DE102021202010A1 - Washing machine with pump-over system and method for its operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device and a control or regulating device, the pumping system having a pump housing 1 with a pumping-out connection 2, a pumping-out connection 3 and a Intake connection 4, wherein on the pump housing 1 there is a pump-out motor 5, a pump-over motor 6, and an openable screw cap 7, to which a substantially cylindrical filter insert 8 that can be removed from the washing machine is attached and has at least one opening 9 along its circumference for the passage an aqueous liquid, are arranged so that the pump housing 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical suction chamber 10, a pump-down pressure chamber 11 and a pump-over pressure chamber 12, and wherein the pump-out motor 5 is arranged so that an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber 10 through the filter insert 8 via the pump-out pressure chamber 11 and the pump-out connection piece 3 into a pump-out line and the pump-over motor 6 is arranged in such a way that the aqueous liquid is pumped out of the essentially cylindrical suction chamber 10 through the filter insert 8 via the pump-out pressure chamber 12 and the pump-out connection piece 3 into a pump-out line transport, the essentially cylindrical filter insert 8 having the removable closure 7 at a first end 15, an evacuation seal 17 for sealing the evacuation pressure chamber 11 against the essentially cylindrical suction chamber 10 at a second end 16, and a pump-over opening 9 on its periphery for Circulation pressure chamber 12 has, the circumference having a shield 18 enclosing the circulation opening 9, which is surrounded by a labyrinth seal 20 and seals the circulation pressure chamber 12 against the suction chamber 10. The invention also relates to a method for operating this washing machine.

Description

The invention relates to a washing machine with a circulation system and a method for operating it. The invention relates in particular to a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry (laundry), a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device and a control or regulating device, the pumping system having a pump housing with a pumping-out connection, a pumping-out connection and a suction nozzle, wherein a pump-out motor, a pump-over motor, and an openable screw cap, on which a substantially cylindrical filter insert that can be removed from the washing machine and that has at least one opening for the passage of an aqueous liquid along its circumference, are arranged on the pump housing are such that the pump housing comprises a substantially cylindrical suction chamber, a pump-down pressure chamber and a pump-over pressure chamber, and wherein the pump-out motor is arranged to pump an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber via the pump-down pressure chamber mmer and to transport the pump-out nozzle into a pump-over line and the pump-over motor is arranged to transport the aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber via the pump-over pressure chamber and the pump-over nozzle into a pump-over line.

There are more and more washing machines that allow a higher load of laundry items. In order to better adapt the washing processes to the increased laundry loads, modern large-volume washing machines are often equipped with a pumping system that conveys the washing suds better and, above all, faster into the laundry. The washing suds can be rinsed out more quickly and efficiently in a rinsing phase. Finally, due to the new washing machine label requirements (EN19) with regard to washing effectiveness and energy efficiency, large-capacity washing machines are nowadays equipped with a pump-over system. In this way, low wash suds levels can be achieved in the washing machine or in the suds container for the washing process, so that a wash suds can be quickly brought to a desired washing process temperature even with low water levels in the suds container and thus with a low heating output of an existing heating device, in order to meet the label requirements, e.g of energy consumption to achieve. With a pumping system, washing suds can be pumped into the laundry even at liquid levels in the suds container at which watering of the laundry would not be possible without a circulation system because the washing drum is not yet immersed in the "dead liquor" (washing suds in the suds container) at such low liquid levels and watering of the laundry by a diffusion process from the outside inwards into the laundry is not possible.

The publication DE 10 2016 210 320 A1 describes a method for operating a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a drive motor, at least one water supply device, in general for supplying water into the tub, a pumping system with a tub pump and a pumping line, and a control device, in which at least one operating program is stored.

The publication DE 10 2018 206 364 A1 describes a household appliance for the care of items of laundry, with a suds container in which a laundry drum designed to hold the items of laundry is arranged, with a pump system which includes a circulation pump, by means of which a fluid can be conveyed from a lower region of the suds container. In one embodiment, the pumping system includes a drainage pump, with the circulation pump and the drainage pump being arranged in a common pump housing of the pumping system. In a further embodiment, an inlet-side chamber of the pump housing has a closure element, with the filter device being accessible for maintenance and/or being removable from the chamber after the closure element has been opened.

The publication DE 10 2016 212 478 A1 describes a laundry care appliance with a pump-over system comprising a suction chamber, the pump having a filter and/or foreign body trap for filtering impurities from the washing liquid, and the suction chamber having a filter insertion opening for inserting the filter into the suction chamber. The filter has a filter insert, which is arranged inside the suction chamber, and a filter cover, which is designed to seal the filter insertion opening in a fluid-tight manner.

