EP3414461B1 - Laundry care appliance having a detergent solution pump - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a drain pump.

In conventional laundry care appliances, lye pumps are used to ensure efficient pumping of washing liquid from the laundry care appliance through a pump-down line. In order to be able to carry out an effective laundry care process, conventional laundry care appliances also have a pumped-circulation system, through which washing liquid can be pumped out of the tub and subsequently returned to the tub.

In the EP 2 559 803 A1 discloses a washing machine with a drain pump, wherein in a filter housing of the drain pump, a filter cartridge is arranged.

In the DE 695 21 681 T2 discloses a centrifugal pump with a suction chamber which is positioned between the two impeller housings and communicates with them through two openings.

In the EP 2 479 336 A1 is a washing machine with a pump filter disclosed.

In the KR 2009 0006393 A is a washing machine with a filter disclosed.

In the KR 2008 0093493 A is a washing machine with a filter disclosed.

In the DE 100 46 349 A1 discloses a household appliance with a circulating pump, wherein on the suction side of the circulating pump, a fine filter is provided.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care device with a drain pump through which washing liquid can be pumped effectively in the laundry care device.

This object is achieved by articles having the features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description and the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a laundry care apparatus having a drain pump, the drain pump having a suction chamber with a suction port for fluidly connecting to a suction line, a pumping pressure chamber with a pumping connection for fluidly connecting to a pumping line, and a pumping pressure chamber with a pumping connection fluidly connected to a pumping line, and a filter element, which is accommodated in the suction chamber, wherein the filter element has a wall portion which is arranged between the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer to delimit the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer from each other, wherein the wall portion has a wall opening to the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer fluidly with each other connect to.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that when removing the filter element from the suction chamber, the wall portion of the filter element, which is arranged between the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer, is removed from the suction chamber. As a result, the pumping pressure chamber is not delimited from the suction chamber, but is accessible from the suction chamber. In this way, when the drain pump is being cleaned, the pumped-circulation pressure chamber can be cleaned from the suction chamber, thereby enabling a simplified cleaning of the drain pump.

In addition, a compact design of the drain pump is made possible by the wall portion of the filter element and ensures a center of gravity of the drain pump front of the housing interface. The filter element with the wall portion can thus be used in a common suction chamber both for a pumping down as for a pumping operation. Thus, a maintenance-free use of the filter element is possible without having to use a lint filter.

Thus, the filter element accommodated in the suction chamber of the drain pump makes it possible, by means of the wall section, for an effective demarcation between the suction chamber and the pumping-over pressure chamber. Upon removal of the filter element with the wall portion from the suction chamber, the boundary between the suction chamber and the pumping-around pressure chamber is removed. In this way, when the drain pump is being cleaned, the pumped-circulation pressure chamber can be cleaned from the suction chamber, thereby enabling a simplified cleaning of the drain pump.

A laundry care device is understood to mean a device which is used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is understood as a household laundry care appliance.

So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of household management, and is treated with the laundry in normal household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, the suds pump has a partition disposed between the suction chamber and the pump down pressure chamber for separating the suction chamber and the pump down pressure chamber, the partition having an opening for fluidly connecting the suction chamber and the pump down pressure chamber.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective separation of the suction chamber and the Abpumpdruckkammer is ensured by the partition wall of the drain pump. Through the opening in the partition washing liquid can be pumped during a Abpumpvorgangs from the suction chamber through the Abpumpdruckkammer and through the pumping nozzle into the pumping line.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the filter element has a further wall section, which is arranged between the suction chamber and the pumping pressure chamber to delimit the suction chamber and the pumping pressure chamber from each other, wherein the further wall section has a further wall opening to the suction chamber and the Abpumpdruckkammer each other fluidly connect.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective delimitation between the suction chamber and the Abpumpdruckkammer is ensured by the further wall portion of the filter element when the filter element is received in the suction chamber. By the further wall opening in the further wall section washing liquid can be effectively pumped from the suction chamber into the pumping pressure chamber. When the filter element with the further wall section is removed from the suction chamber, the delimitation between the suction chamber and Abpumpdruckkammer is removed. As a result, both the suction chamber and the pumping pressure chamber can be effectively cleaned during a cleaning process.

