EP3695768A1 - Household appliance comprising a filter element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (100) having a container (105) for receiving liquid, the container (105) having a drain opening (109) and an inlet element (111), a pump (115) for pumping the liquid, a Circulation line (113) which fluidly connects the discharge opening (109) to the inlet element (111), the pump (115) being designed to pump liquid from the container (105) through the discharge opening (109) into the circulation line (113), to pump the liquid in a pumping direction (114) through the circulation line (113), and to supply the liquid again from the circulation line (113) and through the inlet element (111) to the container (105), the domestic appliance (100) having a filter element ( 125), which is fluidically connected to the circulation line (113). The filter element (125) is designed to filter impurities (131) from the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113) in the pumping direction (114), the filter element (125) having a side (125-) downstream with respect to the pumping direction (114). 1). The household appliance (100) has a substance element (127) which is attached to the downstream side (125-1) of the filter element (125), the substance element (127) being designed to provide care substance to the substance pumped through the circulation line (113) To dispense liquid.

Description

The present invention relates to a household appliance with a filter element.

Certain device variants of conventional household appliances, in particular laundry care devices, have fluid-carrying lines through which fluids are pumped, with laundry care devices in particular washing liquid being pumped for cleaning the laundry. During the operation of conventional household appliances, contaminants such as e.g. Lint, dirt, or dust, taken up in the fluid and carried along by the fluid through the fluid-carrying lines. In order to filter such impurities from the fluid, certain device variants of conventional household devices, in particular laundry care devices, have filter elements through which the fluid flows.

Furthermore, in conventional household appliances, in particular laundry care devices, care substance, in particular laundry care substance, such as e.g. Detergent added in order to ensure effective cleaning of the household appliance through the care substance absorbed in the fluid, in particular to ensure effective laundry care of laundry received in the laundry care appliance through the laundry care substance absorbed in the fluid. However, the corresponding care substance must often be supplied to the household appliance in a complex manner, e.g. be introduced into the dispenser of a laundry care device, or fed directly to the laundry in the laundry drum.

In the WO 2013/068300 A1 discloses a washing machine having a filtration device for filtering washing liquid.

In the WO 2017/204725 A1 discloses a combination unit for storing a cleaning agent.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a household appliance with a filter element, wherein care substance can also be released through the filter element.

This object is achieved by the subject matter with the features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to one aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a household appliance, with a container for receiving liquid, the container having a discharge opening and an inlet element, a pump for pumping the liquid, a circulation line which fluidly connects the discharge opening with the inlet element, wherein the pump is designed to pump liquid from the container through the drain opening into the circulation line, to pump the liquid in a pumping direction through the circulation line, and to supply the liquid from the circulation line and through the inlet element to the container again, the household appliance having a filter element , which is fluidically connected to the circulation line, the filter element being designed to filter impurities from the liquid pumped through the circulation line in the pumping direction, the filter element having a side that is downstream with respect to the pumping direction, the household device has a substance element which is attached to the downstream side of the filter element, wherein the substance element is designed to deliver care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that two functionalities can be combined in the filter element through the filter element fluidly connected to the circulation line. On the one hand, the filter element can ensure effective filtration of impurities from the liquid pumped through the circulation line. On the other hand, the filter element has the function of a care substance reservoir, whereby the release of the care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line can be ensured during the use of the filter element.

The filter element fluidly connected to the circulation line according to the present disclosure has a substance element which is designed to deliver the care substance directly to the liquid pumped through the circulation line. This eliminates the need for the user to manually add the care substance for each care process, since the release of the care substance by the substance element results in a sufficient concentration of the care substance in the pumped liquid. Thus, the care substance contained in the pumped liquid can be used effectively for device care during the pumping process, in particular, for example, in a laundry care device, the care substance can ensure effective laundry care or, for example, in a dish care device, effective dish care can be ensured.

In one embodiment, the substance element attached to the filter element can be replaced alone, or the filter element and the substance element can also be exchanged together after each maintenance operation of the household appliance, so that a disposable filter element is provided that is easy to change by the user. The substance element of a disposable filter element has in particular a quantity of care substance which is sufficient to provide sufficient care substance for at least one single care process.

In an alternative embodiment, the substance element can have an amount of care substance which is sufficient for a plurality of care processes, so that a reusable filter element is provided which only needs to be replaced after longer service intervals. When replacing the reusable filter element, either a new filter element with a substance element can be used or, alternatively, only a new substance element with a new care substance can be attached to the existing filter element. Since the reusable filter element can also become clogged with the accumulated impurities during operation of the household appliance, the filter element must also be replaced after longer service intervals for this reason, so that in this case either a new filter element with a substance element can be used, or that the contaminants are removed from the filter element.

In one embodiment, the substance element attached to the downstream side of the filter element is designed to deliver the care substance to the liquid passed through the filter element.

In one embodiment, the substance element is designed to continuously release the care substance over a period of time to the liquid flowing around the filter element.

In one embodiment, the filter element is designed to filter impurities from the liquid passed through the circulation line when the substance element is attached to the downstream side of the filter element. This can ensure that the filter function of the filter element and the substance release function of the substance element can be carried out at the same time, so that care substance can be released to the liquid at the same time, impurities can be filtered out of the liquid.

