Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
  • D06F35/001—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for using ozone

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for the treatment of laundry in a washing machine at low temperature and a particularly suitable for this purpose washing machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of treating laundry at low temperature with ozone.
• Electrochemical producers of bleaching agents are sometimes used in washing machines, e.g. Titanium-iridium electrodes for the formation of sodium hypochlorite from saline water or silver electrodes for the production of silver ions. It is also known for treating or disinfecting water to use boron-doped diamond electrodes to produce directly from water hydroxyl radicals that are efficient bleaching agents.
• hydroxyl radicals disintegrate relatively quickly and have to be constantly replicated.
• Silver ions react rapidly to form insoluble compounds with other constituents in the water.
• the wastewater is enriched with heavy metals and residues can be formed on the laundry.
• Chlorine bleach leaves a distinct smell of chlorine on the laundry treated with it.
• Ozone is one of the most effective oxidizing agents and is used industrially, for example in the paper industry, as an efficient and environmentally friendly bleaching agent. Even in commercial laundry care ozone is used for bleaching and disinfecting textiles. Ozone has the advantage that it produces no environmentally harmful reaction products and is degraded when used without residue.
• Ozone is not just a powerful disinfectant; In combination with a care or cleaning agent applied in a domestic appliance, it also causes complex and rapid reactions which can lead to an improved care or cleaning effect.
• WO 2007/143785 A1 describes a system and apparatus for introducing ozone into a washing machine.
• the system includes a first conduit for introducing ozone from an ozone supply into a scrubbing liquid inlet and a second conduit for discharging ozone into an area above a scrubbing chamber.
• a Venturi nozzle is used for introducing ozone and for mixing with a washing liquid.
• the Venturi nozzle is operatively coupled to wash liquid inlet means to draw the ozone into the wash liquid while the wash liquid is being added to the wash tank.
• WO 2008/1 19631 A1 describes a washing machine in which microorganisms present in a detergent distributor, ie an induction bowl, are removed by direct introduction of ozone from an ozone generator into the dispensing bowl.
• a detergent distributor ie an induction bowl
• 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.
• US 2008/0302139 A1 discloses a tunnel washer comprising a plurality of zones for washing laundry in a continuous manner, two locations for injecting ozone, a water circuit connecting a water inlet and a water outlet, the water circuit comprising a water reservoir and a venturi injector for dissolving ozone in water, and includes an ozone generator.
• a negative pressure or vacuum may be applied to the tunnel washer via an ozone eliminator to prevent leakage of ozone.
• a blower can be used for the generation of the negative pressure. Excess or leaking ozone can be catalytically converted back to normal oxygen in the ozone removing device.
• US 2006/0096038 A1 describes a system for monitoring ozone and controlling the supply of a washing machine with ozone.
• An ozone sensor indicates the exceeding of a set ozone limit, whereupon an ozone generator is switched off until the ozone concentration is again below this limit. An elimination of ozone is not provided.
• a cleaning machine for laundry, crockery or the like with a reservoir for a cleaning agent and an ozone generator, at the output of which an ozonization of the cleaning agent in this opening ozone supply line is connected.
• the reservoir is associated with a vent line and a Entozonmaschines Huawei 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.
• An overflow serves as a vent line, through which the air produced at low pressure above the detergent level can escape.
• the overflow may be provided with a heating device which is heated to such a high temperature that any remaining ozone in the air is destroyed before the air enters the environment. Instead, e.g. an activated carbon filter may be present.
• DE 10 2008 024 322 A1 describes a dishwasher with a rinsing container, a supply line for rinsing water in the rinsing container and a Ozone generator with an air supply, which is connected to an injector nozzle for mixing the ozone / air mixture generated by it with rinse water.
• WO 2008/000813 A1 describes a washing machine with an ozone generator, which is activated after the laundry has been washed. Ozone is then delivered to the laundry drum without being mixed with the wash water. In embodiments, the laundry is still in the drum during the introduction of ozone and the drum is rotated to the left and to the right during the introduction of ozone.
• DE 101 03 905 A1 describes an apparatus and a method for drying laundry using a container receiving the laundry, a blower for air transport, a heater for heating the transported air and a central control device, wherein the air, which of the laundry to be dried is supplied, is mixed with ozone.
• the CH 687 030 A5 describes a device for dewatering of textile material, with a motor displaceable in rotation about its axis, perforated drum for receiving the material to be dehydrated, which drum used in an open-topped tub with a drain for the material withdrawn from the Gut is, wherein a heating fan is provided, by means of which during operation of the device, a heated air flow into the rotating drum can be introduced.
