WO2023001570A1 - Domestic appliance for dispensing liquid and having a coupled water-dispensing flushing mode, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) for dispensing liquid, having a dispensing unit (2) which is intended for dispensing liquid and is a sanitary fitting, wherein a flushing mode is a combined water-dispensing flushing mode, in which the connection line (7) and the conditioning line (9) of the domestic appliance (1) are fluidically coupled and in which water from the water network (6) is conducted by the connection line (7) to the dispensing unit (2) and is dispensed from the dispensing unit (2), wherein a fraction of the water conducted in the connection line (7) in the water-dispensing flushing mode is fed, in the form of flushing liquid, to the conditioning line (9) in order to flush at least the conditioning line (9), at least in certain regions. One aspect also concerns a method.

Description

Household liquid dispensing appliance with a coupled water dispensing flushing mode, and method

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for dispensing liquid. The household appliance has a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid. This output unit is a sanitary fitting. The household appliance also has a connection device for connecting the household appliance to a water network external to the appliance. The connection device has at least one connection line with which water can be routed from the water network to the dispensing unit. The household appliance also has a water conditioning device that is separate from the connection device and with which water supplied from the water network external to the appliance can be conditioned. the

The water conditioning device has at least one conditioning line, with which conditioned, in particular temperature-controlled, water can be routed to the dispensing unit. The conditioning line is a separate line from the connection line. The household appliance has a flushing mode for flushing the at least one conditioning line. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating such a household appliance.

Liquid treatment systems used in a home are well known in the art. For example, a sanitary fitting for tapping water is known from DE 102013002857 A1.

A device for dispensing water is also known from DE 10 2008 006 255 A1. There, too, the device has a fitting body as the output unit, which represents a sanitary fitting and thus a water tap.

In addition, DE 102017203 109 A1 discloses a household appliance for dispensing liquid with a drain line. The household appliance there has a connection device for connecting the household appliance to a water network external to the appliance. In addition, it has a water temperature control system that is separate from the connection device. The dispensing unit designed as a sanitary fitting can, in a first operating mode, output the water which is supplied from the water network via the connection device. It is also possible that, on the other hand, liquid from the water temperature control system can be dispensed via this dispensing unit in a second operating mode. A rinsing mode is also provided in this known household appliance. In this, no output via the output unit and thus via the sanitary fitting is possible. In the rinsing mode, at least a partial area of the water temperature control system is rinsed in order to be able to avoid the formation of germs and biofilms in the chilled water system of this water temperature control system.

Water dispenser systems that only have a single water tap or only a single sanitary fitting and through which tap water on the one hand and treated water on the other hand, which can also be referred to as conditioned water, can be dispensed, have at least two separate liquid-carrying lines. The reason for this is to be able to avoid the mixing of tap water and conditioned water when dispensing in different operating modes and to be able to offer the user virtually pure water. In addition, a safety aspect is the reason for this separation. Because it is to be avoided that, for example, very hot, for example almost boiling water, which is an example of conditioned water, remains in the provided pipe and a short time later, for example when washing your hands with tap water, this very hot water would then come into contact with the skin .

In known systems, these separate lines run closely parallel to one another, particularly in the sanitary fitting, and these separate lines meet directly in front of the particular aerator provided in the sanitary fitting, so that each of the waters guided therein ultimately flows through the same aerator. In some exemplary embodiments, the aerator is also preceded by a mixing chamber in which the water flow can calm down before the water flows out through the aerator. The separate lines lead into this mixing chamber. However, such a separation has the disadvantage with regard to hygienic aspects. Because if a user does not supply conditioned water via the water temperature control system to the dispensing unit for a longer period of time, for example days and weeks, or requests this, the water remains in the supply line of the water temperature control system to the output unit. It loses its freshness in this respect and it can also lead to nucleation in this standing water. Precisely when warm tap water is drawn via the other line, via which the fresh water is routed directly from the water network to the dispensing unit, the heat is also transferred proportionately to the line of the water temperature control system, which can further accelerate the effects mentioned.