Circulation pump systems, also known as circulation pump systems, usually consist of a pump (drainage pump) and a circulation pump (also called circulation pump), which are usually combined by a common pump housing. The pump housing is usually designed in such a way that both pumps use a common suction chamber in which either a foreign body trap or a lint filter is integrated to remove foreign bodies and/or lint from the suction side To be able to filter out the flow and to partially allow access to the impellers of the pump-out motor and pump-over motor, so that potential impeller blockages caused by foreign bodies can be eliminated by the customer. In the design, the pump is usually arranged in an axial direction, while the circulating pump is usually placed radially. The geometric arrangement of the two pumps on the common suction chamber is preferably designed in such a way that access to the impeller of the pump-out motor is provided. This access should be able to be sealed very well. As a rule, the axially arranged pump housing is axially closed and sealed by a screw cap. Due to the axial screw connection, the filter insert integrated in the suction chamber is also axially prestressed at the same time in such a way that a good seal of the pump-out pressure chamber from the suction chamber can be achieved with regard to the pump-out. This seal must be functionally reliable, especially for the pump, since there are VDE requirements specifically for the pump with regard to flow rate and maintenance of flow rate over the service life of the washing machine.

However, it is necessary to seal the radially arranged pressure chamber of the circulation pump (recirculation pressure chamber) from the suction chamber. This is because there is generally a gap between a removable filter insert and the pump housing, even if an attempt is made during production to keep this gap as small as possible. This gap is a result of the manufacturing of the pump housing and filter cartridge, which are typically injection molded where certain tolerances are specified. If such a seal is not implemented, this can lead to a significant leakage flow, which can make it very difficult or even impossible to control a washing program and in particular to control the circulation of aqueous liquid in a pump-over system. Namely, the flow of aqueous liquid should preferably be at a certain speed and at a certain angle into the drum. In addition, the hydraulic separation of the suction chamber from the pumping pressure chamber cannot be optimally used with regard to the hydraulically adjustable operating point and possible adhesion of foreign bodies for the further development of improved washing processes, because the simple gap sealing results in an excessive leakage flow. The leakage current should be as small as possible over the aforementioned, system-related gap.

Against this background, the object of the present invention was to provide a washing machine with a pumping system, which is particularly suitable for large loads of laundry items, with improved control of the pumping system making it possible to achieve better perfusion of the laundry items with an aqueous liquid, in particular washing suds improved cleaning of laundry items can be carried out.

According to this invention, this object is achieved by a washing machine and a method for operating this washing machine with the features of the corresponding independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the washing machine according to the invention are listed in the respective dependent patent claims. Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the washing machine according to the invention and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly stated here.

The invention relates to a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device and a control or regulating device, the pumping system comprising a pump housing with a pumping-out connection, a pumping-out connection and an intake connection , wherein a pump-out motor, a pump-over motor, and an openable screw cap, on which a filter insert that can be removed from the washing machine is attached and has at least one opening for the passage of an aqueous liquid along its circumference, are arranged on the pump housing, so that the pump housing a substantially cylindrical suction chamber, a pump-out pressure chamber and a pump-over pressure chamber, and wherein the pump-down motor is arranged to pump an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber via the pump-out pressure chamber and the pump-out port into a pump-out line and the pump-around motor is arranged to convey the aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber through the filter insert via the pump-around pressure chamber and the pump-around nozzle into a pump-around line, the filter insert having the openable screw cap at a first end and at a second end has a pump-out seal for sealing the pump-out pressure chamber against the essentially cylindrical suction chamber, and on its periphery, mostly orthogonally thereto, has a pump-over opening to the pump-over pressure chamber, the periphery having a pump-over opening-enclosing shield, which is surrounded by a labyrinth seal and the Pumping pressure chamber sealed against the suction chamber. The shield is preferably surrounded by a labyrinth seal outside a connection area. In general namely, the shield will be connected to the rest of the filter insert via a connection area for stabilization.

The at least one opening along the circumference of the filter insert is therefore the pump-over opening here. The filter cartridge is generally designed in such a way that it has three openings for the passage of an aqueous liquid, namely one suction-side and two pressure-side openings to feed the circulation pump and the drain pump, i.e. an inlet from the suction chamber and two outlets or outlets to the pressure chambers .

While the pump housing is generally almost cylindrical, apart from draft angles, the outside geometry of the filter insert does not necessarily have to be cylindrical.

According to the invention, a pump housing is used that contains the pump-out and pump-over functions. This enables a particularly compact construction of the pumping system and a comparatively small amount of space. Such a housing can be produced particularly well by plastic injection molding.

A filter insert that can be removed from the washing machine can be separably attached to the screw cap that is to be opened. In principle, it is possible for the closure and filter insert to be designed in one piece and, for example, to be produced as a one-piece injection molded part, in which case it may be difficult or even impossible to seal the pumping and pumping-out pressure chambers at the same time because the filter insert molded on is screwed on when the closure cap is screwed on then has to turn as well, so that this labyrinth seal cannot be used as a matter of principle.

