EP0873714A2 - Waschmaschine mit Regenerationsvorrichtung für Wasserenthärtungsanlage - Google Patents

Waschmaschine mit Regenerationsvorrichtung für Wasserenthärtungsanlage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0873714A2
EP0873714A2 EP98106297A EP98106297A EP0873714A2 EP 0873714 A2 EP0873714 A2 EP 0873714A2 EP 98106297 A EP98106297 A EP 98106297A EP 98106297 A EP98106297 A EP 98106297A EP 0873714 A2 EP0873714 A2 EP 0873714A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
softening means
water softening
drain
brine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98106297A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0873714A3 (de
Inventor
Daniele Favaro
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Zanussi SpA
Original Assignee
Electrolux Zanussi SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Zanussi SpA filed Critical Electrolux Zanussi SpA
Publication of EP0873714A2 publication Critical patent/EP0873714A2/de
Publication of EP0873714A3 publication Critical patent/EP0873714A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/4229—Water softening arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an automatic washing machine, in particular a dishwashing machine, of the type controlled by a programme control unit and provided with means for softening the water being supplied to the machine, as well as a regenerating arrangement for said water softening means.
  • a dishwashing machine of the above cited kind is for instance described in the Italian patent application no. TO92 A 000235 filed on March 18th, 1992, and mainly comprises a washing tank, a water softener for the in-flowing water, and a regenerating arrangement for the same water softener.
  • the regenerating arrangement which in turn comprises a salt reservoir, is provided with an auxiliary chamber adapted to collect the exhausted brine and, possibly, the water user to wash the water softener after regeneration.
  • said auxiliary chamber can be emptied through an appropriate conduit that is connected to a drain pump while by-passing the washing tank of the machine.
  • the washing machine is a dishwasher, but it might of course be a clothes washer as well.
  • the dishwashing machine comprises mainly a washing tank 1 provided with a water collecting sump 2 and housing water spray means 3 which are fed by a circulation pump 4.
  • the automatic operation of the dishwashing machine is controlled by a programme sequence control unit of a per sè known type and not shown here.
  • the water collecting sump 2 is connected to the suction side 5 of a drain pump 6, whose delivery side is associated to a drain conduit 7.
  • the pumps 4 and 6 are made as described in EP-B-0 268 835.
  • the dishwashing machine comprises a water inlet circuit which mainly comprises a conduit 8 in which there are installed in series at least a normally closed valve 9 controlled by the programme sequence control unit, a so-called "air-break" safety provision 10, and water softening means 11 (for instance, a water softener of the type containing ion-exchange resins and arranged at an appropriate level). Downstream of said water softener 11, the conduit 8 also communicates with a reservoir 12 provided to collect resin flushing water, ie. the water used to wash the water softener after regeneration. The water inlet circuit then continuesin correspondence of an outlet 13 of the reservoir 12 to communicate with the washing tank 1 through a corresponding port.
  • a water inlet circuit which mainly comprises a conduit 8 in which there are installed in series at least a normally closed valve 9 controlled by the programme sequence control unit, a so-called "air-break" safety provision 10, and water softening means 11 (for instance, a water softener of the type containing ion-exchange resins and
  • a calibrated opening 14 of the conduit 8 communicates with a vessel 15 provided to collect regeneration water in a metered manner.
  • the vessel 15 is situated at an appropriate level and is provided with an overflow device 16 communicating with the washing tank 1, as well as an outlet 17 from which a pipe 18 departs to extend through a salt reservoir 19 which in turn communicates with the water softener 11 through a normally closed valve 20 controlled by the programme sequence control unit of the machine.
  • the water softener 11 is provided with an outlet 21 which is connected via a drain conduit 22 to the suction side 5 of the drain pump 6, thereby by-passing the washing tank 1.
  • the drain conduit 22 is provided with at least a normally closed valve arrangement 23 controlled by the programme sequence control unit of the machine.
  • valve 23 is connected on one side (ie. downstream) to the suction side 5 of the drain pump 6 and, on the other side (ie. upstream), it is connected in a substantially direct manner to the outlet 21 of the water softener 11, said valve 23 being preferably adjacent to said outlet 21.
  • the water softener 11 is situated below the reservoir 12, to the bottom of which it is connected also through a water connection fitting comprising for instance a normally closed valve 24 controlled by the programme sequence control unit of the machine.
  • said water connection fitting may be provided to comprise a normally open conduit with a calibrated cross-section (not shown here for reasons of greater simplicity).
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machine causes the valve 9 to temporarily open.
  • water from the mains starts to flow along the water inlet conduit 8, passes through the air-break 10, is softened while flowing through the water softener 11, fills the water collection reservoir 12 and finally enters the washing tank 1.
