EP4324973A1 - Household appliance for treating items of laundry with a specific flushing system for an air guiding system, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance (1) for caring for laundry items, having a housing (2) and a tub (3) which is arranged in the housing (2), and with a drum (4) which is located in the Lye container (3) is arranged and is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (A), and with an air guidance system (15), with which air can be directed into the drum (4), and with a flushing system (25), with which the air guidance system, (15) can be flushed with liquid at least in areas, the flushing system (25) having an opening (22) on a circumferential wall (11) of the tub (3) arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation (A), the air guidance system (15) being connected to the Opening (22) is coupled in a fluid-conducting manner, so that when the drum (4) rotates about the axis of rotation (A), liquid in the tub (3) flows outwards towards the opening (22) and from there into the rinsing system (25). Air control system (15) can be conducted. One aspect also concerns a procedure.

Description

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for caring for laundry items. The household appliance has a housing. The household appliance also has a tub which is arranged in this housing. Furthermore, the household appliance has a drum, which can also be referred to as a laundry drum. The drum is separate from the tub. The drum is arranged in the tub and is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation. The household appliance also has an air control system with which air can be directed into the drum. In addition, the household appliance has a flushing system with which the air guidance system can be flushed with liquid at least in some areas. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for flushing an air duct system of a household appliance.

Household appliances for the care of laundry items with appropriate rinsing systems are, for example, from the EP 2752519 B1 and EP 1353004 A1 known. In the household appliances known there, it is necessary that this flushing system has its own pump and/or a nozzle. The liquid is pumped or injected into the air control system using these separate components. It is also known that flushing systems have their own additional valves, such as an inlet valve and a check valve, in order to meter the supply of flushing liquid to the air control system.

With such concepts it is therefore necessary to install such additional components, for example in the form of the pump and/or the nozzle. This increases the number of components. Furthermore, appropriate space requirements in the household appliance must also be provided for these specifically intended components. Furthermore, mentioned components, such as a nozzle, can also become clogged.

It is the object of the present invention to create a household appliance and a method in which the flushing of the air duct system is improved.

This task is solved by a household appliance and a method according to the independent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for caring for laundry items. The household appliance has a housing. The household appliance also has a tub which is arranged in this housing. Furthermore, the household appliance has a drum, which can also be referred to as a laundry drum. The drum is separate from the tub. The drum is arranged in the tub and is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation. The household appliance also has an air control system with which air can be directed into the drum. In addition, the household appliance has a flushing system with which the air guidance system can be flushed with liquid at least in some areas.

The flushing system has an opening on a circumferential wall of the tub that runs around the axis of rotation. This can also be referred to as a radial opening or circumferential wall opening. It is a flushing liquid passage opening. The opening creates a breakthrough in the circumferential wall, the hole axis of which is oriented in particular radially, i.e. is in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The air guidance system is coupled to this at least one opening in a fluid-conducting manner, so that when the drum rotates about the axis of rotation, liquid in the tub can be conducted through the opening and from there into the air guidance system. Such a concept of the household appliance makes flushing the air duct system easier. Because solely due to the rotation of the drum and due to the resulting centrifugal force of the liquid in the drum, this liquid is pushed radially and/or tangentially outwards or thrown outwards. Through this effect, it is then automatically achieved that this liquid, which is thrown outwards due to the centrifugal force, is transported further outwards by passing through the locally specifically arranged opening in the peripheral wall of the tub. Since the air control system is directly coupled to this opening in a fluid-conducting manner, with this concept the liquid thrown outwards automatically flows to the air control system and flushes it at least in some areas.

For the rinsing process, an amount of liquid which is sufficient to come into contact with the drum is preferably supplied to the tub. At a Such an amount of liquid can act on the liquid directly by rotating the drum and set the liquid in motion or in circulation to form the required centrifugal force. However, a smaller amount of liquid can also be filled in the tub for the rinsing process. In such a case, when the drum rotates, an air circulation is formed in the tub, through which the liquid can then be entrained and a circulation of the liquid can be caused, through which the corresponding centrifugal force acting on the liquid can be provided.

This concept also makes it possible for the flushing system to be designed without its own separate pump and/or a nozzle and/or a valve. This means components can be saved. Appropriate installation space for these components is therefore no longer required.

