WO2023139437A1 - Device for water sanification - Google Patents
Device for water sanification Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023139437A1 WO2023139437A1 PCT/IB2023/050021 IB2023050021W WO2023139437A1 WO 2023139437 A1 WO2023139437 A1 WO 2023139437A1 IB 2023050021 W IB2023050021 W IB 2023050021W WO 2023139437 A1 WO2023139437 A1 WO 2023139437A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- water
- temperature
- temperature probe
- previous
- probe
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 106
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 56
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 244000000010 microbial pathogen Species 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 42
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000035755 proliferation Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000002547 anomalous effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 244000052769 pathogen Species 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 6
- 244000052616 bacterial pathogen Species 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium carbonate Substances [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 3
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003612 virological effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910021532 Calcite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001464 adherent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009395 breeding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001488 breeding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000010216 calcium carbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009533 lab test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001717 pathogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009420 retrofitting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008237 rinsing water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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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
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
- D06F34/22—Condition of the washing liquid, e.g. turbidity
- D06F34/24—Liquid temperature
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
- C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
- C02F1/325—Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
-
- 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
- G01K1/14—Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K7/00—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements
- G01K7/16—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements using resistive elements
- G01K7/22—Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat ; Power supply therefor, e.g. using thermoelectric elements using resistive elements the element being a non-linear resistance, e.g. thermistor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4236—Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids
- A47L15/4242—Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids by using ultraviolet generators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4287—Temperature measuring or regulating arrangements
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
- C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
- C02F2201/3222—Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
- C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
- C02F2201/3227—Units with two or more lamps
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
- C02F2201/326—Lamp control systems
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
- C02F2209/02—Temperature
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
- C02F2303/04—Disinfection
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2307/00—Location of water treatment or water treatment device
- C02F2307/12—Location of water treatment or water treatment device as part of household appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washing machines or vacuum cleaners
-
- 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
- D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
- D06F35/008—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying for disinfecting the tub or the drum
-
- 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
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/04—Heating arrangements
Definitions
- the object of present are means adapted to limit the bacterial and virological proliferation in water for hygienic-domestic and/or food use.
- the object of the present invention is an immersion device adapted to sanitise the water contained in a storage tank or the like.
- the object of the present invention are immersion devices capable of implementing the dual function of control and management of the temperatures of the water (or similar fluids) inside a storage (or the like) and the sanitisation of the same.
- the invention mainly falls within the sector of the production of household appliances, more precisely in the field of the realisation of the laundry washing machines, washer-dryers and/or dishwashers that may be used both within the domestic and industrial scope.
- the dirt that inevitably deposits there as a result of the washing processes may be a breeding ground for germs harmful to health, not to mention that they may already be present in the water with which the machine is fed.
- ultraviolet rays generators have been progressively integrated into said household appliances able, as known, to reduce or break down the virological and/or bacterial load possibly present in the water.
- ultraviolet emitters suitably mounted in the washing water supply pipes and/or inside the drum and/or in the inner walls of the relative washing tanks, have long been provided for and used.
- the object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, listed above, by integrating a device for the sanitisation of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, in a component already provided and supplied with said household appliance.
- the object of the present invention is to integrate a device for the sanitisation of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, in a component normally provided and in charge for controlling the heating and/or thermostating of said water.
- a household appliance such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, in a component normally provided and in charge for controlling the heating and/or thermostating of said water.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide for an immersion device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, which is efficient, economical and reliable and without this entailing substantial modifications to the structure and/or basic components of said household appliance.
- a household appliance such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an immersion device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water that allows retrofiting and/or upgrading operations of household appliances already produced and in operation.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows a section and a detail of a laundry washing machine according to a possible executive embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 schematically shows an axonometric view of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water temperature according to a first variant of the invention
- Figs. 3a and 3b show, in a perspective and section view, an exemplary schematisation of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water of Fig. 2;
- FIG. 4 schematically shows an axonometric view of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water temperature in accordance with a second variant of the invention
- any dimensional and spatial term refers to the positions of the elements as shown in the attached figures, without any limiting intent relative to the possible operating conditions.
- storage is generically to be understood as any tank, vessel or container, in the most varied shapes, geometries and volumes, able to store a certain amount of water.
- said sanitising device may be integrated in household appliances that provide for heating of the water contained in the storage thereof, such as, without any limiting intent, laundry washing machines, washer dryers, dishwashers and/or in a storage water heater, heat pumps, solar storages or, more generally, in any other tank or water vessel subject to phenomena of bacterial proliferation and/or diffusion of viruses and pathogens.
- said sanitising device is preferably installed in the proximity of one of the means of the household appliance normally intended for heating the service water and being advantageously integrated on a component already equipped with said household appliance.
- the sanitising device of the invention may therefore be positioned on an inner wall of the storage, in the proximity of at least one electric resistance thereof and integrated into the device normally setup for the control and the thermostating of the service water.
- the sanitisation device of the invention when positioned at the aforementioned electric resistance, may maximize and improve the sanitising effect thereof.
- the ultraviolet radiation in addition to having a sanitising effect, may contribute to slow down and/or limit the formation of limescale on the surfaces in contact with the service water, especially if rich in calcium carbonates.
