Filter device for filtering microplastics from washing li uids and washin machine therewith

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter device for filtering microplastics from washing liquids, with a housing 11 having an inflow 12, and an outflow 13, a first and second filter element 25, 20 and a pre-filter chamber upstream of the filter elements 25, 20. In order to obtain an effective filter device for filtering microplastics with an improved service life, that can be integrated into washing machines, the second filter element 20 is designed as a microplastic filter element being arranged downstream in a fine filter chamber 35 and having a smaller pore size than the first filter element 25, while the pre- filter chamber is arranged upstream of the first filter element 25 and is designed as a sedimentation chamber 14 for coarse dirt with an obliquely aligned chamber floor 18.

Description

[0001] Applicant : Boll und Kirchfilterbaugesellschaf t mit beschrankter Haf- tung, SiemensstraBe 10-14 , D-50170 Kerpen

[0002] Title : Filter device for filtering microplastics from washing liquids , and washing machine therewith

[0003] The invention relates to a filter device for filtering microplastics from washing liquids , with a housing with an inflow for a contaminated washing liquid or detergent solution and an outflow for filtered washing liquid, with a first filter element and a second filter element and with a pre-filter chamber upstream of the filter elements . The invention also relates to a washing machine with a washing device for laundry in a washing machine housing , with a machine control for the washing device and with a device for draining the washing liquid generated during operation of the washing machine to a public sewage network, wherein the device for draining the washing liquid has a filter device for filtration of microplastics assigned to it , which is integrated into the washing machine which is connected downstream therefrom .

[0004] In clothing and other textiles that are regularly cleaned in washing machines , the proportion of synthetic fibres is constantly increasing compared to natural fibres . The synthetic fibres are partially dissolved during washing processes in washing machines ; this is primarily an environmental problem in the downstream public sewage network .

[0005] For reducing environmental pollution due to microplastics behind washing machines , some proposed solutions exist already, in particular for household appliances . A proposed solution available on the market consists of washing bags into which the laundry to be washed is placed during each washing process . The washing bags then serve as microplastic filters .

[0006] In DE 10 2019 117 282 it is proposed to temporarily collect the washing liquid in the machine in a suds container and to pump it again into the washing drum using a recirculation device at high rotational speed of a washing drum, so that the laundry lying on the drum wall can be used as filter material . A generic filter device is known from DE 10 2020 207 163 Al ; the filter device uses two filter elements arranged in a housing, each of which is arranged on separate outflows of a pre-filter chamber , wherein one of the two outflows is arranged below one of the two filter elements forming the floor of the pre-filter chamber , and the other filter element forming the roof area of the pre-filter chamber at a height offset from this . Hereby, a sedimentation chamber results between the two filter elements for suspended matter containing microplastics , which are deposited in particular on the lower filter element and can be removed by exchanging this filter element

[0007] It is the obj ect of the invention to create a filter device for filtering microplastics , which has an improved service life compared to the known solutions and can be integrated into washing machines as well as connected downstream of a washing machine .

[0008] To solve this problem, the invention proposes that the second filter element is designed as a microplastic filter element , is arranged downstream of the first filter element in a fine filter chamber and has a smaller pore size than the first filter element , and that the pre-filter chamber is arranged upstream of the first filter element and is formed as a sedimentation chamber for coarse dirt with an obliquely aligned chamber floor .

[0009] The solution according to the invention is specifically aimed at selectively filtering out microplastics from the washing liquid or detergent solution using the microplastic filter element , without the microplastic filter element also being clogged by other contaminants including suspended solids , even if these have similar particle sizes to microplastics , as for example sand particles . At the same time , it is ensured by the flow guidance that the microplastic particles accumulate on the selective filter element provided for their separation, without other " ( coarse ) dirt" also accumulating there or that as few other contaminants as possible , which do not consist of synthetic microparticles , are flowed to the microparticle filter element in order to be filtered out there .

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if the sedimentation chamber has a first sedimentation subsection adj oining the inflow with a chamber floor sloping obliquely in the direction of flow and a second sedimentation subsection downstream leading to the first filter element with a direction reverse deflection between the two sedimentation subsections . Due to the subsections and the reversal of direction, suspended matter with greater density, such as sand grains , can be retained in the sedimentation chamber, whereas only microplastic particles with lower density, as e . g . synthetic fibres , are transported further and reach the fine filter chamber .

