The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2005
Filed:
Aug. 03, 2001
Hans Poisel, Leinburg, DE;
Josef Weber, Chamerau, DE;
Rüdiger Eiermann, Staufen, DE;
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A device and a method for detecting deposits on surfaces includes a body having a surface on which deposits occur and influence reflection properties of the surface to electromagnetic radiation. A transmitter transmits electromagnetic radiation to the body and a detector detects the presence of the deposits at the surface. The detector measures electromagnetic radiation received from the transmitter after reflection at the surface. Preferably, the device and method are used in a liquid-conveying machine, particularly, a washing machine and/or a dishwasher. Particularly, light is introduced into the light-guiding body to detect the presence of the deposits. The light is internally reflected by the surface and is guided to a sensor. If deposits occur on the surface, the deposits affect the light-reflecting properties of the surface, and the affect is detected by the sensor.