Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
  • D06F39/10—Filtering arrangements
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
  • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
  • D06F33/43—Control of cleaning or disinfection of washing machine parts, e.g. of tubs

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for operating a washing appliance with a primary and a secondary filter device and to a washing appliance suitable therefor.
• microplastics can be generated or spread in various ways, for example, through tire wear, through the use of cleaning products and cosmetics, and even during the treatment of laundry.
• laundry appliances such as washing machines, washer-dryers, and dryers release small particles, particularly lint and other plastic particles, from the laundry being treated.
• a primary filter device wastewater from the washing machine, especially a washing machine or washer-dryer, is filtered before it leaves the machine.
• Microplastics and all other substances such as lint or small particles that a user has washed in their laundry are filtered out after the washing process in the so-called pumping or dewatering process, where they are retained on a generally finely perforated filter surface. It would be desirable if, in addition to microplastics, small particles that sometimes occur in laundry items could also be filtered out.
• the object of the present invention was to provide a method for operating a washing appliance, comprising a primary filter device arranged in a drain channel of the washing appliance, a discharge pump arranged in the flow direction upstream of the primary filter device and a secondary filter device which is fluidically connectable to the primary filter device, with which Small parts generated during the treatment process in the washing machine can be transported efficiently and safely from the primary to the secondary filter device.
• the object of the invention was also to provide a washing machine suitable for carrying out this process.
• the invention therefore relates to a method for operating a washing appliance, comprising a primary filter device arranged in a drain channel of the washing appliance with a rotatable filter element for separating a mass containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid, a discharge pump arranged upstream of the primary filter device in the flow direction thereof, and a secondary filter device which is connected to the primary filter device via a conveying line which can be closed by a first valve, wherein in a cleaning phase of the primary filter device the rotatable filter element is rotated and at the same time the discharge pump is operated, so that a flow in the direction of the secondary filter device is generated in the aqueous liquid.
• the fact that the delivery line can be closed by a first valve means that the pump can also be used to pump out only aqueous liquid.
• the first valve is preferably closed when the pump has to pump the maximum volume flow out of the device, especially during normal pumping during spinning.
• the washing device used in the process can advantageously also include a second valve, which is generally arranged in the direction of flow behind the primary filter device in the sewer. If the second valve is closed, the full pumping capacity of the discharge pump is available for the process according to the invention. By closing the optional second valve, the maximum The pumping action of the primary filter device can be supported by the discharge pump.
• the pump in the process according to the invention can also be operated temporarily at a higher power, but this is not possible permanently for thermal reasons.
• the advantage is an even greater increase in volume flow through the pump.
• the rotatable filter element which can be driven by a drive motor, sometimes also called a filter motor, all substances filtered out on the cylindrical surface of the filter element, for example, in particular small parts located in front of the filter element, are flushed to the secondary filter device.
• a drive motor sometimes also called a filter motor
• microplastic filter (MPF) system Due to its design, the entire microplastic filter (MPF) system only allows a certain geometric dimension of particles (particles and larger parts) due to the necessary system gaps between moving and stationary parts. Larger particles can be filtered out using a separate large-parts filter if necessary. This, as well as the filtering out of any small parts, must always take place upstream of the MPF system in the direction of flow, upstream of the lye discharge pump, referred to herein in particular as the discharge pump.
• the filter element is particularly preferably a cylindrical filter element.
• the primary filter device is then configured to rotate the cylindrical filter element in such a way that the mass containing microplastic particles deposited on the filter element is centrifuged off and, together with any small particles that may have accumulated in front of the filter element, is removed due to a suitably generated, sufficiently high
• the flow is transported through the conveying line into the secondary filter device. Larger particles can be captured in advance in an optional large particles trap.
• the rotatable filter element therefore preferably has a cylindrical outer surface.
• a cylindrical filter surface can surround a cylindrical filter interior, and an aqueous liquid to be filtered can flow radially into the cylindrical filter interior and exit it again in an axial direction.