In one exemplary embodiment, the opening is formed in the upper half of the circumferential wall when viewed in the height direction of the household appliance. In particular, in one exemplary embodiment, this opening, viewed in the height direction of the household appliance, is formed at least in some areas at the highest point of the circumferential wall. In one exemplary embodiment, this makes it possible for no liquid to escape through the opening when the drum is at a standstill. Permanent flushing of the air control system, especially in potentially undesirable situations, can therefore be avoided. Since liquid can only escape through the opening, which is specifically arranged in the height direction, when the drum is rotated and corresponding centrifugal forces thus act on the liquid in the tub, the flushing of the air control system can also be designed to suit needs.

In one exemplary embodiment, the opening is formed in the rear half of the circumferential wall when viewed in the depth direction of the household appliance. In particular, this opening is formed in the rear third of the circumferential wall. Since an advantageous air duct system has several components, for example a fan and/or a heater, through which air can be directed and/or heated in an air duct of the air duct system, a specific length of this air duct system is required. In order to achieve an advantageous coupling of the air guidance system with the opening and still the above-mentioned In order to be able to functionally install components of the air control system, this position of the opening in the depth direction, as mentioned above, is advantageous. Because then the air duct can also be positioned specifically locally and provided with an advantageous length, and yet a direct coupling of the air duct of the air duct system with the opening can be achieved.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air guidance system has a fan. This is in particular arranged adjacent to the opening. It is arranged in particular in an air duct of the air duct system. Due to this immediately adjacent arrangement of the fan in the air duct adjacent to this opening, this component of the air duct system is flushed particularly advantageously. As soon as the liquid thrown outwards by the centrifugal force enters and passes through the opening, this fan, as the first component of the air guidance system, is flushed with the liquid thrown outwards. As a result, lint or the like that can accumulate on the fan can be automatically rinsed off in a particularly advantageous manner. The functionality of the fan in particular can thus be maintained in a very advantageous and efficient manner and a very effective and simple flushing concept can be provided.

In one exemplary embodiment, the fan is arranged further outward than the opening when viewed in the radial direction and thus perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Viewed in its position in the depth direction, the fan is arranged in particular to overlap with the opening. This is particularly advantageous in that the liquid passing radially and/or tangentially through the opening and thrown outwards hits the fan directly and the liquid also hits the fan at high speed. This means that the rinsing of media from the fan using this liquid is particularly advantageous. In particular, this advantage is also present when the fan is arranged immediately adjacent to the opening, in particular also immediately adjacent to the opening in the radial direction. In particular, the fan is arranged above the opening when viewed in the height direction of the household appliance, in particular arranged in an extension of the hole axis of the opening.

Preferably, the opening is formed with an extent which corresponds to between 80% and 120% of a diameter of a fan wheel of the fan. This allows the fan wheel to be flushed particularly advantageously and extensively.

In one exemplary embodiment it is provided that at least the fan is flushed during a flushing process or a flushing process in which the air guidance system is flushed with the liquid in the flushing system. This means that a main component of the air control system can be cleaned easily and efficiently. The fan blades in particular can be cleaned very effectively and comprehensively. This means that the promotion of the air flow in the air flow system can be improved and achieved permanently, while undesirable imbalances in the fan wheel can be avoided.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air guidance system has an air guidance duct which is guided from the opening to a front opening of the tub. This makes it possible with the air guidance system to introduce air into the tub and preferably also into the drum via a front opening of the tub when viewed in the depth direction. This location for supplying air, in particular heated air, into the interior of the tub and in particular also into the interior of the drum is therefore particularly advantageous and extensively possible. The existing front opening of the drum and the tub is therefore used to enable air to be supplied as needed via this opening. In this regard, this front opening of the drum is also the loading opening through which the laundry can be removed or introduced.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air guide duct is arranged at least partially above the tub in the housing when viewed in the height direction of the household appliance. The installation space in the housing above the tub is used advantageously in order to be able to position the air duct there at least in some areas. In addition, this position is also particularly advantageous for the exemplary embodiments in which the opening is formed in an upper half of the height of the peripheral wall of the tub. A particularly short-distance and direct coupling to the opening is therefore particularly simple and comprehensive.

Furthermore, this also means that the geometry of the air duct can be designed very simply and the air duct concept is therefore also improved.

