WATER-CONDUCTING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR FILTERING FLUIDS IN A WATER-CONDUCTING HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance and a method for filtering fluids in a water-conducting household appliance.

[0002] Water-based household appliances use filter units to filter fluids. This fluid can be a water-soap mixture, as used in washing machines, dishwashers, and / or washer-dryers, for example, or it can consist of steam or process air, as used in dryers and / or washer-dryers. During the operation of these water-based household appliances, dirt particles enter the respective fluid during a cleaning or drying process. These dirt particles can include, among other things, food residue, hair, grease, sand, fibers from laundry items, microplastic particles, and / or dust or dirt particles.

[0003] These dirt particles can be filtered out by a filter unit during and / or after the cleaning or drying process. During the cleaning or drying process, one or more pumping cycles can be carried out, during which the fluid is pumped around, cleaned of dirt particles, and fed back into the cleaning or drying process. After a cleaning or drying process, what remains is what is known as the residual fluid, which is rich in dirt particles. This residual fluid is usually no longer needed and is pumped out of the water-using household appliance and fed into a sink or drain line. Before being fed into the sink, the fluid is passed through the filter unit once more, which means that fewer or almost no dirt particles enter the wastewater or sewage system.

[0004] JP H08 266787 A discloses a washing machine with a filter unit. A first fluid flow passage and a second fluid flow passage are provided upstream of the filter unit. The first fluid flow passage directs the fluid into a lint filter of the filter unit, and the second fluid flow passage directs the fluid from the outside to the lint filter. Another filter is arranged below the lint filter in the flow direction.

[0005] WO 2017 / 043290 A1 discloses a washing machine with a filter unit. The filter unit comprises three filters or filter membranes arranged in series, with the filter membranes having different mesh sizes for filtering different dirt particles. Viewed in the direction of flow, an automatically operable valve is arranged upstream of each filter, which is intended for cleaning the filter membrane.

[0006] JP 2001 079293 A discloses a washing machine with a pumping circuit. The pumping circuit includes a first filter. Furthermore, the washing machine includes a second filter arranged in a cleaning circuit. The second filter is removably accommodated in the washing machine. Water flows through the first filter during a pumping process, and the second filter during a cleaning of the first filter.

[0007] DE 10 2009 046920 A1 discloses a tumble dryer that provides two separate channels in the process air circuit, with a fine-mesh filter membrane provided in a first channel and a coarse-mesh filter membrane in a second channel. A movable separating element 6 is provided to guide the process air into the desired channel.

[0008] Filter systems in washing machines are known, among other things, from WO 201720725 A1. This document describes a washing machine with a filtration unit arranged between a tub and a supply line to the tub. The filtration unit consists of several filter elements arranged in series next to one another. Each of these filter elements has a first membrane structure with a large pore size and a second membrane structure with a small pore size, the second membrane structure being suitable for filtering out microfibers.

[0009] Another publication, WO 2013068300 A1, discloses a filter unit for a washing machine or dishwasher. The filter unit comprises several individual filter assemblies arranged either in series, partially one after the other, or side by side. Each filter assembly has a filtrate line that essentially directs the fluid to the tub. The individual filter assemblies each have a filter membrane with a different pore size.

[0010] As the two publications cited above demonstrate, various state-of-the-art filter systems for water-based household appliances are known that filter dirt particles and fibers from a fluid. Since these filters clog very quickly, it is imperative to clean these filters, especially the filter membrane.

[0011] It is therefore the object of the invention to design a water-conducting household appliance with a filter unit in which the cleaning of the filter unit can be carried out easily, quickly and cleanly by the user.

[0012] This object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1 and claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0013] According to one aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a water-conducting household appliance, wherein the water-conducting household appliance comprises a pump unit for pumping around and / or draining the fluid present during a cleaning and / or drying process. Furthermore, the household appliance according to the invention has a drive unit for essentially driving the pump unit, a control unit for controlling the drive unit, and a filter unit for filtering the fluid, wherein the filter unit has a permeable filter surface which has a first filter region for the fluid to flow through and at least one second filter region for the fluid to flow through. A movable separating element is arranged between the first filter region and the at least one second filter region, such that when the filter unit is closed, the fluid essentially flows through only one of the two filter regions.

