EP3382087A1 - Water-conducting cleaning device and method for operating a water-conducting cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-carrying cleaning device (1) with a container (2) for washing and rinsing one or more articles (5), an inlet device (7) for feeding water (10) into the container (2), and a drain device (6) for removing the water (10) from the container (2), which has a drain line (61), a drain pipe (63) and a drain pump (62) arranged between the drain line (61) and the drain pipe (63) ), the drain pipe (63) connecting the drain pump (62) to the tank (2), comprising the steps of supplying the water (10) into the tank (2); Washing or rinsing the article (s) (5) by means of the supplied water (10) in the container (2); Discharging the water used for washing or rinsing (10) from the container (2) and the drain pipe (63) by activating the drain pump (62); and then re-feeding water (10) in a predetermined amount into the container (2) with simultaneous or staggered activation of the drain pump (62) such that the re-supplied water (10) from the container (2) and the drain pipe ( 63) is discharged. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding water-conducting cleaning device.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-carrying cleaning device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a water-conducting cleaning device. A water-conducting cleaning device for washing and rinsing one or more objects according to a non-printed prior art has a container for washing and rinsing the article or objects, a feed device for supplying water into the container, a drain device for removing the water from the container and a control device configured to regulate or control the water supply to the container, the washing or rinsing in the container, and the drainage of water from the container.

The drain device usually has a drain line, a drain pipe and a drain pump arranged between the drain pipe and the drain line, wherein the drain pipe connects the drain pump with the container. The drain pump is designed to deliver water from the drain pipe into the drain line. If the water-bearing cleaning device does not have a ball valve in the drain pipe, the water that remains in the drainpipe and drain pipe after draining the water from the tank and the drainpipe back into the drainpipe. If this water also contains detergents such as detergents, this detergent is carried off into a subsequent rinsing process. It mixes with the fresh water supplied in the following rinsing operation and increases the detergent concentration of the supplied fresh water, which deteriorates a rinsing action. As a result, the performance of the rinsing process is deteriorated.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a method for operating a water-conducting cleaning device and a water-carrying cleaning device, which offer an improved flushing performance.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method having the features of patent claim 1 and by a water-conducting cleaning device having the features of patent claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The achievable with the invention advantages are that the water in the drain pump and the drain line from a previous washing or rinsing process, which runs back into the container and there with inflowing water of the following Rinsing mixed, having a reduced concentration of detergent or no detergent and that the technical problem is solved that the drain pump drainage volume can no longer pump as soon as a water level in the tank and drain pipe has dropped so far that air is sucked in by the drain pump and As a result, the delivery rate of the drain pump collapses, so that the water from the water-bearing cleaning device is not completely removed or removed after a washing or rinsing process.

1. a) Zuführen des Wassers in den Behälter;
2. b) Waschen oder Spülen des oder der Gegenstände mittels des zugeführten Wassers in dem Behälter;
3. c) Abführen des zum Waschen oder Spülen verwendeten Wassers aus dem Behälter und dem Ablaufrohr mittels Aktivierung der Ablaufpumpe; und anschließend
4. d) erneutes Zuführen von Wasser in einer vorbestimmten Menge in den Behälter unter gleichzeitiger oder zeitlich versetzter Aktivierung der Ablaufpumpe derart, dass das erneut zugeführte Wasser aus dem Behälter und dem Ablaufrohr abgeführt wird.

The invention relates to a method for operating a water-carrying cleaning device with a container for washing and rinsing one or more objects, a feed device for supplying water into the container, and a drain device for removing the water from the container, which a drain line, a drain pipe and a drain pump disposed between the drain pipe and the drain pipe, wherein the drain pipe connects the drain pump with the container. The method comprises the following steps:

1. a) feeding the water into the container;
2. b) washing or rinsing the article or articles by means of the supplied water in the container;
3. c) discharging the water used for washing or rinsing from the container and the drain pipe by activating the drain pump; and subsequently
4. d) re-supplying water in a predetermined amount in the container with simultaneous or staggered activation of the drain pump such that the re-supplied water is discharged from the container and the drain pipe.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for a water-carrying cleaning device which has no valve in the discharge pipe, such as a ball valve. This is the case, for example, in the case of a cleaning device in which water is conveyed from a first, for example, lower region of the container into a second, for example, upper region of the container, as is the case, for example, in a cleaning device with a circulating device. All specified position and directional information refer to the operational installation position of the water-bearing cleaning device.

The term "water" for the purposes of the invention comprises pure water and a water-containing liquid which, in addition to the pure water, also has at least one further component, for example a cleaning agent. By means of the method, a cleaning agent concentration can be reduced on an object to be washed, because the amount of detergent reduces, which is carried off into a subsequent rinsing step. This has the effect of an improved rinsing effect.

