ES2673282T3 - Domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Domestic appliance (100) with an ozone generator (101) to generate ozone in an ozone circuit (103) and a filter (105) to filter the ozone by removing it from the ozone circuit (103), characterized in that the ozone circuit ( 103) includes a switching siphon (207) to divert an ozone flow by bridging the filter (105) and the switching siphon (207) having an opening (109) to control a liquid level in the switching siphon (207) .

Description

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DOMESTIC APPLIANCE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a household appliance with an ozone circuit according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a household appliance is known for example from DE 10 2012 209823 A1. When ozone is used in household appliances, this is most often done through an air circuit, in which a fan draws air, enriches it with ozone through an ozone generator and a fog generator and provides the enriched air to a working chamber of the domestic appliance. For technical and economic reasons the air is then conducted through the circuit, a filter, such as an activated carbon filter, being additionally mounted for safety reasons. Air is conducted in the circuit through the filter, then being chemically released from ozone. The filter is often T-shaped and offers the possibility of filtered mechanical ventilation through the third outlet. For reasons of cost the filter is always fixed in the circuit and cannot be disconnected. Therefore it is active even during the ozone formation phase and continuously annihilates ozone. But precisely this is not desired in those phases in which an enrichment with ozone has to be carried out in the air circuit and makes it necessary for the generation of ozone in the ozone generator to take this circumstance into account and generate the corresponding amounts of ozone .

The objective of the invention is to indicate a domestic appliance with an ozone circuit and a filter, in which it is possible to connect and disconnect the filter in the circuit.

This objective is achieved by the object with the characteristics of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject to the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a household appliance with an ozone generator to generate ozone in an ozone circuit and a filter to filter the ozone by removing it from the ozone circuit, including the ozone circuit a switching siphon to divert an ozone flow by bridging the filter and presenting the switching siphon an opening to control a liquid level in the switching siphon. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that by filling and emptying the switching siphon with a liquid, an air-impermeable state and an air-permeable state of the switching siphon can be achieved. Under a switching siphon, a siphon is therefore understood that can be selectively moved to two states. This can be achieved by opening and closing for example by means of a control system a liquid inlet and / or a drain. Since the switching siphon is arranged as a bypass or as a filter bypass, the jumper can therefore be disconnected or connected. This makes it possible on the one hand that the filter can be disconnected or bridged in the ozone formation phase. On the other hand, the filter is not completely filled during the operation of the domestic appliance by sucking moisture or foam, thus losing its filter effect even in a lasting way. This reduces the wear of the filter and increases the useful life, because the use of the filter is limited to what is really necessary.

Under a domestic appliance, it is understood in particular a domestic appliance that is used to control household chores and which is used, for example, to clean and / or wash fabrics such as clothing and clothing or also crockery and kitchenware. It can be a home appliance such as a washing machine, a clothes dryer, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher.

In another advantageous embodiment, the filter is configured as an activated carbon filter. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the filters used can be purchased as a standard product for both filtering gases and liquids, being easy to replace and economically priced.

In another advantageous embodiment, the T-shaped filter is configured to perform filtered ventilation of the domestic appliance with outside air. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that air containing ozone is prevented from leaving the circuit. In addition, moisture is prevented from leaving the circuit and the filter can be used additionally to compensate for oscillations in the air pressure in the circuit.

In another advantageous embodiment, the ozone circuit includes a fog generator, to enrich the flow of ozone with fog. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the ozone-enriched air can be further enriched with fog, for use on the objects to be treated in the domestic appliance.

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In another advantageous embodiment, the fog generator has a tank for accumulating liquid for fog generation. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the mist-generating liquid can vary, be substituted or mixed with other additives.

In another advantageous embodiment there is a hydraulic connection between the fog generator and the switching siphon, to maintain the level of liquid in the fog generator tank and in the switching siphon at the same height. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a filling and emptying of the switching siphon can be carried out through the hydraulic connection with the liquid in the tank, in order to achieve an air-impermeable state and a state air permeable switching siphon. In addition, the technical advantage is achieved that the embodiment can be carried out without additional actuator systems or sensors and to a very large extent using existing components.