[0011] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment variant , the second sedimentation subsection can be formed as a laterally closed channel , which preferably has a channel floor rising in the direction of flow, wherein an inlet opening into the second sedimentation subsection is positioned offset in height from the chamber floor of the first sedimentation subsection in order to create a dirt collection point in the effective area of the direction deflection at or near the deepest area of the chamber floor .

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment variant , the sedimentation chamber can partially be provided with an obliquely aligned, preferably rising in the flow direction, in particular continuously rising and / or channel-shaped intermediate floor , which is arranged above the inflow, wherein the first sedimentation subsection is formed below the intermediate floor and the second sedimentation subsection is formed above the intermediate floor , and wherein an inlet opening into the second sedimentation subsection is positioned at a height offset from the chamber floor of the first sedimentation subsection in order to create a dirt collection point in the effective area of the directional deflection at or near the deepest area of the chamber floor . The sedimentation chamber with the deflection and the sloping floor extends the flow path without a significant constructional increase of the size of the filter device and improves the separation of coarse dirt in front of the first filter element . The chamber floor and the intermediate floor can run obliquely parallel to one another , for example each with a gradient of 15 ° . However , the angle can also be different or have a different gradient .

[0013] A first sedimentation subsection is expediently formed below the intermediate floor and a second sedimentation subsection is formed above the intermediate floor, wherein the lowest area of the second sedimentation subsection is positioned at a height offset from the obliquely aligned chamber floor , wherein further preferably the lowest area of the second sedimentation subsection is positioned at or near the dirt collection point . Due to these measures , all dirt particles retained in the sedimentation chamber can be deposited in the area of the dirt collection point due to gravity, especially when the washing machine is not in use or there is currently no flow in the filter device . With a longer flow path in the pre-filter chamber with deflection, the proportion of such dirt particles in the detergent solution flowing into the filter device , which do not reach the fine filter chamber , increases at the same time .

[0014] In order to improve the collection effect in the pre-filter chamber , it is particularly advantageous if the chamber floor is channelshaped and / or runs obliquely downwards in the flow direction of the first sedimentation subsection to a dirt collection point .

[0015] The microplastic filter element arranged in the housing of the filter device can partially or completely form the floor of the fine filter chamber . According to one embodiment variant , the microplastic filter element can be formed as a depth filtration element for retaining microplastics in the depth of the filtration element , or according to another embodiment variant , the microplastic filter element can be formed as a surface filtration element for retaining microplastics on the surface of the filtration element . A depth filtration element usually has to be replaced with a new one , whereas a surface filter element is much more suitable for cleaning or reuse by the operator of the washing machine . For both variants it is advantageous if the fine filter chamber is provided with an inspection opening , and if the microplastic filter element and / or the first filter element can be removed from the housing via the inspection opening and can be exchanged for another or a new filter element .

[0016] The particularly preferred arrangement of a filter device provides that an openable and closable flap is assigned to the sedimentation chamber , wherein a pivot drive for pivoting the flap about a pivot axis is preferably assigned to the flap . In a particularly advantageous manner , the flap can be arranged between the sedimentation chamber and a outflow chamber provided with the outflow, wherein the fine filter chamber is arranged upstream and preferably above the outflow chamber in the housing . The flap can be used to control that , at the end of each washing process , or at certain intervals of washing processes , the coarse dirt retained in the sedimentation chamber and primarily deposited at the dirt collection point is flushed out of the sedimentation chamber without having to pass through the microplastic filter element . It is particularly expedient for this if the microplastic filter element at least partially forms the roof area of the outflow chamber . The intermittent forwarding of the coarse dirt collected in the sedimentation chamber into the outflow chamber enables that this coarse dirt , which usually does not cause any additional contamination of the environment , is transferred to the public sewage network with one of the next rinse cycles of the washing machine , without the need for an additional rinse cycle . Rather , this can take place during one of the washing or rinsing cycles of the washing machine , which cause a relatively higher water consumption or a higher flow rate of the washing liquid in any case .

