CN107641948B

CN107641948B - Filter element and device for treating laundry

Info

Publication number: CN107641948B
Application number: CN201710600788.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·贝利茨; O·武特戈
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2016-07-21
Filing date: 2017-07-21
Publication date: 2021-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-21
Also published as: EP3272934B1; EP3272934A1; PL3272934T3; CN107641948A; DE102016213321A1

Abstract

The filter insert has a filter bag and a mounting unit connected thereto in a manner that can be released without damage for mounting the filter insert on a component of the appliance, wherein the mounting unit has an air inlet section. The filter insert comprises two elastic and bending-resistant rails which are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag and each have, on the sides facing each other, a connecting means which extends at least over a part of the longitudinal extent of the respective rail and is connected in a manner such that it can be released without damage to the connecting means of the respective other rail; two guide means arranged on the side of the mounting unit facing the filter bag, into which guide means the rails are introduced and which extend on the sides of the rails facing away from each other; at least one release element is arranged between the guides on the insertion side, which release element is arranged relative to the guides in such a way that, when the rails connected to one another by the connecting means are inserted into the guides, it reaches between the rails and pushes the rails apart from one another, so that the connected connecting means are released from one another.

Description

Filter element and device for treating laundry

Technical Field

The invention relates to a filter insert for filtering process air in an appliance for treating laundry, in particular a laundry dryer, having at least one filter bag with at least one air inlet opening, and having at least one mounting unit which is connected to the filter bag in a manner that can be damaged and which covers the air inlet opening and is used for the defined mounting of the filter insert on a component of the appliance, wherein the mounting unit has at least one air inlet section via which the process air reaches the filter bag.

The invention also relates to a device for treating laundry, in particular a clothes dryer, having at least one front end cap and at least one process gas circuit having a ventilation shaft arranged on the end cap, on which a receptacle for receiving a filter insert is formed.

Background

The dryer comprises a process air circuit in which the drying air is turned during the implementation of the drying process. In this case, the drying air is guided through a container in which a drum containing the laundry to be dried is rotatably arranged and which forms a section of the process air circuit. The drum is rotated during the drying process, whereby the laundry present in the drum is moved. In this case, in particular lint and hair can fall off the laundry and be carried along by the drying air. In order to prevent these contaminants of the drying air from being introduced into the container or drum again in the closed process air circuit, it is known to filter the contaminants out of the drying air by means of a filter. If the dryer has a heat pump which is thermally coupled to the process air circuit, this can also be achieved by filtering the drying air, the heat exchanger of the heat pump no longer being loaded and contaminated with dirt, which can lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the heat pump.

The publication DE 102014211303 a1 relates to a laundry dryer having a drum rotatably mounted in a housing, a load opening which can be closed by a door, and a device for generating a process air flow which flows through an air guide device connected as a flow channel between the drum and a heat exchanger, the inlet opening of which is arranged in the curved region of the load opening. In the air guide device, the fluff is filtered by means of a bag, wherein a cover can be inserted above the bag, which cover, in the inserted state, forms a releasable connection with the bag inserted in the air guide device. The covering member and the bag constitute a filtering unit for filtering process air in the dryer. In order to arrange the filter unit on the air guide device, the bag is first inserted into the air guide device and the cover is then connected to the bag. The cover is not used for the intended mounting of the filter unit on the air guide. Instead, the filter bag of the filter unit is mounted on the air guide independently of the cover.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the invention is to reduce the maintenance effort for the operation of a device for treating laundry.

This object is achieved by a filter insert for filtering process air in a device for treating laundry and by a device for treating laundry. Advantageous configurations are given in the following description and the figures. The advantageous configurations may each form an extended, in particular also preferred or advantageous aspect of the invention by themselves or in various combinations with one another.

The filter insert according to the invention for filtering process air in an appliance for treating laundry, in particular a laundry dryer, comprises at least one filter bag having at least one air inlet opening, and at least one mounting unit which is connected to the filter bag in a manner such that it can be released without damage and covers the air inlet opening and is used for the defined mounting of the filter insert on a component of the appliance, wherein the mounting unit has at least one air inlet section via which the process air reaches the filter bag. Furthermore, the filter insert comprises two elastic and bending-resistant rails which are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag and which each have, on the sides facing each other, at least one connecting means extending at least over a part of the longitudinal extension of the respective rail, which connecting means can be connected in a manner such that it can be released without damage to the connecting means of the respective other rail. The filter insert furthermore comprises two guide devices arranged on the side of the mounting unit facing the filter bag, into which guide devices one of the rails is in each case introduced and which extend on the sides of the rails facing away from one another. The filter insert furthermore comprises at least one release element arranged between the guide devices on the insertion side, which release element is arranged relative to the guide devices in such a way that, when the rails connected to one another by the connecting means are inserted into the guide devices, it reaches between the rails and pushes the rails apart from one another, so that the connected connecting means are released from one another.