With corresponding lines, however, it can also be provided that draining only provides a limited remedy, even if such unused water that has been discharged via the dispensing unit remains in the water temperature control system. The inner walls of these lines can remain wet even when empty. These damp inner walls and the remaining residual water can also contribute to the formation of germs.

It is the object of the present invention to create a household appliance for dispensing liquid and a method for operating such a household appliance, in which the formation of germs in a water temperature control system of this household appliance can be avoided in an improved manner.

This object is achieved by a household appliance and a method according to the independent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for dispensing liquid. The household appliance has a dispensing unit for dispensing liquid. This output unit is a sanitary fitting. The household appliance also has a connection device for connecting the household appliance to a water network external to the appliance. The connection device has at least one connection line with which water can be routed from the water network to the dispensing unit. The household appliance also has a water conditioning device that is separate from the connection device and with which water supplied from the water network external to the appliance can be conditioned. the

The water conditioning device has at least one conditioning line, with which conditioned, in particular temperature-controlled, water can be routed to the dispensing unit. The conditioning line is a separate line from the connection line. That Household appliance has a rinsing mode for rinsing the at least one conditioning line.

The rinsing mode of the home appliance is a coupled water-dispensing rinsing mode. In this water dispensing flush mode, the service line and the conditioning line are fluidly coupled. In this water output rinsing mode, water from the water network is routed to the output unit with the connection line and output from the output unit. A proportion of less than 100%, in particular less than 50%, of this water conducted in the connection line in the water dispensing flushing mode is fed to the conditioning line as flushing liquid in order to flush at least this conditioning line at least in sections at the same time as the remaining tap water is being dispensed at the dispensing unit. The water dispensing rinsing mode is therefore such a mode in which water is dispensed from the water network via the dispensing unit and, on the other hand, the same water that is pumped from the water network via the connection line is used to rinse the separate conditioning line at least in some areas with the same liquid medium supplied via the water network. So during a water dispensing mode of the household appliance, in which the water of the water network is pumped and dispensed in a defined manner via the specific connection line to the dispensing unit, a rinsing mode is also carried out by other components of the household appliance, namely at least in some areas at least the conditioning line of the water conditioning device. The same medium, namely this tap water from the water network, is also used for this purpose. A household appliance of this type creates a highly efficient system in order to be able to carry out the rinsing of the water conditioning device as required. The formation of nuclei in the water conditioning device is thus clearly avoided. It is therefore now also possible with the invention that not, as in the prior art, only one rinsing mode can be carried out in isolation, in that the household appliance cannot otherwise be used for water dispensing, but precisely in such a water dispensing mode in which desired and active then also water, namely the tap water from the water network, is actually dispensed via the output unit, at the same time the rinsing of this conditioning line is carried out and in this context exactly this tap water is used as a rinsing liquid. A water dispensing flush mode is a mode of operation that deliberately flushes the water conditioning device. In this context, accidental low and undefined water entry into a conditioning line is not a flushing mode that is carried out consciously and in a defined manner. In particular, the water-dispensing flushing mode is repeatable many times. In particular, it can be carried out in any dispensing mode in which water is routed directly from the water network to the dispensing unit. In particular, it is provided that at least 50% of the line length of the at least one conditioning line is flushed in a water dispensing flushing mode.

In one embodiment, the water conditioning device includes a drain valve. This water release valve is open in the water dispensing flush mode to fluidly couple the service line and the conditioning line. As a result, the portion of this water conducted in the connecting line in the water-dispensing flushing mode can then be supplied as flushing liquid to the conditioning line in order to flush at least the conditioning line at least in regions. This creates a highly efficient and highly functional coupling system. It is thereby made possible that in particular only in the situations in which this tap water from the water network is actually supposed to flow proportionally into the conditioning line, this also takes place and an extensive corresponding exchange of liquid media between the lines does not take place otherwise undesirably.