• An ozone lamp may be provided to ozone the hot air stream conducted into the drum and thereby disinfect the treated material simultaneously with the drainage.
• EP 1 980 660 A1 describes a washing machine comprising: a treatment container for the storage of clothes, as well as for the washing and the Spin-drying the stored laundry; an ozone generating means, a generated ozone generating means in the treatment tank or an air duct; an operation switch for air washing and / or performing a mold control operation, air washing control means and / or mold control for the operation of the ozone generating means and the supply means, and possibly a blower in a predetermined manner in response to the instructions from the operation switch.
• air washing is meant the sterilization or deodorization of laundry with ozone-containing air instead of water
• the ozone is activated by heating to improve the sterilizing or deodorizing efficiency.
• EP 1 932 962 A1 describes a clothes dryer with a treatment container in which the clothes are dried, a blower in a drying air channel, and with an ozone generator outside a drying air channel to produce ozone from air drawn in from outside, and then to an outlet leave.
• the exit is connected to a portion of the drying air passage upstream of a blower unit.
• An ozone supply control can be provided, which only then gives the ozone generated by the ozone generator in the treatment vessel, after a drying-detecting unit indicates a certain level of drying.
• an ozone generator is provided, as well as an ozone supply control, which supplies the generated ozone to the treatment tank during a dehydrating step.
• WO 2010/003944 A1 describes a washing machine comprising a container in which the washing operation is performed, a drum which is positioned within the container and moves the laundry placed therein, and an ozone generator which produces ozone and one on the container
• the ozone generator provides ozone to the container only during the spin-drying operation, during which the drum is rotated at high speed. Since the ozone gas is provided only during the drying spin cycle, but not during the main washing step, the ozone gas can not affect the chemical composition of the detergent used.
• the object of the invention is to provide a method for treating laundry in a washing machine, in which ozone can be used in a very efficient manner.
• the invention also relates to a suitable washing machine.
• the invention thus teaches a method for treating laundry in a washing machine with a tub, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving ozone to be treated and a device for providing ozone, wherein ozone-containing air at a temperature of not more is passed as 35 ° C, in particular of not more than 30 ° C, located in the drum located washed and still wet laundry, while in the drum substantially no detergents or washing aids are present, and then a rinse cycle for the laundry in the Drum done.
• the device for providing ozone may in particular be an ozone generator or else an access opening or a buffer for ozone-containing air.
• the ozone-containing air is preferably introduced into the drum after a penultimate rinse cycle.
• the ozone-containing air is passed into the drum before the last rinse.
• the laundry has been thrown after completion of a washing process and performing one or more rinses. This can be adjusted by the design of the spin a desired moisture content of the laundry.
• the ozone-containing air is introduced while the drum is essentially stationary and even more preferred that the drum is stationary.
• “Stopping substantially” here means in particular that the drum is for a period of less than 20 %, based on the period for the introduction of ozone-containing air, is operated at a maximum speed of 50 revolutions.
• the introduction of the ozone-containing air preferably lasts from 1 to 10 minutes, and more preferably from 3 to 7 minutes. In a most preferred embodiment of the method ozone-containing air is introduced during a period of 1 to 10 minutes, in particular 3 to 7 minutes, while the drum is stationary.
• the drum is preferably operated after completion of introduction of ozone-containing air in a Reversierrhythmus.
• the drum is preferably rotated at a speed in the range of 35 to 55, and more preferably in the range of 40 to 50, revolutions per minute.
• the drum is preferably rotated only 1 to 5 times, in particular 2 to 3 times.
• a short break in which the drum does not move.
• Such a pause may take, for example, 5 to 15 seconds, in particular 10 seconds.
• ozone-containing air is preferably again introduced while the drum is substantially stationary.
• the period of re-introduction or repetition is generally shorter than the time for the first introduction of ozone-containing air, and is preferably 10 to 30% of the first period. For example, if initially ozone-containing air was introduced for a period of 5 minutes, the Period for reintroducing ozone-containing air preferably about 60 seconds.
• At least the last three reversing intervals consisting of a left and a right turn of the drum, are carried out without introduction of ozone-containing air.
• This achieves a gradual decay of the ozone concentration in a particularly efficient manner.
• This is particularly advantageous if subsequently a further rinsing step is carried out, since in this case ozone-containing air is displaced from the drum by the water flowing in.
• the duration of the process according to the invention will generally depend on the type and amount of loading of laundry to be treated. Delicate items of laundry and low loadings generally require a shorter process time than insensitive items of laundry and large load quantities. In general, a duration of the process according to the invention will take about 20 to 40 minutes, in particular about 30 minutes.
