EP3832001A1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance and method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine has a treatment chamber, a water duct which leads away from the treatment chamber and which leads to the treatment chamber, a receptacle for detergent connected to the water duct with a detergent container, a filter device for filtering out fibers as microplastics from water and a with the filter device connectable receptacle for filtrate from the filter device. The receptacle for filtrate has a filtrate container, and the receptacle for detergent is firmly connected to the receptacle for filtrate in such a way that they are part of an independently manageable structural unit or form an independently manageable structural unit. The filtrate container and the detergent container are closed to the outside.

Description

The invention relates to a water-carrying household appliance, in particular a washing machine or a washer-dryer, and possible methods for its operation.

From the WO 2019/081014 A1 It is known to try in a washing machine to filter microfibers out of the water cycle by means of a filter device and to collect this filtrate. The filtrate with microfibers can be collected in a conventional drawer in the upper area of the washing machine, advantageously in a compartment or area therein that is open at the top. The problem here is the disposal of the filtrate, especially if it has to be done by a user in a private household.

Task and solution

The invention is based on the object of creating a water-bearing household appliance mentioned at the beginning and a method for its operation with which problems of the prior art can be solved and in particular it is possible to filter out certain particles or fibers from the water cycle and thus collect them that they can be disposed of conveniently and properly.

This object is achieved by a water-bearing household appliance with the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating such a household appliance with the features of claims 12 or 13. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are only described for the water-bearing household appliance or only for a method for its operation. However, they should be able to apply independently and independently of one another both to the water-bearing household appliance and to the process. The wording of the claims is made part of the content of the description by express reference.

It is provided that the water-bearing household appliance has the functional devices mentioned below. It has a treatment chamber in which objects located therein are cleaned. In the example of a washing machine or a washer dryer this is the drum together with the surrounding drum housing, in the case of a dishwasher this is the washing chamber or the interior of the dishwasher. The household appliance has a water duct which leads away from the treatment chamber and which also leads to the treatment chamber. The water supply thus advantageously has several hoses, lines, branches and valves or the like. on. The household appliance also has a receptacle for detergent, which is connected to the water supply. In this way, the detergent can get into the water duct and thus into the treatment chamber. The receptacle for detergent has a detergent container and is arranged inside the household appliance. It can possibly also be arranged on the outside of the household appliance; in any case, it is a functional component of the household appliance.

A filter device is provided to filter out particles from the water flow. These particles are in particular plastic fibers and / or microplastics. The water guided in the water duct is advantageously filtered, so that the filter device is also connected to the water duct. The household appliance has a receptacle for filtrate from the filter device, which receptacle can be or is connected to the filter device. The receptacle for filtrate and the filter device can be arranged relatively close to one another, as a result of which the filtrate only has to be transported a short distance to the receptacle. This can be a few centimeters, for example 1 cm to 5 cm. Alternatively, the distance can also be more than 10 cm or more than 30 cm, as described, for example, in the German patent application DE 102019205919.8 by the same applicant with the filing date of April 25, 2019.

According to the invention, the receptacle for filtrate has a filtrate container. The receptacle for detergent is firmly connected to the receptacle for filtrate in such a way that they are part of an independently manageable structural unit or that the two at least partially or largely form an independently manageable structural unit. This means that the two receptacles can be inserted into, removed from, or removed from the household appliance as a structural unit or together with the structural unit. The filtrate container and the detergent container are closed to the outside, so they are not designed with open compartments or chambers into which detergent can be added, as is the case with the aforementioned drawer in the upper area of a washing machine.

Thus, the invention creates a water-bearing household appliance which, on the one hand, makes it possible to filter out particles or fibers from circulating water and to collect them in a receptacle as filtrate in a filtrate container. Here, water can possibly be separated from the filtrate again, for example by a semi-permeable membrane or a fine filter and an outlet on the filtrate container. Furthermore, there is the filtrate container connected to a detergent container in such a way that they form an independent, but jointly manageable structural unit, so that they can advantageously be used together in the household appliance or attached to it or removed therefrom. While the detergent or cleaning agent becomes less over several operating processes, the filtrate becomes more. Removal of the structural unit with the two containers after a few operating processes can therefore be used to refill detergent on the one hand and to remove the filtrate and dispose of it on the other. A simpler and more efficient procedure is thus possible, and the disposal of the filtrate in particular is not so easily forgotten. There are several different options for the exact type of disposal of the filtrate and the topping up of the detergent, which are explained in more detail below.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are inextricably connected to one another, in particular they are designed as one structural unit. This structural unit can, for example, be produced in one piece by plastic injection molding and / or by gluing, then advantageously also from plastic. Other options are basically additive manufacturing; 3D printing is advantageous. This would also make it very easy to design the containers so that they are closed to the outside except for one access or one access opening in each case.

In another embodiment of the invention, the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are designed as separate components, for example as an at least partially open container. They are connected to one another to form the structural unit, and they can advantageously be detached from one another. For the connection, connecting means are provided, which can be, for example, non-positive or positive-locking. In particular, they can be selected from the group consisting of screw connections, magnetic connections, snap-in connections, bayonet connections and clamp connections. On the one hand, the two receptacles can be designed to be separable from one another without tools, so that, for example, the receptacle for filtrate is manually detached from the structural unit or from the receptacle for detergent and disposed of, either directly via the residual waste or via a special disposal company. An empty or fresh receptacle for filtrate is then simply connected to it, and the structural unit can be reinserted into the household appliance. On the other hand, the entire structural unit with an empty receptacle for detergent or a full receptacle for filtrate can be given to a special disposal company or to a service company who can properly remove the filtrate from the structural unit and dispose of it and refill the detergent. The structural unit can then be delivered to a user again as a replacement for the next exchange.