- the exposure to the ultraviolet light of said water mainly produces calcite crystals which, being less dense and adherent than other types of calcium carbonate compounds are more easily removable from the surfaces whereon they deposit, for example from the inner walls of a storage of a household appliance or from the functional components thereof.
- the already available and generally known temperature probes differ from each other based on the position and installation method thereof, the type of technology that manages them and/or, more simply, based on their geometrical shape.
- both probes having a substantially cylindrical, tapered and “elongated” geometry and of the “button” type are for example known, which have a more “flattened”, “low” and “flat” shape compared to the first ones.
- a “button”-type temperature probe 1 is for example shown in Fig. 2 and/or 3 and/or 4.
- the outer casing or container body 10 of said probe 1 is shown in particular, that houses at least the main functional components, such as at least the temperature sensor 2 and at least part of the relative printed circuit 3 (or PCB) whereon it is mounted.
- said temperature sensor 2 may preferably comprise at least one NTC or PTC thermo-resistor, or similar components adapted to detect at least the temperature of the service water wherein the probe 1 is immersed and/or in direct contact.
- One or more holes 11 obtained passing on said container body 10, for example at the base 100 thereof, allow the temperature probe 1 to be fixed, by means of screws or similar means, to a wall 500 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5, and the consequent correct installation thereof in the seat 56 dedicated thereto (from now on see Fig. 1, that shall be referred to extensively during the description).
- said temperature probe 1 protrudes inwards of the storage 50, resulting substantially in contact with or immersed in the service water contained therein, at least when in operating conditions (e.g., during one or more operating steps of the household appliance 5).
- said temperature probe 1 further comprises at least one device 4 for the sanitisation of said service water of the storage 50 from bacteria, viruses and/or other pathogenic microorganisms.
- Said sanitising device 4 which is preferably housed inside the container body 10, may consist of an ultraviolet emitter 40 comprising one or more UV (ultraviolet) lamps or UV LEDs 41 that are also preferably mounted on the same printed circuit board (or PCB) 3 of the temperature sensor 2.
- an ultraviolet emitter 40 comprising one or more UV (ultraviolet) lamps or UV LEDs 41 that are also preferably mounted on the same printed circuit board (or PCB) 3 of the temperature sensor 2.
- said container body 10 may further comprise:
- said part 101 transparent to the ultraviolet radiation generated by said at least one lamp UV LED 41 of the sanitising device 4, said part 101 (hereinafter also referred to as “capsule 101”) being preferably that intended to be immersed or in direct contact with the service water,
- said capsule 101 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention is suitably shaped and sized to contain therein at least said temperature sensor 2 and sanitising device 4 which, for reasons that shall be clarified shortly and without any limiting intent, are positioned in substantial proximity and/or adjacent to each other, without prejudice to their inevitable overall dimensions and the consequent installation constraints.
- said capsule 101 may for example have a hemispherical geometry (shaped as a cap or dome), as shown in Fig. 2, although nothing prevents the possibility of providing other equally functional shapes for the purposes, for example, cubic, pyramidal, cylindrical (as shown in Fig. 4), conical/truncated-conical or the like.
- the sanitising device 4 may be electrically powered and/or cooperate with the same power supply means already provided for the temperature probe 1.
- the switching on and operation thereof may be delegated to specific electromechanical selectors (the classic knobs or keys of a user interface) and/or automatically to the electronic control unit with which each household appliance is normally equipped.
- the operation of the sanitising device 4 may be correlated to the presence of water inside the storage 50 of the household appliance 5 and, in at least one executive embodiment thereof, to its temperature, suitably detected and acquired by the temperature sensor 2 of the probe 1 whereon it is, as seen, integrated.
- said at least one temperature sensor 2 may detect and/or control at least:
- a threshold value e.g., equal to 60 °C
- the sanitisation occurs spontaneously without any need of intervention of the sanitising device 4
- the sanitisation device 4 is already active
- the temperature probe 1 of the invention is able to provide a measurement of a temperature that may represent:
- the temperature around the ultraviolet emitter 40 so as to deactivate it in case of dangerously high values and to preserve the efficiency and operating duration thereof
- the identification of any failures of the ultraviolet emitter 40 may in any case require the implementation in the electronics of the household appliance 5 of suitable logics and safety algorithms.
- a possible algorithm may provide for alternating programmed switching on and off of the sanitising device 4 and for measuring, from time to time, the temperature of the service water around the temperature probe 1 so as to distinguish the possible contribution of the sanitising device 4 from that of the electric resistance 51 normally used, as known, for the heating of the service water.
- temperatures detected with the sanitising device 4 switched on are substantially equal to those with the sanitising device 4 switched off, no failure of the same is detected; otherwise, if said temperatures differ by a predefined threshold, this may be a sign of anomalous overheating of the ultraviolet emitter 40 which may be deactivated as a precaution.
- the temperature probe 1 of the invention may normally be used to “drive” the service water heating components 2 according to the temperature actually detected.
- the temperature sensor 2 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention integrating a sanitising device 4 may also be used only for the thermostating of the service water, i.e. for the activation and deactivation of an electric resistance 51 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5 (exactly as with the traditional and known probes of the state of the art used up to now).
