WO2012013539A1

WO2012013539A1 - Household appliance comprising an ozone generator

Info

Publication number: WO2012013539A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/062336
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans Eglmeier; Andreas Hanau; Hartmut Schaub
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2010-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-19
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Also published as: CN103038410A; DE102010038620A1; EP2598683A1; EP2598683B1; EA023296B1; CN103038410B; EA201291429A1; PL2598683T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) used especially as a laundry treatment appliance for washing and/or drying laundry, said appliance comprising a treatment area (5), a mist generator (3) and an ozone generator (2). An ozone-containing mist can be produced by the ozone generator (2) and the mist generator (3). Furthermore, the ozone-containing mist can be guided into the treatment area (5). In this way, an advantageous cleaning action, for example, for washing laundry, can be obtained with reduced expenditure of energy.

Description

Domestic appliance with an ozone generator

The invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a water-conducting domestic appliance, such as a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers.

From US 5,313,811 an apparatus for treating dyed textiles with ozone is known. The known device has a housing in which a treatment chamber is provided. The treatment chamber can be driven by a variable speed motor. In the treatment chamber in particular blue-colored jeans can be treated to achieve a fashionable effect. Such a fashionable effect can also be achieved by treatment with sand or stones, which, however, damages the tissue. The ozone treatment can also be a fashionable effect can be achieved without the fabric is mechanically stressed. For this purpose, an ozone generator is provided which produces ozone. The produced ozone is directed to the intake of a Venturi tube. Through the Venturi tube, the liquid is pumped out of the treatment area, so that the ozone mixes with the liquid. In addition, the Venturi tube is followed by a device with a pair of mixers, which serve to mix the liquid and the ozone. A water pump is used to pump the mixture into the treatment tank. Thus, the textiles provided in the treatment container, in particular blue-dyed jeans, can be bleached in order to achieve a fashionable effect.

When operating a washing machine, as used for example in a private household, due to the humid and warm air in the device, a germ growth can be promoted. In addition, for example, laundry to be washed may be contaminated with germs. To reduce such germ loads, high temperatures and long exposure times are required. However, this means a correspondingly high energy consumption. In addition, a variety of textiles, such as non-woven or delicates, in contrast to cooking linen can not be treated with such high temperatures, which may be above 60 ° C. The object of the invention is to provide a domestic appliance, in particular a water-conducting domestic appliance, in which a desired hygienic performance can be achieved even with a reduced expenditure of energy. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to achieve a germ reduction even at low temperatures.

The object is achieved by a domestic appliance, in particular a water-conducting domestic appliance, for example a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry, in which a treatment area, a fog generator and an ozone generator are provided, wherein an ozone-containing mist can be generated by means of the ozone generator and the fog generator and wherein the ozone-containing mist is feasible in the treatment area.

In the context of the invention, mist is understood as meaning an aerosol which is a mixture of solid and / or liquid suspended particles and a gas. Thus, a device is designated as a mist generator, which can produce such an aerosol. Preferably, the mist consists of air and water and / or liquid detergents.

The measures listed in the dependent claims preferred developments of the household appliance according to the invention are possible.

It is preferred, in particular, that an ozone-enriched water can be generated by means of the ozone generator, that the ozone-enriched water is misted into the ozone-containing mist by means of the mist generator and that the ozone-containing mist is transported by an air flow in the treatment area. As an alternative to an ozone-containing air flow, it is thus also possible to produce the mist of ozone-containing water. For this purpose, ozone can be generated directly in the water by means of special electrodes. This ozone-enriched water is then atomized and transported by the airflow into the treatment area.

In a preferred manner, an ozone-containing air stream can be generated by means of the ozone generator, wherein the ozone-containing air stream can be mixed with a mist that can be generated by the mist generator to form the ozone-containing mist. In this case, a fan may be provided, which blows air through the ozone generator to the ozone-containing air flow to create. This has the advantage that the ozone generator is cooled by the air flow.

In addition, it is preferred that the fog generator is designed as a cold vapor generator. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fog generator is configured as an ultrasonic nebulizer. As a result, the water can be atomized by ultrasound, which is possible even at low water temperatures. The mixture of the mist and the ozone-containing air stream is then fed into the treatment area. The ozone-containing mist thus serves as activated cold steam in order to achieve a desired hygienic performance even at low temperatures. For example, the mist droplets may precipitate on the textiles or surfaces located in the treatment area. The ozone contained in the mist reacts with decomposition with the textile or surface organic substances, e.g. Microorganisms. The treatment area may be specifically limited by a drum. The ozone-containing mist thus also makes it possible to clean the surfaces of the drum, a tub, a sleeve or the like.

