EP4101970A1 - Laundry care apparatus for treating objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry care appliance (1) for the care of objects, having at least one filter unit (27) for filtering fluid (15) that flows in the laundry care appliance (1), the at least one filter unit (27) comprising a filter housing (29). At least one filter membrane unit (39) and at least one doctor blade unit (61) are arranged in the filter housing (29) of the at least one filter unit (27), the at least one filter membrane unit (39) comprising a filter frame (41) and a filter membrane (43), wherein the filter membrane (43) is arranged substantially on the filter frame (41) and wherein fluid (15) flows through the filter membrane (43), and wherein the filter membrane (43) has at least a first region (51) and at least a second region ( 53), wherein the at least one first region (51) of the filter membrane (43) of the at least one filter membrane unit (39) is designed differently from the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) of the at least one filter membrane unit (39), wherein the at least one first area (53) of the filter membrane (43) is permeable to fluid (15) and the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) is impermeable to fluid (15). is casually trained.

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance for the care of objects, in particular laundry and shoes.

The laundry care appliance can, among other things, carry out cleaning and/or drying processes. In these processes, the items to be treated are accommodated in a receptacle of the laundry care appliance. During the cleaning and/or drying process, the receiving container is moved essentially about an axis of rotation with the introduction of mechanics. The objects accommodated in the receiving container are agitated and at the same time mixed with a fluid. During the cleaning process, the fluid mainly consists of a water-soap mixture, also referred to as suds, and during the drying process it consists mainly of steam or process air.

During cleaning and/or drying processes, the fluids mix with particles that are released from the objects to be treated, or from the laundry and/or shoes. The particles can be hair, dust and/or dirt particles, for example. In addition, fluff and fibers, in particular microplastic fibers or microplastic particles, which are contained in fleece-like objects, among other things, become detached from the objects to be treated. Fleece-like articles are articles that have a low and/or high proportion of fleece, a so-called synthetic fleece. In the present application, the main focus is on the fibers and fluff, which increasingly detach from the objects to be treated during the above-mentioned processes.

In order to achieve good cleaning or drying success or to provide environmentally friendly cleaning and/or drying processes, these fibers must be removed from the fluids again. For this purpose, laundry care devices include filter units that remove dirt particles, fluff and fibers from the flowing fluid. In the case of pump-over systems, the fluid is usually filtered before a pump-over process, i.e. during the cleaning and/or drying process. occur. If the fluid is no longer required for the respective process, the fluid is pumped out and routed into a drain line.

Filter systems in washing machines that are equipped with circulation units are, inter alia, from the document US 2013/0312201 A1 known. This document describes a washing machine with a circulation unit, in which the wash suds are pumped by means of a pump unit into a circulation unit, also called a recirculation system, and through a filter unit. The filtered fluid is then fed back into the washing process. Furthermore, the filter unit has a filter and a measuring unit. The measuring unit measures a flow rate or flow speed of the washing liquor and, based on the measured values, detects whether the filter is clogged. If this is the case, the washing machine then stops the pumping process. In order to be able to continue the washing process, a new washing solution is added to the washing process.

In another publication, the US4833900A , a filter unit is disclosed in washing machines with pump-over systems, in which the filter unit is composed of two filters. The first filter is designed as a wide-meshed filter and the second filter as a narrow-meshed filter. The wash liquor flows through the first filter when the wash liquor is led into a drain line. The washing lye flows through the second filter when the washing lye is fed into the pump-over system.

As can be seen from the two documents cited above, various filter systems for pump-over systems are known from the prior art, which filter fibers from the pump-over system or recirculation system. During the filtering process, the cleaning or drying process is usually continued, that is, the receiving container is moved on. As a result, fibers are almost constantly coming loose from the laundry. The filter unit can only hold a limited amount of fibers without becoming completely clogged, so that no more fluid can flow through the filter unit.

Since a filter unit in a laundry care appliance becomes clogged quickly, since fibers are almost constantly being released from the objects to be treated, it is required that the filter unit is cleaned or freed from the fibers accumulating in the filter unit during the cleaning and/or drying process.

An example is in the DE 10 2019 204 990 A1 discloses a squeegee unit intended for cleaning a filter membrane element. The squeegee unit includes a squeegee element that is moved over the filter membrane element along a squeegee movement direction. By moving the squeegee element, the filter membrane element is cleaned of fibers and other particles, so that fluid can flow through the filter membrane element.

