Cleaning device and method for treating items to be cleaned

Abstract

A cleaning device (100) for treating items (105) to be cleaned comprises a cleaning tank (110), a receiving tank (115), at least one electrochemical cell assembly (120), a pump assembly (125), and a control device (130). The cleaning tank (110) for receiving the items to be cleaned (105) has an inlet and an outlet for a washing solution (150). The receiving tank (115) receives the washing solution (150). The electrochemical cell assembly (120) is configured to process the washing solution (150). The pump assembly (125) is configured to pump the washing solution (150) from the receiving tank (115) into the cleaning tank (110), to pump the washing solution (150) through the electrochemical cell assembly (120), and to pump the washing solution (150) back into the receiving tank (115).The control device (130) is designed to provide a pump signal (165) for controlling the operation of the pump device (125) and a cell signal (170) for controlling the operation of the cell device (120) in order to control the execution of a cleaning program.

Description

[0001] Cleaning device and method for treating items to be cleaned The invention relates to a cleaning device and a method for treating items to be cleaned.

[0002] In dishwashers, the rinse water is collected and reused for the next wash cycle, which often leads to hygiene problems. In professional laundries, the water is treated for the washing lines and thus reused along with the energy contained in the water. The detergents used can block the filter membranes, so only detergents suitable for filtration can be used. EP2550389A1 describes a washing machine with electrochemical cells, a method for electrochemically cleaning fibers, detergents for electrochemically cleaning fibers, and the fibers cleaned in this way.

[0003] Further cleaning devices are known from DE 10 2013 224524 A1, EP 2 390 398 A1 and EP 0 152 154 A2.

[0004] The invention has for its object to provide an improved cleaning device, an improved control device and an improved method for treating items to be cleaned.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cleaning device and a method for treating items to be cleaned having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0006] The advantages achieved with the invention are that a cleaning device is created that can process a wash liquor using an electrochemical cell device. This can reduce water consumption and save energy.

[0007] A cleaning device for treating items to be cleaned has the following features: a cleaning container for receiving the items to be cleaned, the cleaning container having an inlet and an outlet for a washing solution; a receiving container for receiving a wash liquor; at least one electrochemical cell device designed to process the wash liquor; a pumping device, wherein the pumping device is designed to pump the wash liquor from the receiving container into the cleaning container, to pump the wash liquor through the electrochemical cell device, and to pump the wash liquor back into the receiving container; and a control device designed to provide a pumping signal for controlling an operation of the pumping device and a cell signal for controlling an operation of the cell device for controlling a sequence of a cleaning program.

[0008] A cleaning appliance can be understood to be a device for treating items to be cleaned, for example a washing machine or a washer-dryer. Items to be cleaned can be understood to be textiles, for example, which can be treated in a cleaning container. Alternatively, the cleaning appliance can be a dishwasher. A cleaning container can be a washing drum or a rinsing chamber of the cleaning appliance. The cleaning container can have an inlet and an outlet for a washing solution. A washing solution can be a cleaning liquid with which the items to be cleaned can be treated. A receiving container can be a container for holding the washing solution. The receiving container can be shaped to hold a sufficient amount of washing solution required for a cleaning process.By pumping the wash liquor back into the receiving tank after each cleaning process, a closed system can be created. The wash liquor can therefore be reused for several consecutive cleaning processes. An electrochemical cell device can be an electrochemical cell consisting of two electrodes and an electrolyte (the wash liquor, which is pumped between the electrodes for treatment, serves as the electrolyte). More specifically, it can be boron-doped diamond electrodes. A boron-doped diamond electrode can form hydroxyl radicals. The resulting hydroxyl radicals can be used for wastewater treatment. For the treatment of the wash liquor using the electrochemical cell device, hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) are required, which, due to their high oxidation potential of 2.8 volts, can oxidatively degrade almost all organic pollutants.The OH radicals can be generated directly from water using boron-doped diamond electrodes. The boron-doped diamond electrode has special material properties that other known electrode materials do not possess. A pumping device can be a device for pumping the wash liquor, and the pumping device can comprise one or more pumps.