In one embodiment, the filter element is designed to filter impurities from the liquid conveyed through the circulation line when the substance element attached to the downstream side of the filter element has released the care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line. This causes a time delay in the filtering of impurities by the filter element. Here, the substance element first releases the care substance into the liquid, in particular a detergent tab attached to the filter element dissolves, which releases the downstream side of the filter element in order to then give the filter element the opportunity to effectively filter impurities.

The substance element is in particular shaped as a body made of care substance, in particular laundry care substance tab, which can be dissolved by the liquid pumped through the circulating line in order to deliver the care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulating line.

The care substance in particular comprises a single care substance or a plurality of care substances. The at least one care substance comprises in particular a water-soluble care substance or a water-soluble care substance mixture. The at least one care substance comprises in particular a solubility-increasing additive, by means of which the solubility of the care substance can be increased.

In particular, the care substance comprises a plurality of different care substances which have different solubilities in water in order to release the different care substances to the liquid at different times during operation of the household appliance.

If the household appliance is designed as a laundry care appliance, in particular a washing machine or tumble dryer, the care substance released by the substance element can in particular comprise a laundry care substance or a plurality of laundry care substances, e.g. Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, descaling agents, and / or disinfectants.

If the household appliance is designed as a dish care device, in particular a dishwasher, the care substance released by the substance element can in particular comprise a dish care substance or a plurality of dish care substances, e.g. Dishwasher detergents, rinse aids, descaling agents and / or disinfectants.

In particular, the filter element and the substance element fastened to the filter element are arranged in the circulation line.

In particular, the household appliance is designed as a laundry care device for caring for laundry, with a tub for receiving washing liquid, the tub having a drain opening and an inlet element, a pump for pumping the washing liquid, a circulation line which fluidly connects the drain opening with the inlet element, wherein the pump is designed to pump washing liquid from the container through the drain opening into the circulation line, to pump the washing liquid in a pumping direction through the circulation line, and to supply the washing liquid from the circulation line and through the inlet element to the tub again, the household appliance being a filter element which is fluidly connected to the circulation line, the filter element being designed to filter impurities from the washing liquid pumped through the circulation line in the pumping direction, the filter element having a relative to the pump has prichtung downstream side, wherein the household appliance a Has substance element which is attached to the downstream side of the filter element, wherein the substance element is designed to deliver care substance to the washing liquid pumped through the circulation line.

In a conventional laundry care process of a laundry care device, the laundry is wetted with washing liquid in a laundry drum and cared for by rotating the laundry drum. This can lead to abrasion of plastic particles, especially microplastic particles with a small diameter, especially with items of laundry made from synthetic fibers, with the plastic particles being carried along by the washing liquid and being returned to the laundry during a pumping process or the environment during a pumping process are fed.

According to the present disclosure, the filter element fluidly connected to the circulation line is advantageously designed to filter impurities, in particular plastic particles, from the washing liquid pumped through the circulation line.

A household appliance is understood to mean a device that is used for housekeeping. This can be a large household appliance, such as a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher. However, this can also be a small household appliance, such as a water heater, a coffee machine, a food processor, e.g. a blender, or a cleaning device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element has a support structure, the support structure having a side that is downstream in relation to the pumping direction and an upstream side in relation to the pumping direction, and the filter element has a filter device, in particular a filter membrane, which is formed To filter contaminants from the liquid pumped through the circulation line, wherein the filter device is attached to the upstream side of the support structure, to the downstream side of the support structure, or within the support structure, and wherein the substance element is attached to the downstream side of the support structure.

This achieves the technical advantage that effective mechanical stabilization of the substance element attached to it can be ensured by the support structure, so that the filter element in particular does not tear even with a high volume flow that is not damaged by the pumped-around line. The filter device, in particular the filter membrane, which is arranged in particular on the upstream side of the support structure, ensures effective filtering of the liquid guided onto the filter element. The filter device, like the substance element, can in particular be arranged on the downstream side of the support structure, in which case in particular the filter device is attached to the downstream side of the support structure and the substance element is attached to the filter device. The filter device can in particular be fastened inside the support structure, in which case in particular a section of the support structure encloses the filter device at least in sections.

In particular, the material of the support structure and / or the filter device is biodegradable. In particular, the filter device is formed from a textile material, in particular cellulose, or from a metal material, in particular aluminum. In particular, the support structure is formed from a plastic material or from cardboard.

In particular, the downstream side and / or the upstream side of the support structure is flat. In particular, the downstream side and / or the upstream side of the support structure has a meandering structure in order to enlarge the fastening area of the substance element arranged on the downstream side of the support structure and / or to enlarge the filter area of the filter device arranged on the upstream side of the support structure .

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the support structure is shaped as a support grid with grid openings, the filter device, in particular filter membrane, covering the grid openings of the support grid at least in sections.

This has the technical advantage that a support grid ensures a particularly effective stabilization of the substance element and the filter device, in particular the filter membrane. In particular, the filter device, in particular the filter membrane, covers at least some sections of the grid openings of the support grid.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element has a collar that surrounds the substance element at least in sections, in particular completely, the collar being connected in particular to the support structure.

