EP1582135B1 - Dispositif pour contrôler la dureté de l'eau dans une machine à laver ou une lave-vaisselle - Google Patents

Dispositif pour contrôler la dureté de l'eau dans une machine à laver ou une lave-vaisselle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1582135B1
EP1582135B1 EP05102412A EP05102412A EP1582135B1 EP 1582135 B1 EP1582135 B1 EP 1582135B1 EP 05102412 A EP05102412 A EP 05102412A EP 05102412 A EP05102412 A EP 05102412A EP 1582135 B1 EP1582135 B1 EP 1582135B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
hardness
control
tank
washing
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP05102412A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1582135A1 (fr
Inventor
Paolo Da Pont
Enzo Brignone
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.)
Bitron SpA
Original Assignee
Bitron 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 Bitron SpA filed Critical Bitron SpA
Priority to PL05102412T priority Critical patent/PL1582135T3/pl
Publication of EP1582135A1 publication Critical patent/EP1582135A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1582135B1 publication Critical patent/EP1582135B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/007—Arrangements of water softeners
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/22—Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/20—Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/02—Water supply
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for controlling the hardness of the water supplied to the washing chamber or tank of a washing machine, in particular a dish-washing machine, of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.
  • DE 100 11 692 A1 discloses a device of this kind, wherein the solenoid control valve is a flow-diverting valve by which the incoming flow of water is forwarded (through a hardness sensor) to the washing chamber either directly, or through a hydraulic by-pass branch including a water softener.
  • the hardness of the water supplied to the washing chamber of the machine is adjusted by varying the relative durations of the time periods in which the diverting valve switches the incoming water flow to the said by-pass branch including the water softener.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for controlling the hardness of water supplied to a washing machine, able in particular to keep the hardness value of the water supplied to the washing chamber or tank substantially at a predefined ideal value.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a proportional solenoid valve connected hydraulically in series with the decalcifying device.
  • the device comprises a plurality (for example two) proportional solenoid valves connected hydraulically in parallel with each other and in series with the decalcifying device, these solenoid valves preferably having different respective maximum flowrate capacities (for example 1 litre/minute and 2 litres/minute).
  • Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram which shows, in qualitative terms, the progression of the hardness D out of the water at the outlet of a decalcifying device for a washing machine, in particular a dish-washing machine, as a function of the flowrate Q (measured for example in litres) of water supplied to the washing chamber or tank.
  • the decalcifying device to which the graph according to Figure 1 refers is of the type currently used in dish-washing machines (ion-exchange resin decalcifier).
  • the curve indicated by A in the diagram of Figure 1 shows the progression of the hardness of the water D out upon variation in the (overall) flowrate Q of the water supplied to the washing chamber for a given constant value D in1 of the hardness of the water D in at the inlet of the decalcifier.
  • the broken-line curves B and C show the progression of the hardness D out upon variation in the flowrate Q, for two different values D in2 and D in3 , respectively, of the hardness of the water D in at the inlet of the decalcifier, with D in1 ⁇ D in2 ⁇ D in3 .
  • the diagram of Figure 1 shows a constant level Did of the hardness D out , this constant level representing an ideal level of hardness of the water in order to avoid for example, in a dish-washing machine, the deterioration of glass or crystal crockery, such as glasses, which is likely to occur when the hardness of the water is too low.
  • the device for controlling the hardness of the water according to the invention is designed so as to tend to keep the hardness of the water which is supplied to the washing machine or chamber of a washing machine substantially constant and equal to a predefined ideal value D id .
  • Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings shows a further graph which illustrates, in qualitative terms, the progression of the hardness of the water D out at the outlet of a decalcifying device, as a function of the instantaneous water flowrate Q inst (measured for example in litres/minute).
  • the hardness D out is a substantially increasing function of the instantaneous flowrate Q inst .
  • FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention.
  • This device which is denoted overall by 1, essentially comprises a water supply pipe 2 with an inlet end 2a operationally connected to a supply source, such as a normal water distribution network, and an outlet end 2b connected to the washing chamber or tank WT of a washing machine, in particular a dish-washing machine of the type known per se.
  • a supply source such as a normal water distribution network
  • WT washing chamber or tank WT of a washing machine, in particular a dish-washing machine of the type known per se.
  • decalcifying device 3 denotes a decalcifying device, which is likewise of a type known per se, arranged along the supply pipe 2.
  • a so-called "air break” device 4 is arranged along the pipe 2, upstream of the decalcifier 3.
  • control device 1 comprises a solenoid valve 5 of the proportional type, associated with the decalcifying device 3 and in particular connected hydraulically in series with the latter, upstream of the air break device 4.
  • the proportional solenoid valve 5 is driven by a control unit CU and also acts as a solenoid valve for loading the water.
  • the decalcifying device 3 has, associated with it, a sensor device 7 able to provide the control unit CU with signals indicating the hardness of the water in this decalcifying device.
  • control unit CU Via the proportional solenoid valve 5, the control unit CU is therefore able to vary the flowrate of the water supplied to the washing chamber WT and, in accordance with the graph shown in Figure 2 , control correspondingly the hardness of the water flow supplied to the said washing chamber or tank.
  • Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the control device according to the invention which exploits the dependency of the hardness D out at the outlet of a decalcifier upon variation in the instantaneous flowrate Q inst of the water passing through it.
  • the variant according to Figure 4 illustrates a plurality (in particular two) proportional solenoid valves 5 and 5a which are arranged hydraulically in parallel with each other and in series with the decalcifier 3, upstream of the blow-off device 4.
  • the control unit CU is designed to drive selectively these proportional solenoid valves 5, 5a so as to cause (when necessary) variations in the instantaneous flowrate of the water through the decalcifier 3, causing consequently also a corresponding variation in the hardness of the water D out at the outlet of the latter and therefore at the inlet of the washing chamber or tank WT.
