Water-bearing laundry treatment device with a wringing device in a filter device

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-bearing laundry treatment device 1, comprising a first filter device 22 arranged in a drainage channel 23 of the water-bearing laundry treatment device 1 with a filter element 24 for separating a moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid 7, and a second filter device 4 arranged next to a feed tray 12 with a filter bag 6 for receiving the moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles separated by the filter element 24, wherein a compression body 10 is arranged above the filter bag 6.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance with a squeezing device in a filter device.

[0002] The problem of microplastics is of great importance, as their distribution has been observed even in remote ocean regions and among marine organisms. Microplastics can be generated or spread in various ways, for example, through tire wear, through the use of cleaning products and cosmetics, and even during the treatment of laundry. For example, laundry appliances such as washing machines, washer-dryers, and dryers release small particles, particularly lint and other plastic particles, from the laundry being treated.

[0003] The development and integration of a technical system for cleaning the wastewater of microplastic particles in washing machines is therefore of great importance. The wastewater or exhaust air from laundry treatment machines should be able to be cleaned of microplastic particles, ideally over multiple wash cycles without customer intervention. Work is underway on retention systems for microplastic emissions.

[0004] The publication WO 2020 / 200453A1 describes a filter device with a filter housing for removing particles and fibers, in particular microfibers, from washing water in a washing drum of a washing machine, wherein the filter housing forms and comprises a filter chamber for a filter medium - fastening means designed to detachably fasten the filter housing with a bottom side to a moving or static support of the washing machine in the washing drum, on which the washing water moves alternately in a first and an opposite second direction during a washing process, - at least one first and one opposite second inlet opening in a side wall of the filter housing, wherein the side wall extends between the bottom and a top of the filter housing, and - means for opening and closing the inlet openings, the side wall extending between the bottom and a top of the filter housing, and means for opening and closing the inlet openings, wherein the means for opening and closing the inlet openings are designed to open the first inlet opening and close the second inlet opening when the washing water moves in the first direction, and to open the second inlet opening and close the first inlet opening when the washing water moves in the second direction, and - an outlet region which is at least partially permeable to water, the outlet region being arranged such that washing water entering through the first or second inlet opening passes through a filter device inserted into the filter compartment and leaves the filter housing through the outlet region.

[0005] The publication EP 3 655 365 B1 describes a filter for cleaning a fluid, preferably water, preferably in washing machines and drying machines for textiles and clothing, from microfibers, the filter comprising: - a filter cartridge with: - at least one partially open wall to allow fluid communication between the inside of the filter cartridge and the outside of the filter cartridge, - a filter membrane, preferably a removable filter membrane, which, preferably removable, forms part of the at least one partially open wall of the filter cartridge, - at least one movable internal filter contained in the filter cartridge and movable therein against the filter membrane, whereby a partial self-cleaning of the filter membrane by the movable internal filter takes place; - filter cartridge housing with at least one opening for inserting and / or removing the fluid cartridge and at least one opening for the fluid outlet; - Fluid inlet, preferably removable fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the inner part of the filter cartridge, wherein the fluid inlet, preferably removable, forms part of the filter cartridge housing; - Lid, preferably removable lid.

[0006] When filtering liquids containing microplastics, in addition to the actual filtration, the treatment of the filtered-off microplastics is important. The filtered-off microplastics generally form a more or less moist coating on an inserted filter element. For further treatment, this coating is generally either rinsed or scraped off and transferred to a suitable reservoir (here also referred to as a "second filter device"), which is filled more or less quickly.

[0007] Against this background, the object of the present invention was to provide a water-based laundry treatment appliance that enables the effective treatment and storage of a separated moist microplastic coating from a previous filtration, i.e., moist microplastic particles. In particular, a more efficient use of filter bags should preferably be possible in a water-based laundry treatment appliance. The object of the invention was also to provide a laundry treatment appliance suitable for carrying out this method.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance having the features of the independent patent claim. Preferred embodiments of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention are listed in the dependent patent claims.

[0009] The invention therefore relates to a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance, comprising a first filter device arranged in a drainage channel of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance, said device comprising a filter element for separating a moist mass containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid, and a second filter device arranged next to a dispensing tray, said second filter device comprising a filter bag for receiving the moist mass containing microplastic particles separated from the filter element, a compression body being arranged above the filter bag. According to the invention, the compression body is designed in particular as a compression cushion, i.e. is generally flat when not filled with a compression medium. The terms "compression body" and "compression cushion" are therefore used synonymously herein.

[0010] The dispenser tray is used in particular for dispensing detergents or other treatment agents into a tub of a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance. In the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, the dispenser tray is preferably connected to the second filter device. In this case, the dispenser tray and second filter device can form a one-piece component which can be produced, for example, by injection molding. Alternatively, however, the dispenser tray and second filter device can also be detachably connected to one another, e.g. by snapping into place. Furthermore, it is preferred according to the invention for the second filter device to be arranged behind the dispenser tray. This means that a user of the water-conducting household appliance can first pull out the dispenser tray. If the dispenser tray and second filter device are connected, both can be pulled out together.

