EP2794976A1

EP2794976A1 - Method for operating a domestic appliance having a storage container and an oxidizing agent generator, and domestic appliance suitable for same

Info

Publication number: EP2794976A1
Application number: EP12812577.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio BARRADO FRANCO; Andreas Bischof; Andreas Hanau; Hartmut Schaub
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-17
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-17
Also published as: DE102011089386A1; EP2794976B1; IN2014KN01070A; CN104204330B; CN104204330A; WO2013092488A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance (1) having a treatment container (2, 4) for receiving objects (7) to be treated, a storage container (16) for an aqueous liquid (6), at least one pump (22, 35) for conveying the aqueous liquid (6) between the storage container (16) and the treatment container (2, 4), and an oxidizing agent generator (20) which is connected to a container (38) for storing an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent that has been generated in the oxidizing agent generator (20). The method according to the invention comprises a temporally overlapping performance of the following steps: (a) carrying out a treatment program with the objects (7) in the treatment container (2, 4); (b) generating an oxidizing agent in the oxidizing agent generator (20); and (c) transferring the oxidizing agent into the container (38) and keeping same therein for use. The invention further relates to a domestic appliance (1) suitable for carrying out said method.

Description

Method for operating a household appliance with a

The invention relates to a method for operating a household appliance with a storage container and an oxidizing agent generator and a household appliance suitable for this purpose.

The use of oxidizing agents in a household appliance, particularly in a washing machine or other laundry care appliance, has recently become more attractive. Popular here is the use of ozone. Ozone is a powerful disinfectant and, in conjunction with a care or cleaning agent applied in a household appliance, also produces complex and rapid reactions that allow for improved care or cleaning effects.

The use of oxidizing agents in a household appliance is particularly useful when, in order to save water, it is useful in a treatment process of e.g. Laundry or crockery used water is at least partially collected in a storage container. Depending on the type of liquid and / or its loading with organic substances, this water can easily become a nutrient medium for microorganisms. Through the use of an oxidizing agent, a prevention of the spread or elimination of microorganisms can be achieved. In most cases, a treatment of the stored or for a certain period of time to be stored aqueous liquid by contacting this is carried out with the oxidizing agent. The aqueous liquid is then as germ-free as possible for a further, water-requiring treatment process in the household appliance.

The treatment of laundry in a washing machine as an example of a domestic appliance comprises several treatment steps (wetting phase, pre-wash, main wash, rinse). After the main wash in the rinsing phase, the laundry still containing wash liquor and dirt residues is rinsed several times in the drum, wherein after the main wash and between the rinsing steps in each case is thrown. In particular, the rinsing water, especially the last rinsing water, is suitable for storage, since these It only has low dirt and detergent residues. A disadvantage here is that a time span between the collection of the water in a storage container and the switching off of the washing machine is relatively short. If a prolonged service life of the washing machine or a stand-by mode is to be excluded, the treatment of the aqueous liquid with the oxidizing agent, which usually requires energy, must take place in a very short time.

Another disadvantage of all solutions in which the water is stored, is that it can come in the storage container for the propagation of germs and in extreme cases to a biofilm formation, since a complete sterilization of the storage water is practically not achieved.

WO 2007/143785 A1 describes a system and apparatus for introducing ozone into a washing machine having a first pipe for introducing ozone from an ozone supply into a washing liquid inlet and a second pipe for discharging ozone into an area above a washing chamber. For introducing ozone and for mixing with a washing liquid, a Venturi nozzle is used. WO 2008/1 19631 A1 describes a washing machine in which microorganisms present in an induction bowl are removed by the direct introduction of ozone from an ozone generator. In one embodiment, water is added simultaneously to the ozone in the dispenser tray so that the ozone / water mixture is passed through the dispenser tray. This is intended to minimize the possibility of escape of ozone from the washing machine.

DE 32 32 057 A1 describes a cleaning machine for laundry, dishes or the like with a storage container for a cleaning agent and an ozone generator, at whose output for the purpose of ozonization of the cleaning agent in this opening ode-feeding is connected. In one embodiment, the reservoir is associated with a vent line and an Entozoni- sierungseinrichtung consisting of a heating coil. Fig. 1 shows a washing machine, in which an ozone generator has a compressor, so that the ozone can flow with the required pressure in the reservoir. U.S. Patent 5,960,501 describes a system and method for treating laundry with ozone in an amount that is tailored to the amount of laundry. In one embodiment, used wash liquor is treated with ozone, wherein the ozone is sucked through a venturi into the wash liquor.