  • the solenoid valves 5, 5a have respective different respective maximum flowrate capacities, for example 1 litre/minute and 2 litres/minute, so that by means of coordinated driving thereof, it is possible to vary the overall flowrate between zero and 3 litres/minute.
  • Figure 5 shows a further variation of embodiment in which, upstream of the decalcifier (resin tank) 3, an overflow or breather tube 6 extends upwards from the pipe 2 with its top end rising above the tank WT of the washing bath.
  • the height of the tube 6 is selected so that, in the case of low water flowrate values, the backpressure created by the decalcifier 3 is insufficient to cause overflowing of water from the tube 6 towards the tank WT, while, in the case of a flowrates which are higher (than a predetermined threshold), said overflowing occurs, in an increasingly marked manner with an increase in the flowrate.
  • the water overflowing from the duct 6 is not decalcified and is mixed with the water of the washing bath contained inside the tank WT, varying the hardness thereof.
  • the duct 6 therefore introduces a further method of varying the hardness of the washing bath water.
  • the variant according to Figure 6 allows to minimize the flow resistance, and therefore the flow rate at low pressures is increased. Furthermore, downstreams of the device 6 the hydraulic pressure is practically equal to zero. The noise generated in the water-loading phases is reduced. Moreover, the backflow stopper does not generate air bubbles and therefore air does not flow through the softener. Finally, the number of components is reduced.
  • control unit CU is designed to drive the proportional solenoid valve or valves 5 or 5, 5a according to the hardness of the water detected by the sensor 7.
  • the scope of the present invention also includes similar embodiments, not shown, in which there is no water hardness sensor such as that indicated by 7 in Figures 3 to 6 , but in which the control system is essentially of the open loop type.
  • the control unit CU has, conveniently connected thereto, a setting device which can be manually operated by the user and is able to provide the control unit CU with signals indicating the (known) hardness of the water distributed by the local water mains.
  • the unit CU is thus designed to drive subsequently, during operation of the machine, the proportional solenoid valve 5 in such a way as to keep the hardness of the water inside the chamber or tank WT at a substantially constant level, depending on the local hardness of the water set by the user.
  • the devices for controlling the hardness of the water according to the invention have a notable structural simplicity and operate in a reliable and safe manner.
  • a further advantage consists in the fact that "washing" of the resins in the decalcifier, performed with a low water flow, allows a reduction in the consumption.
  • control is performed in an "open loop", i.e. without using sensors or transducers which provide the control unit with an accurate indication of the magnitude of the water flow through the proportional electrovalve(s).
  • a "closed loop” i.e. using a flow rate sensor or transducer (of a per se known type) adapted to provide the control unit with a signal indicative of the instantaneous water flow rate, being it possible to position such a sensor or transducer either downstream or upstream of the proportional electrovalve(s) used.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Dispositif visant à commander la dureté de l'eau alimentée à la cuve ou chambre de lavage (WT) d'une machine à laver, en particulier un lave-vaisselle, comprenant :
    un tuyau d'alimentation en eau (2) relié à la cuve ou chambre de lavage (WT) de la machine pour lui apporter un écoulement d'eau en provenance d'une source d'alimentation en eau à travers une vanne à solénoïde de chargement d'eau (5) ;
    un dispositif de décalcification (3) relié audit tuyau d'alimentation en eau (2) ;
    une vanne à solénoïde (5), reliée au dispositif de décalcification (3), et un moyen de commande (CU, 7) pour commander ladite vanne de commande à solénoïde (5) d'une manière prédéterminée ;
    le dispositif de commande étant caractérisé en ce que ladite vanne de commande à solénoïde (5) est une vanne proportionnelle, capable de commander le débit d'eau alimentée à ladite cuve ou chambre de lavage (WT) et d'agir comme vanne de chargement d'eau (5) ; le moyen de commande (CU, 7) étant capable de commander ladite vanne (5) de commande proportionnelle à solénoïde de sorte à induire des variations dans le débit de l'eau alimentée à la cuve ou chambre de lavage (WT), provoquant des variations correspondantes dans la dureté de l'écoulement d'eau fourni à ladite cuve ou chambre (WT).
  2. Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite vanne (5) de commande proportionnelle à solénoïde est reliée hydrauliquement en série au dispositif de décalcification (3).
  3. Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant une pluralité de vannes proportionnelles à solénoïdes (5, 5a) qui sont reliées hydrauliquement en parallèle les unes avec les autres et en série avec le dispositif de décalcification.
  4. Dispositif de commande selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lesdites vannes proportionnelles à solénoïdes (5, 5a) ont des capacités respectives de débit maximal différentes.
  5. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel, en amont du dispositif décalcification (3), on prévoit un reniflard ou un tube de débordement (6), qui s'étend dudit tuyau d'alimentation en eau (2) et qui a une hauteur telle qu'il permet le débordement d'eau non décalcifiée vers la cuve ou chambre de lavage (WT) lorsque le débit d'eau dans ledit tuyau d'alimentation (2) dépasse une valeur prédéterminée.
  6. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit moyen de commande comprend :
    un moyen de détection (7) capable de fournir des signaux indiquant la dureté de l'eau à la sortie du dispositif de décalcification (3), et
    une unité de commande (CU) conçue pour commander ladite vanne proportionnelle à solénoïde (5) en fonction des signaux alimentés par ledit moyen de détection (7).
  7. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel ledit moyen de commande comprend :
    un moyen de réglage capable de fournir des signaux indiquant le niveau de dureté de l'eau adopté pour ledit tuyau d'alimentation (2), et
    une unité de commande (CU) conçue pour commander ladite vanne proportionnelle à solénoïde (5) en fonction des signaux alimentés par ledit moyen de réglage.
  8. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande (CU) sont conçus pour commander ladite au moins une vanne proportionnelle à solénoïde (5 ; 5, 5a) de manière à ce que, à l'intérieur de la machine à laver, il existe un bain de lavage avec une dureté qui dépend du cycle de lavage effectué et/ou de l'étage du cycle de lavage effectué.
  9. Dispositif de commande selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en plus un moyen de détection capable de fournir au moyen de commande (CU, 7) des signaux électriques indiquant le débit d'eau à travers les électro-vannes proportionnelles (5, 5a).
EP05102412A 2004-03-30 2005-03-24 Dispositif pour contrôler la dureté de l'eau dans une machine à laver ou une lave-vaisselle Not-in-force EP1582135B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL05102412T PL1582135T3 (pl) 2004-03-30 2005-03-24 Urządzenie do sterowania twardością wody dostarczanej do maszyny myjącej, w szczególności zmywarki do naczyń

