ES2927864T3 - Method for checking and cleaning a boiler - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for checking and cleaning a boiler provided with at least one sealed container (11) and one outlet (23). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method for checking and cleaning a boiler

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler. A method for controlling and cleaning a boiler according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, for example, from WO 2017/182664 A1. By boiler, here and in the following description and claims, it is understood any device capable of generating steam and/or heating water, which can be used in household appliances or professional machines, such as, for example, devices for ironing, cleaning, washing machines, etc. coffee, steamers for cooking food, steam ovens, or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Boilers used to selectively generate steam and/or to heat water in household appliances and professional machines normally comprise a hermetically sealed metal container, provided with at least one opening to feed the water inside, an outlet to supply steam and possibly an opening for spout that can be selectively opened/closed to discharge water from the container.

The metal container is normally associated with a heating element, generally a resistance or an electric plate, which acts as a heat source, which can be selectively activated to generate the desired quantity and/or quality of steam and/or heat to the water at the desired temperature.

It is known that, during the use of the boiler, lime formations are generated inside the sealed container, facilitated by the heating of the water. Lime formations consist mainly of calcium carbonate and/or other minerals such as magnesium, potassium, silicon, etc., which are normally found dissolved in water.

Lime formations may remain suspended or may settle and adhere to the internal surfaces of the sealed container to form scale of increasing thickness. In particular, scale is more likely to form in correspondence with the hottest portions of the container, for example, in proximity to or in correspondence with the heating element.

The formation of layers of lime in correspondence with the portion of the wall in which the heating element is associated with the sealed container reduces the efficiency of heating the water, thus slowing down the transmission of heat, with the consequent need for a longer time to reach the desired temperatures and the consequent waste of energy.

To remove scale, known solutions propose the use of an elongated removable collecting element, also in the form of a gutter, configured to be inserted inside the sealed container to collect the scale and remove it from the interior of the container.

However, this solution is not optimal for descaling, nor does it appear to be, at least in part, automatic or automatable. In fact, it implies a great involvement of the user, who must first unscrew at least one closing cap from the outlet opening (an operation that can be particularly tiring and risky), take the entire boiler to a sink, possibly shake the boiler to perform a rinse and, finally, firmly close the closing lid.

These operations, which complicate the cleaning of the boiler, discourage the user, who often does not carry out this cleaning with the required frequency, reducing the effectiveness of descaling and, therefore, the duration of the boiler itself.

In addition, when cleaning the boiler there is a risk that the user will suffer electric shocks if the boiler has not been disconnected from the mains. Furthermore, possible splashes of still hot water can reach the user, which can cause burns.

Therefore, there is a need to identify a control and cleaning method that facilitates the user with the cyclic operations of unloading and cleaning a boiler to generate steam.

An objective of the present invention is to define a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler, which guarantees efficient, fast and easy cleaning of the boiler, guaranteeing safety conditions for a user.

Another objective of the present invention is to define a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler that allows easy removal of scale from the interior of the boiler without requiring particular skills, efforts or risks for the user.

Another objective of the present invention is to define a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler that is at least partially automatic or automatable, which allows monitoring of the boiler's efficiency and warns the user of a possible malfunction and/or the need for a cleaning intervention.

Another objective of the present invention is to define a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler that makes it economical, reliable and durable.

Applicant has devised, tested, and embodied the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to achieve these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention relates to a method for controlling and cleaning a boiler that makes it possible to program adequate cleaning cycles, which are totally or partially automated, in order to guarantee correct and continuous efficiency of the boiler itself.

The cleaning cycles facilitate the detachment of lime deposits that may form in correspondence with the side walls and the bottom and/or the lid of the boiler.

The method according to the invention is applied to a boiler that normally comprises a sealed metal container provided with at least one feed opening for feeding water into it, at least one heating element associated with the container, a discharge opening and an opening for deliver steam.

