EP2941497B1 - A washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof - Google Patents

A washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2941497B1
EP2941497B1 EP12816480.3A EP12816480A EP2941497B1 EP 2941497 B1 EP2941497 B1 EP 2941497B1 EP 12816480 A EP12816480 A EP 12816480A EP 2941497 B1 EP2941497 B1 EP 2941497B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
water tank
washing machine
nanofiltration membrane
tank
Prior art date
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EP12816480.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2941497A1 (en
Inventor
Fatih KASAP
Betul BULUT
Servet EFE
Ilkan Erdem
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
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Arcelik AS
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Priority to PL12816480T priority Critical patent/PL2941497T3/en
Publication of EP2941497A1 publication Critical patent/EP2941497A1/en
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    • 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 
    • D06F39/007—Arrangements of water softeners

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to a washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method of nanofiltration for a washing machine.
  • Washing processes are known for their effectiveness to be heavily dependent on the quality characteristics of the water used for washing; in particular, the hardness of the water, ie. the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions contained therein, leads to a couple of drawbacks.
  • the presence of said calcium and magnesium ions in the wash water inhibits the action of surfactant substances contained in the detergents.
  • the harder the water the larger the amount of detergent that needs to be added into it so as to ensure an equally acceptable washing results.
  • a nanofiltration system typically softens water to be processed in the washing machine.
  • Such systems being commercially available in the form of special membranes, they substantially contribute to the washing results mentioned above.
  • a prominent prior art reference in the field of the present invention may be referred to as WO 2011/076720 , disclosing a washing machine having a suds container.
  • a washing drum, a water inlet system and a suds discharge system having a suds pump, a program control, a desalination device for generating desalinated water, and a rinse water store are provided.
  • the washing machine comprises a soft water tank connected to the water inlet system by means of the desalination device.
  • the present invention provides a nanofiltration system according to which nanofiltration process is repeated in cycles such that the system always store softened water and is hence able to supply softened water more efficeintly.
  • the present invention provides an improved nanofiltration method and system as defined in the characterizing portion of Claim 1.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to realize a washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof that is a more efficient filtration is obtained.
  • the present invention proposes a washing machine comprising a water tank receiving water from a public network.
  • a pump is installed to circulate water between the water tank and a tub in which laundry is washed.
  • a nanofiltration membrane is present to soften network water received from said water tank.
  • Said nanofiltration membrane has two outlets, a first main feed line leading to said tub and a second feed-back line leading to said water tank. Therefore, water in said water tank is continuously treated and softened at least partially and at least part of the water present in said tank at any time is already circulated through said nanofiltration membrane. This provides a more efficient continuous processing.
  • Said water tank comprises a pressure sensor and a microcontroller monitors water level in said tank by said pressure sensor. This is used in determining amount of water present in said tank. Water is not taken any more into the tank when a certain flow rate is ensured for effluent water. Certain stages of a washing program may not necessitate driving said pump and accordingly pressure in said water tank may be sufficient for circulating water into said tub. This is overseen by said microcontroller.
  • Said water tank comprises a first temperature sensor and said main feed line comprises a second temperature sensor.
  • Said microcontroller accordingly monitors temperature change by means of said temperature sensors and water in said water tank is accordingly heated until a certain temperature is reached in said main feed line.
  • Said water tank comprises a first conductivity sensor and said main feed line comprises a second conductivity sensor.
