EP2287383B1 - Water-guiding household appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance, for example a domestic dishwasher or a household washing machine.

Water-bearing household appliances, such as Dishwashers or washing machines, have water connections with which the home appliances, for. can be connected to the fresh water network. If such a domestic appliance is connected to the water network via a water feed line, then it is possible that water located in the water inlet line flows back into the water network.

From the DE 25 22 443 A1 is a water damage protection valve with a movable in a valve housing arranged closing body, in which the closing body pressed with a predetermined reaction pressure against the water line pressure against a first valve seat in a first closed position, under the action of switching on the consumer on the closing body on passing differential pressure of the first Valve seat lifted to the opening of the valve to a stable intermediate position and, when the acting in the stable intermediate position on the closing body flow pressure exceeds a predetermined value, is moved in the flow direction against a second valve seat in a second closed position. According to one embodiment, in addition to the water damage protection valve, a solenoid valve may be provided, which can be electrically actuated by a liquid sensor in a collecting trough of the consumer.

From the DE 10 2007 014 386 A1 is a control device for a water-carrying device, having means for supplying water and facilities for a discharge of treated or processed water is known. In this case, devices are provided which close the supply of water to the water-conducting device if the measured values recorded by measured-value recording devices indicate that a fault has occurred in the water-conducting device. As a means for opening and closing the water supply, an electronically controllable solenoid valve is preferably provided, the water connection side may optionally be preceded by a double check valve.

A combined non-return and air inlet valve is out of the GB 1 372 504 A known.

The DE 1 585 830 A1 describes a trained as a ball valve backflow preventer for washing machines and dishwashers, which is arranged in the fresh water line behind an inlet valve shunt to a softener, that with open inlet valve and closed ball valve about 5-20% of the fresh water amount as not softened via a nozzle in a tub passes while the rest of the fresh water flows through the softener and passes through a pipe socket of the same in the tub.

The object of the invention is to carry out a water-conducting domestic appliance in such a way that it prevents that located in a water supply line of the domestic appliance water enters the water network.

The object of the invention is achieved by a water-conducting domestic appliance, comprising at least one water supply line for supplying the domestic appliance with water from a water network, which is connected to an inlet valve arrangement which can be connected to the water network, wherein a backflow prevention device is arranged in the inlet valve arrangement which is set up is to allow only a flow of water towards home appliance, but to prevent water flow towards the water network. The domestic appliance according to the invention is e.g. a dishwasher or a washing machine.

According to the invention, the domestic appliance accordingly comprises the backflow prevention device connected to the inlet valve arrangement of the domestic appliance, which merely allows water flowing through the inlet valve to flow in one direction, namely from the water network in the direction of the domestic appliance. Characterized in that the backflow prevention device prevents a flow direction of the water in the water supply line away from the domestic appliance, ie in the return direction, in particular to the water network, conditions are provided that located in the water supply line water can not flow back into the water network By the invention, a backflow of particular contaminated water, for example, with simultaneous connection of two water supplies, especially for cold water and hot water to household appliances, each by means of either a water stop valve, in particular Aquastopp valve, or a single valve.

In order to save energy, household water appliances can be connected to hot and cold water supply lines at the same time. If one of both inlets is not activated for a long time, it can lead to germ growth in the respectively shut down hose. If pressure differences between the two feeds occur, a backflow can occur, as a result of which contaminated water in fresh water lines can be forced. Such backflow can be prevented by the use of check valves. Check valves may in particular have two housing halves and a sealing element located therein. The housing halves must be secured against sliding apart when the pressure builds up, for example by being welded together. Clamps or clamps can be used to connect to components or hoses.

In each case, a backflow barrier is integrated according to the invention into the respective inlet valve arrangement, in particular into the respective waterstop or single-valve housing. This can conveniently be done with the aid of sealing disks or membrane rings, which have movable lips. Alternatively, however, can also be used as Rückströmsperre a ball which closes a particular conical return flow. The advantage over the known designs is also in the savings for a separate housing and for connecting parts such as hose pieces, Klammem, as well as for the installation effort, which would otherwise be necessary.

