Washing Machine Steam Generator Descaling Through Preheated Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines with steam generating devices face significant issues with calcification, leading to reduced service life due to lime scale residues forming in the steam generator, making removal difficult and potentially rendering the unit unusable.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses almost lime-free water heated by the washing machine's heating device to generate steam, allowing for the omission of an intermediate storage tank and incorporating a descaling program with a descaling agent to prevent calcification in the steam generation unit, enabling simultaneous decalcification of both the heating element and steam generation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steam generating device is fed directly from the fresh water supply, then steam can be generated for laundry treatment, but considerable limescale residues form in the steam generator over time
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into different sources: fresh water supply for the tub and separate lime-free water supply for the steam generator. This segmentation allows each component to receive water appropriate to its function, preventing limescale formation in the steam generator while maintaining normal washing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A water conduit system acts as an intermediary between the water supply sources and the steam generator. The conduit selectively directs lime-free water to the steam generator, mediating the water delivery to prevent calcification while allowing regular fresh water to be used for washing.
2Reliability
If an intermediate storage tank is used for fresh water, then steam generation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water conduit system serves multiple functions: it supplies water to both the tub and steam generator, selectively directs lime-free water to the steam generator, and can be integrated with existing washing machine water supply systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage tanks while maintaining steam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water supply functions for the tub and steam generator into a single integrated conduit system. By combining these functions and utilizing the existing water supply infrastructure, the design eliminates redundant components like intermediate storage tanks while ensuring reliable steam generation.
3Reliability
If lime-free water is supplied to the steam generator, then calcification is prevented, but water consumption from fresh supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by employing a descaling program that periodically treats the water with descaling agents. This periodic treatment prevents calcification accumulation over time, allowing the use of regular fresh water supply while maintaining steam generator reliability without continuous increased water consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively prevents calcification in the steam generation unit, extending its service life and allowing for efficient steam treatment of laundry while maintaining the steam generation system's functionality without structural changes.
Implementation Method 1
the heating device (6) has heated up the water
Implementation Method 2
the water which has flowed into a storage tank is heated by a heating device for the purpose of generating steam
Implementation Method 3
the lime dissolved in the water can precipitate after the water has been heated and condense on heating devices
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine (1), in particular a drum-type washing machine, which comprises a washing drum (5) for accommodating the laundry to be washed, a supply device for fresh water (2), a suds container (4) for accommodating the washing and rinsing water, a heating device (6) for heating up the washing and rinsing water in the tub (4), a steam generating device (7) for supplying steam to the washing drum (5), a pumping device (10) for pumping out the service water after the end of the Washing process, a water level sensor (13) for regulating and controlling the water levels provided according to the program in the machine, and a program control device (14) for controlling the washing programs and program sequences. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the steam generating device (7) is fed with water for generating steam, which has been heated by the heating device (6) arranged in the tub (4) to at least a temperature which is sufficient to prevent the precipitation of hardening images dissolved in the water, especially limescale. This prevents excessive calcification of the steam generating device (7). At the same time, a decalcification program can remove any limescale residues in the system.