  • Said microcontroller monitors conductivity change by means of said conductivity sensors and informs when said nanofiltration membrane is underperforming. This is crucial as such membranes requires regular cleaning and regeneration.
  • Fig. 1 demonstrates a principle diagram of a nanofiltration system according to the present invention.
  • the present invention proposes a nanofiltration system and method for a washing machine as defined in Claim 1.
  • the present invention proposes a washing machine comprising a water tank (1) for receiving water from a public network and a pump (2) that is circulating water from said water tank to a tub (5), in which laundry is treated.
  • Water circulation typically provides that water from said water tank (1) is circulated through a nanofiltration membrane (3) and fed into said tub (4) where washing process is carried out.
  • Said nanofiltration membrane (3) which softens public network water stored in said water tank (1) before feeding into said tub (4) is associated with two separate lines (5, 6).
  • Said nanofiltration membrane (3) comprises a first main feed line (5) through which water is fed into said tub (4) and a second feed-back line (6) through which water is returned back to said water tank (1). This has the effect that water present in said water tank is at any time at least partially treated by said nanofiltration membrane (3) such that a more efficient continuous processing is obtained when said pump (2) is operated to circulate water from said water tank (1) to said nanofiltration membrane (3).
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a pressure sensor (P) such that a microcontroller monitors water level in said tank (1) and determines amount of water to be received therein for obtaining a certain flow rate value for effluent water. Therefore, as it is important that a certain flow rate should be ensured for continuous processing, pump drive power can be saved during certain stages in a washing program, depending on the flow rate and amount of water.
  • Hydrostatic pressure level sensors being readily available in the market, are submersible or externally mounted pressure sensors suitable for measuring the level of liquids in deep tanks or water in reservoirs.
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a first temperature sensor (T) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second temperature sensor (T) such that a microcontroller monitors temperature change by means of said temperature sensors (T) and heats water in said water tank (1) until a certain temperature value is read by said second temperature sensor (T). Therefore according to the correlation between two sets of values, said microcontroller can determine in a more accurate manner the required temperature in said water tank (1) to obtain a desired washing temperature in said main feed line (5).
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a first conductivity sensor (C) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second conductivity sensor (C) such that a microcontroller monitors conductivity change by means of said conductivity sensors (C) and evaluates operational performance of said nanofiltration membrane (3). This is important as ion holding capacity of said nanofiltration membrane (3) must regularly be controlled. In case a predefined value of conductivity cannot be provided by said nanofiltration membrane (3), then an appropriate error code can be produced by said microcontroller and maintenance service can be performed.
  • Conductivity sensors which are also commercially available, simply measure how well a solution conducts a current. The more ions present in the solution, the higher the conductivity.
  • temperature sensors (T) and conductivity sensors (C) are placed into the tub (4).
  • the present invention proposes a method for treating washing water of a washing machine comprising the steps of (a) storing water in a water tank (1), (b) circulating water through a nanofiltration membrane (3), (c) circulating part of water by a main feed line (5) into a washing tub (4) of said washing machine and (d) circulating part of water circulated through said nanofiltration membrane (3) back to said water tank (1) by a feed-back line (6).
  • Said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) is selectively carried out by a pump (2).
  • Said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) further comprises the steps of measuring pressure in said water tank (1) and selectively operating said pump (2) based on measured pressure value in said water tank (1).
  • Said method for treating washing water of a washing machine further comprises the step of comparing temperature in said water tank (1) with temperature in said main feed line (5) and heating water in said main tank (1) until a certain temperature in said main feed line (5) is achieved.

