EP2532778B1 - Domestic appliance with liquid-guiding sections and with at least one radiation source with suitable controllable radiation paths - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance with liquid-conducting areas, in particular washing machine or washer-dryer, with at least one radiation source with an emitted radiation for a disinfecting effect in a target area. The term domestic appliance also includes the often used term household appliance (see US-A-3915180 ).

By the DE 31 23 899 A1 discloses a washing machine in which an ultraviolet radiation source serves to achieve a sterilizing effect in the washing process. For this purpose, the radiation source is mounted in the area of the loading door of a washing machine intended for front loading. The sight glass or the bullseye glass must then be permeable to the radiation of the UV radiation source, which requires that the glass of the porthole must be made of special glass, such as quartz glass, which entails increased costs for such a type of washing machine. In addition, the attachment of the UV radiation source within the curved to the interior region of the porthole is complicated, as well as a reflector for aligning the radiation to the interior of the washing drum must be provided. Thus, such a UV lamp mounted in the region of the porthole also represents a danger to an operator.

In the DE 27 32 653 A1 the attachment of a UV lamp is possible only when the washing machine is loaded in front of the porthole by providing a fitting located on the front of the washing machine. Thus, an operator should be aware of careful handling of the radiation source with respect to the porthole. However, from today's point of view, such additional equipment is no longer allowed, as sources of danger, such as hot areas of the radiator when removing it to open the loading door of the washing machine, are evident.

In a household appliance with liquid-carrying areas, such as a washing machine after the DE 43 42 049 A1 a UV lamp is installed inside the washing machine. Regarding the UV emitter in terms of its disinfecting effect in terms of To be able to bring a washing process in the first place, it is necessary that a constant circulation of liquid, such as lye or rinsing liquid, takes place during the treatment process of the laundry. The jets of the UV radiator are directed so that they act in a line section of the circulation, for example in the vicinity of a water heater on the recirculation circulated in the liquid. A sterilization of further liquid-conducting areas of the domestic appliance, in particular outside an active operating phase, is in the special assignment of the radiator to a line section of the circulation circuit after this DE 43 42 049 A1 not possible. In addition, it is imperative to have to provide a recirculation circuit for the liquid in the domestic appliance.

After DE 20 2005 013 207 U1 It is also disclosed how ultraviolet radiation can be used for sterilization within a washing machine. Furthermore, possibilities are shown to perform an interior drying of areas of a washing machine in order to achieve a seed minimization. By ultraviolet radiation as well as by thermal radiation, a disinfecting effect is achieved in a target area.

After DE 196 43 885 A1 is taught for a household appliance such as washing machine, how a wireless control command transmission between a housing-side operating part and a housing-side power control part can be made by an infrared transmission path is used. Within the infrared transmission path reflection parts are used, which can also be formed by itself, on the housing side construction parts. The infrared radiation used within the infrared transmission path is used exclusively to transmit information with little effort and high interference immunity from the control panel to the power control part, for which the optical transmitter for the infrared radiation needs to deliver only a relatively small power.

Furthermore, it is off US Pat. No. 3,915,180 a Geschirmpülmachine with a tub in which a radiation source is arranged. This radiation source emits visible, IR or UV radiation, which is deflected via a concave, parabolic reflector into the interior of the tub.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution for a domestic appliance with liquid-conducting areas, the use of at least one radiator with allows emitted radiation for a disinfecting effect in a target area in the interior of the domestic appliance and thereby the emitted radiation in the target area can be used without restrictions, such as a binding use of a circulation circuit for the liquid in the domestic appliance or the presence of a specific phase of operation of the domestic appliance, to take into account.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claim. In principle, the at least one radiation source is accommodated in a protected area or a protected area within the household appliance. Starting from this point, the radiation emitted by the radiation source is conducted via a specular / reflecting arrangement to the location or to the area which, relative to the effect which is to be accompanied by the use of the radiation, leads to a particularly favorable result with regard to the sterilization effect leads.