• a laundry care product can still be used.
• detergent and washing aid used herein are not particularly limited. In general, they are surface-active chemical substances.
• a washing aid in the context of the invention is in particular a fabric softener or another laundry care product. It is preferable that the ozone-containing air is introduced into the drum only when an upper limit C
• the concentration c of detergent and / or washing aid in the drum is measured by means of a sensor system.
• a suitable sensor for determining the concentration of detergent and / or washing aid in the drum is preferably present in a washing machine used for carrying out the method.
• a suitable sensor for example, an optical sensor, a conductivity sensor or a tensiometer can be used. This sensor can supply the measured signals to the washing machine for further processing via a signal line of a generally available control device. It is also preferred according to the invention that the ozone-containing air is conveyed through the drum by means of a blower.
• ozone-containing air generated by an ozone generator is passed into the drum and to the washed and still wet laundry in the drum, and then at generally, e.g. via a controllable closure device, separated ozone supply from the ozone generator in a circuit comprising the drum and a recirculating air duct.
• the ozone-containing air generated by an ozone generator is not circulated.
• the introduced ozone-containing air instead remains in the drum for a desired period of time, in order then to be disposed of by aspiration or pumping, if necessary.
• the ozone-containing air is conveyed in a circuit comprising the drum and a recirculating air channel.
• a circuit comprising the drum and a recirculating air channel.
• an ozone sensor in the circuit which can measure a change in the ozone concentration and, for example, stop the treatment of ozone with ozone in response to the measured ozone concentration, or cause ozone replenishment from the ozone providing device.
• the ozone-providing device can be separated from the circuit by means of a first controllable closure device.
• the first controllable closure device is generally connected to a controller of the washing machine, which can cause, for example, in response to a signal of an ozone sensor, which indicates a too low ozone concentration in the circuit, an opening of the first controllable closure device.
• the ozone concentration used in the process of the invention will generally depend on the type and amount of loading of the drum with laundry and a desired level of treatment (e.g., bleaching), but to avoid damage.
• the ozone-containing air preferably enters the drum through a sleeve in the region of a feed opening of the drum. Moreover, it is preferred that the ozone-containing air leaves the drum through a rear exit of the drum.
• the invention also relates to a washing machine with a tub, a tub rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be treated, a control device and a device for providing ozone, wherein the washing machine, the device is connected via an ozone supply line to the drum and the control device is set up for carrying out a method for treating the laundry in the drum with ozone, wherein the ozone-containing air is passed at a temperature of not more than 35 ° C in the drum located washed and still wet laundry, while in the drum in the Substantially no detergents or washing aids are present, and then followed by a rinse cycle for the laundry in the drum.
• a fan is arranged in a first exhaust air part channel or a recirculating air channel and the first exhaust air part channel splits into the recirculating air channel and a second exhaust air part channel, wherein in the ozone supply line a first controllable closure device, in the recirculation channel a second controllable closure device and in the second Abluftteilkanal a third controllable closure device are arranged.
• the ozone supply line via a sleeve with the drum and the first exhaust air duct part via a rear exit of the drum are connected to the drum.
• the device for providing ozone is preferably an ozone generator.
• An ozone generator in a washing machine is generally supplied with air from which the ozone generator generates ozone.
• Ozone can in this case be produced in different ways, for example by means of a UV lamp generator by irradiation of oxygen with UV radiation below 200 nm, or by a corona discharge, in which oxygen is exposed to an electrical discharge in the form of a corona ,
• the ozone generator is preferably supplied with dry air, since the ozone yield in dried air is significantly higher than in indoor air with normal humidity.
• a conventional drying agent may be used, which may preferably be reversibly dewatered, e.g. Zeolite.
• a Peltier element is used, which can act as a cold finger in a supply air duct for the ozone generator. On the cold side of the Peltier element condenses the humidity, which is then dissipated and evaporated on the hot side of the Peltier element or independently.
• the ozone generator the air can be supplied by a pump or a blower.
• the washing machine according to the invention preferably has at least one ozone sensor in order to be able to monitor and control the implementation of the method according to the invention as described above.
• a dispensing tray generally provided in a washing machine is separable from the tub and the drum. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a filling hose between the dispensing tray and the tub with a siphon function in which a closure by an aqueous liquid is ensured.
• the washing machine according to the invention alternatively or in addition to an ozone removing device and a fan and / or a suction pump, which can draw ozone-containing air through the ozone removing device.
• ozone is eliminated by being absorbed or decomposed on a suitable material.
