EP2283180B1 - Washing machine and method for recycling rinsing fluid in a washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a washing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for rinsing liquid recovery in a washing machine according to claim 7 (see EP-A-0 607 628 ).

The washing program of a washing machine is known to have the program sections "washing" and "rinsing". The program section "rinsing" usually comprises at least two individual rinses. In each of the rinses, a quantity of fresh water depending on the type / amount of laundry is added to the tub, which rinses the detergent residues from the laundry while the washing drum is rotated. This is followed by centrifuging a drainage of the tub.

From the EP 0 857 808 B1 a generic washing machine is known in which the rinse water used in the program section "rinse" is recovered. For this purpose, the generic washing machine to a storage container, the upper is connected to a return line to the tub. After the last rinse the rinse water is not out of the washing machine, but passed through the return line in the storage tank. The rinse water stored in the storage tank is used in the following wash cycle during the wash cycle.

The storage tank leading to the return line and leading to the sewer system drain line are connected independently of each other on the tub.

A washing machine with a storage container and a method for rinsing liquid recovery are in DE 10 2005 036 125 A1 disclosed. In such a method washing and / or rinsing liquid is removed from a tub of the washing machine and a storage container of the washing machine supplied thereto, the washing machine has a return line which is connected to the storage container and the downstream of the tub at a first branch point one with the tub branches connected drain line. The in the storage container stored washing and / or rinsing liquid is supplied to the tub via a circulating line connected to the storage tank and the tub.

Another washing machine and another method for rinsing liquid recovery are out EP 607 628 A1 known. This washing machine also has a tub, which is connected to a drain line, and a fluidically connected via a return line to the tub storage container. The return line is branched downstream of the tub and downstream of a connected in the drain line drain pump from the drain line and the drain line washing and / or rinsing liquid can be removed from the drain pump. Furthermore, this washing machine to a circulation line, which branches off at a second branch point of the return line and which is connected to a Waschmitteleinspülvorrichtung or arranged on the tub condenser About the recirculation line and the Einspülvorrichtung or the condenser washing and / or rinsing liquid the tub be supplied.

The object of the invention is to provide a water-saving washing machine or a method for recovering sputum in such a washing machine, in which the flushing liquid can be recovered with low component expenditure and production technology.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1 or claim 7 Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims

According to one embodiment not encompassed by claim 1, the return line leading to the storage container is not directly connected to the tub, but branches off from the drain line downstream of the tub. In this way, provided for the return line access opening can be saved in the tub. Likewise, the required sealing elements can be saved.

Preferably, the storage container can be arranged geodetically below the tub. After the rinse, therefore, the rinsing liquid can be introduced only by gravity into the storage tank. In this case, therefore, the return line can already branch off upstream of a drain pump connected in the drain line. Alternatively, the return line can also branch off downstream of the drain pump, that is, on the pressure side of the drain pump. In this case, with appropriate flow diversion, the drain pump actively pump the rinse water into the storage tank. The storage container is positionable in this case in any altitude in the washing machine.

For deflecting the guided out of the tub Spülflüssigkeitsströmung in the storage tank or in the drainage system can be arranged in the return line and / or in the drain line controllable by the control device blocking element, such as a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve can be opened or closed depending on the operating mode.

As is known, a control element is provided in the drainage area of the tub or in the drainage line, which closes its drainage area when filling the tub. The control is preferably provided upstream of the branching return line.

According to a preferred embodiment, the storage container may be in a closed return circuit via a circulation line with the tub in combination. In the closed loop feedback loop of the tub, the return line, the storage tank and the recirculating again opening into the tub recirculation line are connected. In the circulation line can a Be arranged delivery pump, which is connected with its suction side to the storage container.

For a perfect filling or emptying of the storage tank, a pressure equalization in the storage tank is required. For this purpose, the storage container may be associated with a vent line, which preferably connects the storage container with the tub.

In a case of customer service, easy handling of the washing machine is an advantage. Against this background, the storage container can have an additional discharge line, via which the rinsing water cached in the storage container can be emptied. In the drain line, a controllable blocking element, such as a solenoid valve, can be connected for this purpose.

As mentioned above, according to the invention, the return line branches off directly from the drain line. Downstream of this first branch point, in a further embodiment, a second branch point can be provided, at which the circulation line branches off from the discharge line. The recirculation line may be in fluid communication with the detergent dispenser box or with the tub to form a closed loop return circuit.

In contrast to the previous embodiment, no additional feed pump is to be provided in the return circuit here. Rather, by appropriate control of the flow guide integrated therein, the drain pump in a double function as a circulating pump can return the already used rinse water back into the tub.

In contrast to the first embodiment, here the circulation line is not connected directly to the storage tank. In a storage process, the rinsing liquid is pumped via the return line into the storage container and stored there by means of the drain pump. To return the rinse water stored there, a three-way valve arranged in the first branching point is opened. The rinse water can therefore be returned by gravity from the storage tank on the put out of service drain pump into the tub. Subsequently, over the Three-way valve the drain line released and closed the Stromungsweg to the storage tank.