[0014] Since the fluid only flows through one of the two filter areas when the filter unit is closed, if one filter area becomes clogged the fluid can flow through at least one other filter area.

[0015] Advantageously, a filter container is provided on the upstream side, which has at least one opening through which the fluid flows into the filter container, wherein a filter frame and the filter surface, through which flow is at least partially possible, are arranged on the filter container in the flow direction, wherein the separating element is arranged on the filter frame.

[0016] The fluid is pumped into the filter unit by the pump unit and pressurizes the filter frame in the direction of flow. The fluid is directed by the separating element arranged on the filter frame to the first filter area. In this filter area, the fluid is filtered by the filter surface. The fluid moves onward solely by gravity. This eliminates the need for additional pump units that pump the fluid through the pump unit, as well as drive and control units.

[0017] Preferably, the filter frame has a circumferential wall, wherein the separating element is arranged within the circumferential wall, and wherein the circumferential wall and the separating element each have sealing elements on an end face facing the filter surface. The sealing elements of the circumferential wall and the separating element rest on the filter surface in the closed state.

[0018] When the filter unit is closed, the sealing elements of the surrounding wall and the separating element rest on the filter surface in such a way that it is ensured that the fluid flows into the designated filter area and makes flow into at least one other filter area almost impossible.

[0019] A further aspect of the invention is that the filter frame can be arranged in the closed state, in a partially closed state, and in an open state, wherein in the closed state, the sealing element of the circumferential wall and the sealing element of the separating element rest against the filter surface. In the partially closed state, the sealing element of the circumferential wall rests against the filter surface, and the sealing element of the separating element is substantially spaced from the filter surface. In the open state, the sealing element of the circumferential wall and the sealing element of the separating element are spaced from the filter surface.

[0020] This ensures that the fluid flows through the first filter region when the filter frame is closed, without flowing into the at least one second filter region. In the partially closed state of the filter frame, however, the sealing element of the separating element is spaced from the filter surface, such that the fluid can flow from the first filter region into the at least one second filter region, while the sealing element of the circumferential wall still rests on the filter surface, so that the fluid is held in the filter unit. Once the fluid that has accumulated in the first filter region when the first filter region became blocked has flowed through the at least one second filter region by slightly lifting the filter frame, the filter frame can be opened completely without the fluid being able to flow out of the filter unit in an uncontrollable manner.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the surrounding wall of the filter frame has at least one extendable element. If the filter area of ​​the filter unit through which the fluid is to flow becomes clogged, the filter unit or the filter surface must be cleaned. The separating element is spaced from the filter surface, while the surrounding wall with the at least one extendable element still rests on the filter surface. This prevents the fluid contained in the filter unit, which is contaminated with dirt particles, from flowing into the household appliance surrounding the filter unit and / or, for example, into the user's living area and / or laundry room when the filter unit is opened.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one extendable element of the circumferential wall of the filter frame comprises elastic elements. The elastic elements can be made of shape memory alloys, spring-like, and / or rubber-like elements. Other expandable and recoverable elements are also conceivable. The sealing elements of the at least one circumferential wall rest against the filter surface when the filter frame is slightly lifted, while the separating element is spaced from the filter surface.

[0023] It is also conceivable for the at least one extendable element of the surrounding wall of the filter frame to be movably mounted. This can be achieved, for example, by means of an electric and / or mechanical drive.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the first filter area is larger than the at least one second filter area. The first filter area is the filter area through which the fluid flows during operation of the water-conducting household appliance. The at least one second filter area is required to allow the fluid to flow out if the first filter area becomes clogged.