According to the invention, the filter bag can be closed first before it is arranged on the mounting unit in such a way that the connecting means of the rails are connected to each other. In this state, the two rails extend substantially parallel to each other. In order to arrange the filter bags on the mounting unit, the rails are each guided into a respective guide device, proceeding from the guide region of the mounting unit. The two rails are in contact with a release element, which is arranged on the side of the mounting unit facing the filter bag and can be configured, for example, in a wedge-shaped manner. When the rails are inserted further into the guide between the rails, the release element reaches between the rails and pushes the rails apart from one another. Thereby releasing the interconnected connector pieces from each other and thereby opening the filter bag. The guide device is preferably designed such that it delimits the opening of the filter bag to a defined size after the separation of the connecting means. For this purpose, the guide devices can be designed such that the distance between them, starting from the insertion region, first increases, then remains approximately constant and finally decreases again. If the rail is guided in the guide device in a defined manner, the filter bag can be opened in such a way that the air inlet opening of the filter bag has an approximately elliptical cross section with two non-rounded ends on the main axis. In the filter insert according to the invention, the filter bag can be arranged on the mounting unit in a simple manner by a person introducing the rail into the guide device. In this case, the filter bag opens automatically.

The filter insert according to the invention can only be arranged as a whole on the receptacle on the appliance, since the filter bag is to be arranged in the receptacle and it is therefore not possible for the rails arranged on the filter bag to be guided into the guide means on the mounting unit by the movement of the filter bag when the filter bag is inserted into the receptacle. Furthermore, the mounting unit cannot be moved relative to the filter bag engaged in the receptacle due to the limited mounting space, in order to thereby guide the rail into the guide device. Likewise, the filter insert according to the invention can only be removed as a whole from the receptacle on the appliance.

In order to release the filter bag from the mounting unit, the filter bag can be moved relative to the mounting unit in the direction of the insertion region of the mounting unit. The guide devices are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that they now press the sections of the two rails located in the end regions against one another before leaving the guide devices in such a way that the connecting means of the rails are connected to one another. The filter bag is thereby automatically closed when the rail is pulled out of the guide. This prevents dirt contained in the filter bag from passing from the filter bag into the surroundings when the filter bag is replaced, transported or stored. The filter bag can be released from the mounting unit in a simple manner in the filter cartridge according to the invention by a person pulling the rail out of the guide device.

The two rails may be partially or completely made of plastic. Due to the elastic design of the rails, they can be inserted into the guide that extends in a curved manner without great expenditure of force and preferably assume a straight shape without being loaded. The bending-resistant configuration of the rail prevents the rail from bending during insertion into the guide device, which makes insertion difficult. The rails are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag, which can be particularly indicated by the fact that the rails are arranged adjacent to the air inlet opening of the filter bag. The rail may at least partially elongate the filter bag in the region of the air inlet opening. Preferably, the rail is dimensioned so large that a person can carry the filter bag in such a way that the person grips the rail without the carrying hand coming into contact with the filter bag.

The two guide means can be formed by guide elements, for example ribs extending in a curved manner or the like, which are arranged on the bottom side of the mounting unit facing the filter bag. The guide element, for example made of plastic, can be manufactured integrally with the mounting unit.

The release element arranged between the guide devices on the insertion side is arranged on the lower side of the mounting unit facing the filter bag. The release element, for example made of plastic, can be manufactured integrally with the mounting unit. In order to reach between the rails and to push the rails apart from each other when the rails connected to each other by the connecting means are introduced into the guide device, the release element is arranged between the guide devices in the introduction region of the mounting unit.

The filter insert according to the invention can be used for filtering process air in the form of dry air in an appliance for treating laundry. This filtering of the process air takes place outside the drying process during the implementation of a conventional drying process and/or a specific filtering process, for example in order to filter out specific dirt such as pollen, animal excrements and the like. The filter cartridge can be used in particular in a clothes dryer or washer dryer for filtering process air.

