washing machine 10 made a visual laundry detection. With the camera 22 can also be at least part of the interior of the first treatment chamber 15 the loading end 17 the drum 13 to be watched.

Another camera 26 is the unloading 20 the pass-through washing machine 10 assigned. This camera 26 can be designed as well as the camera 22 at the loading end 17 , The camera 26 is in the illustrated embodiment above the unloading chute 21 arranged, and preferably centrally above the discharge chute 21 ,

The optical axis or image axis 27 the camera 26 is in the treatment direction 16 Seen slightly obliquely, namely at an angle between 10 ° and 45 ° in the direction of the camera 26 to the dewatering press 10 out.

One or both cameras 22 . 26 can both be fixed at a predetermined angle obliquely above the loading hopper 18 and the unloading chute 21 be arranged. It is also possible to use the camera 22 and or 26 pivotable or movable above the discharge chute 21 and / or the loading hopper 18 to arrange. The cameras 22 and or 26 may also have a variable focal length (zoom lens) to selectively capture or image a larger or smaller area.

The inventive method is described below with reference to the 1 to 4 the drawing explained in more detail:
Through the camera 22 becomes the loading operation of the continuous washing machine 10 observed by performing a visual wash detection. The camera 22 can also serve through the opening in the end wall 19 the interior of the first chamber 15 to observe during prewashing. The camera 26 at the unloading end 20 the pass-through washing machine 10 serves to unload the continuous washing machine 10 to observe. The camera 26 can also serve to load the dewatering press 11 to observe. The inventive method can also be realized by only at least one camera 22 at the loading end 17 the pass-through washing machine 10 or at least one camera 26 only at the unloading end 20 the pass-through washing machine 10 ,

At the cameras 22 and 26 These are imaging devices that are a single piece of laundry 24 or several related laundry items 24 detect the presence of at least one item of laundry 24 in the area of the loading hopper 18 or the unloading chute 21 , the determination of the shape of a piece of laundry 24 and the type of garment 24 , And conclusions about the tissue permitting structure and / or the color of the laundry article 24 , At least the color of the respective item of laundry is preferred 24 from the at least one camera 22 when loading the continuous washing machine 10 determined. The camera 26 between the continuous washing machine 10 and the drainage press 11 needs the type of laundry 24 , in particular the color and / or structure thereof, not to be determined. At the unloading end 24 the pass-through washing machine 10 it suffices to determine the presence of at least one item of laundry on or in the unloading chute 21 out.

In the case of preferably identically formed cameras 22 . 26 These are imaging devices which, in contrast to light barriers and also sensors, images, preferably color images, of the laundry 24 or several pieces of laundry 24 determined. This may be a digital camera, in particular a digital color camera, which visually controls the loading and / or unloading process of the continuous washing machine 10 and optionally the dewatering press 11 is observable.

The 2 and 3 show the visual detection of the laundry items 24 made from a bottom open laundry bag 25 from the top into the loading hopper 18 fall. The laundry items 24 can the hopper 18 but also be fed in any other way. There are individual items of laundry 24 or a group of several pieces of laundry 24 determined simultaneously. The 2 and 3 show a single one out of the laundry bag 25 next laundry 24 that from the camera 22 is detected. The camera 22 take a picture of the laundry 24 , The respective picture becomes (symbolically left in the 2 and 3 represented) each electronically stored. In electronic data storage are thus images of individual laundry items 24 and / or several pieces of laundry at the same time 24 stored. After loading is complete, all are loaded by the camera during the loading process 22 taken pictures of the laundry 24 electronically stored as a sequence or as a movie. This creates a database of every loading process. This database can be used for quality control or in case of complaints serve as proof of the proper treatment of the laundry.

The camera 22 can detect if the continuous washing machine 10 with white laundry 24 ( 2 ) or colorful laundry items ( 3 ) is loaded. Accordingly, those of the camera 22 taken pictures for the automatic choice of the washing program, namely for coloreds or for white laundry serve. Alternatively, those from the camera 22 during the loading process taken pictures of the laundry 24 serve to control the washing program set by the operator, namely coloreds or white laundry. If there is a deviation, there is a control that responds to when loading the continuous washing machine 10 taken photos of the laundry 24 falls back, a warning signal. Likewise, a warning signal can be given by the controller when in the laundry bag 25 by actually white laundry should be, including colorful laundry items 24 so that a white wash can cause discoloration of the white laundry.

The loading end 17 the pass-through washing machine 10 associated camera 22 can also wash the flow while loading the continuous washing machine 10 control and illustrate. It can also be recognized as blockages. You can also see if the loading hopper 18 empty and thus the loading process is completed.

After completing the loading process with the camera 22 through the opening in the end wall 19 the first treatment chamber 15 the inside of them with the laundry 24 to be watched. It is thus a preferably continuous or continuous control of the washing mechanism in the first treatment chamber 15 to pre-wash the laundry possible.

Around the interior of the first treatment chamber 15 To be able to observe better, the camera can be provided 22 to adjust in inclination and / or position. This adjustment can be done automatically when the camera 22 the end of the loading process with empty loading hopper 18 recognizes. The camera 22 is then changed in position so that they take pictures of the interior of the first chamber 15 can record. Represents the camera 22 firmly that in the first treatment chamber 15 Washed laundry items in the subsequent treatment chamber 15 is reloaded, so the first treatment chamber 15 can be loaded again with a subsequent batch of laundry, there is an automatic return movement of the camera 22 in the starting position for monitoring the loading process and in particular for taking pictures of the laundry item 24 the next laundry cost.