In another advantageous embodiment, the fog generator tank has a tank fill valve, which interacts with a sensor for a higher tank fill level, to keep the liquid in the tank at a defined fill level. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the tank always contains a certain amount of liquid. Since during the operation of the fog generator liquid is continuously consumed in the fog generation, the level of the liquid in the tank drops accordingly and can be filled with the tank fill valve and the sensor for a defined top fill level up to A certain level.

In another advantageous embodiment, the fog generator tank has a tank drain valve, which interacts with a sensor for a lower level of tank filling, to evacuate the liquid from the tank. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the liquid can be completely evacuated from the tank. This may be necessary especially for hygienic reasons or for reasons of certain modes of operation of the household appliance. By means of the sensor for the lower filling level there is additionally the possibility of evacuating liquid in a controlled manner to a certain level of liquid.

In another advantageous embodiment, the sensor for the upper filling level and the sensor for the lower filling level in the fog generator tank can be used to control the liquid level in the switching siphon. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the switching on and off of the switching siphon or the switching of the switching siphon from an air impermeable state to an air permeable state can be carried out with the aid of the level sensor. top and sensor fill for the lower fill level in the fog generator tank. An additional advantage is that no other components such as sensors or control devices are needed in the switching siphon, since existing equipment of the liquid tank can be used.

In another advantageous embodiment, the switching siphon is realized such that the resistance to the flow of the ozone stream can be continuously modified by the switching siphon with the level of liquid that can vary. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that a continuous flow resistance adjustment can be carried out by means of the liquid level in the switching siphon and in a broader sense by means of the liquid level of the tank in the fog generator. in the ozone stream. This can be done in particular together with a suitable diaphragm with an opening gradient.

In another advantageous embodiment, the switching siphon is integrated in the fog generator tank and one half of the switching siphon is formed by the tank. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the siphon does not have to be mounted as an additional component in the domestic appliance. The integration of the siphon into the fog generator tank also makes a constructive way that saves space and is compact, with a reduction in the amount of components of the complete ozone circuit.

In another advantageous embodiment, the switching siphon is equipped to use the liquid level of the switching siphon to adjust the volumetric flow of the ozone stream in the ozone circuit for constant fan power. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that simple fans can be used with only one speed stage. These fans are especially easy to acquire and the present embodiment makes it possible that the domestic appliance, due to the use of a fan with only one speed stage, is not subject to any functional limitation.

In another advantageous embodiment, the switching siphon is configured with three stages, the ventilation opening of the domestic appliance and the bridging around the filter being open in a first stage, the bridging is opened in a second stage and the ventilation opening is closed and in a third stage the ventilation opening and the bridge and the ventilation current of the domestic appliance and the ozone flow can only be made through the filter. This way it is achieved

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for example, the technical advantage that with only one switching siphon several operating states or modes of operation of the domestic appliance can be carried out.

In another advantageous embodiment, service states corresponding to the different stages of the three stage switching siphon with different liquid levels of the switching siphon can be performed. This way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that all operating states can operate with existing means such as sensors, valves and tank control systems in the fog generator.

In another advantageous embodiment, the filter, the switching siphon and the fog generator tank constitute an integral unit. In this way, for example, the technical advantage is achieved that the integrated configuration of the filter with the siphon and the tank enables a particularly compact configuration. This in particular saves a lot of space and reduces the amount of components of the complete ozone circuit.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

It is shown in:

Figure 1 a schematic representation of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance, Figure 2 a schematic representation of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance with a switching siphon in a bypass, the tank of a fog generator and the siphon of switching in a state full of liquid,

Figure 3 a schematic representation of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance with a switching siphon in a bypass, the tank of a fog generator and the switching siphon being in a liquid drained state,

