CN111286934B

CN111286934B - Water-conducting household appliance

Info

Publication number: CN111286934B
Application number: CN201911232882.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·比朔夫; H·埃格迈尔
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-06
Filing date: 2019-12-05
Publication date: 2023-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-05
Also published as: EP3663457A1; CN111286934A; DE102018221092A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance (1), comprising a pump unit (53) for circulating and/or pumping a fluid (34) present in a cleaning and/or drying process, comprising a drive unit (55) which essentially drives the pump unit (53), a control unit (57) which controls the drive unit (55) and a filter unit (15) which filters the fluid (34), the filter unit (15) having a filter surface (36) through which the fluid (34) can flow, the filter surface (36) having a first filter region (41) for the flow of the fluid (34) therethrough and at least one second filter region (43) for the flow of the fluid (34) therethrough, a movable separating element (19) being arranged between the first filter region (41) and the at least one second filter region (43), the fluid (34) essentially flowing through only one of the two filter regions (41, 43) in the closed state of the filter unit (15).

Description

Water-conducting household appliance

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance.

Background

Filter units are used in water-conducting household appliances for filtering fluids. Such a fluid may be a water soap mixture (such as used in a washing machine or dishwasher and/or washer-dryer) or may be constituted by steam (or process air) (such as used in a dryer and/or washer-dryer). During operation of these water-conducting household appliances, dirt particles enter the respective fluid during a cleaning process (or drying process). These dirt particles may mainly include food residues, hair, grease, sand, laundry fibres, micro-plastic particles and/or dust (or dirt particles).

These dirt particles may be filtered by the filter unit during and/or after the cleaning process (or drying process). During the cleaning (or drying) process, one or more circulation pumping processes may be performed in which the fluid is circulated, dirt particles in the fluid are removed, and the fluid is re-placed into the cleaning (or drying) process. After the cleaning process (or drying process), a so-called residual fluid (Restfluid) rich in dirt particles remains. This surplus fluid is usually no longer needed and is pumped out of the water-conducting household appliance and fed into the drain tank (or drain line). The fluid is again directed through the filter unit before being fed into the drain tank, thereby allowing fewer (or almost no) dirt particles to re-enter the wastewater or wastewater system.

A filtration system in a washing machine is disclosed by document WO 201720725 A1. In this document, a washing machine is described with a filter unit, wherein the filter unit is arranged between a lye container and an inlet line to the lye container. The filter unit includes a plurality of filter elements arranged adjacently in an array. Each such filter element has a first membrane structure of large pore size and a second membrane structure of small pore size, wherein the second membrane structure is suitable for filtering microfibers.

Another document WO 2013068300 A1 discloses a filter unit of a washing or rinsing machine. The filter unit has a plurality of individual filter elements which are arranged either in an aligned partial succession or adjacent to one another. Each filter assembly has a filtrate line that directs fluid substantially to the lye container. The individual filter assemblies each have filter patches of different pore sizes.

From the two documents cited above, it can be seen that different filter systems for water-conducting household appliances are known from the prior art, which filter systems filter dirt particles and fibers from the fluid. Because filters clog quickly, it is necessary to clean these filters (particularly the filter patches).

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a water-conducting household appliance having a filter unit, wherein the filter unit can be cleaned simply, quickly and cleanly by the user.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

According to one aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a water-conducting household appliance, wherein the water-conducting household appliance comprises a pump unit for circulating and/or pumping fluid present during a cleaning process and/or a drying process. The household appliance according to the invention further comprises: a drive unit for driving the pump unit, a control unit for driving the drive unit, and a filter unit for filtering a fluid, wherein the filter unit has a filter surface through which a fluid can flow, the filter surface having a first filter region for the flow of the fluid and at least one second filter region for the flow of the fluid. A movable separating element is arranged between the first filter region and the at least one second filter region, so that in the closed state of the filter unit fluid flows substantially through only one of the two filter regions.