In the EP 1 788 142 B1 a device for drying laundry with a filter unit is disclosed. The filter unit comprises a U-shaped channel with a screen bent into a U-shaped channel. A squeegee unit slides along the screen. The squeegee unit includes a carriage and a film that serves as a stripping element. The stripping element is arranged on the carriage in such a way that it touches down on the screen at an acute angle. By moving the carriage, the wiping element is moved along the curved screen and wipes lint off the screen.

A filter unit with a large capacity is in the DE 10 2013 224 968 A1 described. The filter unit includes a brush and a compression unit. By moving the brush back and forth, fluff is removed from a filter membrane, which is then compacted by the compaction unit.

Proceeding from this prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a laundry care device with a squeegee unit that has an improved cleaning function compared to the laundry care devices known from the prior art, particularly with regard to its effectiveness and service life.

The object is solved by the features of patent claim 1 and patent claim 13 . Further advantageous refinements and developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and in the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care device for caring for objects with at least one filter unit for filtering fluid that flows in the laundry care device. The at least one filter unit comprises a filter housing, with at least one filter membrane unit and at least one doctor blade unit being arranged in the filter housing of the at least one filter unit, with the at least one filter membrane unit comprising a filter frame and a filter membrane, with the filter membrane being arranged essentially on the filter frame and with Fluid flows through the filter membrane. Furthermore, the filter membrane comprises at least one first area and at least one second area, the at least one first area of the filter membrane of the at least one filter membrane unit being configured differently from the at least one second area of the filter membrane of the at least one filter membrane unit, the at least one first area of the Filter membrane is designed to be permeable to fluid and the at least one second region of the filter membrane is designed to be impermeable to fluid.

The differently configured at least one second area, also referred to as impermeable area, to the at least one first area, also referred to as permeable area, ensures that fluid flows through the at least one first area. As a result, essentially no dirt particles, fibers, fluff and hair settle in the at least one second area

A laundry care device essentially includes all devices that can be used to care for objects, in particular laundry. A laundry care appliance is understood in particular to mean a washing machine for cleaning laundry, a washer-dryer for washing and drying laundry in one appliance and a tumble dryer for drying laundry, as well as a spin dryer or a dishwasher. The term objects is to be understood here in particular as laundry, such as items of clothing, accessories such as hats and scarves, shoes and much more.

The at least one filter unit is preferably arranged in a pumping system of the laundry care appliance and/or in a pump-out system of the laundry care appliance.

As a result, the filter unit is directly integrated into a fluid flow that is required in the laundry care appliance. The fluid flows directly through the filter unit, so that fibers, fluff and other dirt particles that come loose from the objects to be cared for are removed from the fluid.

The laundry care appliance comprises at least one control unit for controlling the at least one squeegee unit, wherein the at least one squeegee unit comprises at least one squeegee element, and wherein the control unit is designed to control the at least one squeegee unit in such a way that the at least one squeegee element scrapes the filter membrane.

The squeegee unit is designed to clean the filter membrane and free it from the fibers, fluff and dirt particles that have accumulated there, thus preventing or clearing a blockage in the filter membrane. The control unit can, for example, start or carry out a squeegee process at preset intervals and/or via sensors. A squeegee process is understood to mean the cleaning of the filter membrane.

The at least one squeegee element of the at least one squeegee unit is advantageously in contact with the at least one second area or impermeable area of the filter membrane before the start of a squeegee process. The at least one doctor element preferably rests on the at least one second area of the filter membrane. This means that the filter membrane comprises a filter membrane upper side, which is arranged in such a way that the fluid acts on the filter membrane or the filter membrane upper side in the direction of flow. In the following, the upper side of the filter membrane is also referred to as the primary-side filter membrane. A secondary filter membrane is formed opposite the primary-side filter membrane, ie on the filter membrane side arranged downstream of the fluid.

The at least one squeegee element of the at least one squeegee unit is parked on a second area, an impermeable area, of the filter membrane. This means that at least one squeegee element is in an area of the filter membrane parked, which is acted upon by the fluid, but does not flow through it. As a result, essentially no fibers, fluff and dirt particles are deposited in the at least one impermeable area of the filter membrane.