In a pumping phase, the aqueous liquid is conveyed from the essentially cylindrical suction chamber via the pumping pressure chamber and the pumping connection into a pumping line, which in turn is connected to an inlet in the drum, so that the pumped aqueous liquid is ultimately returned to the laundry items in the drum reached.

The control or regulating device is generally set up to cause the aqueous liquid to be pumped around or pumped out.

In the broadest sense, the filter insert is a cylindrical filter insert in which its external dimensions or geometry are designed in such a way that they allow unhindered insertion into the essentially cylindrical suction chamber and corresponding unhindered removal by a user of the washing machine. In this case, the filter insert generally has components that contribute to the mechanical stabilization of the filter insert per se and enable stationary positioning in the cylindrical suction chamber. While the pump housing is almost cylindrical, apart from draft angles, the filter insert does not necessarily have to be cylindrical in its external geometry.

In a pump-out phase, on the other hand, the aqueous liquid is conveyed from the cylindrical suction chamber via the pump-out pressure chamber and the pump-out nozzle into a pump-out line, which is generally connected to a sewage system, so that the pumped-out aqueous liquid can be disposed of.

In a preferred embodiment of the washing machine, the molded-on shield on the filter cartridge has a connection area via which the shield is connected directly or indirectly to the first end of the essentially cylindrical filter cartridge.

The shield has the task of improving the seal between the pumping pressure chamber and the suction chamber and should also enable access to the pumping pressure chamber and thus also to the impeller of the pumping pump. The shield is therefore generally adapted to the shape of the pump-over pressure chamber in order to enable good flow guidance. In a preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention, the shield is therefore concave in shape in order to seal off a convex pumping pressure chamber from the cylindrical suction chamber. The shield can thus be concave in shape to seal a convex pump over pressure chamber.

According to the invention, the shield for closing or sealing the pump-over pressure chamber is surrounded on the circumference by a labyrinth seal, in particular outside of a connection area. The labyrinth seal is generally a non-contact seal in which the sealing effect is based on the lengthening of the flow path, i.e. usually through a flow deflection, through the gap to be sealed, which significantly increases the flow resistance. This can be realized, for example, by providing one or more stages along the flow path, in this case the aqueous liquid, so that the flow within the labyrinth seal (or stage seal) is deflected several times. The labyrinth seal preferably has at least one stage, more preferably two or three stages.

According to the invention, the generally circumferential gap between the filter insert and the pump housing is widened in such a way that this gap is covered with the shield, which can also be referred to as a collar or overlap, on the filter insert and, if necessary, a complementary counterpart on the filter housing. This generally radially pronounced shield above the axially running gap is preferably as parallel as possible to a radially building up pressure gradient in the pump-over pressure chamber. The filter insert used according to the invention causes a massive flow deflection for the leakage flow, with which an increased pressure loss occurs, which enables the leakage flow to be reduced.

According to the invention, a washing machine is preferred in which the angle α between a pump-out motor shaft and a filter insert axis is in the range from >0° to 30°, for example in the range from 3° to 15°. It is particularly preferred that the angle α is selected in such a way that the static friction between the generally used plate spring of the filter insert, ie the sealing element for the pumping pressure chamber, and the pump housing is eliminated.

This embodiment of the present invention makes it possible for the sealing achieved according to the invention by the shield to be improved even further by an axial contact pressure on the pump-out seal, in particular if this is designed as a plate spring, because the filter insert “slides” off the partition to the pump-out pressure chamber a better closing of the pumping pressure chamber can be achieved by the shield on the filter insert, which closes the gaps caused by the principle better. A higher pressure loss can thus be generated, which constricts or restricts the leakage flow even more. In order to achieve such a contact pressure for better sealing of the pump-over pressure chamber, the filter insert can be clamped axially against the pump housing with regard to the pump-over or the pump-over motor such that the filter insert can slide radially in the direction of the pump-over pressure chamber with regard to the suction chamber. This sliding of the filter insert on the boundary wall of the pump housing to the pumping pressure chamber can be achieved in particular if the angle α between a pumping motor shaft and a filter insert axis is in the range of 3° to 15°, with the angle α to be selected depending on the materials used, i.e whether, for example, plastics meet or a metal meets a plastic. If the self-locking (static friction) between the filter insert and the pump housing is eliminated, the filter insert in the suction chamber, i.e. in the pump housing, can press radially against the pumping pressure chamber in order to seal it as best as possible.

A washing machine according to the invention is also preferred in which the angle β between a circulation motor shaft and a filter insert axis is in the range from 70° to 110°, and preferably in the range from 85° to 95°.