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000212A ITTO20040212A1 (it) 2004-03-30 2004-03-30 Dispositivo di controllo della durezza dell'acqua alimentata ad una macchina lavatrice, in particolare a una macchina lavastoviglie
ITTO20040212 2004-03-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1582135A1 EP1582135A1 (fr) 2005-10-05
EP1582135B1 true EP1582135B1 (fr) 2010-11-17

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05102412A Not-in-force EP1582135B1 (fr) 2004-03-30 2005-03-24 Dispositif pour contrôler la dureté de l'eau dans une machine à laver ou une lave-vaisselle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1582135B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE488170T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602005024737D1 (fr)
IT (1) ITTO20040212A1 (fr)
PL (1) PL1582135T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITTO20110792A1 (it) * 2011-09-05 2013-03-06 Bitron Spa Macchina lavabiancheria perfezionata
DE102012212638C5 (de) 2012-07-18 2020-07-30 Premark Feg L.L.C. Spülmaschine sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Spülmaschine
DE102015223371A1 (de) * 2015-11-26 2017-06-01 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Sensorvorrichtung zum Bestimmen einer Eigenschaft einer Flüssigkeit, Verfahren zum Betreiben der Sensorvorrichtung sowie wasserführendes Haushaltsgerät mit der Sensorvorrichtung
GB2567693A (en) 2017-10-23 2019-04-24 Selden Res Ltd A chemical dosing system

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB279330A (en) * 1927-04-22 1927-10-27 John Nelson Dundas Heenan Improvements in and relating to water softening systems and apparatus
GB1300044A (en) * 1969-01-24 1972-12-20 Frank Sche Eisenwerke Ag Apparatus for use in preparing a washing solution using softened water
SE452480B (sv) * 1985-03-27 1987-11-30 Fallman Goran Anordning for reducering av gropfretning i vattenledningar av koppar
IT1232595B (it) * 1989-09-29 1992-02-26 Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa Macchina di lavaggio perfezionata
DE4446731C2 (de) * 1994-12-24 2003-01-09 Miele & Cie Haushaltgerät, insbesondere programmgesteuerte Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Wasserenthärtungseinrichtung
IT1314106B1 (it) * 1999-12-03 2002-12-04 T & P Spa Circuito idraulico perfezionato per l'ottimizzazione delladecalcificazione in particolare per lavastoviglie domestiche e
DE10011692A1 (de) * 2000-03-10 2001-09-13 Aweco Appliance Sys Gmbh & Co Haushaltsmaschine zur Reinigung von Gegenständen
JP2002205065A (ja) * 2001-01-15 2002-07-23 Samson Co Ltd 硬度漏れを防止する軟水器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE488170T1 (de) 2010-12-15
EP1582135A1 (fr) 2005-10-05
PL1582135T3 (pl) 2011-04-29
DE602005024737D1 (de) 2010-12-30
ITTO20040212A1 (it) 2004-06-30

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