The household appliance according to the invention comprises a plurality of inlet valve arrangements for supplying the domestic appliance with water from the water network, wherein each of the inlet valve arrangements has a backflow prevention device, which is arranged in each case in the associated inlet valve arrangement and is arranged to allow only a water flow in the direction of the domestic appliance, but a water flow in the direction Prevent water supply. Such an embodiment may be provided, for example, when the inventive household appliance with cold and preheated water, ie warm or
Heating water, to be supplied. Then it is possible that one of the water supply lines can be connected to a cold water connection and the other to a hot or hot water connection.

According to a preferred variant of the inventive household appliance, the inlet valve arrangement is part of a water stop valve arrangement. This preferably comprises an inlet valve at the upstream end of each water supply line of the domestic appliance. The inlet valve is e.g. a solenoid valve, in particular Aquastopp valve or water stop valve, which can be opened and closed, for example, by a control device of the domestic appliance according to the invention, e.g. to control the water intake of the inventive household appliance. The backflow prevention device is thus adapted for this variant, to prevent water flow in the direction of the water network through the inlet valve.

In each case an inlet valve and an associated water supply line may preferably form a water stop system. Then, if necessary, this has a safety mechanism to prevent water ingress in the event of a defect, in particular of the water hose (s), e.g. automatically the control device of the household appliance locks or the inlet valves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention, the backflow prevention device may be formed as a check valve. A check valve is set up to automatically block the passage of the water flowing through it in the return flow direction, in this case in the direction of the water network. The check valve may be, for example, a spring-loaded check valve, in which a closing element in the direction of water network closed by a spring, in the direction home appliance, however, is released by the water through the water supply line, possibly through the water hose flowing water. As a closing element, for example, a ball, a cone, a flap or a membrane can be used, which presses by means of the spring against an inlet or outlet of a through-channel of the check valve.

The backflow prevention device according to the invention comprises a movably mounted in the inlet valve assembly sealing disc which is moved by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction home appliance in an open position and is moved by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of water network in a closed position in which the sealing disc on a Seat is liquid-tight. The sealing disc can be moved in the axial direction insofar and in particular solely by the water pressure or the respective flow direction of the water through the valve assembly. If the water flows in the direction of the household appliance, the sealing disc is pushed into its open position. However, if the water wants to flow in the other direction, ie in the direction of the water network, then the sealing disk will be in its closed position, ie. pressed against the seat. Thus, separate adjusting means for moving the sealing disc can be omitted. In particular, no electrical energy is required for this purpose.

The sealing disc is arranged in a flow channel between a filter arrangement and a solenoid valve of the inlet valve arrangement. In this case, the sealing disc is integrated into the inlet valve arrangement, so that a separate valve housing can be omitted. In addition, such a sealing disc can be used without changes or at most with slight changes in an existing inlet valve assembly. Thus, the backflow prevention device according to the invention can be realized cost-saving. The seat can be formed in particular by an insert with an annular disk-shaped seat surface, which has an axially projecting in the direction of the sealing ring rib, on which the sealing disc is seated in the closed position. Due to the axially projecting annular rib, the sealing disc sits on a small, i.e. narrow sealing surface, so that the sealing effect is more precise or improved.

In addition to or independent of a sealing disk, the backflow prevention device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for example, have a membrane ring mounted in the inlet valve assembly, which by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of home appliance elastically deformed into an open position and a sealing lip of the membrane ring by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of the water network, ie in the return direction, is pressed into a closed position in which the sealing lip of the diaphragm ring rests against a seat liquid-tight. In the relaxed position of the membrane ring, the sealing lip on the seat can in particular be in a liquid-tight manner, so that the non-return valve is in the closed position even in the pressureless state in the inlet valve arrangement. In the case of a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of the water network, the sealing lip is additionally additionally pressed against the seat, so that increased liquid-tightness is achieved.

The membrane ring may preferably be arranged in a flow channel between a filter arrangement and a solenoid valve of the inlet valve arrangement. The membrane ring is space-saving integrated into the inlet valve arrangement. A separate valve housing can be omitted. In addition, such a membrane ring without changes or at most be used with minor changes in an existing inlet valve assembly. Thus, the backflow prevention device according to the invention can be realized cost-saving.

The seat for the diaphragm ring may conveniently be formed by a disk-shaped insert having flow openings, which are closed in the closed position of the diaphragm ring by the sealing lip of the diaphragm ring. Due to the disc-shaped insert, the sealing lip of the diaphragm ring is opposed to a unique, adapted contact surface. As a result, the sealing effect can be improved.