The water supplied in step a) may comprise cleaning agents. The water supplied in step d) is preferably detergent-free, that is, it is preferably pure water without added component. The method is particularly suitable for carrying out a washing phase, in which the article is treated with detergent-containing water, followed by a rinsing phase with a rinsing process in which the article is treated with detergent-free water.

Preferably, the re-supply of water in a predetermined amount in the container with simultaneous activation of the drain pump in step d) is performed.

Preferably, the predetermined amount of re-supplied water is greater than or equal to an amount of water which is at the end of step c) in the drain line and the drain pump. This ensures that the amount is sufficient to completely replace the water in the drain line and the drain pump at the end of step c). The supplied in step d) and funded by the drain pump water displaces the remaining in step c) in the drain pump and the drain water, without mixing with him.

In a preferred embodiment, the drain pump is continuously activated during steps c) and d) and possibly between steps c) and d). This can ensure that the water present in step c) in the drain line and the drain pump does not run into the drain pipe and possibly mixed with supplied water in step d). Preferably, the drain pump is continually activated between steps c) and d) if they are not consecutively contiguous.

Preferably, upon detection of suction of air from the drain pump in step c), step d) is started. That is, when the drain pump in step c) no longer delivers water from the drainpipe through it into the drain line, the supply of water to the tank is started by activating the drain pump. This ensures that no water that may contain detergent is in the drainpipe when starting with step d). In another preferred embodiment, after elapse of a predetermined period of time while step c) is being performed, step d) is started. In this case, no sensor is needed to detect if the drain pump is sucking air. This can save costs.

Preferably, the drain pump is deactivated in step d) upon detection of an intake of air from the drain pump or after a predetermined period has elapsed. Then can that in the drain line and the drain pump water that contains little or no detergent, flow back into the drain pipe and possibly the container and then possibly a subsequent flushing process can be started.

In a preferred embodiment, the water-conducting cleaning device is a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a disinfector or a dishwasher. A washing program of the washing machine or washer-dryer or a washing program of the automatic dishwasher or disinfector has at least one washing and rinsing phase. The term "washing phase" in the context of the invention is a generic term for a main course, i. Main wash in the washing machine or washer-dryer or main wash in the dishwasher or disinfector, while the term "rinse phase" is a generic term for rinsing in the washing machine or washer-dryer or (clear) rinsing in the dishwasher or disinfector after the washing phase. The rinse phase may include one or more rinses.

In the washing phase, the water is supplied with detergent in the container of the water-bearing cleaning device in step a) and treated in step b) the object with the detergent-containing water. In the rinsing phase, detergent-free water is fed into the container of the water-conducting cleaning device in step a) and the object is treated with the detergent-free water in step b). The rinse phase is therefore a rinse after the main wash or main rinse using the detergent-free water supplied in step a), i. pure water without added component. The cleaning agent may be, for example, a washing, rinsing or care agent.

The invention further relates to a water-carrying cleaning device for washing and rinsing one or more articles with a container for washing and rinsing the article or objects, a feed device for supplying water into the container, a drain device for removing water from the container, which is a drain line , an outlet pipe and a discharge pump arranged between the drain pipe and the drain pipe, the drain pipe connecting the drain pump to the tank. The water-bearing cleaning device further comprises a control or regulating device, which is designed to regulate or control a method according to one or more of the described embodiments.

With regard to the method described preferred embodiments apply to the water-bearing cleaning device according to and vice versa.

The drain pump is connected at its inlet or suction side with the drain pipe and its output side to the drain line, which usually in a sewer empties. The drain line preferably has a riser section. The feed device has an inlet pipe, an inlet valve and a supply line and is connected to the container optionally waterproof via another component such as a Einspülkasten. The inlet valve connects the inlet pipe and the inlet pipe, which is connected to the container. Preferably, the supply device is arranged in an upper region of the water-conducting cleaning device, and the discharge device is arranged in a lower region of the water-conducting cleaning device. They are each waterproof connected to the container.

The water-conducting cleaning device furthermore preferably has a circulating device which is designed to convey water from a first, preferably lower, region of the container into a second region, preferably the upper region of the container. The Umfluteinrichtung has a circulating pump and a Umflutleitung. The circulating pump is connected at its inlet or suction side to the drain pipe and connected at its output side to the Umflutleitung, which ends in the second, preferably the upper region of the container.

Furthermore, the water-conducting domestic appliance may have a heating device for heating the water in the container.