In one exemplary embodiment, a rear end of the air guide channel, viewed in the depth direction, is arranged above the tub in the housing. This rear end is adjacent to the opening when viewed in the radial direction to the axis of rotation. This also reduces the geometric complexity of the components and enables particularly direct coupling. Because this rear end adjoins the opening, it can be avoided that the air guide channel, viewed in the depth direction, extends further back than the opening. Undesirable air congestion or air turbulence can therefore be avoided in the air duct. This is particularly advantageous for flushing the air control system. Because the air guide channel, viewed in the depth direction, begins at the depth of the opening or is the rear end there, the introduction of liquid further back into the air guide system, viewed in the depth direction, can be avoided. The flow concept for the liquid is therefore particularly effective and efficient. This has an advantageous effect on the flushing result of the air control system.

In particular, a rear end of the air duct is essentially at the same depth position as a rear edge of the opening. In particular in such an exemplary embodiment, the air guide duct essentially does not protrude backwards beyond the opening in the depth direction.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air duct has a tubular duct section. This can be a sewer nozzle. The channel section in particular forms an end region of the air guide channel. This end region ends, in particular directly, at the opening of the circumferential wall. The channel section preferably has a section longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the channel section can be arranged such that its longitudinal axis is oriented radially to the axis of rotation. In particular, it is then perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It is then arranged in particular coaxially with the hole axis of the opening in the circumferential wall. In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the channel section is oriented obliquely. In particular, the longitudinal axis of the section is then oriented tangentially. In particular, in this exemplary embodiment there is an angle between the hole axis of the opening in the circumferential wall and the section longitudinal axis greater than 90° and less than 180°, in particular between greater than 90° and 130°.

In one embodiment, the household appliance is only designed as a washing machine. In such an embodiment, the air guidance system is designed to introduce warm air into the drum at least to reduce odor and/or to reduce germs and/or to heat the laundry during the washing process of the laundry to be cleaned in the drum. In a pure washing machine, the air control system is not there to dry the laundry that has already been cleaned. The air control system in a pure washing machine therefore does not have a drying function.

In another embodiment, the household appliance is a washer-dryer. The air guidance system is then designed at least to introduce warm air into the drum during a laundry drying process of the washer-dryer to dry the washed laundry. In particular, it can then also have the functionalities mentioned above, as explained for a washing machine, during a washing process of the washer-dryer.

Therefore, the mentioned general concept of simplified flushing of the air duct system is possible both in a pure washing machine and in a washer-dryer.

In one exemplary embodiment, a rinsing process of the household appliance for rinsing the air duct system is coupled with a washing process of the household appliance, which is intended for washing laundry. In particular, liquid present during the washing process, in particular lye, is introduced into the air guidance system through the opening during the rotation of the drum by the centrifugal forces during the rinsing process. In this advantageous exemplary embodiment, the liquid that is already present and required, namely the lye, is used in order to be able to flush the air control system as required. This enables a medium-friendly process. Because liquid in particular can be saved. In particular, the rinsing process can be carried out at a specific time period during the washing process. In particular, in such an exemplary embodiment it can be provided that during a specific period of time Washing process, in which the drum is rotated at a specific speed, then the rinsing process is carried out automatically. In one exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that a rinsing spin is carried out during the washing process. In this case, lye can be separated from the amount of lye present in the lye container. In particular, fresh water can then be supplied to dilute the existing lye. This can be used to dilute leftover detergent. During a spinning process, the speed of the drum can be adjusted so that the above-mentioned processes are carried out. In particular, in one exemplary embodiment, this speed is advantageously so high that the corresponding centrifugal forces occur in order to throw the lye from the opening radially and/or tangentially outwards into the air guidance system. In particular, this is a speed that is set anyway when the drum rotates during a spin cycle in the washing process. In one exemplary embodiment, it is therefore not necessary to set a specific, possibly higher, speed than has previously been set in conventional washing processes in order to be able to spin the liquid outwards through the opening. This also advantageously makes it possible for conventional washing processes, in particular with regard to spinning, not to have to be changed in order to be able to carry out the proposed concept. This also makes it very easy to implement into existing concepts.

In particular, if an above-mentioned channel section of an air duct is oriented with its longitudinal axis at an angle between greater than 90° and less than 180° to the hole axis of the opening in the circumferential wall, the air duct system can be flushed depending on the direction of rotation of the laundry drum around the axis of rotation. Because then, due to this oblique orientation of the channel section, the tangential outward throwing of the liquid can take place in a first direction of rotation of the laundry drum, in particular in the direction or essentially in the direction of the section's longitudinal axis into the channel section. Whereas in the other second direction of rotation of the laundry drum, the tangential outward spinning of the liquid only leads to a small entry into the air guidance system, since it is thrown outwards at a relatively acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the section.