The receptacle for detergent and / or the receptacle for filtrate advantageously have rigid walls. In this way, the entire structural unit is given sufficient strength for good and easy handling. The receptacles can be designed, for example, as chambers or compartments that are open at the top, so that an aforementioned filtrate container and / or an aforementioned detergent container can be easily removed therefrom. Due to a rigid design of the respective receptacle, the respective containers can also be designed as desired and possibly very simply.

In one embodiment, the receptacle for detergent can directly form the detergent container and have rigid walls, that is to say without an additional part. Additionally or alternatively, the receptacle for filtrate can directly form the filtrate container itself and have rigid walls. In the first case, the detergent in the detergent container is in direct contact with its walls. The filtrate in the filtrate container is then possibly also in direct contact with the walls of the filtrate container. Thus, detergent or filtrate can be poured directly into these possibly rigid containers and must of course also be removed from them, which could represent a certain amount of effort, especially in the case of the filtrate.

In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle for detergent contains a separate and removable detergent container, the detergent being filled directly into this detergent container and thus being in direct contact with its walls. Additionally or alternatively, the receptacle for filtrate contains a separate and removable filtrate container, the filtrate here being in direct contact with the walls of the filtrate container or being transported directly into it. Advantageously, the containers are each designed to be closed except for a closable access, whereby the filtrate can be introduced into or transported into the filtrate container through this closable access. The detergent can be filled in through this access and then removed to the required extent for a corresponding cleaning process.

For these separate detergent containers and / or filtrate containers, on the one hand, it can be provided that they have rigid walls. They then form a kind of solid tank or cartridge. On the other hand, at least one of these containers can have at least one flexible wall, which is designed, for example, as a type of film or as a membrane. The detergent container and / or the filtrate container can be designed to be flexible and pliable, in particular if they consist entirely of flexible walls or flexible material such as, in particular, foil. Then, for example, the detergent can be provided in a pouch as a detergent container, this pouch being introduced or inserted into the receptacle for detergent, optionally also via an access or the like. so to speak is connected. Such a bag made of thin walls or film is particularly suitable for the filtrate container, so that this bag-like filtrate container as a whole is simply removed from the receptacle for filtrate of the structural unit and disposed of directly, for example via the Residual waste. The filtrate remains in it. The cost of materials for such a film-like bag is of course very much lower than for a solid container, which makes this type of disposal particularly useful and efficient. Such bags described above are advantageously designed individually and can also be purchased by a user as a storage pack with five or ten pieces, similar to that for vacuum cleaner bags or the like. is known. It is possible that the structural unit is removed from the household appliance together with both receptacles, but under certain circumstances only the empty detergent container is filled or the full filtrate container is emptied or disposed of. Thus, the structural unit may have to be removed more frequently, namely when either detergent is empty or the receptacle for filtrate is full. Then, however, the respective volume of the individual containers or bags can be used to the full as possible.

Alternatively, it is possible that the detergent container and the filtrate container are designed together as a flexible two-chamber container or two-chamber bag, possibly also as a multi-chamber container or multi-chamber bag. Different detergents or washing-active substances could then be provided and also used for a washing process. It is thus possible that such a two- or multi-chamber container or bag is arranged in the receptacle for detergent and in the receptacle for filtrate and can be removed therefrom. With a multi-chamber container or bag, the exchange process can be carried out more easily and quickly than in the case described above with individual containers or bags. The capacity of each container or bag may not be fully used, but the simplicity of the replacement process can make up for this. Furthermore, in the event that a removed structural unit is sent back to a special disposal company, it can be provided that the latter re-uses the containers or bags, in particular in the case of containers. Then it does not have such a negative effect if the filling capacity of the filtrate container has not been fully used. Any remaining detergent in the detergent container can also be reused. If the detergent container is intended for direct refilling, it is not a problem anyway if it is simply refilled with detergent.

For such two- or multi-chamber containers or bags it can advantageously be provided that the receptacles for detergent and for filtrate are identical and are designed as a single common receptacle for detergent and filtrate. For example, you can use a Form a single large chamber into which such a multi-chamber container or bag is inserted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a named container or a bag can have a closable access, preferably as a type of valve or opening or closure or lid. In the case of the detergent container, for example, this can be used to fill detergent and later to remove a desired amount of detergent when the household appliance is in operation, but at the same time to keep it closed. The corresponding receptacle for this container or this bag can then have a suitable internal connection or distributor, with the bag or container being able to be connected in a sealed manner to said internal connection or distributor by means of this access. The receptacle can also have an external connection in order to be connected in a sealed manner to the water supply or the household appliance. The inner connection and the outer connection are advantageously connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, for example via an open passage channel.

The external connection can be designed on the structural unit in such a way that when the structural unit is inserted on or in the household appliance, a sealed connection with the water supply is automatically established. This is known per se from the prior art. For example, an external connection for the detergent can be arranged in the lower area of the corresponding receptacle or the structural unit, so that the detergent can flow out automatically, as it were, by gravity, if this is desired. A two- or multi-chamber container with a rotatable distributor head or which can be connected to a rotatable distributor head with its accesses is also possible. This means that filtrate and the respective detergent can be fed through a single connection to this distributor head.

The inner connection and the outer connection advantageously have sealing means. They can be designed particularly advantageously as sealing rings, in particular cast or injection-molded sealing rings.