  • a reduced amount of water flows out of the conduit 8 through the calibrated opening 14 thereof, so as to substantially fill, in a metered and possibly adjustable manner, the collecting vessel 15 (and the pipe 18).
  • the general operation of the dishwashing machine can be of a substantially traditional type, comprising for instance a cycle for washing the tableware (not shown), with the related operation of the circulation pump 4, wherein said washing cycle may be preceded by a prewash or soak cycle and followed by one or more rinsing phases.
  • a regeneration phase for the ion-exchange resins contained in the water softener 11 may be for instance carried out at the beginning of a rinsing phase ( to be preferably carried out on the washed tableware with hot water, in a substantially per sè known manner), by letting brine into the same water softener in the manner that will be described in greater detail below.
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machine causes the valve 23 to temporarily open (for instance, for approx. 30 seconds) so as to enable the water softener to at least partially let out by gravity, through the drain conduit 22, the water that had been let into the same water softener during a previous water filling phase. It should be noticed that the water that is let out of the water softener in this phase is substantially clean, softened water, so that it is not going to give rise to any corrosion problem by entering the washing tank 1 of the machine.
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machines causes also the drain pump 6 to be temporarily switched on, so that said pump is able to directly send the water that it takes in from the water softener to the drain 7.
  • the above mentioned regeneration phase can at this point be started and carried out by opening the valve 20, so that the metered quantity of water stored in the collecting vessel 15 can flow by gravity along the pipe 18, pass through the salt reservoir 19 and the same valve 20, and finally substantially fill up (in the form of brine) the previously emptied water softener 11.
  • the brime remains in the water softener 11 for a time that is adequate to ensure an effective regeneration of the ion-exchange resins contained therein.
  • valve 23 is closed throughout said resin regeneration phase, so that no possibility actually exists for the brine to undesirably enter the washing tank 1.
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machine causes the drain pump 6 to be temporarily switched on and the valve 23 to be correspondingly opened, so as to enable the brine previously filled into the water softener 11 to be exhausted directly towards the drain 7 through the conduit 22, said water softener 11 being in this way emptied again in an at least partial manner.
  • such a brine draining phase is provided at the end of one of said tableware rinsing phases, so that the pump 6 is enabled to carry out the twofold task of conveying to the drain 7 both the brine taken in from the water softener 11 and the rinsing water taken in from the sump 2 of the machine.
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machine then causes the valve 24 to open (preferably temporarily), so that the metered amount of softened water stored in the collecting reservoir 12 is enabled to flow by gravity into the water softener 11, thereby performing a so-called "washing” action by flushing the ion-exchange resins.
  • valve 23 is kept closed even during the entire resin flushing phase, so that no possibility actually exists for brine or salt water to undesirably enter the washing tank 1.
  • the programme sequence control unit of the machine causes the drain pump 6 to be temporarily switched on and the valve 23 to be correspondingly opened, so as to enable the resin flushing salt water previously filled into the water softener 11 to be exhausted directly towards the drain 7 through the conduit 22.
  • this resin flushing water draining phase may be provided at the end of one of said tableware rinsing phases, so that the pump 6 is enabled to carry out the twofold task of conveying to the drain 7 both the brine taken in from the water softener 11 and the rinsing water taken in from the sump 2 of the machine.
  • washing machine may undergo a number of modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the moments at which the various above-described operational component parts of the machine are actuated and/or the times during which they are allowed to operate may be varied according to actual needs or requirements.
  • the washing machine according to the present invention is provided with a water-carrying circuit and arrangement that is advantageously simple and reliable, since just a few simple and low-cost component parts are actually needed for a timer-controlled operation thereof.
  • the washing machine according to the present invention is substantially free from corrosion problems that can otherwise be brought about in the washing tank by the presence there of salt water from the regeneration and/or flushing process of the ion-exchange resins in the water softener 11.
EP98106297A 1997-04-23 1998-04-07 Waschmaschine mit Regenerationsvorrichtung für Wasserenthärtungsanlage Withdrawn EP0873714A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT97PN000020A IT1294124B1 (it) 1997-04-23 1997-04-23 Macchina lavatrice automatica con sistema di rigenerazione di mezzi addolcitori d'acqua
ITPN970020 1997-04-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0873714A2 true EP0873714A2 (de) 1998-10-28
EP0873714A3 EP0873714A3 (de) 1999-03-24