[0009] The approach presented here enables a water-saving washing process. Water is a precious resource. Therefore, it is important to develop water-saving washing technologies that require only one-third or less of the water currently used (approximately 50 liters) per wash cycle for a typical household load.

[0010] The approach presented here can reduce the amount of water used in wash cycles. Adequate rinsing of detergents can be achieved, especially in rinse cycles. Detergent residues on clothing can be avoided. With the approach presented here, only the amount of water that is removed with the laundry is used per wash cycle. With a 4 kg load and a residual moisture content of 50%, this is only 2 kg of water. The residual water can be recovered through a drying process and fed into the recovery tank, which can also be referred to as the water storage tank. Stacking the washing machine and dryer can be advantageous in this case. Water-soluble dirt and detergent components can be broken down safely and in an environmentally friendly manner. Rinsing effects can be achieved that cannot be achieved with conventional rinsing processes.With 120 to 150 watt-hours, a chemical oxygen demand value of 2000 milligrams / liter can be completely degraded in 15 liters of wash water under ideal conditions. The release of microplastics into the environment is avoided because no wastewater is generated. The rinse process can be stopped when a defined end value is reached. The end value can be set lower for allergy sufferers, for example. By reducing the number of spin cycles, for example, just one at the end of the wash cycle, the laundry is subjected to less mechanical stress. According to one design, a washing machine of this type requires neither a water connection nor a wastewater connection and can therefore be installed independently.

[0011] The cleaning tank, the pumping device, and the electrochemical cell device can be arranged inside the housing. The receiving tank can be arranged inside or outside the housing. This allows for a compact arrangement of the components within the housing. Arranging the receiving tank outside the housing offers the advantage that the receiving tank can be easily replaced and filled with a wash solution.

[0012] At least one electrochemical cell device can be designed as a boron-doped diamond electrode. This allows for the creation of a high-quality electrode material. A boron-doped diamond electrode can form hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals are formed through water electrolysis. The produced hydroxyl radicals can be used for wastewater treatment. Hydroxyl radicals cause a "cold combustion" of organic substances. This can occur with all organic compounds dissolved in water. The high oxidation potential of the hydroxyl radicals, which trigger this material transformation with the highest current yields, is responsible for this comprehensive range of effects. Hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) are required for the treatment of the wash liquor. Due to their high oxidation potential of 2.8 volts, they can oxidatively degrade almost all organic pollutants. The OH radicals are generated directly from water using boron-doped diamond electrodes.The boron-doped diamond electrode has special material properties that other known electrode materials lack. Only boron-doped diamond electrodes generate OH radicals without oxygen formation at the anode. This is due to the high overpotential of the boron-doped diamond electrode of 2.8 volts compared to the standard hydrogen electrode for the decomposition of water.

[0013] The cleaning device can include a filter unit, which can be arranged between the outlet of the cleaning tank and the pump. This offers the advantage of removing coarse dirt from the wash solution before the wash solution is pumped into the line by the pumping device. This can prevent the pumping device from clogging.

[0014] According to the invention, the cleaning device comprises a line configured to connect the pumping device to an inlet of the cleaning tank. The at least one electrochemical cell device can be arranged on the line. The arrangement of the electrochemical cell device on the line offers the advantage that the wash liquor can be treated in the line before it enters the cleaning tank. Advantageously, the wash liquor can be treated using the electrochemical cell device during a recirculation process.

[0015] The control device is designed according to the invention to provide the pump signal for activating the pumping device for pumping the wash liquor from the receiving tank via the line to the inlet of the cleaning tank at the start of the cleaning program, to provide the pump signal for activating the pumping device for pumping the wash liquor from the outlet via the line to the inlet of the cleaning tank during a recirculation process of the cleaning program, and to provide the pump signal for activating the pumping device for pumping the wash liquor back into the receiving tank at the end of the cleaning program. The pumping device can reliably pump the wash liquor from the receiving tank into the cleaning tank and, after completion of the cleaning process, back into the receiving tank.

[0016] The control device can be configured to provide the cell signal for activating the cell device for processing the wash liquor during the recirculation process of the cleaning program. The cell device can be arranged on the line. Activating the cell device can process the wash liquor.

