Washing Machine and Method for Washing Textiles

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a washing machine for washing textiles, including a tub for receiving a washing liquid, a laundry drum inserted at least partially into the tub, a drive for rotating the laundry drum in the tub and a discharge line connected to the tub for discharging washing liquid from the tub. In order to be able to separate the microplastic fibres more easily, cost-effectively and reliably from the washing water or another washing liquid, it is provided that an intermediate storage device is provided for temporarily storing washing liquid discharged via the discharge line, a centrifuge unit rotated by the drive together with the laundry drum for separating microplastic fibres and a return line for transferring the washing liquid from the intermediate storage device into the centrifuge unit.

Claims

1. A washing machine for washing textiles, comprising a tub for receiving a washing liquid, a laundry drum at least partially into the tub, a drive for rotating the laundry drum in the tub and a discharge line connected to the tub for discharging washing liquid from the tub, wherein an intermediate storage device is provided for the temporarily storing washing liquid discharged via the discharge line, a centrifuge unit rotated by the drive together with the laundry drum for separating microplastic fibres and a return line for transferring the washing liquid from the intermediate storage device into the centrifuge unit.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge unit is coupled to the laundry drum in such manner that the centrifuge unit and the laundry drum are driven at least temporarily at the same rotational speed and in that, preferably, the centrifuge unit is provided in the laundry drum, in particular is integrated into the drum.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge unit has at least one annular centrifuge chute and in that, preferably, the at least one centrifuge chute is provided adjacent to the textile opening of the laundry drum and/or adjacent to the bottom of the laundry drum opposite the textile opening.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge unit has at least one centrifuge chute extending at least substantially in a straight line and in that, preferably, the centrifuge chute extends at least substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum, in particular on the inner side of the laundry drum.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the centrifuge chute has at least one weir-like overflow for cleaned overflow liquid and in that, preferably, the overflow is provided in such manner that the overflow liquid enters the tub and/or the discharge line connected to the tub for discharging washing liquid from the tub.

6. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the centrifuge chute is assigned a resealable residual liquid drain for draining the residual liquid remaining in the centrifuge chute after separating microplastic fibres and in that, preferably, the residual liquid drain is designed as a residual liquid flap and in that, further preferably, the residual liquid flap is designed to be opened as a result of gravity and closed as a result of centrifugal force.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the overflow is connected to an overflow discharge line and the residual liquid drain is connected to a residual liquid discharge line for separately discharging overflow liquid and residual liquid.

8. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least one centrifuge chute has an entry opening for the inflow of washing liquid in a radial direction further outwards than an upper edge of the overflow and in that, preferably, two centrifuge chutes are connected to one another via an opening or a channel forming the entry opening.

9. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least one centrifuge chute is arranged in at least one lifting bar of the laundry drum and in that, preferably, the centrifuge chute and/or the lifting bar is designed to be removable.

10. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the at least one centrifuge chute comprises two chute elements extending at least substantially parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation and connected to one another via a deflection and in that, preferably, the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the centrifuge chute for the washing liquid is assigned to the bottom of the laundry drum or to the textile opening of the laundry drum.

11. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least one centrifuge chute is provided in a centrifuge cartridge at the bottom of the laundry drum and in that the centrifuge cartridge is removable and/or has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for the washing liquid at the rear side of the centrifuge cartridge.

12. The method for washing textiles using a washing machine according to claim 1, in which textiles are washed in the laundry drum in the washing liquid in the tub, in which the washing liquid is channelled from the tub via the discharge line into the intermediate storage device after washing, in which the washing liquid is channelled at least partially from the intermediate storage device via the return line into the centrifuge unit, in which the centrifuge unit is rotated together with the laundry drum, in which microplastic fibres are separated from the washing liquid in the centrifugal force direction during rotation in the centrifuge unit and in which the cleaned washing fluid is discharged.