The pump-out seal is preferably a plate spring, which generally acts axially in order to seal off an axially or quasi-axially arranged pressure chamber of the pump-out pump, ie the pump-out motor. In embodiments of the invention, in which the axial sealing between a common suction chamber and the pump-out pressure chamber is effected by elastic deformation of a plate spring on the filter insert, the invention enables the seal, which is generally arranged radially on the common suction chamber of the pump-over system and is conditionally accessible to the user, to be sealed Circulation pressure chamber uses a new, constructive sealing principle to minimize leakage flows, i.e. a hydraulic short circuit from the pressure chamber to the suction chamber, which requires double delivery of the leakage flow between the pump housing and the pump filter insert.

In principle, the filter insert can be designed as a fluff filter and/or as a foreign body trap. The filter insert as a lint filter can be designed in the manner of a sieve, which serves in particular to hold back hair, lint and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the filter insert can be designed as a foreign body trap, which serves to hold back larger foreign bodies such as coins, hair clips or similar small parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter insert is designed as a foreign body trap. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction chamber is preceded by a fluff filter.

A washing machine is also preferred in which the filter insert has at least one guide bar parallel to a filter insert axis. This enables a stable, stationary positioning of the filter insert, which contributes to an optimal seal between the circulation pressure chamber and the suction chamber.

The pump-out motor and pump-over motor are generally electric motors. In this case, it is preferred that the pump-out motor and the pump-around motor are each, for example, a brushless direct current motor (BLDC). These speed-variable and direction-of-rotation orientable drives allow the acquisition of operating para meters such as speed and torque recognize the current pump status. For example, it can be detected whether a pump used is pumping the entire flow rate or, for example, has sucked in air, the flow rate has broken off and the pump has only built up a pressure column and is therefore in quasi-ventilated operation on the suction side. It can be determined when the pump-out motor is pumping out two-phase washing suds with reduced density at a constant, reduced power requirement.

Finally, a washing machine is preferred in which the suction port has a larger diameter than the pump-out port and the pump-over port. However, the size ratios or diameter ratios can also be designed differently.

A washing machine according to the invention has a heating device. In a preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention, the washing machine has a heating device for heating the aqueous liquid and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the aqueous liquid in the tub. The heating device is generally arranged in the lower part of the tub. Alternatively, the heating device can be integrated in the water paths of the pumping system, for example in the pump or in the pressure-side pumping line or an air duct circuit or a steam unit of the washing machine. This has the advantage that there is no space for the heating device in the tub, which reduces the free liquor or dead liquor in the tub. As a result, the amount of aqueous liquid required to treat the items of laundry can advantageously be reduced in order, among other things, to use less heating energy in order to reach comparable temperature levels. The heating device and the temperature sensor can advantageously be controlled or evaluated by the control device, so that temperature regulation can be implemented.

The water supply device can be, for example, a time valve-controlled fresh water connection, the valve preferably being controllable by the control device. The fresh water supply line to the tub then particularly preferably also has a flow sensor for determining the volume of fresh water introduced. With the additional detection of the filling level in the tub with the help of a pressure sensor, the water supply for the batch of laundry used can be precisely specified or adjusted.

In a further preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention, the washing machine also has a load sensor for determining the mass of items of laundry in the drum. The load sensor is advantageously arranged on the tub and connected to the control device. According to the invention, the control device therefore preferably takes into account the load quantity and, if possible, also the type of load on the drum with items of laundry when controlling the pumping system.

• (a) Ansteuern des Abpumpmotors und/oder des Umpumpmotors durch die Steuereinrichtung derart, dass einer dieser Motoren angeschaltet, d.h. aktiviert oder angesteuert, wird;
• (b) Ansaugen einer wässrigen Flüssigkeit in die Saugkammer mittels des angesteuerten Abpumpmotors oder des angesteuerten Umpumpmotors; und
• (c1) Beförderung der wässrigen Flüssigkeit aus der im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Saugkammer durch den Filtereinsatz über die Umpumpdruckkammer und den Umpumpstutzen in die Umpumpleitung; oder
• (c2) Beförderung der wässrigen Flüssigkeit aus der im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Saugkammer über die Abpumpdruckkammer und den Abpumpstutzen in die Abpumpleitung.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device, a control or regulating device, the pumping system having a pump housing with a pumping-out connection, a pumping-out connection and a suction nozzle, wherein on the pump housing there is a pump-out motor, a pump-over motor, and an openable screw cap, to which a substantially cylindrical filter insert that can be removed from the washing machine is attached and has at least one opening for the passage of an aqueous liquid along its circumference, are arranged so that the pump housing comprises a substantially cylindrical suction chamber, a pump-down pressure chamber and a pump-over pressure chamber, and wherein the pump-out motor is arranged to pump an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber through d to convey a filter insert via the pump-over pressure chamber and the pump-over connection piece into a pump-over line and the pump-over motor is arranged in such a way that the aqueous liquid is conveyed out of the essentially cylindrical suction chamber through the filter insert via the pump-over pressure chamber and the pump-over connection piece into a pump-over line, the essentially cylindrical The filter cartridge has the removable closure at a first end, a pump-out seal for sealing the pump-out pressure chamber against the cylindrical suction chamber at a second end, and a pump-over opening on its periphery to the pump-over pressure chamber, the periphery having a pump-over opening-enclosing shield formed by a labyrinth -Seal is surrounded and seals the pumping pressure chamber against the suction chamber, comprising the steps