4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance, the switching siphon being integrated in the tank of a fog generator and the switching siphon and the tank being in a liquid-filled state, 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance, the switching siphon being integrated in the tank of a fog generator and the switching siphon and the tank being in a liquid empty state, Figure 6A a schematic representation of an embodiment of a filter in a domestic appliance, the filter being integrated in a hydraulically switchable siphon and the siphon being in a liquid filled state,

6B shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a filter in a domestic appliance, the filter being integrated in a hydraulically switchable siphon and the siphon being in a liquid drained state,

Figure 7A a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon in a domestic appliance, the siphon being in a liquid drained state, Figure 7B a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon in an apparatus domestic, the siphon being in a state of medium filling, figure 7C a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon in a domestic appliance, the siphon being in a state full of liquid,

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an ozone circuit 103 in a household appliance 100. The ozone circuit 103 is integrated in an air circuit, in which a fan 106 draws air, enriches it by means of an ozone generator 101 and a fog generator 123 with ozone and fog and supplies the enriched air to a wash basin 120 of the domestic appliance 100. The fog generator includes a tank 111 that is filled with a liquid 113. With a tank fill valve 115 arranged in the fog generator 123, the tank 111 of the fog generator 123 can be filled with liquid as needed. Liquid filling of the tank 111 is necessary continuously during normal operation of the fog generator 123, since due to the fog generation liquid 113 of the tank 111 is continuously supplied to the ozone circuit 103. The fog generation is usually carried out by means of a piezoelectric oscillator, which oscillates with a certain frequency in the liquid 113 generates the fog. Additionally, the fog generator 123 has a sensor for a higher fill level 117, which interacts preferably with the tank fill valve 115. Thus it is possible that the contents of the tank can always be maintained at a defined fill level. In addition, a drain valve of the tank 119 is located in the fog generator 123, with which the liquid 113 can be evacuated from the tank 111. This may be necessary due to various modes of operation of the domestic appliance or for hygienic reasons. In this regard, the tank drain valve 119 interacts with a sensor for a lower fill level 121, which allows precise control of the tank drain valve 119. For technical and economic reasons, the air enriched with ozone and mist is brought to the wash basin 120 or the working chamber with objects to be treated. The air then flows out of the wash basin 120, a filter 105 being additionally housed in the circuit 103. Preferably, this filter 105 is composed of an activated carbon filter, which releases the air from the excess ozone. Filter 105 is configured with a T-shape and

