DE3521598A1 - Program-controlled domestic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Program-controlled washing machine with a tub, with a laundry drum rotating in the tub, with an ion exchanger for water softening, and with a salt-supply container for regenerating the ion-exchanger mass. The regenerating process for the ion exchanger is carried out during or within a washing-program cycle.

Description

Program-controlled household washing machine

The invention relates to a program-controlled household washing machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

In commercial washing machines it is common to use the detergent solution to prepare with softened water, which for this purpose via an ion exchanger (Water softener) is performed. Such ion exchangers (water softeners) must can now be regenerated more often, which can be achieved by adding an appropriate amount of brine is effected from a salt reservoir.

This regeneration process now lasts for a certain period of time which the washing machine cannot be used.

The invention is now based on the object in a household washing machine to carry out the regeneration of the ion exchanger of the type mentioned at the beginning, that the washing machine can be used at any time, i.e. that it can be used several times a washing machine equipped in this way, even one after the other, without any time Interruption are feasible.

The solution to this problem according to the invention is the characteristic Part of claim 1 can be found.

Appropriate further refinements of the subject matter of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Because the regeneration of the ion exchanger (water softener) is carried out during or within a washing program sequence, the washing machine is immediately full again after the end of a washing program without restriction operational. For the user of such a washing machine, there are thus none Waiting or downtime, since the regeneration of the ion exchanger is more advantageous Way is carried out at a point in time in the washing program sequence; with the anyway a certain waiting or resting phase (cooling phase) is provided in the washing program sequence is.

An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below.

The description is one shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing The principle control system and a valve opening table according to FIG. 2 are based.

With a fresh water supply line is designated, the component a household washing machine of the usual type, not shown, with an additional one Water softening device is. A branch goes from the fresh water supply line 10 11 with valve V7 to a detergent dispenser 12. Such a detergent dispenser 12 usually has three treatment agent dispensing chambers, one of which the agent for the prewash (prewash), one the agent for the main wash (Main wash) and one contains the agent for the fabric softener. Each of the dispenser compartments a water inlet with a valve V3, V4, V5 (solenoid valve) is assigned.

Another branch line 13 with valve Vt of the fresh water supply line 10 leads to a salt storage container 14, which is an ion exchanger 15 (water softener) is upstream. Both parts (14,15) are connected to one another by a line 16, in which a line 16 closes off in the direction of the salt reservoir 14 Check valve 17 is located.

The ion exchanger 15 is in turn the detergent dispenser 12 upstream, one of its connecting line 18 to the drainage pump leading flushing line 19 goes off with valve V6. The fresh water supply line 10 ends at the ion exchanger 15, a valve V2 dominating the path to the ion exchanger 15.

The ion exchanger 15 (water softener) is regenerated advantageously during or within a washing program sequence, wherein it is particularly useful to start the regeneration process before starting the first rinsing process or during the closing of the main washing process in the usual way Carry out the laundry cooling phase (dilution cycle). During the regeneration process, for which about one liter of water is required, the valve V1 and V6 are open, see above that a quantity of brine in this order of magnitude from the salt reservoir 14 in or through the ion exchanger 15 can reach. To rinse the ion exchanger 15 over the then opened valve V2 and V6 require approx. four liters of water.

The flow rate of one or four liters of water through the valves V1 or V2 is matched accordingly with the program switch of the washing machine.

The washing machine with a water softener of the described Art is usually operated in such a way that the prewash, main wash and the first Rinse with soft water and the remaining rinses with untreated tap water be driven. With the latter, the valve V7 is open, while the one to the water softener 14.15 leading valves V1, V2 are closed.

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Claims (3)

Pate nJans #% ü.9he 1. Program-controlled washing machine with a tub, a washing drum rotating in the tub, an ion exchanger for water softening and a salt reservoir for regenerating the ion exchange mass therethrough characterized in that the regeneration process for the ion exchanger (15) during or is carried out within a washing program sequence. 2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the Regeneration process for the ion exchanger before the start of the first rinsing process is carried out. 3. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the Regeneration process during the forming the conclusion of the main wash process Laundry cool-down phase is carried out.