The disk-shaped insert can form an annular gap with the sealing lip of the diaphragm ring according to an expedient development of the invention. The sealing lip can be arranged inclined radially outwardly in the closed position of the diaphragm ring with its free sealing lip edge. Thus, high forces can be transmitted to the sealing lip by the water flowing through the valve assembly, which presses the sealing lip with high force against the seat or the disc-shaped insert to increase the sealing effect.

The household appliance according to the invention, in particular a dishwasher with hot and cold water connection, which is designed in particular for the possibility of using heated by a solar water heater, provides a backflow valve in Supply valve their respective water supply line, in particular in each of the tap on the inlet valves of their hot water and cold water supply line, ready. Due to the installation of the non-return device, in particular in the form of the check valve in the water inlet line, a return flow of befindlicher in the water inlet line water is prevented in the water network. In particular when using the check valve, the domestic appliance according to the invention can be realized relatively inexpensively.

The invention accordingly relates in particular to a check valve for preventing return flow, integrated in the respective inlet valve, in particular a water stop valve arrangement of a domestic appliance with one or optionally with two water supply lines (hot and cold water).

Other embodiments and further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. These and the above-listed advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be used individually or in any combination in a household appliance according to the invention, in particular in a dishwasher according to the invention.

The invention and its embodiments and developments and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine als vorteilhaftes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Hausgeräts,

Fig. 2

eine erste vorteilhafte Ausführungsform eines Zulaufventils, das als Teil einer Wasserstopp-Ventilanordnung der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine von Figur 1 ausgebildet ist, mit einer Dichtscheibe in der Offenstellung,

Fig. 3

die erste Ausführungsform des Zulaufventil gemäß Fig. 2 mit der Dichtscheibe in der Schließstellung,

Fig. 4

eine zweite vorteilhafte Ausführungsform eines Zulaufventils, das als Teil einer Wasserstopp-Ventilanordnung der Haushaltsgeschirrspülmaschine ausgebildet ist, mit einem Membranring in der Offenstellung, und

Fig. 5

die zweite Ausführungsform des Zulaufventils gemäß Fig. 4 mit einem Membranring in der Schließstellung.

Each show schematically:

Fig. 1

a domestic dishwasher as an advantageous embodiment of a domestic appliance according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a first advantageous embodiment of an inlet valve, which is part of a water stop valve arrangement of the household dishwasher of FIG. 1 is formed, with a sealing disc in the open position,

Fig. 3

the first embodiment of the inlet valve according to Fig. 2 with the sealing washer in the closed position,

Fig. 4

a second advantageous embodiment of an inlet valve, which is formed as part of a water stop valve assembly of the household dishwasher, with a diaphragm ring in the open position, and

Fig. 5

the second embodiment of the inlet valve according to Fig. 4 with a diaphragm ring in the closed position.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the FIGS. 1 5 each provided with the same reference numerals.

The Fig. 1 shows a sectional representation of a household dishwasher 1 as an example of a water-conducting household appliance.

The domestic dishwasher 1 has a washing container 2 for receiving items to be washed, which can be classified for example in a Geschirroberkorb 3 and a dish rack 4. In the washing container 2, at least two spraying devices are arranged for charging the items to be washed with a liquid, which is usually referred to as washing liquor. In the case of the present embodiment, the spraying devices are designed as upper and lower spray arms 5, 6. The liquid can be conveyed by a circulation pump 7 via a first liquid supply line 8 to the upper spray arm 5 and via a second liquid supply line 9 to the lower spray arm 6. The circulation pump 7 is e.g. by means of an electric drive, not shown, in particular by means of its electric motor driven.

The liquid can be heated by a water heater 10 at least in a partial program step of a washing program of the household dishwasher 1, which is connected to an inlet nozzle 11 to the circulation pump 7 and with outlet ports 12, 13 to the liquid supply lines 8, 9. The number of outlet ports 12, 13 corresponds to the number of spray arms 5, 6 or simultaneously operated groups of spray arms 5, 6. The funded by the circulation pump 7 liquid is therefore the input port 11 of the water heater 10 and from the outlet nozzle 12, 13 via the liquid supply lines 8, 9 directed to the spray arms 5, 6.