In a subsequent activation of the drain pump, therefore, the rinse water is passed via the drain line to the second branch point at which it is returned via a correspondingly switched three-way valve in the recirculation line and the tub. In contrast to the first embodiment, the drain pump can be used here both as a circulation pump and for discharging flushing liquid for the sewer system.

Below, two embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein only the second embodiment, the invention according to the claims 1 and 7 explained in more detail

Fig. 1

in einer grob schematischen Ansicht eine Waschmaschine gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 2

in einer Ansicht entsprechend der Fig. 1 eine Waschmaschine gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a rough schematic view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment; and

Fig. 2

in a view corresponding to Fig. 1 a washing machine according to the second embodiment.

In the Fig. 1 is a washing machine according to the first embodiment with a tub 1 shown A rotatable in the tub 1 washing drum 3 is indicated only by dashed lines. The feed of fresh water into the tub 1 via a fresh water supply line 4, in which a Waschmitteleinspülkasten 31 is provided. In the discharge area 7 of the tub 1, a drain line 5 is connected, in which a return line 9 branches off in a first branch point 8, which is fluidly connected to a storage tank 7 described later.

Downstream of the first branching point 8, a drain pump 11 is connected in the discharge line 5, which conveys spent washing or rinsing water into the drainage system. In the return line 9, a solenoid valve 13 is connected as a blocking element. The drain pump 11 is directly upstream of another solenoid valve 15. Die Both solenoid valves 13, 15, as well as the other electrically actuated device components are controlled by a control device, not shown here. The solenoid valves 13, 15 alternately release the return line 9 or the drain line 5. Upstream of the first branching point 8, a control element 17 is arranged, which closes its discharge region 6 when filling the tub 1.

The storage container 7 is arranged in a closed return circuit. In the return cycle flushing liquid coming from the tub 1 is cached in the storage container 7 after a rinse cycle described later. The stored in the storage tank 7 rinse water is then returned via the circulation line 19 and the circulating pump 21 disposed therein in the tub 1. Due to the level changes in the storage tank 7 takes place via a vent line 23 which connects the storage tank 7 with the tub 1, a pressure compensation.

For measuring a liquid level in the tub 1, a riser 24 is connected in the drain region 6, at the free end of a level sensor 26 is arranged. As the level sensor 26, an analog pressure sensor can be used, with which arbitrary levels can be measured. The signal output of the sensor 26 is connected to the control device, not shown, which controls the predetermined liquid levels in the tub 1 in each washing program section. Likewise, a level sensor 28 is associated with the storage container 7 via a riser 27, which detects the liquid level in the storage container 7. On the bottom side, the storage container 7 is connected to a discharge line 25. When the termination line 25 is released, the storage container 7 can be emptied, for example during servicing.

The washing program of the washing machine is known to include a washing program section and a washing program section. The wash program section is divided into individual wash cycles. After the start of the washing program section, washing liquid is fed into the tub 1 via the supply line 4 and via the detergent dispenser box 31 until the level sensor 26 detects a predetermined level of liquid in the tub 1.

After the wash, the rinses are performed. For each rinse a predetermined amount of fresh water is passed into the tub 1. At the end of the respective rinse the tub 1 is emptied with slings and the rinse water discharged through the drain line 5 by means of the drain pump 11 into the sewer system. For this purpose, the switched in the return line 9 solenoid valve 13 is closed, while the drain pump 11 upstream solenoid valve 15 is opened.

In the last rinse, on the other hand, the drain pump 11 is turned off and the upstream solenoid valve 15 is closed, while the return line 9 is opened to the storage tank 7. The storage container 7 is according to the Fig. 1 arranged by a height difference .DELTA.h ₁ below the tub ₁ , so that under gravity the flushing liquid of the last rinse cycle flows into the storage container 7 and is cached therein.

At the start of the subsequent wash cycle of the tub 1 is supplied not only via the supply line 4 with fresh water, but also on the additional circulation line 19 with the rinsing liquid stored in the storage tank 7. The amount of fresh water required for the wash cycle can therefore be reduced by the amount of the amount of flushing fluid stored.

That in the Fig. 2 shown second embodiment corresponds functionally to the first embodiment, so that the same effect device components or fluid lines are provided with the same reference numerals.

In contrast to Fig. 1 the return line leading to the storage tank 7 9 does not branch upstream, but downstream of the drain pump 11 from the drain line 5 from. In the first branching point 8, a three-way valve 29 is provided, which releases the drain line 5 or the return line 9 depending on the switching position. Downstream of this first branching point 8, a second branching point 22 is provided in the discharge line 5, in which the circulation line 19 branches off from the discharge line 5. In the second branching point 22, a three-way valve 30 is also provided. By means of the circulation line 19 rinsing liquid can be recycled via the water cistern 31 back into the tub 1.