In one embodiment, the drain valve is located in a drain line of the water conditioning device. In one embodiment, the drain line is connected to the water conditioning line at an orifice. The flushing liquid can be discharged from the water conditioning device with the drain line. As already explained several times above, the rinsing liquid is the tap water from the water network, which is also dispensed via the dispensing unit in the water dispensing rinsing mode. With such a concept and the specific positioning of the drain valve, the flow path via the drain line is released as required. This is then also achieved due to the line arrangements and the flow mechanics that the drain line is released and thus only partially water from the Connection line can flow into the water conditioning line. In particular, this arrangement of the drain valve in the drain line also makes it possible for a flushing process to take place the entire way from the orifice via a partial area of the water conditioning line and the entire drain line.

In one embodiment, the drain valve is located in the dispensing unit. This is another alternate embodiment for positioning the dump valve. As a result, the drain valve and the opening of the connection line and the conditioning line can be positioned very locally.

In one embodiment, a valve is located in the water conditioning line upstream of the orifice. On the one hand, this enables conditioned water to be delivered to the dispensing unit by the water conditioning device in a dispensing operation and to be dispensed via the latter. On the other hand, this valve can be used to separate a section of the water conditioning line from another section of the water conditioning line. It is therefore also possible in this context that, in particular in the water dispensing flushing mode, only a specific part of the water conditioning line is flushed, which extends downstream of this valve and thus extends between the valve and the dispensing unit. The references to the arrangements upstream and downstream are to be understood as meaning that the directions of flow are in the dispensing mode of the water conditioning device. In this dispensing mode, the conditioned water flows from the water conditioning line toward the dispensing unit. In the light of this direction of flow, the term “upstream” on the one hand and the term “downstream” on the other are to be understood.

In one exemplary embodiment, the connecting lines and conditioning line are arranged in the dispensing unit such that they open into one another at an outlet point. In this way, the introduction of a portion of water from the connecting line into the conditioning line in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is carried out in the dispensing unit itself. In one embodiment, the water conditioning device has at least one additional line in which a valve is arranged. The additional line is available in addition to the conditioning line. In one exemplary embodiment, this valve is open at least temporarily in the water-dispensing flushing mode. In particular, the additional line runs between the drain line and the conditioning line. The additional line makes it possible to introduce conditioned water directly into the drain line. The additional line forms a sort of second option or a bypass, via which conditioned water that is also standing in the conditioning line can be routed from the conditioning line into the drain line in this water dispensing rinsing mode. This valve is advantageous precisely when such an additional line is present. This is because this valve in the additional line can then also be opened in the water dispensing flushing mode and flushed with the flushing liquid at the same time or in addition. With all the valves of the water conditioning device or the water temperature control system in the water dispensing flushing mode, a complete flushing of all line areas of this water conditioning device can thus take place.

In one embodiment, this additional line branches off from the conditioning line upstream of the valve.

In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the household appliance has a control unit with which at least the water-dispensing flushing mode can be set and controlled. As a result, the mode of operation of the household appliance is particularly efficient and can also be controlled automatically and electronically. In particular, the operating scenarios of the household appliance are made possible in a very flexible and varied manner. The setting of the different operating modes of the household appliance, in particular the water output rinsing mode, a different output mode in which only the tap water drawn from the water network is conveyed via the connection line to the output unit and output there, as well as a different conditioning mode in which only conditioned water is Water of the water conditioning device is conveyed to the output unit and is output via the output unit, this can be done very precisely and quickly. In particular, the household appliance has at least these three different ones operating modes. These can be set or activated individually by the control unit and controlled individually when activated.

In one embodiment, the proportion of water that flows into the conditioning line in the water dispensing flush mode is between one-third and one-tenth the amount of water that flows in the service line in the water dispensing flush mode upstream of the point at which water flows from the service line into the conditioning line . In particular, this proportion is between one fifth and one seventh. Particularly advantageous uses are possible through such a concrete formation of a ratio as to which proportion of the water flowing in the connecting line is to be branched off into the conditioning line in this water-dispensing flushing mode. On the one hand, it is achieved by the fact that sufficient rinsing liquid gets into the water conditioning device and therefore an efficient rinsing process can take place in it. On the other hand, this amount is not too large to reduce the water discharged from the dispensing unit in such a way that the user would subjectively perceive it as a trickle or unwanted "water loss".