WO 2007/086221 A1 describes a washer-dryer with an ozone generator for providing ozone in a process air duct. WO 2005/063109 A1 describes a dishwasher for the use of ozone, at least for cleaning and disinfection.

US Patent 5,493,743 describes a method and apparatus for laundering laundry employing a closed or open ozonated wash water system. Here, wash water kept in an external contact tank is ozonized before use in the washing machine. The system includes a venturi for drawing ozone into the water in the externally located supply and contact tanks. EP 1 975 299 A1 describes a washing machine with a washing tank, a tank for storing water after it has been used in the washing tank, and a means for cleaning the water stored in the tank, this cleaning agent comprising an ozone generator. DE 10 2010 027 795 A1 describes a domestic appliance with a container, which is exposed to moisture during operation of the domestic appliance and tends to form a biofilm on one of its inner surfaces, and a plasma generator, wherein the plasma generator can produce a cold atmospheric pressure plasma and in a distance of less than 5 cm from an inner surface of the container is arranged.

US 2005 / 0251925A1 describes a washing machine comprising a washing volume and a mixing chamber below the washing volume, which are in liquid communication, and at least one sparger tube within the mixing chamber for connection to an ozone source. Preferably, an ozone source is present in the washing machine, which is connected to the sparger.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a method for operating a domestic appliance with an oxidizing agent generator and a storage container for an aqueous liquid, which permit the most effective possible treatment of the aqueous liquid to be stored with the oxidizing agent generator.

The object underlying the invention is achieved by a method and a household appliance according to the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are listed in the respective dependent claims. Although not separately indicated herein, preferred embodiments of the household appliance according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention.

The invention thus relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance with a treatment container for receiving objects to be treated, an aqueous liquid storage container, at least one pump for conveying the aqueous liquid between the storage container and the treatment container and an oxidizer generator provided with a container for storing an aqueous solution of oxidizing agent produced in the oxidizing agent generator, comprising a time-overlapping performing of the steps:

(a) performing a treatment program with the articles in the treatment tank;

(b) generating an oxidizing agent in the oxidant generator; and

(c) transferring into and keeping the oxidant in the container.

In a preferred embodiment of this method, steps (a) and (b) are started simultaneously.

Moreover, according to the invention, it is preferred that step (b) be carried out at least during the performance of step (a). Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, step (b) is carried out for a predetermined period of time M after completion of step (a). This makes it possible optimally to respond to the load of the household appliance, such as a washing machine and its components such as inner walls, as well as the stored aqueous liquid with microorganisms.

Preferably, during and / or after carrying out the treatment program (a), an aqueous liquid used in the treatment container is brought into contact with the solution of the oxidizing agent kept ready in the container.

This can be done during the execution of the treatment program, for example, by bringing the rinsing liquid of a rinsing step into contact with the solution of the oxidizing agent kept ready in the container, while simultaneously carrying out a further rinsing step in the treatment container.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, only the rinsing water from the last rinsing step, which is particularly clean, can be collected for intermediate storage in the storage container. In this procedure, after carrying out the treatment program (a), an aqueous liquid used in the treatment tank is brought into contact with the solution of the oxidizing agent kept in the tank.

For optimum effect of the oxidizing agent, thorough mixing with the aqueous liquid from the treatment tank makes sense. Advantageously, therefore, bringing into contact through the use of a mixing device is intensified. The mixing device may be a stirrer, a recirculation device and / or structural features in the storage container.

According to the invention, an aqueous liquid to be treated is not restricted and may be a rinsing liquid and / or a washing liquid. Advantageously, however, an already relatively clean aqueous liquid is used from the treatment tank.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a solution containing oxidizing agent is brought into contact with an aqueous liquid conveyed from the treatment container into the storage container. This will be very rapidly, namely by using a previously generated in parallel oxidizing agent, a disinfection of discharged for storage from the treatment tank aqueous liquid. In the storage tank used rinse water is cached in a domestic appliance such as a washing machine or a dishwasher according to the invention, to be used then, for example, in a subsequent wash cycle. Especially the used water from the last rinses in a washing machine is so clean that it can easily be used instead of fresh water for wetting and washing clothes.

For example, if the contacting of the aqueous liquid from the treatment tank and the oxidant-containing solution in the storage tank takes place, it is advantageous if the storage tank has suitable devices such as stirrers, pump-over devices and / or structural features which permit intensive mixing.

The mixture resulting from the mixing of the aqueous liquid from the treatment tank and the oxidizing agent may advantageously be conveyed back into the treatment tank. This mixture is disinfected and can thus contribute to a disinfection of the objects in the treatment tank. This procedure makes it possible in particular for the case that the household appliance is a washing machine, that the laundry items are subjected to an additional hygiene measure and, moreover, that they are equipped with a "fresh smell", which indicates an increased hygiene state of the laundry items.