This achieves the technical advantage that an effective fastening of the filter element to a fluid-conducting component of the household appliance, in particular a dispenser of a laundry care appliance, can be ensured by the collar surrounding the substance element at least in sections. In particular, the collar and the support structure are formed in one piece. In particular, the collar can be connected to a sealing element in order to ensure a fluid-tight fastening of the filter element within the household appliance.

In particular, the collar has a first collar opening facing the upstream side of the filter element and a second collar opening facing away from the downstream side of the filter element in order to supply liquid conducted through the filter element through the first collar opening to the substance element and the care substance released by the substance element together with the liquid through drain the second collar opening.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element, in particular the support element and / or the collar, has at least one grip element, in particular a grip tab, the at least one grip element in particular on the downstream side and / or on the upstream side of the support structure, and / or is arranged on the filter device and / or on the collar.

This achieves the technical advantage that effective gripping of the filter element on the handle element by the user is made possible, so that effective insertion or removal of the filter element into or from the household appliance is ensured.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the substance element is positively, non-positively, frictionally or materially, in particular glued, on attached to the downstream side of the filter element, in particular to the downstream side of the support structure.

This achieves the technical advantage that the positive, non-positive, frictional and / or material fastening of the substance element to the filter element, in particular to the support structure, ensures particularly stable fastening of the substance element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the downstream side of the support structure has at least one undercut into which a projection of the substance element is inserted in order to secure the substance element in a form-fitting manner on the downstream side of the support structure, and / or the downstream side of the support structure is on the Substance element fastened by a tongue-and-groove connection in order to fasten the substance element to the downstream side of the support structure in a force-fit manner, and / or the substance element comprises care substance which is applied to the support structure, in particular applied to a surface of the support structure and / or in spaces between the Support structure introduced is.

This achieves the technical advantage that, depending on the application, an advantageous attachment of the substance element to the support structure of the filter element is ensured. The support structure can in particular have interspaces and form a spatial network in which the substance element is received at least in sections.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the substance element completely covers the downstream side of the filter element, in particular the downstream side of the support structure, or has the downstream side of the filter element, in particular the downstream side of the support structure, an area covered by the substance element and an area covered by the Substance element uncovered area, wherein the uncovered area is designed to filter impurities from the pumped liquid, in particular after the substance element has been detached, the area previously covered by the substance element and the area previously not covered by the substance element are formed to remove impurities to filter the pumped liquid. This achieves the technical advantage that if the substance element completely covers the downstream side of the filter element, in particular the downstream side of the support structure, a particularly effective release of the care substance to the liquid is ensured. If the substance element, in particular the care tab, becomes detached from the filter element during operation of the household appliance, the area previously covered by the substance element is available to filter impurities from the pumped liquid.

If, on the other hand, the substance element does not completely cover the downstream side of the filter element, in particular the downstream side of the support structure, the release of the care substance is made possible by the substance element at the area covered by the substance element and is made possible at the area not covered by the substance element allows the impurities to be filtered through the filter element. If the substance element, in particular the care tab, becomes detached from the filter element during operation of the household appliance, in addition to the area previously not covered by the substance element, the area previously covered by the substance element is also available to remove impurities from the pumped liquid to filter.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element, in particular the filter device and the support structure, is formed as an integrally formed filter element, in particular a plastic injection-molded component, with an upstream side of the filter element in particular being designed as a surface with pores around the liquid passed through the filter element to filter.

This has the technical advantage that a one-piece production of the filter element ensures particularly simple and inexpensive production. Here, the one-piece filter element, in particular the support structure and the filter device, is combined in one piece in a single component. In particular, the filter element can be formed in a plastic injection molding process. In order to ensure an effective filter function of the one-piece filter element, in particular an upstream side of the filter element can be designed as a surface with pores in order to filter the liquid conducted through the filter element. In particular, the After the production of the one-piece filter element, pores are then introduced into the surface by a laser.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element, in particular the filter device and the support structure, is shaped as a one-piece filter element, in particular a two-dimensional or three-dimensional curved membrane, the one-piece filter element in particular having bulges which are received in receptacles in the substance element.

This has the technical advantage that a one-piece production of the filter element ensures that it can be manufactured in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. In the one-piece filter element, in particular the support structure and the filter device are combined in one piece in a single component. Here, the membrane has a particularly advantageous stability in order to be able to withstand the liquid pressure of the liquid passed through the circulation line. In particular, the membrane is formed from a textile material or a metal material. Due to the two- or three-dimensional curvature of the filter element, in particular the membrane, the surface of the filter element available for filtering the liquid can be effectively increased. Due to the bulges arranged in particular on the one-piece filter element, the area available for fastening with the substance element can be effectively increased, so that the bulges of the one-piece filter element, in particular membrane, inserted into the receptacles of the substance element provide a particularly stable fastening of the substance element is made possible on the filter element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the filter element, in particular a filter device of the filter element, is designed as a deformable filter element, in particular a deformable filter device, which, after the substance element has dissolved, is deformable into a bag-shaped filter element, in particular a bag-shaped filter device, which is configured To filter impurities from the liquid pumped through the circulation line. This achieves the technical advantage that, due to the deformable properties of the filter element, in particular the filter device, after the substance element, in particular the care tab, has been dissolved, i.e. after the substance element has completely released the care substance, the filter element becomes a bag-shaped filter element, in particular a bag-shaped one Filter device, is deformable, so that the area of the filter element available for filtering, in particular the filter membrane, is significantly increased.