[0017] According to the invention, the control device is designed to provide the cell signal for shutting down the cell device after the cleaning program's recirculation process and after a predefined cell value has been reached. This allows energy to be saved.

[0018] The control device can be configured to provide a dosing signal to activate a dosing device for dosing a cleaning agent at the start of the cleaning program. This offers the advantage that the dosing of the cleaning agent can be done automatically. This prevents overdosing or underdosing of the cleaning agent by the user. Automatic dosing of the cleaning agent can increase user satisfaction and improve the cleaning result.

[0019] The cleaning device can have a further receiving container, wherein the pumping device can be designed to pump the wash liquor from the outlet of the cleaning container into the further receiving container and from the further receiving container into the receiving container. The electrochemical cell device or a further electrochemical cell device can be arranged on a supply line for supplying the wash liquor into the further receiving container or on a discharge line for discharging the wash liquor from the further receiving container. This allows the wash liquor to be processed in the further receiving container. This avoids extending the duration of the cleaning program because the processing of the wash liquor is carried out outside the cleaning device.

[0020] In this case, the control device can be designed to provide the pump signal for activating the pumping device for pumping the washing liquor from the outlet of the cleaning container into the further receiving container and from the further receiving container into the receiving container at the end of the cleaning program.

[0021] A corresponding method for treating items to be cleaned using a corresponding cleaning device comprises the following steps: Activating the pumping device to pump the wash liquor from the receiving tank via the line to the inlet of the cleaning tank at the start of the cleaning program; activating the cell device to process the wash liquor during a recirculation process of the cleaning program; deactivating the cell device to deactivate the cell device after the recirculation process of the cleaning program and / or after a predefined cell value has been reached; and activating the pumping device to pump the wash liquor back into the receiving tank at the end of the cleaning program.

[0022] Although the approach described is based on a household appliance, the device described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small-scale sterilizer, a large-scale disinfector or a container washing system.

[0023] The approach presented here further provides a control device configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a control device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0024] The control device can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can, for example, represent a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the device. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control device. The control device can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control device can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and can, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component.

[0025] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or a control device, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment; Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a cleaning device according to an embodiment; and Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cleaning appliance 100 is embodied as a washing machine. The cleaning appliance 100 is designed to treat items 105 to be cleaned.

[0028] The cleaning device 100 comprises a cleaning container 110, a receiving container 115, at least one electrochemical cell device 120, a pump device 125, a control device 130, a housing 135, a line 140, optionally a filter unit 145, and optionally a dosing device 155. The pump device 125 is designed to pump wash liquor 150 stored in the receiving container 115 from the receiving container 115 via the line 140 into the receiving container 115. After completion of a cleaning process, the pump device 125 is designed to pump the wash liquor 150 drained from the receiving container 115 back into the receiving container 115. The electrochemical cell device 120 is used to process the wash liquor during the cleaning process and additionally or alternatively at the end of the cleaning program before the wash liquor 150 is pumped back into the receiving container 115.

[0029] The cleaning container 110, the pumping device 125, and the electrochemical cell device 120 are arranged within the housing 135. The receiving container 115 is also arranged within the housing 135. According to an alternative embodiment, the receiving container 115 is arranged outside the housing 135.

[0030] The receiving container 115 is configured to hold a wash liquor 150. The receiving container 115 is configured to store sufficient wash liquor 150 to perform a complete cleaning process for cleaning the items to be cleaned 105. According to one embodiment, the cleaning device 100 does not have a fresh water connection used to supply fresh water during the cleaning program, since sufficient wash liquor 150 is stored in the receiving container 115.

[0031] The pumping device 125 is designed to pump the wash liquor 150 from the receiving container 115 into the cleaning container 110 at the start of a cleaning program. The pumping device 125 is additionally designed to pump the wash liquor 150 through the electrochemical cell device 120 and to pump the wash liquor 150 back into the receiving container 115 when the cleaning program has ended or is about to end. The pumping device 125 consists, for example, of a pump. Depending on the exemplary embodiment, the pumping device 125 can have at least one further pump.

