WO2018103962A1

WO2018103962A1 - A washer comprising a water softening unit

Info

Publication number: WO2018103962A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/077935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nihal Ferhan KASIKCI; Merve GURSES; Fatih KASAP; Semih KURULAR; Varol KAYISDAG; Zehra Ulger; Ismet Bayhan
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-12-08
Filing date: 2017-11-01
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Also published as: TR201618082A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer (1) comprising a body (2); a washing receptacle (3) that is disposed in the body and wherein the washing process is realized; and a water softening unit (4) that enables the washing water to be softened by means of the capacitive deionization method.

Description

A WASHER COMPRISING A WATER SOFTENING UNIT

The present invention relates to a washer wherein the washing water is softened by means of the capacitive deionization method.

In washers, the use of water softening units comprising chemical components for the water to be softened are known. The water softening units need to be connected to the water mains line, and this situation causes layout difficulties. The durability of water softening units may constitute problems in the falling tests that are required especially for industry standards. The water softening units wherein chemical components are used are connected to the washing receptacle if needed in order to facilitate the adding of chemical components by the user, and thus the durability is increased. In the new generation water softening units that do not comprise chemical components, heavy metal ions in the washing water are separated by means of the capacitive deionization method. The water softening units that operate by means of the capacitive deionization method are integrated into the system at the point closest to the mains line due to the need of low pressure, and this situation causes problems in the falling tests. Moreover, the water softening unit needs to remain unaffected from the vibrations of the washing receptacle.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2011094852, the use of the capacitive deionization method for the softening of the washing water is disclosed.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer wherein the water softening unit is durably placed.

The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the claims thereof, comprises a water softening unit that is positioned almost in the lower half of the body, between the center of the washing receptacle wherein the washing process is realized and the base of the body. By means of the water softening unit of the present invention, the need for the user to add chemical to the washer is eliminated, and the washer is enabled to pass the falling tests by means of the position of the water softening unit. In the case the washer is a dishwasher, the durability of the water softening unit is increased so as not to be affected from the heat in the washing receptacle by being positioned under the washing receptacle. In the case the washer is a laundry washing machine, the water softening unit is disposed at the left lower corner of the body. Thus, the water softening unit is enabled to be connected to the mains line by the shortest way possible.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the water softening unit is used to balance the weights in the washing receptacle. By means of the water softening unit that constitutes at least a part of the balance weight disposed in the state of the art washers, the problem of positioning the water softening unit in the body is solved and the water softening unit is used for two purposes. By eliminating the need for adding chemicals into the water softening unit that operates by means of the capacitive deionization method, the water softening unit can balance the weights in the washing receptacle without the need for being connected to the washing receptacle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pressure regulator is used in front of the water softening unit in order to control the pressure of the water that enters the water softening unit. Thus, pressure changes that may occur in the mains line are prevented from damaging the water softening unit that operates by means of the capacitive deionization method. The one-way valve that is disposed before the water softening unit as the pressure regulator can be used by decreasing the diameter of the capillary tube or of the water tube that enters the water softening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tank that is disposed after the water softening unit is used in order to enable the softened water to be transferred into other components such as the washing receptacle or the steam generator with high pressure. Thus, the softened water is stored and used with high pressure when needed.

In a version of this embodiment, a conductivity sensor is used, that is disposed in the tank and that enables the hardness level of the water to be measured. Thus, any malfunctioning that may occur in the water softening unit is detected quickly. In another version of this embodiment, a level sensor is provided, that is used for measuring the amount of water in the tank. Thus, the amount of water in the tank can be continuously monitored.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the siphon problem is solved by connecting the upper wall of the tank to the washing receptacle. Moreover, the tank is prevented from overfilling and the excessive water is enabled to be discharged to the washing receptacle.

In the washer of the present invention, problems occurring in the falling tests are solved by positioning the water softening unit close to the washer base. Moreover, by using the water softening unit instead of the balance weight, space saving is provided and the problems that may occur by the balance weight getting smaller or not being used are eliminated. Furthermore, the water softening unit is enabled to efficiently operate by using the pressure regulator and the tank.

The washer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figure, where:

Figure 1 – is the schematic view of a washer.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Washer
Body
Washing receptacle
Water softening unit
Pressure regulator
Tank
Conductivity sensor
Level sensor

The washer (1) comprises a body (2); a washing receptacle (3) that is disposed in the body and wherein the washing process is realized; and a water softening unit (4) that enables the washing water to be softened by means of the capacitive deionization method.

In the washer (1), after the items to be washed are placed into the washing receptacle (3), the water to be used in the washing process is physically softened in the water softening unit (4) without the need of chemicals. The water that enters the capacitive deionization cell in the water softening unit (4) releases the heavy metal ions therein by applying voltage to the plates disposed in the cell. Regeneration can be performed by applying reverse voltage to the plates when the filter wherein the metal ions are kept is full. In this case, the water softening unit (4) produces heavy water.