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it thus offers a ventilation opening 107 of the domestic appliance through a third outlet. Since the filter 105 is in the circuit 103, it reduces the ozone also during the ozone phase of the domestic appliance 100.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an ozone circuit 103 in a household appliance 100 with a switching siphon 207 in a bypass, the tank 111 of a fog generator 123 and the switching siphon 207 being in a liquid filled state . We renounce a repetition of the description of identical characteristics of the preceding figure. The switching siphon 207 includes an opening 109, which is connected by a hydraulic connection 209 with the tank 111 of the fog generator 123. Through the hydraulic connection 209 the switching siphon 207 can be filled with liquid 113 from the tank 111 or Well empty. Preferably, the switching siphon 207 and the tank 111 are arranged such that their respective liquid levels are at the same height. Thus, the liquid level in the switching siphon 207 can be controlled and managed simultaneously with the liquid level in the tank 111 with existing means such as tank fill valve 115, tank drain valve 119, sensor for the upper level of filling 117 and sensor for the lower filling level 121. The switching of the siphon 207 between closed and open corresponds directly to the liquid level in the tank 111 of the fog generator 123. In this representation the switching siphon 207 is located in A state full of liquid. As a consequence, the bypass and switching siphon 207 are impervious to air and force the air flow and / or the flow of ozone to flow through the filter 105. The filter 105 is thus de facto connected.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an ozone circuit 103 in the home appliance 100 with a switching siphon 207 in a bypass, the tank 111 of the fog generator 123 and the switching siphon 207 being in a liquid drained state. We renounce a repeated description of identical characteristics of the preceding figures. The bypass and switching siphon 207 are thus in an air-permeable state and allow air and ozone flow respectively to bypass filter 105 and flow through the bypass. This state is suitable for example in a mode of operation of the domestic appliance in which the ozone content in the circuit must be increased. Preferably, the flow resistance of the filter 105 can be further increased and for example be 20 times greater than the resistance of the open bypass. Thus a large part of the air flows through the open or air permeable bypass and only a negligible proportion of the air is conducted through the filter 105. The filter is thus de facto disconnected.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance 100, the switching siphon 207 being integrated in the tank 111 of a fog generator 123 and the switching siphon 207 and the tank being located 111 in a liquid-filled state 113. We give up a repeated description of identical characteristics of the preceding figures. Additionally, the ozone generator 101 and the filter 105 configured in parallel T-shape are arranged in this configuration, the ozone generator 101 being directly connected to the switching siphon 207. When air is sucked through the fan 106 and introduced in circuit 103, then first a part of the air is enriched with ozone. This cannot continue to flow when the switching siphon 207 is filled with liquid, since it is impermeable to air. Thus the enrichment of the ozone air is blocked and the air is forced to flow through the path that runs in parallel through the filter 105, where it is released from ozone. Filter 105 is thus connected de facto.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an ozone circuit in a domestic appliance 100, the switching siphon 207 being integrated in the tank 111 of a fog generator 123 and the switching siphon 207 and the tank being located 111 in a state of liquid emptying. We renounce a repeated description of identical characteristics of the preceding figures. Then when air is drawn through the fan 106 and introduced into the circuit 103, most of the air drawn through the ozone generator 101 flows, because it has a lower flow resistance than that of the filter 105 connected in parallel. The air is thus enriched with ozone. This can continue to flow, when the switching siphon 207 is emptied of liquid 103, through the fog generator tank 123, since it is permeable to air. This effect is further encouraged by further increasing the flow resistance of the filter 105, for example 20 times greater than the resistance of the open bypass. Thus a large part of the air flows through the open or air permeable bypass and only a negligible part of the air is conducted through the filter 105. The filter 105 is thus de facto disconnected.

Figure 6A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a filter 105 in a domestic appliance 100, the filter 105 being integrated in a siphon 207 that can be switched hydraulically and the siphon 207 being in a liquid-filled state. Then when ozone-enriched air enters from circuit 103 in filter 105, the siphon 207 is in an air impermeable state. As a consequence, the air must flow through the filter 105, freeing it of ozone. An opening 109 is additionally located in the siphon 207, through which liquid can be introduced into the siphon or evacuated therefrom. The filter is thus connected de facto.

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Figure 6B shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a filter 105 in a household appliance 100, the filter 105 being integrated in a siphon 207 that can be switched hydraulically and the siphon 207 being in a liquid drained state. We give up a repeated description of identical characteristics to those of the preceding figure. Then when ozone-enriched air enters the circuit 103 in the filter 105, the siphon 207 is in an air permeable state. As a consequence, the air does not flow through the filter 105, because the resistance to flow through the air-permeable siphon 207 is much lower. The filter is thus disconnected de facto.

Figure 7A shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon 207 in a domestic appliance 100, the siphon 207 being in a liquid drained state. A free ventilation tube 701 with a ventilation opening 107 flows into a switching siphon 207 up to slightly above the bottom surface of the siphon. The ventilation tube 701 itself is configured as a filter 105, the filtering effect being carried out by means of radial flow passing through the filter wall of the ventilation tube 701. Additionally, the switching siphon 207 has an integrated bypass flow path, which allows the flowing fluid from the circuit 103 to laterally skirt the vent tube 701 and exit the siphon 207. Additionally, the switching siphon has an opening 109, which makes it possible to fill and drain the switching siphon 207 with liquid. In a first stage, without liquid in the siphon 207, the ventilation opening 107 of the domestic appliance 100 and the bridging around the filter 105 are completely open. In this state, for example, mechanical ventilation can be carried out through the ventilation channel outside an operation with ozone. Filter 105 is de facto disconnected.

