Filter unit for a washing machine and washing machine

Abstract

Filter unit for a washing machine, comprising - a filter element, - a base body (1) which has a support surface for the filter element, - a lid (2) designed to close the base body (1) and which has a radial surface (7), - an adapter element (4) designed to accommodate the filter element, - an inlet (6) for supplying water to the base body (1), and - a drain (11) for draining water from the base body (1), wherein in the case of the filter element present in the base body (1) there is a distance (Y) between the lid (2) and the base body (1) and the inlet (6) is open, and wherein in the case of the missing filter element in the base body (1) there is a further distance between the lid (2) and the base body (1) which is smaller than the distance (Y), and the radial surface (7) closes off the inlet (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter unit for a washing machine and a washing machine itself. In particular, the invention relates to a filter unit comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a filter element, and to a washing machine containing the filter unit.

[0002] A filter unit typically contains a filter element that traps dirt from water, such as wastewater from the washing machine, and must be cleaned regularly. If the filter element is forgotten or deliberately omitted by the user, its function is rendered ineffective, as it will no longer filter the dirty water.

[0003] Typical filter units are shown in the following publications: DE 30 10 182 A1; DE 37 31 371 A1; DE 10 2013 216 807 A1; DE 10 2009 048 412 B3 and DE 10 2020 213 041 A1.

[0004] The invention thus addresses the problem of providing a filter unit with a filter element and a washing machine with the filter unit, in which operation of the filter unit is prevented in the absence of a filter element.

[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a filter unit with the features of claim 1 and a washing machine with the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0006] The advantages achievable with the invention include preventing a filter unit, particularly one connected to or integrated into a washing machine, from being disabled. This prevents the filter unit's function from being bypassed. The inlet to the filter unit is blocked when the filter element is not inserted. This prevents the washing machine from draining and stops unfiltered wastewater from entering the sewer system. This wastewater may also contain soap and dirt, sometimes referred to as washing liquor.

[0007] The filter unit can be located either inside or outside the washing machine. That is, the filter unit can be part of the washing machine and arranged within its housing, or alternatively, it can be an external device, i.e., located outside the washing machine housing. The filter element is preferably a microparticle filter.

[0008] The invention relates to a filter unit for a washing machine, comprising - a filter element, - a base body that has a support surface for the filter element, - a lid designed to close the base body and which has a radial surface, - an adapter element designed to accommodate the filter element, - an inlet for supplying water to the base body, and - a drain for removing water from the base body, - wherein, in the case of the filter element present in the base body, there is a gap between the lid and the base body and the inlet is open, and - in the case of the missing filter element in the base body, there is a further distance between the lid and the base body which is smaller than the distance, and the radial surface closes off the inlet.

[0009] The base body is preferably designed to accommodate further components of the filter unit and can be closed with the lid. The inlet and outlet are preferably formed on the base body. The adapter element, designed to hold the filter element, is located within the base body. The further distance is preferably such that the lid rests on the base body.

[0010] During operation, water from the washing machine is fed into the base unit via the inlet, filtered by means of the filter element, and then the filtered water leaves the base unit via the drain.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a dimension extends from the bearing surface of the filter element in the base body to the lid. In the case of a filter element present in the base body, this dimension is the sum of the length of the adapter element and the length of the filter element in its direction of extension from the bearing surface in the base body to the lid. This arrangement ensures that, when the filter element is mounted to the base body, an inner surface of the lid cannot rest on the base body but instead rests on the adapter element. This establishes the specified distance between the lid and the base body. If the filter element is absent from the base body, the dimension is smaller, and the lid can, for example, rest directly on the base body. The remaining distance is smaller than the specified distance, and the radial surface of the lid seals the inlet.

[0012] Preferably, the lid is screwed to the base body via a thread. The lid preferably has a predetermined screw depth and correspondingly different angles of rotation. If the filter element is present in the filter unit, the angle to which the lid can be tightened is limited due to the distance between the elements. This ensures that the radial surface of the lid is positioned away from the inlet, allowing water to flow to the base body. If the filter element is absent from the filter unit, the angle to which the lid can be tightened is limited differently due to the lack of distance. This allows the lid to be screwed to the base body in such a way that the radial surface of the lid blocks the inlet, preventing water from flowing to the base body.

[0013] Preferably, the filter unit has a seal located between the lid and the base body. This ensures a tight seal between the lid and the base body.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the angle of rotation of the lid is greater when the filter element is missing than when the filter is present. When the filter element is missing, the angle is smaller. This allows the lid to rotate a further angle than when the filter is installed, preferably until the lid rests on the base. As a result, the radial surface of the lid is now positioned in front of the inlet opening, blocking it. This prevents the washing machine, which has the filter unit installed during operation, from pumping out water. This also ensures that a user of the filter unit or washing machine cannot circumvent the use of the filter element by omitting it.

[0015] Preferably, the filter element comprises a carrier and a fabric. The carrier is configured to support the fabric, which is designed to perform a filtration function. Preferably, the fabric is configured as a microparticle filter. The dimension is preferably the sum of the lengths of the adapter element and the carrier.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the filter unit further comprises an emergency overflow. Preferably, the emergency overflow is connected to the drain. This ensures that the filter unit cannot overflow.

[0017] The invention further relates to a washing machine comprising a filter unit according to one or more of the embodiments described above.

[0018] The term "washing machine" includes both automated washing machines and combination appliances such as washer-dryers.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the washing machine further comprises a control and / or regulating device configured and designed to control and / or regulate a washing process such that, in the event of a missing filter element, water is prevented from being pumped out of the washing machine and / or the filter unit. This ensures that the washing machine can only be operated with the filter unit if the filter element is installed in it.

