EP1092384A2 - Method and device for determining the type and concentration of mixtures in a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves directing a radiation beam into the liquid, detecting (10) the radiation re-emerging from the liquid and determining the type and concentration of the additives from the radiation. Gas bubbles in the liquid are influenced so as to be essentially arranged in a plane. The liquid is set into a rapid circular motion by a device immediately before a measurement section (13). Independent claims are also included for the following: an arrangement for implementing the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for determining the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid in which radiation is radiated into the liquid is and in which the radiation emerging again is detected and starting therefrom the type and concentration of admixtures is determined and a device to determine the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid at least one measuring section through which the liquid flows, into which by means of at least radiation is emitted from a radiation source, with at least one radiation receiver the liquid let through and / or laterally scattered and / or amount of radiation scattered backwards is detected, and with at least one unit to control the at least one radiation source and to evaluate the signal of the at least one radiation receiver.

Spülflotte" genannte Reinigungsflüssigkeit - in Umlauf gehalten wird, d.h. mittels einer Pumpe umgewälzt wird. Aufgrund der ermittelten Daten bezüglich Beimischungsanteilen - in diesem Falle bezüglich Verschmutzungsanteilen in der Spülflotte - werden bei der genannten Veröffentlichung Parameter für ein ablaufendes Spülprogramm eingestellt. In der Praxis hat sich gezeigt, daß in der Flüssigkeit eingeschlossene Gasblasen, die aufgrund der Bewegung der Flüssigkeit ungeregelte und nicht vorhersehbare Bewegungen durchführen, als Verschmutzungsanteile in der zu untersuchenden Flüssigkeit erkannt werden, daß also in der Flüssigkeit eingeschlossene Gasblasen eine eklatante Verfälschung des Ermittlungsergebnisses und damit des mit diesem Ergebnis gesteuerten Spülprogrammes, verursachen. A method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset for treating dishes in dishwashers is known from DE-A1-198 06 559, in which the liquid to be examined - in this case a liquid

Cleaning liquid called "washing liquid" is kept in circulation, ie is circulated by means of a pump. Based on the determined data with regard to admixture components - in this case with regard to the contamination components in the washing liquid - parameters are set for an ongoing washing program in the publication mentioned. In practice, this has been done shown that gas bubbles trapped in the liquid, which perform uncontrolled and unpredictable movements due to the movement of the liquid, are recognized as contamination components in the liquid to be examined, so that gas bubbles trapped in the liquid are a blatant falsification of the result of the determination and thus of the result controlled wash program.

The invention is therefore based on the object in a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset the risk of falsifying the result of the investigation and thus avoiding the process controlled with this result in a simple manner.

This object is achieved in the method according to the invention in that in the liquid trapped gas bubbles are influenced so that they essentially in arrange on a level.

Due to the targeted arrangement of the gas bubbles, it is in the method according to the invention possible, the radiation radiated into the liquid in a region of the liquid radiate in which there are no gas bubbles. The invention is a method of the type mentioned succeeded in a simple way, the risk of Falsification of the result of the investigation and thus of the result controlled Avoid operation.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the liquid is in a rapid circular motion transferred. The centrifugal force acts through the rapid rotation of the liquid on the liquid and on the gas bubbles enclosed in the liquid as well as on the proportion of admixtures present in the liquid. The heavy blending proportions are due to the higher centrifugal forces in the moving in circles Liquid moves further out than the lighter gas bubbles. They also displace gas bubbles located there inevitably move outward inside. This arranges the gas bubbles according to the invention Process essentially on one level, namely as far as possible inwards, i.e. as far as possible towards the center of the circular motion and it's on simple way possible, the radiation radiated into the liquid into one Radiate in the area of the liquid in which there are no gas bubbles.

The object described above is carried out in the device according to the invention of the method with at least one measuring section through which the liquid flows, in which is emitted by means of at least one radiation source, with at least one a radiation receiver, the liquid let through and / or laterally scattered and / or backwards scattered amount of radiation is detected, and with at least a unit for controlling the at least one radiation source and for evaluating the signal of the at least one radiation receiver, according to the invention thereby solved that the liquid entry of the device with a device for generation a circular movement of the liquid is equipped.