Since the fluid flows through only one of the two filter regions in the closed state of the filter unit, in the event of a blockage of one of the filter regions, the fluid can flow through at least one further filter region.

In an advantageous manner, a filter receptacle having at least one opening is provided on the inflow side, through which a fluid can flow into the filter receptacle, wherein a filter frame and a filter surface that can be at least partially flowed through are arranged on the filter receptacle in the flow direction, wherein the separating element is arranged on the filter frame.

Fluid is pumped by the pump unit into the filter unit and loads the filter frame in the flow direction. Fluid is directed to the first filter region by a dividing element disposed on the filter frame. In this filter area, the fluid is filtered by the filter surface. The fluid continues to move by gravity alone. It is thereby possible to dispense with those other pump units which pump fluid past the pump unit, as well as with the corresponding drive units and control units.

Preferably, the filter frame has a circumferential wall, wherein the separating element is arranged inside the circumferential wall, and wherein the circumferential wall and the separating element each have a sealing element on that end side facing the filter surface. These sealing elements of the circumferential wall and of the separating element bear on the filter surface in the closed state.

In the closed state of the filter unit, the sealing elements of the circumferential wall and of the separating element rest on the filter surface in such a way that a fluid flow into the filter area provided for this purpose is ensured and is virtually prevented from flowing into at least one further filter area.

In a further aspect of the invention, the filter frame can be arranged in a closed state, a partially closed state and an open state, wherein in the closed state the sealing element of the circumferential wall and the sealing element of the separating element rest on the filter surface. In a partially closed state, the sealing element of the surrounding wall portion rests against the filter surface while the sealing element of the separating element is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface. In the open state, the sealing element of the surrounding wall and the sealing element of the separating element are spaced apart from the filter surface.

This way is achieved: in the closed state of the filter frame, the fluid flows through the first filter region and does not flow into the at least one second filter region. In contrast, in the partially closed state of the filter frame, the sealing element of the separating element is spaced apart from the filter surface, so that fluid can flow from the first filter region into the at least one second filter region, while the sealing element of the surrounding wall remains resting on the filter surface at all times during this time, so that fluid is held in the filter unit. If fluid that collects in the first filter zone in the event of a blockage of the first filter zone flows through the at least one second filter zone by slightly lifting the filter frame, the filter frame can be fully opened without fluid flowing out of the filter unit out of control.

It is particularly advantageous if the circumferential wall of the filter frame has at least one extendable element. When the filter area of the filter unit to be flown through is clogged, the filter unit (or the filter surface) must be cleaned. The separating element is spaced apart from the filter surface while the surrounding wall portion remains resting on the filter surface with the at least one extendable element. In this way, it is avoided that: when the filter unit is opened, fluid in the filter unit, which is deposited with dirt particles, flows into the household appliance comprising the filter unit and/or into, for example, the living area of the user and/or into the laundry room.

Preferably, at least one extendable element of the surrounding wall of the filter frame has a resilient element. These elastic elements may be constituted by shape memory alloys, springs and/or rubber-like elements. Other extensible and recoverable elements are possible. The sealing element of the at least one circumferential wall portion rests on the filter surface when the filter frame is lifted slightly, while the separating element is spaced apart from the filter surface.

It is also conceivable that at least one extendable element of the circumferential wall of the filter frame is movably supported. This can be done, for example, by means of an electric and/or mechanical drive.

In one advantageous embodiment, the first filter region is larger than the at least one second filter region. The first filter region is such that: the filter area is flown through by a fluid during operation of the water-conducting household appliance. The at least one second filter region is required to allow fluid to flow away when the first filter region is plugged.

Preferably, in the closed state of the filter frame, the first filter region is flown through by fluid, and in the partially closed state of the filter frame, mainly the second filter region is flown through by fluid. The at least one second filter zone is only flown through by fluid when the first filter zone is blocked and the filter frame is put into a partially closed state. In this way, it is ensured that the at least one second filter region can be flowed through in a partially closed state, so that, in the event of a blockage of the first filter region, fluid can normally flow out of the filter unit.