- At least the capsule 101 of the container body 10 thereof is preferably made of quartz glass.
- - has physical characteristics suitable for and compatible with the use and the operation of the aforementioned one or more temperature sensors 2 for the control of the anomalous overheating of the same ultraviolet emitter 40 and/or for the detection of the temperatures of the service water contained in a storage 50 of a household appliance 5.
- quartz glass is characterised by a high thermal conductivity and at the same time by a high electric resistivity.
- a quartz capsule 101 (or, more generally, the entire container body 10) is able to electrically insulate both the ultraviolet emitter 40 and said one or more temperature sensors 2 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention from the support whereon it is mounted, for example from the walls 500 (when metallic) of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5.
- the quartz glass Compared to the steel or plastic capsules currently used, the quartz glass also ensures greater precision and reactivity in reading the service water temperatures of the tank 50.
- caps 101 made of plastic material while not requiring the need for insulating resins, would not guarantee adequate levels of thermal conductivity and may be subject to a rapid degradation of their physicalfunctional features due to the effect of the same ultraviolet radiation.
- quartz glass may also allow an improvement of the time constant, i.e. of the response time (indicative of the reactivity of the system) of the aforesaid one or more temperature sensors 2, consequently allowing possible monitoring of the temperature trend of the service water or of the humidity degree in case of emptying of the storage 50.
- the temperature probe 1 of the invention integrating a sanitising device 4, for the correct operation thereof, may be installed directly on an inner wall 500 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5, provided that it is in the proximity of the relative electric resistance 51 for the heating of the service water and in contact with said water.
- laundry washing machine 5 such term also means similar household appliances such as the so-called “washer-dryers”.
- the temperature probe 1 of the invention comprising a sanitising device 4 shall be positioned on the tub 50 of the laundry washing machine 5.
- Said tank 50 defines the aforementioned storage and a drum 53 rotates therein wherein the clothes and the laundry to be washed are loaded through a relative porthole 54.
- said temperature probe 1 may be installed at a first housing or seat 56 obtained on a wall 500 of the tank 50, e.g. on the bottom 500 thereof set up with the hydraulic group 57 for draining the water at the end of each washing step and/or process, and, for the reasons explained above, preferably in the proximity of the electric resistance 51 for the heating of the service water (in this case washing water).
- said electric resistance 51 may be positioned for such purpose on the rear wall 501 of the tank 50, substantially in the proximity of the connection zone thereof with the bottom 500.
- Such positioning of the temperature probe 1 is the one that ensures the constant contact with the washing water, at least during the washing and rinsing steps, when in fact it is completely immersed therein.
- the ultraviolet radiation also reduces, as seen, the calcareous deposits on the electric resistance 51 or on other components inside the tub 50 of the laundry washing machine 5.
- the temperature probe 1 of the invention comprising the sanitising device 4, managed by the machine control electronics:
- washing machine 1 may be extended, with minimal adaptations within the reach of a person skilled in the art, to any other type of household appliance comprising an inner storage for the service or washing water, in particular to the dishwashers, both domestic and industrial, to heat pumps or storage water heaters.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nonlinear Science (AREA)
- Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
Abstract
The object of the present invention is a temperature probe (1) for detecting the temperature of the service water contained and/or used in a household appliance (5) and wherein it is immersed and/or in direct contact, said probe (1) comprising at least one container body (10; 101) wherein at least one temperature sensor (2) and at least part of the printed circuit (3) whereon said temperature sensor (2) is mounted is housed. Said temperature probe (1) further comprises at least one sanitising device (4; 40, 41) for the sanitisation of said service water from bacteria, viruses and/or other pathogenic micro-organisms
Description
DEVICE FOR WATER SANIFICATION
DESCRIPTION
The object of present are means adapted to limit the bacterial and virological proliferation in water for hygienic-domestic and/or food use.
More precisely, the object of the present invention is an immersion device adapted to sanitise the water contained in a storage tank or the like.
Even more precisely, the object of the present invention are immersion devices capable of implementing the dual function of control and management of the temperatures of the water (or similar fluids) inside a storage (or the like) and the sanitisation of the same.
The invention mainly falls within the sector of the production of household appliances, more precisely in the field of the realisation of the laundry washing machines, washer-dryers and/or dishwashers that may be used both within the domestic and industrial scope.
Of course, nothing prevents the possibility of extending the use of the aforementioned immersion device also to other sectors, for example, in that of the electric storage water heaters, tanks for storing water for food and domestic use or in all those water storages, temporary or not, where there is the risk of proliferation of bacteria, germs and/or viruses.
It is known that all the aforementioned household appliances, while differing from each other by constructive and functional features, are associated with the presence of at least one storage and at least one electric resistance (or similar
components) that, by cooperating with suitable temperature probes, heat and bring said water at a temperature compatible with the service that they must deliver, for example, in order to meet a hot water drawing for domestic or food uses or for the washing of laundry or dishes.
The risk of proliferation of bacteria, viruses and/or germs in water storages is also known.
For example, in storage water heaters the maintenance of water at much lower temperatures than in the past for energy saving needs as well as cold washing programs implemented in laundry washing machines or dishwashers have contributed to amplify the proliferation of bacteria and/or pathogens.