[0011] The second filter device preferably has an upper secondary filter part and a lower secondary filter part. Preferably, the lower secondary filter part is removable, while the upper secondary filter part remains in the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance.

[0012] Different compression media can be used to fill the compression body, including gaseous compression media such as air and liquid compression media such as water. According to the invention, a water-conducting laundry treatment device is particularly preferred in which air is present or used as the compression medium in the compression body or compression cushion. For this purpose, the compression body is generally suitably connected to a compressor via a pressure connection, allowing filling with compressed air.

[0013] According to the invention, a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance is preferred in which an upper cushion part and a lower cushion part are made of the same material.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, the compression body is made of an expandable material. The expandable material can be, for example, EPDM, silicone, or TPE.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, the compression body is made of a non-stretchable material. The non-stretchable material can be, for example, a plastic-coated fabric. The use of a non-stretchable material generally provides greater robustness against sharp objects.

[0016] According to the invention, it is also possible to use different materials for the underside and the top side of the compression cushion. Thus, when using an expandable material for the underside of the cushion, it may be advantageous for the top side of the cushion to be made of a material that is less or not at all expandable. This can offer advantages when securing the compression cushion. For securing, the compression cushion is generally attached above a filter receiving area on a cover of the second filter device. The connection for a compression medium, e.g., a compressed air connection, can be located at different points on the compression cushion, in particular on the side or on the top side of the cushion.

[0017] During operation of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, the downward-facing surface, also referred to herein as the cushion underside, of the compression body as a squeezing unit generally moves downwards towards the filter bag when pressurized with compressed air. A distinction must be made here as to whether the compression body is made of an expandable or a non-extensible material. If the compression body is made of an expandable material, the cushion underside is deformed. This compresses and thus regenerates a filter bag filled with microplastic particles. In order to enable vertical movement when using non-extensible material, the generally present fixation of the compression body (compression cushion) to a cover of the second filter device is preferably generally designed in such a way that it prevents distortion orallows movement (constriction) in the horizontal plane of the compression cushion.

[0018] A compression body filled with compressed air as the compression medium, for example, may only slowly deflate or retract upwards after a compression step has been completed. Such a process, which can also be referred to as relaxation, can be supported or enabled, for example, by applying negative pressure, particularly in the case of a compression body made of a non-stretchable material. This ultimately pulls the compression cushion upwards. In the embodiment in which the compression body is made of an elastic material, applying negative pressure supports the movement of the compression cushion to its initial empty state, but is not absolutely necessary.

[0019] In any case, in a preferred embodiment of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, a pump for pumping out the compressed air is connected to the compression cushion.

[0020] According to the invention, a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance is particularly preferred in which a lower secondary filter part of the second filter device is designed to be removable from the laundry treatment appliance. In this case, the filter bag, in particular, is arranged in the lower secondary filter part. Preferably, a lid and a compression body attached thereto are arranged in an upper secondary filter part of the second filter device that remains in the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance.

[0021] According to the invention, a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance is also preferred in which the filter element is a cylindrical filter element and the first filter device is designed to rotate the cylindrical filter element in such a way that the moist mass containing microplastic particles deposited on the filter element is spun off and, due to a suitably generated flow, is conveyed through a conveying line into the second filter device.

[0022] For example, in the cylindrical filter element, a cylindrical filter surface can surround a cylindrical filter interior and an aqueous liquid to be filtered can flow radially into the cylindrical filter interior and leave it again in an axial direction.

[0023] As regards the cylindrical filter used, it is preferred according to the invention that the cylindrical filter has a mesh size in the range of 10 to 300 µm, preferably in the range of 30 to 70 µm and very particularly preferably in the range of 40 to 60 µm, for example 50 µm.

[0024] According to the invention, the moist mass containing microplastic particles is contained in a filter bag. The filter bag is preferably made of a plastic material suitable for the temperature and pressure conditions in the second filter device. To achieve space-saving compaction of the moist mass containing microplastic particles, the filter bag should be sufficiently permeable to water.

[0025] The water-based laundry treatment appliance is preferably selected from the group consisting of a washing machine and a washer-dryer. The aqueous liquid to be filtered to remove microplastic particles is generally the wash liquor used in a textile washing process.

[0026] If the laundry treatment appliance according to the invention is a washing machine or a washer-dryer, it generally also has a drum rotatably mounted in a tub for holding laundry items, as well as a water supply device. The latter can, for example, be a valve-controlled fresh water connection, with the valve preferably being controllable by the control unit.

[0027] The compressor is generally operated by an electric drive motor.

[0028] The invention offers numerous advantages. The invention enables operation of the water-based laundry treatment appliance while ensuring the tightness of the squeezing unit, i.e., the compression body, as it is a single piece and the pressure chamber is located only within the compression body or compression cushion, not between a membrane, frame, and lid. A device can be tested for leaks in its as-delivered state. The invention also allows the compression body to be mounted into the lid of the second filter device via a snap-in connection.