It is therefore advantageous, in order to be able to carry out the flushing principle, as explained above, that the pressure drop at the dispensing unit, in particular at an aerator of this dispensing unit, at the conditioning line and also at a valve system that is preferably present in the water conditioning device is coordinated in such a way that that a certain percentage of the tap water does not flow out via the output unit, but branches off just in front of the output opening, in particular in the aerator, of the output unit in the direction of the conditioning line. The possible disadvantages are counteracted by the above-mentioned advantageous ratio.

In one embodiment, the water output flushing mode is activated, specifically only, when the output flow rate of water from the connection line at the output unit is greater than or equal to 3 liters/min and/or the water pressure in the connection line is greater than or equal to 5 bar. Provision can be made for the household appliance to have one or more sensors which can, on the one hand, detect the flow rate and/or the water pressure in the connecting line. In particular, these sensors can be connected to the control unit. The information collected can then be transmitted to and from the control unit be evaluated. Depending on this, the water output rinsing mode can then be activated or deactivated by the control unit.

Therefore, in one embodiment for designing the advantageous water split between the service line and the conditioning line in this water dispensing flush mode, this may depend on one or more characterizing parameters. One of these parameters can be the Kv value, for example. The Kv value is also referred to as flow factor or flow coefficient. It is a measure of the achievable throughput of a liquid through a valve in particular. The Kv value corresponds to the water flow at a pressure difference of around one bar, in particular 0.98 bar, and a water temperature of 5 °C to 30 °C. The Kv value is also an indicator for the flow resistance. A high Kv value means low flow resistance. In one embodiment, the Kv value is recorded on the one hand in the conditioning line and on the other hand in the connection line. In particular, one of the lines is closed in each case when the other line is detected. Depending on this, the flow rate is then determined, which occurs at a differential flow pressure of about one bar. In an advantageous embodiment, as already mentioned above, this results in a ratio between the flow rate at the outlet of the dispensing unit compared to the flow rate in the conditioning line of a value between 3:1 and 10:1, in particular between 5:1 and 7:1, especially 6:1. A ratio of this type will not result in a user of the dispensing unit perceiving the water exiting the dispensing unit as being too weak or significantly reduced.

In one embodiment, the flow direction of flushing water in the water conditioning device in the water-dispensing flushing mode is opposite to a flow direction of conditioned water that is in a different conditioning mode from the water-dispensing flushing mode

Water conditioning device is conditioned and is issued with the output unit. Such a change in the direction of flow can improve the flushing process and allow simpler and more efficient draining, in particular via the drain line. In this way, this flushing liquid can also be collected in a collection basin of the household appliance, into which the drain line opens. It is the same It is possible that this flushing liquid, when it emerges from the drain line, can also flow directly into a drain, such as a gully or the like, and can thus get directly into a sewage system.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the quantity of water conveyed with the connecting line in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is equal to the quantity of water that is discharged in a dispensing mode that differs from the water-dispensing rinsing mode, in which water is dispensed from the water mains with the dispensing unit, is issued. The amount of water that is pumped through the connection line does not have to be increased in this water output flushing mode. With the advantageous exemplary embodiment mentioned above with regard to the advantageous proportions that are routed from the water via the conditioning line, a user does not notice this proportion branching off into the conditioning line even if the remainder of the tap water is being dispensed via the dispensing unit.