13. The method according to claim 12, in which the separation of the microplastic fibres from the washing liquid takes place by rotating the laundry drum when spinning the textiles in the laundry drum and/or in which the separated microplastic fibres remain in the washing machine after washing the textiles.

14. The method according to claim 12, in which the cleaned washing liquid flows out of the centrifuge unit via a weir-like overflow as overflow liquid and/or in which residual liquid not flowing out via the overflow after the separation of the microplastic fibres drains as residual liquid from the centrifuge unit via a residual liquid drain, in particular a residual liquid flap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing which merely represents preferred exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows:

[0038] FIG. 1A-B a first washing machine according to the invention and a detail of the washing machine in a schematic sectional view from the side,

[0039] FIG. 2 a detail of a second washing machine according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the side,

[0040] FIG. 3 a detail of a third washing machine according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the side,

[0041] FIG. 4 a fourth washing machine according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the side,

[0042] FIG. 5 a detail of a fifth washing machine according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the side,

[0043] FIG. 6A-B a sixth washing machine according to the invention and a detail of the washing machine in schematic sectional views from different sides and

[0044] FIG. 7 a detail of a seventh washing machine according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In FIG. 1A, a sectional view of a washing machine 1 in the configuration of a top loader is represented. The washing machine 1 thereby has a tub 2 in which washing liquid 3 in the form of washing water can be introduced. In principle, a different washing liquid could also be used, but since the washing machine will be preferred in particular for use with washing water, the term washing water is used below, but other liquids should not thereby be excluded.

[0046] In the tub 2, there is a laundry drum 4, which has openings 5 via which washing water 3 can flow into the laundry drum 4 receiving the textiles 6 to be washed. The textiles 6 are introduced into the laundry drum 4 from above through a textile opening 7 and are supported by the opposite bottom 8 of the laundry drum 4. The laundry drum 4 is connected via a shaft 9 to a drive 10, which is an electromotive drive 10. The electromotive drive 10 sets the laundry drum 4 into rotation, whereby the direction of rotation can change over time in order to ensure a satisfactory washing process of the textiles 6. When the washing process of the textiles 6 is completed, the microplastic fibres 11 have largely transferred from the textiles 6 to the washing water 3. The washing water 3 enriched with the microplastic fibres 11 is now pumped out of the tub 2 of the washing machine 1 via a pump 12 and pumped into an intermediate storage device 14 via a discharge line 13. For this purpose, a shut-off device 15 ensures that the washing water 3 is not pumped out of the washing machine 1 via an outlet opening 16. During the suction of washing water 3 from the tub 2, the laundry drum 4 can be set into a slight rotation such that additional washing water 3 is removed from the textile 6. If the washing water 3 is received at least for the most part in the intermediate storage device 14, the laundry drums 4 can be spun or rotated at a very high rotational speed. This would be referred to as spinning if the textiles 6 are still present in the laundry drum 4. This will in many cases be preferred in order to further drain the textiles 6.

[0047] If the laundry drum 4 rotates very quickly, the washing water 3 can be channelled from the intermediate storage device 14 via a return line 17 into a centrifuge unit 18, which in the represented and in this respect preferred washing machine 1 comprises a centrifuge chute 19 provided in the edge of the laundry drum 4 adjoining the textile opening 7. It is not represented in detail that the centrifuge unit 18 and/or the centrifuge chute 19 is designed to be removable in order to be able to clean it better. The centrifuge chute 19 is provided circumferentially around the laundry drum 4 and has a bottom 20 on which the microplastic fibres 11 settle as a result of the centrifugal forces. The cross-section of the centrifuge chute 19 is at least substantially U-shaped, wherein the two U-limbs are of different lengths. The U-limb 21 facing the textile opening 7 of the laundry drum 4 is shorter than the opposite U-limb 22 such that the free end of the outer, shorter U-limb 21 has an overflow 23 for the washing water 3. For the sake of simplicity, the overflow 23 can be provided circumferentially to the centrifuge chute 19. However, in order to increase the residence time of the washing water 3 in the centrifuge chute 19, it may be advisable if the overflow 23 is only provided in sections. One or a plurality of sections can be provided with overflow 23. The washing water 3 is then supplied at least temporarily at a greater distance from the overflow 23 of the centrifuge chute 19, so that the washing water 3 must cover a greater distance from there in order to reach the next overflow 23. This ensures an overall sufficient residence time of the washing water 3 in the centrifuge chute 19.