• (a) activation of the pump-out motor and/or the pump-over motor by the control device in such a way that one of these motors is switched on, ie activated or controlled;
• (b) Suction of an aqueous liquid into the suction chamber by means of the controlled pump-out motor or the controlled pump-over motor; and
• (c1) transporting the aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber through the filter cartridge via the pump-over pressure chamber and the pump-over nozzle into the pump-over line; or
• (c2) Conveyance of the aqueous liquid from the essentially cylindrical suction chamber via the pump-out pressure chamber and the pump-out nozzle into the pump-out line.

In general, after the step (c2), the aqueous liquid is discharged into the domestic sewer.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the control or regulating device is set up to take into account the loading with items of laundry.

The circulation motor of the circulation system is generally only switched on after the introduction of aqueous liquid, in particular water, has begun, in particular after a first predetermined volume V _start of water has been introduced into the tub. The aqueous liquid can be fresh water or process water, which can be stored in the washing machine in the form of gray water, for example, or a mixture of fresh water and gray water. Gray water is waste water that is slightly polluted. For example, the liquid from the last rinse of a treatment program in the washing machine could not be pumped down the drain, but instead temporarily stored in an optional container in the washing machine. In a subsequent treatment program, the temporarily stored liquid could be flushed into the tub at the beginning of a pre-treatment phase. This has the advantage that fresh water is saved, which saves resources for treating the laundry items. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, fresh water is supplied to the tub.

The aqueous liquid is preferably pumped off at the bottom of the tub and fed back to as central a point as possible in the drum or the tub, so that the items of laundry in the drum are impinged on in the middle or centrally with returned aqueous liquid. A so-called laundry tunnel can be specially formed for this injection process, into which water is then injected centrally. The point at which pumped treatment liquid is supplied to the tub is referred to herein as the tub inlet. Alternatively, the treatment liquid can be fed back directly into the drum and onto the laundry items. In this alternative case, the tub inlet can be arranged in the area of a loading opening of the drum. A rear feed is also conceivable, in which, for example, the aqueous medium is fed in through a hollow drive shaft.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the pumping system comprises, preferably in the control or regulating device, a pumping control unit and the pumping control unit detects a pumping motor power P and evaluates this with regard to density, degree of fluff and two-phase nature of the medium to be pumped, the presence of foreign bodies in the pump-over line and/or the contamination of a filter present in the pump-over line. In this case, a connection between the pumping performance and various soiling states, e.g. of a filter used, is preferably stored in the pumping control unit and/or the control device of the washing machine.

The invention has numerous advantages. It is thus possible to achieve very good hydraulic separation between the suction and pressure sides for the circulation pump of the pumping system without providing an additional, cost-intensive sealing element on the filter insert. In addition, good accessibility and visibility to the impeller of the circulation pump, which is usually arranged radially, can be realized on the pump housing. The filter insert can be easily removed by a user of the washing machine for cleaning purposes.

If the gap is one-dimensional, the manufacturing tolerances have a major impact on the functional design of the leakage current. Due to the development of the housing gap between the pump housing and filter insert that can be achieved according to the invention in an axial and radial form and through appropriate centering, the sealing effect can be virtually independent of the manufacturing tolerances of a one-dimensional gap development.

The manufacturing costs for the tools can be lower if less attention has to be paid to maintaining the radial gap geometries. This is particularly important when several tools or several tool cavities (tool cavities) are used in one tool in order to cover the parts requirement, for which separate tool costs are then incurred in order to take into account the variance between the tools Lich to keep the leakage current low. In this regard, longer tool maintenance cycles result according to the invention, in which the disruptive gap or leakage currents must be checked and limited again and again with a one-dimensional gap design, since the filter insert used according to the invention is less sensitive in this regard and therefore requires less maintenance.

In the embodiment of the invention, in which a contact pressure is additionally implemented for better sealing of the pumping pressure chamber, a complex tolerance consideration is almost unnecessary, since the sealing principle is based on a quasi-surface-acting seal and not just a line contact, as in the original one-dimensional gap design. whose sealing effect is very susceptible to tolerances in the components.

The pumping system sealed according to the invention can be more reliable over the entire operating time (service life). For example, in the embodiment in which the double (axially and radially) acting seal is prestressed, not only can manufacturing tolerances be larger, but relaxation processes of plastics for the filter insert or the pump housing can also occur over the service life set by temperature change loads, can be counteracted. A suction-side, radial ribbing of the shield of the filter insert, which closes the pumping pressure chamber and even extends beyond the sealing collar, can influence this effect even more positively and thus guarantee constantly low leakage currents over the entire operating time and the main functions of pumping and pumping over the service life of the Ensure washing machine.