Similarly, despite the cleansing and sterilising function of the detergents used, in the tubs of laundry washing machines and dishwashers, the dirt that inevitably deposits there as a result of the washing processes may be a breeding ground for germs harmful to health, not to mention that they may already be present in the water with which the machine is fed.
In order to limit such drawback, ultraviolet rays generators have been progressively integrated into said household appliances able, as known, to reduce or break down the virological and/or bacterial load possibly present in the water.
For example, in the sector of laundry washing machines or dishwashers, ultraviolet emitters, suitably mounted in the washing water supply pipes and/or inside the drum and/or in the inner walls of the relative washing tanks, have long been provided for and used.
However, such technical choices have not proved to be free from drawbacks.
Frequently, due to construction limits and constraints, such ultraviolet emitters are positioned in points wherein the contact with the washing water is not always guaranteed; this may lead to a reduction in their sanitising effect.
Many of the components mentioned above as possible seat for the assembly of the ultraviolet emitters are made of plastic material, with a view to a containment of the production costs and simplification of the production processes.
Therefore, there is the risk that such ultraviolet emitters, if not suitably positioned and immersed in water, directly irradiate said plastic components, accelerating their ageing process; this may lead to frequent maintenance interventions or replacement of the worn components, with negative consequences on the functionality of the appliance and on the related management costs.
Equipping said household appliances with ultraviolet emitters has further required their substantial redesign or, in any case, adaptations and structural modifications so as to make their installation possible.
Furthermore, implementing a sanitisation function of the water used in a household appliance means providing and adding a new specific component, therefore exposing said household appliance to a greater risk of malfunctions or disservices, and consequently to an increase of the maintenance and repair costs. The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, listed above, by integrating a device for the sanitisation of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, in a component already provided and supplied with said household appliance.
More precisely, the object of the present invention is to integrate a device for the sanitisation of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, in a component normally provided and in charge for controlling the heating and/or thermostating of said water.
A further object of the present invention is to provide for an immersion device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water stored and/or used in a household appliance, such as for example a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment, which is efficient, economical and reliable and without this entailing substantial modifications to the structure and/or basic components of said household appliance.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an immersion device for
the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water that allows retrofiting and/or upgrading operations of household appliances already produced and in operation.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention, with the features listed in the annexed independent claim 1.
Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments, in accordance with the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the annexed drawing tables, wherein:
- Fig. 1 schematically shows a section and a detail of a laundry washing machine according to a possible executive embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 2 schematically shows an axonometric view of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water temperature according to a first variant of the invention;
- Figs. 3a and 3b show, in a perspective and section view, an exemplary schematisation of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 schematically shows an axonometric view of the device for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water temperature in accordance with a second variant of the invention
The elements of the immersion device of the invention for the sanitisation and/or thermostating of the water are now described using the references contained in the attached figures. Not necessarily, what described in the figures is to scale, with the purpose of highlighting some features instead of others.
It is also noted that any dimensional and spatial term (such as “lower”, “upper”, “inner”, “outer”, and the like) refers to the positions of the elements as shown in the attached figures, without any limiting intent relative to the possible operating conditions.
In the present description, at least initially, reference shall be made to a sanitisation function of the water contained within a generic storage provided in
a household appliance and used for different purposes, e.g., such as washing water, rinsing water, domestic water or the like.
Hereinafter, “storage” is generically to be understood as any tank, vessel or container, in the most varied shapes, geometries and volumes, able to store a certain amount of water.
For descriptive simplicity, regardless of the type of household appliance and function thereof, said water shall be indicated with the expression “service water”, while the device in charge of said sanitisation function and elimination of bacteria, viruses, germs or other pathogens shall be referred to as “sanitising device”.
According to a possible variant of the invention, said sanitising device may be integrated in household appliances that provide for heating of the water contained in the storage thereof, such as, without any limiting intent, laundry washing machines, washer dryers, dishwashers and/or in a storage water heater, heat pumps, solar storages or, more generally, in any other tank or water vessel subject to phenomena of bacterial proliferation and/or diffusion of viruses and pathogens.
In such case, said sanitising device is preferably installed in the proximity of one of the means of the household appliance normally intended for heating the service water and being advantageously integrated on a component already equipped with said household appliance.
Without any limiting intent, the sanitising device of the invention may therefore be positioned on an inner wall of the storage, in the proximity of at least one electric resistance thereof and integrated into the device normally setup for the control and the thermostating of the service water.
In fact, it is known that an electric resistance, electrically insulated relative to the walls or body of the storage, is generally “immersed” in the service water in order to correctly carry out the specific heating function thereof.
Therefore, the substantial proximity of the sanitising device of the invention to said electric resistance:
- ensures direct and effective purification of the service water,
- involves, at least for some specific applications, important advantages in terms of operation and durability of the household appliance that implements it (e.g., with particular reference to the parts thereof and/or components of plastic material).
Experimentally, it has been further observed that the sanitisation device of the invention, when positioned at the aforementioned electric resistance, may maximize and improve the sanitising effect thereof.
In fact, it would be advantageously located in a zone of the storage characterised by a consistent exchange of water, ensured by the convective motions due to the heating thereof; this may favour a reduction in the proliferation of bacteria, viruses, germs or other pathogens harmful to health and/or a more efficient reduction thereof.