[0048] From the at least one overflow 23, the washing water 3 then passes back into the tub 2 as overflow liquid 24 in the form of overflow water, from where the overflow water 24 can be pumped out of the washing machine 1 from the outlet opening 16. For this purpose, the corresponding shut-off device 15 is then set such that the pump 12 pumps the overflow water 24 not into the intermediate storage device 14, but out of the washing machine 1. Since the rotational speeds during spinning of the textiles 6 are typically already very high, a very large part of the microplastic fibres 11 washed out of the textiles 6 can simultaneously be separated during spinning. The separated microplastic fibres 11 can then be manually removed from the centrifuge chute 19 and disposed of in a suitable manner.

[0049] In FIG. 1B, a detail of the washing machine 1 from FIG. 1A in the region of the centrifuge chute 19 is represented in an enlarged manner. The centrifuge chute 19 circulates around the textile opening 7 of the laundry drum 4 and has a higher circumferential U-limb 22 in the direction of the bottom 8 of the laundry drum 4 than the U-limb 21 towards the textile opening. As a result of the centrifugal forces during the fast rotation of the laundry drum 4, the microplastic fibres 11 settle on the bottom 20 of the centrifuge chute 19 and the cleaned washing water 3 overflows outwards as overflow water 24 via the overflow 23 as the upper outer edge of the centrifuge chute 19. On the rear side of the centrifuge chute 19, the overflow water 24 runs downwards on the outer side of the laundry drum 4 in the direction of the bottom of the tub 2. While the laundry drum 4 rotates quickly, a residual liquid flap 25 designed as a residual water flap is also closed. This is articulated so as to be pivotable on the centrifuge chute 19 such that the free end of the residual water flap 25 points approximately radially outwards with sufficient centrifugal forces and thus closes the centrifuge chute 19.

[0050] If the rotational speed of the laundry drum 4 decreases, the influence of the centrifugal force on the residual water flap 25 prevails, which consequently hangs downwards and releases a residual water opening 26 in the lower edge of the centrifuge chute 19. Residual liquid 27 in the form of residual water can then be drained through this residual water opening 26 from the centrifuge chute 19, which has passed as overflow water 24 via the overflow 23 of the centrifuge chute 19. The residual water 27 enters a residual water channel 28 in order to avoid contact with the textiles 6 in the laundry drum 4. In the represented and in this respect preferred washing machine 1, the residual water channel 28 opens at the outer side of the laundry drum 4, so that the overflow water 24 and the residual water 27 can be collected together in the tub 2, provided that the overflow water 24 has not already been pumped out before the residual water 27 returns to the tub 2.

[0051] With regard to the representation of FIG. 1B, it should be noted that this is purely schematic and that the washing water 3 in the centrifuge chute 19 is represented for the case where the laundry drum 4 rotates very quickly. For the sake of clarity, the residual water flap 25, on the other hand, is represented in an open state, which occurs if the laundry drum 4 does not rotate or rotates only slowly. In addition, it should be noted in principle that one can essentially proceed such that the textiles 6 are first spun until no or hardly any washing water 3 can be removed from the textiles 6. The washing water 3 from the intermediate storage device 14 can then be cleaned by means of the centrifuge unit 18 for the purpose of separating microplastic fibres 11. However, washing water 3 can also be cleaned in the centrifuge unit 18 for the purpose of separating microplastic fibres 11, while washing water 3 is removed from the textiles 6 by spinning the textiles 6. The washing water 3 can then be pumped together at least partially and/or temporarily back into the intermediate storage device 14 and then supplied back to the centrifuge unit 18. Almost all washing water 3, including the washing water 3 remaining in the textiles 6 during the washing process, is treated in the centrifuge unit 18.