It is also preferred that the at least one doctor element bears against a filter membrane surface of the filter membrane, which is acted upon by the fluid in the direction of flow. The filter membrane surface of the filter membrane can also be referred to as the upper side of the filter membrane.

This ensures that the upper side of the filter membrane is scraped off, so that the upper side of the filter membrane is freed or cleaned of fibers, fluff and dirt particles.

The at least one squeegee element of the at least one squeegee unit is advantageously in contact with the at least one second, impermeable region of the filter membrane after the end of a squeegee process. This ensures that when a squeegee process is started again, the squeegee process can be started immediately without having to first adjust the at least one squeegee element.

Abutting the at least one squeegee element of the at least one squeegee unit against the impermeable area of the filter membrane has various advantages. On the one hand, this ensures that the at least one squeegee element exerts essentially no disruptive effect on the flowing fluid when the fluid flows through the filter membrane. On the other hand, this ensures that each squeegee process starts immediately, so that the at least one squeegee element moves from the at least one impermeable area in the direction of the at least one permeable area, which is usually covered with a filter cake or with fibers, fluff and/or dirt particles is, is moved.

In one embodiment, the at least one second area of the filter membrane, the impermeable area, is formed in an edge area of the filter membrane.

In a further embodiment, the at least one first area of the filter membrane comprises at least two first areas and the at least one second area the filter membrane has at least two second areas, with the squeegee unit resting on at least one of the second areas, ie at least one impermeable area, of the filter membrane before the start of the squeegee process. This increases the possibility of reaching under the filter cake or a filter carpet of the at least one doctor element.

A filter carpet is an agglomerate of particles, dirt particles, fibres, fluff, hair and much more, which is composed into a sticky mass. The dirt particles and the other particles that collect there usually stick together. The filter carpet is also referred to as a fluff carpet and/or filter cake. However, all designations mean a retention of particles by a filter membrane surface of the filter membrane. If there is a high content of fibrous components/particles, the components/particles form an extensive tangle with one another, ie a filter and/or fluff carpet or particle carpet is formed. Depending on the type of particles and fibers filtered out and/or the nature of the fibers, for example length, thickness, bending elasticity of the fibers, a filter carpet with a thickness of just a few µm can lead to clogging or blocking of the filter unit.

The at least two first regions of the filter membrane and the at least two second regions of the filter membrane are preferably formed on the filter membrane in a pattern-like manner. A pattern-like arrangement may include, for example, a checkerboard-like arrangement or a strip-like arrangement in longitudinal/transverse/diagonal or oblique directions. An island-like arrangement of the multiple impermeable areas or the multiple second areas is also conceivable. Other pattern-like arrangements are conceivable.

At least one cover element for covering the filter membrane is advantageously arranged on the at least one second region of the filter membrane. The at least one cover element can be a film or a film-like material, for example. The foil can be welded and/or glued and/or otherwise attached to the filter membrane surface. Furthermore, however, integral connections are also conceivable.

The filter membrane comprises a filter membrane surface, the filter membrane surface preferably having a processed filter membrane surface in the area of the at least one second area of the filter membrane. A processed filter membrane surface can represent a compressed membrane surface, for example. This can be done, for example, by welding the filter membrane surface or by applying a material or substance that has been liquefied or melted, for example, by heating. A liquefied or molten material or substance can be, for example, plastics, resins or lacquers, which are heated and solidify or solidify again after cooling down and thus form or form a covering element or become an impermeable surface.

Essentially no fluff, fibers and/or dirt particles collect on the impermeable areas of the filter membrane, so that the at least one squeegee element in the impermeable areas bears directly on the filter membrane or on the filter membrane surface or acts there when the squeegee element is moved. When the at least one squeegee element moves further from an impermeable area of the filter membrane in the direction of the permeable areas, the at least one squeegee element can reach under a filter carpet deposited there and pull it off.

In a further embodiment, it is also conceivable that at least one cover element is arranged on the at least one second area of the filter membrane and/or the filter membrane comprises a filter membrane surface, with the filter membrane surface having a processed filter membrane surface in the area of the at least one second area of the filter membrane.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a method for cleaning a filter membrane of a filter unit of a laundry care appliance for care of objects. The filter unit comprises a squeegee unit, wherein the squeegee unit comprises at least one squeegee element and wherein the filter membrane has at least one first area and at least one second area, the at least one first area and the at least one second area are designed differently, and the at least one first area of the filter membrane is designed to be permeable to fluid and the at least one second area of the filter membrane is designed to be impermeable to fluid, wherein the at least one squeegee element of the squeegee unit is in a starting position before the start of a squeegee process, so that the at least one squeegee element rests on the at least one second region of the filter membrane, which is impermeable to fluid, and the at least one squeegee element is moved from the at least one second region of the filter membrane in the direction of the at least one first region of the filter membrane when the squeegee process is started.