In another exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the quantity of water conveyed with the connection line in the water-dispensing flushing mode compared to a different output mode from the water-dispensing flushing mode, in which only water from the water network is only output with the output unit, by the proportion is increased, which is to be routed from the connecting line into the conditioning line as a rinsing liquid. This is a further advantageous exemplary embodiment, because then the amount of water that is to be routed to the outside via the dispensing unit in the water-dispensing rinsing mode can be kept the same as the amount that is to be routed to the outside via the dispensing unit in the different dispensing mode. In this regard, a user basically does not notice any difference at all between the amount of tap water dispensed via the dispensing unit when the water dispensing rinse mode or the dispensing mode is set.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a household appliance, in particular according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous exemplary embodiment thereof. The rinsing mode in this method is performed as a coupled water-dispensing rinsing mode. In this new operating mode, tap water is simultaneously supplied from the water mains via the connection line conveyed to the dispensing unit and discharged to the outside via the dispensing unit and at the same time a portion of this conveyed tap water is branched off into the conditioning line in order to carry out a rinsing of this conditioning line at least in sections at the same time. In the method, the connecting line and the conditioning line are fluidly coupled in the water-dispensing rinsing mode and water from the water network is routed with the connecting line to the dispensing unit and dispensed from the dispensing unit, with a portion of this water conducted in the connecting line in the water-dispensing rinsing mode being used as Flushing liquid is supplied to the conditioning line in order to flush at least some areas of the conditioning line in the water output flushing mode. The rinsing therefore takes place at the same time as the dispensing of the other portion of the tap water that is dispensed via the dispensing unit.

Advantageous exemplary embodiments of the household appliance are to be regarded as advantageous exemplary embodiments of the method. In particular, components of the household appliance alone or in an operative connection, in particular with regard to their intended coupling and functioning, can enable the individual method steps to be carried out. In particular, the different operating modes can be set with the control unit, in particular depending on at least one characterizing parameter, as has already been mentioned above. In this context, the control unit can open and close valves. This can also be done depending on parameters that are detected with one or more sensors of the household appliance.

The indications “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” are the positions given for intended use and intended positioning of the device orientations given.

Further features of the invention result from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures, are not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in others Combinations or used alone without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is therefore also to be considered to include and disclose embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but that result from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features. Versions and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed which therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

The only figure shows a schematic structure of an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention. The components shown in the figure can also be supplemented by other components that are not shown, so that the household appliance can also be expanded in this regard.

A household appliance 1 is shown in the figure. The household appliance 1 is designed to dispense liquid. The household appliance 1 can also be referred to as a liquid treatment system for the household.

The household appliance 1 has an output unit 2 . The output unit 2 is a sanitary fitting. It can also be called a faucet. The output unit 2 is designed as a free-standing component in the household, which is therefore also a visible component and can be gripped and operated. The dispensing unit 2 has a dispensing opening 3 through which the respective liquid can be dispensed to the outside and thus from the household appliance 1 . In one exemplary embodiment, an aerator 4 is arranged on this output unit 3 . This household appliance 1 also has a connection device 5 . This is intended for connecting the household appliance 1 to a water network 6 external to the appliance. The connection device 5 has at least one connection line 7 . With this, water can be routed from the water network 6 to the dispensing unit 2, in particular directly there. It can also be provided that the connecting device 5 has two separate lines, one of which is a cold water line and the other a hot water line. This makes it possible that with the connection device 5 the water can be routed directly from the water network 6 to the dispensing unit 2, and on the other hand this mains water from the water network 6 can also be heated and can then be given as heated mains water directly to the dispensing unit 2 via the additional separate line that is then preferably present in the connection device 5 and can be dispensed there can be.

In addition, the household appliance 1 has a water conditioning device 8 that is separate from the connection device 5 . Water can be individually conditioned with this water conditioning device 8 . In particular, it can be temperature-controlled in this respect. The water can be water from the water network 6 . It is also possible for the water conditioning device 8 to have one or more conditioning lines. Cooled water, which is cooled by the water conditioning device 8 , can then be conducted to the dispensing unit 2 with a conditioning line. With a further conditioning line that is preferably present in this regard, water that is heated, in particular heated, by the water conditioning device 8 can then be conducted directly to the dispensing unit 2 . This can be done independently of the corresponding additional water line option via the connection device 5 .

With regard to a conditioning option, this can be individual tempering. In addition to or instead of this, however, a conditioning process can also include, for example, decalcification of water. In addition, however, conditioning can also be, for example, a mixing of specific liquids, so that, for example, an individual composition of the liquid provided by the water conditioning device 8 is also made possible. This can also be provided with regard to the flavor composition of the liquid formed by the water conditioning device 8 .

