RU2470102C2 - Household appliance with external water supply - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a household appliance to for textile products, in particular, to the dryer or the washing machine. The household appliance comprises a means for generating steam for treatment of textile products with water vapor, preferably hot or overheated, and there is a means of water supply to the means for generating steam. The means of water supply is intended for connection to an external source of water, in particular, to the water-distribution system. The means of water supply comprises the means for softening water for supply the means for generating steam with water of given and/or reduced and/or low hardness. The means of softening water comprises a filter element installed inside the household appliance with the ability of access from outside to replace the filter element, preferably via the control panel, or via the front cover or through the area of the front door, or through the receiving window of the tank for collecting condensate, or through the side cover of the household appliance, or the means of softening water containing the filter element is located outside of the household appliance and is hydraulically connected to the pipe that connects the means of water supply to the external source of water and/or the connecting part, preferably by fitting located in the household appliance to provide connection of the means of water supply to the external source of water.

EFFECT: simultaneous filtering and softening of water is provided for ensuring durability of means for generating steam and ease of use of the means of softening water.

23 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular to a drying machine for textiles or a washing machine.

For washing and drying textiles, well-known household appliances are used. Dryers typically use a condensation process or the release of moist air.

It has been found that the processing quality of textiles can be improved by using steam acting on textiles in a household appliance. It is possible to remove unwanted odors. To this end, water vapor, in particular hot or superheated, is supplied to a drum containing textile products. For this, a household appliance must contain a means of generating steam.

The difficulty lies in the fact that the means of generating steam should be supplied with water that does not contain lime and other contaminants. Typically, the water generated by condensation in a dryer cannot be used, because it contains impurities and inclusions that accumulate in the condensate tank during the condensation process. In the case of using such water, dirt and other impurities would again fall on the fabric, which is undesirable.

One solution to this problem is to equip the household appliance with a water tank designed for the steam generation means. But this solution entails new problems: structural changes, additional design work and costs, additional material costs.

WO 2006101360 describes a laundry treating machine comprising a device for treating water supplied to a steam generator, which may be either a water softener or a filter device. In this device, water can either be softened or filtered, however, such devices in which water softener and filter device are combined are not known in the art.

The objective of the invention is to provide a household appliance, in particular a household drying or washing machine, which would be able to process textiles with hot steam without any traces of dirt or any other impurities or impurities in the water supplying the steam generating means, while softening the water to increase the durability of the means of steam generation, which would ensure ease of use with a means of water softening.

This problem is solved in a household appliance according to paragraph 1 of the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

According to paragraph 1 of the claims, a household appliance comprises steam generating means for treating textile products with water, preferably hot or superheated steam, and water supplying means to the steam generating means adapted to be connected to an external water source, in particular to a plumbing system.

Thus, the steam generating means is supplied with water without using a water storage tank for the steam generating means, therefore, one of the advantages of the invention is that fresh water is supplied to the steam generating means directly from an external source located outside the household appliance. Preferably, the external source of water is a plumbing system, i.e. steam generation means is connected to the plumbing system. Alternatively, it is possible to connect to a separate water supply system at home or to another external water supply or water tank.

Another advantage of this solution is that no or almost no structural changes to the household appliance are required. In a household appliance, you just need to install a connecting part, in particular a fitting, for hydraulic connection to an external source of water. Inside the appliance, this fitting must be hydraulically connected to the water inlet of the steam generating means. Design work and costs, as well as additional material costs, are relatively small, especially compared to the solution mentioned above, involving the use of a water tank.

In addition, one of the advantages of the solution according to the invention is that an external water source provides pressure water supply. As a result of this, there is no need for additional water pumps for supplying water to the steam generating means and / or steam pumps placed next to the steam generator, which might be necessary in the case of a solution with a water tank.

Another advantage is the ease of handling of the water supply system to the steam generating means. After hydraulically connecting to an external water source, no further steps are required. It is only necessary to open the water tap. In this case, there is no need for periodic filling with water of a container intended for supplying steam generating means.