Scientific studies and laboratory tests have also proved that the ultraviolet radiation, in addition to having a sanitising effect, may contribute to slow down and/or limit the formation of limescale on the surfaces in contact with the service water, especially if rich in calcium carbonates.
In particular, it has been proved that the exposure to the ultraviolet light of said water mainly produces calcite crystals which, being less dense and adherent than other types of calcium carbonate compounds are more easily removable from the surfaces whereon they deposit, for example from the inner walls of a storage of a household appliance or from the functional components thereof.
I.e., there would be a strong mitigation of the calcareous encrustations on said surfaces and/or components and, as a consequence, of the technical problems that may arise in terms of heat transfer, anomalous energy consumptions and frequency of maintenance interventions.
In the aforementioned household appliances, it is also known the use of at least one temperature probe able to:
- detect the temperature of the service water contained in the storage thereof, and consequently
- “drive”, by activating or deactivating them, the relative one or more electric resistances, so as to allow an appropriate thermostating of said service water up to a temperature sufficient to meet the service that the household appliance must deliver (e.g., a drawing for sanitary or food use and/or suitable for the washing of laundry or dishes).
The already available and generally known temperature probes differ from each other based on the position and installation method thereof, the type of technology that manages them and/or, more simply, based on their geometrical shape. With reference to the latter case, both probes having a substantially cylindrical, tapered and “elongated” geometry and of the “button” type are for example known, which have a more “flattened”, “low” and “flat” shape compared to the first ones.
A “button”-type temperature probe 1 is for example shown in Fig. 2 and/or 3 and/or 4.
The outer casing or container body 10 of said probe 1 is shown in particular, that houses at least the main functional components, such as at least the temperature sensor 2 and at least part of the relative printed circuit 3 (or PCB) whereon it is mounted.
Without any limiting intent, said temperature sensor 2 may preferably comprise at least one NTC or PTC thermo-resistor, or similar components adapted to detect at least the temperature of the service water wherein the probe 1 is immersed and/or in direct contact.
One or more holes 11 (or slots or similar openings) obtained passing on said container body 10, for example at the base 100 thereof, allow the temperature probe 1 to be fixed, by means of screws or similar means, to a wall 500 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5, and the consequent correct installation thereof in the seat 56 dedicated thereto (from now on see Fig. 1, that shall be referred to extensively during the description).
Thus installed, said temperature probe 1, as partly already anticipated, protrudes inwards of the storage 50, resulting substantially in contact with or immersed in
the service water contained therein, at least when in operating conditions (e.g., during one or more operating steps of the household appliance 5).
According to the invention, said temperature probe 1 further comprises at least one device 4 for the sanitisation of said service water of the storage 50 from bacteria, viruses and/or other pathogenic microorganisms.
Said sanitising device 4, which is preferably housed inside the container body 10, may consist of an ultraviolet emitter 40 comprising one or more UV (ultraviolet) lamps or UV LEDs 41 that are also preferably mounted on the same printed circuit board (or PCB) 3 of the temperature sensor 2.
According to the invention, said container body 10 may further comprise:
- at least one part 101 transparent to the ultraviolet radiation generated by said at least one lamp UV LED 41 of the sanitising device 4, said part 101 (hereinafter also referred to as “capsule 101”) being preferably that intended to be immersed or in direct contact with the service water,
- one section (not explicitly shown in Fig. 2 and/or 3 and/or 4) for the passage of at least the cables or electric power connectors of said printed circuit board (or PCB) 3 and/or of the relative components installed thereon (for example, said one or more lamps or UV LED 41, thermal resistors, etc.).
Preferably, said capsule 101 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention is suitably shaped and sized to contain therein at least said temperature sensor 2 and sanitising device 4 which, for reasons that shall be clarified shortly and without any limiting intent, are positioned in substantial proximity and/or adjacent to each other, without prejudice to their inevitable overall dimensions and the consequent installation constraints.
For such purpose, said capsule 101 may for example have a hemispherical geometry (shaped as a cap or dome), as shown in Fig. 2, although nothing prevents the possibility of providing other equally functional shapes for the purposes, for example, cubic, pyramidal, cylindrical (as shown in Fig. 4), conical/truncated-conical or the like.
It is further specified and reiterated that the sanitising device 4 may be
electrically powered and/or cooperate with the same power supply means already provided for the temperature probe 1.
Similarly, the switching on and operation thereof may be delegated to specific electromechanical selectors (the classic knobs or keys of a user interface) and/or automatically to the electronic control unit with which each household appliance is normally equipped.
Furthermore, the operation of the sanitising device 4 may be correlated to the presence of water inside the storage 50 of the household appliance 5 and, in at least one executive embodiment thereof, to its temperature, suitably detected and acquired by the temperature sensor 2 of the probe 1 whereon it is, as seen, integrated.