• the filter element is therefore generally open at one end and closed at the other.
• the rotating filter element There is generally a drive motor for the rotating filter element, which is used for the backwashing process of the primary filter device. During this backwashing process, the rotating filter element causes the aqueous fluid to flow from the inside to the outside through the filter surface, i.e., the surface of the filter element.
• a pump impeller is arranged in the primary filter device, preferably on the rotatable filter element of the primary filter device.
• the pump impeller ensures that the backwashed aqueous liquid, which contains fluff and microplastics, is conveyed to the secondary filter device.
• the filter element used e.g. a cylindrical filter element
• the filter element used is preferably to have a mesh size in the range from 10 to 300 ⁇ m, preferably in the range from 30 to 70 ⁇ m and very particularly preferably in the range from 40 to 60 ⁇ m, for example 50 ⁇ m.
• the secondary filter device it is generally not necessary to replace the primary filter device. Instead, a user of the washing device will generally clean or replace the secondary filter device directly. Cleaning the secondary filter device will depend on its design, in particular whether it is designed to initially allow microplastic particles to pass through and circulate within the washing device before final removal from the washing device.
• the secondary filter used in the secondary filter device will generally be a type of flexible gauze bag with an opening. It is also referred to as a secondary filter bag.
• a filter element of the secondary filter device must be replaced regularly to ensure the safe regeneration or functioning of the primary filter device so that the pumping out of the aqueous liquid is not disturbed or influenced too much by excessive pressure loss at the primary filter device.
• the secondary filter device will be designed and positioned to be easily accessible to a user. Therefore, the secondary filter device is preferably located next to or in a dispenser tray of the washing machine.
• the dispenser tray is connected to the secondary filter device.
• the secondary filter device does not necessarily have to be located in the dispenser tray. However, this position is convenient because of its easy accessibility for a user.
• the dispenser tray and secondary filter device can form a single-piece component, which can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding.
• the dispenser tray and secondary filter device can also be detachably connected, e.g., by snapping together.
• the secondary filter device it is further preferred according to the invention for the secondary filter device to be arranged behind the dispenser tray. This means that a user of the washing machine can first pull out the dispenser tray. If the dispenser tray and secondary filter device are connected, both can be pulled out together.
• the conveying line between the primary filter device and the secondary filter device can be designed in various ways.
• a hose is generally used as the conveying line.
• the flow velocity of the aqueous liquid between the primary and the secondary filter device is increased at least briefly, for example by at least 10% compared to the situation in which the backwashing of the primary filter device occurs by rotation of the primary filter device alone.
• the method according to the invention can be carried out in different ways.
• the method according to the invention can be carried out as a cleaning phase during the execution of a washing program.
• the method according to the invention can also be carried out as a separate cleaning program.
• the method according to the invention can also be carried out as a regular, time-controlled method that is carried out automatically at certain time intervals.
• the method can also be advantageously carried out when small parts or even a blockage are detected based on the condition parameters of the two motors of the primary filter device and the discharge pump, primarily based on the motor currents.
• control device can remind the user of the need to change or clean the secondary filter device, for example by counting or recording the number of wash cycles or regeneration cycles of the primary filter device.
• the rotatable filter element is completely immersed in the aqueous liquid, i.e. a high water level is realized in the washing device, so that the rotatable filter element can be operated for a long time without the flow breaking off because the primary filter device and possibly also the discharge pump (liquor discharge pump) are ventilated too early.
• the filter element of the primary filter device and the discharge pump are operated simultaneously. This leads to an additional Pressure increase and thus a high total flow rate. This maximizes the flow velocity for transporting the small parts. Part of the volume flow of the drain pump will possibly continue to be pumped from the washing machine into the wastewater system via the drain hose, even if this is not preferred according to the invention. However, at least a partial volume flow passes from the primary to the secondary filter device and thus increases the pumping effect of the primary filter device.