• the decomposition can occur, for example, in that the ozone is chemically reacted with a suitable material or catalytically decomposed, for example with formation of oxygen.
• an ozone removing device comprises a filter unit, wherein the filter unit preferably comprises a carbon-containing material or another readily oxidizable material.
• the carbon-containing material is at least one substance selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, polyarylene thioethers, polyarylene ethers and macroporous copolymers.
• 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. This decrease can be tracked in a sight glass located at the ozone removing device. A user of the washing machine can then possibly recognize whether the filter unit is still working properly, for example, by still enough activated carbon is present.
• a preferably used in a washing machine 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, is sufficient for the entire operating life of the washing machine.
• an ozone removing device 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.
• the ozone removal device is preferably arranged in the second exhaust air part channel.
• For transporting the ozone-containing air in the second exhaust air sub-channel can be arranged in this a blower and / or a suction pump. If a fan is already present in the first exhaust air sub-channel, it is possible to dispense with a blower and / or a suction pump in the second exhaust air sub-channel.
• the fan is still operated for a predetermined period even when the ozone generator is already turned off and / or the transport of ozone in the circuit is completed by the drum.
• a door of the washing machine can be opened by a user only after a predetermined time after completion of ozone addition or after switching off an ozone generator.
• the second partial exhaust air duct can lead into a storage room of the washing machine, since the exhaust air contains only small amounts of carbon dioxide and no other interfering components.
• the washing machine preferably has an optical and / or acoustic display device, with which the performance of an ongoing method according to the invention, an end of this method or a malfunctioning ozone removing device can be displayed.
• an ozone sensor connected downstream of the ozone removal device in the direction of flow of the air may also be present.
• the at least one ozone sensor preferably used in the method according to the invention can be based on different measuring principles, wherein different measuring principles can also be used in the washing machine.
• the ozone sensor can determine an ozone concentration by reversibly changing its electrical resistance by the action of ozone on a substance located in the ozone sensor.
• indium oxide can be used as such a material.
• Indium oxide changes its resistance due to oxidation with ozone, but can be regenerated in a simple and rapid manner by means of a cold photochemical reduction process.
• the electrical resistance of a 15 nm thick indium oxide layer changes by oxidation in proportion to the ozone concentration.
• the indium oxide layer can be applied, for example, on the back of a violet light emitting diode (LED). When the LED is switched on, the oxidized indium oxide layer and thus the ozone sensor regenerate through a cold photochemical reduction process.
• LED violet light emitting diode
• a control device is generally provided which, in addition to the control of the method according to the invention, can also take countermeasures in the event of a malfunctioning removal of ozone.
• the controller can turn off the ozone generator and / or cause a corresponding acoustic and / or visual display on a display device in a non-functioning ozone removal.
• a washing machine generally also has a lye drainage system arranged at the bottom of the lye container with a drain pump and generally also laundry hoppers and / or scooping devices.
• a washing machine in the tub also includes a pressure sensor and / or a Temperature sensor, which 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 invention has numerous advantages. The direct contact of the ozone with the laundry, a consumption of ozone is avoided by remaining detergent or dirt components. Finally, the solubility of ozone in water is not very high and in water the decomposition of ozone is faster than in air.
• the process according to the invention now makes it possible for ozone to react predominantly on the surface of laundry.
• the necessary amount of ozone and its exposure time can thus be reduced.
• the ozone can also be refreshing and provide washed laundry with the freshness of an outdoor drying.
• the temperature of a wash liquor need not be increased because bleaching does not occur within the actual wash phase.
• the invention enables the function of a heavy-duty detergent to be realized.
• the method according to the invention at the end of a laundry treatment process also a disinfection of laundry and surfaces instead, whereby a formation of biofilms in the washing machine is prevented or at least reduced.
• the invention has the advantage that an undesirable ozone emission can be prevented in a simple and efficient manner.
• the invention will be further explained below with reference to the exemplary washing machine shown in FIG. Other embodiments are conceivable.
• the washing machine shown in Fig. 1 comprises a tub 1, in which a drum 2 is rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontally disposed axis of rotation 3 of the drum 2 and can be operated by a drive motor 14.
• the long arrow indicates a direction of rotation of the drum 2.
• Wäschemit Vietnamese 4 and 5 scooping devices for the wash liquor 6 on the inner surface of the drum shell cause an intensification of the flow of laundry 7 with wash liquor.