[0032] The cleaning container 110 is designed to receive the items to be cleaned 105. The cleaning container 110 has an inlet and an outlet. The pumping device 125 is designed to convey the wash liquor 150 for cleaning the items to be cleaned into the cleaning container 110 via the inlet. The wash liquor 150 can be drained from the cleaning container 110 via the outlet.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the filter unit 145 is arranged between the outlet of the cleaning tank 110 and the pumping device 125. The filter unit 145 is designed to filter coarse dirt from the wash liquor 150 before the wash liquor 150 is pumped back into the receiving tank 115 or the cleaning tank 110 by the pumping device 125.

[0034] Line 140 is configured to connect pump device 125 to the inlet of cleaning tank 110. According to one embodiment, electrochemical cell device 120 is arranged on line 140. This allows washing liquor 150 to be treated before washing liquor 105 enters cleaning tank 110 via the inlet.

[0035] The electrochemical cell device 120 is designed to process the wash liquor 150. The electrochemical cell device 120 is embodied, for example, as a boron-doped diamond electrode.

[0036] On boron-doped diamond electrodes, exclusively hydroxyl radicals are formed through water electrolysis. The produced hydroxyl radicals are used for industrial wastewater treatment. Hydroxyl radicals cause cold combustion of organic substances. This occurs with all organic compounds dissolved in water. The high oxidation potential of the hydroxyl radicals, which trigger this material transformation with the highest current efficiencies, is responsible for this comprehensive range of effects. For the treatment of wash liquor 150, hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) are required. Due to their high oxidation potential of 2.8 volts, they can oxidatively degrade almost all organic pollutants. The hydroxyl radicals are generated directly from water on boron-doped diamond electrodes. The boron-doped diamond electrode has special material properties that other known electrode materials do not have.For example, only a boron-doped diamond electrode generates hydroxyl radicals without oxygen being formed at the anode. This is due to the high overpotential of the boron-doped diamond electrode of 2.8 volts compared to a standard hydrogen electrode for the decomposition of water.

[0037] According to one embodiment, functions of the pump device 125 and the cell device 120 are controlled using the control device 130. For this purpose, the control device 130 is configured to provide a pump signal 165, which controls the operation of the pump device 125. Furthermore, the control device 130 is configured to provide a cell signal 170, which enables the operation of the cell device 120. For this purpose, the control device 130 is connected to the pump device 125 and the cell device 120 in a signal-transmitting manner.

[0038] The dosing device 155 is configured to dose a cleaning agent into the wash liquor 150 or directly into the cleaning container 110 in response to a dosing signal 160, which is optionally provided by the control device 130. For this purpose, the control device 130 is connected to the dosing device 155 in a signal-transmitting manner.

[0039] In Figure 1The start of a washing process is shown in which the cleaning container 110 of the cleaning device 100 is filled with the washing solution 150. The receiving container 115 is therefore still almost completely filled with the washing solution 150. The pumping device 125 is switched on and pumps the washing solution 150 from the receiving container 115 through the line 140 to the inlet of the cleaning container 110. This moistens the items to be cleaned 105. According to one embodiment, the washing solution 150 flows through the cell device 120 arranged on the line 150. The cell device 120 is optionally still deactivated, since treatment of the washing solution 150 taken directly from the receiving container 115 is not required.

[0040] The control device 130 is configured to provide the pump signal 165 to start the cleaning program in order to activate the pumping device 125 to pump the wash liquor 150. The wash liquor 150 is pumped by the pumping device 125 from the receiving container 115 via the line 140 to the inlet of the cleaning container 110.

[0041] Optionally, the control device 130 is designed to provide the dosing signal 160 to start the cleaning program in order to activate the dosing device 155 for dosing the cleaning agent.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment. This is, for example, the device shown in Figure 1 described cleaning device 100 or a similar cleaning device.

[0043] In Figure 2The pumping device 125 is switched off. A portion of the wash liquor 150 is absorbed by the items to be cleaned 105. For example, a washing process is carried out with a residual moisture content of the items to be cleaned 105 of 200 percent. This means that one kilogram of dry items to be cleaned 105 contains 2 liters of wash liquor 150.