• the pump flow rate of the drain pump which is intended to pump the water out of the device, is also referred to in particular as the pumping flow rate, while the liquid flow generated in the primary filter device is also referred to as the primary filter flow rate.
• the goal of all measures is to keep the flow rate from the primary filter device to the secondary filter device as high as possible for as long as possible to ensure the safe transport of foreign bodies, especially small particles, to the secondary filter device. This increases the likelihood of even foreign bodies with high density and a relatively small surface area being transported to the secondary filter device.
• the secondary filter device used is recognized and the method is adapted accordingly.
• the secondary filter used therein can be coded accordingly for this purpose.
• the recognition of different secondary filter bags by the control device of the washing device e.g. based on the pressure losses across the filter detected by a pressure sensor or coding of the filters (e.g. using RFID; however, other coding options such as color are also possible), could initiate the start of a cleaning program.
• different secondary filters or secondary filter bags can be used depending on the intended use. By using, for example, an RFID chip that is read by the control device of the washing device, the user can determine which type of filter bag is used.
• the shape of the filter in particular the hard structure of the inlet opening, can be designed in such a way that corresponding sensors in the device (tactile, optical, capacitive) can detect this specific shape and thus this specific filter.
• the invention further relates to a washing device comprising a control device, a primary filter device arranged in a drain channel of the washing device with a rotatable filter element for separating a mass containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid, a discharge pump arranged upstream of the primary filter device in the flow direction, and a secondary filter device which is connected to the primary filter device via a conveying line closable by a first valve, and in which a method described herein can be carried out.
• a method can be carried out in the washing device according to the invention in which, in a cleaning phase of the primary filter device, the rotatable filter element is rotated and, at the same time, the discharge pump is operated, so that a flow in the direction of the secondary filter device is generated in the aqueous liquid. Details of the washing device are therefore explained in more detail above in the description of the method according to the invention.
• the washing appliance is generally selected from the group consisting of a washing machine and a washer-dryer.
• the aqueous liquid to be filtered to remove microplastic particles is generally the washing solution from a tub used in the textile washing process.
• the washing appliance according to the invention is a washing machine or a washer-dryer, it generally also has a drum rotatably mounted in a tub for holding laundry items, as well as a water supply device.
• the latter can, for example, be a valve-controlled fresh water connection, with the valve preferably being controllable by the control unit.
• the invention offers numerous advantages. It enables the washing machine to operate with improved, more efficient use of the filter devices. Furthermore, the invention allows the filter motor, i.e., the drive motor for the filter element, to be designed for the optimal operating point during normal operation, thus optimizing space, performance, and cost. Finally, a reduction in the TCR is possible.
• TCR stands for Technical Call Rate and is a measure of how often a customer complains about a component and a service call is required.
• the basic design of the pump unit of the primary filter device in particular the motor size and the performance class of the electronic motor control, can be based on the normal load of the primary filter device caused by microplastics and lint. This allows the primary filter device to be optimized in terms of installation space and cost, and there is no need to maintain a higher performance for the rather rare case in which small particles enter the primary filter device.
• the invention is illustrated below with reference to a non-limiting embodiment of a second filter device usable according to the invention and a washing device according to the invention, in this case a washing machine. Reference is made to the Figures 1 to 5 .
• Fig. 1 shows, in a non-limiting embodiment, a washing machine 1 as an example of a washing appliance according to the invention.
• the washing machine 1 of Fig. 1 has a tub 2 in which a drum 3 is rotatably mounted and driven by a drive motor 5.
• Carriers 14 and scooping devices 17 on the inner surface of the drum shell ensure improved mixing of the aqueous liquid 7 with laundry items (not shown here).
• the washing machine 1 also has a water supply system comprising a water connection fitting 20 for the domestic water network, an electrically controllable valve 21, and a supply line 13 to the tub 2, which can optionally also be routed via a detergent dispenser tray 12, from which the incoming water can transport detergent portions into the tub 2 during a washing process.
