DE8502880U1 - Washing machine with water softener - Google Patents

Description

Washing machine with water softener

The invention relates to ε Ins Viaschir.sschine according to the preamble of claim 1.

From DE-PS 15 85 797 a washing machine is known which has a softening device is equipped. The additional installation of a softener makes it possible to reduce the Carry out wash cycles with soft water and rinses with hard water. If for the washing process Soft water is available, this has the advantage that you can use a smaller amount Detergent gets by. Especially in areas that only have very hard tap water, it would be desirable to equip the washing machine with a softener.

While the use of a water softener has established itself in the dishwasher sector and is common, the installation of water softeners in washing machines has so far been without practical Meaning remained. The reasons for this lie essentially in the fact that additional parts in the anyway the housing of the machine has to be filled up and that the supply and adding salt is another operator effort entails.

ι ■ "J

The invention has for its object to provide a washing machine in which the for Softening device necessary parts in an existing washing machine concept within the Housing can be integrated and that it is still easy to use for the user and adding the treating agents.

The solution to this problem is achieved by the features characterized in the main claim. Further Features and configurations according to the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

The advantages of the solution according to the invention are in particular that one of dishwashers proven softening devices only need to be modified slightly so that they can be used in a Washing machine are suitable and that the user still has a central addition point on the machine where he can fill in all detergents and treatment agents.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows the water supply plan of a drum washing machine with a softening device.

The water supply to the machine is controlled by the solenoid valves 1 for cold water and controlled by the solenoid valve 2 for hot water from the program switch, The softening device is essentially the water storage tank 3, the softener 4 and the ialzgefäß 5 to count. The tub 6 of the machine receives the laundry drum 7 and is connected to the drain pump 9 via the drain 8, Detergent is added via the dispenser drawer 10.

The softener 4 is connected to the dispenser drawer 10 via a line 11. In this line 11, a branch 12 is interposed, from Äem a line 13 leads to the drain pump 9.

Tier softener 4 and the salt container 5 are connected to the water reservoir 3 in the usual way via lines 14 and 15 in conjunction. The filler neck for the Salsgefäß 5 is in an advantageous embodiment up to the top of the machine's lid, preferably near the dispenser drawer becomes accessible to the user.

The function of the arrangement shown is as follows: The washing process is carried out with soft water. For this purpose, warm or cold water or both are mixed via the lines 19 into the water storage tank 3 headed. A water reservoir is formed in this water reservoir and over the line the softener 4 is applied. The soft water leaves the softener via line 11 and is in the

Dispenser 10 out where the detergent for the pre- or main wash cycle is rinsed out and fed into the tub 6.

Since the wash program must be carried out with hard water, is via the line 18 and the dispenser 10 made a direct introduction into the tub 6. While now the wash program expires, the regeneration of the softener 4 takes place. To this end, the valve 20 is opened and The water stored in the water tank 3 runs through the line 15 into the salt container and presses one Brine into the softener 4, in which the regeneration of the softener 4 begins. That from the softener Displaced residual water runs directly via line 11, branch 12 and line 13 into the drain pump 9.

The rinsing of the regenerated water softener 4 is initiated with the pumping after the last rinse. For this purpose, fresh water flows through the line 19, the water reservoir 3 and the line 14 the softener 4 and presses the regeneration solution via the line 11 and the dispenser 10 into the drain the machine. This means that the softener is available for the next soft water removal in the subsequent wash cycle Disposal.

_M —i _

ff » · ■% ■ · *

ta · · » ι ■ * • · ·

Further refinements are within the scope of the invention conceivable. For example, in lines 11 and 13 or in branch 12 be switched on automatically or controllable by the program control valve assemblies, the control the correct waterway in its intended function.

In order to manage without a branch 12, the softener 4 could also have a water reservoir 17 be connected downstream, which has approximately the same capacity as the water reservoir 3 and the can absorb soft water pressed out of the softener 4 during the regeneration.

A water hardness switch 21 on the water reservoir 3 can be adjusted for different Hardness ranges too. As usual, the water reservoir 3 is provided with a vent line 22 in connection with the water intake system of the machine for the purpose of venting.

Claims (6)

Godparents ta: sayings 1. Washing machine with a detergent insert and a water softening device, consisting of a softener, a refillable salt container and a fresh water supply tank for regeneration water, characterized in that the softener (4) and the salt container (5) are arranged in the lower area of the machine and s \ nd connected to a water storage tank (3) above for regeneration water in a known manner, that the Wiäichwasser output of the water softener (4) to the in the upper part of the machine the detergent dispenser drawer (10) and via a line (11) in communication that a branch (12) is connected in the connecting line (11), of which goes off a line (13) to the drainage system of the washing machine. 2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the filler neck (16) out of the salt tank (5) into the upper area of the machine and is accessible in or near the dispensing compartment (10). 3. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that that the branch (12) is arranged below the water reservoir (3). 4. Washing machine according to claim 1 and 3, characterized marked that the to the drainage system leading line (13) has a smaller cross section than the line (11). 5. Washing machine according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the branch point (12) or in the lines (11,13) a valve that can be controlled automatically or by the program switch is arranged. 6. Washing machine with a detergent dispenser and a water softener, Consists of a softener, a refillable salt container and one with fresh water pressurized water storage tank for regeneration water, characterized in, that below the water reservoir (3) an additional downstream of the softener (4) Water storage tank (17) is arranged, which is directly connected to the detergent dispenser drawer (10) is in connection.