When the laundry care appliance is in operation, a filter carpet forms in the flow direction of the fluid on the filter membrane of the filter unit and the at least one doctor element of the doctor unit preferably forms the filter carpet when the at least one doctor element moves from the at least one second area of the filter membrane in the direction of the at least one first area of the filter membrane essentially subverted and the at least one doctor element is moved essentially between the filter carpet and the filter membrane over the filter membrane. A filter carpet is an agglomerate of dirt particles, fibres, fluff, hair and much more, which is composed into a sticky mass. The dirt particles and the other particles that collect there usually stick together.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Frontansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 2

zeigt schematisch, in stark vereinfachter Form, ein Zirkulationsprinzip eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 3a

zeigt einen Ausschnitt einer bekannten Filtereinheit;

Fig. 3b

zeigt einen Beginn eines Rakelvorgangs der bekannten Filtereinheit;

Fig. 3c

zeigt einen fortgeschrittenen Rakelvorgang der bekannten Filtereinheit;

Fig. 4a

zeigt eine Ausführungsform einer schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 4b

zeigt einen Beginn eines Rakelvorgangs der schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 4c

zeigt einen fortgeschrittenen Rakelvorgang der schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 4d

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf die schematisch dargestellte Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 5a

zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform einer schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 5b

zeigt einen Beginn eines Rakelvorgangs anhand der weiteren Ausführungsform der schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 5c

zeigt einen fortgeschrittenen Rakelvorgang anhand der weiteren Ausführungsform der schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 6

zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsform einer schematisch dargestellten Filtereinheit eines Wäschepflegegeräts.

Further properties and advantages of the present invention result from the following descriptions with reference to the drawings.

1

shows a schematic front view of a laundry care appliance;

2

shows schematically, in a greatly simplified form, a circulation principle of a laundry care appliance;

Figure 3a

shows a section of a known filter unit;

Figure 3b

shows the beginning of a squeegee process of the known filter unit;

3c

shows an advanced squeegee process of the known filter unit;

Figure 4a

shows an embodiment of a schematically illustrated filter unit of a laundry care appliance;

Figure 4b

shows the start of a squeegee process of the schematically illustrated filter unit of a laundry care appliance;

Figure 4c

shows an advanced squeegee process of the filter unit of a laundry care appliance shown schematically;

Figure 4d

shows a plan view of the schematically illustrated filter unit of a laundry care appliance;

Figure 5a

shows a further embodiment of a schematically illustrated filter unit of a laundry care appliance;

Figure 5b

shows the beginning of a squeegee process based on the further embodiment of the filter unit of a laundry care appliance shown schematically;

Figure 5c

shows an advanced squeegee process based on the further embodiment of the filter unit of a laundry care device shown schematically;

6

shows a further embodiment of a schematically illustrated filter unit of a laundry care appliance.

In 1 a schematic front view of a laundry care appliance 1 for treating laundry is shown. The laundry care appliance 1 can be a washing machine 2, a tumble dryer, a washer-dryer or a dishwasher. For the sake of simplicity, only one washing machine 2 is described in more detail as the laundry care appliance 1 below.

The laundry care appliance 1, in particular the 1 washing machine 2 shown is provided for treating objects. The expression for treating objects includes in particular the cleaning and drying of objects such as clothing, laundry, towels, rags, shoes, scarves and towels, as well as hats and caps and many more. The laundry care device 1 in 1 includes a washing machine front wall 3. On the washing machine front wall 3 is, among other things, a movable dispenser tray 5, into which a washing care substance, such as a detergent and/or a fabric softener, can be filled, and a washing machine display unit 7, with which a cleaning program can be set, among other things can, arranged. Furthermore, a pivotable laundry care appliance door 9 and a cleaning hatch (not shown), which is covered by a cleaning hatch cover 11, are arranged on the washing machine front wall 3 of the laundry care appliance 1 for treating objects. Furthermore, the laundry care appliance 1 has an appliance top 12a and an appliance bottom 12b, also referred to as the appliance base, which is arranged opposite the appliance top 12a.