An additional positive side effect is that by reducing the leakage flow between the pressure and suction chambers, the risk of the pumps becoming fluffy over the operating time (lifetime) is reduced. This is because fluff that has already reached the pressure chamber is pumped out or circulated more reliably without getting into the suction chamber again through the leakage flow and being exposed to a double pump, which poses a higher risk of fluffing for the pumps. Closing off the sealing gap in a more functionally reliable manner hardly allows fluff to adhere to the gap or seal geometry, which is significantly more risky in the case of a one-dimensional gap seal, as experimental investigations by the inventors have shown.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Pumpengehäuses mit daran angeschlossenem Abpumpmotor und Umpumpmotor;
• 2
  1. a) eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Abpump/Umpumpmotors mit einem Laufrad;
  2. b) eine Seitenansicht des Abpump/Umpumpmotors von a);
• 3
  1. a) eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Filtereinsatzes;
  2. b) eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht dieses erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Filtereinsatzes;
• 4
  1. a) eine Seitenansicht eines mit einem zu öffnenden Schraubverschluss versehenen im Wesentlichen zylindrischen nicht gemäß der Erfindung verwendeten Filtereinsatzes, bei welchem ein Schild ohne Labyrinthdichtung verwendet wird;
  2. b) eine Seitenansicht eines mit einem zu öffnenden Schraubverschluss versehenen zylindrischen Filtereinsatzes in einer erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Ausführungsform, bei welcher ein Schild mit einer Labyrinthdichtung verwendet wird;
• 5 einen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch einen Verschluss, einen Filtereinsatz, die gemeinsame Saugkammer und durch die Druckkammer der Abpumpe;
• 6 eine Seitenansicht eines Umpumpsystems mit einem demontierten Umpumpmotor, um die Spaltgeometrie zwischen Pumpengehäuse und Filtereinsatz darzustellen;
• 7 eine Schnittansicht durch ein Umpumpsystem, bei dem die Abpumpdruckkammer einen relativ kleinen Winkel α zur Saugkammer aufweist, um eine noch bessere Abdichtung zwischen Saugkammer und Umpumpdruckkammer zu erreichen.
• 8 eine Labyrinthdichtung, insbesondere mit einer links gezeigten zweistufigen Labyrinthdichtung sowie einer rechts gezeigten dreistufigen Labyrinthdichtung.

Non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing. Reference is made to the 1 until 8th . Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a pump housing used according to the invention with pumping motor and pumping motor connected thereto;
• 2
  1. a) a perspective view of a pump-out / pump-over motor with an impeller;
  2. b) a side view of the pump-out/pump-out motor of a);
• 3
  1. a) a perspective view of a filter insert used according to the invention;
  2. b) another perspective view of this filter insert used according to the invention;
• 4
  1. a) a side view of a substantially cylindrical filter cartridge provided with an openable screw cap not used according to the invention, in which a shield without a labyrinth seal is used;
  2. b) a side view of a cylindrical filter cartridge provided with an openable screw cap in an embodiment used according to the invention, in which a shield with a labyrinth seal is used;
• 5 a vertical longitudinal section through a closure, a filter cartridge, the common suction chamber and through the pressure chamber of the exhaust pump;
• 6 a side view of a pumping system with a dismantled pumping motor to show the gap geometry between the pump housing and the filter insert;
• 7 a sectional view through a pumping system in which the pumping pressure chamber has a relatively small angle α to the suction chamber in order to achieve an even better seal between the suction chamber and the pumping pressure chamber.
• 8th a labyrinth seal, in particular with a two-stage labyrinth seal shown on the left and a three-stage labyrinth seal shown on the right.

1 shows a perspective view of a pump housing 1 used according to the invention with pump-out motor 5 and pump-over motor 6 connected thereto. At the pump gear Housing 1 also has a removable closure 7 on which a cylindrical filter insert (not visible here) is attached. 10 means a suction chamber.

2 shows in 2a a perspective view of a pump-out/pump-out motor 5.6 with an impeller 27 and 2 B a side view of the pump-out / pump-over motor 5.6 of 2a , in which the shape of the impeller 27 can be seen more clearly.