In particular, the deformable filter element, in particular the deformable filter device, has bulges which are received in corresponding receptacles in the substance element, so that effective attachment of the substance element to the filter element is ensured after the filter element is inserted into the household appliance. If the substance element dissolves during contact with the liquid, the attachment between the filter element and the substance element also dissolves, so that the deformable filter element, in particular the deformable filter device, is unfolded and the pressure of the liquid flowing through the filter element causes the The filter element is deformed, in particular expanded, into a bag-shaped filter element, in particular a bag-shaped filter device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the circulation line has a first line section which fluidly connects the outlet opening of the container to the pump, and the circulation line has a second line section which fluidly connects the pump to the inlet element, the filter element in the first line section and / or the second line section is arranged.

This achieves the technical advantage that a filter element arranged in the second line section downstream of the pump can be particularly advantageously subjected to an effective pump pressure, or that a filter element arranged in the first line section upstream of the pump ensures that impurities are filtered before they enter penetrate the pump.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the household appliance has a dispensing bowl for receiving care substance, the dispensing bowl being fluidically connected to the circulation line, the filter element being arranged in the dispensing bowl.

This has the technical advantage that a filter element arranged in the dispensing bowl is particularly advantageously accessible to the user of the household appliance and, for this reason, can be easily changed. In this case, the liquid circulated by the pump through the circulation line is passed through the filter element arranged in the induction bowl, and the liquid is then fed through the circulation line to the inlet element and the container.

In particular, a filter element with a substance element is arranged in the dispensing bowl and a further filter element with a substance element is arranged in the circulation line.

In particular, the substance element arranged on the downstream side of the filter element, in particular on the downstream side of the support structure, faces a dispensing bowl underside of the dispensing bowl. Thus, in particular, liquid supplied from an open dispenser bowl top can first hit the filter element and then be supplied to the substance element facing the dispenser bowl underside, whereby the care substance can be effectively released to the liquid and then absorbed in the dispenser bowl.

In particular, the household appliance has a fresh water connection which is designed to supply fresh water to the dispenser. In this case, a control of the household appliance is designed in particular after the filter element has been introduced into the dispensing bowl in a first step to first activate the fresh water connection for supplying fresh water to the dispensing bowl in order to activate the substance element attached to the filter element, which is in particular shaped as a body made of care substance , dissolve in the fresh water and expose the filter element, and in a second step following the first step, to activate the pump in order to pump liquid in the pumping direction through the circulation line pump around and feed the liquid to the exposed filter element to filter impurities from the liquid.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the dispensing bowl has a bowl projection and a pressure piece, the filter element, in particular the support structure and / or collar, of the filter element, resting on the bowl projection, and the pressure piece resting on the filter element, in particular the filter device of the filter element to fix the filter element in the induction bowl.

This achieves the technical advantage that the filter element, in particular the support structure of the filter element, can be effectively fastened, in particular clamped, between the shell projection and the pressure piece of the dispensing bowl.

In particular, the dispensing bowl also has at least one sealing element, which is arranged in particular between the pressure piece and the filter element, in particular the support structure and / or collar of the filter element, and / or which in particular is arranged between the shell projection and the filter element, in particular the support structure and / or collar of the filter element is to ensure a fluid-tight seal between the induction bowl and the filter element.

In particular, when the dispenser is closed, the pressure piece can be subjected to pressure by the user of the household appliance in order to press the pressure piece onto the filter element, in particular the support structure and / or collar, and to ensure effective fixation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the household appliance has a receiving chamber which is fluidically connected to the pumping line, the filter element being arranged in the receiving chamber, and the receiving chamber being closable in particular by a closure element.

This achieves the technical advantage that a filter element arranged in the receiving chamber can advantageously be reached by the user of the household appliance after opening the closure element and can thus be easily exchanged. The receiving chamber that can be closed by the closure element is here in particular arranged behind a control panel or a front wall of the household appliance. The control panel and the front wall here extend in particular on the front of the household appliance. The control panel extends in particular on the front of the household appliance and at least in sections on the top of the household appliance.

In particular, a filter element with a substance element is arranged in the dispensing bowl and / or a further filter element with a substance element is arranged in the circulation line and / or a further filter element with a substance element is arranged in the receiving chamber.

In particular, the closure element is arranged on a front and / or top side of the laundry care appliance, in particular on a control panel or a front wall of the household appliance, the closure element closing the receiving chamber of the household appliance, and the filter element being arranged in the receiving chamber.

In an advantageous embodiment of the household appliance, the substance element is formed as a body made of care substance, in particular care substance tab, which can be dissolved by the liquid pumped through the circulation line in order to deliver the care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line, or the substance element has a water-soluble element cover which delimits an element interior in which the care substance is received, the water-soluble element cover being dissolvable by the liquid pumped through the circulation line in order to release the care substance to the liquid.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts mit einer Pumpe gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts mit einer Pumpe gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und

Figs. 4A-4E

schematische Ansichten eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts während eines Pflegevorgangs des Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Ansicht eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Ansicht eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Ansicht eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Ansicht eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Figs. 9A-9B

schematischen Ansichten eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 10

eine schematische Ansicht eines Filterelements und eines an einem Filterelement befestigten Substanzelements eines Haushaltsgeräts in einem fluidführenden Bauteil des Haushaltsgeräts, insbesondere Einspülschale, gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform.