[0017] According to an advantageous arrangement , the microplastic filter element can have a pore size that is at least a factor of 50 , preferably a factor of 100 to 500 , smaller than the pore size of the first filter element , wherein the microplastic filter element , or a microplastic filter unit formed herewith, preferably has a pore size of 50 pm or approximately 50 pm . The above obj ect is achieved in a washing machine according to the invention by a filter device with the prescribed features , wherein it is particularly advantageous if the filter device forms a functional component of the washing machine that is coupled to the machine control . The filter device can be integrated into the housing of the washing machine , but it can also form a separate component , which may only be connected to the machine control via a control line or a data line , or an electronic data connection . This makes it possible that a filter device according to the invention can be retrofitted even to a large number of existing washing machines , and at the same time an optimized operation of the filter device can be achieved through the coupling with the machine control .

[0018] In order to prevent manipulations and ensure an operation with a microplastic filter element , the filter device can be provided with a detection sensor assigned to the microplastic filter and coupled to the machine control . The machine control can then be set in such a manner that an operation of the washing machine is only possible if a filter device with an inserted microplastic filter element is present . Also , during interaction with a washing machine , it is particularly advantageous if the sedimentation chamber of the filter device is provided with a motor-operated flap , and if the motor for moving the flap , in particular a swivel motor for the flap, can be controlled via the machine control of the washing device .

[0019] Further advantages and designs of a filter device according to the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing in an exemplary manner . In the drawing are shown :

[0020] Fig . l in a simplified schematic diagram a washing machine together with a filter device according to the invention;

[0021] Fig . 2 in a perspective view an embodiment variant of a filter device according to the invention with flow arrows , with the housing partially broken open; Fig . 3 the filter device from FIG 2 in a side view, partially broken open, in the filtering operation; and

[0022] Fig. 4 the filter device from FIG 2 in a side view in the operating state with the flap open .

[0023] In FIG 1 , reference numeral 1 denotes altogether a washing machine , which in the schematic exemplary embodiment can be a commercially available washing machine for private households , but which could also be designed as an industrial washing machine . The details of the washing machine are not important . The washing machine has a washing drum that is accessible via a porthole 2 . In the representation in FIG 1 , the washing machine 1 is provided with a control panel 3 , via which the user can, as is known, carry out settings on the washing machine 1 and select the washing programme he or she desires . Reference number 4 denotes a machine control integrated into the washing machine 1 , shown only schematically, which controls the individual functional parts of the washing machine depending on the selected programme and a provided software . On the washing machine 1 , a machine outflow 5 with a outflow line 6 is also indicated, via which a detergent solution is drained from the washing machine during or after completion of individual washing processes , or at the end of a rinsing process . In washing machines for private households , this usually takes place by means of a pump ( not shown) integrated into the washing machine , with which the detergent solution or the rinsing liquid is pumped out of the machine . In most of the existing washing machines for private households , but in particular also in industrial machines , this detergent solution or rinsing liquid then enters a sewage network unfiltered as sewage , even if the detergent solution contains microplastic particles . Industrial washing machines might also not have a pump .

[0024] In order to prevent liquid containing microplastic particles from being fed unfiltered to the sewage network, a filter device according to the invention, designated altogether by reference numeral 10 , is provided behind the machine outflow 5 , which filter device is connected to the outflow line 6 as an independent unit in this embodiment variant and is flown through by each liquid pumped out of the washing machine 1 . If a filter device 10 is present in the outflow line 6 , an outflow of the filter device 10 is connected to the sewage network via a further hose 7 .

[0025] An alternative embodiment variant of a filter device is shown in FIG 1 with reference numeral 50 , which is integrated into the housing of the washing machine 1 , for example in the sump of the washing machine . In this embodiment variant , one of the two hoses 6 or 7 can then be omitted, as the washing machine can then be connected directly to the sewage network because the liquid must first flow through the filter device 50 integrated into the washing machine to filter out microplastic particles .

[0026] FIGs 2 to 4 show the filter device 10 in detail , including its modes of operation . The filter device 10 has a closed housing 11 , wherein an "unfiltered "washing liquid" ( e . g . detergent solution ) to be cleaned enters the housing 11 via an inflow 12 ; the outflow line of the washing machine ( 1 , FIG 1 ) arranged upstream of the filter device 10 is correspondingly connected to the inflow . The inflowing , unfiltered washing liquid is symbolized with black arrows in FIGs 2 to 4 . The housing 11 is further provided with an outflow 13 , to which a hose is again connected in order to direct liquid flowing out of the housing 11 of the filter device 10 to the sewage network . Insofar as the outflowing liquid has been filtered with a microplastic filter element symbolically designated by reference numeral 20 and microplastic particles have been filtered out , the outflowing liquid is indicated by white arrows in FIGs 2 and 3 .