In order to design the cleaning of the filter unit as simply as possible, the filter frame and/or the filter surface structure of the filter container can be removed.

When the first filter region is plugged, fluid can no longer flow away from the first filter region and collect in that region. The fluid at this time will be referred to as surplus fluid hereinafter. In order to allow the residual fluid to flow away rapidly, it is therefore advantageous if the filter surface comprises a plurality of individual second filter regions, wherein the plurality of individual second filter regions are each configured in a sealed manner relative to the first filter region when the filter frame is in the closed state.

Advantageously, the separating element is configured in the form of a stamping dieWhereas the end side of the separating element rests in a face-wise manner on the filter surface in the closed state. By means of the separating element which is embodied in the form of a stamping die, a simple production process of the separating element and the sealing element fastened thereto can be made possible.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for filtering a fluid in a water-conducting household appliance. The water-guiding domestic appliance comprises: a pump unit for circulating and/or pumping fluid present during a cleaning process and/or a drying process, a drive unit for substantially driving the pump unit, a control unit for driving the drive unit, and a filter unit for filtering the fluid. The filter unit furthermore has a filter surface through which the fluid can flow, which has a first filter region through which the fluid flows and at least one second filter region through which the fluid at least partially flows, wherein a movable separating element is arranged between the first filter region and the at least one second filter region such that, in the closed state of the filter frame, the fluid flows substantially only through one of the two filter regions.

The following technical advantages are achieved in this way: during the filtration process, a region of the filter surface remains free of fluid flow therethrough, so that, in the event of a filter region being plugged, fluid can flow through (or pass through) that filter region that is left empty.

Preferably, the filter unit has a filter frame and the filter surface, wherein the separating element and the surrounding wall are arranged on the filter frame. Furthermore, sealing elements are provided on the end face of the separating element and on the circumferential wall, respectively. The filter frame may be arranged in a closed state. The filter frame can be moved into a partially closed state and into an open state by a further movement, wherein the sealing element of the circumferential wall and the sealing element of the separating element rest on the filter surface in the closed state. By moving the filter frame into a partially closed state, the sealing element of the surrounding wall is brought to rest against the filter surface, while the sealing element of the separating element is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface. Further movement into an open state by the filter frame causes the sealing element of the surrounding wall and the sealing element of the separating element to be spaced apart from the filter surface.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a water-conducting household appliance, such as a washing machine in this case;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a filter frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic side view of a filter unit having an exemplary filter frame;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic side view of a filter unit having an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in a closed state;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic side view of a filter unit having an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in a partially closed state;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of a filter unit having an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in an open state;

FIG. 7a shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a filter frame;

fig. 7b shows a schematic bottom view of another embodiment of the filter frame, wherein the separating element is configured in the form of a stamping die;

FIG. 7c shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a filter frame;

fig. 8 shows schematically, in a highly simplified form, the circulation principle of a water-conducting household appliance.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1a schematic front view of a water-conducting household appliance 1, in particular a washing machine, is shown. The water-conducting domestic appliance 1 is suitable for treating laundry in particular. Furthermore, the water-conducting household appliance 1 can also be understood as a dryer, a washer dryer or a dishwasher. For the sake of simplicity, only the washing machine will be described in more detail below as a water-conducting household appliance 1.