The drain pump has a further partition wall, which is arranged between the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer to delimit the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer from each other, wherein the further partition wall has a further opening, wherein the wall portion of the filter element is received in the further opening to a ensure fluidic sealing between the other partition and the wall section.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective separation between the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer is ensured by the recorded in the further opening of the further partition wall portion of the filter element. When the filter element is removed from the suction chamber, and the wall portion of the filter element is removed from the further opening of the further partition wall. The further opening in this case has a diameter which is sufficient so that when a filter element is removed from the suction chamber from the Umpumpdruckkammer can be cleaned.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the drain pump has a guide rail, which is arranged on an inner side of the suction chamber, and the filter element is arranged movably on the guide rail and can be positioned along the guide rail in the suction chamber.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the filter element movably arranged on the guide rail can advantageously be positioned in the suction chamber in order to advantageously arrange the wall section of the filter element between the suction chamber and the recirculation pressure chamber. The filter element movably arranged in the guide rail can also advantageously be removed from the suction chamber in order to allow effective cleaning of the suction chamber and the pumping-around pressure chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, a circumferential sealing element is arranged on the wall section in order to ensure an effective fluidic sealing between the wall section and a pump housing of the drain pump.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective fluidic sealing between the wall portion and the pump housing of the drain pump is ensured by the peripheral sealing element to effectively differentiate the suction chamber and the Umpumpdruckkammer from each other. In particular, the sealing element arranged on the filter element consists of a plastic, in particular of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM).

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the filter element has a positioning element, in particular a stop, for positioning the filter element in the suction chamber.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the positioning, in particular stop, limits the insertion movement of the filter element in the suction chamber, whereby the filter element can be effectively positioned in the suction chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the suction chamber has an internal thread, the filter element has an external thread, wherein the filter element with the external thread in the suction chamber with the internal thread can be screwed.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective fixation of the filter element in the suction chamber is ensured by screwing the filter element into the suction chamber by the two intermeshing thread.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the drain pump has a pump motor and an impeller, wherein the pump motor is designed to drive the impeller in a rotational direction to pump washing liquid from the suction chamber into the Umpumpdruckkammer and through the Umpumpstutzen in the Umpumpleitung.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that by driving the impeller by the pump motor an effective pumping of washing liquid from the Umpumpdruckkammer is made possible in the recirculation line.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the laundry care appliance has a suds container, wherein the suction line and the recirculation line are each fluidly connected to the suds container, and wherein the pump motor is designed to pump washing liquid out of the suds container into the suction chamber through the suction line, and the siphoned off Re-pump washing liquid through the pumping connection and through the pumping line into the tub.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the fluidic connection of the Umpumpleitung with the tub ensures an effective pumping of washing liquid from the tub into the tub and from the drain pump into the tub.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the drain pump has a further pump motor and a further impeller, wherein the further pump motor is designed to drive the further impeller in a rotational direction, to washing liquid from the suction chamber in the Abpumpdruckkammer and through the pumping nozzle in the Abpumpleitung pump.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an efficient pumping out of washing liquid from the Abpumpdruckkammer is made possible by the driving of the other impeller by the further pump motor in the pumping line.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the pumping line is fluidly connected to an outside area of the laundry care device, wherein the further pump motor is designed to pump washing liquid out of the laundry care device through the pumping down tube and through the pumping line.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an efficient pumping out of washing liquid from the laundry care device is ensured by the fluidic connection of the pumping line to the outside area of the laundry care device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the pump motor or the further pump motor comprises an electric motor, in particular a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor).