Figure 7B shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon 207 in a domestic appliance 100, the siphon 207 being in a state of medium filling. We give up a description of characteristics identical to those of the preceding figure. The mouth of the vent tube 701 is here in the liquid. However, the integrated bypass is open. In this second stage, mechanical ventilation can be carried out through the filter 105, the air circuit being carried out through the bypass without filtering effect. In this state, for example, an ozone formation mode of the household appliance 100 can be carried out.

Figure 7C shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a multi-stage siphon 207 in a domestic appliance 100, the siphon 207 being in a liquid-filled state. We renounce a repeated description of identical characteristics to those of the preceding figures. The siphon is here completely filled with liquid. With this, both the ventilation opening and the internal bypass are closed. As a consequence, the passage of the ventilation flow of the domestic appliance 100 and the ozone flow or the ozone circuit 103 are carried out exclusively through the filter 105. In this state, for example, an ozone reduction mode of the domestic appliance 100 can be performed The filter 105 is connected de facto.

All embodiments and switching functions can be performed without additional actuator or sensor systems, but only using existing components. The constructive modifications are limited to few static components, which can be preferably integrated into existing plastic parts in household appliances.

All the features described and shown in relation to individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations on an object according to the invention, in order to realize both their advantageous effects.

The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

Reference List

100 household appliance

101 ozone generator

103 ozone circuit

105 filter

106 fan

107 ventilation opening

109 opening

111 tank

113 liquid

115 tank filling valve

117 sensor for the top fill level

119 tank drain valve

120 wash basin

121 sensor for lower fill level

123 fog generator

207 switching siphon

209 hydraulic connection

701 ventilation tube

Claims (14)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. Domestic appliance (100) with an ozone generator (101) to generate ozone in an ozone circuit (103) and a filter (105) to filter the ozone by removing it from the ozone circuit (103), characterized in that the circuit of Ozone (103) includes a switching siphon (207) to divert an ozone flow by bridging the filter (105) and the switching siphon (207) having an opening (109) to control a liquid level in the switching siphon ( 207). 2. Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter (105) is configured as an activated carbon filter. 3. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter (105) is configured with a T-shape, to perform a filtered ventilation of the domestic appliance (100) with outside air. 4. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ozone circuit (103) includes a fog generator (123), to enrich the flow of ozone with fog. 5. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fog generator (123) has a tank (111) for accumulating liquid (113) for fog generation. 6. Household appliance (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that between the fog generator (123) and the switching siphon (207) there is a technical fluid connection (209), to keep the level of liquid in the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) at the same height ) and in the switching siphon (207). 7. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) has a tank filling valve (115), which interacts with a sensor for a higher filling level (117) of the tank (111), to keep the liquid (113) in the tank (111) at a defined filling level. 8. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) has a tank drain valve (119), which interacts with a sensor for a lower filling level (121) of the tank (111), to evacuate the liquid (113) from the tank (111). 9. Household appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor for the upper filling level (117) and the sensor for the lower filling level (121) in the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) can be used to control the liquid level in the siphon of switching (207). 10. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching siphon (207) is realized such that the resistance to the flow of the ozone stream can be continuously modified by the switching siphon (207) with the level of liquid that can vary. 11. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching siphon (207) is integrated in the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) and one half of the switching siphon (207) It is formed by the tank (111). 12. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching siphon (207) is equipped to use the liquid level of the switching siphon (207) to adjust the volumetric flow of the ozone stream in the ozone circuit (103) for constant fan power. 13. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching siphon (207) is configured with three stages, the ventilation opening (107) of the domestic appliance (100) being opened in a first stage. and the bridge around the filter (105), in a second stage the bridge is open and the ventilation opening is closed and in a third stage the ventilation opening and the bridge and the ventilation current of the domestic appliance (100) are closed and the flow of ozone can only be done through the filter (105). 14. Domestic appliance (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that service states corresponding to the different stages of the three-stage switching siphon (207) with different liquid levels of the switching siphon (207) can be performed. 15. Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the filter (105), the switching siphon (207) and the tank (111) of the fog generator (123) form an integral unit.