3a shows a perspective view of a filter insert 8 used according to the invention, on which a removable closure, not shown here, is generally attached at the left end, via which a user of the washing machine can remove the filter insert 8 from a washing machine, also not shown here. The filter insert 8 generally has a removable closure (not shown here) at a first end 15, a disk spring 17 as an evacuation seal at a second end 16 for sealing an evacuation pressure chamber (not shown here) against a cylindrical suction chamber (also not shown here), and on its circumference a here circular pumping-over opening 9 to the pumping-over pressure chamber (not shown), the periphery having a shield 18 enclosing the pumping-over opening 9, which seals the pumping-over pressure chamber from the suction chamber. The shield 18 has a connection area 19 via which the shield 18 is connected directly or indirectly to the first end 15 of the cylindrical filter insert 8 . Since the shield 18 is here a part of the cylindrical filter cartridge formed by injection molding of a plastic material, the connection area 19 is here an integral plastic part. Shield 18, in this non-limiting embodiment, is concave in shape to seal a convex-shaped pump-over pressure chamber from a cylindrical suction chamber. In addition, the shield 18 is surrounded outside of the connection area 19 by a labyrinth seal 20 not shown in detail here.

3b shows another perspective view of the in 3a shown filter cartridge, in which the filter cartridge 8 parallel to a filter cartridge axis 25 has a guide bar 28 for better positioning.

4a shows a side view of a filter insert 8 which is provided with a removable closure 7 which is only indicated here and which is not used according to the invention, namely in which a shield 18 without a labyrinth seal is used. 17 denotes a plate spring, 9 a circular opening in the shield 18, and 19 a connection area via which the shield 18 is connected to the second end 16 of the cylindrical filter cartridge 8. 28 means a guide bar and 15 the second end of the cylindrical filter insert 8.

4b shows compared to 4a a side view of a substantially cylindrical filter cartridge provided with an openable screw cap in an embodiment used according to the invention, in which a shield with a labyrinth seal 20 is used.

5 shows a vertical longitudinal section through a closure 7, a filter insert 8, the common suction chamber 10 and the pressure chamber 11 of the pump. 28 means a guide web, 12 the pumping pressure chamber and 25 a filter insert axis. 27 means an impeller of the pump-out motor 5. 2 means the pump-out connection and 24 the pump-out motor shaft.

6 shows a side view of a pump-over system with a pump-over motor dismantled in order to show the gap geometry between the pump housing 1 and the filter insert 8 . 7 means a removable closure, 10 a suction chamber, 4 a pump-over connection, 2 the pump-out connection, 5 a pump-out motor, 25 a filter cartridge axle, 18 the shield in which a circular opening 9 to the pump-over pressure chamber 12 is arranged. 20 means a labyrinth seal around the shield 18.

7 shows a sectional view through a pump-over system in which the pump-down pressure chamber 11 has a relatively small angle α to the suction chamber 10 in order to achieve an even better seal between the suction chamber 10 and the pump-over pressure chamber 12 . 17 means a disc spring, 18 a shield with an opening to the pumping pressure chamber 12, which cannot be seen here. 29 means a resulting contact pressure and 30 an axial tension by a (screwable) closure cap 7. 8 means a filter insert.

In the 7 The embodiment shown allows the filter insert 8 to slide off in the radial direction in relation to the common suction chamber 10, for better sealing of the pump-over pressure chamber 12. The disc spring 17 acts as a sealing element for the pump-out pressure chamber. This embodiment allows the filter insert 8 to be removed from the pump-over pressure chamber 12 after axial relaxation by unscrewing the filter cover 7 . The effect of this is that when the filter insert 8 is inserted into the suction chamber 10, there is a further resistance force which positions the filter insert 8 against the sealing surface for the pumping pressure chamber 12, but with the Removal of the filter cartridge 8 is sufficient freedom of movement to prevent jamming of the filter cartridge 8 in the pump housing 1 when removing the filter cartridge 8 when a user of the washing machine is forced to clean the pumping system for maintenance purposes.

8th 12 shows a labyrinth seal 20 in detail, this having a two-stage labyrinth seal 13 with two stages 21, 22 on the left and a three-stage labyrinth seal 14 with three stages 21, 22, 23 on the right for illustration purposes.

Reference List

1

pump housing

2

pump out socket

3

pump-over connection

4

intake manifold

5

pump motor

6

circulating motor

7

Openable screw cap; removable cap

8th

Essentially cylindrical filter cartridge

9

Opening; pump-over opening

10 im

Essential cylindrical suction chamber

11

pump-down chamber

12

pump pressure chamber

13

Two-stage labyrinth seal

14

Three-stage labyrinth seal

15

First end (of the substantially cylindrical filter cartridge)

16

Second end (of the substantially cylindrical filter cartridge)

17

pump out seal; disc spring

18

Sign

19

connection area

20

Labyrinth seal

21

First Stage of the Labyrinth Seal

22

Second Stage of the Labyrinth Poetry

23

Third Stage of the Labyrinth Poetry

24

pump motor shaft

25

filter insert axis

26

pump motor shaft

27

Impeller of pump-over motor or pump-out motor

28

guide bar

29

Axial tension by (screwable) cap

30

Resulting contact pressure

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102016210320 A1 [0003]
• DE 102018206364 A1 [0004]
• DE 102016212478 A1 [0005]

Claims (14)