The ozone generator can generate ozone for the ozone-containing airflow by means of silent discharge. In this case, a fan is preferably provided, which serves to generate an air flow, wherein ozone is generated by the silent discharge. For this purpose, for example, a wire-shaped first electrode can be arranged in a tubular round body of the ozone generator, wherein the air flow is guided through the serving as a second electrode tubular body. As a prerequisite for the formation of the silent discharge, the two electrodes are insulated from each other by a dielectric arranged between them.

In addition, it is preferred that the fog generator has an input which is at least indirectly connected to the ozone generator, and having an output which is connected to the container, wherein the ozone-containing air stream via the inlet of the fog generator in an interior of the fog generator is feasible. The interior of the fog generator can absorb a certain amount of the generated fog. By introducing the air flow into the interior of the mist is blown through the exit, whereby the ozone-containing mist is feasible to the treatment area. This results in a compact design. Specifically, the fan, the ozone generator, the mist generator and the treatment area can be in one line, that is unbranched, interconnected. As a result, the number of required components can be optimized.

However, it is also preferred that a mixer is provided, that the ozone generator is connected to an input of the mixer, that the mist generator is connected to another input of the mixer and that an output of the mixer is connected to a container or the like, which Treatment area limited. Thus, the ozone-containing airflow and mist can be generated separately and combined in the mixer. As a result, if appropriate, a favorable influence on the one hand on the proportion of ozone and on the other hand on the proportion of mist in the ozone-containing mist conducted to the treatment area can be predetermined or set.

It is also preferred here that the mixer is designed as a Venturi tube. In this case, the ozone generator can be connected to the suction inlet of the Venturi tube. As a result, the ozone-containing air generated by the ozone generator is sucked in via the fog-containing air flow guided through the venturi and guided into the treatment area. However, it is also possible that the fog generator is connected to the suction inlet of the Venturi tube. As a result, an ozone-containing air flow can be passed through the venturi, which sucks the mist from the mist generator. This has the advantage that optimal cooling of the ozone generator by the air flow is possible.

However, the mixer can also be configured in other ways. Specifically, the mixer can be configured as a mixing nozzle, which mixes the ozone-containing air flow with the mist.

Preferably, a low-temperature washing program is provided in which ozone-containing mist is fed into the treatment area. As a result, improved hygienic performance can be achieved at low temperatures.

It is also preferred that a cleaning program is provided, which leads to an empty treatment area ozone-containing mist in the treatment area. As a result, a targeted cleaning of the treatment area with respect to germs and the like possible. In this case, biofilm formation can be reduced at defined intervals in the empty domestic appliance by means of activated cold steam.

In addition, it is preferred that a program be provided for refreshing low-wear textiles by passing ozone-containing mist into the treatment area. For example, activated cold vapor reduces the formation of wrinkles in less-worn textiles and, in addition, disturbing odors can be removed.

In addition, it is preferred that a program for refreshing odorous, not or only partially washable textiles is provided, is guided in the ozone-containing mist in the treatment area. As a result, for example, unpleasant-smelling textiles, especially blankets or clothing that are not or only partially washable, can be quickly and comfortably refreshed by activated cold steam. As a result, for example, the effect can be achieved as it is achieved in well-ventilated textiles.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which corresponding elements are provided with corresponding reference numerals. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a water-conducting household appliance in a partial, schematic

Representation according to a first embodiment and

Fig. 2 is a water-conducting household appliance in a partial, schematic

Representation according to a second embodiment.

1 shows a water-conducting household appliance 1 in an excerptional, schematic representation according to a first exemplary embodiment. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 can in particular be configured as a laundry treatment appliance and serve for washing and / or drying laundry. Specifically, the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 can be configured as a washing machine, washer-dryer or tumble dryer. However, the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 is also suitable for other applications. The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 has an ozone generator 2, a fog generator 3 and a container 4. The container 4 may be configured for example as a tub 4. The container 4 defines a treatment area 5 of the water-bearing domestic appliance 1. In addition, a fan 6 is provided in this embodiment. The fan 6 is connected via a connection 7 with the ozone generator 2. The ozone generator 2 is in turn connected via a connection 8 with the fog generator 3. The mist generator 3 is finally connected via a connection 9 with the container 4. The compounds 7, 8, 9 may be configured for example by pipes or hoses and are suitable for the transport of gases and liquids.