The 4 illustrates the unloading process of the continuous washing machine 10 and loading the dewatering press 11 , This will be the last treatment chamber 15 leaving laundry items on the unloading chute 21 the drainage press 11 fed. It comes thereby to a reloading of the Wäschepostens. This reloading is done by the camera 26 between the unloading end 20 the pass-through washing machine 10 and the drainage press 11 observed.

When unloading, it is important that all laundry 24 of the laundry load completely into the dewatering press 11 reach. In particular, it must be avoided that the laundry items 24 in the last chamber 15 the pass-through washing machine 10 lock, which would not lead to a complete discharge.

By the camera 26 when unloading the continuous washing machine 10 At regular intervals or continuously recorded images can be done by an electronic evaluation of a laundry amount detection that allows conclusions about whether the last treatment chamber 15 completely discharged or not. Salads that are not the case, a corresponding signal is given to the operator. If the amount of laundry detection indicates that the laundry item is unloaded and / or the camera 26 determines that the unloading chute 21 is empty for a certain period of time, this indicates a termination of the discharging process.

Preferably, it is provided that the camera 26 When it detects the end of the unloading process, it also checks to see if all the items are being washed 25 completely within the laundry press 11 are located.

The drainage press 11 is expediently turned on only when the camera 26 taken pictures of the laundry revealed that for a certain amount of time no laundry 24 more from the last treatment chamber 15 the pass-through washing machine 10 has been unloaded and no laundry 24 more in the unloading chute 21 especially all laundry items 25 the laundry costs themselves completely in the dewatering press 11 are located.

The monitoring and visual identification of the laundry items 24 during loading and unloading of the continuous washing machine 10 or the dewatering press 11 can from the cameras 22 and 26 take place simultaneously. But it is also conceivable that switching from the camera 22 to the camera 26 takes place if the loading and unloading process does not take place at the same time. Then the loading and unloading process can be observed separately. The switching is preferably carried out by an image evaluation if, in a comparison of the succession of the same camera 22 and 26 recorded images of the laundry no more image deviations can be detected.

The 5 shows the unloading of the laundry from the continuous washing machine 10 in a subsequent laundry centrifuge 12 , Here is at least one camera 26 between the unloading end 20 the pass-through washing machine 10 and the laundry centrifuge 12 arranged, obliquely from above into the discharge chute 10 oriented. About the unloading chute 21 The laundry gets out of the last treatment chamber 15 the pass-through washing machine 15 due to gravity in the drum of the laundry centrifuge 12 , The camera 26 Leads to the pass-through washing machine 10 downstream laundry centrifuge 12 the same observations as in the continuous washing machine 10 downstream drainage press 11 of the 1 to 4 , In this respect, the inventive method when unloading the laundry in the laundry centrifuge 12 the same as when unloading the laundry in the dewatering press 11 , In addition, in this embodiment ( 5 ) in front of the continuous washing machine 10 also at least one chamber 22 arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Tunnel washer

11

dewatering press

12

laundry centrifuge

13

drum

14

Longitudinal central axis

15

treatment chamber

16

treatment direction

17

loading end

18

loading hopper

19

end wall

20

unloading

21

discharge chute

22

camera

23

image axis

24

laundry

25

laundry bag

26

camera

27

image axis

Claims (14)

Process for the wet treatment of, in particular, laundry, the laundry being fed into a drum ( 13 ) of a washing machine, in the drum ( 13 ) at least washed and out of the drum ( 13 ) is discharged, preferably from the drum ( 13 ) is supplied to a drainage device, characterized in that at least when loading and / or unloading the laundry at least one imaging device is used. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laundry visually, in particular with regard to the color and / or structure of the imaging device, at least during loading and / or unloading of the drum ( 13 ) is detected. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that of the at least one imaging device, the laundry before and / or behind the drum ( 13 ) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the at least one imaging device a loading end ( 17 ) and / or a discharge end ( 20 ) of the drum ( 13 ), in particular with regard to the behavior of the laundry in the region of the loading end ( 17 ) and / or the unloading end ( 20 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading of the dewatering device is detected by an imaging device, preferably the imaging device is used, whereby the unloading of the drum ( 13 ) of the washing machine is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection of the laundry is started and / or stopped by the at least one imaging device in response to a sensor detecting the presence of laundry. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that recorded by the at least one imaging device images or image sequences of the detected laundry are stored. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the basis of the at least one imaging device detected images of the laundry, preferably resulting from the images of the laundry, a corresponding washing program is determined and adjusted automatically and / or manual adjustment of the Washing program is checked. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that of the at least one imaging device during unloading of the drum ( 13 ) the washing machine the flow of laundry is detected during unloading. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after a certain period of time in which the imaging device no longer detects any discharging laundry, the unloading process is automatically ended and / or the operation of the dewatering device is started. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is determined on the basis of the images produced by the respective imaging device by comparing a plurality of successive images, whether the loading and! or unloading has begun and / or terminated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of an evaluation of the images acquired by the respective imaging device over a certain period of time, an indirect determination of the amount of laundry is carried out, in particular for detecting blockages of the laundry in the drum ( 13 ) of the washing machine. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the images taken by the respective imaging device are electronically processed and / or evaluated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as the imaging device at least one camera ( 22 . 26 ), preferably a color camera and / or digital camera.

Images