According to the invention, the oxidizing agent is not limited, as long as it can be used in the household appliance. For example, it may be hypochlorite produced by electrolysis of saline or an oxidizing gas. The oxidizing gas may be generated, for example, in a plasma generator. In the process according to the invention, ozone is used particularly advantageously as the oxidizing agent. The manner of producing the oxidizing agent-containing solution is not limited as long as it is possible and useful in a household appliance. For example, gaseous ozone can be generated in an ozone generator and this gas is then introduced into a container in which water is introduced. In this case, the container may be, for example, the storage container for an aqueous liquid from the treatment container or a separate container for storing the solution containing the oxidizing agent. Alternatively, an aqueous solution already containing an oxidizing agent, for example ozone, may be introduced into the storage container or into the container for storing the solution containing the oxidizing agent.

The invention also relates to a domestic appliance having a treatment container for receiving objects to be treated, an aqueous liquid storage container, at least one pump for conveying the aqueous liquid between the storage container and the treatment container, and an oxidant generator; wherein the oxidant generator is connected to a container for storing an aqueous solution of oxidant generated in the oxidant generator, and the home appliance is arranged to perform a method comprising performing a time overlapping of the steps:

(a) performing a treatment program with the articles in the treatment tank;

(b) generating an oxidizing agent in the oxidant generator; and

(c) transferring into and keeping the oxidant in the container.

In this case, container and storage container can be identical.

The oxidizing agent generator may be of any desired design as long as it produces an oxidizing agent which can be used for disinfecting aqueous liquids from the treatment tank, for example a suds tank. The oxidizing agent will preferably be an inorganic oxidizing agent and may be used as a liquid or gaseous oxidizing agent. For the present invention, the use of gaseous oxidizing agents is preferred, in particular of ozone. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oxidant generator is therefore an ozone generator. Ozone can be produced in a household appliance in different ways, for example by means of a UV lamp generator by irradiating oxygen with UV radiation below 200 nm, or by a corona discharge, in which oxygen is subjected to an electrical discharge in the form of a corona is suspended. The corona is created by applying a high voltage of generally at least 5000V to a suitable array of electrodes.

In particular, such an ozone generator is a generator of ozone which can be suitably introduced into water. In general, such an ozone generator is located outside the container or storage container.

According to the invention, a pump for conveying an aqueous liquid is arranged between storage container and treatment container. This may be, for example, a single pump in one or two connecting lines between storage tank and treatment tank. If only one connecting line, eg a connecting hose, is present, the transport takes place via a common connecting line in both directions. According to the invention, however, it is preferred that at least one drain pump and one storage pump are used. In general, these are in different connection lines, so that the drain pump in a storage line for conveying the aqueous liquid from the treatment tank into the storage tank is used and the storage pump in a return line for conveying the aqueous liquid from the storage tank into the treatment tank. Since the household appliance of the invention includes a storage container, but also other parts that are exposed to moisture during operation of the household appliance, such as a washing-up in a washing machine whose inner surfaces tend to form a biofilm, can advantageously in these containers or parts as Oxidationsmittelge- erator a plasma generator capable of producing a cold atmospheric pressure plasma and preferably located at a distance of less than 5 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm, from an inner surface of the container or a dispenser tray. In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the plasma generator is arranged in an induction dish of a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

In a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance, the plasma generator is arranged in a storage container for an aqueous liquid.

The household appliance is preferably a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher. Since the oxidizing agent is often harmful, in particular ozone, the domestic appliance preferably has an oxidizing agent removal device.

This will be discussed below by way of example for an ozone removing device. In the ozone removing apparatus, in particular, ozone is eliminated by being absorbed or decomposed on a suitable material. The decomposition can take place in that the ozone is chemically reacted with a suitable material or catalytically decomposed, for example with formation of oxygen. The ozone removing device preferably includes a filter unit, the filter unit advantageously comprising a carbon-containing material or other easily oxidizable material.

Activated carbon is particularly preferably used as the carbon-containing material. Activated carbon is generally decomposed by ozone to form carbon dioxide, so that the amount of activated carbon in a filter unit gradually decreases. If the domestic appliance has an ozone removal device, therefore, a sight glass arranged thereon can be advantageous. A user of the household appliance can thus detect even without the presence of an ozone sensor, if the filter unit is still working properly, for example, by still enough activated carbon is present.