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that by the electric motor, in particular brushless DC motor, an effective and effective Abpump - or pumping the pump can be operated.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the pump motor and / or the further pump motor are connected to the pumping-around pressure chamber and / or to the pumping-down pressure chamber by means of a bayonet closure.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that can be ensured between the respective pump motor and the respective chamber by the bayonet closure an effectively producible and again effectively detachable connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the filter element comprises a foreign body trap, which in particular has a number of filter walls, which are arranged horizontally in the foreign body trap.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective removal of foreign bodies is made possible by the foreign body trap, which can be dispensed with a lint filter for removing lint. The filter walls arranged horizontally in the foreign body trap ensure that foreign objects bounce off the filter walls and collect in the suction chamber, from which the foreign bodies can be effectively removed.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht einer Laugenpumpe eines Wäschepflegegeräts in Schnittdarstellung; und

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer Laugenpumpe eines Wäschepflegegeräts.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a laundry care device;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a drain pump of a laundry care device in a sectional view; and

Fig. 3

a side view of a drain pump of a laundry care device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care device, such as a washing machine. The laundry care device 100 comprises an induction bowl 101, into which detergent or other liquid substances can be introduced. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a door 103 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a drain pump of a laundry care device in a sectional view. The drain pump 105 comprises a suction chamber 107 which has a suction nozzle 109, which in turn can be fluidly connected to a suction line. The drain pump 105 further includes a pumping pressure chamber 111, which has a pumping neck 113, which in turn can be fluidly connected to a pumping line. The drain pump 105 further comprises a pumping pressure chamber 115, which has a pumping neck 117, which in turn can be fluidly connected to a pumping line Umpumpsystems a. In Fig. 2 are the Abpumpstutzen 113, Umpumpstutzen 117, suction, Abpumpleitung and Umpumpleitung not shown. Since a filter element 123 is accommodated in the suction chamber 107, is in Fig. 2 the suction chamber 107 shown only schematically.

The drain pump 105 has a partition wall 119, which delimits the suction chamber 107 from the pumping pressure chamber 111. The pumping pressure chamber 111 is fluidly connected to the suction chamber 107 through an opening, the opening in Fig. 2 not shown. The drain pump 105 has a further partition wall 121, which delimits the suction chamber 107 from the Umpumpdruckkammer 115. The further partition wall 121 has a further opening 133, whereby a fluid-technical connection of the suction chamber 107 with the pumping-around pressure chamber 115 is made possible. The further opening 133 is in Fig. 2 not shown.

In the suction chamber 107 of the drain pump 105, a filter element 123, in particular a foreign body trap, accommodated to filter foreign matter from the pumped through the drain pump 105 washing liquid. The filter element 123 has a Wandungsabschnitt 125, which is arranged between the suction chamber 107 and the Umpumpdruckkammer 115 to demarcate the suction chamber 107 of the Umpumpdruckkammer 115. In this case, the wall section 125 is accommodated in particular in the further opening 133 of the further partition wall 121 in order to achieve an effective delimitation of the suction chamber 107 from the pumping-over pressure chamber 115. In order to achieve an effective fluidic connection between the suction chamber 107 and the Umpumpdruckkammer 115, the wall portion 125 of the filter element 123 has a wall opening 127, which in Fig. 2 not shown. Through the wall opening 127 washing liquid can be pumped from the suction chamber 107 into the pumping pressure chamber 115.

Furthermore, the suction chamber 107 has an internal thread 129, and the filter element 123 has an external thread 131, wherein the filter element 123 with the external thread 131 can be screwed into the suction chamber 107 with the internal thread 129.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of a drain pump of a laundry care device according to the Fig. 2 , The drain pump 105 comprises a suction chamber 107 with a suction nozzle 109, an Abpumpdruckkammer 111 with a pumping neck 113, and a pumped Umpumpdruckkammer 115 with a Umpumpstutzen 117. In the in Fig. 3 chosen representation, the Abpumpdruckkammer 111 is not visible and shown only schematically. Similarly, a partition wall 119, which delimits the suction chamber 107 from the pumping pressure chamber 111, in the in Fig. 3 selected representation not shown.