Preferably, the drain pipe is valve-free in particular ball valve-free. This means that no valve, in particular no ball valve, is arranged in the drain pipe.

The water-carrying cleaning device is a suitable device for washing and rinsing, which is used commercially or in the home. In a preferred embodiment, the water-conducting cleaning device is a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a disinfector or a dishwasher. The washing and rinsing of the article may also be understood to mean disinfecting the article.

Fig. 1 bis 4

ein Verfahren zum Betreiben eines wasserführenden Reinigungsgeräts in zeitlicher Abfolge.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1 to 4

a method for operating a water-conducting cleaning device in chronological order.

Fig. 1 to 4 show a method for operating a water-conducting cleaning device in chronological order, wherein in each case a cross-sectional view of the water-conducting cleaning device is shown after a method step. That in the Fig. 1 to 4 shown cleaning device 1 is an example of a washing machine, which is suitable for washing and rinsing an article 5 in the form of laundry. The water-conducting cleaning device 1 has a container 2 in the form of a suds container. The container 2 is suitable for receiving water 10 and designed for washing and rinsing the article 5. Yourself in the water-bearing cleaning device 1 located water 10 is shown created. In the container 2, a drum 3 for receiving the article 5 is rotatably mounted. Furthermore, the water-bearing cleaning device 1 has a feed device 7 for supplying water 10 into the container 2 and a drain device 6 for removing the water 10 from the container 2. The feed device 7 is arranged in the upper region of the container 2. It has an inlet pipe 71, an inlet valve 72 and a supply line 73. The inlet valve 72 is arranged between the inlet pipe 71 and the inlet pipe 73, which is connected in a watertight manner with the container 2, possibly via a further component (not shown), such as a dispenser box.

The drain device 6 is arranged in the lower region of the container 2 and has a drain line 61, a drain pipe 63 and a drain pump 62 arranged between the drain pipe 63 and the drain pipe 61. The drainage pipe 63 connects the drainage pump 62 to the tank 2. The drainage pump 62 is connected to the drainage pipe 63 on its inlet side and suction side, respectively, and adapted to convey the water 10 from the drainage pipe 63 into the drainage pipe 61. The drain line 61 has a riser section 611 and usually opens into a sewer.

Furthermore, the water-conducting cleaning device 1 optionally has a circulating device 4 with a circulating pump 42 and a circulating line 41. The Umflutleitung 41 is connected via the Umflutpumpe 42 to the drain pipe 63. The circulating pump 42 is connected to the discharge pipe 63 on its input side and suction side, respectively, and is capable of conveying water 10 therein through the bypass pipe 41, so that the water 10 is delivered from the lower portion of the container 2 to the upper portion of the container 2. The water-conducting cleaning device 1 furthermore has an optional heating device 9 which is suitable for heating water 10 in the container 2. Furthermore, the water-bearing cleaning device 1 to a control or control device 8, which is designed to control a method for operating the water-bearing cleaning device 1 or control.

The method for operating the water-bearing cleaning device 1 according to the advantageous embodiment described here proceeds as follows:

An initial state of the water-conducting cleaning device 1 before a washing process is in Fig. 1 shown. As in Fig. 1 can be seen, the object to be washed 5 is arranged in the drum 3, while the water 10 from a previous washing or rinsing in the drain pump 62, the drain line 61, the drain pipe 61, the bypass pump 42 and the Umflutleitung 41 is and at least partially filled. Now required for the washing process water 10 according to step a) from the feeder 7 is fed into the container 2, as indicated by the arrow, in order to begin the washing of the article 5 can.

The state of the water-conducting cleaning device 1 during washing according to step b) is in Fig. 2 The water 10 is located at a fill level h ₁ in the riser section 611 of the drain line 61, in the drain pump 62, in the drain pipe 63, in the bypass pump 42, partially in the bypass line 41 and partly in the tank 2 and the drum 3 There are, for example, 10 l of water in the water-conducting cleaning device 1, wherein in the water 10, for example, 100 g of detergent are dissolved, so that a detergent concentration is 10 g / l. The article 5 is partially in the detergent-containing water 10. He is in the in Fig. 2 state washed by moving the drum 3. At the end of the washing or after the washing, the detergent-containing water 10 used for washing is discharged from the circulating line 41, the circulating pump 42, the container 2 and the drain pipe 63 by activating the drain pump 62 in accordance with step c), resulting in a state of the water-carrying cleaner 1 leads in Fig. 3 is shown.

