Washing Machine

Abstract

A washing machine includes a tub ( 2 ), a draining circuit ( 16 ) fluidly connected to the tub ( 2 ) for draining fluid from the tub ( 2 ), a recirculation circuit ( 10 ) fluidly connected to a lower portion of the tub ( 2 ) for recirculating fluid from the lower portion of the tub ( 2 ) into the tub, and a filter element ( 28, 28′, 28″ ) at an inlet ( 14 ) of the recirculation circuit ( 10 ) for preventing foreign objects from entering the recirculation circuit. The filter element ( 28, 28′, 28″ ) includes at least one filter aperture for letting fluid pass. The at least one filter aperture extends to a lateral border of the filter element ( 28, 28′, 28″ ), such that the at least one filter aperture comprises an opening in its perimeter and/or the at least one filter aperture ( 34 a - e ) forms a-at least two filter fingers ( 35 a - d, 35 a ′- d′, 35 a ″- f ′) spaced from one another.

1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a tub,   a draining circuit fluidly connected to the tub for draining fluid from the tub,   a recirculation circuit fluidly connected to a lower portion of the tub for recirculating fluid from the lower portion of the tub into the tub, and   a filter element at an inlet of the recirculation circuit for preventing foreign objects to enter the recirculation circuit,   wherein at least one filter aperture of the filter element extends to a lateral border of the filter element, such that the at least one filter aperture comprises an opening in its perimeter and/or the at least one filter aperture forms at least two filter fingers spaced from one another.   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body and/or main area of the filter element extends into the draining circuit, or into the tub or into a sump of the washing machine, as a free-standing element. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a gap is formed between the filter element and an inner surface of the draining circuit, or of the tub or of a sump of the washing machine and/or wherein the recirculation circuit inlet is arranged at a backside of the filter element. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body and/or main area of the filter element forms a flow deflection element for deflecting and/or redirecting the water flowing from the tub to the draining circuit during a draining phase. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the filter element extending into the draining circuit, or tub or sump comprises the at least one filter aperture and wherein a portion of the filter element attached to or at the draining circuit, or tub or sump, comprises a closed surface. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two filter fingers are aligned parallel or substantially parallel to a flow direction of fluid flowing from the tub to the draining circuit. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter aperture comprises a shape which is tapered from the opening to a base of the at least one aperture opposite to the opening and/or the at least two filter fingers are tapered from a base of each of the filter fingers to the free-end thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one filter aperture comprises and/or the at least two filter fingers comprise a shape selected from rectangular, substantially rectangular, triangular, substantially triangular, semicircular or substantially semicircular. 
     
     
         9 . Washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter element comprises at least four filter fingers, preferably at least six filter fingers or eight filter fingers. 
     
     
         10 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine comprises a valve arranged between the tub and the draining circuit, wherein the valve comprises a valve body, a valve seat, and a movable closure element adapted to be releasable engaged with the valve seat to close or open the valve. 
     
     
         11 . A washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the filter element and/or the inlet of the filter element is placed downstream of a valve seat of the valve. 
     
     
         12 . A washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the valve is closed and opened in dependency of a water level and/or a pressure difference between the tub and the valve body. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein a surface the filter element facing the valve is shaped to receive the movable closure element on or at said surface. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the movable closure element comprises a spherical or substantially spherical shape. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter element comprises in at least one cross-section plane a totally or partially arched or bent or hemispherical cross-section, and/or it is totally or partially concave in drain flow direction or as seen from the tub side. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein a gap is formed between the filter element and an inner surface of the draining circuit, or of the tub or of a sump of the washing machine and/or wherein the recirculation circuit inlet is arranged at a backside of the filter element. 
     
     
         17 . A washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the main body and/or main area of the filter element forms a flow deflection element for deflecting and/or redirecting the water flowing from the tub to the draining circuit during a draining phase. 
     
     
         18 . A washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the main body and/or main area of the filter element forms a flow deflection element for deflecting and/or redirecting the water flowing from the tub to the draining circuit during a draining phase. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the free end of the filter element extending into the draining circuit, or tub or sump comprises the at least one filter aperture and wherein a portion of the filter element attached to or at the draining circuit, or tub or sump, comprises a closed surface. 
     
     
         20 . A washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein the free end of the filter element extending into the draining circuit, or tub or sump comprises the at least one filter aperture and wherein a portion of the filter element attached to or at the draining circuit, or tub or sump, comprises a closed surface.