The structural unit can advantageously be designed to be exchangeable in such a way that it can be removed from the household appliance without tools and can also be inserted into it without tools. The structural unit can advantageously be removed directly from an outside of the household appliance, possibly forming part of the outside itself. Alternatively, the household appliance can have a flat paneling, which can preferably be opened without tools. If it is open, the structural unit can then be removed from the household appliance or reinserted. It is considered preferred if the structural unit either higher than the treatment chamber or lower. In the first case the introduction of detergent into the treatment chamber can be simplified, in the second case the introduction of filtrate into the receptacle for filtrate can be made easier.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, an identification means can be arranged on the receptacle for detergent and / or on the receptacle for filtrate, or alternatively on the replaceable structural unit itself. This identification means can be used to detect the identity or the design of the structural unit via a machine or a device. One possibility is optical identification, preferably by means of a barcode. Another possibility is identification by radio, for which purpose an RFID module can preferably form the identification means. Then, for example, the respective receptacle or structural unit can be tracked at an aforementioned disposal company. A precisely fitting replenishment with detergent can also easily be carried out.

The identification means can possibly even be recorded by a user himself, for example in the case of a barcode with the camera of a mobile terminal, in particular a cell phone. Corresponding data can then also be sent immediately to a specialist company or to a supplier for a new structural unit or a new container. Likewise, read-in data can be sent to a manufacturer of the household appliance, who then takes over the supply with new containers or a new structural unit. Furthermore, this data can possibly be used to optimize the operation of the household appliance. The manufacturer of the household appliance can do this for many household appliances of this type or of identical construction, which in turn can benefit all household appliances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a level measuring device can be provided for the detergent container and / or the filtrate container. It can each be designed to detect the respective filling level of the container. The level measuring device is advantageously connected to a controller of the household appliance, so that the controller detects the level and contains this information. The household appliance also advantageously has a display that is connected to the controller. In addition to other information, this display can then be used to indicate to a user when the detergent container is empty and / or when the filtrate container is full. Alternatively, certain specified fill levels can be fallen below or exceeded so that a user can react shortly before the completely empty or completely full state. If the filtrate container is full, a user can also be given the option not to change it immediately, but instead continue to operate the household appliance, in which case no more filtrate can be collected in it.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the level measuring device is connected directly or, alternatively, the controller to the Internet. So at least detergent can be reordered automatically, so to speak, when the corresponding detergent container is completely or soon empty. This enables a gain in comfort for the user.

It is considered advantageous in the invention if at least the filtrate container can be removed from the structural unit in the largely closed state, so that no filtrate can escape and contaminate the area around the household appliance. This is particularly of great advantage if it is provided that the user himself removes the filtrate container and discards it or puts it in the residual waste. Alternatively, it can be provided that the user sends the entire structural unit to a special disposal company, which can remove and dispose of the filtrate and refill detergent. In this case the filtrate is disposed of by the disposal company.

In a similar form, provision can be made for the detergent or several detergents or detergent substances to be topped up either by a specialist company, with the detergent container or the entire structural unit then being refilled. Alternatively, a user can do this himself by either refilling the detergent container from a larger detergent supply such as a bottle of detergent or, alternatively, by replacing a detergent container.

It can be provided that the capacity of the detergent container is sufficient for at least five or at least ten washing processes, for example up to a maximum of 30 or 40 washing processes. The capacity or the size of the filtrate container should be adapted to this so that, for example, a typical amount of filtrate from at least five or at least ten washing processes can be introduced into the filtrate container before it is full and can no longer hold anything.

Even with an aforementioned two-chamber container or two-chamber bag, which are not separated from one another, it can be provided that it is disposed of by a user himself or given to a disposal company. It should then be provided that, if possible, the filtrate container is not yet completely full when the detergent container is empty and therefore has to be replaced or the entire container or bag has to be disposed of. In this way it can be ensured that there is still filtrate in any case can be collected as long as there is enough detergent for washing processes. Bags or containers that are full or to be replaced can generally be recycled whenever possible. This should be possible in particular for the material of the bag or the container, possibly also for the filtrate contained therein.

These and other features emerge from the claims and also from the description and the drawings, the individual features being implemented individually or in combination in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other areas and being advantageous and protectable per se Can represent versions for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections as well as subheadings do not limit the general validity of the statements made under these.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Waschmaschine als erfindungsgemäßes wasserführendes Haushaltsgerät,

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Darstellung einer aus der Waschmaschine entnehmbaren Schublade, die eine Baueinheit mit einem Filtrat-Behälter und einem Waschmittel-Behälter bildet, die jeweils verschlossen sind, samt schematischer Darstellung zu deren Entleerung und Wiederauffüllung,

Fig. 3

eine Abwandlung der Ausführung aus Fig. 2 mit einem Filtrat-Behälter und einem Waschmittel-Behälter, die als Baueinheit miteinander fest und unlösbar verbunden sind und in die Filtrat und Waschmittel direkt eingefüllt werden samt schematischer Darstellung eines Austauschs dieser Baueinheit,

Fig. 4

eine weitere Abwandlung der Ausführung aus Fig. 2 mit einer Baueinheit aus Filtrat-Behälter und Waschmittel-Behälter, die mittels lösbarer Verbindungsmittel verbunden werden können samt schematischer Darstellung eines Trennens der beiden Behälter,

Fig. 5a

eine vereinfachte Darstellung, wie ein separater voller Filtrat-Behälter von einem Benutzer direkt im Hausmüll entsorgt wird,

Fig. 5b

eine schematische Darstellung, wie ein separater voller Filtrat-Behälter von einem Benutzer zu einem Entsorgungsunternehmen geschickt wird, dort entleert wird und als leerer Filtrat-Behälter zurückgeschickt wird,

Fig. 6a

ähnlich der Fig. 5a eine Darstellung, wie ein leerer Waschmittel-Behälter von dem Benutzer direkt im Hausmüll entsorgt wird,

