DE102007017282A1 - Water-conducting household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular dishwasher or washing machine, comprising a water softening device comprising a regenerant container (10) having a regenerant receiving space (24) into which a regenerating agent (11) and water are introduced and from the one by the regenerating agent (11) and the water-formed brine (12) via an overflow channel (22) is executable with a predetermined cross-sectional area, with a in the regenerant container (10) arranged Solesieb (28) which is associated with the overflow channel (22), wherein the water-conducting Domestic appliance is characterized in that the brine screen (28) has a screen surface which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel (22). The water-conducting domestic appliance according to the invention has the advantage that the arrangement of the brine strainer (28) and the brine receiving space (32) results in a low pressure loss and the overflow can not crust or clog by means of regeneration.

Description

The The present invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine.

conventional water-bearing household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, are usually with a water softening device equipped, which softens the fresh water. Such Water softening device, short softener, usually includes an ion exchanger and a container for a regenerant, e.g. B. regenerating salt, and the associated lines that run the hot water.

such Regenerant are already in the art known. The invention is based on conventional salt containers for water-bearing household appliances. These comprise a chamber containing the regenerating salt. The bottom of the chamber is formed by a sieve. The inner walls The chamber are designed so that at least at one point a double wall is present, with the interior of the two walls does not close up and so an overflow forms, so that overflowing brine following the gravity flows down between the two walls of the chamber and from there z. B. is passed to the ion exchanger. conventional Softeners of this type work on this principle. After each flushing of the water-conducting household appliance must the ion exchangers are regenerated. It becomes a defined Amount of fresh water from below through the sieve, which is the bottom of the Defined chamber, directed into the salt container. Thereby a defined amount of brine is displaced from the interior of the chamber, passes over and is passed into the ion exchanger.

In the DE 102 04 548 B4 a softening device for carrying out a method for salt defect detection is described, wherein the softening device comprises an ion exchanger connected to a fresh water connection and a salt container. The container has an upwardly open chamber which receives the salt. In the lower part of the chamber is limited by a sieve. Through this sieve, process water can enter the chamber and flow through the salt lying on the sieve. The salt is thereby partially dissolved and forms a brine. The upper boundary of the upwardly open chamber thus forms an overflow, over which the brine, as soon as water flows from below through the sieve, overflows and is guided via lines to the ion exchanger. The disadvantage of the softener according to DE 102 04 548 B4 is that over the overflow and salt grains are washed into the line and deposit salt grains and form incrustations in the line.

in the Prior art, this problem has been solved by that the overflow from the salt containing chamber was separated by a sieve.

In the utility model DE 77 24 693 U1 discloses a salt container, the brine overflow is covered by a sieve. The disadvantage of this design, however, is that the brine overflow has a small diameter and the sieve only covers this small opening thus. Thus, a relatively high pressure for the flow is needed.

In CH 69 06 547 the drain line for the brine is protected by a sieve ring from the chamber containing the salt. This has the disadvantage that it has very small dimensions.

The publication DE 1 913 591 discloses a cylindrical container with two coaxial spaces, wherein the outer is designed as a salt receiving space and the inner space forms a brine collection space, from which brine is discharged. This container has no overflow channel, but the water flows in the interior of the salt receiving space at the same height as again from where it is supplied, so that the supplied water forms depending on the speed of filling and the amount of salt brine and thus the brine concentration varies greatly.

The Object of the present invention was a water-leading Household appliance with a regenerant container which at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art eliminated.

Solved This task is performed by a water-conducting household appliance and a regenerant container according to the accompanying independent claims. The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments, which are used individually or in combination with each other can.

In particular, the present invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular dishwasher or washing machine, comprising a water softening device comprising a regenerant container having a regenerant receiving space into which a regenerating agent and water are insertable and from which a brine formed by the regenerating agent and the water via an overflow channel can be executed with a predetermined cross-sectional area, with a arranged in the Regeneriermittelbehälter brine filter, which is assigned to the overflow channel, according to the invention is characterized in that the brine screen has a screen surface which is larger as the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel.

Of the Advantage of the inventive arrangement of a compared to the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel large-scale brine strainer is a very small one Pressure loss, as there is no danger of blockage of the overflow channel consists of salt grains.

One Another advantage of Regeneriermittelbehälters invention is that the brine is derived in consistent concentration is, even if differently grained regenerating salt is used.

Preferably will be described below in detail regenerant container in a forced flow arrangement of a water softener used. But he is in principle for every kind of softener suitable.

Of the Forced-through container can be outside of the household appliance or be arranged in a component, which a supply line via a backflow prevention with a ventilation opening, a forced flow Ion exchanger and a positively controlled multi-way valve includes.

One such regenerant container is complete Flooding suitable, wherein by the inventive Arrangement of the brine strainer no salt encrustations or blockages the overflow channel and no adverse currents arise. So the regenerant is consumed evenly and it creates a brine with constant concentration. at the regenerating agent is preferably a regenerating salt. Independently the grain size of the regenerating salt is the salt used same height for the same amount of regeneration. The salt container is due to the overflow channel arrangement according to the invention after filling the regenerating agent when regenerating independently vented and completely flooded. The amount of brine can by volume or volume volume be set variably.