The ozone-removing device used in embodiments of the household appliance according to the invention may alternatively or in addition to a filter unit comprise a catalyst for the decomposition of ozone, for example a catalyst for the conversion of ozone into oxygen. A preferably used in a domestic appliance according to the invention ozone generator generates about 20 mg / h to 30 mg / h of ozone. For this purpose, in general, the use of a filter unit, which is loaded with about 10 g of activated carbon, sufficient for the entire operating life of the household appliance.

The oxidant removal device present in embodiments of the invention can be arranged in various places in the domestic appliance. Thus, for example, an ozone removal device and a fan can be arranged in an exhaust air duct, which exhaust air duct is connected to the treatment tank. The ozone removing device is preferably arranged between the treatment tank and the blower.

The provided in embodiments of the invention exhaust duct can lead into a storage room of the household appliance, since the exhaust air contains only small amounts of carbon dioxide and no other interfering components.

Depending on the household appliance, the use of one or more Venturi nozzles may be useful to effect introduction of an oxidizing agent, particularly ozone, into the flow of aqueous liquid flowing through the Venturi nozzle.

For example, in a washing machine, a venturi could have its air inlet connected to an oxidant generator, e.g. an ozone generator, is connected to be arranged between the water supply and the storage container or container of the household appliance.

However, the oxidizing agent and in particular ozone can be brought into an aqueous solution in any desired manner. For example, water, be it a relatively clean water from the treatment tank or tap water in a container for storing a solution of the oxidizing agent are presented and this then be acted upon with gaseous ozone or a concentrated ozone solution. As such a container, in particular, the storage container may be provided.

A Venturi nozzle whose air inlet is connected to an oxidant generator, eg an ozone generator, can also be connected between the water supply and an inlet. be arranged flushing bowl. This additionally allows the introduction of ozone into the tub via the dispenser bowl, and thus an additional disinfection.

The household appliance according to the invention has a treatment chamber, which can be designed differently depending on the household appliance.

In a washing machine or a washer-dryer, the treatment chamber is generally assumed to be a suds container in which a drum is rotatably mounted for receiving objects to be treated. As a treatment chamber in this sense, therefore, generally the ensemble of drum and tub, and more particularly the drum, i. the laundry drum, viewed.

A washing machine generally has a tub and a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be cleaned. In addition, a washing machine generally also has a lye drainage system, which is arranged at the bottom of the lye container, with a drainage pump and generally laundry hoppers and / or scooping devices.

If, in a preferred embodiment, the domestic appliance is a washing machine, a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor are preferably arranged therein in the tub. Pressure and temperature sensor are preferably arranged in a lower region of the tub, so that pressure and / or temperature of an aqueous liquid present in the tub can be measured. The objects to be treated are not restricted according to the invention, with treatment being understood to mean, in particular, cleaning. The objects to be cleaned may be, in particular, dishes or laundry. Cleaning according to the invention also means a refreshment. The household appliance according to the invention may advantageously contain a sensor for measuring a content of oxidizing agent. For example, the household appliance according to the invention may have an ozone sensor for measuring an ozone content. An ozone sensor may be used, for example, to control the production of ozone depending on a detected level of contamination of the aqueous liquid from the Treatment tank are used. For this purpose, in the treatment vessel advantageously a corresponding sensor for the degree of contamination, and a sensor for the oxidizing agent in the container and / or storage container. The household appliance allows the automatic treatment of the water used with an oxidizing agent and in embodiments also its elimination, in particular the elimination of ozone, within the household appliance.

In preferred embodiments, a user of the home appliance may be informed of the parallel production of an oxidant by the oxidant generator and the provision of the oxidant and / or on-going treatment of the aqueous liquid with an oxidant. Thus, the household appliance can also be a display device relating to the automatic treatment of the water used with an oxidizing agent and / or the elimination of excess oxidizing agent, e.g. Ozone, included. The display device may be an optical and / or acoustic display device.

Preferably, in the case of using ozone as the oxidizing agent, the household appliance then has a display device for non-functioning ozone elimination. The removal of ozone does not work, for example, if an existing ozone sensor, for example in the dispensing dish or the tub of a washing machine, after carrying out the method according to the invention exceeds a predetermined limit, e.g. 1 ppm, lying ozone concentration. Non-functioning ozone removal may be present if the blower or ozone eliminator is malfunctioning. The latter can be the case, for example, when a carbon-containing material in a filter unit is used up or a catalyst for the catalytic decomposition of the ozone is poisoned.