In fact, according to the invention, said at least one temperature sensor 2 may detect and/or control at least:
- the service water temperature inside the storage 50 of a household appliance 5 so as to activate the ultraviolet emitter 40 of the “sanitising device” when it is lower than a threshold value (e.g., equal to 60 °C) below which there is a non- negligible risk of development and proliferation of bacteria, viruses or pathogens (for water temperatures higher than said threshold, the sanitisation occurs spontaneously without any need of intervention of the sanitising device 4), whereas, when the sanitisation device 4 is already active,
- the temperatures reached by the ultraviolet emitter 40 so as to identify any anomalous overheating of the relative one or more lamps or UV LED 41 indicative of potential failures and malfunctions (e.g., from a short circuit), such control function being facilitated by the substantially adjacent and/or close positioning of said temperature sensor 2 and sanitising device 4.
In other words, the temperature probe 1 of the invention is able to provide a measurement of a temperature that may represent:
- reliably, the temperature of the service water with which it is in direct contact and on the basis of which the sanitising device 4 may be activated or not,
and/or
- with sufficient and tolerable approximation, the temperature around the ultraviolet emitter 40 so as to deactivate it in case of dangerously high values and to preserve the efficiency and operating duration thereof,
The identification of any failures of the ultraviolet emitter 40 may in any case require the implementation in the electronics of the household appliance 5 of suitable logics and safety algorithms.
For example, a possible algorithm may provide for alternating programmed switching on and off of the sanitising device 4 and for measuring, from time to time, the temperature of the service water around the temperature probe 1 so as to distinguish the possible contribution of the sanitising device 4 from that of the electric resistance 51 normally used, as known, for the heating of the service water.
In fact, if the temperatures detected with the sanitising device 4 switched on are substantially equal to those with the sanitising device 4 switched off, no failure of the same is detected; otherwise, if said temperatures differ by a predefined threshold, this may be a sign of anomalous overheating of the ultraviolet emitter 40 which may be deactivated as a precaution.
Alternatively, nothing prevents the possibility of providing for an additional temperature sensor directly associated with the ultraviolet emitter 40 and dedicated exclusively to the detection of the temperatures reached by one or more lamps or UV LED 41 (variant not shown in the figures attached to this description). In this case, there would be a direct and precise measurement of the temperature around the sanitising device 4 that enables the safe and timely identification of possible overheating caused by failure or malfunctions without the need for approximations and/or specific control algorithms.
It should also be noted that, when the activation of the sanitising device 4 of the invention is not required or necessary (e.g., as mentioned, for service water temperatures that are already sufficient to avoid any risk of pathogenic proliferation), the temperature probe 1 of the invention, by means of the relative
temperature sensor 2, may normally be used to “drive” the service water heating components 2 according to the temperature actually detected.
In other words, the temperature sensor 2 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention integrating a sanitising device 4 may also be used only for the thermostating of the service water, i.e. for the activation and deactivation of an electric resistance 51 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5 (exactly as with the traditional and known probes of the state of the art used up to now).
According to the invention, there is therefore the possibility of combining in a single immersion component both the service water sanitisation and managing function of the heating and thermostating thereof, consequently reducing the number of components and accessories of a household appliance with advantages in terms of production, marketing and maintenance costs.
In order to maximize and improve the sanitising function of the temperature probe 1 of the invention, at least the capsule 101 of the container body 10 thereof is preferably made of quartz glass.
In fact, as already mentioned, said material:
- is particularly transparent and/or permeable to the ultraviolet radiation, effectively allowing the radiation of the ultraviolet emitter 40 of the sanitising device 4 to pass through,
- has physical characteristics suitable for and compatible with the use and the operation of the aforementioned one or more temperature sensors 2 for the control of the anomalous overheating of the same ultraviolet emitter 40 and/or for the detection of the temperatures of the service water contained in a storage 50 of a household appliance 5.
In fact, it is known that quartz glass is characterised by a high thermal conductivity and at the same time by a high electric resistivity.
In practice, a quartz capsule 101 (or, more generally, the entire container body 10) is able to electrically insulate both the ultraviolet emitter 40 and said one or more temperature sensors 2 of the temperature probe 1 of the invention from the support whereon it is mounted, for example from the walls 500 (when metallic)
of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5.
Compared to the steel or plastic capsules currently used, the quartz glass also ensures greater precision and reactivity in reading the service water temperatures of the tank 50.
In fact, it is known that steel, characterised by high electrical conductivity, would require the aforementioned one or more temperature sensors 2 of the probe 1 of the invention to be electrically insulated, e.g. by means of the use of specific resins, by significantly lowering the thermal conductivity thereof.
On the other hand, caps 101 made of plastic material, while not requiring the need for insulating resins, would not guarantee adequate levels of thermal conductivity and may be subject to a rapid degradation of their physicalfunctional features due to the effect of the same ultraviolet radiation.
The use of quartz glass may also allow an improvement of the time constant, i.e. of the response time (indicative of the reactivity of the system) of the aforesaid one or more temperature sensors 2, consequently allowing possible monitoring of the temperature trend of the service water or of the humidity degree in case of emptying of the storage 50.
It has been said several times that the temperature probe 1 of the invention integrating a sanitising device 4, for the correct operation thereof, may be installed directly on an inner wall 500 of the storage 50 of a household appliance 5, provided that it is in the proximity of the relative electric resistance 51 for the heating of the service water and in contact with said water.