• a heating device 16 is located in the tub 2.
• the valve 21 as well as the heating device 16 can be controlled by a control device 8 depending on a program flow plan, which can be linked to a time program and/or to the achievement of certain measured values of parameters such as water level, water temperature, drum speed, etc. within the washing machine 1.
• 9 denotes a motor-drum control unit.
• the washing machine 1 has an acoustic and/or optical input and display unit 11 with which, for example and in particular, the execution of a washing program can be displayed.
• the 18 means a pump (drain pump) connected to the control device 8 for pumping the aqueous liquid 7 out of the tub 2 and for supporting in the method according to the invention.
• the discharge pump 18 is arranged in the drainage channel 23.
• a primary filter device 22 with a rotatable filter element 24 for separating a moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles from an aqueous liquid 7 from the tub 2 is arranged in the drainage channel 23.
• the primary filter device 22 is connected via a conveying line 26 to the secondary filter device 4 next to the dispenser tray 12.
• the secondary filter device 4 serves to receive the moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles separated by the filter element 24, as well as small parts not shown in detail here.
• the second filter device 4 contains a water-permeable filter bag 6 for receiving the moist mass 25 containing microplastic particles.
• Fig. 2 shows in an open, from the laundry treatment device of Fig. 1 in the state pulled out by a user, a one-piece arrangement comprising a dispenser tray 12 and a second filter device 4.
• the internal structure of the dispenser tray 12 and a lower part of the secondary filter device 4 is clearly shown here, wherein no filter bag is shown on the filter bag engaging part 10.
• Fig. 3 shows a section through a primary filter device 22 that can be used according to the invention.
• a discharge pump (not shown in detail here) conveys an aqueous liquid pumped out of a lye container (also not shown here) via the inlet (connection) 28 into the primary filter device 22.
• the aqueous liquid then enters an interior of filter element 24, where microplastic particles and any small parts present there are filtered out.
• 31 denotes an outlet from the interior of filter element 24.
• the filtered aqueous liquid from the interior of filter element 24 then enters a sewer (not shown here) via the outlet 29 for disposal.
• an increased liquid flow is generated in the direction of a secondary filter device, which leaves the primary filter device at connection 30.
• the increased liquid flow is generated by the operation of the discharge pump and the rotation of filter element 24.
• a pump impeller 27 is attached to the filter element 24, which also rotates when filter element 24 rotates, thereby generating a liquid flow.
• 34 means a drive motor for the filter element 24 or the pump wheel 27.
• the arrows indicate the flow direction of an aqueous liquid (not shown here in detail), e.g., a washing solution from a washing machine's tub (also not shown here) during operation of the drain pump.
• the aqueous liquid flows into the interior of the rotatable filter element 24.
• Fig. 4 shows a perspective exterior view of the Fig. 3 primary filter device 22 shown.
• an increased liquid flow is generated toward a secondary filter device, which leaves the primary filter device 22 at connection 30.
• 28 denotes an inlet for the aqueous liquid from the discharge pump.
• 29 denotes an outlet for the filtered aqueous liquid into a drainage channel (not shown here), also referred to as a wastewater channel.
• Fig. 5 shows a schematic drawing of the interaction of the components of a washing appliance according to the invention used in the method according to the invention.
• the aqueous liquid purified therein by filtration reaches the outlet 29 for disposal or further use in the drainage channel, which can be closed by a second valve 33.
• the mass of microparticles and small parts located in front of a filter element (not shown here) of the primary filter device 22 reaches the outlet 30 into the conveying line 26, which can be closed by a first valve 32, and then to the secondary filter device 4, which can be arranged, for example, in or next to a dispenser tray (not shown here).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
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• 2024
  • 2024-03-20 DE DE102024202632.8A patent/DE102024202632A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-02-20 EP EP25159110.3A patent/EP4621119A1/fr active Pending

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