Water conducting household device having desalination device and related method

Abstract

Apparatus for treating laundry as the items to be washed includes a container for the items to be washed. The container is in fluid communication with a water supply system. Connected to the water supply system is a desalination apparatus for producing desalinated water having a conductivity of less than 200 μS/cm, with the desalination apparatus being constructed as an ion exchanger. A reservoir is connected to the desalination apparatus for storing water with a higher salt concentration for later use.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for treating laundry as the items to be washed, said apparatus comprising:
 a container for the items to be washed;   a water supply system in fluid communication with the container;   a desalination apparatus, connected to the water supply system, for producing desalinated water having a conductivity of less than 200 μS/cm, said desalination apparatus being constructed as an ion exchanger; and   a reservoir connected to the desalination apparatus for storing water with a higher salt concentration.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising, constructed in the form of a washing machine or washer-dryer. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a first sensor for determining a functional capacity of the desalination apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a display facility. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the display facility indicates a functional capacity of the desalination apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating laundry in a washing machine, comprising:
 desalinating water in a desalination apparatus to produce desalinated water having a conductivity of less than 200 μS/cm;   storing desalinated water for use in a rinse step in a rinse water reservoir for optional application in a later wash step; and   storing water with a higher salt concentration resulting during desalination in a reservoir connected to the desalination apparatus for later use.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein desalinated water is used in one or more of last rinse steps. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein desalinated water is used in a penultimate rinse step which is followed only by adding a fabric conditioner. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the rinse step is a last rinse step. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising measuring a salt content in the water exiting from the desalination apparatus by a first sensor, comparing the salt content with a predefined upper limit value, and indicating exhaustion of the desalination apparatus when the predefined upper limit value is reached or exceeded. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising measuring in a tub a content of inorganic and organic substances in the fluid present there by a second sensor, comparing the content with a predefined value, and terminating the water supply or barring any further rinse step, when the content reaches or drops below the predefined value. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the water with a higher salt concentration stored in the reservoir is used for a rinse cycle in a later wash process.