Fig. 6b

eine schematische Darstellung, wie ein Benutzer einen leeren Waschmittel-Behälter zu einem Waschmittelhersteller schickt, wo er aufgefüllt wird und dann wieder zu dem Benutzer zurückgeschickt wird,

Fig. 7a

eine weitere Abwandlung einer Ausführung der Erfindung ähnlich Fig. 5a und 6a mit einer unlösbar trennbaren Baueinheit aus Filtrat-Behälter und WaschmittelBehälter, die nach Gebrauch von dem Benutzer im Hausmüll entsorgt werden,

Fig. 7b

eine Abwandlung der Darstellungen aus Fig. 5b und 6b, wie die Baueinheit aus Filtrat-Behälter und Waschmittel-Behälter von einem Benutzer an ein spezielles Fachunternehmen geschickt wird, wo das Filtrat entsorgt wird und Waschmittel wieder eingefüllt wird und dann die Baueinheit an den Benutzer zurückgesandt wird,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Abwandlung der Darstellung aus Fig. 2 mit separatem FiltratBehälter und Waschmittel-Behälter als flexible Beutel, wobei rechts daneben in Anlehnung an Fig. 2 deren Entleeren bzw. Auffüllen angedeutet wird,

Fig. 9

eine Abwandlung der Ausführung aus Fig. 8, wobei die beiden Beutel als FiltratBehälter und Waschmittel-Behälter als Zwei-Kammer-Beutel ausgebildet sind samt rechts daneben angedeutetem Austauschvorgang,

Fig. 10

eine besser erkennbare Ausgestaltung eines Zwei-Kammer-Beutels entsprechend Fig. 9 mit zwei an sich separaten Beuteln, die an einer gemeinsamen Verschlussvorrichtung befestigt sind, welche mittels einer Art durchstoßbarem Einwegventil geschlossen sind, samt möglichen Einfüllstutzen und Absaugstutzen,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Abwandlung einer Baueinheit, bei der Filtrat-Behälter und Waschmittel-Behälter unlösbar miteinander verbunden sind in zwei Volumina in einem Behälter, die durch eine Membran getrennt sind, samt Verschlussanordnung, die drehbar ist und in der hier dargestellten Stellung Waschmittel nach unten ausgeben kann, und

Fig. 12

die Anordnung aus Fig. 11 mit gedrehter Verschlussanordnung derart, dass Filtrat in den Filtrat-Behälter eingeleitet werden kann, aber kein Waschmittel austritt.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a washing machine as a water-bearing household appliance according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a simplified representation of a drawer which can be removed from the washing machine and which forms a structural unit with a filtrate container and a detergent container, each of which is closed, including a schematic representation of their emptying and refilling,

Fig. 3

a modification of the design Fig. 2 with a filtrate container and a detergent container, which are firmly and permanently connected to one another as a structural unit and into which the filtrate and detergent are filled directly, including a schematic representation of the replacement of this structural unit,

Fig. 4

a further modification of the design Fig. 2 with a structural unit consisting of a filtrate container and a detergent container, which can be connected by means of detachable connecting means, including a schematic representation of the separation of the two containers,

Figure 5a

a simplified illustration of how a separate full filtrate container is disposed of directly in the household waste by a user,

Figure 5b

a schematic representation of how a separate full filtrate container is sent by a user to a disposal company, emptied there and returned as an empty filtrate container,

Figure 6a

similar to the Figure 5a an illustration of how an empty detergent container is disposed of by the user directly in the household waste,

Figure 6b

a schematic representation of how a user sends an empty detergent container to a detergent manufacturer, where it is refilled and then sent back to the user,

Figure 7a

Another modification of an embodiment of the invention is similar Figures 5a and 6a with an inseparable unit consisting of a filtrate container and a detergent container, which are disposed of by the user in the household waste after use,

Figure 7b

a modification of the representations Figures 5b and 6b How the assembly of the filtrate container and detergent container is sent by a user to a special specialist company, where the filtrate is disposed of and detergent is refilled and then the assembly is sent back to the user,

Fig. 8

a further modification of the representation Fig. 2 with separate filtrate container and detergent container as flexible bag, with the following on the right based on Fig. 2 the emptying or filling of which is indicated,

Fig. 9

a modification of the design Fig. 8 The two bags are designed as a filtrate container and a detergent container as a two-chamber bag with the replacement process indicated on the right,

Fig. 10

a more recognizable design of a two-chamber bag accordingly Fig. 9 with two separate bags, which are attached to a common closure device, which are closed by means of a type of pierceable one-way valve, including possible filler necks and suction nozzles,

Fig. 11

Another modification of a structural unit in which the filtrate container and detergent container are inextricably linked in two volumes in a container that are separated by a membrane, including a closure arrangement that is rotatable and can dispense detergent downwards in the position shown here , and

Fig. 12

the arrangement Fig. 11 with a rotated closure arrangement in such a way that the filtrate can be introduced into the filtrate container, but no detergent escapes.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

In the Fig. 1 is shown as an example of an inventive water-bearing household appliance in the form of a washing machine 11 with a housing 12, in which in the usual way a drum 14 for washing laundry is provided therein. A water inlet 16 leads into the washing machine 11, in particular from a water tap in a building. A drain 18 leads out of the washing machine 11, advantageously into a sewer line or sewer system.

At the top left in the washing machine 11, an interchangeable drawer 20 is shown in simplified form, which is shown in detail in the figures below. It can advantageously be arranged at the location of the drawer for adding detergent and can be removed from the washing machine 11 by a user without tools. For this purpose, it has a handle 21 on the left side.