[0027] As FIGs 2 and 3 clearly show, the unfiltered washing liquid enters a first chamber via the inflow 12 , which chamber forms a sedimentation chamber 14 and which is designed accordingly for this . The sedimentation chamber 14 has a relatively large total volume with a correspondingly low flow rate for the washing liquid flowing in via the inflow 12 . The inner wall 15 opposite the inflow 12 delimiting the sedimentation chamber 14 does not allow any washing liquid to pass through, as long as a flap 16 pivotably suspended on this inner wall 15 closes a passage 17 in the inner wall 15 . The sedimentation chamber 14 has a chamber floor 18 , which, as can be seen particularly clearly in FIG 3 , runs continuously diagonally downwards from the inflow 12 until it reaches the passage 17 or the flap 16 . Insofar as suspended matter or other coarse dirt is deposited in the sedimentation chamber 14 , this will be guided to the flap 16 due to the oblique orientation of the chamber floor 18 and the flow movement of the washing liquid . Correspondingly, a dirt collection point is created in the area of the flap 16 , as this area coincides at the same time with the lowest area of chamber floor 18 .

[0028] The sedimentation chamber 14 is further provided, as can be clearly seen from FIG 2 , with a separated channel 30 , the inlet opening 31 of which lies opposite the inner wall 15 and at the same time is positioned at a height offset from the chamber floor 18 . The inlet opening 31 for the channel 30 is at the same time located above the dirt collection point near the deepest area of the chamber floor 18 . The channel 30 still forms a component of the sedimentation chamber 14 , however , due to the different cross sections of the channel 30 on the one hand and of the area of the sedimentation chamber adj oining the inflow 12 on the other hand, a division of the sedimentation chamber 14 into a first sedimentation subsection above the chamber floor 18 and a second sedimentation subsection in the channel 30 is already created . Due to the different cross sections , the flow rate in the channel 30 is higher than in the area of the sedimentation chamber 14 in front of the inlet opening 31 . The channel floor 33 of the channel 30 runs obliquely, and preferably at the same angle as the chamber floor 18 . However , viewed in the direction of flow, the chamber floor 18 slopes downwards , whereas the channel floor 33 rises in the direction of flow .

[0029] In terms of flow, the channel 30 is delimited by a first filter element 25 positioned near the front side wall 19 containing the inflow 12 , which filter element is inserted here in the channel cover 32 of the channel 30 in an exchangeable manner . Washing liquid, in order to get out of the sedimentation chamber 14 , must reverse direction, enter the channel 30 and then pass through the first filter element 25 at the end of this channel 30 . The pore size of the first filter element 25 is selected such that microparticles , in particular synthetic microplastic particles , can pass through this filter element 25 . The pore size of the filter element 25 can for example be in the range of 2 mm .

[0030] The filter element 25 forms the access opening for a fine filter chamber 35 at the same time , which is positioned and arranged in the housing 11 above the sedimentation chamber 14 and also above the channel 30 . As coarse dirt is retained by means of the filter element 25 , wherein numerous dirt particles have already been filtered out in addition with respect to the washing liquid entering the housing 11 due to the sedimentation effect of the sedimentation chamber 14 , the fluid flow in the fine filter chamber 35 is shown with grey shaded arrows for better clarification . The liquid flow flows through the fine filter chamber 35 and can only exit therefrom via the microparticle filter element 20 , which is inserted into the fine filter chamber floor 36 of the fine filter chamber 35 in an exchangeable manner . The fine filter chamber floor 36 is also aligned slightly obliquely and the microparticle filter element 20 is inserted in an area where the fine filter chamber 35 has its deepest point .

