Device for determining type and dampness of textiles, appliances applying the device, method for detecting type and dampness of textiles, and method for determining a filling level of a container

A method of detecting properties of textiles in an appliance, which comprises:

• providing a container;
• irradiating a textile item with electromagnetic radiation from a transmitting element;
• receiving electromagnetic radiation from the textile item with a receiving element;
• and
• evaluating the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiving element with an evaluation circuit.

A method of detecting properties of textiles in a washing machine, which comprises:

• providing a container;
• irradiating a textile item with electromagnetic radiation from a transmitting element;
• receiving electromagnetic radiation from the textile item with a receiving element;
• and
• evaluating the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiving element with at least one of an evaluation circuit and a control unit to determine properties of the textile item;
• and
• determining washing properties with at least one of the evaluation circuit and the control unit based upon the determined properties of the textile item, energy consumption, water consumption, type of detergent, amount of detergent, type of mechanical treatment, and duration of treatment.

A method of detecting properties of textiles in a laundry dryer, which comprises:

• providing a container;
• irradiating a textile item with electromagnetic radiation from a transmitting element;
• receiving electromagnetic radiation from the textile item with a receiving element;
• and
• evaluating the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiving element with at least one of an evaluation circuit and a control unit to determine properties of the textile item;
• and
• determining drying properties with at least one of the evaluation circuit and the control unit based upon the determined properties of the textile item, drying power used, and drying duration or the washing process in a washing machine is ascertained with regard to energy consumption, water consumption, the type and amount of detergent and the type of mechanical treatment and also the duration of treatment.

In combination with an appliance having a loading door with an inner side and a drum for holding textiles, the drum having a loading opening, an upper side, and a base, a device for detecting properties of the textiles, the device comprising:

• a transmitting element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to a textile item;
• a receiving element for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the textile item;
• and
• an evaluation circuit connected to said receiving element and evaluating the electromagnetic radiation received by said receiving element, at least one of said transmitting element and said receiving element being disposed by one of the group consisting of:
• a region of the loading opening;
• the upper side of the loading opening;
• the base of the drum;
• and
• the inner side of the door.

A method of detecting properties of textiles in an appliance, which comprises:

• providing a container;
• irradiating a textile item with electromagnetic radiation from at least one transmitting element;
• receiving electromagnetic radiation at least one of reflected and transmitted by the textile item with at least one receiving element;
• evaluating the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiving element with an evaluation circuit;
• and obtaining, with the evaluation circuit, characteristics of the textile with respect to a degree of wetting by a liquid dependent upon the evaluated electromagnetic radiation received.

A method of determining a degree of filling in a laundry drum of a laundry treatment apparatus, which comprises:

• irradiating an interior space of the drum containing at least one textile item with electromagnetic radiation from at least one transmitting element;
• receiving electromagnetic radiation at least one of reflected from and transmitted by the textile with at least one receiving element;
• and
• determine a degree of filling of the drum with the evaluation circuit by:
• determining a first property with respect to an amount and a proportion of electromagnetic radiation at least one of reflected and absorbed by walls of the drum;
• determining a second property with respect to a degree of electromagnetic radiation at least one of reflected and transmitted by the textile item;
• and
• comparing the first and second properties to ascertain the degree of filling of the drum.