In one exemplary embodiment, the household appliance can be set up so that it can carry out a rinsing process for rinsing the air duct system independently of a washing process for washing laundry and/or a drying process for drying washed laundry. With this concept, the liquid is then introduced through the opening during the rinsing process for rinsing the air guide system as the drum rotates due to the centrifugal forces. In this rinsing process, which is different from the washing process and the drying process, the corresponding liquid is passed into the tub so that it can then be thrown radially through the opening into the air control system. This means that the household appliance can, in addition to the user-selectable programs for a washing process and/or drying process, also have a separate program for the rinsing process of the air duct system. Alternatively, the rinsing process can also be included in the washing and/or drying process. This has the particular advantage that the liquid required for washing or the liquid resulting from drying can be used to flush the air conduction system and no additional liquid required for flushing has to be supplied.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air control system is coupled to the opening in a fluid-conducting manner, so that when the drum rotates above a threshold speed, liquid in the tub can be directed, in particular spun, outwards to the opening and from there into the air control system. The threshold speed is preferably greater than 100 rpm. In particular, it is greater than 130 rpm. It can be between 100 rpm and 300 rpm.

Preferably, in one embodiment it is provided that the fan of the air guidance system is activated at least temporarily during a wash cycle. This is advantageous in that the liquid thrown into the air control system is further distributed in the air control system by this activated and thus rotating fan wheel of the fan. This makes particularly efficient flushing of large parts of the air duct system, in particular the entire air duct system, possible in an improved manner. It is particularly advantageous in a rinsing process that is carried out during a washing process that when the lye is already diluted with additional water, the speed of the drum is so high that the then diluted lye is thrown into the air duct system as a liquid for rinsing becomes.

During a rinsing process, it is preferably provided that a ring of liquid is created between the drum and the tub by the spinning and the centrifugal force that occurs on the liquid and that the liquid is thrown into the air control system in a very targeted and metered manner during the opening due to these centrifugal forces can.

In one exemplary embodiment, a heater of the air control system, which is preferably present, is deactivated during a flushing process. This can prevent the liquid from being heated up undesirably by the heater, which could potentially result in tensions in the heater, especially on the surface, due to temperature gradients. This also improves the prevention of undesirable corrosion of the heater. In addition, it can also be avoided that detergent residues or limescale could remain or build up on the heater when it is activated and thus heats accordingly. Any evaporating lye could also lead to disadvantages in the air control system.

• Drehen der Trommel um eine Drehachse;
• nach außen Schleudern von Flüssigkeit in einem Laugenbehälter des Haushaltsgeräts aufgrund der Drehung der Trommel;
• Einleiten der nach außen geschleuderten Flüssigkeit aus dem Laugenbehälter durch eine Öffnung in einer Umlaufwand des Laugenbehälters in das mit der Öffnung fluidleitend gekoppelte Luftleitsystem; und
• Spülen des Luftleitsystems zumindest bereichsweise mit der durch die Zentrifugalkräfte in das Luftleitsystem eingeleiteten Flüssigkeit.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for rinsing an air duct system of a household appliance for the care of laundry items. The household appliance can be designed in an embodiment according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The process has the following steps in particular:

• rotating the drum about an axis of rotation;
• outward spinning of liquid in a household appliance tub due to the rotation of the drum;
• Introducing the outwardly thrown liquid from the tub through an opening in a circumferential wall of the tub into the air guidance system coupled to the opening in a fluid-conducting manner; and
• Flushing the air control system at least in areas with the liquid introduced into the air control system by the centrifugal forces.

This process allows the air duct system to be flushed very efficiently and as needed. It is not a separate, especially active one Delivery unit, such as a pump and/or a nozzle and/or a valve, is no longer required in order to be able to transport the liquid into the air guidance system. Particularly advantageously, the liquid is introduced into the air guidance system automatically due to the forces acting on the liquid as a result of the centrifugal action and the opening arranged on the peripheral wall of the tub, which is coupled to the air guidance system in a fluid-conducting manner. This means that independent rinsing can be provided without additional components.