Further exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a household appliance;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a household appliance with a pump according to an embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic view of a household appliance with a pump according to a further embodiment; and

Figs. 4A-4E

schematic views of a substance element of a household appliance fastened to a filter element during a care process for the household appliance;

Fig. 5

a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element attached to a filter element of a household appliance according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 7

a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element attached to a filter element of a household appliance according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 8

a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a third embodiment;

Figs. 9A-9B

schematic views of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a fourth embodiment; and

Fig. 10

a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance fastened to a filter element in a fluid-conducting component of the household appliance, in particular a dispensing bowl, according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a general household appliance 100, in particular a laundry care appliance 100-1, such as a washing machine. The Laundry care device 100-1 comprises a dispensing bowl 101 into which washing care substance, such as detergent, can be filled. The laundry care device 100-1 comprises a door 103 for loading the laundry care device 100-1 with laundry. The dispenser 101 and the door 103 are arranged on a front side 102-1 of the laundry care device 100-1. The laundry care device 100-1 has an operating panel 104-1 with at least one control element 104-2 for operating the laundry care device 100-1, which is arranged on the front side 102-1 of the laundry care device 100-1 and extends at least in sections along an upper side 102- 2 of the laundry care device 100-1, the dispensing bowl 101 being received in the control panel 104-1.

In particular, the control panel 104-1 or a front wall 108 arranged on the front side 102-1 of the laundry care device 100-1 below the control panel 104-1 has a closure element 106 through which a user of the laundry care device 100-1 has access to a closure element 106 closed receiving area of the laundry care device 100-1, for example, in order to Fig. 1 Exchange the filter element, not shown, of the laundry care device 100-1. The closure element 106 is arranged in particular on the front side 102-1 and / or on an upper side 102-2 of the laundry care device 100-1.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a household appliance with a pump according to one embodiment.

The household appliance 100, in particular embodied as a laundry care appliance 100-1, has a container 105, in particular a tub 105, for receiving liquid, in particular washing liquid. The laundry care device 100-1 has a laundry drum 107 for receiving laundry. The container 105 has a discharge opening 109 in order to drain the liquid from the container 105. The laundry care device 100 - 1 has an inlet element 111, in particular an inlet nozzle, which is designed to supply liquid which has been pumped over to the container 105 or to the laundry received in the laundry drum 107.

The laundry care device 100 - 1 has a circulation line 113 which fluidly connects the outlet opening 109 to the inlet element 111. The laundry care device 100-1 has a pump 115 for pumping liquid. The Laundry care device 100-1 also has a discharge line 117 which fluidly connects the pump 115 with an in Fig. 2 connects only schematically shown outer area 119 of the laundry care device 100-1.

In this case, the circulation line 113 has a first line section 121, which fluidly connects the discharge opening 109 to the pump 115, and the circulation line 113 has a second line section 123 which fluidly connects the pump 115 to the inlet element 111.

The pump 115 is designed to pump liquid from the container 105 through the drain opening 109 into the pumped circulation line 113 and to pump the pumped liquid in a pumping direction 114 through the pumped circulation line 113, and the washing liquid out of the pumped circulation line 113 and through the inlet element 111 again to the container 105 in order to wet the laundry again with the liquid, in particular washing liquid, in the course of a pumping over process, or to flood the already wetted laundry again for an improved cleaning or washing process.

In addition, the pump 115 is designed to pump liquid out of the container 105 through the first line section 121 of the pumping line 113 and through the pumping line 117 from the laundry care device 100-1 during a pumping process.

The laundry care device 100-1 also has a filter element 125, which is fluidly connected to the circulation line 113, in particular is arranged in the circulation line 113, and is designed to filter impurities from the washing liquid pumped through the circulation line 113.

In the in Fig. 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the filter element 125 is arranged in the second line section 123 of the circulation line 113 in order to filter impurities from the liquid during a circulation process.

In particular, the filter element 125 can also be arranged in the first line section 121 of the pumping line 113 in order to filter impurities from the pumping liquid during a pumping process and a pumping out process. In particular, the filter element 125 can also be arranged on the inlet element 111, in particular on a sleeve of the laundry care appliance 100-1 surrounding the inlet element 111. In particular, the user can use an in Fig. 2 Closing element 106 (not shown) of laundry care device 100 can gain access to filter element 125, for example in order to change filter element 125.

The filter element 125 has a side 125-1 which is downstream with respect to the pumping direction 114 of the liquid and the filter element 125 has a side 125-2 which is upstream with respect to the pumping direction 114 of the liquid.

The laundry care device 100 has a substance element 127 which is fastened to the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125 and is designed to deliver care substance, in particular laundry care substance, to the liquid pumped through the circulation line 113, in particular to the liquid pumped through the filter element 125 .

The laundry care device 100-1 has a dispensing bowl 101 for receiving care substance, in particular laundry care substance, which is fluidically connected to the container 105, in particular the inlet element 111, by a supply line 129 in order to supply the care substance taken up to the container 105.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a household appliance with a pump according to a further embodiment.