Here, too, only one conditioning line 9 of the water conditioning device 8 is shown as an example and in a simplified manner in the illustrated figure. It should be mentioned again that a system with several separate conditioning lines can also be provided here. These can be connected to the output unit 2 individually or separately. However, at least some of them can already be combined in the water conditioning device 8 itself. The water conditioning system or the

Water conditioning device 8 can be provided with regard to its conditioning function relating to temperature control of the water for cooling water. For this purpose, it can have a refrigeration cycle, not shown. The water, in particular supplied tap water, can then be cooled with this. However, the water conditioning device 8 can also have a hot water system in addition to or instead of this. With this, tap water in particular can then be heated, in particular also heated. In this case, heating can also take place to temperatures greater than 60.degree. C., in particular greater than 80.degree.

In this regard, an embodiment can be provided, as explained in DE 102017203 109 A1 on the one hand relating to the chilled water system there and on the other hand to the hot water system there.

In the illustration shown in the figure, such a chilled water system and/or hot water system is characterized by reference number 10 . The at least one conditioning line 9 is connected to this at least one system 10 . The water 11 that has been conditioned in this regard can be routed in a conditioning mode according to the arrow P1 from the water conditioning device 8 directly to the dispensing unit 2 . As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. , this water conditioning device 8 has a valve 12 . This is arranged in the at least one conditioning line 9 . The valve 12 can be controlled via a control unit 13 of the household appliance 1, for example. In particular, the control unit 13 is also intended to control the household appliance 1 . In particular, this allows the various operating modes of the household appliance 1 to be set and controlled in the set state.

This means that the individual operating modes are activated and deactivated and can then be individually controlled even when active.

As can be seen in the illustration in Fig., an additional line 15 of the household appliance 1, in particular of the water conditioning device 8, branches off from the conditioning line 9 at a branching point or an outlet 14 away. It can also be seen that a drain line 17 branches off from the conditioning line 9 at a further branching point or outlet point 16 . As can be seen, this orifice 16 is downstream of the valve 12. On the other hand, the orifice 14 is upstream of the valve 12. This is to be seen with respect to the conditioning mode of operation. The drain line 17 has an end 18 facing away from the opening 16 . Liquid can be drained from the drain line 17 via this end 18 . In this regard, for example, it can get into a discharge system 19 . This drainage system 19 can be a waste water system or a collection container. It can be part of the water conditioning device 8 or be separate therefrom.

As can also be seen, the additional line 15 opens into the drain line 17 at a further opening point 20. It is also possible that the additional line 15 does not open directly into the drain line 17, but is designed separately with its end, especially then is connected to the drainage system 19.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the water conditioning device 8 has a further valve 21. This is arranged in the additional line 15 . Furthermore, it is provided that a drain valve 22 is arranged in the drain line 17 . In particular, a pump 23 of the household appliance 1 can also be provided. With this, the liquid of the water conditioning device 8 can be pumped. These valves 21 and 22 , which are preferably present, are also controlled by the control unit 13 .

The household appliance 1 has a coupled water-dispensing rinsing mode as an operating mode. In this water-dispensing flushing mode, the connecting line 7 and the conditioning line 9 are fluidly coupled. Water which is routed from the water network 6 to the dispensing unit 2 with the connecting line 7 is dispensed from the dispensing unit 2 . A portion of this water, which is conducted in this state via the at least one connection line 7, is transferred to the conditioning line 9 or branched off to it. Flushing liquid is then made available through this branched-off portion of the mains water in order to be able to flush at least the at least one conditioning line 9 at least in regions. In this water output rinsing mode, it is preferably provided that the valve 22 is open. In particular, valves 12 and 21 are also open in one embodiment. As a result, the fluid-conducting coupling between the connection line 7 and the conditioning line 9 is also formed, in particular in one exemplary embodiment. If the valve 12 is closed, only a portion of the conditioning line 9 is flushed with this flushing liquid. The rinsing liquid, which is formed by the branched portion of the mains water from the connection line 7, then flows through that line section of the conditioning line 9 that extends from the dispensing unit 2 to the outlet point 16 and then flows into the drain line 17. This is also the valve 12 opened, the remaining part of the conditioning line 9 can also be flushed with it. As can be seen, in the water-dispensing rinsing mode, a flow direction P2 of the rinsing liquid is opposite to the flow direction P1 of the conditioned water when the conditioning mode that differs from the water-dispensing rinsing mode is set. In the water dispensing flushing mode, a counterflushing principle is also implemented, in which the direction of flow is reversed.