A water line 22 goes from the interchangeable drawer 20 to the drum 14 or into it or into a drum receptacle in which the drum is arranged. The water inlet 16 ends here in the interchangeable drawer 20, with incoming fresh water also only being able to flow through it. Alternatively, the water inlet 16 can also open into the water line 22. A sump outlet 23 leads out of the drum 14 or a corresponding drum holder and leads into a filter device 26 by means of an outlet line 24. This filter device 26 is designed as a fine filter and in particular it serves to filter out small particles such as fiber debris from washed laundry, especially in the case of fibers made of plastic or so-called microfibers, i.e. microplastics, from the discharged or circulating water. The filtered water can flow through a water line 29 to a pump 31. The filter device 26 can be designed, for example, as known from the prior art mentioned at the beginning. Furthermore, it can also be bypassed by means of valves and lines not shown here. For example, it can only be used or looped into the water cycle if laundry with synthetic or synthetic fibers is washed in the washing machine 11, which secrete said small particles or fibers made of plastic as so-called microplastics. An operator input can be used for this recognition; alternatively, this can be determined by means of sensors. The filter device 26 can also be designed as a fine filter in multiple stages, that is to say it can have a plurality of filter means one behind the other, advantageously as a structural unit in a housing.

Behind the pump 31 there is a valve 33 which can be designed as a three- or four-way valve. A straight path leads to the drain 18 from the washing machine 11. The path upwards leads to a return line 36 which leads to a valve 38 as a three-way valve. In this way, the pump 31 can pump water directly back into the drum 14. Alternatively, it can pump the water through the further return line 36 to the interchangeable drawer 20, for example in order to flush or convey detergent from this interchangeable drawer into the water line 22 and thus into the drum 14.

In the lowest position of the valve 33, the pump 31 can pump water into a backwash inlet 27 of the filter device 26 by means of a backwash line 42. In this way, the filter device 26 can be backwashed or the filtrate collected therein can be removed therefrom, which is very important. It can be conveyed through a filtrate line 44 to the interchangeable drawer 20 in order to be collected there, as was explained at the beginning. The pump 31 and the valves 33 and 38 are also activated by the controller 46 of the washing machine 11.

In the Fig. 2 the change drawer 20 is shown enlarged. It forms a structural unit 49 and on the right contains a detergent receptacle 50 as a chamber which forms a detergent container 53. Detergent 55 is filled directly therein with a filling level 56 and is thus in contact with the walls of the detergent receptacle 50 or of the detergent container 53. Towards the top, the detergent receptacle 50 or the detergent container 53 is closed. To the right, shown in simplified form, a detergent outlet 58 leads out, advantageously with a valve or the like. for dosage. A desired amount of detergent 55 can be withdrawn through this as intended and introduced into the drum 14 by means of the water line 22.

In the left area, the interchangeable drawer 20 has a filtrate receptacle 60 or a filtrate container 63 as a type of molded-in chamber, similar to a detergent receptacle 50 or a detergent container 53 on the right Collected filtrate 65 is introduced directly into the filtrate container 63 so that it comes into contact with its walls. A filtrate inlet 68, which is shown schematically and which runs through the otherwise closed upper wall of the closed filtrate container 63, is used to introduce the filtrate 65. As has been explained above, this filtrate 65 is moved by the pump 31 via the backwash line 42 into the backwash inlet 27 of the filter device 26 and thus out of the filter device 26. It is therefore not generated in the filtrate container 63, but only collected therein for concentrated disposal.

It can also be provided to provide yet another additional filter in the interchangeable drawer 20 or in the filtrate container 63 as a further fine filter, shown here as an additional filter 62 at the bottom of the filtrate container 63 including the outlet downwards. In comparison to the filter device 26, microfibers or microplastics should also be retained in the filtrate container 63 and water should be able to drain back into the water duct can flow, for example into the water line 22. This is primarily intended to reduce the volume of the filtrate 65 so that more microfibers or microplastics that have been filtered out can be absorbed. It is also advantageous for subsequent disposal, in particular by an operator in the household himself, if the filtrate is less liquid or contains less water, ie is drier. In this embodiment with an additional filter 62 in or on the filtrate container 63, it is less about renewed filtering as water purification but more about further concentration or thickening of the filtrate. The additional filter should have a simple design, since it can possibly be disposed of or thrown away directly with the filtrate. Unlike the filter device 26, it does not have to be backwashable or reusable. For example, it can very simply consist of filter paper or filter fleece.

In order to be able to detect the fill level 56 in the detergent container 53 or to discover that it is empty, a fill level sensor 51 is arranged at the very bottom. A fill level 56 ', which the fill level sensor 51 would recognize as "empty" and would signal, is shown in dashed lines. This signal goes to the controller 46 connected to it, which recognizes this as an empty detergent container 53 and possibly displays it to a user. Under certain circumstances, a new full detergent container can also be ordered automatically and directly from the controller.

In order to be able to recognize the fill level 66 of the filtrate container 63, a fill level sensor 61 is arranged high up there. A fill level 66 ′ shown in dashed lines is recognized by the fill level sensor 61 as “full”, since the filtrate container 63 is then almost completely filled with filtrate 65. The fill level sensor 61 for the filtrate also signals this fill level 66 'to the controller 46, which then signals to a user either in conjunction with the other fill level of the fill level sensor 51 for the detergent 55 or, particularly preferably, separately from the other fill level, to a user that the Exchange drawer 20 must be removed. The user can then easily check by visual inspection whether detergent 55 needs to be refilled or filtrate 65 needs to be disposed of. Alternatively, pressure sensors etc. can also be used for a level indicator. This disposal or refilling is shown schematically and separately for the respective containers on the right Fig. 2 shown. The filtrate 65 from the full filtrate container 63 is, so to speak, disposed of and the empty filtrate container 63 is used again. A possibly provided additional filter 62 can remain in the filtrate container 63; alternatively, it can be disposed of together with the filtrate 65 and a new additional filter 62 can then be used.