Preferably, the water supply means comprises a connecting part enabling the water supply means to be connected to an external water source, wherein the connecting part is, in particular, a fitting and is preferably located on the rear wall and / or rear panel of the household appliance. The connecting part can be connected to an external water source through a tube, in particular a flexible one. As a result, the hydraulic connection to an external water source is simplified.

In addition, the water supply means may be a modular device or assembly. This allows you to complete various household appliances with the same type of water supply. In addition, this allows you to make a household appliance in various versions or in the form of various models with and without water supply. In addition, the modular design of the water supply means allows replacement of the water supply means in household appliances.

The public water supply system or other external water sources can supply water whose hardness is too high for the long-term safe operation of the steam generation means. In this regard, according to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the water supply means comprises a water softener designed to power the means for generating steam with water with a predetermined and / or reduced and / or low hardness. The softening of the water before being supplied to the steam generating means ensures its safe, stable and long-term functioning, especially the functioning of the steam generator.

The water softener may be a modular device or assembly. This allows you to complete various household appliances with the same type of water softener. In addition, this allows you to make a household appliance in various versions or in the form of various models with and without water softener. In addition, the modular design of water softeners provides for the replacement of water softeners in household appliances.

In addition, the water softener may include a filter element, in particular a replaceable one. This provides ease of use with a water softener.

Preferably, the water softener comprises a device signaling the need to replace the filter element, in particular an indicator and / or a bulb, to inform about the need to replace the filter element. This ensures uninterrupted reliable operation of the water softener.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a system of at least two sensors, in particular water pressure sensors, in order to be able to determine the pressure drop on the water softener. If the specified pressure drop is exceeded, devices are activated that signal the need to replace the filter element. In this case, at least one first sensor is located in front of the water softener, and at least one second sensor is located after the water softener.

A water softener may be installed inside the appliance, in particular so that it is accessible externally to replace the filter element, preferably through the control panel, or through the front cover, or through the front door region, or through the condensate receptacle opening window, or through the side cover of the appliance. Alternatively, the water softener may be located outside the household appliance, in particular, it may be hydraulically connected to a pipe connecting the water supply means to an external water source and / or to a connecting part, preferably a fitting located in the household appliance to enable connecting a water supply means to an external water source.

Also in the water supply means and / or in the hydraulic connection between an external water source and a household appliance, and / or an external water source, a filter, for example a strainer, can be installed to filter contaminants, for example, contaminants contained in water from an external source.

Preferably, the water supply means comprises a switch and / or a control unit for regulating and / or suspending the supply of water from an external water source. This ensures that water is supplied to the steam generating means only when necessary, and only in the required quantities.

Preferably, the switching device and / or control unit is or comprise a valve, in particular an electromagnetic, preferably electrically and / or electronically controlled.

In addition, the water supply means may comprise a water flow control device. This device can provide a predetermined amount of water flow supplied to the steam generating means. The water flow provided by such a device can be adjustable. The water flow control device can be made in the form of an electrical and / or mechanical and / or hydraulic system.

Preferably, the water flow control device is located in a connecting part, preferably a fitting, installed in a household appliance for connecting the water supply means to an external source. The water flow control device can be made in the form of a flow restrictor, for example a flow restrictor similar to the known flow restrictors for washing machines.

In order for the steam generating means, especially the steam generator, not to work in the absence or insufficiency of the amount of water supplied to it, the household appliance may contain means for preventing the steam generating means, and especially the steam generator, from being turned on and / or working. This avoids damage to the steam generating means, thereby increasing its service life.

Preferably, the means for preventing the steam generating means from being turned on comprises a sensor, in particular a water pressure sensor, preferably located at or near the steam generating means and / or in or on the steam supply means and / or in the steam generating means. This sensor may be one of the sensors already mentioned in connection with the determination of the pressure drop on the water softener. If the sensor detects a shortage of water supply, the means of preventing the inclusion of the means for generating steam will turn it off, or at least the steam generator, or will prevent the inclusion of means for generating steam or a steam generator. This control function can be integrated into the control unit of the household appliance.