The drain pump 105 has a further partition wall 121, which delimits the suction chamber 107 from the Umpumpdruckkammer 115. The further partition wall 121 has a further opening 133, which enables fluidic connection of the suction chamber 107 and the pumping-around pressure chamber 115.

The drain pump 105 further includes a filter element 123 which is received in the suction chamber 107. In Fig. 3 only a wall portion 125 of the filter element 123 is shown, which is arranged between the suction chamber 107 and the Umpumpdruckkammer 115 to demarcate the suction chamber 107 of the Umpumpdruckkammer 115. Here, the wall portion 125 in the further opening 133 of the further partition wall 121 received fluid-tight, in order to achieve an effective delimitation of the suction chamber 107 of the Umpumpdruckkammer 115. In order to achieve an effective fluidic connection between the suction chamber 107 and the Umpumpdruckkammer 115, the wall portion 125 of the filter element 123 has a wall opening 127. Through the wall opening 127 washing liquid can be pumped from the suction chamber 107 into the pumping pressure chamber 115.

The drain pump 105 is characterized by a compact and short design of the pump body and by an integrated with the pump motors design, in particular bayonet coupling from. The horizontal arrangement of in Fig. 3 not shown pump motors, in particular the position of the motor axes, ensures a wear-optimal function and life. Existing interfaces of the system solution "pumping out" can be used and remain unchanged. In the drain pump 105 thus two separate functions, pumping and Umpumpvorgang can be integrated. Both the circulation pump and the drain pump are housed in a common filter housing of the drain pump 105 with removable filter element 123, wherein the filter element 123 is arranged in the drain pump 105 so that it is accessible from the outside for revision.

The drain pump 105 is designed so that the interface for installation in the housing of the laundry care device 100 is suitably maintained in the existing device system or device concept, without housing parts are changed, so that a revision of the circulation pump is made possible. A cleaning or maintenance of the pump hydraulics is accomplished with the proposed solution also by the filter insert 123 as a foreign body trap, which is designed to remove small parts in a maximum dimension of 10 mm pump and hose throughout, so that there can be no blockages, so that a Lint filter, which requires increased maintenance, is not required.

Since the Umpumpdruckkammer 115 extends axially to the suction chamber 107, it comes through the structural shape of the separation for an effective demarcation between the Umpumpdruckkammer 115 and the suction chamber 107. This is ensures that a snug fit between the wall of the Umpumpdruckkammer 115 and the wall portion 125 of the filter element 123 is achieved, whereby the hydraulic function is ensured. As a result, the accessibility and possible cleaning of the pumped-circulation pressure chamber 115 is ensured when the entire pump hydraulic chamber, in particular the pumped-circulation pressure chamber 115 with the impeller, is cleaned.

Thus, with the insertion and the locking of the filter element 123, in particular foreign body trap, the pumping pressure chamber 115 is effectively closed. The wall opening 127 in the wall section 125 of the filter element 123 is dimensioned so that foreign bodies with a dimension of greater than 10 mm are not allowed to pass and can not lead to blockages in the further course of the line.

Thus, a compact design of the drain pump 105, and a center of gravity at the front of the housing interface allows, which leads to an unchanged attachment or mounting with the housing. The filter element 123 is received in a common suction chamber 107 of the drain pump 105 and allows filtering during a pumping and Umpumpvorgangs. It is an externally accessible and revisable filter space and a revisable impeller in Umpumpdruckkammer 115 allows and provided a maintenance-free filter element 123 for the pumping and Umpumpvorgang. The foreign matter size in the circulation flow rate up to a maximum of 10 mm is permissible. No lint filter is required and series drive motors can be used.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Laundry care device

101

dispenser tray

103

door

105

Drain pump

107

suction chamber

109

suction

111

Abpumpdruckkammer

113

pump-out

115

Umpumpdruckkammer

117

Umpumpstutzen

119

partition wall

121

Further partition

123

filter element

125

wall section

127

wall opening

129

inner thread

131

external thread

133

Further opening

Claims (14)