In a similar form, the empty detergent container 53 is refilled with detergent 55 and used again as a full detergent container 53. With the one here in Fig. 2 shown common structural unit 49 of detergent container 53 and filtrate container 63, which obviously cannot be detached from one another, the process of emptying and refilling shown on the right and described above takes place with this common structural unit.

In the Fig. 3 a modification of the invention is shown in which a separate structural unit 149 is arranged in the interchangeable drawer 120. The structural unit 149 is arranged in a common detergent receptacle 150 or filtrate receptacle 160, which form a single chamber or a single space. After removing the interchangeable drawer 120 from the washing machine using the handle 121, for example because one of the fill level sensors 151 or 161 has responded, the structural unit 149 can be removed from the interchangeable drawer 120. This is in Fig. 3 shown on the right, where the detergent container 153 is empty and the filtrate container 163 is fully filled with filtrate 165. The two containers 153 and 163 are integrally connected to one another, advantageously produced in a single process, for example by plastic injection molding. The containers 153 and 163 can be closed by subsequently attaching or gluing covers, as was explained at the beginning. Only a detergent outlet 158 and a filtrate inlet 168 then need to be provided. The assembly 149 has a barcode BC at the bottom left. This can be recorded and used, for example, with a camera of a mobile phone, in particular to identify the structural unit 149. Alternatively, a special form of one of the containers 153 and 163 or the interchangeable drawer 120 can be used for identification by means of a camera of a mobile phone.

In the Fig. 4 In yet another embodiment of the invention, an interchangeable drawer 220 is shown with again a common detergent receptacle 250 and filtrate receptacle 260 as a single chamber. Level sensors 251 and 261 are also provided. In the common receptacle 250/260, a structural unit 249 is arranged, which consists of a detergent container 253 and a filtrate container 263. The two containers 253 and 263 are connected to one another via latching means 248 to form the structural unit 249, but can also be divided there, for example for separate disposal or emptying or filling. The containers 253 and 263 can then be connected to one another again by means of the latching means 248 and inserted into the interchangeable drawer 220, for example. This still has the advantage that the structural unit 249 can be removed from the washing machine or the interchangeable drawer 220 in one piece or in one operation. The possible separation of the two containers 253 and 263, however, allows them to be treated separately, as will also be explained below.

The two containers 253 and 263 each have a barcode BD. This can be used as before.

In the Figure 5a it is shown how a single or separate filtrate container 63, which is full of filtrate 65, is disposed of in a household garbage can 70. This is the direct disposal route for a user. As shown here, the filtrate container 63 is almost completely full, so it was time to replace it. This fill level could for example from a fill level sensor 61 accordingly Fig. 2 to be displayed to the user. Alternatively, a replacement could be indicated on the basis of a time component, that is to say when the washing machine 11 has been stationary for a long time and a predetermined time of x days has been exceeded. In this way, unpleasant odors can be avoided.

In the Figure 5b To the right, a professional disposal method is shown, so to speak. The filtrate container 63 with the filtrate 65 in it is sent in a package 71 to a professional disposal company. This can then either dispose of the full filtrate container 63 directly, but not as household waste, but as hazardous waste or, depending on the material, burn the filtrate 65, for example. A waste disposal system 73 is shown here in simplified form, into which, however, only the filtrate 65 is emptied. This can be followed by a rinsing process for the emptied filtrate container 63. The clean filtrate container 63 is then sent back in a package 71 to a user of the washing machine 11, who can then simply exchange the filtrate container 63 for this when a full filtrate container is next removed. Alternatively, for example, bioreactors could also be used in which bacteria break down the filtrate 65, at least until it is harmless.

In Figure 6a shown on the left how a user disposes of an empty detergent container 53 himself, namely via the household garbage can 70. Alternatively, the plastic material of the detergent container 53, if this is to be thrown away because it is a disposable container, similar to FIG Figure 5a the filtrate container 63 can be collected for special disposal, for example via the Dual System Germany.

In the Figure 6b To the right of this, the disposal via a professional disposal company is shown, so to speak. The empty detergent container 53 is sent in a package 71 to a specialized service company, possibly the same as the one to which the full filtrate container 63 was also sent. The service company can, for example, wash out the empty detergent container 53 and then refill it with detergent 55 in a detergent tank 75. The full detergent container 53 with the detergent 55 in it is then again sent back to the user in a package 71. This can then reinsert the detergent container 53 the next time the interchangeable drawer 220 is removed.

In the Figure 7a a disposal route is shown for the common structural unit 149 of Fig. 3 . Either a user can put this common structural unit 149 with a filled filtrate container 163, which is full of filtrate 165, and an empty detergent container 153 into the household garbage can 70. Alternatively, according to the Figure 7b to the right of this, the structural unit 149 can be sent in a package 171 to a special service company, as described above. There, the filtrate 165 is first emptied from the structural unit 149 into a garbage disposal 173 until the filtrate container 163 is empty. Then, at a detergent tank 175, new detergent 155 is poured into the detergent container 153 of the structural unit 149 until it is full. The reusable assembly 149 is then returned to the user in a package 171. The operator can then reinsert the structural unit 149 into the interchangeable drawer 120 and the washing machine 11 is then ready for operation again.

If the filtrate container 163 and the detergent container 153 are not full and empty in parallel, but only one of the two has to be replaced, in particular the filtrate container 163 is emptied, the controller 46 of the washing machine 11 can also use the history of the last washing processes decide whether and when a change makes sense. This can be displayed to an operator, who can then react or make a change. This could be done, for example, analogously to a procedure with a laser printer in which a suggestion is made to change the device. However, the operator does not necessarily have to follow this first suggestion; the washing machine can still be used for a certain period of time.