In the household appliance according to the invention, a control device is generally present which, in addition to the control of a cleaning program, can also take countermeasures in the event of a non-functioning generation and / or removal of oxidizing agent, for example ozone. Thus, in the case of non-functioning ozone production, the control device can give an indication to a user and / or the storage of the aqueous liquid, in particular its pumping off into the storage container prevention. The same applies in embodiments of the invention in a non-functioning ozone elimination, after the discovery of the ozone generator off and / or a corresponding acoustic and / or visual display can be effected on the display device.

In one embodiment of the invention, in which ozone is used in the household appliance, an exhaust air duct is connected to a supply air duct of the ozone generator in the domestic appliance. This eliminates any necessary for the operation of the ozone generator blower in a supply air duct of the ozone generator. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the exhaust air duct is connected to the supply air duct via a pitot tube. As a result, an air flow required for the ozone generator is generated particularly efficiently.

Advantageously, the fan is still operated for a predetermined period even when the ozone generator is already turned off.

In the method according to the invention, the air from the exhaust air duct is preferably at least partially directed into a supply air duct for the ozone generator.

The invention has the advantage that in a simple and very efficient way, a longer storage of an aqueous liquid is made possible, for example, an aqueous liquid from a laundry treatment process. This is done according to the invention in a time-saving manner parallel to a treatment process of objects in a treatment vessel. In addition to the sterilization of the aqueous liquid, essentially water, a microbial contamination of the storage container can be prevented or eliminated. This avoids the need for separate cleaning of the container and its hydraulic connections, as would be necessary with prolonged use, particularly over the life of the household appliance.

In addition, the operation of the household appliance, preferably completely, for a longer treatment of the stored aqueous liquid, even after the treatment of the objects, such as laundry, crockery, has already been completed is unnecessary. In embodiments of the invention in which a mixture of oxidant-containing solution and aqueous liquid from the treatment vessel is repeatedly pumped continuously or discontinuously at short intervals, ozone-containing water can kill microorganisms in the treatment tank, eg tub of a washing machine, and in the flow-through lines.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the attached drawing. In these figures, a washing machine is shown as an example of a household appliance according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a frontal sectional view of a first embodiment of a washing machine 1, which contains an ozone generator 20 as an oxidant generator and a storage container 16 for an aqueous liquid 6 from a tub 4.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a frontal sectional view of a second embodiment of a washing machine 1, the ozone generator 20 as oxidant generator, a storage container 16 for an aqueous liquid 6 from the tub 4 and a container 38 for an oxidizing agent, in this case ozone containing solution contains.

3 is a schematic representation of a frontal sectional view of a third embodiment of a washing machine 1, the ozone generator 20 and plasma generators 33 as an oxidant generator, a storage vessel 16 for an aqueous liquid 6 from the tub 4 and a container 38 for an oxidizing agent, in this case ozone, containing solution.

In the schematic representation of Figure 1, the presently relevant parts of a first embodiment of a washing machine in which a method to be explained in detail can be performed, are shown. Other embodiments are conceivable. The washing machine 1 has a tub 4, in which a laundry drum 2 with therein laundry 7 is rotatably mounted and operated by a drive motor 14. Wäschemitnehmer 39 and 5 scooping devices for washing lye 6 contribute to an intensification of the flow of the laundry 7 with wash liquor 6 or 6 with rinse water. The washing machine has a liquor inlet system, which comprises a water connection for the domestic water network 8, an electrically controllable valve 9 and a supply line 10 to the tub 4, which is guided via a dispenser 1, from which the feed water (fresh water) treatment agent in the tub 4 can transport. In the tub 4 is a heater 13. The valve 9 as well as the heater 13 can be controlled by the program control 12 in response to a program flowchart. A pressure sensor 15 is provided for the measurement of the hydrostatic pressure in the tub 4.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an aqueous liquid 6 from the tub 4 as a treatment container according to the invention can be temporarily stored in the storage container 16 for further uses. In the reuse of this stored aqueous liquid 6, for example, a stored aqueous liquid from one of the last rinses, which is particularly clean, can be used for wetting and washing laundry 7. For this purpose, the aqueous liquid 6 is conveyed back into the tub 4 via a return line 32, in which a storage pump 35 is located in this embodiment. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, two ways are possible for this purpose. In addition to a direct path via the supply line 10, there is also the possibility to transport the cached aqueous liquid through the dispenser 1 1 back into the tub 4 and into the drum 2 therein.

In the first option, it is generally required that detergent with fresh water be flushed from the water supply 8 into the tub.