It is also possible to specifically activate a fan wheel of the fan for better flushing and distribution of the liquid. In particular, a heater of the air control system is deactivated when a flushing process is carried out.

Advantageous embodiments of the household appliance are to be viewed as advantageous embodiments of the method. In particular, components alone or in active connection enable the individual process steps.

The information "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" indicates the positions given when the household appliance is used and positioned as intended Orientations given.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without the frame of the invention. Embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features are therefore also to be regarded as included and disclosed by the invention. Versions and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Vertikalschnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts zur Pflege von Wäschestücken;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung von Komponenten eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung von Komponenten eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts; und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung von Komponenten eines nochmals weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below using schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic vertical sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention for caring for laundry items;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of components of an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of components of a further exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention; and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of components of yet another embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention

In Fig. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance 1 for caring for laundry items is shown in a vertical sectional view. The vertical section is spanned by the height direction (y-direction) and the depth direction (z-direction) of the household appliance 1.

The household appliance 1 can only be designed as a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

The household appliance 1 has a housing 2. A tub 3 and a drum 4 of the household appliance 1 are arranged in the housing 2. The drum 4 is separate from the tub 3. It is included in the tub 3.

The drum 4 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation A, which is horizontally oriented here. In one exemplary embodiment, a motor 5 is provided for this purpose, which is connected to a shaft 7 of the drum 4, for example by means of a belt 6.

The household appliance 1 also has a drainage system 8. With the drainage system 8, liquid is drained from the tub 3. The drainage system 8 has a pump 9. The drainage system 8 has a drainage opening 10, which is located on a Circumferential wall 11 of the tub 3 is formed. This drain opening 10 is formed in a lower half of the circumferential wall 11 when viewed in the height direction. In particular, it is formed at a lowest point of the circumferential wall 11 in the height direction. The circumferential wall 11 is designed to run completely around the axis of rotation A. It can also be referred to as a hollow cylindrical jacket wall of the tub 3. In particular, the liquid is conveyed out of the household appliance 1 with this drainage system 8, as is also characterized by a drainage hose 12.

The drum 4 has an opening 13 on the front. The tub 3 also has an opening 14 on the front. These are in particular loading openings through which items of laundry can be removed from the drum 4 or introduced into the drum 4.

The household appliance 1 also has an air guidance system 15. In an exemplary embodiment in which the household appliance 1 is a pure washing machine, the air guidance system 15 is designed to supply air, in particular heated air, into the drum 4, so that items of laundry 16 placed therein are used to reduce germs and/or to reduce odors and/or to Heating of the laundry items 16 are applied accordingly during a washing process. The air guidance system 15 preferably has an air guidance duct 17. This is at least partially arranged above the tub 3 when viewed in the height direction. In one exemplary embodiment, the air guidance system 15 has a fan 18. In one exemplary embodiment, the air guidance system 15 has a heater 19. Both the fan 18 and the heater 19 are arranged in the air duct 17 in one exemplary embodiment. The air guide duct 17 is here, for example, with a section 20, viewed in the depth direction, guided in front of the tub 3 and the drum 4 and is formed with an outlet opening 21 in front of the openings 13 and 14. This allows air L to be passed directly into the drum 4 via the openings 13 and 14.

If the household appliance 1 is a washer-dryer, the air guidance system 15 serves to direct heated air into the drum 4 during a drying process, so that laundry 16 that has already been cleaned can then be dried.

In one exemplary embodiment, the circumferential wall 11 has an opening 22. The opening 22 is therefore an opening through the circumferential wall 11. The opening 22 can also be referred to as a circumferential wall opening. In the exemplary embodiment, the at least one opening 22 is in an upper half of the height of the circumferential wall 11, viewed in the height direction. It can, for example, be formed at least in some areas at an upper first point 23 of the circumferential wall 11. This is particularly true when viewing in the sectional plane. This opening 22 is also three-dimensional due to the convex curvature of the circumferential wall 11 and in this respect preferably also extends somewhat to the left and right sides (when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation A) to this uppermost point 23. In the exemplary embodiment, this opening 22 is in a rear position when viewed in the depth direction Half of the circumferential wall 11, in particular in a rear third of the circumferential wall 11, is formed. As can be seen, the air guidance system 15 is directly coupled to this opening 22 in a fluid-conducting manner. In one exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that a rear end 24 of the air guidance system 15, in particular of the air guidance duct 17, is arranged in the area of the opening 22 when viewed in the depth direction. In particular, the fan 18 is arranged in the area of this rear end 24 of the air duct 17. It is therefore preferably arranged to overlap with the radial opening 22 when viewed in the depth direction. In the radial direction and thus perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, the fan 18 is arranged immediately adjacent to the opening 22. The heater 19 is arranged downstream of the fan 18 in the flow direction.