In the Fig. 8 a further modification of the invention is shown in which no containers with fixed walls are arranged in an interchangeable drawer 320. In the detergent receptacle 350 on the right there is a detergent container 353 with detergent 355 therein. The detergent container 353 is provided with pliable walls, in particular it is designed as a film bag. It gets its stability essentially from the fact that it is inserted into the detergent receptacle 350. Detergent 355 can be dispensed through the detergent outlet 358, in particular into a washing process of the washing machine 11.

In a similar form, to the left of the filtrate receptacle 360, a bag with pliable walls is inserted as a filtrate container 363, in particular it is also designed as a film bag. Filtrate 365 has been introduced via a filtrate inlet 368.

Right in the Fig. 8 a filled bag-shaped filtrate container 363 with filtrate 365 therein is shown. It can either be thrown away entirely, similar to the one Figures 5a, 6a or 7a , or be emptied. After throwing it away, it can be replaced by a fresh filtrate bag 363, which is then inserted into the filtrate receptacle 360.

If, on the other hand, the detergent container 353 is empty, which can be detected via the fill level sensor 351, it is removed from the detergent receptacle 350. It can either also be thrown away directly by the user and disposed of, for example, in household waste or as recyclable material. Alternatively, it could be similar to the Figures 5b and 6b sent away in a package for exchange. In any case, a full detergent container 353 with detergent 355 in it is again placed in the interchangeable drawer 320 by the user and this is then pushed into the washing machine 11.

In the Fig. 9 shows yet another embodiment of an interchangeable drawer 420 with a common receptacle 450/460 for detergent and filtrate. Detergent container 453 and filtrate container 463 are again bag-like or pliable, but firmly connected to one another as a type of two-chamber bag. The two bags are therefore attached to one another over their entire surface, for example. The structural unit 449 can be removed from the two containers 453 and 463 when either there is no more detergent 455 in the detergent container 453 or the filtrate container 463 is full of filtrate 465. This can in turn be detected via the two fill level sensors 451 and 461.

Right in Fig. 9 is shown schematically how the assembly 449 with a full filtrate container 463 is disposed of, for example on one of the in the Figures 5 to 7 described manner. A structural unit 449 comes back from detergent container 453 together with new detergent 455 in it and connected filtrate container 463, which is still empty. This structural unit is reinserted in the interchangeable drawer 420.

In order to provide access to the above-described bag-like container in addition to safe handling and attachment, in Fig. 10 an example is shown. A detergent container 553 is designed as a bag, but designed separately from a filtrate container 563 as a bag. In this way, simpler containers or bags can be used.

The detergent container 553 and the filtrate container 563 are firmly and advantageously non-detachable, alternatively exchangeable if damaged, connected to a connecting collar 548 made of stable plastic. At the top right of the connecting collar 548 there is an opening as a detergent outlet 558. This is closed by two rubber lips 559, like this left in the Fig. 10 is shown. Then no detergent can accidentally run out, in addition, the exchange of air is as low as possible, which is an advantage for the quality and durability of the detergent. When inserted into the washing machine 11, a suction nozzle 557 can be inserted into the detergent outlet 558 together with the rubber lip 559, which is then connected to it in a sealing and sealed manner. The suction nozzle 557 extends to just before the bottom of the bag-like detergent container 553 and can thus essentially remove or suck off the entire detergent 555.

In a similar form is left in Fig. 10 shows how the filtrate inlet 568 is closed by means of the two rubber lips 569. If a filler neck 567 for the filtrate is brought in from above, it protrudes through the rubber lips 569 and thus has access to the interior of the filtrate container 563 in order to fill the filtrate into it.

If one of the bag-like containers 553 or 563 can be easily removed from the connecting collar 548, it could either be cleaned or replaced one at a time with a new bag.

In the Fig. 11 Another illustration of the invention is shown, in which a structural unit 649, which can be inserted into a previously described interchangeable drawer, is shown from the side. The structural unit 649 has, so to speak, a single rigid, externally encircling container, which essentially forms the detergent container 653 with detergent 655 therein. A relatively small volume is shown as the filtrate container 663, so that not much filtrate or no filtrate 665 at all has yet been introduced here. Detergent 655 and filtrate 665 are separated from one another by a film or separating membrane 664 in the detergent container 653.

On the right-hand side, a connecting collar 648 is again provided, through which a detergent outlet 658 leads below and a filtrate inlet 668 leads above. To the right, the connecting collar 648 is closed by a seal 678. This seal 678 is provided on a rotatable manifold head 677. This can be rotated around a horizontal axis of rotation, shown here in dash-dotted lines. In the in Fig. 11 In the position shown, the distributor head 677 is rotated so that detergent 655 flows through the detergent outlet 658 and a corresponding channel in the distributor head 677 into the suction nozzle 657 or another line. In particular, the corresponding line of the water line 22 of the Fig. 1 correspond. It can be seen that there is a certain distance between a lower end of a filler neck 667 for filtrate and the upper end of the distributor head 677.

During the removal of detergent 655, an air inlet 679, shown here in a simplified dashed line, can lead to the filtrate inlet 668 and thus into the filtrate container 663, through which air can flow. Then a detergent 655 can flow out without any problems.