In the Fig. 3 The illustrated further embodiment of the household appliance 100 embodied in particular as a laundry care appliance 100-1 corresponds to that in FIG Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the laundry care appliance, except that the dispenser 101 is fluidly connected to the circulation line 113, and that the filter element 125 is received in the dispenser 101.

The circulation line 113 has a bowl feed section 126, which fluidly connects the pump 115 to the induction bowl 101, and the circulation line 113 has a bowl discharge section 128 which connects the induction bowl 101 fluidly connects to the container 105, in particular to the inlet element 111.

Washing liquid circulated by the pump 115 through the circulation line 113 is supplied to the bowl 101 through the bowl feed section 126, passed through the bowl 101 and then fed to the container 105 through the bowl discharge section 128.

Here, the filter element 125 and the substance element 127 arranged on the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125 are arranged in the dispensing bowl 101, whereby the user, e.g. when the filter element 125 is changed, advantageous access to the filter element 125 is made possible.

In particular, the filter element 125 and the substance element 127 can be arranged in the first line section 121 and / or the shell feed section 126 and / or the shell discharge section 128 of the circulating line 113. In particular, the filter element 125 and the substance element 127 can also be arranged on the inlet element 111, in particular on a sleeve of the laundry care device 100 surrounding the inlet element 111.

In particular, the user can use an in Fig. 3 The closure element (not shown) of the laundry care device 100 is given access to the filter element 125 and the substance element 127.

The Figures 4A to 4E show schematic views of a substance element of a household appliance fastened to a filter element during a care process for the household appliance.

The Figs. 4A to 4E show a filter element 125 and a substance element 127 fastened to the filter element 125, which are arranged in a fluid-carrying component of the household appliance 100, in particular the induction bowl 101 or the circulation line 113 of a laundry care appliance 100. Through the fluid-carrying component of the household appliance 100, in particular the induction bowl 101 or the pumping line 113 of the Laundry care device 100, liquid, in particular washing liquid, is pumped in a pumping direction 114.

The filter element 125 has an at least partially, in particular completely, circumferential collar 139, which rests on a projection of the fluid-carrying component, in particular a projection of the dispensing bowl 101.

The filter element 125 has a side 125-1 which is downstream in relation to the pumping direction 114 and a side 125-2 which is upstream in relation to the pumping direction 114. As from the Figure 4A can be seen, the substance element 127 is attached to the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125, which is designed to deliver care substance, in particular laundry care substance, to the pumped liquid, in particular washing liquid.

In the in the Figures 4A to 4E In the illustrated embodiment, the substance element 127 is shaped as a body made of care substance, in particular laundry care substance tab, which can be dissolved by the pumped liquid, in particular washing liquid, in order to deliver the care substance, in particular laundry care substance, to the pumped washing liquid.

Even if this is in the Figures 4A to 4E is not shown, the substance element 127 can alternatively have a water-soluble element cover, which delimits an element interior in which the care substance, in particular laundry care substance, is received, wherein the water-soluble element cover is dissolvable by the pumped liquid, in particular washing liquid, in order to get the laundry care substance to the dispense pumped liquid.

As from the Figure 4B emerges, the substance element 127, in particular laundry care substance tab, disintegrates through contact with the liquid, in particular washing liquid, and is transferred from the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125 into the working area of the household appliance 100, in particular into the tub 105 of the laundry care appliance 100- 1, washed in.

As from the Figure 4C emerges, the disintegration of the substance element 127 frees the filter element 125 from the substance element 127, so that the in Figure 4C The filter element 125 shown is designed to filter impurities 131 from the pumped liquid, in particular washing liquid. In particular, the filter element 125 freed from the substance element 127 filters impurities 131 in the liquid flow which are larger than the pore size of the filter element 125.

As from the Figure 4D As can be seen, the contaminants 131 are deposited on the upstream side 125-2 of the filter element 125.

As from the Figure 4E As can be seen, the filter element 125 can be removed for cleaning when the impurities 131 are to be removed from the filter element 125, in particular from the upstream side 125-2 of the filter element 125.

Fig. 5 FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a first embodiment.
The filter element 125 has an upstream side 125-2 in relation to the pumping direction 114 of the liquid, in particular washing liquid, and a side 125-1 which is downstream in relation to the pumping direction 114 of the liquid, in particular washing liquid. On the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125, a substance element 127, in particular a laundry care substance tab, is attached which is designed to deliver substance, in particular laundry care substance, to the pumped liquid.

That in the Fig. 5 The filter element 125 shown has a support structure 133 which has a side 133-1 which is downstream with respect to the pumping direction 114 and a side 133-2 which is upstream with respect to the pumping direction 114.

Here, the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133 corresponds to the downstream side 125-1 of the filter element 125.

In this case, the filter element 125, in particular the support structure 133, has an at least sectionally, in particular completely circumferential, collar 139.

The substance element 127, in particular a laundry care substance tab, is attached to the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133.

The filter element 125 also has a filter device 135, in particular a filter membrane or filter gauze, which is designed to filter impurities 131 from the pumped liquid, in particular washing liquid, the filter device 135 being attached to the upstream side 133-2 of the support structure 133.

The support structure 133 prevents the filter element 125 from tearing under the pressure load prevailing during operation, and the support structure 133 also serves as a holding structure for the substance element 127.