Description

  • The present invention pertains to a washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method of nanofiltration for a washing machine.
  • Washing processes are known for their effectiveness to be heavily dependent on the quality characteristics of the water used for washing; in particular, the hardness of the water, ie. the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions contained therein, leads to a couple of drawbacks. The presence of said calcium and magnesium ions in the wash water inhibits the action of surfactant substances contained in the detergents. In practice, considering all other conditions similar, the harder the water, the larger the amount of detergent that needs to be added into it so as to ensure an equally acceptable washing results.
  • A nanofiltration system typically softens water to be processed in the washing machine. Such systems being commercially available in the form of special membranes, they substantially contribute to the washing results mentioned above.
  • A prominent prior art reference in the field of the present invention may be referred to as WO 2011/076720 , disclosing a washing machine having a suds container. A washing drum, a water inlet system and a suds discharge system having a suds pump, a program control, a desalination device for generating desalinated water, and a rinse water store are provided. The washing machine comprises a soft water tank connected to the water inlet system by means of the desalination device.
  • The present invention, on the other hand, provides a nanofiltration system according to which nanofiltration process is repeated in cycles such that the system always store softened water and is hence able to supply softened water more efficeintly.
  • The present invention provides an improved nanofiltration method and system as defined in the characterizing portion of Claim 1.
  • Primary object of the present invention is to realize a washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof that is a more efficient filtration is obtained.
  • The present invention proposes a washing machine comprising a water tank receiving water from a public network. A pump is installed to circulate water between the water tank and a tub in which laundry is washed. In between, a nanofiltration membrane is present to soften network water received from said water tank.
  • Therefore, water is being softened before feeding into the tub. Said nanofiltration membrane has two outlets, a first main feed line leading to said tub and a second feed-back line leading to said water tank. Therefore, water in said water tank is continuously treated and softened at least partially and at least part of the water present in said tank at any time is already circulated through said nanofiltration membrane. This provides a more efficient continuous processing.
  • Said water tank comprises a pressure sensor and a microcontroller monitors water level in said tank by said pressure sensor. This is used in determining amount of water present in said tank. Water is not taken any more into the tank when a certain flow rate is ensured for effluent water. Certain stages of a washing program may not necessitate driving said pump and accordingly pressure in said water tank may be sufficient for circulating water into said tub. This is overseen by said microcontroller.
  • Said water tank comprises a first temperature sensor and said main feed line comprises a second temperature sensor. Said microcontroller accordingly monitors temperature change by means of said temperature sensors and water in said water tank is accordingly heated until a certain temperature is reached in said main feed line.
  • Said water tank comprises a first conductivity sensor and said main feed line comprises a second conductivity sensor. Said microcontroller monitors conductivity change by means of said conductivity sensors and informs when said nanofiltration membrane is underperforming. This is crucial as such membranes requires regular cleaning and regeneration.
  • Accompanying drawing is given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a nanofiltration system and method whose advantages were outlined above and will be explained hereinafter in brief.
  • The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 demonstrates a principle diagram of a nanofiltration system according to the present invention.
  • Referring now to the figure outlined above, the present invention proposes a nanofiltration system and method for a washing machine as defined in Claim 1.
  • The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:
    • 1.
    Water tank
    2.
    Pump
    3.
    Nanofiltration membrane
    4.
    Tub
    5.
    Main feed line
    6.
    Feed-back line
  • The present invention proposes a washing machine comprising a water tank (1) for receiving water from a public network and a pump (2) that is circulating water from said water tank to a tub (5), in which laundry is treated. Water circulation typically provides that water from said water tank (1) is circulated through a nanofiltration membrane (3) and fed into said tub (4) where washing process is carried out.
  • Said nanofiltration membrane (3) which softens public network water stored in said water tank (1) before feeding into said tub (4) is associated with two separate lines (5, 6).
  • Said nanofiltration membrane (3) comprises a first main feed line (5) through which water is fed into said tub (4) and a second feed-back line (6) through which water is returned back to said water tank (1). This has the effect that water present in said water tank is at any time at least partially treated by said nanofiltration membrane (3) such that a more efficient continuous processing is obtained when said pump (2) is operated to circulate water from said water tank (1) to said nanofiltration membrane (3).
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a pressure sensor (P) such that a microcontroller monitors water level in said tank (1) and determines amount of water to be received therein for obtaining a certain flow rate value for effluent water. Therefore, as it is important that a certain flow rate should be ensured for continuous processing, pump drive power can be saved during certain stages in a washing program, depending on the flow rate and amount of water. Hydrostatic pressure level sensors, being readily available in the market, are submersible or externally mounted pressure sensors suitable for measuring the level of liquids in deep tanks or water in reservoirs.
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a first temperature sensor (T) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second temperature sensor (T) such that a microcontroller monitors temperature change by means of said temperature sensors (T) and heats water in said water tank (1) until a certain temperature value is read by said second temperature sensor (T). Therefore according to the correlation between two sets of values, said microcontroller can determine in a more accurate manner the required temperature in said water tank (1) to obtain a desired washing temperature in said main feed line (5).
  • Said water tank (1) comprises a first conductivity sensor (C) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second conductivity sensor (C) such that a microcontroller monitors conductivity change by means of said conductivity sensors (C) and evaluates operational performance of said nanofiltration membrane (3). This is important as ion holding capacity of said nanofiltration membrane (3) must regularly be controlled. In case a predefined value of conductivity cannot be provided by said nanofiltration membrane (3), then an appropriate error code can be produced by said microcontroller and maintenance service can be performed.
  • Conductivity sensors, which are also commercially available, simply measure how well a solution conducts a current. The more ions present in the solution, the higher the conductivity.
  • In different embodiments of the present invention, temperature sensors (T) and conductivity sensors (C) are placed into the tub (4).
  • The present invention proposes a method for treating washing water of a washing machine comprising the steps of (a) storing water in a water tank (1), (b) circulating water through a nanofiltration membrane (3), (c) circulating part of water by a main feed line (5) into a washing tub (4) of said washing machine and (d) circulating part of water circulated through said nanofiltration membrane (3) back to said water tank (1) by a feed-back line (6).
  • Said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) is selectively carried out by a pump (2). Said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) further comprises the steps of measuring pressure in said water tank (1) and selectively operating said pump (2) based on measured pressure value in said water tank (1).
  • Said method for treating washing water of a washing machine further comprises the step of comparing temperature in said water tank (1) with temperature in said main feed line (5) and heating water in said main tank (1) until a certain temperature in said main feed line (5) is achieved.