[0025] Preferably, when the filter frame is closed, the fluid flows through the first filter area, and when the filter frame is partially closed, the fluid flows predominantly through the second filter area. The fluid only flows through the at least one second filter area if the first filter area becomes clogged and the filter frame is brought into the partially closed state. This ensures that the fluid can flow through the at least one second filter area in the partially closed state, so that the fluid can flow properly out of the filter unit if the first filter area becomes clogged.

[0026] To make cleaning the filter unit as easy as possible, the filter frame and / or the filter surface of the filter container are designed to be removable.

[0027] If the first filter area becomes clogged, the fluid can no longer drain from the first filter area and collects in this area. This is referred to below as residual fluid. To ensure rapid drainage of the residual fluid, it is therefore advantageous if the filter surface comprises several individual second filter areas, each of which is designed to seal off the first filter area when the filter frame is in the closed state.

[0028] Advantageously, the separating element is stamp-shaped, and the end face of the separating element rests flat against the filter surface when closed. The stamp-shaped separating element enables a simple manufacturing process for the separating element and the sealing element attached to it.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for filtering fluids in a water-conducting household appliance. The water-conducting household appliance comprises a pump unit for circulating and / or pumping out the fluid present during a cleaning and / or drying process, a drive unit for essentially driving the pump unit, a control unit for controlling the drive unit, and a filter unit for filtering the fluid, wherein the filter unit has a filter frame.Furthermore, the filter unit has a flow-through filter surface which has a first filter area through which the fluid flows, and at least one second filter area through which the fluid flows at least partially, wherein a movable separating element is arranged between the first filter area and the at least one second filter area in such a way that, in a closed state of the filter frame, substantially only one of the two filter areas is flowed through by the fluid.

[0030] This achieves the technical advantage that during a filtering process, an area of ​​the filter surface remains spared from the flow of the fluid, so that if one filter area becomes blocked, the fluid can flow or drain through the spared filter area.

[0031] The filter unit preferably has a filter frame and the filter surface, wherein the separating element and a circumferential wall are arranged on the filter frame. Furthermore, sealing elements are provided on a respective end face of the separating element and on the circumferential wall. The filter frame can be arranged in the closed state. By moving the filter frame, it can be moved into a partially closed state and by further movement into an open state, wherein the sealing element of the circumferential wall and the sealing element of the separating element rest against the filter surface in the closed state. By moving the filter frame into the partially closed state, the sealing element of the circumferential wall rests against the filter surface and the sealing element of the separating element is substantially spaced from the filter surface.By further moving the filter frame into the open state, the sealing element of the surrounding wall and the sealing element of the separating element are spaced away from the filter surface.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a water-conducting household appliance, here for example a washing machine; Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of a filter frame; Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a filter unit with an exemplary filter frame; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of a filter unit with an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in a closed state; Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of a filter unit with an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in a partially closed state; Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of a filter unit with an exemplary filter frame, wherein the filter frame is in an open state; Fig. 7a shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a filter frame;Fig. 7b shows a schematic bottom view of another embodiment of a filter frame, wherein a separating element is stamp-shaped; Fig. 7c shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of a filter frame; Fig. 8 shows schematically, in highly simplified form, a circulation principle of a water-conducting household appliance.

[0033] In Fig. 1 A schematic front view of a water-conducting household appliance 1, in particular a washing machine, is shown. The water-conducting household appliance 1 is suitable, in particular, for treating laundry. Furthermore, a water-conducting household appliance 1 can also be understood as a dryer, a washer-dryer, or a dishwasher. For the sake of simplicity, only the washing machine will be described in more detail below as a water-conducting household appliance 1.

[0034] The water-conducting household appliance 1 in Fig. 1 has a washing machine front wall 3. On the washing machine front wall 3, among other things, a movable dispenser tray 5, into which a washing care substance, such as a detergent and / or fabric softener, can be poured, and a washing machine display unit 7, with which, among other things, a washing program can be set, are arranged. Furthermore, a pivoting washing machine door 9 and a cleaning hatch (not shown), which is concealed by a cleaning hatch cover 11, are arranged on the washing machine front wall 3 of the water-conducting household appliance 1.

