Device for heating process water for a water-carrying household appliance for the care of laundry items, and household appliance having such a device

Abstract

A device for heating process water for a water-carrying household appliance is provided. The device stores thermal energy surrounding the device and transfers the thermal energy to the process water. The device is a latent heat energy store having a heat exchanger with a storage medium and a working medium. The storage medium stores the thermal energy and the temperature of a phase transition of the working medium is set between 20° C. and 22° C.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A device for heating process water for a water-carrying household appliance, the device to store thermal energy surrounding the device and to transfer the thermal energy to the process water, wherein the device is a latent heat energy store comprising a heat exchanger with a storage medium and a working medium, wherein the storage medium stores the thermal energy, and wherein a temperature of a phase transition of the working medium is set between 20° C. and 22° C. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the water-carrying household appliance is a household appliance for care of laundry items. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is connected to a water supply network and to the water-carrying household appliance. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the device accommodates a quantity of the process water that is necessary for at least one of a wash program and a rinse program. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the quantity of the process water is at least 10 liters. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the device transfers absorbed thermal energy to the process water in a deactivated phase of the water-carrying household appliance. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a container to accommodate the process water and to absorb the thermal energy. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the container has a wound flow channel. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the wound flow channel is a serpentine flow channel. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the container has an inner wall and a plurality of dividing walls that form the flow channel. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein a plurality of valves are arranged at at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the device. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the container has an inlet and an outlet, and wherein a plurality of valves are arranged at at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the container. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein one side of the device has a thermal insulator. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , further comprising a container to accommodate the process water and to absorb the thermal energy, and wherein the thermal insulator has a thermal insulation layer on the inside of the container. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the device is external in relation to the water-carrying household appliance. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the container is external in relation to the water-carrying household appliance. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the device is in a built-in furniture unit. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the device is integrated in the built-in furniture unit. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the thermal insulator is on a side facing the household appliance. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is integrated in a worktop, and wherein the household appliance is installed below the worktop. 
     
     
         39 . A water-carrying household appliance, comprising a device for heating process water, the device to store thermal energy surrounding the device and to transfer the thermal energy to the process water, wherein the device is a latent heat energy store having a heat exchanger with a storage medium and a working medium, wherein the storage medium stores the thermal energy, and wherein a temperature of a phase transition of the working medium is set between 20° C. and 22° C. 
     
     
         40 . The water-carrying household appliance of  claim 39 , further comprising a worktop, wherein the device is integrated in the worktop.