By arranged in the flow direction at the beginning of the device according to the invention Generated means for generating a circular movement of the liquid circular movement of the liquid acts, as already explained above, which acts Centrifugal force on the liquid and on the gas bubbles enclosed in the liquid as well as the proportion of admixtures present in the liquid. The heavy ones Mixing proportions are due to the higher centrifugal forces in the moving in the circle Liquid moves further out than the lighter gas bubbles. Also displace the gas bubbles that are inevitably moved outwards further inside. This arranges the gas bubbles according to the invention Process essentially on one level, namely as far as possible inwards, i.e. as far as possible towards the center of the circular movement and it is possible in a simple way, the radiation radiated into the liquid radiate into an area of the liquid in which there are no gas bubbles.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the measuring section in the device for Arranged generating a circular movement of the liquid. According to the The task is. Measuring section in an area of the device for generating a circular movement of the liquid arranged in which the separation of the admixture however, the admixing components have not yet been mixed again has occurred again. With this measure, a renewed mixing of the in the liquid contained admixtures and the enclosed gas bubbles before the task Determination of the type and concentration of admixtures in the Avoid liquids safely.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the measuring section is immediately at the end the device for generating a circular movement of the liquid or alternatively in the device for generating a circular movement of the liquid in the area the end of the device. With this measure there is a renewed mixing the proportion of admixtures contained in the liquid and the included ones Gas bubbles before the task-specific determination of the type and concentration of admixtures safely avoided in the liquid and it will be easier to assemble and accessibility of the measuring section and the at least one radiation source arranged thereon and enables at least one radiation receiver.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid enters the device a hollow body with a circular cross section, advantageously a helical trained hollow body, preferably a spiral hollow body. these are very simple ways the circular movement of the liquid according to the invention Generate method, wherein the spiral-shaped hollow body additionally still a very space-saving due to its essentially horizontal extension Possibility is.

A sufficient speed of the circular movement of the liquid becomes spiral trained hollow body preferably achieved in that the liquid on the outside The circumference of the spiral hollow body is introduced and at the innermost circumference of the spiral hollow body is rejected.

The hollow body is advantageously a tube, alternatively the hollow body can also be a Pipe or a one-piece part with appropriately designed passages.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hollow body is a pump housing a pump. In this embodiment of the invention, since the pump housing a pump usually has a spiral-shaped liquid guide, anyway when using the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention existing component can be used.

Adequate speed of circular motion of the liquid is in use a pump housing of a pump secured as a hollow body in that the hollow body a pump housing of a pump continued by a circular design Is hollow body.

The device according to the invention is advantageously in water-carrying cleaning machines to determine the type and concentration of contaminants and / or cleaning agents arranged in the cleaning liquid, causing the cleaning operations can be controlled.

The device according to the invention is preferably used in water-bearing household appliances Determination of the type and concentration of pollution and / or detergent components is arranged in the cleaning liquid, whereby the cleaning processes are controlled can be.

The device according to the invention is particularly preferred in dishwashers Determination of the type and concentration of pollution and / or detergent components arranged in the wash liquor, whereby the wash program can be controlled.

When using the device according to the invention in dishwashers a safe function is ensured by the fact that it is in the flow direction after a circulating pump and is placed in front of the liquid inlet in a rinsing container.

Fig. 1

eine schematisch dargestellte Geschirrspülmaschine im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 2

eine schematisch dargestellte vorteilhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Art und der Konzentration von Beimischungsanteilen in einer Flüssigkeit,

Fig. 3

eine schematisch dargestellte bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Art und der Konzentration von Beimischungsanteilen in einer Flüssigkeit,

Fig. 4

eine schematisch dargestellte weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Art und der Konzentration von Beimischungsanteilen in einer Flüssigkeit und

Fig. 5

eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Bereichs der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Art und der Konzentration von Beimischungsanteilen in einer Flüssigkeit.

The invention is explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing for a dishwasher. Show it

Fig. 1

a schematically illustrated dishwasher in longitudinal section,

Fig. 2

1 shows a schematically illustrated advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention for determining the type and the concentration of admixtures in a liquid,

Fig. 3

1 shows a schematically illustrated preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for determining the type and the concentration of admixtures in a liquid,

Fig. 4

a schematically illustrated further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention for determining the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid and

Fig. 5

an enlarged view of a portion of the device according to the invention for determining the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention for determination The type and concentration of admixing components in a liquid is based on exemplary embodiments explained in a dishwasher.

1 shows a schematic illustration, not described in more detail, for general explanation Longitudinal section of a dishwasher. A washing container 1 of the dishwasher is for loading and unloading an upper or a lower crockery basket 2, 3 a front door 4 accessible. In the exemplary embodiments, the dishes are washed a cleaning liquid called a washing liquor by means of a circulation pump 5 a riser pipe 6 is pumped to two rotatable spray arms 7, 8, which are below the respective Dish rack 2, 3 are arranged. In all of the exemplary embodiments explained below is the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'according to the invention which is only indicated in FIG. 1 for the determination the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid - in the exemplary embodiments of contaminants in the washing liquor - with at least a measuring section 13, 13 ', 13' 'through which the liquid - the washing liquor - flows, into which emitted radiation by means of at least one radiation source not described in detail is, the by means of at least one radiation receiver not described in detail liquid let through and / or laterally and / or backwards Radiation amount is detected, equipped. The washing program is set by of parameters by means of a unit, not shown, for controlling the at least one a radiation source and for evaluating the signal of the at least one radiation receiver, the component of the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'and in the Embodiments is part of a program control unit, not shown, controlled. A reliable function of the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'according to the invention is ensured by that in all the illustrated embodiments in the direction of flow - with Arrows indicated - after the circulation pump 5 and before the liquid inlet into the rinsing tank 1, in the exemplary embodiments in front of the riser pipe 6.

In practice, it has been found that gas bubbles trapped in the washing liquor, which are due to the movement of the washing liquor is uncontrolled and unpredictable movements carry out when contamination levels in the wash liquor to be examined are recognized, that gas bubbles trapped in the washing liquor are a blatant adulteration of the Result of the determination and thus the washing program controlled with this result, cause. This risk of falsifying the result of the investigation and thus that of this result controlled rinsing program is simple with the inventive Method and the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'according to the invention avoided, as shown and explained in the following embodiments.

All of the exemplary embodiments have in common that according to the inventive method Gas bubbles trapped in the washing liquor are influenced so that they essentially arrange on one level. This is the case with the exemplary embodiments shown and explained achieved in that the washing liquor is set into a rapid circular movement. The centrifugal force acts on the washing liquor due to the rapid rotation of the washing liquor and on the gas bubbles enclosed in the washing liquor as well as on those in the Rinsing liquor existing levels of contamination. The heavy pollution levels will due to the higher centrifugal forces in the wash liquor moving in a circle moved outward than the lighter gas bubbles. They are also inevitable Gas bubbles located on the outside continue to move inwards. Thereby arrange the gas bubbles essentially in one plane, namely as far as possible inside, i.e. as far as possible towards the center of the circular movement there. The targeted arrangement of the gas bubbles makes it easy possible to radiate the radiation radiated into the washing liquor in an area of the washing liquor, in which there are no gas bubbles.

To carry out the method according to the invention is in all embodiments According to the invention, a liquid inlet 11, 11 ', 11' 'of the device 10, 10', 10 '' with a Device 12, 12 ', 12' 'equipped for generating a circular movement of the washing liquor. Another common feature of all exemplary embodiments is that the measuring section 13, 13 ', 13 '' immediately at the end of the device 12, 12 ', 12' 'for generating a circular movement the washing liquor is arranged. Alternatively, the measuring section could also be in the facility to generate a circular movement of the washing liquor, in one area the facility in which the separation of the admixture components has already taken place renewed mixing of the admixtures has not yet occurred again his. This is a renewed mixing of the pollution components contained in the washing liquor and the enclosed gas bubbles before determining the type and concentration of contaminants in the washing liquor safely avoided. Furthermore, everyone Embodiments shown together that the liquid inlet 11, 11 ', 11' 'of the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'is a hollow body with a circular cross section.

2 shows an advantageous embodiment of the invention in which the device 12 for generating a circular movement of the washing liquor as a helical one Hollow body is designed. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is as Hollow body uses a tube, alternatively could be a hose or a one-piece Use parts with appropriately designed passages. In practice has been shown that a sufficient speed of the circular movement of the washing liquor from three better four turns is achieved. This is a very simple way to generate circular movement of the washing liquor by the method according to the invention.

In Fig. 3 the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in which the device 12 'to generate a circular movement of the washing liquor as a spiral Hollow body is designed. Also in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is as Hollow body uses a tube, alternatively could be a hose or a one-piece Use parts with appropriately designed passages. Adequate The speed of the circular movement of the washing liquor is spiral-shaped Hollow body preferably achieved in that the washing liquor on the outer circumference of the Spiral-shaped hollow body initiated and on the innermost circumference of the spiral trained hollow body is led to the measuring section 13 '. In practice it has shown that a sufficient speed of the circular movement of the washing liquor from two better three turns is reached. This is also a very simple option to generate a circular movement of the washing liquor using the method according to the invention, the spiral-shaped hollow body due to its essentially only horizontal expansion is also extremely space-saving.

4 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in which the device 12 '' for generating a circular movement of the washing liquor a pump housing 9 of the circulation pump 5. Adequate speed of circular motion of the Liquid is thereby when using the pump housing 9 of the circulation pump 5 ensured that this by a circular hollow body 14 ", which again as Tube is formed, alternatively, a hose or a one-piece Part with appropriately designed passages will continue to be used. Since that Pump housing 9 of a pump and thus also the circulation pump 5 of a dishwasher usually has a spiral liquid guide, can advantageously in this embodiment of the invention when using the invention Method and the device 10 '' used in any case existing component become.

5 is an enlarged view of the output area of the device 12, 12 ', 12' ' for generating a circular movement of the liquid of the device according to the invention 10, 10 ', 10' 'for determining the type and concentration of pollution components shown in section in the washing liquor to determine the method of the invention the type and concentration of admixtures in a liquid - in the exemplary embodiments to determine the type and concentration of pollution in the washing liquor and the function of the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'according to the invention to explain again. As already described above, all the exemplary embodiments have in common that the measuring section 13, 13 ', 13' 'immediately at the end of the device 12, 12', 12 '' is arranged to generate a circular movement of the washing liquor. That end of the liquid inlet 11, 11 ′, 11 ″ designed as a hollow body and of the hollow body 14 ″ 4, which is the end of the device 12, 12 ', 12' 'for generating a represents circular movement of the washing liquor, the area shown in FIG. 5 is that of the invention Device 10, 10 ', 10' '. With large, dark dots they are in the Rinsing liquor enclosed gas bubbles B indicated, with small dots in the Rinsing liquor contained admixtures A - in the embodiments shown contained pollution components. The rinsing liquor flows through the device 10, 10 ', 10' ', as far as it can be seen, mainly from left to right. The direction of flow is with Arrows indicated. It can be clearly seen as in the last bend in the facility 12, 12 ', 12' 'for generating a circular movement of the washing liquor, the gas bubbles B as far as possible towards the center of the circular movement, i.e. at the Inner wall of the liquid inlet 11, 11 ', 11' 'or the hollow body Arrange circular hollow body 14 '' and the degree of contamination A depending on the size are pushed out more or less. The rinsing liquor now runs through this separately the measuring section 13, 13 ', 13' ', in which, as indicated by a dash-dotted circle, the at least one radiation source not described in detail and the at least one Radiation receiver not described in more detail outside the plane in which the gas bubbles B have accumulated, are arranged. Then the washing liquor leaves via the riser pipe 6 the device 10, 10 ', 10' 'according to the invention. Here it is again again adjusting mixing of the gas bubbles B and the contamination A in the Detergent solution can be determined.

With the inventive method and the inventive device, it is up managed in a simple way, the risk of falsifying the result of the investigation and thus to avoid the process controlled with this result.

Claims (18)

Method for determining the type and concentration of admixture components in a liquid, in which radiation is radiated into the liquid and in which the radiation emerging again is detected and the type and concentration of admixture components is determined on the basis thereof
characterized,
that gas bubbles enclosed in the liquid are influenced in such a way that they are arranged essentially in one plane. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid in a rapid circular movement is offset. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or 2, with at least one of the liquid through which the measuring section flows, by means of at least one Radiation source radiation is emitted, with at least one radiation receiver the liquid let through and / or laterally scattered and / or backscattered amount of radiation is detected, and with at least one Unit for controlling the at least one radiation source and for evaluating the Signal of the at least one radiation receiver, characterized in that the Liquid inlet (11, 11 ', 11' ') of the device (10, 10', 10 '') with a device (12, 12 ', 12' ') to produce a rapid circular movement of the liquid is. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the measuring section (13, 13 ', 13 '') in the device (12, 12 ', 12' ') for generating a circular movement of the Liquid is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the measuring section (13, 13 ', 13' ') directly at the end of the device (12, 12', 12 '') for generating a circular Movement of the liquid is arranged. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the liquid entry (11, 11 ', 11' ') of the device (10, 10', 10 '') a hollow body with circular Cross section is. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the liquid entry (11, 11 ', 11' ') of the device (10, 10', 10 '') is a helical one Is hollow body. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the liquid entry (11, 11 ', 11' ') of the device (10, 10', 10 '') is a spiral Is hollow body. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid on the outside The circumference of the spiral hollow body is introduced and at the innermost circumference of the spiral hollow body is rejected. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hollow body is a hose. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hollow body is a pipe. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hollow body is a one-piece part with appropriately designed passages. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hollow body a pump housing (9) of a pump (5). Device according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the hollow body a pump housing (9) of a pump (5) continued by a circular one Hollow body (14 ''). Device according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that it is in water-carrying cleaning machines to determine the type and concentration of Contamination and / or cleaning agent components arranged in the cleaning liquid is. Device according to one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that it is in arranged water-carrying household appliances for determining the type and concentration of dirt and / or detergent components in the cleaning liquid is. Device according to one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that it is in Dishwashers for determining the type and concentration of dirt and / or detergent components is arranged in a washing liquor. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that it is in the direction of flow after a circulation pump (5) and before the liquid inlet (6) in a rinsing tank (1) is arranged.

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