The method for checking and cleaning a boiler comprises:

• establish a programmed frequency of cleaning cycles for a first predefined quantity of liters of water;

• starting from said predefined amount, detecting, by means of a command and control unit, a heating time to bring the water contained in the container from room temperature to the desired temperature, and comparing the heating time with a heating time reference preset;

• if said detected heating time corresponds to the reference heating time plus or minus a desired tolerance threshold, the frequency of the cleaning cycles is not modified with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined amount of liters of water;

• if said heating time exceeds the desired tolerance threshold with respect to the reference heating time, the frequency of the cleaning cycles is increased with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first number of predefined liters of water.

The control and cleaning method can be applied to any type of steam generation boiler, such as, for example, the boiler of an iron.

According to one embodiment, the choice of the particular type of cleaning cycle and/or the frequency of cleaning cycles can be set by the user by means of knobs or buttons, or by means of suitable interactive communication interfaces, for example , a touch screen or similar.

Alternatively, the choice of the cleaning cycle and the frequency of the cleaning cycles can be automatically selected by the control and command unit after certain changes detected, through suitable sensors, in the boiler performances.

In this way, the entire unloading and cleaning cycle of the boiler is automated, minimizing the activities required by the user.

In addition, the frequency of the cleaning cycles can be determined taking into account the operating time and/or physical quantities, such as temperature and/or pressure, which are measured in the boiler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a boiler in which a control and cleaning method according to the present invention can be used;

• Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control and cleaning method according to the present invention.

For ease of understanding, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further elucidation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment may be adopted into, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention will include all such modifications and variants.

With reference to figure 1, a boiler 10 comprises a sealed metal container 11 suitable for containing water and possibly also for transforming it into steam.

The sealed container 11 has a lower wall 12, an upper wall 13 opposite the lower wall 12, and at least one side wall 14 connected to the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 13.

The sealed container 11 is provided with at least one feed opening 15 for feeding water into the sealed container 11.

The boiler 10 also comprises an automatic feeding device 16 hydraulically connected to the feeding opening 15 and configured to introduce the water into the sealed container 11.

According to possible solutions, the feeding device 16 can comprise a tank 17 to contain the water and a feeding pump 18 intended to extract the water from the holding tank 17 and transfer it to the sealed container 11.

The sealed container 11 can also be provided with an opening 19 to deliver the steam generated within the sealed container 11.

The steam supply port 19 can be connected to devices for using, and possibly adjusting, the steam, for example an electromechanical valve 20, or the like.

The boiler 10 comprises at least one resistance 21 associated with the sealed container 11 and configured to heat the water inside it to the desired temperature.

According to a preferred solution, the heating element 21 can be placed on the outside of the sealed container 11. In this way, the formation of limescale does not affect the heating element 21.

The sealed container 11 may be provided with a detector 22 for detecting physical quantities. The detector of physical quantities can be suitable for measuring the temperature and pressure inside the sealed container 11 of the boiler 10.

In addition, the physical quantity detector 22 can be correlated with a timer or stopwatch to measure the time it takes for the heating element 21 to heat the water in the sealed container 11 from room temperature to the desired temperature.

Alternatively, the timer or stopwatch may be present, but not associated with any physical quantity detector.

The sealed container 11 is provided with a discharge opening 23 to discharge water and possible particles, for example lime formed in the sealed container 11.

The discharge opening 23 can be made in the side wall 14 of the sealed container 11, although a different positioning is not excluded, for example in correspondence with the bottom wall 12 of the sealed container 11. According to a preferred solution, the discharge opening 23 may be arranged in a lower portion of the side wall 14 in the vicinity of the lower wall 12 of the sealed container 11.

In this way, advantageously, it is possible to use the force of gravity to facilitate the discharge of water and possible solid particles and/or aggregates from the sealed container 11 and, moreover, guarantee a substantially complete emptying of the sealed container 11, since the opening discharge 23 is arranged below the mean water level. In addition, the user does not need to intervene to shake and/or tilt the boiler 10 to facilitate emptying the sealed container 11.