Of the Regenerant container comprises inside a regenerant receiving space, into which via an opening the regenerating agent is filled. The opening can, depending on the embodiment and Installation location above or be arranged laterally and with a lid be closable.

Of the Regenerant receiving space is limited by portions of an outer and inner wall, as well as through a bottom strainer and the brine strainer. The bottom sieve forms a boundary to a water inlet channel. Through the water inlet channel, which is connected to the fresh water system is, water can be passed into the regenerant receiving space. There, the water dissolves in the regenerant receiving space salt at least partially on and forms the brine.

Of the Regenerant container also has side an outer and an inner wall, wherein the inner wall or at least a portion thereof together with a section of the outer wall one inside defined the salt tank overflow channel defined. The upper edge of the inner wall represents an overflow represents over which brine from the regenerant receiving space can drain when the level of brine the height reached the overflow.

The overflow channel is separated from the regenerant receiving space through the brine strainer, wherein Brine can pass through the brine strainer. The brine strainer forms thus a wall or at least a portion of a wall a Soleaufnahmeraums, and this Soleaufnahmeraum stands with the overflow channel in connection.

The Solesieb serves on the one hand to cover the opening of the overflow channel, so they do not pass through when flooding the Regeneriermittelaufnahmeraums Can block regenerant granules. Unlike conventional salt containers from the state of Technique, however, the surface of the brine strainer is larger as the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel, and the brine strainer preferably defines a brine receiving space, which is in communication with the overflow channel. advantageously, the Soleaufnahmeraum is at least partially below the overflow arranged. Thereby, when the regenerant receiving space the regenerant tank is flooded, the brine first pour through the brine strainer into the brine receptacle before they reached the overflow.

The overflow channel preferably consists of at least a first and a second Section, and the first and second sections are angled arranged to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the inner wall is preferably angled toward the remainder of the inner wall of the container, and at least a portion of the brine screen is parallel to the angled portion. Such a preferred angled arrangement of the brine receiving chamber ensures that it is located below the overflow. In addition, this arrangement is contrary to a common form for regenerant container, which, although having vertical side walls, but upwardly have an opening with a smaller diameter than the container diameter, through which the salt can be filled. The upward taper is preferably by reached obliquely angled wall sections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inner wall and thus the overflow channel can also describe a doubly angled shape. By this is meant that the overflow channel has two vertical sections and between these two sections an angled and thus inclined section. The same shape thus has the inner wall whose upper edge represents the overflow. The brine screen is preferably mounted below the lower bend on the inner wall and extends with a first portion parallel to the angled portion of the angled portion of the inner wall. A second portion of the brine screen is parallel to the upper vertical portion of the inner wall. Such an embodiment is for example in 2 shown. The brine strainer is further attached to the upper vertical portion of the outer wall.

Preferably it is provided that the sieve is arranged at a distance from the bottom sieve is. This ensures that there is no short circuit Salt bridge formation between sieve and bottom sieve comes.

It is inventively preferred that the Soleaufnahmeraum a partial volume of the regenerant receiving space makes. there the partial volume may be at least 2%, preferably at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, preferably at least 20% of the volume of the regenerant receiving space.

Of the Advantage of such a Soleaufnahmeraums is that the brine filter prevents that the turbulences of the salt grains, which are inside the Regenerant receiving space arise, the drain affect the brine. Thus, also different grained Regenerating salt can be used, and the brine will still be in the same derived from lasting concentration. The uniformity of Sole with differently grained regenerating salts becomes thereby favors that the sieve at a defined distance from the bottom sieve begins.

Of the Container can be a cuboid shape or a cylinder shape or also have any other suitable form.

One Another aspect of the present invention is a regenerant container, as he already mentioned above in connection with the water leading home appliance has been described.

The water-bearing household appliance can z. Legs Be a washing machine or a dishwasher.

in the The invention is based on preferred embodiments explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

In this show schematically:

1 a cross-sectional view of a salt container according to the invention in a first embodiment,

2 a modification of the embodiment according to 1 in detail also in the cross-sectional view,

3 a cross-sectional view of a salt container according to the invention in a second embodiment,

at the following description of the figures denote the same reference numerals same or comparable components.

1 shows a cross-sectional view of a salt container according to the invention 10 in a first embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, it is a salt container 10 which passes through an opening in the upper area 13 with salt 11 can be filled. The opening in the upper area 13 can with a lid 14 be closed. The container contains salt 11 and water is insertable, so that by dissolving the salt in the water a brine 12 forms.

The salt container 10 has one in at least a portion of the salt container 10 essentially vertical outer wall 16 on, as well as one at least in a section of the salt container 10 essentially vertical inner wall 18 , The inner wall 18 is at the top 20 not with the outer wall 16 connected. These two walls 16 . 18 together define an overflow channel 22 , where the top edge 20 the inner wall 16 an overflow 20 forms.

