EP1120080A2 - A regulating device for decalcifying apparatus - Google Patents

A regulating device for decalcifying apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1120080A2
EP1120080A2 EP01101578A EP01101578A EP1120080A2 EP 1120080 A2 EP1120080 A2 EP 1120080A2 EP 01101578 A EP01101578 A EP 01101578A EP 01101578 A EP01101578 A EP 01101578A EP 1120080 A2 EP1120080 A2 EP 1120080A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
decalcifying
water
substances
regulating
brine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01101578A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1120080B1 (en
EP1120080A3 (en
Inventor
Enzo Nrignone
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Bitron SpA
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Bitron SpA
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Publication of EP1120080A2 publication Critical patent/EP1120080A2/en
Publication of EP1120080A3 publication Critical patent/EP1120080A3/en
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    • 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
    • A47L15/4229—Water softening arrangements
    • 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
    • A47L15/4214—Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
    • A47L15/4217—Fittings for water supply, e.g. valves or plumbing means to connect to cold or warm water lines, aquastops

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a regulating device which can be associated with decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance.
  • apparatuses of this type comprise a first reservoir for holding substances with decalcifying properties with which the water supplied is to come into contact, and a second reservoir for holding salt.
  • the latter reservoir has a first water-inlet opening and a further opening for the outlet of brine formed as a result of the salt being dissolved in the water.
  • the operating cycle of the decalcifying apparatus provides for the decalcifying substances, which are typically ionexchange resins, to be regenerated by a through-flow of the above-mentioned brine, after a predetermined number of through-flows of supply water.
  • the decalcifying substances which are typically ionexchange resins
  • decalcifying apparatus comprises devices for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of the decalcifying substances.
  • a considerable quantity of brine is clearly required to regenerate the exchange resins, whereas a smaller quantity suffices in regions in which the water has a low hardness.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a device for regulating decalcifying apparatus which renders it free of the above-mentioned disadvantage.
  • this object is achieved by means of a regulating device of the type indicated at the beginning of the present description and characterized in that, in at least one operating position, the above regulating means also arranges for some of the water supplied to the domestic appliance not to come into contact with the decalcifying substances.
  • the device of the invention it is thus possible to arrange, in predetermined operating conditions, for some of the water supplied not to be subjected to the decalcifying process but to retain its original hardness, thus preventing the quantity of water as a whole, used by the domestic washing appliance, from having zero hardness.
  • a regulating device for decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance comprises a water-inlet duct 10 with a flow-rate meter 12 and a portion 14 with a head of air.
  • the inlet duct 10 then branches into an outlet duct 16 leading through a first outlet 18, to a reservoir for holding substances with decalcifying properties (not shown) and into a series of chambers 20 for collecting water which, with salt contained in a further reservoir, not shown, is intended to form brine for regenerating the decalcifying substances.
  • the device also comprises means for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of the decalcifying substances, for example, in the form of a rotary selector 22.
  • a selector of this type may comprise a substantially toroidal distribution compartment in the base of which there is a plurality of circumferentially offset holes, each hole being in communication with a respective chamber 20 or with the salt reservoir.
  • a seal is also mounted movably in the toroidal compartment and comprises first and second concentrical circular portions facing the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the compartment, respectively, and at least one radial portion which joins the circular portions.
  • the seal can adopt several positions, hydraulically separating the chambers connected to the holes which are disposed on one side of each radial portion from those connected to the holes which are on the other side.
  • a respective volume of regeneration brine is thus formed in each of the positions adopted by the seal, in dependence on the number of chambers 20 which are put into communication with the salt reservoir.
  • the device comprises a further duct 24 which branches from the inlet duct 10 upstream of the air-head portion 14 and is directed towards the selector 22, from which it leads to a second outlet 26 which leads to the washing tank of the domestic appliance, without passing through the reservoir holding the decalcifying substances.
  • the selector 22 is adjusted so as to bring about the formation of a volume of regeneration brine which is suitable with regard to the hardness of the water in the locality in which the domestic appliance is installed.
  • This brine is directed towards the reservoir for holding the decalcifying substances, through a third outlet 28.
  • the selector 22 also generally blocks communication between the branch duct 24 and the second outlet 26, preventing the supply of non-decalcified water to the washing tank.
  • the selector 22 permits communication between the duct 24 and the second outlet 26.
  • Ideal conditions for the operation of the domestic appliance with water of low hardness are thus achieved.
  • the low volume of brine is nevertheless sufficient to perform the regeneration process, and on the other hand, the non-decalcified water flowing out of the second outlet 26 is mixed with the decalcified water, forming a mixture having a hardness which is very low, but is not zero, and which is optimal for performing the washing operations.
  • this selective shutting-off of communication between the duct 24 and the outlet 26 can be achieved by suitably positioning a radial portion of the seal relative to holes in the toroidal compartment which are in communication with the duct 24 and with the outlet 26, respectively.
  • the magnitude of the fraction of non-decalcified water introduced into the mixture depends on the geometrical characteristics of the water circuit of the device: for example, it depends on the ratio between the cross-section of the mouth 30 of the further duct 24 and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion 14.
  • this fraction may depend on the ratio between a cross-section of the duct 24 which is restricted by the selector 22 and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion 14.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Ion Exchange (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)
  • Stereophonic System (AREA)