The domestic dishwasher 1 further comprises a water diverter 14, e.g. arranged in the flow heater 10 or is integrally formed thereon. The water diverter 14 may e.g. but also be arranged in the household dishwasher 1 by itself or be connected directly to the circulation pump 7. By means of the water switch 14, the spray arms 5, 6 can be alternately and / or constantly charged with the liquid, which is achieved by opening a liquid outlet and by closing another liquid outlet of the water switch 14.

In Fig. 2 a first inlet valve assembly 15 is shown which is designed according to the construction principle according to the invention. The inlet valve assembly 15 is shown in a vertical operative mounting position. The inlet valve arrangement 15 has a valve housing 17. At an upper end of the valve housing 17, an inlet connection 18 is formed. From the upper inlet connection 18, a flow channel 19 leads through the valve housing 17 to a lower outlet connection 20. The inlet connection 18 carries rotatably mounted on a collar 18a a union nut 18b. By means of the union nut 18b, the inlet valve assembly 15 and the valve housing 17 to a faucet, not shown, in particular wall connection, are connected. On the input side, in particular at the level of the inlet connection 18, a first filter arrangement 23 is inserted into the flow channel 19. The first filter assembly 23, downstream in the inlet direction, a second filter assembly 24 is inserted into the valve housing 17.

Downstream of the first filter arrangement 23 and / or the second filter arrangement 24, a seat 25 is inserted in the valve housing 17. The seat 25 has an in Fig. 2 downwardly oriented annular disc-shaped seat surface 26. The annular disk-shaped seat surface 26 carries an annular rib 27. The annular rib 27 extends axially from the seat surface 26 projecting in the direction of a valve housing 17 arranged in the sealing disc 28. The sealing disc 28 forms so far together with the seat surface 26 and the annular rib 27, a first embodiment of a backflow prevention device according to the invention 21st

The sealing disk 28 is arranged between the first filter arrangement 23 or the second filter arrangement 24 and a valve seat 29. The valve seat 29 is part of a schematically shown solenoid valve 30 which can be screwed to a flange 31. For this purpose, the flange portion 31 may have an internal thread 32. The flange portion 31 may be formed integrally with the valve housing 17.

Solenoid valves 30 may be connected to a control device of the household dishwasher 1, which may be u.a. is arranged to control the operation of the domestic dishwasher 1 and the inlet valve assemblies 15, 16 to open and close. The Zulaufventilanordnungen 15, 16 are provided to be connected to a not-shown water network. One of the inlet valve assemblies 15, 16 may be connected, for example, to a cold water supply and the other to a hot or hot water connection of the water network to supply the domestic dishwasher 1 with cold or preheated water.

The water supply system of the household dishwasher 1 may comprise two water supply lines e.g. in the form of a first water hose connected to the first supply valve assembly 15 and a second water hose connected to a second supply valve assembly 16. The inlet valve assemblies 15, 16 opposite ends of the water hoses are connected to a device inlet of the household dishwasher 1. Via the appliance inlet, the water coming from the water connections reaches the washing container 2 in order to form the washing liquor when mixed with a washing-up liquid.

The water supply system can be designed as a water stop system and accordingly comprise a safety mechanism in order to prevent water supply in the event of a defect, in particular of the water hoses, by e.g. automatically the control device, the inlet valve assemblies 15, 16 locks. For this purpose, the two water hoses may also run inside sheath hoses, e.g. Corrugated tubes are. If the water hoses are leaking, the hoses can catch escaping water.

In the Fig. 2 the sealing disc 28 is shown in its open position. In the illustrated position of the sealing washer 28 there is a distance between the annular rib 27 of annular disk-shaped seat surface 26 and the top of the sealing washer 28 so that water from the inlet nozzle 18 to the outlet nozzle 20 can flow when the solenoid valve 30 releases the valve seat 29. In this open position, the underside of the sealing disc 28 rests on a shoulder 33 of the valve housing 17, wherein a lateral gap channel 34 allows the sealing disc 28 to flow around.