The salt container 10 has an inner salt receiving space 24 on, passing through sections of the walls 16 . 18 , as well as through a bottom sieve 26 and a brine strainer 28 is limited. The bottom sieve 26 forms a boundary to a water inlet channel 30 , Through the water inlet channel 30 , which is connected to the fresh water system, can add water to the salt container 10 be directed. It flows through the bottom sieve 26 in the salt receiving room 24 , penetrates the salt in it 11 and solves this at least partially to brine 12 on. From a certain amount of liquid, the level exceeds the height of the overflow 20 , and the brine 12 flows into the overflow channel 22 from. Before the Ni veau the brine 12 however, the height of the overflow 20 reached, meets the brine 12 on the brine strainer 28 and flows through it.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall 18 one to the remaining portion of the inner wall 18 angled section 18a on to which a section of the brine strainer 28 is arranged in parallel. The two angled sections, along with the two other sections of the brine strainer 28 and the inner wall 18 The walls of a brine reception room form 32 , which with the overflow channel 22 communicates.

The brine strainer 28 has a screen area which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel 22 , Under sieve surface is the passage area of the brine screen 28 Understood. This has the advantage that when filling the salt container 10 , taking water from below through the bottom sieve 26 is initiated from the existing salt 11 and brine formed in the water 12 first through the brine strainer 28 in the brine receiving room 32 passes before it overflows 20 reached. This will prevent flow when filling the salt container 10 arise, salt grains whirl up and this to the opening of the overflow channel 22 flooding where they can clog them. Another advantage is the fact that the brine storage room 32 is large enough to absorb sufficient brine, without the drain of the brine 12 in the overflow channel 22 unfavorable currents arise. This further leads to a low pressure loss, and the salt container can be completely flooded without problems. The in the 1 illustrated angled arrangement of the Soleaufnahmeraumes 32 and the brine strainer 28 is a preferred space-saving arrangement. It is advantageous to the filling opening 13 for the salt 11 to keep smaller in diameter than the diameter of the salt container. This requires in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, an obliquely angled portion of the outer wall 16 of the salt container 10 , which goes up to the filling opening back into a vertical section.

2 shows a modification of the embodiment according to 1 in detail also in the cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the overflow channel 22 and thus also the inner wall 18 three sections, of which two sections are vertical and the section is angled therebetween. This has the advantage that the overflow 20 ie the upper edge of the inner wall 18 until very far up in the container 10 can be arranged. The brine strainer 28 runs partly parallel with the upper vertical portion of the inner wall 18 and is on the also vertical portion of the outer wall 16 attached by a horizontal section.

3 shows a cross-sectional view of a salt container according to the invention 10 in a second embodiment. In this salt container 10 is only the filling opening for the salt (corresponds to the opening 13 in 1 ) arranged laterally and therefore shown as a dashed circle. In this embodiment, the brine strainer 28 flat and has no angled sections. This is advantageous because it allows easy production.

10

salt container

11

salt

12

brine

13

upper Area

14

cover

16

Outer wall

18

Inner wall

18a

angled section

20

overflow

22

Overflow channel

24

Regeneriermittelaufnahmeraum

26

bottom screen

28

Solesieb

30

Water supply channel

32

Sole accommodation space

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10204548 B4 [0004, 0004]
• - DE 7724693 U1 [0006]
• - CH 6906547 [0007]
• - DE 1913591 A [0008]

Claims (11)

Water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular dishwasher or washing machine, having a water softening device, comprising a regenerant container ( 10 ) containing a regenerant receiving space ( 24 ) into which a regenerating agent ( 11 ) and water are introduced and from the one by the regenerating agent ( 11 ) and water-formed brine ( 12 ) via an overflow channel ( 22 ) is executable with a predetermined cross-sectional area, with a in the regenerant ( 10 ) arranged Solesieb ( 28 ), the overflow channel ( 22 ), characterized in that the brine screen ( 28 ) has a screen area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel ( 22 ). Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow channel ( 22 ) through a portion of an outer wall ( 16 ) and by an inner wall ( 18 ) of the salt container ( 10 ) is formed and. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper edge of the inner wall ( 18 ) an overflow ( 20 ) in the overflow channel ( 22 ) Water-conducting household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brine strainer ( 28 ) at least a portion of a wall of a Soleaufnahmeraums ( 32 ). Water-conducting domestic appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the brine receiving space ( 32 ) at least partially below the overflow ( 20 ) is arranged. Water-conducting household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overflow channel ( 22 ) consists of at least a first and a second section and that the first and the second section are arranged angled to each other. Water-conducting household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a section ( 18a ) of the inner wall ( 18 ) is angled and. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that to the angled section ( 18a ) at least a portion of the brine screen ( 28 ) is arranged in parallel. Water-conducting domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sieve ( 28 ) spaced from the bottom sieve ( 26 ) is arranged. Water-conducting household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the brine receiving space ( 32 ) a partial volume of the regenerant receiving space ( 24 ). Regenerant container ( 10 ), characterized by the features described in one of the preceding claims.