As in Fig. 3 is shown, the detergent-containing water 10 is at the end of step c) in the drain pump 62 and the drain line 63 to a filling level h ₂ in the riser section 611. For example, there are 500 ml of detergent-containing water 10 in the drain pump 62 and the drain line 61; but the amount of water can also be 1000 ml or more. Since the detergent concentration is 10 g / l, 5 g of detergent is in the 500 ml of water 10, which is located in the drain pump 62 and the drain line 61. If the drainage pump 62 were now switched off, then the detergent-containing water 10 would flow back into the container 2 and mix with subsequently supplied water of the following rinsing process. However, this is not the case, because it is according to step d) again water 10, as indicated by an arrow, supplied in a predetermined amount of 500 ml by means of the supply line 7 into the container 2 with simultaneous activation of the drain pump 62 such that the Re-supplied water 10 is discharged from the container 2 and the drain pipe 63, as indicated by further arrows.

The re-added water is detergent-free. The drain pump 62 conveys the detergent-free water 10 flowing into the drain pipe 63 into the drain line 61. The pumped detergent-free water 10 displaces the detergent-containing water 10 located in the drain line 61 without mixing with it. By means of this in Fig. 4 shown step d) can be ensured that at the end of step d) the water 10 in the drain pump 62 and the drain line 63 contains little or no detergent. By the supplied 500 ml of water 10 is the detergent-containing water 10 in the sewer (not shown) promoted. Now, if the drain pump 62 is turned off, only the detergent-free water 10 flows back into the container 2. The carryover of the cleaning agent is reduced by 5 g in this example.

According to a further, unclaimed embodiment, the in Fig. 2 Downstairs detergent-containing water 10 are pumped instead of the drain pump 62 by means of the Umflutpumpe 42 through the Umflutleitung 41 into the article 5, which sucks the water 10. As a result, it can be ensured, for example, that the cleaning agent in the water 10 reaches the article 5 completely.

At the same time down fresh water, so detergent-free water, be tracked, which then penetrates by means of the circulating pump 42 into the Umflutleitung 41. It is particularly advantageous if this amount of fresh water and the pumping duration of the circulating pump 42 are dimensioned such that the circulating line is then filled with fresh water, but without this emerging from the circulating line and entering the object. As a result, a reflux of detergent-containing water is effectively avoided in one of the next process steps as described above.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

h ₁

filling height

h ₂

filling height

1

water-carrying cleaning device

2

container

3

drum

4

Umfluteinrichtung

41

Umflutleitung

42

Umflutpumpe

5

object

6

off device

61

drain line

611

Riser section

62

drain pump

63

drain pipe

7

inflow device

71

supply pipe

72

inlet valve

73

supply line

8th

Regulating or control device

9

heater

10

water

Claims (9)

Method for operating a water-conducting cleaning device (1) with a container (2) for washing and rinsing one or more objects (5), an inlet device (7) for feeding water (10) into the container (2), and a discharge device ( 6) for removing the water (10) from the container (2) having a drain line (61), a drain pipe (63) and between the drain line (61) and the drain pipe (63) arranged drain pump (62), wherein the drainpipe (63) connects the drainage pump (62) to the container (2), comprising the steps a) feeding the water (10) into the container (2); b) washing or rinsing the article or objects (5) by means of the supplied water (10) in the container (2); c) discharging the water used for washing or rinsing (10) from the container (2) and the drain pipe (63) by activating the drain pump (62); and subsequently d) re-introducing water (10) in a predetermined amount into the container (2) with simultaneous or delayed activation of the drain pump (62) such that the re-supplied water (10) from the container (2) and the drain pipe ( 63) is discharged. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined amount of re-supplied water (10) is greater than or equal to an amount of water at the end of step c) in the drain line (61) and the drain pump (62). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain pump (62) during steps c) and d) and optionally between the steps c) and d) is continuously activated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon detection of an intake of air from the drain pump (62) in step c) is started with step d). Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that after a predetermined period of time during which the step c) is performed, the step d) is started. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain pump (62) is deactivated in step d) upon detection of an intake of air from the drain pump (62) or after a predetermined period has elapsed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water-conducting cleaning device (1) is a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a disinfector or a dishwasher. Water-conducting cleaning device (1) for washing and rinsing one or more objects (5) with a container (2) for washing and rinsing the object or objects (5), an inlet device (7) for feeding water (10) into the container ( 2), a drain device (6) for removing the water (10) from the container (2), which a drain line (61), a drain pipe (63) and between the drain pipe (63) and the drain line (61) arranged drain pump (62), wherein the drain pipe (63) connects the drain pump (62) to the container (2), and a control device, characterized in that the regulating or control device is formed, a method according to any one of the preceding claims to regulate or control. Water-conducting cleaning device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it is a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a disinfector or a dishwasher.

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