The substance element 127 is in particular materially bonded, in particular glued, attached to the support structure 133. Here, the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133 can in particular have an undercut 136 into which a projection 137 of the substance element 127 is inserted in order to fasten the substance element 127 materially to the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133.

Alternatively, the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133 can be non-positively attached to the substance element 127 by means of a tongue and groove connection.

As from the Fig. 5 As can be seen, the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133 has, in particular, a meandering structure, as a result of which particularly effective contact between the substance element 127 and the filter element 125 can be ensured.

Fig. 6 FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to the first embodiment.

That in the Fig. 6 The filter element 125 shown according to the first embodiment shows a view rotated by 90 ° of the in FIG Fig. 5 filter element 125 shown.

That in the Fig. 6 The filter element 125 shown according to the second embodiment has a collar 139 surrounding the substance element 127 at least in sections.

The collar 139 enables the filter element 125 to be held, centered and handled in order to receive and seal the filter element 125 in the fluid-carrying component, in particular within the dispensing bowl 101. Alternatively, the filter element 125, in particular the collar 139 or the support structure 133, can have a grip element, in particular a grip tab. In particular, the collar 139 and the support structure 133 can be formed in one piece and the grip element, in particular the grip tab, can be attached to the collar 139 and the support structure 133 formed in one piece.

Fig. 7 FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a second embodiment.

Here, the substance element 127 is fastened in a form-fitting manner to a support structure 133 of the filter element 125, in particular to a downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133. Here, the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133 can in particular have an undercut 136, into which a projection 137 of the substance element 127 is inserted in order to fasten the substance element 127 in a form-fitting manner on the downstream side 133-1 of the support structure 133, as shown in FIG Fig. 7 is shown.

Here too, the support structure 133 has a collar 139 that runs around at least some sections.

Fig. 8 FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a third embodiment.

Here, a filter device 135 and a support structure 133 of the filter element 125 are formed in one piece, with the one-piece filter element 125 having a two- or three-dimensional shape, and wherein the one-piece filter element 125 has in particular bulges 141 which are received in receptacles 143 of the substance element 127 in order to ensure, in particular, a form-fitting connection between the substance element 127 and the filter element 125.

The two or three-dimensional shape of the one-piece filter element 125 gives the filter element 125 sufficient pressure stability and, due to the bulges 141, offers a filter area that is significantly larger than a flat filter element 125.

Here too, the filter element 125 has a collar 139 that runs around at least some sections.

The Figures 9A and 9B show schematic views of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance attached to a filter element according to a fourth embodiment.

Here, a filter device 135 and a support structure 133 of the filter element 125 are formed in one piece, the one-piece filter element 125 having a two- or three-dimensional shape, and the one-piece filter element 125 in particular having bulges 141 which are inserted into receptacles 143 of the substance element 127 .

As from the Figures 9A and 9b As can be seen, the filter element 125 is designed as a deformable filter element 125 which, after the substance element 127 has been dissolved by the liquid flowing through the filter element 125, can be deformed into a bag-shaped filter element 125 which is designed to filter impurities 131 from the pumped liquid.

Here too, the filter element 125 has a collar 139 that runs around at least some sections.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic view of a filter element and a substance element of a household appliance fastened to a filter element in a fluid-carrying component of the household appliance, in particular a dispensing bowl, according to a fifth embodiment.

Here, the household appliance 100 has a fluid-carrying component, in particular the dispenser 101, for receiving care substance, the dispenser 101 being fluidically connected to the circulation line 113, the filter element 125 being arranged in the dispenser 101.

The filter element 125 and the substance element 127 attached to the filter element 125 correspond to those in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated first embodiment.

The dispensing bowl 101 has a bowl projection 101-1 and a pressure piece 101-2, the filter element 125, in particular the support structure 133 of the filter element 125, resting on the bowl projection 101-1, and the pressure piece 101-2 on the filter element 125, in particular The filter device 135 of the filter element 125 rests in order to fix the filter element 125 in the induction bowl 101.

In addition, the dispensing bowl 101 also has a sealing element 101-3, which is arranged in particular between the pressure piece 101-2 and the filter element 125, in particular between the filter device 135 of the filter element 125 and the pressure piece 101-2, in order to create a fluid-tight seal between the Settling bowl 101 and the filter element 125 to ensure.

Here, too, the filter element 125, in particular the support structure 133, has a collar 139 that runs around at least some sections.

All the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter of the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects. The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not restricted by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

List of reference symbols

100

Home appliance

100-1

Laundry care device

101

Detergent bowl

101-1

Shell protrusion

101-2

Pressure piece

101-3

Sealing element

102-1

Front of the laundry conditioner

102-2

Top of the laundry conditioner

103

door

104-1

Control panel

104-2

Control element

105

container

106

Closure element

107

Laundry drum

108

Front wall

109

Drain opening

111

Inlet element

113

Circulation line

114

Pumping direction

115

pump

117

Pumping line

119

Outdoor area

121

First line section of the circulation line

123

Second line section of the circulation line

125

Filter element

125-1

Downstream side of the filter element

125-2

Upstream side of the filter element

126

Tray feed section

127

Substance element

128

Shell discharge section

129

Feed line

131

Impurities

133

Support structure

133-1

Downstream side of the support structure

133-2

Upstream side of the support structure

135

Filter device

136

Undercut of the support structure

137

Projection of the substance element

139

collar

141

Bulges of the filter element

143

Recordings of the substance element

Claims (15)