Washing machine with a suds container, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device and a control or regulating device, the pumping system having a pump housing (1) with a pumping-out connection (2), a pumping-out connection (3) and an intake nozzle (4), wherein on the pump housing (1) there is a pump-out motor (5), a pump-over motor (6) and a screw cap (7) that can be opened, on which a substantially cylindrical filter insert (8) that can be removed from the washing machine which has at least one opening (9) along its circumference for the passage of an aqueous liquid, are arranged so that the pump housing (1) has a substantially cylindrical suction chamber (10), a pump-out pressure chamber (11) and a pump-over pressure chamber (12 ) comprises, and wherein the pump-out motor (5) is arranged so that an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber (10) through conveying the filter insert via the pump-out pressure chamber (11) and the pump-out nozzle (3) into a pump-out line and the pump-over motor (6) is arranged in such a way that the aqueous liquid is pumped out of the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10) through the filter insert via the pump-over pressure chamber (12 ) and to transport the pump-over nozzle (3) into a pump-over line, characterized in that the essentially cylindrical filter insert (8) has the openable screw cap (7) at a first end (15) and a pump-out seal at a second end (16). (17) for sealing the pump-out pressure chamber (11) against the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10), and on its circumference has a pump-over opening (9) to the pump-over pressure chamber (12), the circumference having a shield (18 ) which is surrounded by a labyrinth seal (20) and seals the pumping pressure chamber (12) against the suction chamber (10). washing machine after claim 1 , characterized in that the shield (18) has a connection area (19) via which the shield (18) is connected directly or indirectly to the first end (15) of the cylindrical filter cartridge (8). washing machine after claim 2 , characterized in that the shield (18) is concave in shape in order to seal a convex-shaped pumping pressure chamber (12) against the substantially cylindrical suction chamber (10). Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the labyrinth seal (20) has at least one stage (21,22,23), preferably two or three stages. Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the angle α between a pump-out motor shaft (24) and a filter insert axis (25) is in the range of > 0° to 30°. washing machine after claim 5 , characterized in that the angle α is chosen so that the static friction between the filter insert (8) and the pump housing (1) is eliminated. Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the angle β between a circulation motor shaft (26) and a filter insert axis (25) is in the range from 70° to 110°. Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the pump-out seal (17) is a disk spring. Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the suction chamber (8) is preceded by a fluff filter. Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the filter insert (8) is designed as a foreign body trap (8). Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the filter insert (8) has at least one guide web (28) parallel to a filter insert axis (25). Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the pump-out motor (5) and the pump-over motor (6) are each a brushless direct current motor (BLDC). Washing machine after one of Claims 1 until 12 , characterized in that the suction port (4) has a larger diameter than the pump-out port (2) and the pump-over port (3). Method for operating a washing machine with a tub, a drum arranged therein for receiving items of laundry, a heating device, a drive motor, a water supply device, a control or regulating device, the pumping system comprising a pump housing (1) with a pump-out connection (2), a Circulation connection (3) and an intake connection (4), wherein on the pump housing (1) there is a pump-out motor (5), a pump-out motor (6) and a screw that can be opened closure (7) to which is attached a substantially cylindrical filter insert (8) which can be removed from the washing machine and has at least one opening (9) along its circumference for the passage of an aqueous liquid, so that the pump housing (1) a substantially cylindrical suction chamber (10), a pump-down pressure chamber (11) and a pump-over pressure chamber (12), and wherein the pump-out motor (5) is arranged to pump an aqueous liquid from the substantially cylindrical suction chamber (10) via the pump-down pressure chamber ( 11) and the pump-out connection (3) into a pump-out line and the pump-over motor (6) is arranged in such a way that the aqueous liquid is pumped out of the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10) via the pump-over pressure chamber (12) and the pump-over connection (3) into a To convey pumping line, wherein the substantially cylindrical filter insert (8) at a first end (15) has the removable closure (7), at a second end (16). e pump-out seal (17) for sealing the pump-out pressure chamber (11) against the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10), and having a pump-over opening (9) on its circumference to the pump-over pressure chamber (12), the circumference having a shield enclosing the pump-over opening (9). (18) which is surrounded by a labyrinth seal (20) and seals the pump-over pressure chamber (12) from the suction chamber (10), comprising the steps (a) controlling the pump-out motor (5) and/or the pump-over motor (6) by the control or regulating device in such a way that at least one of these motors (5, 6) is switched on, ie activated or controlled, and the other is switched off; (b) sucking an aqueous liquid into the suction chamber (10) by means of the pump-down driven motor (5) or the pump-over driven motor (6); and (c1) conveying the aqueous liquid from the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10) via the pump-over pressure chamber (12) and the pump-over connection piece (3) into the pump-over line; or (c2) transporting the aqueous liquid from the essentially cylindrical suction chamber (10) via the pump-out pressure chamber (11) and the pump-out nozzle (2) into the pump-out line.

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