Abstract

The regulating device can be associated with decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance. It comprises means (22) for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of decalcifying substances, the means (22) also arranging, in at least one operating position, for some of the water supplied to the domestic appliance not to come into contact with the decalcifying substances.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a regulating device which can be associated with decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance.
  • As is known, apparatuses of this type comprise a first reservoir for holding substances with decalcifying properties with which the water supplied is to come into contact, and a second reservoir for holding salt. The latter reservoir has a first water-inlet opening and a further opening for the outlet of brine formed as a result of the salt being dissolved in the water.
  • The operating cycle of the decalcifying apparatus provides for the decalcifying substances, which are typically ionexchange resins, to be regenerated by a through-flow of the above-mentioned brine, after a predetermined number of through-flows of supply water.
  • An important parameter which affects regeneration operations is the hardness of the water in the locality in which the domestic appliance is installed. In this connection, known decalcifying apparatus comprises devices for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of the decalcifying substances. In fact in regions in which the water is very hard, a considerable quantity of brine is clearly required to regenerate the exchange resins, whereas a smaller quantity suffices in regions in which the water has a low hardness.
  • However, when the hardness of the water is initially low, known decalcifying apparatuses have the disadvantage of completely cancelling out the water hardness, with adverse effects on the subsequent washing process.
  • The object of the present invention is to provide a device for regulating decalcifying apparatus which renders it free of the above-mentioned disadvantage.
  • According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a regulating device of the type indicated at the beginning of the present description and characterized in that, in at least one operating position, the above regulating means also arranges for some of the water supplied to the domestic appliance not to come into contact with the decalcifying substances.
  • By virtue of the device of the invention, it is thus possible to arrange, in predetermined operating conditions, for some of the water supplied not to be subjected to the decalcifying process but to retain its original hardness, thus preventing the quantity of water as a whole, used by the domestic washing appliance, from having zero hardness.
  • Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawing, in which the sole figure is a schematic view of a device of the invention.
  • A regulating device for decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance comprises a water-inlet duct 10 with a flow-rate meter 12 and a portion 14 with a head of air.
  • The inlet duct 10 then branches into an outlet duct 16 leading through a first outlet 18, to a reservoir for holding substances with decalcifying properties (not shown) and into a series of chambers 20 for collecting water which, with salt contained in a further reservoir, not shown, is intended to form brine for regenerating the decalcifying substances. The device also comprises means for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of the decalcifying substances, for example, in the form of a rotary selector 22. A selector of this type may comprise a substantially toroidal distribution compartment in the base of which there is a plurality of circumferentially offset holes, each hole being in communication with a respective chamber 20 or with the salt reservoir. A seal is also mounted movably in the toroidal compartment and comprises first and second concentrical circular portions facing the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the compartment, respectively, and at least one radial portion which joins the circular portions. The seal can adopt several positions, hydraulically separating the chambers connected to the holes which are disposed on one side of each radial portion from those connected to the holes which are on the other side. A respective volume of regeneration brine is thus formed in each of the positions adopted by the seal, in dependence on the number of chambers 20 which are put into communication with the salt reservoir.
  • All of the characteristics described up to now are obvious with regard to the present invention and can be achieved by techniques well known to experts in the art and they will not therefore be described in further detail.
  • The device comprises a further duct 24 which branches from the inlet duct 10 upstream of the air-head portion 14 and is directed towards the selector 22, from which it leads to a second outlet 26 which leads to the washing tank of the domestic appliance, without passing through the reservoir holding the decalcifying substances.
  • When the above-described device is in operation, the selector 22 is adjusted so as to bring about the formation of a volume of regeneration brine which is suitable with regard to the hardness of the water in the locality in which the domestic appliance is installed. This brine is directed towards the reservoir for holding the decalcifying substances, through a third outlet 28.
  • The selector 22 also generally blocks communication between the branch duct 24 and the second outlet 26, preventing the supply of non-decalcified water to the washing tank.
  • However, in at least one operating condition in which the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of decalcifying substances is regulated to one of the lower values, preferably the lowest value, the selector 22 permits communication between the duct 24 and the second outlet 26. Ideal conditions for the operation of the domestic appliance with water of low hardness are thus achieved. In fact, on the one hand, the low volume of brine is nevertheless sufficient to perform the regeneration process, and on the other hand, the non-decalcified water flowing out of the second outlet 26 is mixed with the decalcified water, forming a mixture having a hardness which is very low, but is not zero, and which is optimal for performing the washing operations. With reference to the type of selector described by way of example above, this selective shutting-off of communication between the duct 24 and the outlet 26 can be achieved by suitably positioning a radial portion of the seal relative to holes in the toroidal compartment which are in communication with the duct 24 and with the outlet 26, respectively.
  • The magnitude of the fraction of non-decalcified water introduced into the mixture depends on the geometrical characteristics of the water circuit of the device: for example, it depends on the ratio between the cross-section of the mouth 30 of the further duct 24 and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion 14. Alternatively, this fraction may depend on the ratio between a cross-section of the duct 24 which is restricted by the selector 22 and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion 14. In this latter case, it is also possible to arrange for the selector 22 to define restricted cross-sections of different sizes in different operating positions so that the fraction of water which is not decalcified can be varied correspondingly.
  • Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and forms of embodiment may be varied widely with respect to those described purely by way of example, without thereby departing from its scope.