[0031] On the other hand, an outflow chamber 40 is located below the microplastic filter element 20 in the housing 11 . As the washing liquid has to pass through the microplastic filter element 20 in order to reach the outflow chamber 40 , microparticles (microplastic particles ) are filtered out at the filter element 20 . The washing liquid located in the drain chamber 40 no longer contains almost any synthetic microparticles ( filter elements including corresponding microplastic filter elements usually reach a separation level of more than 80% ) , which is why the washing liquid located in the outflow chamber 40 is represented with white arrows for better illustration . This cleaned liquid can then exit from the outflow chamber 40 via the outflow and be fed to the sewage network . The microparticle filter element preferably has a pore size in the range of 50 pm. As the microparticle filter element 20 is only loaded with these due to the previous filtering out of other dirt particles , including dirt particles such as sand grains with a similar size to synthetic microparticles , a significantly longer and more effective service life can be achieved than with the solutions previously proposed in the prior art .

[0032] In order to be able to exchange or clean the filter element 25 and the microplastic filter element 20 from time to time , the housing 11 is provided with an inspection opening 37 , to which is assigned a pivoting inspection cover 38 , which closes the inspection opening 37 in a liquid-tight manner in the closed state .

[0033] When the flap 16 is closed, the flow path mentioned above is the only exit possibility for washing liquid via the first sedimentation subsection of the sedimentation chamber 14 , the channel 30 as the second sedimentation subsection, the fine filter chamber 35 and the outflow chamber 40 . A bypass of the microplastic filter element 20 is not possible . However, a larger proportion of coarse dirt can accumulate relatively quickly in the sedimentation chamber 14 in the area of the dirt collection point immediately in front of the flap 16 . So that this can be removed from the filter device 10 without opening the filter device 10 , the openable and closable flap 16 is provided and is preferably provided with a motor drive ( not shown ) .

[0034] FIG 4 shows the flow pattern with an opened flap 16 . The liquid entering via the inflow 12 ( again indicated by black arrows ) flows through the sedimentation chamber 14 and enters the outflow chamber 40 via the passage 17 and from there into the sewage network via the outflow 13 . The opening of the flap 16 should only take place when, for example , the liquid from the last rinse cycle or the liquid from the spin cycle of a washing machine is pumped out . The contaminations of this liquid with microparticles is low, which is why the liquid from these operations can also be transferred to the sewage network without passing through the microplastic filter element 20 . The flow speed in interaction with the chamber floor 18 running obliquely downwards is at least sufficient to transport the coarse dirt deposited at the dirt collection point into the outflow chamber 40 . This coarse dirt can remain there until significantly larger amounts of washing liquid flow through the filter device 10 during the next washing process and then the coarse dirt , which is harmless to the environment , at least with regard to microplastics , is transported into the sewage network .

[0035] By providing an additional water inlet , for example also for fresh water at the filter device , the control of the flap could be linked to the entry of fresh water . The entry of fresh water could form the control signal for the motor, or with a suitable design, a motor drive could be dispensed with if the pressure at this separate fresh water entry is used to open the flap .

[0036] With a filter device integrated into the washing machine , the machine controls can be used in a relatively simple manner to open the flap when liquid is pumped out from a spin cycle or rinse cycle . The machine control could also communicate with a suitable control module of the filter device , for example wirelessly, in order to arrange the filter device as a separate functional element behind washing machines that already exist in private households or that are used in industry . The coupling of the opening of the flap via the machine control of the washing machine is preferred, but the filter device can also be used without coupling to the machine control , for example if the flap is only opened when fresh water enters the filter device .

[0037] Numerous modifications will become apparent to the person s killed in the art from the foregoing description, which modifications shall fall within the scope of the appended claims . The exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings constitutes only a preferred exemplary embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of protection herein . Instead of a separate channel , an intermediate floor could also divide the sedimentation chamber . However, different cross sections can be achieved if the height of the channel above the intermediate floor is less than the height of the chamber below the intermediate floor . The respective chamber floor or channel floor can be channel-shaped in order to promote the accumulation of coarse dirt in the area of the dirt collection point near the flap . In order to ensure that the filter device is only operated with an inserted microplastic filter element , a sensor can be provided that detects whether the element is present . By feeding this sensor signal back to the machine control , it can be prevented again that the washing machine is operated if there is a microplastic filter element is not present . The specified pore sizes only form preferred exemplary embodiments , as well as an oblique angle of approximately 15 ° for the chamber floor and channel floor . In industrial machines an open outflow channel can be provided, which directly or indirectly forms the inflow for a downstream filter device ; the filter device according to the invention could then also be used behind several industrial machines with a common outflow, possibly also with an additional pump .