[0052] In FIG. 2, a detail of an alternative washing machine 31 in the manner of a top loader according to FIG. 1B is represented. The washing machine 31 is at least substantially the same as the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1. However, an outer overflow discharge line 32 is provided into which the overflow water 24 enters as a result of the centrifugal forces acting on the overflow water 24. The overflow water 24 is then discharged via the overflow discharge line 32, and namely separately from the residual water 27. The residual water 27 enters from the centrifuge chute 34 via the residual water flap 35 and the residual water channel 36 into a separate residual water discharge line 37. In this way, if desired, the overflow water 24 with relatively few microplastic fibres 11 can be separated from the residual water 27, which can potentially have a significant proportion of microplastic fibres 11. The residual water 27 is discharged in order to avoid coming into contact with the textiles 6 in the laundry drum 38 and remaining in the washing machine 31. The residual water 27 can then be cleaned during the next washing process together with the further washing water 3.

[0053] In FIG. 3, a detail of a further washing machine 41 in the manner of a top loader according to FIG. 1B is represented. The washing machine 41 is thereby at least substantially the same as the washing machine 1 of FIG. 1. In contrast, however, two centrifuge chutes 42, 43 are provided on top of one another and adjacent to one another. In this washing machine 41, the washing water 3 enters via the return line 42 into the upper centrifuge chute 42, which has an opening in the region of the bottom 44 corresponding to at least one entry opening 45, via which the washing water 3 passes from the first upper centrifuge chute 42 into the second, lower centrifuge chute 43, namely in the region of the bottom 46 of the lower centrifuge chute 43. If required, only one or a plurality of entry openings can be distributed more or, if required, less evenly over the circumference of the upper centrifuge chute 42.

[0054] An overflow 47 for the overflow of overflow water 24 is provided at the lower edge of the lower centrifuge chute 43. Therefore after entering the centrifuge unit 48 of the laundry drum 49, the washing water 3 only exits the centrifuge unit 48 again after a considerable residence time, which has a positive effect on the separation of the microplastic fibres 11. In principle, however, the two centrifuge chutes could also be interchanged so that the washing water 3 first enters the first, lower centrifuge chute and then passes into the second, upper centrifuge chute on the bottom side in order to overflow outwards as overflow water 24 via the upper edge of the upper centrifuge chute.

[0055] The overflow 24 is designed as a weir which limits the fill level in the centrifuge chute 19 from which the overflow water 24 flows via channels to the outer sides of the laundry drum 49 and back into the tub there.

[0056] In FIG. 4, a washing machine 51 in the manner of a front loader is represented in a sectional view. In this washing machine 51, too, a tub 52 and a laundry drum 53 arranged therein are provided. However, the laundry drum 53 and the tub 52 are inclined to the side by about 90° compared to a top loader. Thus, the axis of rotation D of the laundry drum 53 does not extend roughly vertically upwards, but roughly horizontally to the side. In the case of the washing machine 51 of FIG. 4, analogously to washing machine 1 of FIG. 1, an intermediate storage device 14 for washing water 3 is provided which is connected to the tub 52 via a drain line 13 and a return line 17. A pump 12 and a shut-off device 15 in the form of a two-way valve are provided for circulating or pumping the washing water 3 out of the outlet opening 16 in order to specify the direction of the washing water flow.