If, for example, a washing machine is used as the liquid-conducting domestic appliance, then it is predominantly necessary to achieve a sterilizing effect with a radiation source. As a radiator then preferably a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp with an emitted radiation of 254 nm wavelength is used. For this wavelength of the radiation would have when using a transmission optics, d. H. Optical fibers and lenses, quartz glass can be used, which leads to very expensive components. According to the invention, by the predominant use of a reflective / reflective arrangement, for. B. by forming reflective surfaces within the household appliance, for guiding the radiation to a destination in the household appliance, a solution principle are created, which proves to be extremely cost-effective.

It has been found to be advantageous that the mirror-like arrangement can be advantageously formed by mirrors suitable for radiation bundling in that metallic material is used, and this can be completed by a shaping process. If stainless steel sheet is used, an embossing process can be used. However, it is also possible that a plastic is coated, thus creating a metallic material surface.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that for the irradiation of a target area, such as the interior of a tub of a washing machine, the Arrangement of mirrors by at least one, formed on a very small area penetration point in the tub, in particular by using a quartz glass window, for the radiation can be supplemented. In this embodiment of the invention, use is made to a great extent of the favorable steering and bundling of the radiation by metallic mirrors in order to create favorable conditions for the entry or passage of the radiation into the tub. A then still required quartz glass window at the point of passage in the tub turns out to be favorable in terms of the required effort.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the irradiation of a target area, such as the inner area of a drum of a washing machine, the arrangement of mirrors is formed so that there is a juxtaposition of individual mirrors, which has a focusing effect with respect to incident rays, in particular directly from the radiation source, exert in the way that a determinable passage through drainage holes in the drum shell can be reached and in the interior of the drum overlapping radiation beam can be formed after passing through the drainage holes. Due to the special steering of the rays through the drainage holes of the drum, an extremely low-loss transmission of radiation into the target area can take place. When using UVC radiation, the interior of the drum can be sterilized in a highly effective manner.

It is also part of the invention that the aspiration bowl for detergents, in particular a washing machine, can be considered as the target area, wherein an independent radiation source can also be used. It can also be applied principles of radiation control, which were previously claimed. If a UVC radiation is selected, an effective sterilization can be achieved in this area and chemicals for disinfection can be dispensed with.

Otherwise, it can be assumed that the at least one radiation source, in addition to UVC, can also relate to other wavelength ranges, in particular UVB, UVA, infrared radiation or microwaves. This can z. B. a warming in a particular area of the household appliance can be achieved. It can, for. B. be avoided that bacteria in a liquid sump, such as in a kind of nutrient solution, can form, since such a liquid keel sump can be dried out in time by using a radiation for heating.

The target area preferably has liquid, such as lye. In particular, the liquid is in connection with the treated material to be treated, such as laundry.

As far as the invention is further developed by referring to the independent claims, non-independent claims, so it should be so that a chain of first-mentioned relationships is not restrictive in relation to the total notified teaching, as far as other combinations of features of claims be found to be suitable and executable from the perspective of the skilled person.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Hausgerät, wie Waschmaschine oder Waschtrockner, mit einem Strahler an geschützter Stelle und einer Ausbildung eines Strahlenganges, gerichtet auf den Innenbereich eines Laugenbehälters;
• Fig. 2 zeigt von einem Hausgerät, wie Waschmaschine oder Waschtrockner, einen Strahler in dessen Innenbereich mit einem durch eine Anordnung von Spiegeln ausbildbarem Strahlengang, gerichtet auf den Innenbereich einer Waschtrommel;

In the following, the invention will be described schematically with reference to exemplary embodiments. Like reference numerals show the same or similar parts. The figures are first briefly explained:

• Fig. 1 shows a household appliance, such as washing machine or washer-dryer, with a radiator at a protected location and a formation of a beam path, directed to the interior of a tub;
• Fig. 2 shows from a domestic appliance, such as washing machine or washer-dryer, a radiator in its interior with an imageable by an array of mirrors beam path, directed towards the interior of a washing drum;

With respect to the claimed invention as a whole, the US Pat Figures 1 and 2 As shown embodiments, aspects of the invention again, which are not to be regarded as limiting in relation to the invention. Thus, an embodiment with consideration of a partial aspect of the invention need not be designed so that a direct interaction with a partial aspect shown according to another figure is possible.

Fig. 1 shows a domestic appliance 1, such as washing machine or washer-dryer, the domestic appliance is shown schematically in elevation in partial sectional view. A spotlight 2 or a radiation source is placed in a fixed position in the interior of the household appliance stationary. Although not graphically highlighted, it can be assumed that the radiator radiates radiation only in a narrow angular range of +/- 20 ° to +/- 60 ° with respect to a (not shown) optical axis. With regard to the radiation to be considered for purposes of the invention, the radiator radiates radiation in the wavelength range of UVC, ie a very short-wave ultraviolet radiation of 100 to 280 nm, preferably 254 nm, corresponding to the primary radiation of low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamps. However, a radiator can also be used for other UV radiation, such as UVB or UVA, ie with wavelengths closer to visible light. Furthermore, the radiator can also be provided for visible light (from 400 nm to 800 nm, whereupon the term "light" is usually limited), infrared radiation or microwaves. To do this, at other, subsequent places still specific designs.

The radiation of the radiator 2 with radiation, in particular in the range of UVC, is directed with respect to the radiation beam belonging to the beam 2Bü, within outer beams with 2A to 2N on a concave mirror 3 with focusing property. This concave mirror 3 is fixed so fixed within the household appliance 1 in such a way that reflected rays of a radiation beam 3Bü emanating from this concave mirror, in turn can be directed to a further concave mirror 4 within outer rays 3A to 3N. The entire radiation beam, now called 3Bü ', is received by the concave mirror 4 and further reflected. A beam 4Bu reflected by the concave mirror 4 with outer beams 4A to 4N is first strongly focused, so that a fictitious focus is formed. This fictitious focal point of the beam 4Bü is also placed so that it is in a zone with radiation passage through a tub 5 of the domestic appliance 1. In order to be able to seal the lye container in a liquid-tight manner, this transmission zone is formed in the tub 5 through a window 6, preferably of quartz glass, as far as the radiator emits radiation in the range of UVC. It should be emphasized that the cost of this small, perpendicular to the plane extending window, is considered low. After the exit of the radiation beam from this window 6, this bundle, now designated 4Bü 'widens, so that an entire interior of the tub 5 is irradiated. A UVC radiation can thus be applied to a liquid, such as lye and thus act on a material to be treated, such as laundry. The disinfecting effect of UVC radiation when using a UVC lamp 2 can thus be optimally performed.

If now a radiator 2, be replaced or supplemented by a light emitter, the arrangement described above with the concave mirrors 3 and 4 and the window 6 is also suitable to illuminate the interior of the tub.

As material for the concave mirrors 3 and 4, metallic material is preferably to be used. If stainless steel sheet is used, its shaping can take place by means of an embossing method, the expense for polishing the reflecting surface, following the stamping process, remaining low. Other shaping methods can also be used. Furthermore, the metallic material can be in combination with a plastic, in which case only the reflective surface, for. B. by coating the plastic, consists of metallic material.

With Fig. 2 an embodiment is shown, which is directed in particular to the irradiation of the interior of a drum 15. Starting from a radiator 12, radiation within a radiation beam 12Bu with a narrow angular range, as in the radiator 2, is directed to an array of mirrors 13a to 13e. The radiation beam has limiting beams 12A to 12N, with the limiting beam 12A impinging on one end of a mirror 13a of the array of mirrors 13a-e and the limiting beam 12N on one end of a mirror 13c of the array of mirrors. Each of the mirrors of the array of mirrors 13a-e provides a focussing effect such that a fictitious focal point, the radiation of a beam 12Bü incident on the mirrors, lies in the region of the jacket of a washing drum 15 of the domestic appliance 1, distributed over a circumferential area. or bow area of the drum. The designated arc area is related to the angular range of the radiation beam 12Bü. Since the drum 15 has drainage holes 16, it is possible that the radiation divided by the individual mirrors, the arrangement of mirrors 13a-e, into sub-beams 13B-13Be, can pass through designated holes 16, so that after expansion of the beams in the radiation sub - beams 13Büa - 13Büe after leaving the drum hole the interior of the drum is irradiated fairly evenly, especially since the radiation beam 13Büa - 13Büe intersecting or intersecting effect in the drum interior.

However, the invention should not be limited only to the embodiments which are explained with reference to a figure. So it is readily possible, not only a radiation of a suitable wavelength, such as. B. UVC radiation for sterilization to lead into the interior of a tub or a drum, but it can also be used preferably coming radiation in the range of Waschmitteleinspülschale the domestic appliance are directed so that with liquid, such as water, flushed detergent can be subjected to an additional sterilization.

Although the embodiments have been described with reference to a washing machine or a washer-dryer, it is readily apparent that home appliances that operate on similar processing principles, such as a washing machine, are encompassed by the invention. For example, in a dishwashing machine, liquid, added with cleaning agents, is specifically supplied to the item to be treated, such as dishes, so that a radiation alignment according to the invention is also given to a target area starting from a radiation source in a protected area of the domestic appliance and radiation deflecting and focusing means also of different configurations of the invention can apply mutatis mutandis.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 household appliance
• 2 spotlights
• 2A outer beam, one side
• 2N outer beam, other side
• 2Bü radiation bundle, also 2Bü '
• 3 concave mirror
• 3A outer beam
• 3N outer beam
• 3Bü radiation bundle, also 3Bü '
• 4 concave mirrors
• 4A outer beam
• 4N outer beam
• 4Bü radiation bundle, also 4Bü '
• 5 tubs
• 6 windows
• 12 spotlights
• 12A limiting beam
• 12N limiting beam
• 12Bü radiation bundle
• 13a to 13e mirror of an arrangement of mirrors
• 13Büa to 13Büe partial radiation bundle
• 15 washing drum
• 16 drainage holes

Claims (8)

1. Domestic appliance (1) with liquid-guiding regions, in particular a washing machine or washer-dryer, having at least one radiation source (2) with emitted radiation for a sterilisation effect in a target region (5; 15), which is an internal region of a tub (5) or drum (15) of the domestic appliance (1), wherein the emitted radiation of the radiation source (2) is essentially directed into the target region (5; 15) by a mirroring or reflecting arrangement (3, 4; 13a to 13e), characterised in that the at least one radiation source (2) is attached at a protected position inside the domestic appliance (1), in other words the radiation source (2) is attached outside the tub or drum, wherein the arrangement (3, 4; 13a to 13e) is designed to focus the radiation.
2. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the target region (5; 15) has liquid, such as suds.
3. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that liquid, such as suds, is situated in combination with the items to be treated, such as laundry.
4. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mirroring arrangement is formed by mirrors (3, 4; 13a - 13e) made of a metallic material suitable for focusing radiation, obtainable in particular by a moulding process.
5. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if the target region (5) is the internal region of the tub (5), for the irradiation of the target region (5; 15) in the tub (5) at least one passage (6), designed to be small in area, particularly by using a quartz glass window (6), is designed for the radiation.
6. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if the target region (5, 15) is the internal region of the drum (15), for the irradiation of the target region (5; 15) the arrangement of mirrors (13a to 13e) is designed such that a sequence of individual mirrors is present which exert a focusing effect in respect of incident beams, in particular directly from the radiation source (2; 12), such that a determinable passage through drainage holes (16) in the drum (15) can be achieved and in the internal region of the drum (15) superposed radiation beams (13Büa to 13Büe) are formed after the passage through the drainage holes (16).
7. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispenser for detergent of a washing machine is further designed as a target region, wherein an independent radiation source (2; 12) can also be included.
8. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one radiation source (2; 12; 22; 32) can have wavelength ranges of ultraviolet radiation, such as UVC, UVB, UVA, or wavelength ranges of infrared radiation or of microwaves.

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