The period during which a laundry treatment in the drum 2 is carried out as a treatment method of articles is now utilized to produce and provide a solution containing oxidizing agent. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an ozone generator 20 outside of the storage tank 16 and a plasma generator 33 within the storage tank 16 are provided as oxidizing agent generators. Another plasma generator 33 may also be located in the dispenser shell 11 in the embodiment shown here. The plasma generators 33 are used here for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma in air and are each at a distance of 0.5 to 1, 5 cm to an inner surface of storage container and Einspülschale.

The oxidant generator 20 is here an ozone generator. The air required for the generation in the ozone generator 20 is provided by suction from the installation room of the household appliance by means of a blower 19 through the supply air duct 30 for the oxidant generator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ozone generated in the ozone generator 20 can be introduced as a gas into water, which was conducted from the water supply 8 via the line 32 into the storage tank 16. Alternatively, an aqueous solution of ozone may already be generated in the region of the ozone generator 20 via a connection with the water supply 8 and directed as such into the storage container 16.

The generation and provision of oxidizing agent can be additionally supported by the use of the plasma generator 33. The plasma generator 33 in this embodiment, not shown in detail here, comprises a first electrode made of copper, a dielectric made of polytetrafluoroethylene and a second electrode made of copper.

In any case, while carrying out a laundry treatment process in the tub 4 or the laundry drum 2, an aqueous solution containing ozone as an oxidizing agent is provided in the storage container 16. Since there can be a lot of time available for the production of ozone, it is also possible to use an ozone generator with a relatively small capacity for ozone production. A used for a laundry treatment process in the tub 4 aqueous solution 6 can now be transferred via a storage line 34 using a drain pump 22 into the storage tank 16. For this purpose, a relatively clean aqueous liquid, for example from one of the rinses, is preferably used. If necessary, the loading of dirt and detergents can be detected by a sensor 41 mounted in the same container. It can be provided that an aqueous liquid 6 can be transferred into the storage container 16 only up to a maximum loading of dirt and detergents. Alternatively or in addition to this, the sensor 41 may also be used to control the production and provision of an optimum amount of oxidant-containing solution. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a stirrer 42 is present in the storage container 16, which can bring about a thorough mixing of aqueous solution 6 and oxidant-containing solution.

For the acoustic and / or optical indication of an ongoing production of oxidizing agent and / or the elimination of excess oxidizing agent, a display device 29 is located on the washing machine 1 of the specific embodiment shown here.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an oxidant supply line 36 for the tub 4 may be used to direct ozone directly into the tub 4.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the presently relevant parts of a second embodiment of a washing machine 1, in which a method to be explained in detail below can be performed. The washing machine 1 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a tub 4, in which a drum 2 is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis 3 and can be operated by a drive motor 14. The arrow indicates the direction of rotation of the drum. Wäschemitnehmer 39 and scooping devices 5 for the wash liquor 6 on the inner surface of the drum shell allow intensification of the flow of laundry 7 with wash liquor and a reduction of the free liquor, so the amount of wash liquor in the tub 4, which no longer saturated by the laundry 7 saturated with wash liquor can be included.

The washing machine 1 also has a liquor inlet system comprising a water connection fitting for the domestic water network 8, an electrically controllable valve 9 and a supply line 10 to the tub 4, which is guided via a Waschmitteleinspüleinrichtung ("Einspülschale") 1 1, from which the feed water detergent portions can transport in the tub 4.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an aqueous liquid 6 located in the tub 4 as a treatment tank can be pumped by means of a drain pump 22 in a storage line 34 to the storage tank 16 and there before a further be cached. For further use, for example in a future washing phase, the stored aqueous liquid 6 can reach the supply line 10 and then back into the tub 4 by means of a storage pump 35 via the return line 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a container 38 for the solution of an oxidizing agent is connected to the storage container 16. The container 38 is connected via an ozone supply line 25 with an ozone generator 20 as an oxidant generator, so that the container 38 here contains ozone, preferably in aqueous solution, wherein the water was provided in the container 38 here in a manner not shown.

In the ozone supply line 25 there is a distribution node 40 which controls the supply of ozone-containing air to a venturi 26 and to the aqueous liquid containing ozone 38. In the feed line 10, namely, in the embodiment shown here, there is also a Venturi nozzle 26, which is connected via an ozone supply line 25 to the ozone generator 20 as oxidant generator. Via the Venturi nozzle 26, the water flowing in the supply line 10 sucks from the domestic water network 8 in the ozone supply line 25 located, ozone-containing air. In the tub wall 21 there is an inlet 37 in the exhaust duct 17, in which an ozone removal device 18, an ozone sensor 31 and a fan 19 are located. The exhaust duct 17 leads to an exhaust air outlet 23, which protrudes here into a storage room of the washing machine. From the tub 4, an aqueous liquid 6 located therein, preferably a less contaminated flushing liquid from one of the last rinses, is pumped into the storage tank 16 in the storage line 34 by means of a drain pump 22.