An alarm supply device, in particular an indicator, and / or a light bulb, and / or a speaker, indicating a lack of water and / or a malfunctioning of the steam generating means and / or a malfunctioning of the water supplying device, can be installed. Due to this, a malfunction can be detected in a short time, and the cause causing it can be quickly eliminated.

In addition, in the household appliance, a water tank for the steam generating means can be further arranged. This water tank may be located in the receiving window of a household appliance. It may be hydraulically coupled to the steam generating means. This solution allows you to choose between two options for supplying water to the steam generating means. In addition to directly connecting to an external water source for the steam generating means, it is also possible to use the water in the water tank. This option allows the steam generation process to be carried out in a household appliance, even if an external source of water, such as a plumbing system, is unavailable. For mechanical and / or automatic switching between different options, a control unit can be used.

The water tank may be further hydraulically connected to an external water source, in particular via a water supply means, preferably located after the water softening means. This embodiment provides automatic filling of the container with water. In another embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic system of the household appliance may be configured such that the hydraulic connection of the steam generating means to the water supply means takes place exclusively through the water tank. In this case, a hydraulic connection to an external water source is only necessary to fill the tank with water. Accordingly, sensors or other means of preventing the inclusion of steam generating means in the absence of water from an external water source to the steam generating means are not necessary. Alternatively, the hydraulic system may have a direct hydraulic connection between the water supply means and the steam generation means, mounted additionally and parallel to the hydraulic connection through the water tank.

In General, the invention provides an extension of the life of the means of generating steam, in particular, due to the supply of a predetermined, continuous and stable flow of water and / or due to a predetermined low hardness of water.

Figure 1 schematically shows an example embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, side view;

figure 2 is another example of a household appliance according to the invention, side view.

1 and 2, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The household appliance 1 shown in FIG. 1, for example, a household dryer for textiles or a washing machine, comprises a front wall 7 and a rear wall 6. Inside the appliance 1, steam generating means 2 are arranged with a steam generator 16, which is connected through the steam line to the outlet steam nozzle 21 The drum in which the textiles for drying and / or washing are housed are not shown, but the outlet steam nozzle 21 (shown schematically) is intended to inject steam into this drum. The steam generating means 2 through electrical connections 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 of the household appliance, which, among other things, controls the steam generating means 2.

At the bottom of the device 1, a water supply means 3 is schematically shown. This tool 3 contains a connecting part 5, in particular a fitting, for hydraulic connection to an external source of water 4. In the presented example, the external water source 4 is a plumbing system, symbolically depicted as a faucet. The hydraulic connection is implemented using a flexible pipe 8.

After the connecting part 5, a water flow control device 15 is installed, namely a known flow restrictor commonly used in the water supply of washing machines. This water flow control device 15 supplies water to the steam generating means 2 at a predetermined volumetric flow rate. The water flow provided by the device 15 may be adjustable, but this is not shown in figure 1. The device 15 control the flow of water and the connecting part 5 can be made in the form of a single node, in particular, the device 15 can be integrated into the connecting part 5.

After the device 15 control the flow of water is a switch 13, which is connected with the control unit. This switch 13 is designed to control and / or interrupt the supply of water from an external source 4. To this end, it is equipped with an electromagnetic valve 14, which is preferably electrically and / or electronically controlled. The switch 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 of the household appliance 1 through electrical connections 24.

After the switch 13, water from an external source 4 is supplied through a hydraulic connection 23 to a water softener 9. The water softener 9 is intended to reduce the hardness of the water supplied to the steam generating means 2. The desired water hardness can be predefined by the design of the softener 9 and / or adjusted. The softener 9 is made in the form of a modular device that can be used for several household appliances, which makes it possible to carry out the modernization of devices. An essential part of the softener 9 is a replaceable filter element 10. To enable the replacement of the filter element 10, the front wall 7 of the household appliance 1 is provided with a door 11.