[0020] Preferably, the washing machine further comprises a dispensing device, wherein the control and / or regulating device or another control and / or regulating device is configured and designed to control and / or regulate the dispensing device in the event of a missing filter element, and to output a signal indicating to a user that the filter element is missing or incorrectly installed. This makes it easy for the user to install the missing or incorrectly installed filter element in the filter unit.

[0021] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It is shown schematically and not to scale. Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of a filter unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 an enlarged detailed view of the in Fig. 1 filter unit shown; Fig. 3 another cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 filter unit shown; Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 filter unit shown with missing filter element; Fig. 5 an enlarged detailed view of the in Fig. 4 filter unit shown with missing filter element; Fig. 6 another cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 4 filter unit shown with missing filter element.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a filter unit according to the invention. The filter unit is intended for use in a washing machine. It comprises a filter element, a base body 1 which has a support surface for the filter element, and a cover 2 which closes the base body 1 and has a radial surface (not shown). The filter element has a support 8 and a fabric 9. The filter unit also has an adapter element 4 which is designed to receive the filter element. The base body has an inlet (not shown) for supplying water to the base body 1 and an outlet 11 for discharging water from the base body 1. The filter unit also has an overflow 10 which is connected to the outlet 11. A dimension X extends from the support surface of the filter element in the base body 1 to the cover 2.In the case of the filter element present in the base body 1, dimension X is the sum of the length of the adapter element 4 and the length of the filter element, in particular its support 8, in their direction of extension from the contact surface in the base body 1 to the cover 2. In the operating state shown, the filter element is present in the filter unit.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the in Fig. 1 filter unit shown. Shown is a Fig. Detail 1, marked as II. The cover 2 is screwed to the base body 1 via a thread 5. The filter unit has a seal 3 to ensure a tight seal at the screw connection. In the case of the filter element present in the base body 1, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, there is a distance Y between the lid 2 and the base body 1.

[0024] Fig. Figure 3 shows another cross-sectional view of the in Fig. 1 filter unit shown. In the case of the filter element present in the base body 1, as shown in Fig. 1 shown, and of the in Fig. At the distance shown in 2, the inlet 6 of the filter unit is open because the radial surface 7 of the cover is positioned away from it.

[0025] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the in Fig. The filter unit shown in section 1 has a missing filter element. Fig. The filter unit shown in section 4 corresponds to the one in Fig. 1 filter unit shown with the difference that the filter element having the carrier and the fabric is removed from the base housing 1.

[0026] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail view of the in Fig. The filter unit shown in section 4 is missing a filter element. A unit is shown in... Fig. Detail 4, marked as V. The one in Fig. The filter unit shown in section 5 corresponds to the one in Fig. The filter unit shown in section 2 differs in that, if the filter element is missing from the base body 1, the cover 2 rests on the base body 1. Therefore, there is no gap between the cover 2 and the base body 1.

[0027] Fig. Figure 6 shows another cross-sectional view of the in Fig. The filter unit shown in section 4 has a missing filter element. Fig. The filter unit shown in section 6 corresponds to the one in Fig. 4 filter unit shown, with the difference that if the filter element is missing in the base body 1, as in Fig. 4 shown, and the lid (not shown) rests on the base body 1, as in Fig. 5 shows that the radial surface 7 closes off the inlet 6. Reference symbol list 1 Basic body 2 lids 3 Seal 4 adapter element 5 threads 6 Inlet 7 radial surface cover 8 carriers 9 tissues 10 Overflow 11 Procedure

Claims

[1] Filter unit for a washing machine, comprising - a filter element, - a base body (1) which has a support surface for the filter element, - a lid (2) designed to close the base body (1) and which has a radial surface (7), - an adapter element (4) designed to accommodate the filter element, - an inlet (6) for supplying water to the base body (1), and - a drain (11) for draining water from the base body (1), wherein in the case of the filter element present in the base body (1) there is a distance (Y) between the lid (2) and the base body (1) and the inlet (6) is open, and wherein in the case of the missing filter element in the base body (1) there is a further distance between the lid (2) and the base body (1) which is smaller than the distance (Y), and the radial surface (7) closes off the inlet (6). [2] Filter unit according to claim 1, characterized by , that a dimension (X) extends from the bearing surface of the filter element in the base body (1) to the lid (2), wherein the dimension (X) in the case of the filter element present in the base body (1) is a sum of a length of the adapter element (4) and a length of the filter element in its extension direction from the bearing surface in the base body (1) to the lid (2). [3] Filter unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the lid (2) can be screwed onto the base body (1) via a thread (5). [4] Filter unit according to claim 3, characterized by, that a rotation angle of the lid (2) in the case of the missing filter element is greater than a further rotation angle in the case of the present filter element. [5] Filter unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the filter element contains a carrier (8) and fabric (9), wherein preferably in the case of the filter element present in the base body (1) the length of the filter element is the length of the carrier (8). [6] Filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an emergency overflow (10). [7] Filter unit according to claim 6, characterized by , that the emergency overflow (10) is connected to the drain (11). [8] Washing machine comprising a filter unit according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Washing machine according to claim 8, characterized bya control and / or regulating device that is set up and designed to control and / or regulate a washing process in such a way that, in the event of a missing filter element, the pumping of water from the washing machine and / or the filter unit is prevented. [10] Washing machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by an output device, wherein the control and / or regulating device or another control and / or regulating device is configured and designed to control and / or regulate the output device so that, in the event of a missing filter element, it outputs a signal indicating to a user that the filter element is missing or incorrectly installed.

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