[0029] The invention is illustrated below with reference to a non-limiting embodiment of a second filter device usable according to the invention and a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, in this case a washing machine. Reference is made to the Fig. 1 to 3.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows, in a non-limiting embodiment, a washing machine 1 as an example of a water-conducting laundry treatment appliance according to the invention. The washing machine 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a tub 2 in which a drum 3 is rotatably mounted and driven by a drive motor 5. Carriers 14 and scooping devices 17 on the inner surface of the drum shell ensure improved mixing of the aqueous liquid 7 with laundry items (not shown here). The washing machine 1 also comprises a water supply system comprising a water connection fitting 20 for the domestic water supply, an electrically controllable valve 21, and a supply line 13 to the tub 2, which may optionally also be routed via a detergent dispenser tray 12, from which the incoming water can transport detergent portions into the tub 2 during a washing process. Furthermore, a heating device 16 is located in the tub 2.The valve 21 as well as the heating device 16 can be controlled by a control device 8 depending on a program flow plan, which can be linked to a time program and / or to the achievement of certain measured values ​​of parameters such as water level, water temperature, drum speed, etc. within the washing machine 1. 9 denotes a motor-drum control unit.

[0031] In this embodiment, the washing machine 1 has an acoustic and / or optical input and display unit 11 with which, for example and in particular, the execution of a washing program can be displayed.

[0032] 18 denotes a pump connected to the control device 8 for pumping the aqueous liquid 7 out of the lye container 2. For this purpose, the pump 18 is arranged in the drainage channel 23. Arranged in the drainage channel 23 are a first filter device 22 with a filter element 24 for separating a moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid 7 from the lye container 2, as well as a second filter device 4 for receiving the moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles separated by the filter element 24. The second filter device here contains an elastic compression body 10, which is connected to a compressor (not shown here) via a pressure connection 15. The second filter device 4 contains a water-permeable filter bag 6 for receiving the moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles.

[0033] It should be noted that in the schematic representation of Fig. 1 the first filter device 22 arranged at the bottom left is connected to the second filter device 4 via the conveying line 26.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows in an open, from the laundry treatment device of Fig. 1 in the state pulled out by a user, a one-piece arrangement comprising a dispenser tray 12 and a second filter device 4. The internal structure of the dispenser tray 12 and a lower secondary filter part 33 of the second filter device 4 is clearly shown here, wherein no filter bag is shown on the filter bag snap-in part 29.

[0035] Fig.Figure 3 shows a compression body 10 usable according to the invention, in which the cushion structure is particularly clearly visible. 31 denotes a cushion top side, and 32 a cushion bottom side. 30 indicates a connection element for compressed air supply, whereby the cushion 10 can be filled with this compressed air. The connection element 30 is attached here, for example, to the side of the cushion 10. It can also be attached at a different location, e.g., on the cushion top side. 28 indicates a cavity in the compression body (compression cushion) that can be pressurized with compressed air. List of reference symbols 1 water-based laundry treatment device; washing machine 2 lye containers 3 drums 4 Second filter unit 5 Drive motor for the drum 6 filter bags 7 aqueous liquid 8 Control device 9 Motor-drum control unit 10 compression bodies; compression bags 11 optical and / or acoustic input and display unit 12 (Detergent) dispenser tray 13 Supply line to the suds container 14 drivers 15 Compressed air supply line 16 Heating device 17 Scooping device 18 Pump for transporting aqueous liquid from the lye container 19 axis of rotation 20 Water supply, domestic water network, water supply 21 (electrically controlled) valve 22 First filter device 23 drainage channel 24 Filter element in the first filter device (for filtering out microplastic particles) 25 Filter pad; moist mass containing microplastic particles 26 Conveyor line for moist mass containing microplastic particles 27 Water-permeable bottom wall of the particle storage 28 Cavity in the compression body (compression cushion) 29 Filter bag snap-in part 30 Connection element for compressed air supply 31 Pillow top (upper compression body part) 32 Pillow bottom (lower compression body part) 33 Lower secondary filter part; lower part of the second filter device QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2020 / 200453A1

[0004] EP 3 655 365 B1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1), comprising a first filter device (22) arranged in a drainage channel (23) of the water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) with a filter element (24) for separating a moist mass (25) containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid (7), and a second filter device (4) arranged next to a dispensing bowl (12) with a filter bag (6) for receiving the moist mass (25) containing microplastic particles separated from the filter element (24), wherein a compression body (10) is arranged above the filter bag (6). [2] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the induction bowl (12) is connected to the second filter device (4). [3] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the second filter device (4) is arranged behind the induction bowl (12). [4] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that air is present as compression medium in the compression body (10). [5] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that an upper compression body part (31) and a lower compression body part (32) are made of the same material. [6] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the compression body (10) consists of an expandable material. [7] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the compression body (10) consists of a non-stretchable material. [8] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that a lower secondary filter part (33) is designed to be removable from the laundry treatment appliance (1). [9] Water-conducting laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized by in that the filter element (24) is a cylindrical filter element and the first filter device (22) is arranged to rotate the cylindrical filter element (24) in such a way that the moist mass (25) containing microplastic particles deposited on the filter element (24) is spun off and, due to a suitably generated flow, is conveyed through a conveying line (26) into the second filter device (4).

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