Household apparatus using a liquid, comprising a purifying system of the type in which at least a substance must be removed form said liquid

Abstract

Household apparatus using a fluid, comprising a purifying system in which at least a substance must be removed from at least a portion of said fluid, said system comprising: an electrochemical, electro-dialysis or electro-osmosis cell ( 20 ); collecting means (P,S,AC) of said fluid; controlling means (SCE). According to the invention, recycle means are provided ( 12,22,23,15,21,24 ), to realize a substantially closed circuit and/or continuous circulation of said fluid between the collecting means (P,S) and said cell ( 20 ), until a preset purifying value of the fluid is reached.

1 . A household apparatus using a fluid, comprising a purifying or treatment system of the type in which at least a substance must be removed from at least a portion of said fluid, in particular a water softening system, said system comprising at least an electrochemical, electro-dialysis or electro-osmosis cell, with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and at least a permeable separation element, 
 further comprising    it provides: 
 a first type of separation element, of the ion exchange element type, being permeable to at least a first substance to be removed from at least a portion of said fluid,  
 a second type of separation element, of the ion exchange type, not being permeable to said first substance and permeable to at least a second substance,  
 a plurality of channels delimited between said electrodes and/or said separation elements,  
 first collecting means of a portion of said fluid from which said substance must be extracted or the fluid to be purified,  
 second collecting means of a portion of said fluid provided to receive said first substance or the fluid to be contaminated,  
 means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means (P, S, AC) for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid,  
 circulation means for obtaining a substantially closed circuit and/or a continuous circulation of said fluid between said collecting means and said channels of said cell for purifying at least a part of the fluid,  
 controlling means comprising at least one electronic controller, and receiving information from said means, for controlling at least said cell and the fluid circulation until a preset purifying value of said fluid is reached.  
   
   
   
       2 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, comprise: 
 first sensing means located in said first collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, and/or    second sensing means located in said second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid.    
   
   
       3 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow speed of the fluid in the said channels is changed by the control means based on measurements performed according to predetermined algorithms or data tables.  
   
   
       4 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the said water softening system is all or partly integrated in one device in particular made of thermo-plastic material.  
   
   
       5 . A household apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first collecting means are hydraulically connected upstream said cell, being apt to receive the fluid to be purified before its flowing in said cell.  
   
   
       6 . A household apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said second collecting means are hydraulically connected upstream said cell, being apt to receive the fluid to be contaminated before its flowing in said cell.  
   
   
       7 . A household apparatus according to  claim 3 , comprising first dosing or measuring means of the quantity or features of the fluid to be purified being supplied to said first collecting means (P).  
   
   
       8 . A household apparatus according to  claim 4 , comprising second dosing or measuring means of the quantity or features of said fluid ontaminated being supplied to said second collecting means.  
   
   
       9 . A household apparatus according to claims  3 , wherein said channels comprise: 
 one or more first channels, in which said fluid to be purified will flow, said first channels being delimited by a first type of separating element and a second type of spearating element;    two or more second channels, in which a fluid will flow, which is provided to receive said first substance to be removed from the fluid to be purified flowing in the first channels, or fluid to be contaminated, each one of said second channels being delimited by a first type of separating element and a second type of separating element or extending between one of said electrodes and one of said separating elements.    
   
   
       10 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said first type of separating element is a cationic ion exchange membrane.  
   
   
       11 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second type of separatin element is an anionic ion exchange membrane.  
   
   
       12 . A household apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said first collecting means are hydraulically connected to said first channels and said second collecting means are hydraulically connected to said second channels.  
   
   
       13 . A household apparatus according to  claim 12 , comprising first circulation means for obtaining said continuous circulation of said fluid to be purified between said first collecting means and said first channels.  
   
   
       14 . A household apparatus according to  claim 12 , comprising second circulation means for obtaining said continuous circulation of said fluid to be contaminated between said second collecting means and said second and/or third channels.  
   
   
       15 . A household apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said control means operate for activating said first circulating means and/or said second circulation means concurrently to generation of said electric field between said electrodes.  
   
   
       16 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means for reversing periodically the polarity of said electrodes.  
   
   
       17 . A household apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said control means operate for reversing the functions of said first collecting means and said second collecting means, so as to collect said fluid to be contaminated in said first collecting means and collect said fluid to be purified in said second collecting means, and that the fluid to be contaminated is circulated in said first channels and the fluid to be purified is circulated in said second channels.  
   
   
       18 . A household apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said control means operate for changing the dosage of the amount of said fluid to be contaminated in the respective collecting means, depending on the initial contents of said first substance in the inlet fluid to the household apparatus.  
   
   
       19 . A household apparatus according to at  claim 1 , wherein said control means operate for controlling and maintain the flow-rate of the fluid at a preset value in the course of said continuous circulation.  
   