In the Fig. 3 the sealing disk 28 is shown in its closed position. In the illustrated position of the sealing washer 28, the top of the sealing washer 28 is fully liquid-tight at the annular rib 27 of the annular disk-shaped seat surface 26 at. By coming from the outlet nozzle 20 upcoming water flow, the sealing washer 28 is pressed up against the annular rib 27 of the annular disk-shaped seat surface 26, so that a flow of water towards the water network is prevented in this closed position.

In Fig. 4 is the gasket 28 according to the Figures 2 and 3 replaced by a diaphragm ring 35. The membrane ring 35 carries at an upper edge portion a particular annular circumferential sealing lip 36. The sealing lip 36 is arranged with its free sealing lip edge 37 inclined radially outward. The sealing lip 36 is seated in the closed position shown on a seat 38. The seat 38 may be provided on a disc-shaped insert 39. The diaphragm ring 35 forms so far, together with the sealing lip 36 and the seat 38, a second embodiment of a backflow prevention device 22 according to the invention.

The disc-shaped insert 39 can be used as a separate insert part in the flow channel 19 of the valve housing 17 or also be formed integrally therewith. In the illustrated closed position, the sealing lip 36 encloses flow openings 40, which are introduced into the disk-shaped insert 39.

The Fig. 5 shows the diaphragm ring 35 in its open position. The disk-shaped insert 39 forms with the sealing lip 36 of the diaphragm ring 35 an annular gap 41. Via the annular gap 41, as indicated by the arrows P, water from the inlet port 18 to the outlet port 20 to flow when the solenoid valve 30 releases the valve seat 29.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Domestic dishwasher

2

rinse tank

3

Dishes upper basket

4

Harnesspads basket

5

upper spray arm

6

lower spray arm

7

circulating pump

8th

first liquid supply line

9

second liquid supply line

10

Heater

11

inlet connection

12, 13

outlet connection

14

water points

15

first inlet valve arrangement

16

second inlet valve arrangement

17

valve housing

18

flowguide

18a

Federation

18b

Nut

19

flow channel

20

outlet connection

21, 22

Backflow prevention device

23

first filter arrangement

24

second filter arrangement

25

Seat

26

annular disc-shaped seat

27

annular rib

28

sealing washer

29

valve seat

30

magnetic valve

31

flange

32

inner thread

33

paragraph

34

splitting chute

35

diaphragm ring

36

sealing lip

37

Sealing lip edge

38

Seat

39

disc-shaped insert

40

Flow openings

41

annular gap

Claims (6)

1. Water conducting household appliance, having at least one water supply line to supply the household appliance (1) with water from a water network, which is connected to an inlet valve arrangement (15, 16), which can be connected to the water network, wherein a backflow prevention apparatus (21, 22) is disposed in the inlet valve arrangement (15, 16) and is set up only to allow a water flow in the direction of the household appliance (1) but to prevent a water flow in the direction of the water network and wherein the backflow prevention apparatus (21, 22) has a sealing disk (28) supported in a movable manner in the inlet valve arrangement (15, 16), which is moved into an open position by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of the household appliance (1) and is moved into a closing position by a water pressure of the water flow in the direction of the water network, in which closing position the sealing disk (28) rests on a seat (25) in a fluid-tight manner, characterised in that the sealing disk (28) is disposed in a flow channel (29) between a filter arrangement (23, 24) and a solenoid valve (30) of the inlet valve arrangement (15, 16) and is integrated into the inlet valve arrangement (15, 16) so that a separate valve housing can be omitted.
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised by a number of inlet valve arrangements (15, 16) to supply the household appliance (1) with water from the water network, wherein each of the inlet valve arrangements (15, 16) has a backflow prevention apparatus (21, 22), which is disposed in each instance in the assigned inlet valve arrangement (15, 16) and is set up only to allow a water flow in the direction of the household appliance (1) but to prevent a water flow in the direction of the water network.
3. Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the inlet valve arrangement (15, 16) is part of a water stop valve arrangement and in particular is positioned in each instance at the upstream end of each water supply line.
4. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the backflow prevention apparatus (21, 22) is configured as a non-return valve.
5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat (25) is formed by an insertion piece with a seat surface (26) in the manner of an annular disk, which has an annular rib (27) projecting axially in the direction of the sealing disk (28), on which the sealing disk (28) rests in the closing position.
6. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, which is configured as a household dishwasher (1) or as a washing machine.

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