However, through small adaptations within the reach of a person skilled in the art, nothing prevents the possibility of providing for different applications, for example, on the flange 52 of said electric resistance 51, on the face whereof that supports the heating element 510 (e.g. coil-shaped or tubular) a suitable installation seat may therefore be provided and obtained (also this variant, however, not shown).
Having dealt with the invention in the more general aspects thereof, a specific application thereof, that is among the preferred ones is now described, i.e.
without any limiting intent, on a laundry washing machine 5 (such term also means similar household appliances such as the so-called “washer-dryers”).
As shown in Fig. 1, like the solutions of the state of the art, the temperature probe 1 of the invention, comprising a sanitising device 4 shall be positioned on the tub 50 of the laundry washing machine 5.
Said tank 50 defines the aforementioned storage and a drum 53 rotates therein wherein the clothes and the laundry to be washed are loaded through a relative porthole 54.
By way of an example, said temperature probe 1 may be installed at a first housing or seat 56 obtained on a wall 500 of the tank 50, e.g. on the bottom 500 thereof set up with the hydraulic group 57 for draining the water at the end of each washing step and/or process, and, for the reasons explained above, preferably in the proximity of the electric resistance 51 for the heating of the service water (in this case washing water).
Without any limiting intent and always with reference to Fig. 1, said electric resistance 51 may be positioned for such purpose on the rear wall 501 of the tank 50, substantially in the proximity of the connection zone thereof with the bottom 500.
Such positioning of the temperature probe 1 is the one that ensures the constant contact with the washing water, at least during the washing and rinsing steps, when in fact it is completely immersed therein.
This allows direct and targeted ultraviolet irradiation of the washing water and, consequently, of the clothes and laundry which will therefore be adequately sanitised.
At the same time, it is avoided that the inner walls of the tank 50 (or other functional components), increasingly made of plastic material, are affected and directly exposed to said ultraviolet radiation, actually slowing down the consequent ageing or degradation process thereof.
The ultraviolet radiation also reduces, as seen, the calcareous deposits on the electric resistance 51 or on other components inside the tub 50 of the laundry
washing machine 5.
This translates into a reduction in the number of maintenance interventions or replacement of malfunctioning or worn components, ensuring full functionality of the household appliance, low management costs and an extension of their operational life.
With reference to the field of laundry washing machines 5 (or similar washing machines), the temperature probe 1 of the invention comprising the sanitising device 4, managed by the machine control electronics:
- shall be able to carry out its washing water sanitisation function (with relative possible monitoring of anomalous overheating of the ultraviolet emitter 40 thereof) during, for example, the typical rinsing steps (generally carried out at low temperature), whereas
- it shall act as a “traditional” temperature probe during the water heating and thermostating steps for the high temperature washing steps, for example for the activation/deactivation of said at least one electric resistance 51.
It should be noted that only the functional main components of the laundry washing machine 5 have been described for the purposes of the invention. All the other elements thereof not directly related to the object of the invention, but well known to a person skilled in the art (for example the motor and the relative transmission members for the rotation of the drum 53 such as pulleys 58 and belts 59, ballasts and shock absorbers inside the body, the gaskets, the user interface and the electronic control unit, etc.), have been therefore voluntarily omitted.
It is also clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention numerous modifications and further variants may be provided, all falling within the same inventive concept
For example, all of the above with reference to the aforementioned washing machine 1 may be extended, with minimal adaptations within the reach of a person skilled in the art, to any other type of household appliance comprising an inner storage for the service or washing water, in particular to the dishwashers,
both domestic and industrial, to heat pumps or storage water heaters.
Furthermore, given its functional, geometrical and dimensional features, nothing prevents the temperature probe 1 of the invention from being applied also in other components of said household appliances 5, for example in the inner pipes thereof for the supply of the service water, in the body of the circulation pump or in any other part of the equipment wherein a contact, at least temporary, with said service water is substantially guaranteed (although in these cases the effectiveness of the sanitising effect due to the heating of the same water to works of the aforementioned one or more electric resistors) may be reduced.
Finally, it should be noted that the desired purposes are achieved with the temperature probe 1 of the invention incorporating a service water sanitisation device 4.
In particular, there is the possibility to implement a service water sanitisation function in a component already provided and equipped with a household appliance (such as, for example, a laundry washing machine, a dishwasher or a storage water heater or similar equipment) by reducing the number of components with advantages in terms of costs and reliability.
Furthermore, such integration does not involve substantial changes to the structure and/or basic components of these household appliances and enables and facilitates retrofitting and upgrading operations on household appliances already on the market and/or used, allowing the simple replacement of the traditional temperature probes with those of the invention.
Claims
1. Temperature probe (1) for the detection of the temperature of the service water, wherein it is immersed and/or in direct contact, contained and/or used in a household appliance (5), said probe (1) comprising at least one container body (10; 101) wherein at least one temperature sensor (2) is housed and at least part of the printed circuit (3) whereon said temperature sensor (2) is mounted characterised in that it further comprises at least one sanitising device (4; 40, 41) for the sanitisation of said service water from bacteria, viruses and/or other pathogenic micro-organisms.
2. Temperature probe (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one sanitising device (4; 40, 41) is also housed inside said container body (10; 101) and mounted on the same printed circuit (3) as the said at least one temperature sensor (2).