The water-conducting household appliance 1 in fig. 1 has a washing machine front wall 3. On the washing machine front wall 3, a movable washing support 5 and a washing machine display unit 7 are arranged mainly, into which washing support 5 washing products (e.g. detergents and/or softeners etc.) can be filled, by means of which washing machine display unit 7 the washing program can be set mainly. Furthermore, a pivotable washing machine door 9 and a cleaning hatch (not shown) covered by means of a cleaning hatch cover 11 are arranged on the washing machine front wall 3 of the water-conducting household appliance 1.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of a filter frame 13, which filter frame 13 is arranged in a filter unit 15. The filter frame 13 has a circumferential wall 17 and a separating element 19, wherein the separating element 19 is arranged inside the circumferential wall 17. The separating element 19 is preferably fixedly connected to the filter frame 13. However, it is also possible that the separating element 19 is configured to be separable from the filter frame 13. A sealing element 23 is formed on the end face 21 of the filter frame 13 and thus on the end face of the circumferential wall 17. The sealing element 23 can be configured as a sealing ring. However, other configurations of the sealing element 23 known to the person skilled in the art are also possible. Furthermore, the separating element 19 has a further sealing element 25. The sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 is preferably arranged on the end side of the separating element 19 and preferably has properties and a configuration which are identical or similar to the sealing element 23 of the surrounding wall 17. However, the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 may also differ from the sealing element 23 of the surrounding wall 17 in terms of its properties and configuration.

The filter frame 13 is preferably designed in such a way that the filter frame 13 is prevented from being distorted during insertion into the filter unit 15 and/or removal from the filter unit 15. The filter frame 13 is preferably constructed of a polymeric or polymerizable material. Other types of materials known to those skilled in the art may be used to fabricate the filter frame 13. Furthermore, the filter frame 13 may be configured as a type of cover element and thus adapted to enclose the filter unit 15.

As already mentioned above, the separating element 19 of the filter frame 13 is constructed as a predominantly rigid element. However, if the desired flexibility of the separating element 19 is desired, it is also possible for the separating element 19 to be constructed as an at least partially flexible element.

The surrounding wall 17 has at least one extendable element 27, which at least one extendable element 27 is shown in fig. 3 to 7 c. Preferably, the at least one extendable element 27 is configured in the region of the end side 21 of the filter frame 13. The at least one extendable element 27 may be configured as an elastically extendable element. However, it is also possible for the at least one extendable element 27 to form the circumferential wall 17 of the filter frame 13. The at least one extendable element 27 may, for example, be provided with a spring element and/or a rubber-like element. But other elastic elements are also possible.

It is also possible that the extendable element 27 of the circumferential wall 17 of the filter frame 13 is movably supported. This embodiment will be further explained below.

In addition, fig. 3 shows a discharge connection 29 of the filter unit 15. The outlet nipple 29 has a circumferential wall element 31 and is configured in a tubular manner. The first, internally encircling abutment step 33 of the filter unit 15 is preferably embodied in the encircling wall 31 of the outlet nipple 29, on which the extendable element 27 rests in the closed state of the filter unit 15. In the region of this docking step 33, a filter membrane 35 is arranged in the filter unit 15. The filter membrane 35 has a filter surface 36, which filter surface 36 extends over the entire cross section B of the outlet nipple 29. The outlet nipple 29 may have a dividing wall 37, as seen on the basis of the flow direction a (arrow in fig. 3) of the fluid 34. The separating wall 37 is preferably only partially formed in the outlet nipple 29. Furthermore, the partition wall 37 has a second rest step 39, which second rest step 39 faces the filter frame 13 (and in particular the partition element 19). In the closed state of the filter unit 15, the separating element 19 rests with the sealing element 25 on the second landing 39 in such a way that the filter membrane 35 is received between the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 and the second landing 39 of the separating wall 37.

"movably supported at least one extendable element 27" can be understood as: the at least one extendable element 27 is extended based on the movement (aus der Bewegung heraus). By way of example only: the extendable element 27 can be constructed like a two-piece telescopic rod, wherein the two elements constituting the telescopic rod are not rigidly connected to each other.

In the present case, the at least one extendable element 27 is moved in the direction of the filter membrane 35 (or the first docking step 33) of the outlet nipple 29 when the filter frame 13 is lifted, so that an extension of the circumferential wall 17 is achieved in this way. Such a movably supported at least one extendable element 27 can be driven, for example, by an electric and/or mechanical drive, for example by a transmission, in particular a link transmission. In this way, the release of the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17 can be delayed in time when the filter frame 13 is moved from the closed state to the open state, so that the filter frame 13 is first moved into the partially closed state. This delay in time will be described further below. However, other types of transmission may be used, such as a gear transmission and/or a chain transmission. Combinations of different transmission types and/or electrically controllable transmissions are also possible.