Claims

Claims A filter device for filtering microplastics from washing liquids, with a housing (11) having an inflow (12) for a washing liquid and an outflow (13) for filtered washing liquid, with a first filter element (25) and a second filter element (20) and with a pre-filter chamber upstream of the filter elements, characterized in that the second filter element (20) is designed as a microplastic filter element, is arranged downstream of the first filter element (25) in a fine filter chamber (35) and has a smaller pore size than the first filter element (25) , and that the pre-filter chamber is arranged upstream of the first filter element (25) and is designed as a sedimentation chamber (14) for coarse dirt with an obliquely aligned chamber floor (18) . The filter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sedimentation chamber (14) has a first sedimentation subsection adjoining the inflow with a chamber floor (18) sloping obliquely in the direction of flow and a second sedimentation subsection downstream leading to the first filter element (25) with a direction deflection between the two sedimentation subsections. The filter device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second sedimentation subsection is formed as a laterally closed channel (30) , which preferably has a channel floor (33) rising in the direction of flow, wherein an inlet opening (31) into the second sedimentation subsection is positioned offset in height from the chamber floor (18) of the first sedimentation subsection in order to create a dirt collection point in the effective area of the direction deflection at or near the deepest area of the chamber floor (18) . The filter device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sedimentation chamber is partially provided with an obliquely aligned, preferably rising in the flow direction, inparticular continuously rising and / or channel-shaped intermediate floor , which is arranged above the inflow, wherein the first sedimentation subsection is formed below the intermediate floor and the second sedimentation subsection is formed above the intermediate floor, and wherein an inlet opening into the second sedimentation subsection is positioned at a height offset from the chamber floor of the first sedimentation subsection in order to create a dirt collection point in the effective area of the directional deflection at or near the deepest area of the chamber floor . The filter device according to one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the chamber floor is channel-shaped and / or runs obliquely downwards in the direction of flow to a dirt collection point . The filter device according to one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the microplastic filter element ( 20 ) partially or completely forms the floor of the fine filter chamber . The filter device according to claim 6 , characterized in that the microplastic filter element ( 20 ) is formed as a depth filtration element for retaining microplastics in the depth of the filtration element , or that the microplastic filter element is formed as a surface filtration element for retaining microplastics on the surface of the filtration element . The filter device according to one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the fine filter chamber ( 35 ) is provided with an inspection opening ( 37 ) , and that the microplastic filter element ( 20 ) and / or the first filter element ( 25 ) is removable from the housing ( 11 ) via the inspection opening ( 37 ) in order to be exchanged for another or a new filter element . The filter device according to one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that an openable and closable flap is assigned to the sedimentation chamber ( 14 ) , wherein a pivot drive forpivoting the flap about a pivot axis is preferably assigned to the flap ( 16 ) . The filter device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the flap ( 16 ) is arranged between the sedimentation chamber ( 14 ) and an outflow chamber ( 40 ) opening into the outflow ( 13 ) , wherein the fine filter chamber ( 35 ) is arranged upstream and preferably above the outflow chamber ( 40 ) in the housing . The filter device according to claim 10 , characterized in that the microplastic filter element ( 20 ) at least partially forms the roof area of the outflow chamber ( 40 ) . The filter device according to one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the microplastic filter element has a pore size that is at least a factor of 50 , preferably a factor of 100 to 500 , smaller than the pore size of the first filter element , wherein the microplastic filter element preferably has a pore size of 50 pm or approximately 50 pm. A washing machine with a washing device for laundry in a washing machine housing, with a machine control ( 4 ) for the washing device and with a device for draining the washing liquid generated during operation of the washing machine to a public sewage network, wherein a filter device ( 10 ; 50 ) for filtering microplastics is assigned to the device for draining the washing liquid, characterized in that the filter device is formed according to one of claims 1 to 12 and preferably forms a functional component of the washing machine , which is coupled to the machine control . The washing machine according to claim 13 or the filter device according to one of claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the filter device is provided with a detection sensor assigned to the microplastic filter element ( 20 ) coupled to the machine control . The washing machine according to claim 13 or 14 , characterized in that the sedimentation chamber ( 14 ) of the filter device isprovided with a motor-operated flap (16) , and that the motor for moving the flap, in particular a swivel motor for the flap, is controllable via the machine control of the washing device.

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