   
       20 . A household apparatus according to claims  1 , wherein said control means operate for controlling and change the flow-rate of the fluid during said continuous circulation, in particular according to preset or calculated values.  
   
   
       21 . A household apparatus according to at  claim 1 , comprising pre-treatment means of the fore its flowing in said cell.  
   
   
       22 . A household apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said pre-treatment means comprise filtering means and/or decanting means of the fluid.  
   
   
       23 . A household apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said pre-treatment means comprise disinfecting means of the fluid.  
   
   
       24 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means operate for changing the conditions and/or duration of said continuous circulation.  
   
   
       25 . A household apparatus according to claims  3 , wherein said control means operate for using the same fluid to be contaminated for a pluraltiy of purifying processes, or for the treatment purposes of a plurality of amounts of fluid to be purified.  
   
   
       26 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means (SCE) operate for reversing the fluid flow in said cell and/or obtain a counter-current washing of said channels and/or said electrodes and said separating elements.  
   
   
       27 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means operate for changing the value of said voltage and/or electric current.  
   
   
       28 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means operate for changing the supply procedures of said electrodes in the frame of one same purifying process.  
   
   
       29 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising sensing means for detecting the room temperature in proximity of said cell and/or of the fluid to be purified, in order to change the operating parameters of said cell.  
   
   
       30 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising sensing means for detecting the features of said fluid, in particular its “quantitative” features, such as flow-rate, pressure, level, temperature, and/or its “qualitative” or chemical or electrochemical features, such as conductivity, hardness degree, acidity degree or pH.  
   
   
       31 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising an additional and/or independent circulation circuit for a washing solution or fluid of said electrodes or of said channels.  
   
   
       32 . A household apparatus according to the  claim 31 , wherein the second channels extending between one of said electrodes and one of said separating elements are hydraulically connected to each other, in particular in parallel.  
   
   
       33 . A household apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the separating elements, which delimit the second channels comprising said electrodes are of the same type.  
   
   
       34 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the separating elements, which delimit the second channels comprising said electrodes are of said first type, in particular cationic.  
   
   
       35 . A household apparatus according to the 33, wherein the separating elements, which delimit the second channels comprising said electrodes are of the cationic type selective to univalent ions.  
   
   
       36 . A household apparatus according to  claim 31 , comprising means for a likely topping up and/or replacement at regular intervals of said washing solution or fluid of said electrodes or channels.  
   
   
       37 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for changing the times and/or values of the electric voltage supply of said electrodes depending on the conductivity degree of the fluid, in order to reach said preset purification value.  
   
   
       38 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means operate for regulating the electric current circulating in said cell and/or prevent an electric current exceeding a preset limit.  
   
   
       39 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means are integrated with, or part of, or connected to the control system of the household apparatus.  
   
   
       40 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means are programmed for actuating in a diversified manner said purification or treatment system depending on the operating cycles of the household apparatus.  
   
   
       41 . A household apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means are programmed for controlling the operation of all actuating means or detecting means of the household apparatus.  
   
   
       42 . A treatment or purification method of a fluid, realized in a household apparatus, of the type in which at least a substance must be removed from at least a portion of said fluid, in particular a water softening method, where is provided the use of an electrochemical, electro-dialysis or electro-osmosis cell, with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and at least a permeable separation element, 
 comprising: 
 a first type of separation element, of the ion exchange element type, being permeable to at least a first substance to be removed from at least a portion of said fluid,  
 a second type of separation element, of the ion exchange type, not being permeable to said first substance and permeable to at least a second substance,  
 a plurality of channels delimited between said electrodes and/or said separation elements,  
 first collecting means of a portion of said fluid from which said substance must be extracted or the fluid to be purified,  
 second collecting means of a portion of said fluid provide to receive said first substance or the fluid to be contaminated,  
 means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid,  
 circulation means for obtaining a substantially closed circuit and/or a continuous circulation of said fluid between said collecting means and said channels of said cell for purifying at least a part of the fluid,  
 controlling means comprising at least one electronic controller, and receiving information from said means for controlling at least said cell and the fluid circulation until a preset purifying value of said fluid is reached.  
   
   
   
       43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, comprise: 
 first sensing means located in said first collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, and/or    second sensing means located in said second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid.    
   
   
       44 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising dosage and collection in a first containers of a first quantity of said fluid or fluid to be purified, from which said first substance must be extracted.  
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising dosage and collection in a second container of a second quantity of said fluid or fluid to be contaminated, to which said first substance has to be added  
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising detection of features or of the purification value of the fluid treated by said cell.  
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said fluid comes from a water main connected to the household apparatus, said fluid being in particular water.  
   
   
       48 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising detection of features of the fluid supplied to said collecting means and/or to said cell and/or of the inlet fluid to the household apparatus.  
   