The closed state of the filter frame 13 is shown in fig. 4. In the closed state of the filter frame 13, the at least one extendable element 27 is at least partially received in the circumferential wall element 31 of the outlet nipple 29. The end sides 21 of the surrounding wall 17 and the separating element 19 and thus the two sealing elements 23,25 of the surrounding wall 17 and the separating element 19 rest here on the first and second landing 33, 39. The filter membrane 35 is received between the sealing elements 23,25 and the two landing steps 33, 39. The filter surface 36 is divided into a first filter region 41 and at least one second filter region 43 by the separating element 19 and by the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19. Preferably, the first filter area 41 is configured to be larger than the at least one second filter area 43.

The filter unit 15 has a filter container 44. A filter frame 13 and a filter membrane 35 are arranged in the filter receptacle 44. In addition, a discharge connection 29 can be arranged in the filter container 44. However, it is also possible for the outlet connection 29 to be embodied as an integrated unit into the filter container 44.

The filter container 44 includes an opening 46 (fig. 8) through which the fluid 34 flows into the filter container 44. Openings 46 are formed in the region of filter frame 13, so that fluid 34 can flow through filter membrane 35. The fluid 34 flows under the force of gravity inside the filter container 44 of the filter unit 15, which fluid 34 in the case of a washing machine and/or dishwasher is mainly composed of water (or wash lye). In fig. 3, the flow direction of the fluid 34 is shown by arrow a (see fig. 3 from top down in top view). The fluid 34 does not require other driving means to flow through the filter membrane 35.

The fluid 34 fed into the filter unit 15 flows via the filter membrane 35 into the outlet connection 29 and is thereby freed from dirt particles 16. In the closed state of the filter frame 13, the fluid 34 flows through the first filter region 41. The at least one second filter region 43 is not flowed through in this case. As a result, these dirt particles 16 accumulate on the filter surface 36 only in the first filter region 41, wherein the at least one second filter region 43 remains free of dirt particles 16.

An at least partially closed state of the filter frame 13 is shown in fig. 5. In this at least partially closed state, the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17 remains seated on the first landing 33 of the outlet nipple 29 as a result of the presence of the at least one extendable element 27. In contrast, the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19, which is arranged on the end side 21 of the separating element 19, is then spaced apart from the filter membrane 35 and from the second landing 39.

In the closed state of the filter frame 13, the fluid 34 which flows predominantly through the first filter region 41 now flows through the gap 45, which gap 45 is created between the sealing element 25 and the second landing 39 when the filter frame 13 is lifted slightly in the direction of arrow C (counter to the flow direction of the fluid 34). The fluid 34 can now flow into the second filter region 43 and through the filter membrane 35 and then into the outlet nipple 29.

Thus, when the filter unit 15 has to be cleaned, the filter frame 13 needs to be lifted. This is the case when the first filter region 41 has accumulated so many dirt particles 16 that it is almost impossible or has become impossible to flow through the first filter region 41. This is known to those skilled in the art as occlusion. Clogging may occur after a small number of cleaning and/or drying passes (or after one cleaning and/or drying pass).

The lifting of the filter frame 13 takes place with the pump unit 53 switched off, so that only so-called residual fluid 34 remains in the filter unit 15. The remaining fluid 34 refers to: with the pump unit 53 switched off, fluid 34 which is present in the filter unit 15 and can no longer flow away from the filter unit 15. By lifting the filter frame 13, the residual fluid 34 flows into the at least one second filter region 43, flows there through the filter membrane 35 and then into the outlet connection 29. By flowing through the at least one second filter region 43, it is ensured that: the remaining fluid 34 is able to flow out of the filter container 44 without requiring the user to come into contact despite, for example, the first filter region 41 being blocked.