The boiler 10 comprises a valve arrangement 24 associated with the discharge opening 23 and configured to selectively open/close the discharge opening 23 and selectively communicate it with the outside environment.

In this way, advantageously, the water and possible solid particles and/or aggregates contained inside the sealed container 11 can be discharged, when the need to carry out this operation arises, thanks to the controlled activation of said valve device 24.

The valve device 24 configured in this way ensures a greater tightness of the sealed container 11, avoiding accidental leaks of water from the discharge opening 23.

The presence of the valve device 24, which can be selectively actuated, instead of a conventional lid, makes it possible to reduce the risk of a user coming into direct contact with the water and with possible particles coming out of the container, thus avoiding the risk of scalds due to high temperatures.

The valve device 24 made in this way is less subject to wear, considerably reducing maintenance interventions. This also reduces the costs of management and maintenance of the boiler and increases the useful life of the boiler itself.

According to one embodiment, the part of the valve device 24 in contact with the water can be made of metal or heat-resistant material, or of any metal resistant to high temperatures and pressures.

According to another embodiment, the boiler 10 can comprise a container 26 to collect the water and any particles or residues that come out of the sealed container 11 through the discharge opening 23.

In one embodiment, the collection container 26 can be connected in a waterproof manner to the discharge opening 23.

In this way, advantageously, the operation of emptying the water and possible lime particles can be carried out safely for the user without the risk of accidental splashes with the consequent electric shocks, or burns.

According to one embodiment, the collection container 26 may comprise a sensor or detector 28, for example a capacitive sensor, configured to detect the level of water and possible particles inside the collection container 26.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detector 28 may be an optical sensor for detecting the level of water and corresponding impurities thereof within the collection container 26.

According to a variant embodiment, the collection container 26 can be transparent to make its content visible to a user. In this way, it is possible to visually see the water level inside the collection container 26 and therefore the detector 28 may not be able to be installed.

According to another variant embodiment, the user can remove the collection container 26 at the end of the cleaning cycle in order to empty and/or clean it.

According to one embodiment, the collection container 26 may comprise, in addition to the sensor 28, a sensor 27 configured to detect the temperature of the water inside the collection container 26.

According to another embodiment, the collection container 26 can be equipped with a safety device (not shown) that does not allow removal of the collection container 26 until the temperature of the discharge liquid, measured by the detector 27, has dropped. at a safe level for the user.

The valve device 24 may be actuated by an actuator device (not shown), for example, an electric geared motor.

The actuator device can be activated manually by a user by means of a switch or a lever, or else conditioned by an automatic device, or command and control unit 25 that activates the actuator device after a certain interval of time has elapsed, or depending on the volume of water that enters the sealed container 11. In this way, the actuation of the valve device 24 is easy and safe for the user.

In other embodiments, the valve device 24 has selectively actuatable unlocking means, which allow its subsequent manual actuation only when safety conditions for the user are met. According to some embodiments, the command and control unit 25 may be equipped with a communication interface user 29, which by means of light and/or acoustic signals, indicates to the user when cleaning of the boiler 10 is required and/or the state of progress of the cleaning cycle.

If the valve device 24 is automatically actuated by an electric gear motor, the user interface 29 can indicate the status of the cleaning operations, informing the user if the container 26 that collects the discharged liquid needs to be emptied.

According to embodiments of the present invention, valve device 24, possible user interface 29, heating element 21, feed pump 18, electromechanical valve 20, detectors 22, 27 and 28 are connected and commanded through the command and control unit 25.

In particular, the command and control unit 25 defines whether or not it is possible to actuate the valve device 24 to open the discharge opening 23 according to the water level measured by the detector 28, in order to avoid liquid leakage from the container. collection 26.

In addition, the temperature detector 27 can signal to the command and control unit 25 when it is possible to discharge the collection container 26, that is to say, when the water is no longer hot.