3. Temperature probe (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said sanitising device (4; 40, 41) is positioned in the proximity and/or adjacent to said at least one temperature sensor (2).
4. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said sanitising device (4; 40, 41) consists of an ultraviolet emitter (40) comprising one or more lamps or UV LEDs (41).
5. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claim, characterised in that said container body (10; 101) comprises at least one part (101) transparent and/or permeable to the ultraviolet radiation generated by said one or more lamps or UV LEDs (41), said part (101) being the one intended to be immersed and/or in direct contact with the service water and to contain therein said at least one temperature sensor (2) and the same sanitising device (4).
6. Temperature probe (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said part (101) can have a semi-spherical, cylindrical, cubic, pyramidal, conical/truncated-conical or similar geometry.
7. Temperature probe (1) according to at least claim 5 and/or 6,
characterised in that at least said part (101) is made of quartz glass.
8. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said sanitising device (4; 40, 41) is electrically powered by the same power supply means of said probe (1).
9. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claim, characterised in that the operation of said sanitising device (4; 40, 41) is:
- related to the presence of service water in said household appliance (5) and/or to the temperature thereof detected by said at least one temperature sensor (2),
- it is assigned to specific electromechanical selectors of said household appliance (5) and/or automatically to the control unit thereof.
10. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said at least one temperature sensor (2) comprises at least one NTC or PTC thermal resistor.
11. Temperature probe (1) according to one or more of the previous claim, characterised in that said at least one temperature sensor (2) is capable of detecting and/or controlling at least:
- the temperature of said service water so as to activate said ultraviolet emitter (40, 41) of said sanitising device (4; 40, 41), and/or
- the temperature reached by the ultraviolet emitter (40, 41) of said sanitising device (4; 40, 41), when active, so as to identify any anomalous overheating of the aforementioned relative one or more lamps or UV LEDs (41), and/or
- the temperature of said service water for the possible thermostating thereof.
12. Temperature probe (1) according to any previous claim, characterised in that it is installed in a seat (56) obtained in a wall (500) of a storage (50) of said household appliance (5).
13. Temperature probe (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that it is positioned in the proximity of one or more means (51) intended for
the heating of the service water contained in said storage (50) of said household appliance (5), said heating means (51) comprising at least one electric resistance (51).
14. Temperature probe (1) according to any previous claim, characterised in that it is installed in a laundry washing machine, washer-dryer, dishwasher and/or in a storage water heater, heat pumps, solar storages or in any tank or water vessel subject to phenomena of bacterial proliferation and/or diffusion of viruses and pathogens.
15. Laundry washing machine (5) comprising at least:
- one tub (50) that defines a storage (50) for the service water, said service water being washing water for clothes and linen,
- one drum (53) rotating in said tub (50) and adapted to the loading of said clothes and laundry,
- at least one electric resistance (51) for the heating of said washing water, installed on a wall (501) of said tub (50), characterised in that it further comprises a temperature probe (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14 integrating a sanitising device (4) of said washing water and adapted to "drive" said at least one electric resistance (51) for the heating thereof.
16. Laundry washing machine (5) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said temperature probe (1) is installed in a seat (56) obtained on the bottom (500) of said tub (50), said probe (1) being in contact and immersed in said washing water of the tank (50) and in the proximity to said at least one electric resistance (51).
17. Laundry washing machine (5) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said temperature probe (1):
- performs its sanitisation function of the water during the rinsing steps
- acts as a traditional temperature probe during the washing water heating and thermostating of the washing water, e.g. for the activation/deactivation of said at least one electric resistance (51).
Storage water heater comprising a storage (50) for the hygienic-domestic use service water and at least one immersion electric resistance (51) for the heating and thermostating of said service water, characterised in that it further comprises a temperature probe (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, said temperature probe (1) being installed directly on an inner wall (500) of said storage (50), in the proximity of said at least one electric resistance (51).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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IT202200000197 | 2022-01-19 | ||
IT202022000000197 | 2022-01-19 |
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WO2023139437A1 true WO2023139437A1 (en) | 2023-07-27 |
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PCT/IB2023/050021 WO2023139437A1 (en) | 2022-01-19 | 2023-01-03 | Device for water sanification |
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CN108866915A (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-23 | 赵东晶 | Device for clothing processing |
CN109402960A (en) * | 2017-08-16 | 2019-03-01 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | A kind of sterilizing unit, assembly method and washing machine |
EP3628769A1 (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2020-04-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Sanitation device |
US20200384140A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2020-12-10 | Q One Holding Ag | Uv disinfection apparatus, method therefor, and use thereof |
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2023
- 2023-01-03 WO PCT/IB2023/050021 patent/WO2023139437A1/en unknown
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN108866915A (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-23 | 赵东晶 | Device for clothing processing |
CN109402960A (en) * | 2017-08-16 | 2019-03-01 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | A kind of sterilizing unit, assembly method and washing machine |
US20200384140A1 (en) * | 2017-12-20 | 2020-12-10 | Q One Holding Ag | Uv disinfection apparatus, method therefor, and use thereof |
EP3628769A1 (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2020-04-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Sanitation device |
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