Claims (6)

  1. A regulating device which can be associated with decalcifying apparatus for softening water supplied to a domestic washing appliance, comprising means (22) for regulating the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of decalcifying substances,
    the device being characterized in that, in at least one operating position, the regulating means (22) also arranges for some of the water supplied to the domestic appliance not to come into contact with the decalcifying substances.
  2. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the regulating means (22) arranges for some of the water supplied to the domestic appliance not to come into contact with the decalcifying substances when the regulating means (22) is in its operating position in which the volume of brine devoted to the regeneration of the decalcifying substances is adjusted to one of the lower values, preferably the lowest value.
  3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a further duct (24) which branches from a water-inlet duct (10) upstream of an air-head portion (14), and is directed towards the regulating means (22).
  4. A device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the magnitude of the fraction of water which does not come into contact with the decalcifying substances depends on the ratio between the cross-section of the mouth (30) of the further duct (24) and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion (14).
  5. A device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the magnitude of the fraction of water which does not come into contact with the decalcifying substances depends on the ratio between a cross-section of the further duct (24), restricted by the regulation means (22), and a calibrated cross-section of the air-head portion (14).
  6. Decalcifying apparatus comprising a regulating device according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP01101578A 2000-01-28 2001-01-25 A regulating device for decalcifying apparatus Expired - Lifetime EP1120080B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO000083 2000-01-28
IT2000TO000083A IT1319815B1 (en) 2000-01-28 2000-01-28 ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR DESCALER APPARATUS.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1120080A2 true EP1120080A2 (en) 2001-08-01
EP1120080A3 EP1120080A3 (en) 2002-08-14
EP1120080B1 EP1120080B1 (en) 2005-03-09