   
       49 . A method according to claims  45  wherein said second quantity of fluid is calculated depending on the contents of said first substance in said inlet fluid to the household apparatus and/or in said fluid to be contaminated.  
   
   
       50 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the fluid will not be purified should the contents of said first substance in said utilized fluid be lower than said preset purification value.  
   
   
       51 . A method according to claims  44  wherein said fluid to be purified and said fluid to be contaminated are pre-treated and/or filtered and/or disinfected and/or decanted before flowing in said cell or before the purification process.  
   
   
       52 . A method according to claims  44  and wherein said fluid to be purified is circulated in first channels of said cell and said fluid to be contaminated is circulated in second channels of said cell.  
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the fluid flow-rate during said continuous circulation is constantly maintained at preset values.  
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the fluid flow-rate during said continuous circulation is changed.  
   
   
       55 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said fluid flows through said channels from the bottom upwards.  
   
   
       56 . A method according to at least one of  claim 42 , wherein said continous circulation is performed for a preset period of time.  
   
   
       57 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the duration of said continuous circulation is variable according to preset or calculated values, in particular depending on the contents of said substance in said inlet fluid.  
   
   
       58 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said preset purification value is variable in the frame of one same operation cycle of the household apparatus, in particular according to the function that said purified fluid has to perform during the cycle.  
   
   
       59 . A method according to  claim 44 , wherein the same fluid to be contaminated is used for a plurality of purification processes, i.e. for treatment purposes of a plurality of said first fluid quantites.  
   
   
       60 . A method according to  claim 44 , wherein upon reaching said preset purification value, the purified fluid is conveyed to a tub of the household apparatus, in particular for executing hot wash steps.  
   
   
       61 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the contaminated fluid is discharged from the household apparatus without being utilized by the latter.  
   
   
       62 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the contaminated fluid is utilized during an operation cycle of the household apparatus.  
   
   
       63 . A method according to  claim 62 , wherein the contaminated fluid is conveyed to a tub of the household apparatus, in particular for executing cold wash steps.  
   
   
       64 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising counter-current washing of said channels and/or said electrodes.  
   
   
       65 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said voltage and/or current has a constant value.  
   
   
       66 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein said voltage and/or current has a value.  
   
   
       67 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the supply procedures of said electrodes are changed in the frame of one same purification process.  
   
   
       68 . A method according to the  claim 42 , comprising polarity reversal of said electrodes at regular intervals.  
   
   
       69 . A method according to  claim 68 , wherein said polarity reversal or a fixed time at the end of each single purification process.  
   
   
       70 . A method according to the  claim 68 , comprising polarity reversals during one same purification process.  
   
   
       71 . A method according to  claim 52 , comprising functions reversal of at least said first and second container (P,S), so as to collect said fluid to be contaminated in said first container and collect said fluid to be purified in said second container, and that the fluid to be contaminated is circulated in said first channels and the fluid to be purified is circulated in said second channels.  
   
   
       72 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein the times and/or the values of the electric supply voltage of said electrodes are variable depending on the conductivity degree of the fluid, in order to reach said preset purification value.  
   
   
       73 . A method according to  claim 42 , comprising suction of the gases produced inside said cell.  
   
   
       74 . A method according to  claim 68 , comprising detection of the room temperature in proximity of said cell and/or of the fluid to be purified, in order to change the operation parameters of said cell.  
   
   
       75 . A treatment or purification system of a fluid for household apparatus, according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       76 . A control system for household apparatus, according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       77 . A control method for household apparatus, according to  claim 42 .  
   
   
       78 . A purification or treatment system of a fluid, comprised in a household apparatus, of the type in which at least a substance must be removed from at least a portion of said fluid, in particular a water softening system, said system comprising at least an electrochemical, electro-dialysis or electro-osmosis cell, with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and at least a permeable separation element, 
 comprising: 
 a first type of separation element, of the ion exchange element type, being permeable to at least a first substance to be removed from at least a portion of said fluid,  
 a second type of separation element, of the ion exchange type, not being permeable to said first substance and permeable to at least a second substance,  
 a plurality of channels delimited between said electrodes and/or said separation elements,  
 first collecting means of a portion of said fluid from which said substance must be extracted or the fluid to be purified,  
 second collecting means of a portion of said fluid provide to receive said first substance or the fluid to be contaminated,  
 means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid,  
 circulation means for obtaining a substantially closed circuit and/or a continuous circulation of said fluid between said collecting means and said channels of said cell for purifying at least a part of the fluid,  
 controlling means comprising at least one electronic controller, and receiving information from said means for controlling at least said cell and the fluid circulation until a preset purifying value of said fluid is reached.  
   
   
   
       79 . A treatment or purification system acacording to  claim 78 , wherein said means in association with at least said first and/or second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, comprise: 
 first sensing means located in said first collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid, and/or    second sensing means located in said second collecting means for detecting the features of at least a part of the fluid.