The filter bag is made of a filter material suitable for the respective purpose, in particular a fine filter material, such as a fabric, a knitted fabric, a felt or the like. The filter bag may be adapted to filter down hairs and/or hair and/or pollen and/or animal excrements and/or allergenic particles out of the process air. The filter bag can be designed as a one-way bag which, starting from a certain degree of soiling and/or a certain length of operation, separates and removes dirt from the mounting unit. Alternatively, the filter bag can be of cleanable, in particular washable, construction, so that the filter bag can be reused after cleaning.

The mounting unit may be made of plastic. The mounting unit may be designed such that it can be used during the entire life of the appliance. The mounting unit is connected to the filter bag in a non-destructive and releasable manner by means of a connection between a rail fixed to the filter bag and a guide device arranged on the mounting unit. The mounting unit is arranged at least partially upstream of the filter bag with respect to a process air flow through the filter cartridge, such that the process air reaches the filter bag via at least one air conducting section of the mounting unit. The air conducting section can have a screen-like grid structure, through which the process air can flow with as little flow resistance as possible and which prevents other items, in particular laundry items, from reaching the filter bag. The mounting unit may also have two or more corresponding air conducting sections. Since the mounting unit covers the air inlet opening of the filter bag, process air can only reach the filter bag via the mounting unit. The mounting unit is designed to mount the filter insert on a component of the device as intended, which means that the mounting unit is supported on the component of the device and thus holds the filter insert in the desired position. The support of the filter insert by the filter bag is not possible because the filter bag is of flexible design.

The filter element according to the invention can be used as a replacement element for a conventional down screen. In this regard, the filter insert may be engaged in a receptacle provided for a down screen, for example on a front end cap of a conventional appliance. Conventional devices can thus be equipped with a filter insert according to the invention.

According to an advantageous configuration, the connecting means constitute a pressure closure or a sliding closure. In pressure closures, as are known, for example, from pressure closure bags, and in sliding closures (also referred to as sliding closures), as are known, for example, from sieve closure bags, the sides of the rails facing one another are each provided with closure webs which engage in one another in a form-fitting manner by at least partial deformation. The pressure closure as well as the sliding closure enable an approximately gas-tight closure of the filter bag. This is particularly advantageous when the filter insert is used to filter pollen or animal excrement or other allergic particles out of the process air, since these contaminants can lead to allergic reactions in humans in the environment. Alternatively, the connecting means may constitute, for example, a hook and loop closure or the like. The use of the mentioned type of closure enables a simple opening and closing of the filter bag.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rail is connected to the filter bag by a material-locking connection. The rails may be welded or glued to the filter bag, for example. The material-locking connection between the rail and the filter bag has the advantage that no mechanical connecting means are present, which would make it difficult to push the rail into the guide.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the filter insert comprises at least one latching element arranged on the mounting unit, which latching element latches the guide device in the insertion region for the rail in a latched position fixed to the mounting unit, wherein the guide device engages at an end region opposite the insertion region. If the locking element is moved out of its locking position, the insertion region on the mounting unit is released. Then, the closed filter bag may be arranged on the mounting unit as described above or the open filter bag arranged on the mounting unit may be removed or pulled out of the mounting unit. In order to arrange the filter bag on the mounting unit, the rail is pushed into the guide up to a stop on the end region. The locking element can then be brought into its locking position, so that the rail is arranged together with the filter bag in a loss-proof manner on the mounting unit.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rail is clamped between the end region and the blocking element in its blocking position. For this purpose, the length of the rail is adapted to the length of the guide. By clamping the rail, the rail bears tightly against the guide. This reliably prevents process air flowing into the filter insert from leaving the filter insert without passing through the filter bag or without being filtered.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the locking element is fixed in its locked position on the mounting unit via at least one latching connection or at least one tilting connection. This connection can be formed in a simple manner, for example by a special shaping of the blocking element and the section of the mounting unit that interacts with it.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the locking element is movably connected to the mounting unit or is a separate component. The locking element can be connected to the mounting unit movably or in a flap-like manner, for example, by a film hinge or a separate interface which is connected integrally to the mounting unit and the locking element. If the latching element is configured as a separate component, it can be completely released from the mounting unit.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the filter insert comprises at least one spacer element arranged in an end region on the mounting unit, which spacer element is arranged between the rails on the end side. The spacer element, for example made of plastic, can be manufactured integrally with the mounting unit. The spacer elements additionally ensure that the rails introduced into the guide remain spaced apart from one another and slightly bulge outward.