In 2 shows schematically a circulation principle of a laundry care appliance 1 for treating objects, illustrated in a highly simplified representation. The laundry care appliance 1 for the particular treatment of items of clothing, in particular laundry, has a receiving area 13 or a receiving container for objects to be cleaned and/or dried, for example laundry or dishes. During a cleaning and/or drying process, there is fluid 15 in the receiving area 13. During a pumping and/or pumping process, the fluid 15 flows out of the receiving area 13 via an outlet opening 19. The fluid can be drained from the receiving area 13 by means of a pump unit 17 13 be strengthened or promoted. Furthermore, the pump unit 17 is provided for circulating the fluid 15 . The fluid 15 flows out of the receiving area 13 into a pump-over or pump-out line 20.

The pump unit 17 is essentially driven by a drive unit 21 , the drive unit 21 being driven or controlled by a control unit 23 . The drive unit 21 is coupled to the control unit 23 via a first transmission element 25 . The pump unit 17 pumps the fluid 15 to a Filter unit 27. The filter unit 27 includes a filter housing 29. In the filter housing 29 of the filter unit 27, the fluid 15 is filtered. The filter housing 29 essentially comprises a filter inlet opening 31 through which the fluid 15 can flow into the filter housing 29 of the filter unit 27, and at least one filter outlet opening 33 through which the filtered fluid 15 can flow out of the filter housing 29 of the filter unit 27. The filter unit 27 is coupled to the control unit 23 via a second transmission element 25 . The filter unit 27 is controlled by the control unit 23 . The filter unit 27 is arranged in a pumping system 30a and/or a pumping-out system 30b of the laundry care appliance 1 .

After flowing through the filter unit 27, the fluid 15 flows either into a drain 28 or into a drain line and leaves the laundry care appliance 1, or via a return line 35 to an inlet opening 37, which leads the fluid 15 back into the receiving area 13 of the laundry care appliance 1 . However, it is also conceivable that the fluid 15 , for example in a washing machine 2 , is routed via the dispensing tray 5 and is mixed there with detergent and/or fabric softener, for example, before the fluid 15 is fed back into the receiving area 13 .

In Figure 3a is a section of a known filter unit 100 known from the prior art. The filter unit 100 comprises a filter housing 101. In the filter housing 101 a filter membrane 102 is essentially arranged. Fluid 103 flows mixed with dirt particles, lint, fibers and hair 104 in the direction of the filter membrane 102. The dirt particles, lint, fibers and hair 104 are deposited in the direction of flow (arrow AZ) of the fluid 102 on a filter membrane surface 105.

In Figure 3b a start of a squeegee process of the known filter unit 100 is shown. The filter unit 100 includes a squeegee element 106 that is placed on a filter carpet 107 (arrow I) that has formed on the filter membrane surface 105 . In 3c shows a progress of the squeegee process or an advanced squeegee process of the known filter unit 100, in which the squeegee element 106 is moved in the direction of the arrow (arrow II) over the filter membrane 102 or over the filter membrane surface 105 and thereby squeegees the filter membrane surface 105. It is easy to see that with this method, a residual film of contamination 108 on the filter membrane 102 or on the filter membrane surface 105 remains. With increasing service life, the residual contamination film 108 becomes firmer or thicker, so that the filter unit 100 becomes clogged in such a way that fluid 103 can no longer flow through the filter membrane 102 .

Figure 4a 1 shows an embodiment of a schematically represented filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1. The filter unit 27 comprises the filter housing 29. A filter membrane unit 39 is essentially arranged in the filter housing 29. The filter membrane unit 39 comprises a filter frame 41 and a filter membrane 43 , the filter membrane 43 being arranged essentially on the filter frame 41 . The filter membrane 43 is often also referred to as a filter and/or fluff filter or filter gauze.

The filter membrane 43 comprises a filter membrane surface 47. Fluid 15 mixed with dirt particles, fluff, fibers and hair 45, water and/or washing suds flows in the direction of the filter membrane 43 or impinges on the filter membrane surface 47 (arrow A). The dirt particles, fluff, fibers and hair 45 are deposited on the filter membrane surface 47 in the direction of flow (arrow A) of the fluid 15 . The filtered fluid 15 flows in the direction of flow (arrow B) to the filter outlet opening 33. A filter carpet 49 forms on the filter membrane surface 47, also referred to as a fluff carpet and/or dirt particle film and/or dirt particle carpet.