[0057] The return line 17 guides the washing water 3 from the intermediate storage device 14 into a circumferential return channel 54 behind the bottom 46 of the laundry drum 53 and, if required, at a height above the height of the washing water 3 in the tub 52 when washing the textiles 6. From the return channel 17, the washing water 3 enters at least one centrifuge chute 55, which extends within a lifting bar 56 in a roughly straight line and roughly parallel to the axis of rotation D of the laundry drum 53. The centrifuge chute 55 is therefore provided in a region of the laundry drum 53 which is not accessible to the textiles 6. The washing water 3 thereby flows to the front end of the laundry drum 53 in the region of the textile opening 57 and flows out there via an overflow 58 of the centrifuge chute 55 as cleaned overflow water 24 into the tub 52. After the microplastic fibres 11 have been separated from the washing water 3 in the at least one centrifuge chute 55, the centrifuge chute 55 can be removed from the laundry drum 53 in order to clean the centrifuge chute 53 and dispose of the microplastic fibres 11 separated there. Alternatively or additionally, the respectively corresponding lifting bar 56 can also be removed or opened in order to gain access to the associated centrifuge chute 55. The centrifuge chute 55 can then be cleaned and the removed microplastic fibres 11 can then be disposed of. The part of the lifting bar 56 of the represented and in this respect preferred washing machine 51 comprising the centrifuge chute 55 must be closed with respect to the interior of the laundry drum 53. However, other regions of the lifting bar 56 can nonetheless, as is known, be hollow and have openings towards the laundry drum 53.

[0058] The overflow 58 of the centrifuge chute 55 can be closed during the washing of the textiles 6 by a non-return flap 59 in order to prevent the washing water 3 from penetrating into the centrifuge chute 55 during the washing of the textiles 6 and microplastic fibres 11 that have already been separated from being flushed out into the washing water 3. In the represented and in this respect preferred washing machine 51, the non-return flap 59 can for example be adjusted by means of an electromagnet. If the non-return flap 59 is assigned to the outer side of the laundry drum 52, the non-return flap 59 can simply be opened by means of the centrifugal force or the water pressure during spinning, in particular against the restoring force of a spring means.

[0059] In FIG. 5, an alternative washing machine 61 to the washing machine 51 according to FIG. 4 is represented. In contrast, the centrifuge chute 62 has two chute elements 63, 64, which are connected to one another by at least one deflection 65. Thus, the washing water 3 initially flows in one direction along the first chute element 63 and then after a redirection of the flow in a deflection 65 in the opposite direction along the second chute element 64. In the case of the represented washing machine 61, the washing water 3 is supplied on the same side of the laundry drum 66, in this case the side close to the bottom, via a return channel 67 and discharged via a separate discharge channel 68. The flow of the washing water 3 is maintained by centrifugal forces. In the represented washing machine 61, the chute elements 63, 64 are provided one above the other in a radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be provided that the chute elements are arranged next to one another in the circumferential direction and are connected to one another by a deflection pointing in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the chute elements 63, 64 and the deflection 65 are integrated into a lifting bar 69. This integration into a lifting bar 69 can also be provided if the chute elements 63, 64 are provided next to one another. However, it would also be conceivable to integrate the chute elements 63, 64 and the deflection 65 into the drum outside of lifting bars 69.

[0060] In FIG. 6A, an alternative washing machine 71 to the washing machine 51 according to FIG. 4 is represented. The washing machine 71 according to FIG. 6A has a centrifuge cartridge 72, which is assigned to the inner side of the bottom 73 of the laundry drum 74 and can be disassembled for cleaning and removing the separated microplastic fibres 11. A return channel 75 is thereby assigned to the bottom 73 of the laundry drum 74 in which the washing water 3 can be returned via the return line 17 from the intermediate storage device 14. From the circumferentially provided return channel 75, the washing water 3 enters the centrifuge cartridge 72 via an inlet opening 76, which cartridge 72 is represented viewed from behind in FIG. 6B. The inlet opening 76 is thereby provided further out in the radial direction than the maximum water level in the centrifuge chute 77 of the centrifuge cartridge 72. However, this is not mandatory. The centrifuge chute 77 is thereby not completely circumferential, but rather provided with opposing ends in the circumferential direction, wherein the inlet opening 76 is assigned to one end and the outlet opening 78 to the other end. In this case, the outlet opening 78 is provided slightly further inwards in the radial direction than the inlet opening 76 to determine the maximum water level. The washing water 3 must therefore flow virtually in a circle once in order pass from the inlet opening 76 to the outlet opening 78, which is connected to a discharge channel 79. The associated residence time should be sufficient to achieve a satisfactory separation of the microplastic fibres 11. Alternatively, two or more centrifuge chutes can also be provided one after the other in the circumferential direction in the centrifuge cartridge. An inlet opening can then be assigned to one end of a centrifuge chute and an outlet opening to the respective other end of the centrifuge chute.