The washer (1) of the present invention comprises the water softening unit (4) that is positioned lower than the horizontal plane that passes through the center of the washing receptacle (3) in the vertical direction and thus, that is protected especially from effects in the vertical direction. In other words, the water softening unit (4) is positioned between the base and the center of the washing receptacle (3). In the washers (1), since the washing receptacle (3) preferably moves or is hung to the body (2) with elements such as spring, etc. in order not to be affected from external vibrations, making a connection thereon is not possible. Moreover, due to the washing receptacle (3) reaching to high temperatures, the water softening unit (4) that operates by means of the capacitive deionization method may be subjected to high temperatures. The effective height in the falling tests are decreased by fixing the water softening unit (4) at lower positions in the body (2), and thus forces acting on the water softening unit (4) are enabled to be decreased. Thus, the water softening unit (4) is prevented from being affected in case the washer (1) falls from high or tilts over. By means of the water softening unit (4) that is positioned closer to the base, the performance of the washer (1) in the falling tests is increased. Moreover, the water softening unit (4) is prevented from malfunctioning while the washer (1) is transported from the factory to the end-user. Furthermore, the shortest way is used between the mains water inlet and the washing receptacle (3) by positioning the water softening unit (4) at the lower region since water intake to the washing receptacle (3) is performed at the lower part of the washing receptacle (3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a dishwasher and the water softening unit (4) is positioned right under the washing receptacle (3). By means of this embodiment, the water softening unit (4) is protected against problems that may originate from the washing receptacle (3). Moreover, by positioning the water softening unit (4) close to the circulation pump of the dishwasher, the need for using an extra pump in order to deliver water is eliminated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) is a laundry washing machine, and the water softening unit (4) is disposed at the left lower corner of the body (2), right under the washing receptacle (3). In the laundry washing machines, excessive vibrations occur due to the movement of the washing receptacle (3) during the washing and spin-drying processes, and the movement of the motor that is generally disposed at the right side. By positioning the water softening unit (4) to the left lower corner of the body (2), the water softening unit (4) is enabled to be minimally affected from the vibrations in the washing receptacle (3). Moreover, by positioning the water softening unit (4) to the left lower side, problems that may occur in the falling tests are prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the water softening unit (4) is used in the body (2) for balancing purposes. In the washers (1), use of balance weight for balancing the weights is known. The water softening unit (4) is disposed in the body (2) so as to constitute at least a part of the balance weight. Thus, the problem of positioning the water softening unit (4) into the boy (2) is solved, and the water softening unit (4) does not occupy extra space in the body (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises a pressure regulator (5) that is disposed before the water softening unit (4) according to the water flow direction. By means of the pressure regulator (5), low pressure water that the water softening unit (4) needs is provided. In order for the capacitive deionization cell to effectively operate, the water is required to pass through the cell with low pressure. By means of the pressure regulator (5), the hardness level of the water is controlled by controlling the pressure of the water entering the water softening unit (4).

In a version of this embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) is a one-way valve. In another version of this embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) is the capillary tube. In another version of this embodiment, the pressure regulator (5) is formed by narrowing the diameter of the tube that is connected to the water softening unit (4). By means of the described embodiments, the said pressure regulator (5) can be produced in a low-cost manner.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer (1) comprises a tank (6) that is disposed after the water softening unit (4) with respect to the water flow direction and wherein the softened water is stored. The tank (6) that is disposed after the water softening unit (4) is used in order to transfer the softened water in a pressurized manner to the washing receptacle (3) from the water softening unit (4) that is disposed at a level lower than the washing receptacle (3). The water stored in the tank (6) is transferred into the washing receptacle (3) with high pressure by means of a pump (not shown in the figures).

In a version of this embodiment, the washer (1) comprises a conductivity sensor (7) that is disposed in the tank (6) and that enables the hardness level of the water in the tank (6) to be measured. Thus, the water softening unit (4) is continuously controlled, and any problem encountered can be quickly addressed. In another version of the tank (6) embodiment, the washer (1) comprises a level sensor (8) that is disposed in the tank (6) and that enables the level of the water inside the tank (6) to be measured. Thus, the operation of the water softening unit (4) is optimized according to the softened water need.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tank (6) is connected from the upper wall thereof to the washing receptacle (3). Thus, the siphon problem is solved by means of the tank (6) opening to the outer environment. Moreover, the tank (6) is prevented from overfilling as a result of a problem that may occur in the water softening unit (4) and the excessive water is transferred into the washing receptacle (3).

The washer (1) of the present invention solves the layout problem of a water softening unit (4) that operates by means of the capacitive deionization method, and no problems occur during the falling tests. By positioning the water softening unit (4) under the lower half of the washing receptacle (3), a more durable washer (1) is obtained. By means of other embodiments of the present invention, the water softening unit (4) is enabled to effectively operate.

Claims

A washer (1) comprising a body (2); a washing receptacle (3) that is disposed in the body and wherein the washing process is realized; and a water softening unit (4) that enables the washing water to be softened by means of the capacitive deionization method, characterized by the water softening unit (4) that is positioned at a level lower than the horizontal plane that passes through the center of the washing receptacle (3) in the vertical direction and thus, that is protected against especially effects in the vertical direction.
A washer (1) that is a dishwasher as in Claim 1, characterized by the water softening unit (4) that is positioned right under the washing receptacle (3).
A washer (1) that is a laundry washing machine as in Claim 1, characterized by the water softening unit (4) that is disposed at the left lower corner of the body (2), under the washing receptacle (3).
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the water softening unit (4) that is used in the body (2) for balancing purposes.
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a pressure regulator (5) that is disposed before the water softening unit (4) according to the water flow direction.
A washer (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the pressure regulator (5) that is a one-way valve.
A washer (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the pressure regulator (5) that is in the form of a capillary tube.
A washer (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the pressure regulator (5) that is formed by narrowing the diameter of the water tube.
A washer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a tank (6) that is disposed after the water softening unit (4) according to the water flow direction and wherein the softened water is stored.
A washer (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by a conductivity sensor (7) that is disposed in the tank (6) and that enables the hardness level of the water in the tank (6) to be measured.
A washer (1) as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized by a level sensor (8) that is disposed in the tank (6) and that enables the level of the water in the tank (6) to be measured.
A washer (1) as in any one of the Claims 9 to 11, characterized by the tank (9) that is connected from the upper wall thereof to the washing receptacle (3).