[0035] A schematic plan view of a filter frame 13 arranged in a filter unit 15 is shown in Fig. 2 shown. The filter frame 13 has a circumferential wall 17 and a separating element 19, wherein the separating element 19 is arranged within the circumferential wall 17. The separating element 19 is preferably fixedly connected to the filter frame 13. However, it is also conceivable for the separating element 19 to be designed such that it can be separated from the filter frame 13. A sealing element 23 is formed on an end face 21 of the filter frame 13 and thus on the end face of the circumferential wall 17. The sealing element 23 can be designed as a sealing ring. However, other designs of the sealing element 23 known to those skilled in the art are also conceivable. Furthermore, the separating element 19 has a further sealing element 25. The sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 is preferably arranged on an end face of the separating element 19 and preferably has identical or similar properties and designs to the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17.However, the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 can also differ in its properties and designs from the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17.

[0036] The filter frame 13 is preferably designed in such a way that bending of the filter frame 13 is prevented during insertion and / or removal from the filter unit 15. The filter frame 13 is preferably made of a polymer or a polymer-like material. However, other materials known to those skilled in the art can also be used to manufacture the filter frame 13. Furthermore, the filter frame 13 can be designed as a type of cover element and is thus suitable for closing the filter unit 15.

[0037] As already described above, the separating element 19 of the filter frame 13 is designed as a predominantly rigid element. However, if a desired flexibility of the separating element 19 is desired, it is also conceivable for the separating element 19 to be designed as an at least partially flexible element.

[0038] The circumferential wall 17 has at least one extendable element 27, which Fig. 3 bis 7c is shown. Preferably, the at least one extendable element 27 is formed in the region of the end face 21 of the filter frame 13. The at least one extendable element 27 can be designed as an elastically extendable element. However, it is also conceivable for the at least one extendable element 27 to form the circumferential wall 17 of the filter frame 13. The at least one elastic element 27 can, for example, be provided with spring elements and / or rubber-like elements. However, other elastic elements are also conceivable.

[0039] It is also conceivable for the extendable elements 27 of the circumferential wall 17 of the filter frame 13 to be movably mounted. This embodiment will be discussed in more detail below.

[0040] Furthermore, in Fig. 3 a drain nozzle 29 of the filter unit 15 is shown. The drain nozzle 29 has a circumferential wall element 31 and is tubular. A first stop step 33, which preferably runs around the inside of the filter unit 15, is formed in the circumferential wall 31 of the drain nozzle 29, on which the extendable elements 27 rest when the filter unit 15 is closed. In the area of ​​the stop step 33, a filter membrane 35 is arranged in the filter unit 15. The filter membrane 35 has a filter surface 36 which extends over the entire cross section B of the drain nozzle 29. From a flow direction A (arrow in Fig. 3 ) of a fluid 34, the drain nozzle 29 can have a partition 37. The partition 37 is preferably only partially formed in the drain nozzle 29. Furthermore, the partition 37 has a second storage step 39 which faces the filter frame 13 and in particular the separating element 19. In the closed state of the filter unit 15, the separating element 19 rests with the sealing element 25 on the second storage step 39 such that the filter membrane 35 is received between the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 and the second storage step 39 of the partition 37.

[0041] The term "movably mounted at least one extendable element 27" refers to the fact that the at least one extendable element 27 extends during movement. Just to give one example, the extendable element 27 can be constructed like a two-part telescopic rod, wherein the two elements forming the telescopic rod are not rigidly connected to one another.

[0042] In the present case, when the filter frame 13 is lifted, the at least one extendable element 27 is moved in the direction of the filter membrane 35 or the first stop stage 33 of the drain nozzle 29, thereby extending the circumferential wall 17. The movably mounted at least one extendable element 27 can be driven, for example, by an electrical and / or mechanical drive, for example by a gear, in particular by a link gear. As a result, when the filter frame 13 is moved from the closed state to the open state, the release of the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17 can be delayed, so that the filter frame 13 is initially moved into the partially closed state. The delay is described in more detail below. However, other types of gears, such as a gear and / or chain drive, can also be used.A combination of different transmission types and / or an electrically controlled transmission is also conceivable.