In the construction shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the valve 12, in particular also the valve 21, is also advantageous in order to be able to flush the other line areas of the conditioning line 9. Unflushed line dead ends can thus be avoided. In this context, it can be provided that all valves 12, 21 and 22 are opened at the same time. It is also possible in another exemplary embodiment that initially only valve 22 is open and valves 12 and 21 are closed. In a further operation, valve 22 can then be closed and valves 12 and 21 opened during the water dispensing flush mode. This can also depend on the flow conditions and cross-sections of the respective lines. It is advantageous that the proportion of water that flows into the conditioning line 9 in the water dispensing rinsing mode is between one third and one tenth of the amount of water that flows in the connecting line 7 in the water dispensing rinsing mode, in particular upstream of the point at which water flows from of the connection line 7 flows into the conditioning line 9 . In one embodiment, the water output flushing mode is only activated when the output flow rate of water from the connection line 7 at the output unit 2 is greater than or equal to 3 liters per minute and/or the water pressure in the connection line 7 is less than or equal to 5 bar is. One or more sensors of the household appliance 1 can be provided for measuring these values of the parameters mentioned. These sensors can be connected to the control unit 13 . The control unit 13 can then evaluate this recorded information.

A temperature sensor 24 is also shown in FIG. This can record the temperature of the liquid in the at least one conditioning line 9 . This sensor 24 can also be connected to the control unit 13 . It is also possible that further sensors, in particular temperature sensors and/or pressure sensors, are also arranged at other points. This means that water temperatures can also be detected at other points in the household appliance 1 and evaluated by the control unit 13 .

The flow rate and/or the water pressure can also be determined without such sensors. In particular, this can be done by a digital system. This can be the value of a flow rate selected by a user, which is entered on the input system and/or is automatically set by actuation, can be recorded or is then known. This can then also be made available to the control unit 13 . At a water pressure greater than 5 bar, a situation can arise in which the flow rate becomes so high that the amount of water when rinsing the water conditioning device 8 becomes too large.

In particular, the free fall section installed in the direction of the drainage, which prevents recontamination from the sewer system into the fresh water system and is formed in particular by the drain line 17, could be overloaded and overflow as a result. In particular, this is not the only reason why at least one sensor can also be arranged in the drain line 17 . In particular, this can be a pressure sensor and/or a flow sensor. This allows the flow rate and the pressure to be recorded. In particular, the rinsing process can then be ended as a function of the values recorded in each case, and thus the water dispensing rinsing mode can then also be ended. In another exemplary embodiment, it is also possible, controlled by the control unit 13, for a water division between the connecting line 7 and the conditioning line 9 to be completely prevented.