The filter membrane 43 comprises at least one first region 51 and at least one second region 53. The at least one first region 51 of the filter membrane 43 of the at least one filter membrane unit 39 is designed differently from the at least one second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 of the at least one filter membrane unit 39. The at least one first region 51 of the filter membrane 43 is designed to be permeable to fluid 15 and the at least one second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 is designed to be impermeable to fluid 15 . In the following, the at least one second area can also be referred to as at least one impermeable area or as an impermeable area. Furthermore, the at least one first area can also be referred to below as at least one permeable area or as a permeable area.

The at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43 is impermeable to fluid 15 . At least one cover element 55 is provided for this purpose. The cover element 55 is arranged on or in the at least one second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 in order to cover the filter membrane 43 . The at least one cover element 55 can be a foil, for example, which is attached to or on the filter membrane surface 47 . The at least one cover element 55 can be attached to a first filter membrane surface side 57 or to a second filter membrane surface side 59 .

The first filter membrane surface side 57, also referred to as the primary filter membrane surface, is viewed in the direction of flow of the fluid 15, the side that is initially acted upon by the fluid 15 when it flows through the filter unit 27. The second filter membrane surface side 59, also referred to as the secondary filter membrane surface, is opposite the first filter membrane surface side 57 and, viewed in the flow direction of the fluid 15, is formed on the side of the filter membrane on which the fluid 15 continues to flow after flowing through the filter membrane 43.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the filter membrane 43 in the area of the at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43 comprises a processed or compressed filter membrane surface 47a such that no fluid 15 can flow through the at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43. For a processed and/or compacted filter membrane surface 47a, it is conceivable, for example, to weld the filter membrane surface 47a or to apply a material or substance that has been liquefied, for example by heating, such as plastic, resins or lacquers, for example, which solidify again after cooling and thus form a cover element 55 or become an impermeable surface. The filter membrane 43 has a large number of membrane pores 56, which can be connected to one another, for example by heating the filter membrane 43 in a targeted manner, or can be connected to one another by another method mentioned, see for example above.

In a further embodiment, it is also conceivable that the at least one second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 is equipped with at least one cover element 55 and/or a processed or compacted filter membrane surface 47a is redesigned in such a way that the at least one second region becomes impermeable.

The at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43 is in Figures 4a to 4d formed in an edge region 65a of the filter membrane 43. However, it is also conceivable that the at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43 is formed in a middle area of the filter membrane 65b. It is also conceivable that the filter membrane 43 comprises a plurality of second areas 53 . More on that below.

In Figure 4b a start of a squeegee process of the filter unit 27 shown schematically is shown. Also schematic is in Figure 4b a squeegee unit 61 is shown. Squeegee unit 61 essentially comprises at least one squeegee element 63 . Squeegee unit 61 is essentially controlled by control unit 23 . In Figure 4b the squeegee unit 61 or the at least one squeegee element 63 is shown in a starting position. The at least one doctor element 63 rests on or against the at least one impermeable region 53 of the filter membrane 43 (arrow B1).

In Figure 4c an advanced squeegee process of the filter unit 27 shown schematically is shown. The squeegee unit 61 or the at least one squeegee element 63 is moved from the starting position, from the impermeable second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 in the direction (arrow B2) of the permeable first region 51. The at least one squeegee element 63 reaches under the filter carpet 49 formed on the permeable first area 51 and literally pulls the filter carpet 49 away from the filter membrane 43 or down.

In Figure 4d a plan view of the schematically illustrated filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1 is shown. The at least one first area 51 and the at least one second area 53 of the filter membrane 43 as well as the at least one doctor element 63 are shown clearly visible. The arrow B2 indicates the direction of movement of the at least one doctor element 63.

In Figure 5a a further embodiment of a schematically represented filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1 is shown. In Figure 5a is a filter frame 41 and a Filter membrane 43 shown. The filter membrane surface 47 of the filter membrane 43 includes in the Figures 5a to 5c in each case at least two first areas 51 and in each case at least two second areas 53. In the present exemplary embodiment, the filter membrane surface 47 comprises three first areas 51 and three second areas 53, the areas impermeable to fluid 15.