[0044] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment. This is, for example, the device shown in Figure 1 and 2 described cleaning device 100 or a similar cleaning device.

[0045] In Figure 3 The pumping device 125 is activated, for example, to perform a rinsing process. Additional wash liquor 150 is pumped from the receiving tank 115 into the cleaning tank 110.

[0046] In addition, wash liquor 150 exiting the outlet of the cleaning tank 110 is pumped via line 140 to the inlet of the cleaning tank 110 and thus back into the cleaning tank 110 during a recirculation process, which may correspond to the rinsing process or be performed in addition to the rinsing process. For this purpose, the control device 130 provides the pump signal 165 during the recirculation process of the cleaning program to activate the pumping device 125 for pumping the wash liquor 150. The pumping device 125 pumps the wash liquor 150 from the outlet of the cleaning tank 110 via line 140 to the inlet of the cleaning tank 110.

[0047] During the rinsing process and / or the recirculation process of the cleaning program, the control device 130 provides the cell signal 170 to activate the cell device 120 to prepare the wash liquor 150. The wash liquor 150 is passed through the cell device 120 as it flows through the line 140. In the process, the wash liquor 150 is prepared. According to one embodiment, this recirculation process is repeated until a predefined cell value is reached in the cell device 120. The cell value can correspond to a degree of soiling of the wash liquor 150.

[0048] After the rinsing process and / or the recirculation process and, for example, after reaching the predefined cell value, the control device 130 provides the cell signal 170 to switch off the cell device 120 for processing the wash liquor 150. Subsequently, a spinning process and a pumping out of the wash liquor 150 are started, see Figure 4 .

[0049] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment. This is, for example, the device shown in Figures 1 to 3 described cleaning device 100 or a similar cleaning device.

[0050] In Figure 4 The pumping device 125 is activated. The items to be cleaned 105 are spun in the cleaning container 110 until the desired residual moisture level is reached. At the same time, the spun-out wash liquor 150 is pumped back into the receiving container 125. For this purpose, the control device 130 provides the pumping signal 165 at the end of the cleaning program to activate the pumping device 125 to pump the wash liquor 150. The pumping device 125 pumps the wash liquor 150 from the outlet of the cleaning container 110 back into the receiving container 115. The wash liquor 150 returns to the receiving container 115 in a treated state and can be reused for the next cleaning process.

[0051] The above-mentioned embodiments are briefly explained below with reference to the figures described above.

[0052] The water consumption of a cleaning appliance per wash cycle is reduced to a maximum of one-third of that of a current cleaning appliance. This means that for a typical household load of approximately 4 kilograms of laundry, less than 17 liters of water are required, rather than 50 liters. Ideally, no more water is required than is removed from the cleaning appliance 100 with the spun-out laundry 105. With a residual moisture content of 50%, this would be 2 liters of water. This could even be recovered in a washer-dryer with heat pump technology. Due to the low water consumption, stand-alone washing machines could also be manufactured that do not require a water inlet and outlet.

[0053] The cleaning appliance 100 presented here, which can also be referred to as a washing machine or washer-dryer, has a receiving container 115, which can also be referred to as a water tank, capable of storing at least twice, but no more than ten times, the nominal load of the cleaning appliance 100. Three to five times the nominal load is particularly preferred. In addition, the cleaning appliance 100 has a pumping device 125, which can also be referred to as a lye circulation system or recirculation system for circulating the wash liquor 150, and preferably also a dosing device 155, which can also be referred to as an automatic dosing device for detergent. Furthermore, downstream of the pumping device 125, an electrochemical cell device 120 with, for example, boron-doped diamond electrodes is integrated in the recirculation circuit. These electrodes are capable of performing an "Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Process - EAOP."This means completely mineralizing organic water constituents and thus treating and / or cleaning the wash liquor 150 and removing micropollutants such as microplastics. To remove coarse dirt from the wash liquor 150, a filter unit 145 is preferably installed upstream of the pumping device 125.