Reference List

1 household appliance

2 output unit

3 dispensing opening

4 aerator

5 connection device

6 external water network

7 connecting cable

8 water conditioning device

9 conditioning line

10 chilled water system/hot water system

11 water

12 valve

13 control unit

14 estuary

15 auxiliary line

16 orifice

17 drain line

18 end

19 drainage system

20 more estuary

21 more valve

22 drain valve

23 pump

24 temperature sensor

P1 flow direction/arrow

P2 flow direction

Claims

patent claims 1. Household appliance (1) for dispensing liquid, with a dispensing unit (2) for dispensing liquid, which is a sanitary fitting, with a connection device (5) for connecting the household appliance (1) to a device-external water network (6), wherein the Connection device (5) has at least one connection line (7), with which water can be routed from the water network (6) to the dispensing unit (2), and with a water conditioning device (8) separate from the connection device (5), with which a water network connected to the device is external (6) supplied water can be conditioned, the water conditioning device (8) having at least one conditioning line (9) with which conditioned water can be conducted to the dispensing unit (2), and the conditioning line (9) is a line separate from the connection line (7), wherein the household appliance (1) has a rinsing mode for rinsing the at least one conditioning line (9), characterized in that the rinsing mode is a coupled water-dispensing rinsing mode, in which the connecting line (7) and the conditioning line (9) are coupled in a fluid-conducting manner and in which water from the water network (6) is routed with the connecting line (7) to the dispensing unit (2) and from the dispensing unit (2), with a proportion of this water conducted in the connection line (7) in the water dispensing rinsing mode being fed as rinsing liquid to the conditioning line (9) in order to rinse at least the conditioning line (9) at least in certain areas. 2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the water conditioning device (8) has a drain valve (22) which is open in the water dispensing flushing mode in order to couple the connection line (7) and the conditioning line (9) in a fluid-conducting manner, so that the portion of this water conducted in the connection line (7) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode can be supplied as rinsing liquid to the conditioning line (9) in order to rinse at least the conditioning line (9) at least in certain areas. 3. Household appliance (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the drain valve (22) is arranged in a drain line (17) of the water conditioning device (8), and the drain line (17) connects to the conditioning line (9) at an outlet point (16 ) is connected, with the drain line (17) the rinsing liquid from the water conditioning device (8) can be discharged. 4. Household appliance (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that a valve (12) is arranged in the water conditioning line (9) upstream of the outlet point (16). 5. Household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drain valve (22) is arranged in the dispensing unit (2). 6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection line (7) and the conditioning line (9) in the output unit (2) open into one another at an opening point. 7. Household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water conditioning device (8) has at least one additional line (15) in which a valve (21) is arranged, which is open in the water output rinsing mode. 8. Household appliance (1) according to claim 4 and claim 7, characterized in that the additional line (15) upstream of the valve (12) branches off from the conditioning line (9). 9. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (1) has a control unit (13) with which at least the water-dispensing rinsing mode can be set and controlled. 10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the proportion of water that flows into the conditioning line (9) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is between one third and one tenth of the amount of water that flows in the water-dispensing rinsing mode in the Connecting line (7) flows upstream of the point at which water flows from the connecting line (7) into the conditioning line (9). 11. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water dispensing flushing mode is activated, in particular only when the dispensing flow rate of water from the connection line (7) to the dispensing unit (2) is greater than or equal to 3 liters /min and/or the water pressure in the connection line (7) is less than or equal to 5 bar. 12. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of flow (P2) of the rinsing liquid in the water conditioning device (8) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is opposite to a direction of flow (P1) of conditioned water which is in a water-dispensing - rinsing mode different conditioning mode of the water conditioning device (8) is conditioned and is dispensed with the dispensing unit (2). 13. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the quantity of water conveyed with the connecting line (7) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is equal to the quantity of water which is discharged in a different output mode from the water-dispensing rinsing mode, in which water is dispensed from the water network (6) with the dispensing unit (2). 14. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the quantity of water conveyed with the connecting line (7) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode compared to a different dispensing mode from the water-dispensing rinsing mode in which water is the water network (6) is issued with the dispensing unit (2) is increased by the proportion that is to be conducted from the connection line (7) into the conditioning line (9) as rinsing liquid. 15. A method for operating a household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flushing mode as a coupled Water output rinsing mode is performed, in which the connecting pipe (7) and the conditioning line (9) are coupled in a fluid-conducting manner and in which water from the water network (6) is routed to the connection line (7) to the dispensing unit (2) and is dispensed from the dispensing unit (2), with a proportion of this being simultaneously of the connecting line (7) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode is fed as rinsing liquid to the conditioning line (9) in order to flush at least the conditioning line (9) in the water-dispensing rinsing mode.