1. Laundry care appliance (100) having a drain pump (105), wherein the drain pump (105) has a suction chamber (107) with a suction port (109), wherein the suction port (109) is designed to be fluidically connectable to a suction line, a pumping pressure chamber (115) with a pumping port (117), wherein the pumping port (117) is designed to be fluidically connectable to a pumping line, and a drainage pressure chamber (111) having a drainage port (113), wherein the drainage port (113) is designed to be fluidically connectable to a drainage line, and a filter element (123) which is accommodated in the suction chamber (107), wherein
   the filter element (123) has a wall section (125) which is arranged between the suction chamber (107) and the pumping pressure chamber (115) in order to delimit the suction chamber (107) and the pumping pressure chamber (115) from one another, wherein the wall section (125) has a wall opening (127) in order to fluidically connect the suction chamber (107) and the pumping pressure chamber (115) to one another, wherein
   the drain pump (105) has a further partition wall (119) which is arranged between the suction chamber (107) and the pumping pressure chamber (115) in order to delimit the suction chamber (107) and the pumping pressure chamber (115) from one another, wherein the further partition wall (121) has a further opening (133), characterised in that the wall section (125) of the filter element (123) is accommodated in the further opening (133) in order to ensure a fluidic seal between the further partition wall (121) and the wall section (125).
2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the drain pump (105) has a partition wall (119) which is arranged between the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) in order to delimit the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) from one another, wherein the partition wall (119) has an opening in order to fluidically connect the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) to one another.
3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the filter element (123) has a further wall section (125) which is arranged between the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) in order to delimit the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) from one another, wherein the further wall section (125) has a further wall opening in order to fluidically connect the suction chamber (107) and the drainage pressure chamber (111) to one another.
4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain pump (105) has a guide rail which is arranged on an inner side of the suction chamber (107), and in that the filter element (123) is movably arranged on the guide rail and can be positioned along the guide rail in the suction chamber (107).
5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a circumferential sealing element is arranged on the wall section (125) in order to ensure an effective fluidic seal between the wall section (125) and a pump housing of the drain pump (105).
6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filter element (123) has a positioning element, in particular a stop, for positioning the filter element (123) in the suction chamber (107).
7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction chamber (107) has an internal thread (129) and in that the filter element (123) has an external thread (131), wherein the filter element (123) having the external thread (131) can be screwed into the suction chamber (107) having the internal thread (129).
8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain pump (105) has a pump motor and an impeller, wherein the pump motor is designed to drive the impeller in a rotational direction in order to pump washing liquid from the suction chamber (107) into the pumping pressure chamber (115) and through the pumping port (117) into the pumping line.
9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a tub, wherein the tub is designed to be fluidically connectable in each case to the suction line and the pumping line, and wherein the pump motor is designed to pump washing liquid out of the tub through the suction line into the suction chamber (107), and to pump the pumped-out washing liquid through the pumping port (117) and through the pumping line back into the tub.
10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drain pump (105) has a further pump motor and a further impeller, wherein the further pump motor is designed to drive the further impeller in a rotational direction in order to pump washing liquid out of the suction chamber (107) into the drainage pressure chamber (111) and through the drainage port (113) into the drainage line.
11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the drainage line is fluidically connected to an outer region of the laundry care appliance (100), wherein the further pump motor is designed to pump washing liquid out of the laundry care appliance (100) through the drainage port (113) and through the drainage line.
12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the pump motor or the further pump motor comprises an electric motor, in particular a brushless DC motor (BLDC motor).
13. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the pump motor or the further pump motor is connected to the pumping pressure chamber (115) or the drainage pressure chamber (111) by a bayonet catch.
14. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filter element (123) comprises a foreign body trap, which in particular has a number of filter walls which are arranged horizontally in the foreign body trap.

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