[0043] In Fig. 4 the closed state of the filter frame 13 is shown. In the closed state of the filter frame 13, the at least one extendable element 27 is at least partially received in the circumferential wall element 31 of the drain nozzle 29. The end face 21 of the circumferential wall 17 and of the separating element 19 and thus the two sealing elements 23, 25 of the circumferential wall 17 and of the separating element 19 rest on the first stop step 33 and on the second stop step 39. The filter membrane 35 is received between the sealing elements 23, 25 and the two stop steps 33, 39. The filter surface 36 is divided by the separating element 19 and the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 into a first filter area 41 and at least one second filter area 43. The first filter area 41 is preferably larger than the at least one second filter area 43.

[0044] The filter unit 15 has a filter container 44. The filter frame 13 and the filter membrane 35 are arranged in this filter container 44. Furthermore, the drain connection 29 can be arranged in the filter container 44. However, it is also conceivable for the drain connection 29 to be integrated into the filter container 44.

[0045] The filter container 44 comprises an opening 46 ( Fig. 8 ), through which the fluid 34 flows into the filter container 44. The opening 46 is formed in the area of ​​the filter frame 13 so that the fluid 34 can flow through the filter membrane 35. Within the filter container 44 of the filter unit 15, the fluid 34, which in washing machines and / or dishwashers consists predominantly of water or a washing solution, flows due to gravity. In the Fig. 3 The flow direction of the fluid 34 is shown by the arrow A, when viewed from above Fig. 3 from top to bottom. The fluid 34 requires no additional propulsion means to flow through the filter membrane 38.

[0046] The fluid 34 fed into the filter unit 15 flows through the filter membrane 35 into the outlet nozzle 29, where it is freed of dirt particles 16. When the filter frame 13 is closed, the fluid 34 flows through the first filter area 41. The fluid does not flow through the at least one second filter area 43. The dirt particles 16 thus settle on the filter surface 36 only in the first filter area 41, while the at least one second filter area 43 remains free of dirt particles 16.

[0047] An at least partially closed state of the filter frame 13 is in Fig. 5 shown. In the partially closed state, due to the at least one extendable element 27, the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17 still rests on the first stop step 33 of the drain connection 29. The sealing element 25 of the separating element 19, which is arranged on the end face 21 of the separating element 19, is spaced from the filter membrane 35 and the second stop step 39.

[0048] The fluid 34, which predominantly flows through the first filter area 41 when the filter frame 13 is closed, now flows through a gap 45, which is created between the sealing element 25 and the second shut-off stage 39 when the filter frame 13 is slightly raised in the direction of arrow C, opposite to the flow direction of the fluid 34. The fluid 34 can now flow into the second filter area 43 and pass through the filter membrane 35, and then flow into the drain port 29.

[0049] Raising the filter frame 13 is necessary when the filter unit 15 needs to be cleaned. This is the case when so many dirt particles 16 have already accumulated in the first filter area 41 that flow through the first filter area 41 is almost impossible or has become impossible. Experts refer to this as a blockage. Blockage can occur after just a few cleaning and / or drying processes or after one cleaning and / or drying process.

[0050] The filter frame 13 is lifted when the pump unit 53 is switched off, so that only a so-called residual fluid 34 remains in the filter unit 15. Residual fluid 34 is the fluid 34 that is located in the filter unit 15 when the pump unit 53 is switched off and can no longer flow out of the filter unit 15. By lifting the filter frame 13, the residual fluid 34 flows into the at least one second filter area 43 and flows through the filter membrane 35 there and then reaches the drain port 29. By flowing through the at least one second filter area 43, it is ensured that the residual fluid 34 can flow out of the filter container 44 without coming into contact with the user, even if the first filter area 41 is blocked, for example.