In the event of a blockage of the first filter region 41, the first filter region 41 must be cleaned manually by the user in order to again achieve an optimum filtration performance of the filter unit 15. When it is desired to clean the filter unit 15, information and/or signals may be presented to the user by the water-guiding domestic appliance 1 on the washing machine display unit 7. However, it is also possible that the information and/or messages are transferred to another displayable medium, such as a smart phone. In addition, it is also possible to deliver voice messages. Other information transfer systems are possible.

The open state of the filter frame 13 is shown in fig. 6. In the open state, both the sealing element 23 of the surrounding wall 17 and the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 are spaced apart from the filter surface 36 of the filter membrane 35. The filter frame 13 is completely detachable from the filter unit 15 so that the entire filter surface 36 is directly accessible to a user and cleaned. The filter membrane 35 of the filter unit 15 can now also be removed for cleaning purposes or for replacement.

Fig. 7a to 7c show different possible variants of the separating element 19. The configuration of the filter frame 13 corresponds here to the embodiment described above, except for the different design and arrangement of the separating elements 19.

In fig. 7a, the separating element 19 is configured as a ring-shaped separating element 19 encircling in the filter frame 13. The circumferential sealing element 25 is formed on the end face 21 of the separating element 19. In the closed state of the filter frame 13, the at least one second filter region 43 is surrounded circumferentially by the separating element 19. The first filter region 41 extends between the separating element 19 of the filter frame 13 and the surrounding wall 17. The annular separation element 19 can be arranged arbitrarily inside the surrounding wall 17. It must be ensured that in the closed state of the filter unit 15, the fluid 34 flows only through the first filter region 41, and that the second filter regions 43 (only one second filter region 43 is shown in fig. 7 a) are configured in a sealed manner with respect to the first filter region 41. Either the filter membrane 35 has such a tension (span) that the separating element 19 can be placed on the filter membrane 35 in a sealing manner or the separating wall 37 of the outlet nipple 29 is arranged opposite the separating element 17 with the second abutment step 39, so that the separating element 17 can be placed there.

However, the separating element 19 can also be configured as a separating element 19 in the form of a stamping die as shown in fig. 7 b. The end side 21 of the separating element 19 is preferably configured as a planar surface and comprises a sealing element 25. In this embodiment, the sealing element 25 is formed over the entire end face 21 of the separating element 19. The form of the sealing element 25 depicted in fig. 7a is also possible. In this embodiment, the at least one second filter region 43 is covered by the separating element 19 in the closed state.

It is also possible to construct the separating element 19 described in fig. 7a in multiple on the filter frame 13. For example, four such separating elements 19 are shown in fig. 7 c. However, it is also possible to construct fewer than four separating elements 19 or more than four separating elements 19. The advantage of such a plurality of separating elements 19 is that: there are a plurality of clean second filter regions 43 through which the residual fluid 34 may flow as the filter frame 13 moves from the closed state to the at least partially closed state. In this way, the remaining fluid 34 is caused to flow away more quickly. However, the first filter region 41 should not be excessively reduced, since this would reduce the filtering performance of the filter unit 15 in the closed state.

The following aims at briefly explaining the way in which the subject matter according to the invention works in a water-conducting household appliance 1.

For this purpose, fig. 8 schematically shows the circulation principle of the water-conducting household appliance 1 depicted in a highly simplified view. The water-conducting household appliance 1 has a receiving area 47, which receiving area 47 is used for items to be cleaned and/or dried (such as washings or dishes). During the cleaning process and/or the drying process, there is a fluid 34 in the receiving container 47. During the circulation pumping and/or pumping process, the fluid 34 is pumped from the receiving vessel 47 via the outlet opening 49 by means of the pump unit 53 into the circulation pumping or pumping line 51.