Another part of the water softener 9 is a device 12, which indicates the need to replace the filter element, which is a light bulb electrically connected to the main part of the water softener 9 through electrical connections 24 and through the control unit 22 of the household appliance 1, which also controls the switching on of the device 12, indicating the need to replace the filter element. The task of the device 12, signaling the need to replace the filter element, is to inform about the need to replace the filter element 10.

After the water softening means 9, water is supplied through the hydraulic connection 23 to the steam generating means 2.

To prevent the functioning of the steam generator 16 without water supply or in conditions of insufficient water supply, a sensor 17 is integrated in the water supply means 3, in particular the pressure sensor 17 shown in Fig. 1 before the water softening means 9. An additional sensor 17 is installed in the hydraulic connection 23 in front of the steam generating means 2. Of course, the presence of only one sensor 17 is sufficient. However, the installation of two sensors 17, one before the water softener 9 and the other after it, has the advantage that the pressure drop on the water softener 9 can be determined by comparing the results obtained using both sensors 17 pressure values. If the set value of the pressure drop exceeds the set value, it becomes necessary to replace the filter element 10, and the device 12 can be switched on, signaling the need for such a replacement. Also, the sensor can be integrated into the means 2 for generating steam in front of the steam generator 16.

The sensor 17 is electrically connected to the signaling device 18, which is here a light bulb, through electrical connections 24 and through the control unit 22 of the household appliance. The signaling device 18 notifies about the shortage of water detected by the summer resident 17. It is controlled by the control unit 22 and can also be used to report a malfunction of the steam generating means and / or a malfunction of the water supply means. When the sensor detects a water shortage, the control unit 22 turns off the steam generator 16 or the steam generating means 2 or prevents the steam generator 16 or the steam generating means 2 from being turned on.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a household appliance 1, which may also be a household drying or washing machine for textiles. The design of the device 1 shown in figure 2, is comparable with the design of the device shown in figure 1. The only difference is the additional node, namely the additional water tank 19, intended for means 2 for generating steam. This water tank 19 is located in the intake window 20 inside the household appliance 1. The water tank 19 must be filled with water intended for steam generating means 2. To supply this water to the steam generating means 2, the container 19 is hydraulically connected to the steam generating means 2 through a hydraulic connection 23. Thus, in this embodiment, two possibilities are provided for supplying water to the steam generating means 2, while expanding the possible scope of the household appliance 1.

In another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawings, the water tank 19 is hydraulically connected to an external water source 4, in particular through a water supply means 3 located after the water softening means 9. This embodiment provides automatic filling of the tank 19 with water, in particular under the control of a water level sensor integrated in the tank 19.

In another embodiment, the hydraulic system of the household appliance 1 may be configured such that the hydraulic connection of the steam generating means 2 to the water supplying means 3 is carried out exclusively through the water tank 19. Alternatively, the hydraulic system may comprise a direct hydraulic connection of the water supply means 3 to the steam generation means 2 located additionally and parallel to the hydraulic connection through the water tank 19.

The presence of a water tank 19, in particular, a hydraulic connection between the external water source 4 and the tank 19, allows the use of a conventional steam generation means in a household appliance, in particular the known steam generation means used in household appliances not hydraulically connected to an external water source. Hydraulic connection to an external source of water is mainly necessary only to fill the tank with water. Accordingly, sensors or other devices preventing the operation of the steam generating means in the absence of water from an external source to the steam generating means are not necessary.