• the washing machine has a liquor inlet system, which is a water connection fitting for the domestic water network 8, an electrically controllable valve 9 and a supply line 10 to the tub 1, which is guided via a Waschstoffein Whynd ("Ein Stammschale") 1 1, from the incoming water detergent portions in the In the supply line 10 is a siphon 21 which is filled with an aqueous liquid and so is an insulation of the dispenser 1 1 against the ingress of ozone-containing air from the tub 2.
• An ozone generator 20 as Ozone providing device is connected via an ozone supply line 25, in which a first controllable closure device 27 is located, and via a in the view of Figure 1 only indicated cuff 24 at a feed opening 23 of the drum 2 with the drum 2.
• a first exhaust air part channel 33rd is with a rear exit 32 of the Drum 2 connected.
• the first partial exhaust air duct 33 there is a fan 19 and an ozone sensor 31.
• the first partial exhaust air duct 33 splits into a recirculating air duct 26 and a second partial exhaust air duct 17.
• the ozone-containing air can be conducted in a circuit comprising the recirculating air duct 26 and the drum 2.
• the short arrows indicate the flow direction of the ozone-containing air.
• the ozone generator 20 is supplied via a supply air duct 30 and a supply air duct 30 upstream drying device 16 with room air.
• the blower 19 can circulate the ozone-containing air via the recirculating air duct 26 when the second controllable closure device 34 in the second exhaust air part duct 17 is closed and a third controllable closure device 35 in the recirculating air duct 26 is opened. If, on the other hand, the third controllable closure device 35 is closed and the second controllable closure device 34 is opened, the blower 19 can convey the ozone-containing air into a second exhaust-air sub-channel 17, in which an ozone removal device 18 is present. In this way, the conveyance of ozone-containing air in the circulation by the drum 2 can be stopped and excess ozone in the ozone removing device 18 can be destroyed.
• a filter unit 28 which contains activated carbon as a carbon-containing material in the presently described embodiment.
• a display device 29 is located on the washing machine of the embodiment shown here.
• the transport of the air in the ozone supply line 25 and in the supply air duct 30 can be supported by a blower, not shown here.
• the washing machine described in Fig. 1 illustrates two variants for the treatment of laundry with ozone-containing air.
• ozone-containing air generated by the ozone generator 20 is conducted into the drum 2 and then guided in a circuit comprising the drum 2 and the recirculating air channel 26 at generally via the first controllable closure device 27 separated ozone supply from the ozone generator 20.
• the ozone-containing air generated by the ozone generator 20 is not circulated.
• the third controllable closure device 35 is closed.
• the ozone-containing air remains in the drum 2 for a desired period of time, in order then to be disposed of via the second exhaust air duct 17 when the second controllable closure device 34 is open.
• a heater 13, a pump 22 for pumping out aqueous liquid from the tub 1 and a sensor 15 for measuring the concentration of detergent and / or detergent are used in the tub 1 of this embodiment.
• control device 12 which can control the washing machine in response to a flowchart to a time program and / or to the achievement of certain measured values of parameters such as liquor level, liquor temperature, drum speed, ozone concentration, Concentration of detergent and / or washing aids, etc. may be bound within the washing machine.
• ozone-containing air is introduced into the drum 2, while essentially no, preferably no, detergents or washing auxiliaries are present in the drum 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, ozone-containing air is introduced into the drum 2 after a penultimate rinse cycle. In any case, here ozone-containing air is introduced into the drum 2 only if an upper limit C
• the concentration c of detergent and / or washing auxiliaries is measured with the aid of a sensor system 15.
• the ozone-containing air is conveyed by means of the blower 19 through the drum 2, wherein the ozone-containing air is conveyed here in a circuit comprising the drum 2 and the recirculating air duct 26.
• the ozone-containing air passes through the sleeve 24 in the region of the feed opening 23 into the drum 2 and leaves it through a rear exit 32 of the drum 2.
• the drum 2 stands still during the introduction of the ozone-containing air into the drum 2 and is operated only after completion of the introduction of ozone-containing air in a Reversierrhythmus.
• the ozone-containing air is introduced after a penultimate and before a final rinse after pumping out the rinse water, wherein before the addition of the ozone-containing air, a spin phase is performed.

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• 2010
  • 2010-06-09 DE DE102010029885A patent/DE102010029885A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2011
  • 2011-05-31 PL PL11726085T patent/PL2580381T3/pl unknown
  • 2011-05-31 CN CN201180027946.1A patent/CN102933760B/zh active Active
  • 2011-05-31 EA EA201291323A patent/EA022523B1/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-05-31 WO PCT/EP2011/058873 patent/WO2011154277A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2011-05-31 EP EP11726085.1A patent/EP2580381B1/de active Active

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