[0051] If the first filter area 41 becomes clogged, it must be manually cleaned by a user to restore the optimal filtering performance of the filter unit 15. Information and / or a signal from the water-conducting household appliance 1 can be displayed to the user on the washing machine display unit 7 when cleaning of the filter unit 15 is necessary. It is also conceivable, however, that information and / or a message is transmitted to another display-capable medium, for example, a smartphone. It would also be conceivable for a voice message to be transmitted. However, other information transmission systems are also conceivable.

[0052] In Fig. 6 An open state of the filter frame 13 is shown. In the open state, the sealing element 23 of the circumferential wall 17 and the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 are spaced apart from the filter surface 36 of the filter membrane 35. The filter frame 13 can be completely removed from the filter unit 15, allowing a user to directly access and clean the entire filter surface 36. Preferably, the filter membrane 35 of the filter unit 15 can also be removed for cleaning or replacement.

[0053] In the Fig. 7a bis 7c Various conceivable variants of the separating element 19 are shown. Except for a different design and arrangement of the separating element 19, the structure of the filter frame 13 is identical to the embodiment already described above.

[0054] In the Fig. 7a . the separating element 19 is designed as an annular separating element 19 running circumferentially in the filter frame 13. The circumferential sealing element 25 is formed on the end face 21 of the separating element 19. The at least one second filter region 43 is circumferentially surrounded by the separating element 19 in the closed state of the filter frame 13. The first filter region 41 extends between the separating element 19 and the circumferential wall 17 of the filter frame 13. The annular separating element 19 can be arranged arbitrarily within the circumferential wall 17. It must be ensured that the fluid 34, in the closed state of the filter unit 15, only flows through the first filter region 41 and the second filter region 43, in Fig. 7a only one is shown, is designed to seal against the first filter area 41. Either the filter membrane 35 has such a tension that the separating element 19 can rest sealingly on the filter membrane 35, or the separating wall 37 of the drain connection 29 with the second stop step 39 is arranged opposite the separating element 17 so that the separating element 17 can rest thereon.

[0055] The separating element 19 can also, as in Fig. 7b shown, be designed as a stamp-shaped separating element 19. The end face 21 of the separating element 19 is preferably designed as a flat surface and comprises the sealing element 25. In this embodiment, the sealing element 25 is formed over the entire end face 21 of the separating element 17. However, it would also be conceivable to have a Fig. 7a described form of the sealing element 25. In this embodiment, the at least one second filter area 43 is covered by the separating element 19 in the closed state.

[0056] It is also conceivable that the Fig. 7a described separating element 19 is formed several times on the filter frame 13. In Fig. 7c For example, four such separating elements 19 are shown. However, it is also conceivable that fewer than four separating elements 19 or more than four separating elements 19 are formed. The advantage of multiple separating elements 19 is that multiple clean second filter regions 43 are present, through which the residual fluid 34 can flow when the filter frame 13 is moved from the closed state to the at least partially closed state. A faster flow of the residual fluid 34 is thereby achieved. However, the first filter region 41 should not be reduced in size too much, since this would reduce the filter performance in the closed state of the filter unit 15.

[0057] In the following, the functioning of the object according to the invention in a water-conducting household appliance 1 will be briefly explained.

[0058] For this purpose, Fig. 8 A highly simplified diagram of the circulation principle of a water-conducting household appliance 1 is shown schematically. The water-conducting household appliance 1 has a receiving area 47 for objects to be cleaned and / or dried, for example laundry or dishes. During a cleaning and / or drying process, fluid 34 is located in the receiving container 47. During a pumping and / or draining process, the fluid 34 is pumped by means of the pump unit 53 via an outlet opening 49 from the receiving container 47 into a pumping or draining line 51.