Claims (23)

1. A household appliance (1) for textiles, in particular a household drying or washing machine, comprising means (2) for generating steam for treating textiles with water vapor, preferably hot or superheated, and means (3) for supplying water to the means (2) steam generation, moreover, the means (3) for supplying water is configured to be connected to an external source (4) of water, in particular to a water supply system (4), while the means (3) for supplying water comprises means (9) for softening the water for supplying the means ( 2) steam generation with water from a given, and / or reduced and / or low stiffness, moreover, the water softener (9) contains a filter element (10), characterized in that the water softener (9) containing a filter element (10) is installed inside the household appliance (1) with the possibility access from outside to replace the filter element (10), preferably through the control panel, or through the front cover, or through the front door area, or through the condensate collection container’s receiving window, or through the side cover of the household appliance (1), or means (9) water softeners containing its filter element (10) is located outside the household appliance (1) and is hydraulically connected to a pipe (8) connecting the means (3) for supplying water to an external source (4) of water, and / or to a connecting part (5), preferably with a fitting ( 5) located in the household appliance (1) to ensure the connection of the means (3) for supplying water to an external source (4) of water. 2. A household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (3) for supplying water comprises a connecting part (5) providing connection of means (3) for supplying water to an external source (4) of water, wherein the connecting part (5) is, in particular, with a fitting (5) and is preferably located on the rear wall (6) and / or the rear panel of the household appliance (1). 3. A household appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting part (5) is made with the possibility of attaching to an external source (4) of water through a tube (8), in particular, flexible. 4. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (3) for supplying water is a modular device. 5. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water softener (9) is a modular device. 6. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filter element (10) is replaceable. 7. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water softener (9) comprises a device (12) that signals the need to replace the filter element, in particular, an indicator and / or lamp (12), for warning about the need to replace the filter element (10). 8. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a system of at least two sensors (17), in particular water pressure sensors, configured to detect a pressure drop on the water softener (9) and turn it on device (12), indicating the need to replace the filter element, when the specified pressure drop is exceeded, at least one first sensor (17) is located in front of the water softener (9), and at least one second sensor (17) is located after means (9) reading water. 9. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means (3) for supplying water comprises a switch (13) and / or a control unit (13) for regulating and / or interrupting the water supply from an external source (4) of water . 10. A household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the switch (13) and / or the control unit (13) is a valve (14) or comprises a valve (14), in particular an electromagnetic, preferably electrically and / or electronically controlled. 11. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 10, characterized in that the water supply means (3) comprises a water flow control device (15). 12. A household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the water flow control device (15) is configured to supply a predetermined water flow rate to the steam generation means (2). 13. A household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the water flow provided by the water flow control device (15) is adjustable. 14. A household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (15) for controlling the flow of water is made in the form of an electrical and / or mechanical and / or hydraulic system. 15. A household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (15) for controlling the flow of water is located in the connecting part (5), preferably a fitting (5) located in the household appliance (1), to ensure the connection of the supply means (3) water to an external source (4) of water. 16. A household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (15) for controlling the flow of water is made in the form of a flow restrictor (15). 17. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 10, 12-16, characterized in that it comprises means (17) for preventing the on and / or operation of means (2) for generating steam, in particular a steam generator (16), in the absence of or insufficient amount of water supplied to the steam generating means (2). 18. A household appliance according to claim 17, characterized in that the means for preventing the steam generating means from being turned on comprises a sensor (17), in particular a water pressure sensor, preferably located at or near the input to the steam generating means (2), and / or a steam supply means or on it, and / or in a water supply means (3) or on it, and / or in a steam generation means (2). 19. A household appliance according to claim 17, characterized in that it contains a signaling device (18), in particular an indicator, and / or a lamp (18), and / or a speaker, configured to alert about a lack of water, and / or malfunctioning steam generation means and / or malfunctioning of the water supply means. 20. A household appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 10, 12-16, 18 and 19, characterized in that in the household appliance (1) or on it there is additionally a container (19) for water intended for the means (2 ) steam generation. 21. A household appliance according to claim 20, characterized in that the water tank (19) is located in the receiving window (20) of the household appliance (1). 22. A household appliance according to claim 20, characterized in that the water tank (19) is hydraulically connected to the steam generating means (2). 23. A household appliance according to claim 20, characterized in that the water tank (19) is hydraulically connected to an external water source (4), in particular through a water supply means (3), preferably located after the water softening means (9).

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