Claims (8)

  1. A washing machine comprising a water tank (1) for receiving water from a public network, a pump (2) circulating water from said water tank to a tub (4) in which laundry is treated, a nanofiltration membrane (3) for softening public network water stored in said water tank (1) before feeding into said tub (4) characterized in that said nanofiltration membrane (3) comprises a first main feed line (5) through which water is fed into said tub (4) and a second feed-back line (6) through which water is returned to said water tank (1) whereby water in said water tank (1) is at least partially treated by said nanofiltration membrane (3) such that a more efficient continuous processing is obtained.
  2. A washing machine as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said water tank (1) comprises a pressure sensor (P) such that a microcontroller monitors water level in said tank (1) and determines amount of water to be received therein for obtaining a certain flow rate value for effluent water.
  3. A washing machine as set forth in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said water tank (1) comprises a first temperature sensor (T) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second temperature sensor (T) such that a microcontroller monitors temperature change by means of said temperature sensors (T) and heats water in said water tank (1) until a certain temperature value is read by said second temperature sensor (T).
  4. A washing machine as set forth in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said water tank (1) comprises a first conductivity sensor (C) and said main feed line (5) comprises a second conductivity sensor (C) such that a microcontroller monitors conductivity change by means of said conductivity sensors (C) and evaluates operational performance of said nanofiltration membrane (3).
  5. Method for treating washing water of a washing machine comprising the steps of (a) storing water in a water tank (1), (b) circulating water through a nanofiltration membrane (3), (c) circulating part of water by a main feed line (5) into a washing tub (4) of said washing machine and (d) circulating part of water circulated through said nanofiltration membrane (3) back to said water tank (1) by a feed-back line (6).
  6. Method for treating washing water of a washing machine as set forth in Claim 5 wherein said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) is selectively carried out by a pump (2).
  7. Method for treating washing water of a washing machine as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said step of circulating water through said nanofiltration membrane (3) further comprises the steps of measuring pressure in said water tank (1) and selectively operating said pump (2) based on measured pressure value in said water tank (1).
  8. Method for treating washing water of a washing machine as set forth in Claim 5 wherein said method further comprises the step of comparing temperature in said water tank (1) with temperature in said main feed line (5) and heating water in said main tank (1) until a certain temperature in said main feed line (5) is achieved.
EP12816480.3A 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 A washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof Active EP2941497B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL12816480T PL2941497T3 (en) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 A washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2012/077080 WO2014101959A1 (en) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 A washing machine having an improved nanofiltration system and method thereof

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EP2941497A1 EP2941497A1 (en) 2015-11-11
EP2941497B1 true EP2941497B1 (en) 2016-09-14

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PL (1) PL2941497T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2014101959A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11976401B2 (en) 2021-03-22 2024-05-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Drainage passage including filter and washing machine having the same

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050256020A1 (en) * 2004-05-17 2005-11-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Compositions for cleaning with softened water
DE102009055276A1 (en) 2009-12-23 2011-06-30 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 81739 Washing machine with desalting device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11976401B2 (en) 2021-03-22 2024-05-07 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Drainage passage including filter and washing machine having the same

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Publication number Publication date
EP2941497A1 (en) 2015-11-11
PL2941497T3 (en) 2017-03-31
WO2014101959A1 (en) 2014-07-03

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