However, it is also conceivable that a multiplicity of second regions 53 are formed on the filter membrane 43 . The plurality of second regions 53 is arranged or can be arranged in any way, preferably in a pattern, on the filter membrane 43 or on the filter membrane surface 47 . For example, the plurality of first regions 51 and the plurality of second regions 53 can extend across the filter membrane 43 in a checkerboard fashion or extend in a longitudinal or transverse direction of the filter membrane surface 47 . In order to achieve a desired cleaning effect of the filter membrane 43, the at least one squeegee element 63 should be in contact with or on one of the impermeable areas of the plurality of second areas 53.

In Figure 5b a start of a squeegee process is shown on the basis of the further embodiment of the filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1 shown schematically. As already mentioned above, the at least one squeegee element 63 is in contact with or on one of the impermeable areas of the plurality of second areas 53 (arrow B1). Substantially no dirt particles, fibers, lint 45 and much more are deposited on or on the impermeable areas of the filter membrane 43, since the fluid 15 is in motion there and flows or is pumped to the permeable areas or a suction is created that pulls the fluid 15 and the dirt particles 45 contained therein sucks in, so that the fluid 15 flows to the permeable areas. In this embodiment, only one squeegee unit 61 with a squeegee element 63 is shown as an example. However, it is also conceivable that a plurality of doctor units 61 are each formed with one or more doctor elements 63 . The squeegee element 63 starts from the starting position, an impermeable, second area 53, of the filter membrane 43 and is moved over a permeable area, a first area 51, of the filter membrane 43 (arrow B2 in Figure 5c ). The permeable area, a first area 51, of the filter membrane 43 is followed by another impermeable, second area 53 and so on.

In Figure 5c An advanced squeegeeing process is shown on the basis of the further embodiment of the filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1 shown schematically. The at least one doctor element 63 is moved from an impermeable area, second area 53, in the direction (arrow B2) of a permeable area, first area 51. The at least one squeegee element 63 reaches under the filter carpet 49 that has accumulated there and literally pulls it away from the permeable area of the filter membrane 43 . The multiple second areas 53 ensure that the at least one squeegee element 63, when applied to a further first area 51, again reaches under the filter carpet 49 that has accumulated there and pulls it away from the permeable area of the filter membrane 43.

A further embodiment of a schematically illustrated filter unit 27 of a laundry care appliance 1 is shown in 6 shown. The filter unit 27 essentially comprises a filter membrane 43, at least one doctor element 63. The filter membrane 43 comprises a first area 51 which is permeable to fluid 15 and a second area 53 which is impermeable to fluid 15. A multiplicity of first regions 51 and a multiplicity of second regions 53 can also be provided. The filter membrane 43 or the filter membrane surface 47 is in 6 for example drop-shaped. The impermeable area 53 is in 6 formed in a pointed end of the teardrop-shaped filter membrane 43 . Arrow C represents a direction of rotation of the squeegee element 63. The squeegee element 63 is moved here from the impermeable area of the filter membrane 43 in a circular motion over the filter membrane surface 47 and detaches the filter carpet 49 (not shown here) from the filter membrane surface 47 and squeegees the detached filter carpet 49 in the direction of the pointed end of the drop-shaped filter membrane 43. The squeegee element 63 is always moved from the impermeable area over the permeable area and back to the impermeable area. The second region 53 of the filter membrane 43 can have a cover element 55 and/or a machined filter membrane surface 47a.

Reference List

1.

laundry care device

2.

Washing machine

3.

washing machine front panel

5.

dispenser bowl

7.

washing machine front panel

9.

laundry care appliance door

11.

cleaning hatch cover

12a.

device top

12b.

bottom of the device

13.

recording area

15

Fluid

17

pump unit

19

exhaust port

20

pump-out line

21

drive unit

23

control unit

25

first transmission element

27

filter unit

28

drain

29

filter housing

30a.

pumping system

30b.

pumping system

31

filter inlet port

33

filter outlet opening

35

return line

37

intake port

39

filter membrane unit

41

filter frame

43

filter membrane

45

dirt particles

47

filter membrane surface

47a.