[0059] The pump unit 53 is driven by a drive unit 55, wherein the drive unit 55 is driven or controlled by a control unit 57. The drive unit 55 is coupled to the control unit 57 via a transmission element 59. The pump unit 53 pumps the fluid 34 to the filter container 44 of the filter unit 15, in which the fluid 34 is filtered. After the filter unit 15, the fluid 34 flows either into a drain 61 and exits the water-conducting household appliance 1 or via a return line 51a to an inlet opening 63, which guides the fluid 34 back into the receiving area 47 of the water-conducting household appliance 1. However, it is also conceivable that the fluid 34, for example in a washing machine, is guided via the dispenser tray 5 and is mixed there, for example, with detergent and / or fabric softener.

[0060] The fluid 34 is pumped by the pump unit 53 through an opening 65 into the filter unit 15. The filter frame 13 is in the closed state, so that the fluid 34 flows through only one of the two filter areas 41, 43. In the present exemplary embodiment, the fluid 34 flows through the first filter area 41, while the second filter area 43 is separated from the first filter area 41 by the separating element 19. If it now becomes apparent that the first filter area 41 has become impermeable to further inflowing fluid 34, this can be signaled to the user as already described above. Cleaning of the filter unit 15 is now necessary. For this purpose, the filter frame 13 must be removed from the filter container 44 of the filter unit 15 so that the user can access the filter membrane 35 or remove it for cleaning.

[0061] First, the pump unit 53 is stopped so that no further fluid 34 is pumped into the filter unit 15. Since, when the filter unit 15 is heavily contaminated, residual fluid 34 - fluid 34 that cannot penetrate the filter membrane 35 due to the blockage of the first filter area 41 - accumulates in the first filter area 41, this residual fluid 34 must first flow out when the filter unit 15 is opened so that the user does not come into contact with it. The user now releases the filter frame 13 from the closed state and moves the filter frame 13 into the partially closed state. In doing so, the separating element 19 is spaced apart from the filter membrane 35 and the second support surface 39 in such a way that the gap 45 forms between the sealing element 25 of the separating element 19 and the filter membrane 35.The circumferential wall 17 with the at least one extendable element 27 remains in contact with the first stop stage 33 in such a way that the residual fluid 34 is prevented from escaping from the filter unit 15.

[0062] The residual fluid 34 flows through the gap 45 into the at least one second filter area 43 and flows through the filter membrane 35 there, so that only the dirt particles 16 remain on the filter membrane 35 in the filter unit 15. By further moving the filter frame from the partially closed state to the open state, the circumferential wall 17 is spaced from the first storage surface 33. Ideally, the filter frame 13 can be detached from the filter unit 15 so that the user can easily access the filter membrane 35 to be cleaned. It is also conceivable for the filter membrane 35 of the filter unit 15 to be removable so that a user can simply wipe off the dirt particles 16 and dispose of them properly. The user can, for example, easily gain access to the filter unit 15 by removing the cleaning hatch cover 11.However, other types of access are also conceivable, such as via the induction bowl 5. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

[0063] 1Water-conducting household appliance 3Washing machine front panel 5Dispensing tray 7Washing machine display unit 9Washing machine door 11Cleaning hatch cover 13Filter frame 15Filter unit 16Dirt particles 17Circumferential wall 19Separator 21Front face 23Sealing element, circumferential wall 25Sealing element, separator 27At least one extendable element 29Drain nozzle 31Wall element 331st stop step 34Fluid 35Filter membrane 36Filter surface 37Partition 392nd stop step 411st filter area 432nd filter area 44Filter container 45Gap 46Opening 47Receiving area 49Outlet opening 51Recirculation or drainage line 51aReturn line 53Pump unit 55Drive unit 57Control unit 59Transmission element 61Outflow 63Inlet opening AFlow direction BCross-section of drain nozzle CAgainst the flow direction

Claims

1. Water-conducting household appliance (1), with a pump unit (53) for recirculation pumping and / or discharge pumping of the fluid (34) present during a cleaning and / or drying procedure, a drive unit (55) for substantially driving the pump unit (53), a control unit (57) for actuating the drive unit (55), a filter unit (15) for filtering the fluid (34), wherein the filter unit (15) has a filter surface (36) through which flow can take place, characterised in that the filter unit has a first filter region (41) for the fluid (34) to flow through and at least one second filter region (43) for the fluid (34) to flow through, wherein a movable separating element (19) is arranged between the first filter region (41) and the at least one second filter region (43), so that the fluid (34) substantially only flows through one of the two filter regions (41, 43) in a closed state of the filter unit (15).

2. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that there is provision on the inflow side for a filter container (44), which has at least one opening (46) through which the fluid (34) flows into the filter container (44), and a filter frame (13) and the filter surface (36), through which flow can at least partially take place, are arranged on the filter container (44) in the flow direction (A), wherein the separating element (19) is arranged on the filter frame (13).

3. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the filter frame (13) has a surrounding wall (17), wherein the separating element (19) is arranged within the surrounding wall (17) and the surrounding wall (17) and the separating element (19) each have sealing elements (23, 25) on an end face (21) facing towards the filter surface (36) and wherein the sealing elements (23, 25) of the surrounding wall (17) and the separating element (19) abut the filter surface (36) in the closed state.

4. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the filter frame (13) can be arranged in the closed state, in a partially closed state and in an open state, wherein, in the closed state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) abut the filter surface (36) and wherein, in the partially closed state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) abuts the filter surface (36) and the sealing element (25) of the separating wall (19) is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface (36) and wherein, in the open state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) are spaced apart from the filter surface (36).

5. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the surrounding wall (17) of the filter frame (13) has at least one extendable element (27).

6. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the at least one extendable element (27) of the surrounding wall (17) of the filter frame (13) has elastic elements.

7. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the at least one extendable element (27) of the surrounding wall (17) of the filter frame (13) is mounted in a movable manner.

8. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first filter region (41) is larger than the at least one second filter region (43).

9. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that, in the closed state of the filter frame (13), the fluid (34) flows through the first filter region (41) and, in the partially closed state of the filter frame (13), the fluid (34) predominantly flows through the second filter region (43).

10. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the filter frame (13) and / or the filter surface (36) of the filter container (44) are embodied in a withdrawable manner.

11. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filter surface (36) comprises a plurality of individual second filter regions (43), wherein the plurality of individual second filter regions (43) are each embodied as sealing in the direction of the first filter region (41).

12. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separating element (19) is embodied in a stamp-shaped manner and the end face (21) of the separating element (19) abuts the filter surface (36) in a planar manner in the closed state.

13. Method for filtering fluids (34) in a water-conducting household appliance (1), with a pump unit (53) for recirculation pumping and / or discharge pumping of the fluid (34) present during a cleaning and / or drying procedure, a drive unit (55) for substantially driving the pump unit (53), a control unit (57) for actuating the drive unit (55), a filter unit (15) for filtering the fluid (34), wherein the filter unit (15) has a filter frame (13), wherein the filter unit (15) has a filter surface (36) through which flow can take place, characterised in that the filter unit has a first filter region (41), through which the fluid (34) flows, and at least one second filter region (43), through which the fluid (34) flows at least partially, wherein a movable separating element (19) is arranged between the first filter region (41) and the at least one second filter region (43) in such a manner that the fluid (34) substantially only flows through one of the two filter regions (41, 43) in a closed state of the filter frame (13).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the separating element (19) and a surrounding wall (17) are arranged on the filter frame (13), wherein sealing elements (23, 25) are provided on an end face (21) of the separating element (19) and on the surrounding wall (17) in each case, and the filter frame (13) in the closed state can be moved by movement into a partially closed state and by further movement into an open state, wherein the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) abut the filter surface (36) in the closed state and wherein, by movement of the filter frame (13) into the partially closed state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) abuts the filter surface (36) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) is substantially spaced apart from the filter surface (36) and wherein, by further movement of the filter frame (13) into the open state, the sealing element (23) of the surrounding wall (17) and the sealing element (25) of the separating element (19) are spaced apart from the filter surface (36).