Family

ID=11457330

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01101578A Expired - Lifetime EP1120080B1 (en) 2000-01-28 2001-01-25 A regulating device for decalcifying apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1120080B1 (en)
DE (1) DE60109222T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2238346T3 (en)
IT (1) IT1319815B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1161916A2 (en) * 2000-06-10 2001-12-12 AEG Hausgeräte GmbH Household apparatus using water and method adjusting the hardness of a fresh water quantity
EP3494860A1 (en) * 2017-12-06 2019-06-12 BITRON S.p.A. Control system for a household appliance, water treatment system controlled by the system and related program and method

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1728234A1 (en) * 1968-09-14 1972-03-09 Bosch Hausgeraete Gmbh Dishwasher
DE1728233A1 (en) * 1968-09-14 1972-03-23 Bosch Hausgeraete Gmbh Dishwasher
DE2716434A1 (en) * 1977-04-14 1978-10-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Dishwasher water softening unit - has adjustable water switch directing water to ion exchanger or directly to wash container
EP0000942A1 (en) * 1977-08-31 1979-03-07 Hobart Corporation (a corporation of the State of OHIO) Water treatment device for a dish washer
EP0003451A1 (en) * 1978-01-27 1979-08-08 Esswein S.A. Water-inlet device, and dishwasher or washing machine provided with such a device
DE8029987U1 (en) * 1979-11-15 1981-03-26 Industrie Zanussi S.P.A., Pordenone, Udine DOSAGE CONTAINER WITH ADJUSTABLE VOLUME FOR A DISHWASHER
DE3209501A1 (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-06 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Softening device for domestic appliances, in particular for dishwashers
DE3209500A1 (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-06 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Softening device for domestic appliances, in particular for dishwashers
DE19924338A1 (en) * 1998-06-02 2000-02-17 T & P Spa Liquid loading and dispensing device for domestic washing machine is for water required for recycling decalcination resins of decalcinator

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1728234A1 (en) * 1968-09-14 1972-03-09 Bosch Hausgeraete Gmbh Dishwasher
DE1728233A1 (en) * 1968-09-14 1972-03-23 Bosch Hausgeraete Gmbh Dishwasher
DE2716434A1 (en) * 1977-04-14 1978-10-19 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Dishwasher water softening unit - has adjustable water switch directing water to ion exchanger or directly to wash container
EP0000942A1 (en) * 1977-08-31 1979-03-07 Hobart Corporation (a corporation of the State of OHIO) Water treatment device for a dish washer
EP0003451A1 (en) * 1978-01-27 1979-08-08 Esswein S.A. Water-inlet device, and dishwasher or washing machine provided with such a device
DE8029987U1 (en) * 1979-11-15 1981-03-26 Industrie Zanussi S.P.A., Pordenone, Udine DOSAGE CONTAINER WITH ADJUSTABLE VOLUME FOR A DISHWASHER
DE3209501A1 (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-06 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Softening device for domestic appliances, in particular for dishwashers
DE3209500A1 (en) * 1982-03-16 1983-10-06 Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Softening device for domestic appliances, in particular for dishwashers
DE19924338A1 (en) * 1998-06-02 2000-02-17 T & P Spa Liquid loading and dispensing device for domestic washing machine is for water required for recycling decalcination resins of decalcinator

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1161916A2 (en) * 2000-06-10 2001-12-12 AEG Hausgeräte GmbH Household apparatus using water and method adjusting the hardness of a fresh water quantity
EP1161916A3 (en) * 2000-06-10 2002-09-25 AEG Hausgeräte GmbH Household apparatus using water and method adjusting the hardness of a fresh water quantity
EP3494860A1 (en) * 2017-12-06 2019-06-12 BITRON S.p.A. Control system for a household appliance, water treatment system controlled by the system and related program and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60109222T2 (en) 2006-05-11
ES2238346T3 (en) 2005-09-01
EP1120080B1 (en) 2005-03-09
ITTO20000083A1 (en) 2001-07-28
EP1120080A3 (en) 2002-08-14
IT1319815B1 (en) 2003-11-03
DE60109222D1 (en) 2005-04-14

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