There it can be mixed with the solution containing ozone as the oxidizing agent from the container 38 for disinfecting. This mixing process can be intensified by a stirrer 42. The sterilized and optionally still ozone-containing aqueous liquid 6 in the storage container 16 can now be temporarily stored for a longer time until use in a future laundry treatment step. In order to reuse the aqueous liquid 6 in the tub 4, the aqueous liquid 6 is pumped out of the storage tank 16 back into the tub 4 using a storage pump 35. In the washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, an aqueous liquid 6 can also be circulated between the tub 4 and the storage tank 16. Here, on the one hand, mediated by the Venturi nozzle 26, ozone-containing air can be sucked from the ozone generator 20 and the aqueous liquid 6 in the tub 4 are supplied. On the other hand, preferably, discontinuously, an ozone-containing solution from the container 38 can be added to this cycle. As a result, a sterilization of all used in a washing process water leading parts can be achieved.

In the ozone removing device 18 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, there is a filter unit 28, here containing activated carbon as a carbon containing material. At the ozone removal device 18, a sight glass 27 is arranged, through which a user of the washing machine can recognize whether in the filter unit 28 still carbon-containing material is present. For the acoustic and / or visual indication of the treatment of the aqueous liquid with ozone and / or an improperly functioning removal of ozone, a display device 29 is located on the washing machine of the embodiment shown here. Between the fan 19 and the exhaust air outlet 23 branches off at the here shown special embodiment of a pitot tube 24 from a supply air duct 30 for the ozone generator 20 from. As a result, the fan 19 can be used simultaneously both for the operation of the ozone generator 20 and for the operation of the ozone removing device 18. In addition, there is a heater 13 in the tub 4. Embodiments without heating are conceivable, however. The valve 9 as well as the heater 13 can be controlled by a control device 12, which generally has a time program and / or the achievement of certain measured values of parameters such as liquor level, Lye temperature, speed of the drum, etc. within the washing machine 1 taken into account.

In Fig. 2 15 means a pressure sensor for the measurement of the hydrostatic pressure in the tub 4, resulting from the level of forming in the tub 4 free liquor. The signals from the drive motor 14, pressure sensor 15, ozone generator 20, blower 19, ozone sensor 31, etc. are supplied to the controller 12, although not shown for reasons of clarity. In the case of the third embodiment of a washing machine shown in FIG. 3, an aqueous liquid 6 from the tub 4 as a treatment container can likewise be temporarily stored in the storage container 16 for further uses. For this purpose, the aqueous liquid 6 is conveyed back into the tub 4 via a return line 32, in which a storage pump 35 is located in this embodiment. There are two possibilities for this in the third embodiment. In addition to a direct path via the supply line 10, the cached aqueous liquid 6 can also be conveyed via the dispensing dish 1 1 back into the tub 4 and into the drum 2 located therein. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, an oxidant supply line 36 may be used for the tub 4 to direct ozone directly into the tub 4.

In the first option, it is generally required that detergent be rinsed with fresh water from the water supply 8 into the tub 4. It is generated and provided while carrying out a treatment process of articles, here a laundry treatment in the drum 2, an oxidant-containing solution.

The oxidant generator 20 is here an ozone generator. The air required for the generation in the ozone generator 20 is provided by suction from the installation room of the household appliance by means of a blower 19 through the supply air duct 30 for the oxidant generator. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the ozone generated in the ozone generator 20 can be introduced as a gas into water, which was conducted from the water supply 8 via the line 32 into the storage tank 16. However, it is already possible to produce an aqueous solution of ozone in the area of the ozone generator 20 via a connection to the water supply 8 and to pass it as such into the storage tank 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, moreover, an oxidizing agent, in this case ozone-containing solution, can be collected in a container 38 before finally being brought together with an aqueous solution from the storage container 16 for its disinfection. The generation and provision of oxidizing agent can be additionally supported by the use of plasma generators 33, which are present in the here shown third embodiment of a household appliance respectively in the dispenser 1, the container 38 for storing an oxidant-containing solution and the storage container 16. The plasma generator 33 in this embodiment, not shown in detail here, comprises a first electrode made of copper, a dielectric made of polytetrafluoroethylene and a second electrode made of copper. The plasma generators 33 are used here to generate a cold atmospheric pressure plasma in air and are each at a distance of 0.5 to 1, 5 cm to an inner surface of the storage container, container and Einspülschale.