Filter membrane surface processed

49

filter carpet

51

first area

53

second area

55

cover element

56

membrane pores

57

first filter membrane surface

59

second filter membrane surface

61

squeegee unit

63

squeegee element

65a.

edge area

A

Arrow

B1

pressure/movement direction

B2

pressure/movement direction

C

Arrow

100

filter unit

101

filter housing

102

filter membrane

103

Fluid

104

dirt particles

105

filter membrane surface

106

squeegee element

107

filter carpet

108

residual pollution film

AZ

Arrow

I

pressure/movement direction

II

pressure/movement direction

Claims (14)

Laundry care appliance (1) for the care of objects, having at least one filter unit (27) for filtering fluid (15) that flows in the laundry care appliance (1), the at least one filter unit (27) comprising a filter housing (29), the filter housing (29) of the at least one filter unit (27), at least one filter membrane unit (39) and at least one doctor blade unit (61) are arranged, the at least one filter membrane unit (39) comprising a filter frame (41) and a filter membrane (43), the filter membrane (43) is arranged essentially on the filter frame (41) and wherein fluid (15) flows through the filter membrane (43), and wherein the filter membrane (43) comprises at least one first region (51) and at least one second region (53), the at least one first region (51) of the filter membrane (43) of the at least one filter membrane unit (39) being different from the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) of the at least one filter membrane unit (39) is formed, characterized in that the at least one first region (53) of the filter membrane (43) is designed to be permeable to fluid (15) and the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) is designed to be impermeable to fluid (15). Laundry care appliance (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one filter unit (27) is arranged in a pumping system (30a) of the laundry care appliance (1) and/or in a pump-out system (30b) of the laundry care appliance (1). Laundry care appliance (1) according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that at least one control unit (23) is designed to activate the at least one doctor unit (61) and the at least one doctor unit (61) comprises at least one doctor element (63), the Control unit (23) is designed to control the at least one squeegee unit (61) in such a way that the at least one squeegee element (63) scrapes off the filter membrane (43). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one squeegee element (63) of the at least one squeegee unit (61) is in contact with the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) before the start of a squeegee process. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one squeegee element (63) rests against a filter membrane surface (47) of the filter membrane (43) which acts on the fluid (15) in flow direction (A). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one squeegee element (63) of the at least one squeegee unit (61) rests against the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) after a squeegee process has ended. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) is formed in an edge area (65a) of the filter membrane (43). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first area (51) of the filter membrane (43) comprises at least two first areas (51) and the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) comprises at least two second areas (43), wherein the squeegee unit (61) bears against at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) before the start of the squeegee process. Laundry care appliance (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the at least two first areas (51) of the filter membrane (43) and the at least two second areas (53) of the filter membrane (43) are formed in a pattern on the filter membrane (43). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cover element (55) for covering the filter membrane (43) is arranged on the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filter membrane (43) comprises a filter membrane surface (47), the filter membrane surface (47) in the region of the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) having a machined filter membrane surface (47a). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the filter membrane (43) comprises a filter membrane surface (47), with at least one cover element (55) being arranged on the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43). and/or the filter membrane surface (47) has a machined filter membrane surface (47a) in the area of the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (47). Method for cleaning a filter membrane (43) of a filter unit (27) of a laundry care appliance (1) with a squeegee unit (61), wherein the squeegee unit (61) comprises at least one squeegee element (63) and wherein the filter membrane (43) has at least a first region ( 51) and at least one second area (53), wherein the at least one first area (51) and the at least one second area (51) are designed differently, and the at least one first area (51) of the filter membrane (43) for fluid (15) is designed to be permeable and the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) is designed to be impermeable to fluid (15), the at least one doctor element (63) of the doctor unit (61) being in a starting position before the beginning of a doctoring process , so that the at least one squeegee element (63) on the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43), which is impermeable to fluid (15), and the at least one squeegee element (63) at Starting the squeegee process from the at least one second area (53) of the filter membrane (43) is moved in the direction of the at least one first area (51) of the filter membrane (43). Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that when the laundry care appliance (1) is in operation, a filter carpet (49) is formed in the flow direction (A) of the fluid (15) on the filter membrane (43) of the filter unit (27) and the at least one doctor element ( 63) the doctor unit (61) when moving the at least one doctor element (63) from the at least one second region (53) of the filter membrane (43) in the direction (B2) of the at least one first region (51) of the filter membrane (43). undercut the filter mat (49) and the at least one squeegee element (63) is moved essentially between the filter mat (49) and the filter membrane (43).

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