[0061] In FIG. 7, a further alternative of a washing machine 81 based on the washing machine 1 according to FIG. 1A-B is represented in detail. Again, adjoining the textile opening 7, a centrifuge unit 82 is integrated into the laundry drum 83, which has a circumferential centrifuge chute 84. At least one overflow 85 of the centrifuge chute 84 generally provided with a U-shaped cross-section is provided at least in sections facing the textile opening 7. If required, the washing water 3 can be pulled from the intermediate storage device into the centrifuge chute 77 as a result of the centrifugal forces when rotating the laundry drum 83. The washing water 3, which flows out laterally from the centrifuge chute 84 as overflow water 24 via the overflow 85, enters the tub 86 and can be pumped out from there. Alternatively, the overflow water 24 could also enter an overflow discharge line and be discharged via the overflow discharge line.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0062] 1 Washing machine

[0063] 2 Tub

[0064] 3 Washing water

[0065] 4 Laundry drum

[0066] 5 Openings

[0067] 6 Textiles

[0068] 7 Textile opening

[0069] 8 Bottom

[0070] 9 Shaft

[0071] 10 Drive

[0072] 11 Microplastic fibres

[0073] 12 Pump

[0074] 13 Discharge line

[0075] 14 Intermediate storage device

[0076] 15 Shut-off device

[0077] 16 Outlet opening

[0078] 17 Return line

[0079] 18 Centrifuge unit

[0080] 19 Centrifuge chute

[0081] 20 Bottom

[0082] 21 U-limb

[0083] 22 U-limb

[0084] 23 Overflow

[0085] 24 Overflow water

[0086] 25 Residual water flap

[0087] 26 Residual water opening

[0088] 27 Residual water

[0089] 28 Residual water channel

[0090] 31 Washing machine

[0091] 32 Overflow discharge line

[0092] 34 Centrifuge chute

[0093] 35 Residual water flap

[0094] 36 Residual water channel

[0095] 37 Residual water discharge line

[0096] 38 Laundry drum

[0097] 41 Washing machine

[0098] 42 Upper centrifuge chute

[0099] 43 Lower centrifuge chute

[0100] 44 Bottom

[0101] 45 Entry opening

[0102] 46 Bottom

[0103] 47 Overflow

[0104] 48 Centrifuge unit

[0105] 49 Laundry drum

[0106] 51 Washing machine

[0107] 52 Tub

[0108] 53 Laundry drum

[0109] 54 Return channel

[0110] 55 Centrifuge chute

[0111] 56 Lifting bar

[0112] 57 Textile opening

[0113] 58 Overflow

[0114] 59 Non-return flap

[0115] 61 Washing machine

[0116] 62 Centrifuge chute

[0117] 63 Chute element

[0118] 64 Chute element

[0119] 65 Deflection

[0120] 66 Laundry drum

[0121] 67 Return channel

[0122] 68 Discharge channel

[0123] 69 Lifting bar

[0124] 71 Washing machine

[0125] 72 Centrifuge cartridge

[0126] 73 Bottom

[0127] 74 Laundry drum

[0128] 75 Return channel

[0129] 76 Inlet opening

[0130] 77 Centrifuge chute

[0131] 78 Outlet opening

[0132] 79 Discharge channel

[0133] 81 Washing machine

[0134] 82 Centrifuge unit

[0135] 83 Laundry drum

[0136] 84 Centrifuge chute

[0137] 85 Overflow

[0138] 86 Tub

[0139] D Axis of rotation