In any case, while carrying out a laundry treatment process in the tub 4 or the laundry drum 2, an aqueous solution containing ozone as an oxidizing agent is provided in the storage container 16 and / or in the container 38. Since there can be a lot of time available for the production of ozone, it is also possible to use an ozone generator with a relatively small capacity for ozone production.

A used for a laundry treatment process in the tub 4 aqueous solution 6 can be transferred via a storage line 34 using a drain pump 22 into the storage tank 16. For this purpose, preferably a relatively clean aqueous liquid, for example from one of the rinses used. Optionally, the loading of dirt and detergents can be detected by a sensor 41 mounted in the tub, which can possibly also cause an aqueous liquid 6 only up to a maximum load of dirt and Detergent is transferred to the storage tank 16. Alternatively or in addition to this, the sensor 41 may also be used to control the production and provision of an optimum amount of oxidant-containing solution.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a stirrer 42 for intensive mixing of aqueous liquid 6 and oxidant-containing solution is present in the storage container 16.

A display device 29 provides an audible and / or visual indication of on-going generation of oxidant and / or removal of excess oxidant.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Household appliance; here: washing machine

drum

axis of rotation

Treatment container for receiving objects to be treated; e.g. Lye container with drum arranged therein

scoop

aqueous liquid

laundry

Domestic water supply

electrically controllable water valve

Supply line to the treatment tank or tub

Washing agent; dispenser tray

control device

heater

drive motor

pressure sensor

storage container

exhaust duct

Oxidant removal device; e.g. Ozone removal device Blower

Oxidant generator; e.g. ozone generator

Tub wall

Pump, drain pump

exhaust air outlet

Pitot tube

Oxidant supply line; e.g. Ozone supply line

Venturi nozzle between domestic water network and induction bowl

sight glass

filter unit display device

Supply air channel for the oxidant generator or ozone generator

Sensor for oxidant, ozone sensor

Return line

plasma generator

storage line

storage pump

Oxidant supply line for the tub

Entrance to the exhaust duct

Container for solution of the oxidizing agent

laundry agitator

Distribution node, for ozone-containing air

Sensor for contamination in aqueous liquid in the tub

Mixer; stirrer; Umpumpvorrichtung

Claims

Method for operating a domestic appliance (1) with a treatment container (2,4) for receiving objects (7) to be treated, a storage container (16) for an aqueous liquid (6), at least one pump (22, 35) for conveying the product aqueous liquid (6) between the storage vessel (16) and the treatment vessel (2,4) and an oxidant generator (20) provided with a reservoir (38) for storing an aqueous solution of oxidant generated in the oxidant generator (20); connected is,

comprising a temporally overlapping performing the steps:

(A) performing a treatment program with the objects (7) in the treatment container (2,4);

(b) generating an oxidizing agent in the oxidant generator (20); and

(c) transferring to and holding the oxidant in the container (38).

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps (a) and (b) are started simultaneously.

A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that step (b) is carried out at least during the performance of step (a).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that step (b) for a predetermined period M after completion of step (a) is performed.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that during and / or after carrying out the treatment program (a) in the treatment tank (2,4) used aqueous liquid (6) in the container (38) held ready solution of the oxidizing agent in Contact is brought.

A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the bringing into contact by the use of a mixing device (42) is intensified.

Method according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the aqueous liquid (6) is a rinsing liquid and / or a washing liquid.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the solution containing an oxidizing agent is brought into contact with an aqueous liquid (6) conveyed into the storage container (16).

A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the resulting mixture is conveyed back into the treatment tank (4).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the oxidizing agent is ozone.

Domestic appliance (1) with a treatment container (2,4) for receiving objects to be treated (7), a storage container (16) for an aqueous liquid (6), at least one pump (22,35) for conveying the aqueous liquid (6 between the storage tank (16) and the treatment tank (2,4), and an oxidizer generator (20), characterized in that the oxidizer generator (20) is provided with a tank (38) for storing an aqueous solution of oxidant which is present in the oxidizer generator (20). 20), and the home appliance (1) is arranged to perform a method comprising overlapping the steps of:

(b) generating an oxidizing agent in the oxidant generator (20); and

(c) transferring to and holding the oxidant in the container (38).

12. Household appliance according to claim 1 1, characterized

Oxidant generator (20) is an ozone generator.

13. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 1 to 12, characterized in that as at least one pump (22,35) for conveying an aqueous liquid (6) between the storage tank (32) and treatment tank (1) a drain pump (22 ) and a storage pump (35) can be used.

14. Household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an oxidizer removal device (18,28).

15. Household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher.