EP1184504B1 - Method for washing the laundry in a continuous washing machine without tank and washing machine implementing such method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for washing laundry, in which the laundry to be washed is moved through a washing line with successive chambers with different baths, the laundry undergoes at least one prewash zone, final wash zone, rinse zone and aftertreatment zone and the wash water of the individual baths from fresh water and wastewater from other baths, depending on the proportion of waste water. The invention further relates to a washing line for laundry in Badwechsel- and / or countercurrent operation with a washing drum with several successive chambers for a plurality of baths in the washing drum and a conveyor for transporting the laundry through the washing drum and at least one fresh water addition point and at least one Abwasserentnahmestelle- and the addition-spot.

In continuous washing lines, the laundry to be washed is entered on one side in a washing drum having a plurality of successive washing chambers. By the rotation of the washing drum or a separate conveyor, the laundry is conveyed through the washing drum and the different chambers or baths, to thereby be washed. Such pass-through washing lines are operated both in the bath exchange and in countercurrent operation. A combined mode of bath change and countercurrent method is known.

For example, DE 44 13 213 describes a method for operating a continuous washing machine and a system for carrying out the method, comprising a prewashing area, a final wash area and a rinsing area, wherein the prewash area is supplied with the water that has drained through an outlet from the final wash area and the rinse area , In this case, several tanks are provided which allow temporary storage or buffering of the effluent discharged in order to provide at the desired location in each case sufficient wastewater available.

Furthermore, DE 33 46 690 describes a continuous washing machine with several washing areas, here also a return of wastewater is proposed that also collected in storage tanks and discharged as needed.

Document US 5 426 958 discloses a method and a continuous washing machine according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9.

The individual chambers of the washing line are assigned to certain zones in which the laundry is subjected to a treatment. Thus, for example, one distinguishes between a pre-wash zone, a final wash zone, a rinse zone and an aftertreatment zone to which a dewatering device such. B. connects a press or centrifuge. In a countercurrent washing line, a distinction is made between a first prewash zone, a second prewash zone, a final wash zone, a rinse zone, and an aftertreatment zone, to which the dewatering device adjoins.

When washing with car washes unused bathrooms are used to prepare for the subsequent wash the Vorwaschbad in the prewash, the final wash in the final wash zone (in the bath change or countercurrent) or in addition to one or more bath changes. These baths or fleets are partly the final wash water, the rinse water or the drainage device such. B. a press or centrifuge resulting press water. These waters are recovered and, for example, leave the rinse zone either through one or more overflows, through drain valves or along with the laundry as it leaves the machine, or arrive at the dehydrator.

Due to the constant change of direction of the inner drum of the car wash and by different water accumulation when flowing through the laundry and the partitions in countercurrent flow of water but not in a steady stream, but in a surge in uncontrollable intervals. Therefore, the distribution of water at the various outlet points also varies. Since in the places where this water is used again, precisely defined quantities are needed at a precisely defined time, it is, as known from the prior art, required to catch the different water in buffer tanks and from there to the consumption points exactly to distribute measured. However, the buffer tanks have the disadvantage that they are very expensive to produce, need a lot of space and must be cleaned frequently for hygienic reasons. However, since they are usually located under the car washes, they are usually difficult to access, so that the cleaning of the lint filters, the removal of sand and objects is very expensive and therefore expensive.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose a washing method and to provide a washing line which operates energy-efficiently and in particular allows recycling of reusable liquor used in the machine during the washing process. At the same time the washing process is simplified and the manufacturing and operating costs are reduced by saving components. Furthermore, a good washing result with low water consumption should be ensured and the service on the machine can be facilitated.

This object is achieved by the inventive method according to claim 1 and a washing line according to claim 9 in an advantageous manner. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of these claims subordinate claims. The above-described problem is advantageously solved in that the reusable, recovered baths or liquors are not removed by overflows or drains of the machine and are cached in tanks, to then be fed back in the required amount of the machine, but the reusable fleet is pumped directly at the point where it is obtained in exactly the required, measured amount to that point of the car wash, where it is actually needed. On buffer tanks, which have the disadvantages described above, is in an advantageous Way completely omitted, so that the construction of a novel washing line according to the invention is already significantly improved by the saving of material costs, but also by design simplification, while at the same time the maintenance is simplified. Advantageous features are specified in the subclaims, which specify in terms of method and apparatus how to remove reusable liquor from subzones of the carwash and to partially re-supply preceding zones. The wash water is variably composed of fresh water and wastewater, this being done depending on the proportion of wastewater, so that it is always ensured that in the respective zone a suitable amount of wash water is available. The wastewater, which is advantageously continuously withdrawn in a precisely defined amount, can be mixed with other reusable liquor taken from another zone area of the washing line, as well as with fresh water, so that a suitable mixing ratio is set. The wastewater is z. B. at the beginning of the rinsing zone and / or at the beginning of the aftertreatment zone and / or taken from a subsequent washing at the end of the dehydrator, wherein a dewatering device, a press or centrifuge can be used and the washing process, the squeezing out of the moisture from the finished laundry with includes. Without intermediate storage, the reusable liquor of these zones is advantageously fed to the prewashing zone. Furthermore, the reusable liquor of the final wash zone of a preceding chamber of the final wash zone or the reusable liquor can be supplied to the wash zone of a preceding chamber of the wash zone.

Considering a countercurrent washing machine in which two pre-wash zones are provided, it is possible for the waste water to be supplied to the final wash zone and / or the wash zone and / or the drainage means to a first pre-wash zone and / or a second pre-wash zone. Excess wastewater not returned to the washing line can be discharged or recovered.

The inventive washing line advantageously has a water recovery system whose water-leading components exclusively from direct, water transporting lines between Wasserzugabestellen and water supply points without any water storage components exist. A valve and pump system is provided for controlling the water flows in a conventional manner in the water recovery system and / or in a fresh water supply. In this case, the water recovery system on water tapping points, which has a well-defined water extraction, z. B. allow using inductive flow meters or a time measuring device. The Wasserzugabestellen may be connected to at least two or more Wasserentnahmestellen. The wash line comprising at least one prewash zone, one wash zone, one wash zone, and aftertreatment zone has a water recovery system having water taps at the end of the final wash zone and / or at the end of the wash zone and / or the aftertreatment zone, these water taps being accessed directly via conduits having feed locations in the prewashing zone and / or final wash zone and / or rinse zone are connected. These lines are also equipped with valve-equipped procedures over which z. As well as a disposal of liquor in the channel system, but also a recovery can be achieved. It can also be provided in an advantageous manner that the washing line a dewatering device, in particular a laundry press for pressing the washed laundry or a centrifuge is connected, the water outlet is connected via a line directly to the prewash zone. The drum of the washing line can be designed as a double drum, at least in the region of the water tapping points, wherein the inner wall of the drum is perforated in the region of the double-drum formation.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer im Badwechsel arbeitenden Waschstraße, und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer im Gegenstrom arbeitenden Waschstraße.

Further features, advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a washing bath working in the bath change, and

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a counter-current washing line.

Kammern 1 bis 4:

Vorwaschzone 21

Kammern 5 bis 10:

Klarwaschzone 22

Kammern 11 bis 14:

Spülzone

Kammern 15 und 16:

Nachbehandlungszone 24

In the washing line 20 shown schematically in FIG. 1, 16 chambers 1 to 16 are provided, which are to be assigned to the following zones:

Chambers 1 to 4:

Prewash zone 21

Chambers 5 to 10:

Clear-wash zone 22

Chambers 11 to 14:

rinse zone

Chambers 15 and 16:

Aftertreatment zone 24

To the aftertreatment zone 24, a dewatering device 25, such as. As a press or a centrifuge connect.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the chambers 1 to 16 of the washing line 20 are arranged in a drum 26 which is formed in the region of the chambers 4 to 7, 11 and 14 to 15 as a double drum. In these areas, the inner wall of the drum is perforated, while it is equipped in the region of the chambers 8, 9, 10 with an insulation 27. This avoids that the water heated via the fresh water line 28 coming from a boiler or water heated by adding it via the steam line 29 prematurely cools down in the area of the final wash zone.

As can be seen with reference to the schematic drawing of FIG. 1, supplied with a temperature of about 35 ° C or higher fresh water in the prewashing zone 26 of the washing line is supplied. Steam can be introduced via the steam line 29 into the chambers 5 and 11. Finally, cold water is supplied via line 30 to the chamber 14.

Water removal points for the removal of reusable liquor are denoted by X on the chamber 11, designated Y on the chamber 15 and Z designated at the drainage means 25. Water dispensers are marked with the letters A, B and D. It can be seen that, for example, the line X is connected via a connecting line 31 directly to either the water addition point A or B, while the sewage tap Y via a direct connection line 32 to the water addition point B, and finally the sewage tap Z via a Connecting line 33 are connected to the water addition point A. Clearwashing water taken from the final wash zone 22, which still contains considerable substances of detergent, can therefore be recovered and fed directly to the chamber 1 or 4 of the pre-wash zone. At the end of the rinse zone 23, rinse water taken from the chamber 15 can be fed either to the chamber 4 of the pre-wash zone or to the rinse zone 14, while the cold press water can be fed via the line 33 to the pre-wash zone.

As can be seen, valves 34 and pumps 35 are provided in the lines, via which a metered charge of the Wasserzugabestellen is adjustable with reusable fleet. During operation of the above-described washing line, reusable liquor taken from the water taps X, Y and Z is now pumped directly via the respective lines 31, 32, 33 to the water addition points A, B and D, for which purpose the pumps 35 are preferably provided are insensitive to contamination, such. B. fluff, etc., which are located in the reusable fleet. At the water addition points, the washing water, which has not yet been so heavily soiled, is added from the end regions of the washing line to the washing drum in the region of the baths, in which the laundry to be washed still has a high degree of soiling. Thus, for example, the almost clean press water from the removal point Z of the laundry press can be used very well in the field of prewashing in order to soak the laundry there and to free it from the largest amount of dirt. The use of reusable liquor from the final wash zone has the additional advantage that this water is already heated, so that no so much warming of the wash water in the final wash zone, as would be necessary when using only fresh water, is required.

Kammern 1 bis 3:

1. Vorwaschzone 26

Kammern 4 und 5:

2. Vorwaschzone 37

Kammern 6 bis 11:

Klarwaschzone 38

Kammern 12 bis 15:

Spülzone 39

Kammer 16:

Nachbehandlungszone 40

The washing line shown in FIG. 2 operates countercurrently and has the following zones:

Chambers 1 to 3:

1. Prewash zone 26

Chambers 4 and 5:

2. Prewash zone 37

Chambers 6 to 11:

Clear-wash zone 38

Chambers 12 to 15:

Rinsing zone 39

Chamber 16:

Aftertreatment zone 40

The aftertreatment zone 40 is followed by the drainage device 41.

The water tapping points are also denoted by the letters X, Y and Z and are located in the chambers 12 and 16 and at the outlet of the dewatering device 41. In addition to the Wasserzugabestellen A, B and D, the Wasserzugabestelle C is provided in the chamber 11.

Pre-heated fresh water passes via the fresh water line 42 to the water addition point A and B at the beginning of the first prewashing zone 36 or at the beginning in chamber 4 of the second prewashing zone 37th Steam is the final wash zone via the steam line 43 to the chambers 6, 8, 10 and 11 fed , Finally, fresh water is supplied via the fresh water line 44 at the water addition point D in chamber 15.

As can be seen, the drum 45 is formed in the region of the chambers 4 to 12 and 15 and 16 as a double drum, wherein the inner wall of the drum is perforated, which is indicated by the dashed line.

The sketched line diagram reveals that the water removal point X is connected via the connecting line 46 to the water addition point A or to the second prewash zone 4 at the water addition point B or to the water addition point C in the chamber 11 of the final wash zone. Further, the water outlet Y is connected on the one hand to the Wasserzugabestelle B of the chamber 4 of the second prewash zone and on the other hand with the Wasserzugabestelle D of the chamber 15 of the rinse zone. Finally, the water removal point Z of the drainage device is connected via the connecting line 48 to the water addition point A at the beginning of the first prewash zone. Valves 49 and pumps 50 are provided in all lines as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, so that a metered supply of reusable liquor to the individual chambers is possible. In the embodiment 1 and 2, the connection lines 31, 32 and 33 and 46, 47, 48 with processes 51 and 52, respectively, via which liquor components can be discharged into the duct system or into a recovery system.

Claims (17)

1. A method of washing laundry, in which

   - the laundry to be washed is moved through a washing line with successive chambers (1 to 16) with different tanks, wherein the laundry passes through a prewash zone (21, 36, 37), a clear washing zone (22, 38), a rinsing zone 23, 39) and a post-treatment zone (24, 40)

   - the waste water from at least the rinsing zone, the post-treatment zone and a de-watering device (25, 41) following the post-treatment zone is recovered,

   - the washing water of the individual tanks in the zones consists variably of fresh water and waste water from other tanks in dependence on the production of waste water, whereby this occurs in dependence on the waste water content,

   characterised in that the recovered waste water is fed directly between the zones, at least in part controlled by means of a valve and pump system of one or more preceding other zones via direct conduits (31, 32, 33) and no waste water is temporarily stored in water storage components, particularly buffer tanks, in the water circuit during the washing process.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the waste water is removed in a precisely defined amount, preferably continuously.
3. A method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the waste water is removed at the beginning of the rinsing zone (X) and at the beginning of the post-treatment zone (Y).
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that a press or centrifuge is used as the dewatering device (25, 41) and the washing process includes the pressing of the moisture out of the fully washed laundry, whereby the waste water thus produced is also fed to the washing line without temporary storage.
5. A method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the waste water from the clear washing zone and/or the rinsing zone and/or the dewatering device is fed to the pre-washing zone.
6. A method as claimed in one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the waste water from the rinsing zone is fed to a preceding chamber of the rinsing zone.
7. A method as claimed in one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the waste water from the clear washing zone and/or the rinsing zone and/or the dewatering device is fed to a first pre-washing zone (36) and/or a second pre-washing zone (37).
8. A method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that excess waste water, which is not fed back into the washing line, is drained off or recovered.
9. A washing line for laundry in tank-changing and/or counterflow operation with a washing drum (26) with a plurality of successive chambers (1 to 16) for a plurality of tanks in the washing drum (26), wherein the chambers are associated with at least the following zones: a pre-washing zone (21, 36, 37), a clear washing zone (22, 38), a rinsing zone (23, 39) and a post-treatment zone (24, 40); a dewatering device (25, 41), a conveying device for transporting the laundry through the washing drum (26), a fresh water supply with at least one fresh water addition point (A, B, C, D) and a water recovery system, characterised in that the water recovery system includes water removal points (X, Y, Z) at least in the rinsing zone, the post-treatment zone and the dewatering device and waste water addition points (A, B, C, D) at least in the pre-washing zone and in the clear washing zone, components (31, 32, 33) conducting waste water and a valve and pump system (34, 35, 49, 50) for controlling the water flows in the water recovery system, wherein the components (31, 32, 33), conducting the waste water, of the water recovery system consist exclusively of direct conduits (31, 32, 33) transporting waste water between the waste water removal points (X, Y, Z) and the waste water addition points (A, B, C, D) and the water recovery system has absolutely no water storage components, particularly buffer tanks.
10. A washing line as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the waste water removal points (X, Y, Z) enable a precisely defined removal of waste water.
11. A washing line as claimed in one of Claims 9 or 10, characterised in that the waste water addition points (A, B, C, D) are connected to at least two or more waste water removal points (X, Y, Z).
12. A washing line as claimed in one of Claims 9 or 10, characterised in that the waste water removal points (X, Y, Z) are arranged at the end of the clear washing zone, at the end of the rinsing zone and of the post-treatment zone and are connected directly via conduits (31, 32, 33) to water addition points (A, B, C, D) in the pre-washing zone and/or the clear washing zone and/or the rinsing zone.
13. A washing line as claimed in Claim 12, characterised in that the conduits (31, 32, 33) are provided with drains (51, 52) equipped with valves.
14. A washing line as claimed in one of Claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the dewatering device (25, 41), particularly a laundry press for pressing the washed laundry or a centrifuge, is connected to the washing line and its water removal point (Z) is connected directly to the pre-washing zone via a conduit (33, 48).
15. A washing line as claimed in one of Claims 9 to 14, characterised in that the water recovery system further includes valves (34, 49) for controlling the water flows in the conduits (31, 32, 33; 46, 47, 48).
16. A washing line as claimed in one of the preceding Claims 9 to 15, characterised in that the drum (26, 45) of the washing line is constructed in the form of a double-walled drum, at least in the vicinity of the water removal points (X, Y, Z).
17. A washing line as claimed in Claim 16, characterised in that the inner wall of the drum is apertured in the vicinity of the double-walled drum construction.

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