Family

ID=11395242

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98106297A Withdrawn EP0873714A3 (de) 1997-04-23 1998-04-07 Waschmaschine mit Regenerationsvorrichtung für Wasserenthärtungsanlage

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP0873714A3 (de)
IT (1) IT1294124B1 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TR200002181A3 (tr) * 1999-07-26 2001-02-21 Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Ev makinasi.
EP1110498A1 (de) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-27 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zum Betrieb einer programmgesteuerten Geschirrspülmaschine
EP1459674A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2004-09-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Vorrichtung zum spülen und trocknen von geschirr
WO2007049177A2 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-05-03 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A dishwasher
EP1844692A1 (de) * 2006-04-12 2007-10-17 Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. Salzwasserentfernungsverfahren für Geschirrspüler
EP2656771A1 (de) * 2012-04-27 2013-10-30 Winterhalter Gastronom Gmbh Spülmaschine und Verfahren zur Wasseraufbereitung in einer Spülmaschine

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3496740A (en) * 1967-11-06 1970-02-24 Stuart Borochaner Washing machine with water-softening means and acid neutralizing means
DE4131792C1 (en) * 1991-09-24 1993-04-15 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh, 8000 Muenchen, De Ion exchanger regeneration for dishwasher softener - by removing water from ion exchanger, introducing brine into container, and regenerating in part of programme, for improved effect
EP0575837A1 (de) * 1992-06-22 1993-12-29 BITRON S.p.A. Geschirrspülmaschine
DE4413432C1 (de) * 1994-04-18 1995-08-31 Bauknecht Hausgeraete Programmgesteuerte Geschirrspülmaschine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3496740A (en) * 1967-11-06 1970-02-24 Stuart Borochaner Washing machine with water-softening means and acid neutralizing means
DE4131792C1 (en) * 1991-09-24 1993-04-15 Bosch-Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh, 8000 Muenchen, De Ion exchanger regeneration for dishwasher softener - by removing water from ion exchanger, introducing brine into container, and regenerating in part of programme, for improved effect
EP0575837A1 (de) * 1992-06-22 1993-12-29 BITRON S.p.A. Geschirrspülmaschine
DE4413432C1 (de) * 1994-04-18 1995-08-31 Bauknecht Hausgeraete Programmgesteuerte Geschirrspülmaschine

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TR200002181A3 (tr) * 1999-07-26 2001-02-21 Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Ev makinasi.
TR200002181A2 (tr) * 1999-07-26 2001-02-21 Aweco Appliance Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Ev makinası.
EP1110498A1 (de) * 1999-12-14 2001-06-27 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Verfahren zum Betrieb einer programmgesteuerten Geschirrspülmaschine
EP1459674A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2004-09-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Vorrichtung zum spülen und trocknen von geschirr
EP1459674A4 (de) * 2001-12-28 2010-06-16 Sharp Kk Vorrichtung zum spülen und trocknen von geschirr
WO2007049177A2 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-05-03 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A dishwasher
WO2007049177A3 (en) * 2005-10-24 2007-08-16 Arcelik As A dishwasher
EP1844692A1 (de) * 2006-04-12 2007-10-17 Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. Salzwasserentfernungsverfahren für Geschirrspüler
EP2656771A1 (de) * 2012-04-27 2013-10-30 Winterhalter Gastronom Gmbh Spülmaschine und Verfahren zur Wasseraufbereitung in einer Spülmaschine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITPN970020A1 (it) 1998-10-23
EP0873714A3 (de) 1999-03-24
IT1294124B1 (it) 1999-03-22
ITPN970020A0 (de) 1997-04-23

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