The control and command unit 25 guarantees a continuous and constant control of the boiler 10 regardless of the external intervention of the user and almost automatically manages the cleaning cycles according to the parameters detected by the detectors 22, 27, 28.

According to some embodiments, the command and control unit 25 may automatically start the cleaning cycles.

According to possible variants, provision can be made for the control and command unit 25 to indicate to a user, for example via the user interface 29, when and if a cleaning cycle should be started. In this case, the cleaning cycles can be manually activated and terminated by the user.

A cleaning cycle can consist of discharging the water, with the solid particles in suspension, by operating the discharge opening 23 of the sealed container 11 of the boiler 10. The discharge opening 23 is opened selectively by operating the valve device 24.

The cleaning cycle can provide that said actuation of the valve device 24 occurs simultaneously or alternatively to at least one of the following steps:

• actuating the feed pump 18 to alternate emptying stages and filling stages to generate one or more rinses;

• Selectively activate, within predetermined temperature values, the heating element 21, to increase the efficiency of its cleaning, by means of thermal shocks.

According to the present invention, the control and cleaning method with which the activation of programmed and automated or automatable cleaning cycles is managed, provides a sequence of stages based on suitable detections of boiler operating parameters.

In the preferred embodiment, the control and cleaning method substantially provides for two different procedures between a first predefined amount L of liters used by the boiler from the first operation of the boiler itself, and the subsequent continuous operation.

The control and cleaning method includes:

• establish a programmed frequency of cleaning cycles for said predefined quantity L of liters of water;

• starting from said predefined quantity L, the detection, by means of a control and command unit 25, of a heating time T to bring the water contained in the sealed container 11 from room temperature to the desired temperature, and the comparison of the heating time T measured with a preset reference heating time T ^r ;

• if the heating time T corresponds to the reference heating time T ^r plus or minus a desired tolerance threshold K, the frequency of the cleaning cycles does not change with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined quantity L of liters of water;

• if said heating time T exceeds the desired tolerance threshold K with respect to the reference heating time T ^r , the frequency of the cleaning cycles is increased with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined amount L of liters of water .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, L is advantageously set to 100 liters. Indeed, for the first 100 liters used by the boiler 10, we believe that the lime formations do not determine an increase in the heating time T that is significant and/or correctly detectable by the control and command unit 25; however, since inside the boiler 10, even before its first use, mineral deposits or first lime formations could be present, the cleaning cycles can be provided with a pre-established fixed frequency, generally low.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the programmed frequency of the cleaning cycles for the first predefined amount L of liters of water is such that a cleaning cycle is started, periodically, after each amount of water used by the boiler. 10 between 10 liters and 25 liters.

According to another embodiment, the desired tolerance threshold K between the detected heating time T and the reference heating time T ^r is a percentage value between 20% and 50%, preferably between 30% and 40%.

The reference heating time T ^r and the predefined quantity L can be preset by the manufacturer in the control and command unit 25. In a possible solution, one or more of these values can be modified by the user.

Advantageously, the control and command unit 25 detects, by means of the timer associated with the temperature detector 22, the heating time T after each switching on after a cleaning cycle. In fact, only after a cleaning cycle is the amount of water actually present in the boiler known, and therefore the measured value of the heating time T can be compared with that of the reference heating time T ^r in the same Funcionament condition.

In addition, the control and cleaning method may comprise informing the user, by means of light and/or acoustic signals, of the progress status of the cleaning cycles through the user interface 29.

According to one embodiment, first of all, a step of controlling and correcting the predetermined value of the reference heating time T ^r can be provided.

The control and correction stage can provide that, at the first ignition of the boiler 10, the control and command unit 25 detects, by means of the timer associated with the detector 22, a first value of the heating time T ⁱ and then compares the time of preset reference heating time T ^r with the first value of the heating time T ⁱ to establish whether the reference heating time T ^r preset by the manufacturer is actually a correct time in the actual operating conditions of the boiler 10.