The pump unit 53 is driven by a driving unit 55, wherein the driving unit 55 is driven (or controlled) by a control unit 57. The drive unit 55 is coupled to the control unit 57 via a transmission element 59. The pump unit 53 pumps the fluid 34 to the filter container 44 of the filter unit 15, where the fluid 34 is filtered. After the filter unit 15, the fluid 34 either flows into the outflow opening 61 and is separated from the water-guiding domestic appliance 1 or flows via the return line 51a to the inlet opening 63, which return line 51a leads the fluid 34 back into the receiving region 47 of the water-guiding domestic appliance 1. However, it is also possible for the fluid 34 (for example in a washing machine) to be guided through the washing tray 5 and to be mixed there, for example with a detergent and/or softener.

Fluid 34 is pumped by pump unit 53 through opening 65 into filter unit 15. The filter frame 13 is in the closed state, so that the fluid 34 flows through only one of the two filter regions 41, 43. In the present embodiment, the fluid 34 flows through the first filter region 41, while the second filter region 43 is separated from the first filter region 41 by the separating element 19. If it is now shown that: the first filter region 41 is such that the fluid 34 to be subsequently passed is not passed, and a signal may be sent to the user as described above. It is now necessary to clean the filter unit 15. For this purpose, the filter frame 13 must be removed from the filter receptacle 44 of the filter unit 15, whereby the filter membrane 35 is accessible/accessible to the user or the filter membrane 35 can be detached for cleaning.

First, the pump unit 53 is shut down so that no more fluid 34 is pumped into the filter unit 15. Because the residual fluid 34 (i.e. those fluid 34 which cannot pass through the filter membrane 35 due to the clogging of the first filter area 41) accumulates in the first filter area 41 in case of a severe fouling of the filter unit 15, this residual fluid 34 has to first flow away when the filter unit 15 is opened, whereby the user does not have to touch this residual fluid 34. The user now releases the filter frame 13 from the closed condition and moves the filter frame 13 into a partially closed condition. The separating element 19 is spaced apart from the filter membrane 35 and the second abutment surface 39 in such a way that a gap 45 is formed between the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 and the filter membrane 35. The circumferential wall 17 with the at least one extendable element 27 remains in contact with the first landing 3 in such a way that leakage of residual fluid 34 from the filter unit 15 is avoided.

The residual fluid 34 flows through the gap 45 into the at least one second filter region 43 and flows there through to the filter membrane 35, so that the dirt particles 16 on the filter membrane 35 remain only in the filter unit 15. By further moving the filter frame 13 from the partially closed condition to the open condition, the surrounding wall 17 is spaced from the first rest surface 33. Ideally, the filter frame 13 is releasable from the filter unit 15 so that the filter membrane 35 to be cleaned is conveniently accessible to a user. It is also conceivable that the filter membrane 35 of the filter unit 15 is configured to be detachable so that the user can simply peel off and properly clean the dirt particles 16. For example, the user can access the filter unit 15 in a simple manner by removing the clean hatch 11. However, other access types are also possible, for example via flushing of the housing 5.

List of reference numerals

1. Water-conducting household appliance

3. Front wall of washing machine

5. Flushing support shell

7. Display unit of washing machine

9. Washing machine door

11. Cleaning hatch cover member

13. Filter frame

15. Filter unit

16. Dirt particles

17. Surrounding wall

19. Separating element

21. End side

23. Sealing element for a circumferential wall

25. Sealing element for a separating element

27. At least one extendable element

29. Discharge connection pipe

31. Wall element

33. First stopping ladder part

34. Fluid body

35. Filter membrane

36. Filter surface

37. Partition wall

39. Second stopping ladder part

41. First filter region

43. Second filter region

44. Filter container

45. Gap(s)

46. An opening

47. Receiving area

49. Outlet opening

51. Circulation pumping (or pumping out) pipeline

51a return line

53. Pump unit

55. Driving unit

57. Control unit

59. Transmission element

61. Flow opening

63. Inlet opening

A flow direction

B discharge nozzle cross section

C against the flow direction

Claims

1. A water-conducting household appliance (1), comprising:

a pump unit (53) for circulating and/or pumping out a fluid (34) present during the cleaning and/or drying process,

a drive unit (55) for substantially driving the pump unit (53),

a control unit (57) for controlling the drive unit (55),

a filter unit (15) for filtering a fluid (34),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter unit (15) has a filter surface (36) which can be flowed through and which has a first filter region (41) for the flow of the fluid (34) and at least one second filter region (43) for the flow of the fluid (34),

wherein a movable separating element (19) is arranged between the first filter region (41) and the at least one second filter region (43), so that in the closed state of the filter unit (15) the fluid (34) flows through substantially only one of the two filter regions (41, 43).