[0054] An inventive sequence of a cleaning program is as follows: The items to be cleaned 105 are placed in the cleaning container 110, which can also be referred to as a textile treatment chamber. After starting the selected cleaning program, the wash liquor 150 is added via the pump device 125 of the receiving container 115. Subsequently, the circulation pump is started and the cleaning agent, which can also be referred to as detergent, is metered. The desired moisture content of the items to be cleaned for the cleaning process is then set, followed by the execution of the selected cleaning program. Subsequently, the desired residual moisture content for the rinsing process is set and the electrochemical cell device 120 is switched on to clean the wash liquor 150. When a defined end value is reached, the electrochemical cell device 120 is switched off. The circulation pump is then switched off.In the next step, the wash liquor 150 in the receiving container 115 is pumped out, and the items to be cleaned 105 are spun to the desired residual moisture level while simultaneously pumping the wash liquor 150 into the receiving container 115. The cleaning process is then terminated. In washer-dryers, the items to be cleaned 105 are optionally dried to the desired level of dryness while simultaneously pumping the wash liquor into the receiving container 115. The items to be cleaned 105 are then removed.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for treating items to be cleaned using a cleaning appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 500 can be carried out, for example, using a cleaning appliance and a control device as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0056] Method 500 includes a step 505 of activating the pumping device. Step 505 is performed at the beginning of the cleaning program to pump the wash liquor from the receiving tank via the line to the inlet of the cleaning tank.

[0057] Method 500 also includes a step 510 of activating the cell device. Step 510 is performed during a recirculation process of the cleaning program to prepare the wash liquor.

[0058] Furthermore, method 500 includes a step 515 of deactivating the cell device. Step 515 is executed after the recirculation process of the cleaning program and additionally or alternatively after a predefined cell value is reached in order to deactivate the cell device.

[0059] Method 500 additionally includes a step 520 for activating the pumping device. Step 520 is performed at the end of the cleaning program to pump the wash liquor back into the receiving container.

[0060] If the cleaning device has a drying mode for drying the cleaned items, according to one embodiment, water vapor generated during drying is condensed and the resulting condensate is returned to the receiving container.

[0061] According to one embodiment, method 500 is executed when a user selects and starts a cleaning program. Method 500 is executed again if a user selects and starts the cleaning program or another cleaning program at a later time, for example, the next day. Advantageously, it is not necessary to supply the cleaning device with fresh water from an external source for the renewed execution of method 500, since the same wash liquor that was pumped back into the receiving container during the previous execution of method 500 can be used for the renewed execution of method 500. Thus, the cleaning device can be operated independently with regard to the required water over a long period of time, for example, over several weeks and / or across a plurality of executed cleaning programs.

[0062] Figure 6shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device 100 according to a further embodiment. This is, for example, the one shown in Figure 1 described cleaning device 100, with the difference that the cleaning device 100 has a further receiving container 615. The pumping device 125 is designed in this case to initially pump the washing solution into the further receiving container 615 at the end of a cleaning program. For example, the washing solution is then pumped from the further receiving container 615 via a further electrochemical cell device 620 into the receiving container 115 and is thereby processed. When a cleaning program is subsequently restarted, the processed washing solution stored in the receiving container 115 is removed from the receiving container 115 and used for cleaning as described with reference to the preceding figures.

[0063] In this case, the further electrochemical cell device 620 is arranged on a supply line for supplying the wash liquor to the further receiving container 615 or on a discharge line for discharging the wash liquor from the further receiving container 615 into the receiving container 115. At the end of the cleaning program, the pump signal 165 is provided to activate the pump device 125 in order to pump the wash liquor from the outlet of the cleaning container 110 into the further receiving container 615 and to pump the wash liquor from the further receiving container 615 into the receiving container 115. For this purpose, the pump device 125 has, for example, two separate pumps.