For example, if the difference between the first value of the heating time T ⁱ and the reference heating time T ^r is less than 20% in absolute value, the command and control unit 25 maintains the preset reference heating time T ^r as a reference. If said difference is between 20% and 50% in absolute value, the control and command unit 25 takes as reference the mean value of the detected heating time. If the difference between the first value of the heating time T ⁱ and the reference heating time T ^r does not appear among the above cases, the control and command unit 25 indicates a malfunction state of the boiler 10.

With reference to figure 2, which shows by way of example the control and cleaning method 100, the initial stage 101 provides for turning on the boiler, after having properly connected it to a power outlet or other power source.

The procedure identified by step 102 is performed for a predefined amount L of liters, while from the predefined amount L of liters the procedure identified by step 103 is performed.

The procedure identified by step 102 provides for establishing cleaning cycles with a certain pre-established frequency, that is, a cleaning cycle for each determined number of liters of water used by the boiler 10. In particular, the control and command unit 25 programs the start of a cleaning cycle on a periodic basis defined by said preset frequency.

In a variant, the control and cleaning method according to the invention can also comprise the setting, or the detection by the control and command unit 25, of a water hardness level D, in correlation with the amount of lime contained. in the water, and the programming of a certain frequency of cleaning cycles that varies according to the level of hardness of the water D.

According to one embodiment, the user can externally set the water hardness level D by means of suitable commands present on the interface 29.

According to another embodiment, the water hardness level D can be detected by the command and control unit 25, automatically, by means of a suitable sensor for detecting the water hardness level D.

There can be at least two levels of water hardness D, for example, low and high.

For example, if the water hardness level D is low, the cleaning cycle can be set with a frequency equal to one activation every 20 litres, while for a high D level, the frequency can be equal to one activation every 10 liters.

In step 103, starting from the predefined quantity L, the command and control unit 25 measures the actual heating time T that the heating element 21 takes to heat the water in the boiler 10 from room temperature to the desired temperature. .

The heating time T is compared with the reference heating time T ^r configured in the command and control unit 25.

If the measured heating time T is substantially equal, within a desired tolerance threshold K, to the established reference heating time T ^r , as expressed in step 104, the cleaning cycle is performed according to the frequency programmed in step 102, ie up to the predefined quantity L of liters.

If hardness level D is also present in the initial settings, in step 104 a corresponding and different frequency of cleaning cycles will correspond to each hardness level D as in step 102.

If the measured heating time T exceeds the reference heating time T ^r beyond the tolerance threshold K, as expressed in step 105, the frequency of cleaning cycles is increased (step 106) compared to the stage frequency 102.

In particular, the increase in the frequency of the cleaning cycles of the boiler 10, established by the control and command unit 25, can even be 30% - 50% with respect to the pre-established frequency, and, therefore, the cleaning cycles can be more frequent until reaching a cleaning cycle for each amount of water between 5 liters and 18 liters.

For example, if in stage 102 (first 100 liters) a cleaning cycle is established every 15 liters, in stage 106 a cleaning cycle can be carried out for each amount of water between 8 liters and 12 liters, preferably around 10 liters. .

If the hardness level D is also present in the initial settings, in step 106 the frequencies of the cleaning cycles corresponding to each level D will also increase proportionally, that is, the amount of water between one cleaning cycle and the next is reduced for each level of hardness D.

For example, if in step 102 a cleaning cycle every 20 liters corresponded to a low hardness D, in step 106 this amount of water is reduced to, for example, 15 liters.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there may be additional warm-up time T threshold value settings for step 105.

The threshold values are greater than the desired tolerance threshold K and are indicators of a large difference between the heating time T and the reference heating time T ^r . If the difference between the heating time T and the reference heating time T ^r is high, the cleaning cycles are carried out closer and closer, increasing their frequency.