In this embodiment, the fan 6, the ozone generator 2 and the mist generator 3 are arranged one behind the other. The transport is thus unbranched starting from the fan 6 in the treatment area 5, as shown by the arrows. The dry air flow generated by the fan 6 flows through the ozone generator 2. A wire-shaped electrode 15 provided in the ozone generator 2 generates, by cooperation with another electrode, for example, a tubular portion of the ozone generator 2 through which the airflow flows, and a dielectric , which may be in particular a coating of the wire-shaped electrode 15, a silent electrical discharge, which in turn generates ozone in the air flow, so that via the connection 8 ozone-containing air is passed. The mist generator 3 has an inlet 16, via which the ozone-containing air flows into an interior 17. In addition, the fog generator 3 has an output 18 which leads via the connection 9 to the treatment area 5. As a result, the air flow can flow through the interior 17, wherein this mist entrains from the interior 17.

The mist generator 3 has an ultrasonic element 19 which generates fog from water. For this purpose, a certain amount of water can be introduced into the mist generator 3. An input required for this purpose is temporarily closed during operation of the fog generator 3. Alternatively, the fog generator 3 may also have a closed up to the input 16 and the output 18 housing.

In this embodiment, the supplied via the input 16 air flow is thus enriched with ozone. Therefore, a mixture of ozone-containing air and mist exits via the outlet 18. Thus, 5 ozone-containing mist can be supplied to the treatment area. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 2 is cooled by the air flow. FIG. 2 shows a water-conducting domestic appliance 1 in an excerptional, schematic representation according to a second exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, a mixer 25 is provided. The mixer 25 has inputs 26, 27. In addition, the mixer 25 has an output 28.

In this embodiment, the input 26 of the mixer 25 is connected via the connection 8 with the ozone generator 2. In operation, ozone-containing air flows into the mixer 25 via the connection 8. In addition, the inlet 27 of the mixer 25 is connected via a connection 10 to the outlet 18 of the mist generator 3.

During operation of the water-conducting household appliance 1, an ozone-containing mist can be conducted into the treatment area 5. In one possible embodiment, the mixer 25 is designed as a Venturi tube 25. The input 27 can be configured as a suction input 27. The air flow generated via the fan 6 flows as ozone-containing air flow through the Venturi tube 25. This creates a negative pressure at the input 27, whereby the mist is sucked from the interior 17. Through a directional valve, which is arranged at the input 16, air may optionally flow into the interior 17 of the fog generator 3.

It is also possible that a further fan 29 is provided which is connected via a connection 11 to the input 16. The fan 29 may generate an air flow to guide the mist from the interior 17 to the inlet 27 of the mixer 25. In a further embodiment, the input 26 may be configured as a suction inlet 26. The air flow generated via the fan 29 with the mist from the mist generator 3 flows through the Venturi tube 25, so that in this embodiment, a negative pressure is generated at the input 26. As a result, the ozone-containing air can be sucked from the ozone generator 2. Optionally, the fan 6 can also be omitted in this embodiment.

In a further possible embodiment of the mixer 25 is designed as a mixing nozzle 25. The fan 6 then generates an air flow which is supplied to the input 26 after the ozone generator 2 as ozone-containing air flow. The fan 29 generates an air flow which supplies mist to the mixer 25 at the inlet 27. This will be at the exit 28 generates ozone-containing mist, which is supplied via the connection 9 to the treatment area 5.

Specifically, the water-bearing domestic appliance 1 can be used for washing laundry. In this case, for example, a low-temperature laundry care process can be realized, which achieves comparable hygienic performance of the cooking laundry, but is carried out at less than 30 ° C. For such low-temperature laundry care processes special cold detergents can be used. However, the hygiene performance, especially a germ reduction, decreases with decreasing wash temperature. At temperatures less than 30 ° C, detergents are very slow to react or ineffective in terms of germ reduction. While specific enzymatic components are partially effective, they are also expensive and are not always shelf stable.

Through the mist generator 3 water is fogged. This mist consists of a large number of small water droplets, which have an enormous overall surface and evaporate very easily. The ozone-containing mist supplied to the treatment area 5 comes into contact with laundry, which is located in the treatment area 5, with surfaces within the treatment area 5, for example with inner surfaces 30 of the container 4, and possibly also in contact with other components. The mist droplets are hereby deposited on the laundry and / or on the surfaces, in particular the inner surface 30, down. The ozone contained in the mist then reacts with decomposition with the organic substances present in the laundry or the inner surfaces, in particular microorganisms. By using the activated mist can thus be achieved an advantageous cleaning effect. An evaporation of the water is not required, so that the relevant energy can be saved. In terms of the high enthalpy of evaporation of the water, this results in a significant energy savings. In addition, a moistening of the surfaces and the laundry can be achieved. The biocidal effect of using cold mist is then achieved by the ozone.

