FILLING LEVEL SENSOR DEVICE FOR A RESERVOIR HAVING AN OUTLET FOR SUPPLYING AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE FLUID IN A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

摘要

A filling level sensor device for an electrically conductive reservoir for supplying an electrically conductive fluid in a household appliance includes an electrical control unit and an electrode. The electrical control unit includes an evaluation circuit, a memory and a power supply. The electrode is connected to the power supply so as to carry a current flow. The electrode is electrically insulated from the reservoir and disposed at least partially in a chamber of the reservoir. The evaluation circuit is configured to compare, to a reference value stored in the memory, a magnitude of the current flow or of a corresponding physical quantity. The power supply is configured to generate an alternating current between the power supply and the electrode. When a filling level of the fluid in the chamber is below a predetermined filling level, the electrode and the reservoir together form a first electrical capacitor, and the reservoir and a grounded portion of the household appliance together form a second electrical capacitor. The grounded portion of the household appliance is grounded via ambient air. The first and second capacitors are electrically connected in series.