This opening 22 is in particular also part of a flushing system 25 of the household appliance 1. The flushing system 25 is intended to flush the air guidance system 15 with liquid at least in some areas. This opening 22 is part of this flushing system 25. The flushing system 25 is designed here without an activatable delivery unit, such as a pump and/or a nozzle and/or a valve.

The flushing system 25 is designed in such a way that when the drum 4 rotates about the axis of rotation A due to the centrifugal force, liquid in the tub 3 can be directed outwards towards the opening 22 and from there can be conducted independently and directly into the air guidance system 15.

During operation of the household appliance 1, in one exemplary embodiment, the air guidance system 15 can be flushed at least in some areas in such a way that the drum 4 is rotated about the axis of rotation A. As a result, for example, liquid that is arranged in the tub 4 is thrown outwards radially to the axis of rotation A. This outward spinning occurs in particular due to the rotation of the drum 4. Furthermore, the outwardly thrown liquid then exits or is introduced from the tub 3 through at least one opening 22 into the air guide system 15, which is coupled to the opening 22 in a fluid-conducting manner In this regard, an independent flushing of the air control system 15 at least in areas with the liquid introduced into the air control system 15 by the centrifugal forces.

In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the fan 18 can be activated at least temporarily during such a flushing process. This means that the liquid that enters independently is passed on in the air control system 15, so that other areas of the air control system 15 can also be rinsed in an improved manner.

In particular, the air guide duct 17 has a channel section 26. The channel section 26 is formed like a tube. He can be a stud. The channel section 26 is in particular an end part of the air guide channel 17. In particular, it has the rear end 24. The channel section 26 ends in particular directly at the opening 22. The channel section 26 has a section longitudinal axis 27. In Fig. 1 A hole axis 28 of the opening 22 is also shown. Here it is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. In the exemplary embodiment, the channel section 26 is oriented radially to the axis of rotation A. The section longitudinal axis 27 is then also oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation A in the plane of the figure. It is then oriented coaxially to the hole axis 28.

In Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of components of the household appliance 1 according to Fig. 1 shown. The particularly strictly radial orientation of the channel section 26 is shown here.

In Fig. 3 a schematic front view of a further exemplary embodiment of a household appliance 1 is shown. The components here are as in Fig. 2 shown. In contrast to Fig. 1 and 2 The orientation of the channel section 26 can be seen here.

In particular, here the opening 22 is not at the top point 23, but is offset to the side, but in the upper half of the height of the circumferential wall 11. The channel section 26 is not coaxial with its section longitudinal axis 27 to the hole axis 28 but at an angle α to it. This angle α can be between greater than 90° and less than 180°. In particular, the section longitudinal axis 27 is oriented in the height direction of the household appliance 1 and is therefore vertical. However, this is just one possible example. When the drum 4 rotates counterclockwise here, liquid F is advantageously thrown into the air guidance system 15. The tangential outward spinning here takes place in a very directed manner into the channel section 26. This makes flushing the fan 18 particularly advantageous. When the drum 4 rotates clockwise, the liquid F, which is then thrown tangentially outwards in the other direction, is thrown through the opening 22, but is only thrown slightly into the channel section 26. This means that the rinsing process can also be influenced in a defined manner depending on the direction of rotation of the drum 4.

In Fig. 4 a further schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance 1 is shown. In contrast to Figs. 2 and 3 Another possible orientation and position of the channel section 26 is shown here.