[0064] According to this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning process can be carried out separately from the water treatment. For this purpose, the washing solution, which can also be referred to as process water, is pumped immediately after the cleaning process into the internal or external receiving container 615, which can also be referred to as the process water tank. After the cleaning process has been completed and the items to be cleaned 105 have been removed, the washing solution is fed to the further electrochemical cell device 620 for cleaning. The cleaned washing solution is then pumped back into the receiving container 115, which can also be referred to as the storage container, and is available for the next cleaning process. The downstream water treatment has the advantage that the time required for this is not extended during the cleaning process.

[0065] The control device 130 is configured, for example, to activate the further electrochemical cell device 620 via a further cell signal 670. In this case, the electrochemical cell device 120 can be omitted.

Claims

1. Cleaning device (100) for treating items to be cleaned (105), the cleaning device (100) having the following features: a cleaning container (110) for receiving the items to be cleaned (105), the cleaning container (110) having an inlet and an outlet for a washing solution (150); a receiving container (115) for receiving the washing solution (150); at least one electrochemical cell device (120) designed to prepare the washing solution (150); a pumping device (125), the pumping device (125) being designed to pump the washing solution (150) from the receiving container (115) into the cleaning container (110), to pump the washing solution (150) through the electrochemical cell device (120) and to pump the washing solution (150) back into the receiving container (115); a control apparatus (130) which, in order to control a sequence of a cleaning program, is designed to provide a pump signal (165) for controlling an operation of the pumping device (125) and a cell signal (170) for controlling an operation of the cell device (120); and a line (140) which is designed to connect the pumping device (125) to the inlet of the cleaning container (110), the at least one electrochemical cell device (120) being arranged on the line (140), the control apparatus (130) being designed to provide a pump signal (165) for activating the pumping device (125) for pumping the washing solution (150) from the receiving container (115) via the line (140) to the inlet of the cleaning container (110) at the start of the cleaning program, to provide a pump signal (165) for activating the pumping device (125) for pumping the washing solution (150) from the outlet via the line (140) to the inlet of the cleaning container (110) during a recirculation process of the cleaning program, and to provide a pump signal (165) for activating the pumping device (125) for pumping the washing solution (150) back into the receiving container (115) at the end of the cleaning program, and characterised in that the control apparatus (130) is designed to provide a cell signal (170) for switching off the cell device (120) after the recirculation process of the cleaning program and after reaching a predefined cell value.

2. Cleaning device (100) according to claim 1, comprising a housing (135), wherein the cleaning container (110), the pumping device (125) and the electrochemical cell device (120) are arranged within the housing (135) and wherein the receiving container (115) is arranged within the housing (135) or outside the housing (135).

3. Cleaning device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell device (120) is formed as a boron-doped diamond electrode.

4. Cleaning device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a filter unit (145) arranged between the outlet of the cleaning container (110) and the pumping device (125).

5. Cleaning device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus (130) is designed to provide, during the recirculation process of the cleaning program, a cell signal (170) for activating the cell device (120) in order to prepare the washing solution (150).

6. Cleaning device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a further receiving container (615), wherein the pumping device (125) is designed to pump the washing solution (150) from the outlet of the cleaning container (110) into the further receiving container (615) and from the further receiving container (615) into the receiving container (115), wherein a further electrochemical cell device (620) is arranged on a supply line for supplying the washing solution (150) into the further receiving container (615) or on a discharge line for discharging the washing solution (150) from the further receiving container (615).

7. Cleaning device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the control apparatus (130) is designed to provide, at the end of the cleaning program, a pump signal (165) for activating the pumping device (125) for pumping the washing solution (150) from the outlet of the cleaning container (110) into the further receiving container (615) and from the further receiving container (615) into the receiving container (115).

8. Method (500) for treating items to be cleaned (105) using a cleaning device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: Activating (505) the pumping device (125) in order to pump the washing solution (150) from the receiving container (115) via the line (140) to the inlet of the cleaning container (110) at the start the cleaning program; Activating (510) the cell device in order to prepare the washing solution (150) during a recirculation process of the cleaning program; Deactivating (515) the cell device in order to deactivate the cell device after the recirculation process of the cleaning program and / or after reaching a predefined cell value; and Activating (520) the pumping device (125) in order to pump the washing solution (150) back into the receiving container (115) at the end of the cleaning program.

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