Household appliance (100) with a container (105) for receiving liquid, the container (105) having a discharge opening (109) and an inlet element (111), a pump (115) for pumping the liquid, a circulation line (113), which fluidly connects the discharge opening (109) to the inlet element (111), the pump (115) being designed to pump liquid from the container (105) through the discharge opening (109) into the circulation line (113), the liquid in one pumping direction (114) to pump through the circulation line (113), and to supply the liquid from the circulation line (113) and through the inlet element (111) to the container (105) again, the domestic appliance (100) having a filter element (125) which is fluidically connected to the circulation line (113), characterized in that
the filter element (125) is designed to filter impurities (131) from the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113) in the pumping direction (114), the filter element (125) having a side (125-) downstream with respect to the pumping direction (114) 1) and that
the household appliance (100) has a substance element (127) which is attached to the downstream side (125-1) of the filter element (125),
wherein the substance element (127) is designed to deliver care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113). Domestic appliance (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filter element (125) has a support structure (133), the support structure (133) having a side (133-1) downstream with respect to the pumping direction (114) and one with respect to on the pumping direction (114) upstream side (133-2), and that
the filter element (125) has a filter device (135), in particular a filter membrane, which is designed to filter impurities (131) from the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113), the filter device (135) on the upstream side (133-2 ) the support structure (133) is attached to the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133), or within the support structure (133), and wherein
the substance element (127) is attached to the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133). Household appliance (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support structure (133) is shaped as a support grid with grid openings, the filter device (135), in particular filter membrane, covering the grid openings of the support grid at least in sections. Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (125) has a collar (139) which encircles the substance element (127) at least in sections, in particular completely, the collar (139) in particular with the support structure (133) ) connected is. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance element (127) is positively, non-positively, frictionally and / or cohesively on the downstream side (125-1) of the filter element (125), in particular on the downstream side ( 133-1) of the support structure (133). Household appliance (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133) has at least one undercut (136) into which a projection (137) of the substance element (127) is inserted is to secure the substance element (127) in a form-fitting manner on the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133), and / or that
the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133) is fastened to the substance element (127) by a tongue-and-groove connection in order to force-fit the substance element (127) on the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133) to attach, and / or that
the substance element (127) comprises care substance which is applied to the support structure (133), in particular applied to a surface of the support structure (133) and / or introduced into spaces between the support structure (133). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance element (127) completely covers the downstream side (125-1) of the filter element (125), in particular the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133) , or that
the downstream side (125-1) of the filter element (125), in particular the downstream side (133-1) of the support structure (133), has an area covered by the substance element (127) and an area not covered by the substance element (127) , wherein the uncovered area is designed to filter impurities (131) from the pumped liquid, in particular after detachment of the substance element (127) the area previously covered by the substance element (127) and the area previously covered by the substance element (127) nothing Covered area is designed to filter impurities (131) from the pumped liquid. Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (125), in particular the filter device (135) and the support structure (133), is shaped as a one-piece filter element (125), in particular a plastic injection-molded component, in particular an upstream side (125-2) of the filter element (125) is formed as a surface with pores in order to filter the liquid passed through the filter element (125). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the filter element (125), in particular the filter device (135) and the support structure (133), as an integrally formed filter element (125), in particular two-dimensional or three-dimensionally curved Membrane, is formed, wherein the one-piece filter element (125) has in particular bulges (141) which are received in receptacles (143) of the substance element (127). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter element (125), in particular a filter device (135) of the filter element (125), is designed as a deformable filter element (125), in particular a deformable filter device (135), which, after the substance element (127) has dissolved, can be deformed into a bag-shaped filter element (125), in particular a bag-shaped filter device (135), which is designed to filter impurities (131) from the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circulation line (113) has a first line section (121) which fluidly connects the discharge opening (109) of the container (105) to the pump (115), and that the Circulation line (113) has a second line section (123) which fluidly connects the pump (115) to the inlet element (111), the filter element (125) being arranged in the first line section (121) and / or the second line section (123) is. Domestic appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the domestic appliance (100) has a dispensing bowl (101) for receiving care substance, the dispensing bowl (101) being fluidically connected to the circulation line (113), the filter element ( 125) is arranged in the dispensing bowl (101). Household appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the dispensing bowl (101) has a bowl projection (101-1) and a pressure piece (101-2), the filter element (125), in particular the support structure (133) and / or collar (139) of the filter element (125) rests on the shell projection (101-1), and the pressure piece (101-2) rests on the filter element (125), in particular the filter device (135) of the filter element (125), around the filter element (125) in the detergent bowl (101). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (100) has a receiving chamber which is fluidically connected to the circulation line (113), the filter element (125) being arranged in the receiving chamber, and the receiving chamber can be closed in particular by a closure element (106). Household appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the substance element (127) is shaped as a body made of care substance, in particular care substance tab, which can be dissolved by the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113) in order to remove the care substance to the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113), or
that the substance element (127) has a water-soluble element shell which delimits an element interior in which the care substance is received, the water-soluble element shell being dissolvable by the liquid pumped through the circulation line (113) in order to release the care substance to the liquid.

Images