The water-bearing domestic appliance 1 can implement special programs based on the use of the ozone-containing mist. These programs can be individually or in Any combination can be realized in a water-conducting household appliance 1 suitable for this purpose.

According to a possible embodiment, a low-temperature washing program is provided in which ozone-containing mist is conducted into the treatment area 5. The supply of the ozone-containing mist can in this case be carried out temporarily and once or several times. As a result, the hygiene performance of the low-temperature washing program can be increased. Specifically, towards the end of the washing and rinsing process, a treatment of the laundry with activated cold steam, that is ozone-containing mist, can be carried out.

In another possible embodiment, a cleaning program is provided, which leads to an empty treatment area ozone-containing mist in the treatment area. As a result, a device hygiene can be improved. For example, biofilm formation can be reduced at definable intervals in the empty washing appliance by means of activated cold steam. This may relate to the treatment area and, optionally, components associated with the treatment area.

In a further embodiment, a program for refreshing less worn textiles is provided in which ozone-containing mist is fed into the treatment area. As a result, a refresh of less worn textiles is possible. Activated cold vapor reduces the formation of wrinkles in less well-worn textiles and at the same time removes irritating odors from the fabric. Another possible embodiment is that a program for refreshing odorous, not or only partially washable textiles is provided, is conducted in the ozone-containing mist in the treatment area. This makes it possible to refresh odorous textiles. For example, unpleasant-smelling blankets or clothes that are not or only partially washable, can be quickly set by activated cold steam in a state as it is achieved by airing.

In a further modification of the water-conducting domestic appliance 1, the mist of ozone-containing water is generated instead of an ozone-containing airflow. In this case, ozone is generated directly in the water by means of special electrodes. This enriched with ozone Water is then atomized by the mist generator 3 and transported by an air flow in the container 4.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 water-carrying household appliance

2 ozone generator

3 fog generator

4 containers

5 treatment area

6 fans

7 - 10 connection

15 wire-shaped electrode

16 entrance

17 interior

18 exit

19 ultrasonic element

25 mixers

26, 27 entrance

28 output

29 fans

30 interior surfaces

Claims

1. domestic appliance (1), in particular a water-conducting household appliance, such as a laundry treatment appliance for washing and / or drying laundry, with a treatment area (5), a mist generator (3) and an ozone generator (2), wherein by means of the ozone generator (2) and the mist generator (3), an ozone-containing mist is generated and wherein the ozone-containing mist in the treatment area (5) is feasible.

2. Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the ozone generator (2) an enriched with ozone water can be generated, and that by means of the mist generator (3) from the enriched with the ozone water of the ozone-containing mist can be generated.

3. Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the ozone generator (2) an ozone-containing air flow can be generated and that the ozone-containing air stream with one of the mist generator (3) can be generated miscible mist to produce the ozone-containing mist.

4. Domestic appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the mist generator (3) is designed as a cold steam generator (3) and / or that the mist generator (3) is designed as a ultrasonic nebulizer (3).

5. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the ozone generator (2) by means of silent discharge ozone generated for the ozone-containing air flow and / or that a fan (6) is provided which serves to generate an at least substantially dry air flow , and that the air flow that can be generated by the fan (6) can be guided through the ozone generator (2).

6. domestic appliance according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the fog generator (3) has an input (16) which is at least indirectly connected to the ozone generator (2), and an output (18) which communicates with the container (4) is connected, and that the ozone-containing air flow via the input (16) of the fog generator (3) in an interior space (17) of the fog generator (3) is feasible.

7. domestic appliance according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a mixer (25) is provided, that the ozone generator (2) is connected at least indirectly with an input (26) of the mixer (25) that the fog generator (3 ) is connected at least indirectly to another input (27) of the mixer (25) and that an output (28) of the mixer (25) leads at least indirectly into the treatment area (5).

8. Domestic appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixer (25) is designed as Venturi tube (25) and

a) that the ozone generator is connected to the suction inlet (26) of the Venturi tube (25) or

b) that the mist generator (3) with the suction inlet (27) of the Venturi tube (25) is connected.

9. domestic appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixer (25) is designed as a mixing nozzle (25).

10. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) that at least one low-temperature washing program is provided, is conducted in the ozone-containing mist in the treatment area (5), and / or

b) that a cleaning program is provided in which, when the treatment area is empty (5), ozone-containing mist is conducted into the treatment area, and / or

(c) that a program is provided for refreshing low-wear textiles by introducing ozone-containing mist into the treatment area (5); and / or (d) providing a program for refreshing odorous, non-or only partially washable textiles the ozone-containing mist in the treatment area (5) is guided.