2. The water-conducting household appliance (1) as claimed in claim 1,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

a filter container (44) having at least one opening (46) is provided on the inflow side, through which the fluid (34) can flow into the filter container (44), and

a filter frame (13) and a filter surface (36) which can be at least partially flowed through are arranged on the filter container (44) along a flow direction (A),

wherein the separating element (19) is arranged on the filter frame (13).

3. The water-conducting household appliance (1) as claimed in claim 2,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter frame (13) has a circumferential wall (17),

wherein the separating element (19) is arranged inside the surrounding wall (17), and

the circumferential wall (17) and the separating element (19) each have a sealing element (23, 25) on the end face (21) which faces the filter surface (36), and

wherein the sealing elements (23, 25) of the circumferential wall (17) and of the separating element (19) rest on the filter surface (36) in the closed state.

4. A water-conducting household appliance (1) as claimed in claim 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter frame (13) can be arranged in a closed state, a partially closed state and an open state,

wherein in the closed state the sealing element (23) of the circumferential wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) rest against the filter surface (36), and

wherein in the partially closed state the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) rests on the filter surface (36), while the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface (36), and

wherein in the open state the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) are spaced apart from the filter surface (36).

5. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the circumferential wall (17) of the filter frame (13) has at least one extendable element (27).

6. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

at least one extendable element (27) of the circumferential wall (17) of the filter frame (13) has an elastic element.

7. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

at least one extendable element (27) of the circumferential wall (17) of the filter frame (13) is mounted so as to be movable.

8. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first filter area (41) is larger than the at least one second filter area (43).

9. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

in the closed state of the filter frame (13), the first filter region (41) is flown through by a fluid (34) and

in the partially closed state of the filter frame (13), mainly the second filter region (43) is flown through by the fluid (34).

10. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter frame (13) and/or the filter surface (36) of the filter container (44) are configured to be detachable.

11. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter surface (36) comprises a plurality of individual second filter areas (43),

wherein the plurality of individual second filter regions (43) are each configured in a sealing manner to the first filter region (41).

12. The water-guiding domestic appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the separating element (19) is embodied in the form of a stamping die and

the end face (21) of the separating element (19) rests in a face-wise manner on the filter surface (36) in the closed state.

13. A method for filtering a fluid (34) in a water-conducting household appliance (1),

the water-guiding domestic appliance comprises:

a drive unit (55) for substantially driving the pump unit (53),

a control unit (57) for controlling the drive unit (55),

a filter unit (15) for filtering a fluid (34),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter unit (15) has a filter surface (36) which can be flowed through and which has a first filter region (41) which is flowed through by the fluid (34) and at least one second filter region (43) which is at least partially flowed through by the fluid (34),

14. The method according to claim 13,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the filter unit (15) has a filter frame (13) and the filter surface (36),

wherein the separating element (19) and the surrounding wall (17) are arranged on the filter frame (13),

wherein sealing elements (23, 25) are provided on the end face (21) of the separating element (19) and on the circumferential wall (17), respectively, and

the filter frame (13) can be moved into a closed state, into a partially closed state by movement, and into an open state by further movement,

wherein the sealing element (23) of the circumferential wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) rest against the filter surface (36) in the closed state, and

wherein, by movement of the filter frame (13) into a partially closed state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) is brought to bear against the filter surface (36), while the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface (36), and

wherein the filter frame (13) is moved further into the open state such that the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) are spaced apart from the filter surface (36).