If the difference between the heating time T and the reference heating time T ^r greatly exceeds the desired tolerance threshold, for example by more than 70%, the frequency of cleaning cycles increases in proportion to the value of the difference between the heating time T and the reference heating time T ^r .

For example, if the heating time T is greater, in percentage terms, than the reference heating time T ^r between 70% and 100%, then the frequency of cleaning cycles is increased, for example from a cleaning cycle every 10 liters to one every 5 litres.

Furthermore, if the heating time T is greater than the reference heating time T ^r by more than 100%, the frequency of cleaning cycles can be increased further.

It is evident that modifications and/or additions of parts and/or steps can be made to the control and cleaning method as described up to now, without departing from the field and scope of protection of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of the control and cleaning method, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims. and therefore all within the scope of protection defined by them.

In the following claims, the references in parentheses are for the sole purpose of facilitating reading: they should not be considered as limiting factors with respect to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims (9)

1. Method for checking and cleaning a boiler provided with at least one sealed container (11) and one discharge opening (23), said method comprising: - establishing a programmed frequency of cleaning cycles for a first predefined quantity (L) of liters of water; - Starting from said predefined quantity (L), detecting, by means of a control and command unit (25), a heating time (T) to bring the water contained in the sealed container (11) from room temperature to temperature desired, and compare said heating time (T) with a preset reference heating time (T ^r ); characterized in that it also includes: - if said heating time (T) corresponds to the reference heating time (T ^r ) plus or minus a desired tolerance threshold (K), the frequency of the cleaning cycles does not change with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined amount (L) of liters of water; - if said heating time (T) exceeds the desired tolerance threshold (K) with respect to a reference heating time (T ^r ), the frequency of the cleaning cycles is increased with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined quantity (L) of liters of water. Control and cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that the desired tolerance threshold (K) is a percentage value between 30% and 40%. Control and cleaning method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined amount (L) of liters of water used by the boiler (10) is set to 100 liters. 4. Control and cleaning method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the programmed frequency of the cleaning cycles, for the first predefined quantity (L) of liters of water, is such that a cleaning cycle begins, so periodically, after each amount of water used by the boiler (10), between 10 liters and 25 liters. 5. Control and cleaning method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that if the heating time (T) exceeds the desired tolerance threshold (K) with respect to the reference heating time (T ^r ), the frequency of cleaning cycles is increased by 30% - 50% with respect to the frequency corresponding to the first predefined quantity (L) of liters of water. 6. Control and cleaning method according to claim 5, characterized in that if the difference between the heating time (T) and the reference heating time (T ^r ) is greater than 70%, the frequency of the cleaning cycles increases in proportion to the value of the difference between the heating time (T) and the reference heating time (TR). 7. Control and cleaning method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it first comprises a control and correction stage that provides that, when the boiler (10) is turned on for the first time, the control and command unit ( 25) Detect a first heating time value (T ⁱ ) and then compare the preset reference heating time (T ^r ) with the first heating time value (T ⁱ ) to establish whether the preset reference heating time (T ^r ) by the manufacturer is actually a correct time in the actual operating conditions of the boiler (10). 8. Control and cleaning method according to claim 7, characterized in that the comparison of the first value of the heating time (T ⁱ ) with the preset reference heating time (T ^r ) comprises the following steps: - if the difference between the first value of the heating time (Ti) and the reference heating time (TR) is less than 20% in absolute value, the command and control unit (25) keeps the heating time as reference preset reference (TR); - if the difference between the first value of the heating time (Ti) and the reference heating time (TR) is between 20% and 50% in absolute value, the command and control unit (25) takes as reference the average value of the detected heating time; - if the difference between the first value of the heating time (Ti) and the reference heating time (TR) does not appear among the above cases, the control and command unit (25) indicates a malfunction state of the boiler (10). Control and cleaning method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises informing the user, by means of light and/or acoustic signals, of the progress status of the cleaning cycles by means of a user interface (29).