In all exemplary embodiments, it can be provided that the fan 18 is activated at least temporarily during a flushing process, so that the fan wheel is at least temporarily driven by a motor, for example to start up. It is also possible that the injected liquid F causes the fan wheel to rotate

Reference symbol list

1

household appliance

2

Housing

3

Lye container

4

drum

5

engine

6

belt

7

Wave

8th

Dissipation system

9

pump

10

Drain opening

11

Circumferential wall

12

discharge hose

13

opening

14

opening

15

Air control system

16

item of laundry

17

Air duct

18

Fan

19

Heater

20

Section

21

opening

22

opening

23

Job

24

rear end

25

Flushing system

26

Canal section

27

Section longitudinal axis

28

hole axis

A

Axis of rotation

L

Air

F

liquid

x

Width direction

y

Altitude direction

e.g

Depth direction

Claims (15)

Household appliance (1) for caring for laundry items, with a housing (2) and with a tub (3) which is arranged in the housing (2), and with a drum (4) which is arranged in the tub (3). and is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (A), and with an air guidance system (15), with which air can be directed into the drum (4), and with a flushing system (25), with which the air guidance system (15) is at least partially connected Liquid can be flushed, characterized in that the flushing system (25) has an opening (22) on a circumferential wall (11) of the tub (3) arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation (A), the air guidance system (15) being connected to the opening (22 ) is coupled in a fluid-conducting manner, so that when the drum (4) rotates about the axis of rotation (A), liquid (F) in the tub (3) flows outwards towards the opening (22) and from there into the rinsing system (25). Air control system (15) can be conducted. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (22) viewed in the height direction (y) of the household appliance (1) is in the upper half; in particular at the top point (23), the circumferential wall (11) is formed. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening (22), viewed in the depth direction (z) of the household appliance (1), is formed in the rear half, in particular in the rear third, of the circumferential wall (11). Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guidance system (15) has a fan (18) which is arranged adjacent to the opening (22). Household appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the fan (18) is arranged in the radial direction outside the opening (22) and in its position in the depth direction (z) overlapping with the opening (22). Household appliance (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that during a flushing process of the air guidance system (15) with the flushing system (25) at least the fan (18) is flushed. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guidance system (15) has an air guidance duct (17), in particular which is guided from the opening (22) to a front opening (14) of the tub (3). Household appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air guide duct (17), viewed in the height direction (y) of the household appliance (1), is arranged at least partially above the tub (3) in the housing (2) and / or a rear end ( 24) of the air duct (17) is arranged above the tub (3) in the housing (2), in particular the rear end (24) adjoins the opening (22). Household appliance (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the air guide duct (17) has a duct section (26) which ends at the opening (22) and which has a longitudinal section axis (27) which is coaxial with a hole axis (28 ) is oriented towards the opening (22) or is oriented at an angle between 90° and less than 180° to the hole axis (28). Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is designed only as a washing machine and the air guidance system (15) for introducing warm air into the drum (4) at least to reduce odors and / or reduce germs and / or heating of the laundry to be cleaned is formed in the drum (4). Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is a washer-dryer and the air guidance system (15) is at least for introducing warm air into the drum (4) during a laundry drying program of the washer-dryer for drying the washed laundry is designed, in particular for introducing warm air into the drum (4) at least to reduce odor and / or Germ reduction and / or heating of the laundry to be cleaned in the drum (4) is formed during a washing process of the washer-dryer. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rinsing process for rinsing the air duct system (15) is coupled with a washing process for washing laundry, liquid present during the washing process, in particular lye, being released into the air duct system during the rinsing process (15) is introduced through the opening (22) during the rotation of the drum (4) by the centrifugal forces. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the household appliance is set up to carry out a rinsing process for rinsing the air conduction system (15) independently of a washing process for washing laundry and/or a drying process for drying washed laundry can be carried out, in which liquid is introduced into the air guide system (15) through the opening (22) during the rotation of the drum (4) by the centrifugal forces. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guidance system (15) is coupled to the opening (22) in a fluid-conducting manner, so that when the drum (4) rotates, the flushing system (25) reaches a speed greater than a threshold value , in particular greater than 100 rpm, around the axis of rotation (A), liquid in the tub (3) can be conducted in the radial direction to the opening (22) and from there into the air control system (15). Method for rinsing an air guidance system (15) of a household appliance (1) for the care of laundry items, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - Rotating the drum (4) about an axis of rotation (A); - outward spinning of liquid in a tub (3) of the household appliance (1) due to the rotation of the drum (4); - Introducing the outwardly thrown liquid from the tub (3) through an opening (22) in a circumferential wall (11) of the tub (3) into the air guide system (15) which is fluidly coupled to the opening (22); and - Flushing the air control system (15) at least in areas with the liquid introduced into the air control system (15) by the centrifugal forces.

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