If the distributor head 677 is now rotated by 180 °, as shown in FIG Fig. 12 is shown, the detergent outlet 658 is blocked by the seal 678. No further detergent 655 can therefore flow into the suction connection 657. It can be seen here that filtrate 665 can now be introduced into the filtrate container 663 through the filler neck 667, the distributor head 677 and through the corresponding opening in the seal 678 and the filtrate inlet 668 in the connecting collar 648. This filtrate 665 presses on the separating membrane 664 and thus on the detergent 655 in the detergent container 653. This can therefore reduce the aforementioned air inlet as ventilation or, under certain circumstances, even make it superfluous. Thus, by turning the distributor head 677, it can also be determined whether the filtrate container is filled with filtrate or detergent is removed from the detergent container. In a unit 649 shown here, either the complex device of the connecting collar 648 and above all of the distributor head 677 can be separated from the containers 653 and 663 so that they are either thrown away separately or at least cleaned or sent to a disposal company. Under certain circumstances, the connecting collar 668 and distributor head 677 can be arranged in the interchangeable drawer, to which the structural unit 649 is then attached in a sealed manner.

Claims (16)

Water-bearing household appliance, in particular a washing machine or washer-dryer, which has: - a treatment chamber for cleaning objects therein, - a water duct that leads away from the treatment chamber and that leads to the treatment chamber, - A receptacle for detergent, which is connected to the water supply, wherein the receptacle for detergent has a detergent container and is arranged within the household appliance, - a filter device for filtering out particles, in particular fibers and / or microplastics, from water that is guided in the water duct that is connected to the water duct, - a receptacle for filtrate from the filter device, which can be or is connected to the filter device,
characterized in that - the receptacle for filtrate has a filtrate container, - the receptacle for detergent is firmly connected to the receptacle for filtrate in such a way that they are part of an independently manageable unit, - the filtrate container and the detergent container are closed to the outside. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are inextricably linked, in particular as a structural unit, this structural unit preferably being produced in one piece by plastic injection molding and / or by gluing. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are designed as separate components, whereby they are mechanically connected to one another in a detachable manner to form a structural unit, connection means being provided for the connection which are selected from the group: Screw, magnetic connection, snap-in connection, bayonet connection, clamping. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle for detergent and / or the receptacle for filtrate have rigid walls, the receptacle for detergent preferably forming the detergent container and having rigid walls and / or that the receptacle for filtrate the Forms filtrate container and has rigid walls, with detergent in the detergent container and / or filtrate in the filtrate container are in direct contact with the walls of the respective container. Household appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the receptacle for detergent contains a separate removable detergent container and / or that the receptacle for filtrate contains a separate removable filtrate container, with detergent in the detergent container and / or filtrate in the filtrate container are directly in contact with the walls of the respective container, in particular the containers are designed to be closed except for a closable access, wherein preferably either the detergent container and / or the filtrate container or the detergent container and / or the Filtrate container have at least one flexible wall, preferably in the manner of a film, in particular the detergent container and / or the filtrate container being flexible and pliable. Household appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the detergent container and / or the filtrate container are designed as flexible bags which are designed individually, the individual bags preferably being arranged in the respective receptacle and being removable therefrom. Household appliance according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the detergent container and the filtrate container are designed together as a flexible two-chamber bag, the two-chamber bag preferably in the receptacle for detergent and in the receptacle for filtrate is arranged and can be removed therefrom, wherein the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are identical and are designed as a single common receptacle for detergent and filtrate. Household appliance according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a bag has a closable access, wherein the corresponding receptacle for the bag has an inner connection, wherein the bag can be connected in a sealed manner to the inner connection of the receptacle via the access, The receptacle also has an external connection for the sealed connection with the water supply or the household appliance, the internal connection and the external connection being connected to one another in a liquid-conducting manner, in particular being connected to one another via an open through-channel, the internal connection preferably being the case and the external connection have sealing means, preferably as a sealing ring. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle for detergent and the receptacle for filtrate are arranged on or in a replaceable structural unit, the replaceable structural unit being designed and arranged in the household appliance in such a way that it can be removed therefrom without tools, with In particular, the replaceable structural unit can be removed directly from an outside of the household appliance or is arranged behind a flat paneling that can be opened without tools for removal. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an identification means is arranged on the receptacle for detergent or the receptacle for filtrate or on the replaceable structural unit according to claim 9, the identification means preferably for optical identification as a barcode or for identification by radio is designed as an RFID module. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a level measuring device for the detergent container and / or the filtrate container, which is designed to detect the respective level, wherein the level measuring device is connected to a controller of the household appliance, which is connected to a display of the household appliance in order to indicate to a user when the detergent container is empty and / or the filtrate container is full or when predetermined fill levels have fallen below or exceeded. Method for operating a household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fill level of the detergent container and / or the fill level of the filtrate container are monitored and a user is shown as soon as a predetermined detergent fill level is undershot or a given filtrate -Fill level has been exceeded. Method for operating a household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the filtrate container and / or the detergent container are removed from the household appliance, wherein the filtrate container is emptied or is removed for emptying, and wherein the Detergent container is emptied or removed for refilling, in particular when removing the filtrate container and / or the detergent container, the respective container is mechanically released from the structural unit, preferably after removing the entire structural unit from the household appliance and by releasing the connecting means according to claim 3, wherein the Dissolved containers or both containers are disposed of or given to a waste disposal company. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the container detached from the structural unit is replaced by a filled detergent container and / or by an empty filtrate container, the structural unit then being restored with a filled detergent container and / or empty filtrate container is inserted into the household appliance. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the detergent container and the filtrate container are designed together as a flexible two-chamber bag according to claim 7, wherein preferably the two-chamber bag in the single common receptacle for detergent and Filtrate intake is arranged and removed therefrom, the two-chamber bag being disposed of or given to a disposal company. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that to remove the filtrate container and the detergent container, the entire structural unit is removed from the household appliance and disposed of, preferably followed by a new structural unit with a filled detergent container and an empty filtrate container is inserted into the household appliance, the structural unit in particular being cleaned for recycling, the filtrate preferably being disposed of properly and / or the detergent container being filled with detergent.

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