In the return circuit of the washing machine Fig. 2 is therefore the tub 1, the drain pipe 5 arranged in the drain pump 11 and the circulation line 19 connected. The storage container 7 is arranged in contrast to the drain line 5 in contrast.

At the beginning of the washing program, as in the Fig. 1 , Fresh water is first fed into the tub 1 for the wash cycle via the supply line 4. After the end of the wash cycle, the washing liquid is passed through the drain pump 11 past the storage container 7 in the sewer system. The switching positions of the three-way valves 29, 30 are as in the Fig. 2 shown. In the subsequent rinses - with the exception of the last rinse cycle - also the rinsing liquid quantities are discharged from the drain pump 11 via the drain line 5 into the sewage system.

In the last rinse, in contrast, the three-way valve 29 of the first branching point 8 is moved to its second switching position, in which the rinsing liquid is conveyed by means of the drain pump 11 into the storage container 7. For pressure equalization of the storage tank 7 is connected via the vent line 23 to the tub 1. The rinsing liquid thus cached in the storage container 7 is used for the start of the subsequent washing program for the wash cycle.

When starting the wash cycle, therefore, not only fresh water is fed via the feed line 4 into the tub 1, but in addition also the flushing liquid cached in the storage container 7. For feeding the cached in the storage tank 7 rinsing liquid in the Rührführkreislauf the drain pump 11 is disabled and spent the first solenoid valve 29 in the second switching position. In this way, the cached rinsing liquid can flow by gravity from the storage tank 7 into the tub 1. For this purpose, the storage container 7 is arranged by a height difference h ₂ above the predetermined liquid levels in the tub 1.

After emptying of the storage container 7, the recirculated rinsing liquid is circulated in the return circuit. For this purpose, the first solenoid valve 29 is back in the in the Fig. 2 shown switching position spent while the second solenoid valve 30 is moved to its second switching position. When the drain pump 11 is switched on, therefore, the rinsing liquid is conveyed via the drain line 5 and the now released circulation line 19 into the detergent dispenser 31 and from there fed into the tub 1 until a uniform detergent mixing is ensured. The drain pump 11 therefore also acts as a double function during the circulation operation as a circulation pump.

Like from the Fig. 2 further shows, between the tub 1 and the drain pump 11, a heating element 33 is connected, which heats the washing liquid during the circulation operation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tub

3

washing drum

4

supply

5

drain line

6

drainage area

7

storage container

8th

first branch point

9

Return line

11

Drain pump

13, 15

locking elements

17

check valve

19

circulation line

21

circulating pump

22

second branch point

23

vent line

24

riser

25

drain line

26

level sensor

27

riser

28

level sensor

29, 30

Three-way valves

31

detergent dispenser

33

heating element

Δh ₁

height difference

Δh ₂

height difference

Claims (8)

1. Washing machine with a solution container (1), in which a washing drum (3) is arranged to be rotatable and which is connected with a drain duct (5), as well as a storage container (7), which is connected with the solution container (1) in terms of flow by way of a return duct (9) and in which rinsing liquid for repeated supply is stored, wherein the return duct (9) is branched off from the drain duct (5) at a first branch point (8) downstream of the solution container (1) and downstream of a solution pump (11) connected into the drain duct (5) and wherein washing and/or rinsing liquid can be discharged by way of the drain duct (5) by the solution pump (9) into the waste water system, characterised in that downstream of the first branch point (8) for the return duct (9) a circulation duct (19) is branched off the drain duct (5) at a second branch point (22).
2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterised in that a ventilation duct (23), which preferably communicates with the solution container (1), is associated with the storage container (7).
3. Washing machine according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that an additional outflow duct (25) for emptying the storage container (7) is associated with the storage container (7).
4. Washing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circulation duct (19) is connected with the solution container (1) in a closed return circuit, preferably by way of a washing agent flushing-in compartment (31).
5. Washing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one respective control element (29, 30), preferably a three-way valve, which frees a liquid flow through the return duct (9) and/or through the circulation duct (19), is associated with each of the first and/or second branch points (8, 22).
6. Washing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the storage container (7) is arranged by a height difference h₂ above the liquid level preset in the solution container (1).
7. Method for recovery of rinsing liquid during a washing program with at least one washing process and rinsing process in a washing machine with the features according to one of claims 5 and 6, in which after a rinsing process has taken place the rinsing liquid is conducted from a solution container (1) into a storage container (7) and is returned to the solution container (1) in a washing program following thereupon, characterised in that for return of the rinsing water stored in the storage container (7) a three-way valve (29) arranged at the first branch point (8) is opened.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that the rinsing water is returned to the solution container (1) by the effect of gravitational force from the storage container (7) via the solution pump (11) taken out of operation.

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