According to another advantageous configuration, the filter insert comprises at least one operating means arranged on the mounting unit. The user can grip the handling device in order to insert the filter insert into a receptacle formed on the appliance and remove it again from the receptacle. The actuating means can be arranged or formed on the mounting unit, for example, as a groove, a tongue, a ring, a hole or the like. The filter insert can also have two or more, in particular identical or different, operating means.

The appliance according to the invention for treating laundry, in particular a laundry dryer, comprises at least one front-side end cap, at least one process air circuit having an air well arranged on the end cap, on which a receptacle for receiving the filter insert is configured, and at least one filter insert according to one of the aforementioned configurations or any combination of at least two of these configurations, wherein the filter insert can be joined to the receptacle as a whole and removed from the receptacle as a whole.

The advantages mentioned above with respect to the filter cartridge are combined with the appliance accordingly. The appliance can be designed in particular for drying wet and/or damp laundry using a condensation drying device. The appliance may be configured, for example, as a domestic appliance in the form of a dryer or washer-dryer. The appliance can be designed to carry out a specific program, for example in the form of a time program, in order to be able to carry out a specific filtration of the process air. In particular, fluff, pollen, hair, animal excrement and/or allergenic particles can be filtered out of the process air and collected in the filter bag in a conventional drying program or in a special program, which dirt is detached from the laundry when the latter is moved in the drum of the appliance. Furthermore, particles that cause undesirable odors can be filtered out of the process air and collected in the filter bag. The process air circuit is preferably constructed to be closed. The appliance may have a heat pump thermally coupled to the process air loop.

The invention is not limited to the given combinations of features of the independent and dependent claims. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the individual features with one another, in particular the features described in the claims, the following description of the exemplary embodiments or directly from the drawings. Furthermore, the correspondence of the claims by the use of reference signs with the figures of the drawings shall in no way limit the scope of protection of the claims to the embodiments illustrated.

Drawings

The invention is exemplarily described below according to a preferred embodiment with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

The figures show:

fig. 1 is a schematic and perspective side view of an embodiment for a filter cartridge having a latching element in its latched position;

fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the filter insert shown in fig. 1 from below;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

fig. 4 is a schematic and perspective view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 3, viewed from obliquely above;

fig. 5 is a schematic and perspective view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 4, viewed obliquely from below;

fig. 6 is a schematic and perspective detail view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 5, viewed from obliquely below;

fig. 7 shows a further schematic and perspective detail of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 6 from obliquely below;

fig. 8 is a schematic and perspective side view of the filter insert shown in fig. 1 to 3, with the closure element in its open position;

fig. 9 is a schematic view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 8 from below;

FIG. 10 is a schematic and perspective side view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 8 with the filter bag disengaged from the mounting unit;

fig. 11 is a schematic and perspective detail view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 8 to 10, viewed from obliquely below;

fig. 12 shows a further schematic and perspective detail of the mounting unit shown in fig. 8 to 11 from obliquely below;

FIG. 13 is a schematic and perspective view of the filter bag shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10, with the rails in an open condition;

FIG. 14 is a schematic and perspective view of the filter bag shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 and 13, with the rails in the closed condition;

FIG. 15 is a schematic and perspective cross-sectional view of the filter bag of FIG. 14 having rails;

fig. 16 is a schematic and perspective view of an embodiment for an appliance.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter insert 1 for filtering process air in a device, not shown, for treating laundry.

The filter cartridge 1 comprises a filter bag 2 having an air inlet opening shown in fig. 3 and 13. The filter insert 1 furthermore comprises a mounting unit 3, which is connected to the filter bag 2 in a manner that can be released without damage and covers the air inlet opening, for the intended mounting of the filter insert 1 on a component of the appliance, which component is not shown. The mounting unit 3 comprises an air inlet section 4 with a plurality of air inlet openings 5 via which process air reaches the filter bags 2. The air inlet section 4 is arranged on the side of the mounting unit 3 facing away from the filter bag 2, wherein this side is bent, in particular as shown in fig. 3.

The filter insert 1 further comprises two elastic and flexurally stiff rails, which are shown in fig. 3, 10, 13, 14 and 15 and which are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag 2 and which each have, on the sides facing one another, a connecting means, which is shown in fig. 15 and extends at least over the entire longitudinal extent of the respective rail, which connecting means can be connected to the connecting means of the respective other rail in a manner such that they can be released without damage.

The filter insert 1 further comprises two guide devices which are arranged on the side of the mounting unit 3 facing the filter bag 2 and are shown in fig. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12, extend on the sides of the rails facing away from one another and in which only the guide device 9 is visible in fig. 1, while the other guide device is covered. One rail each of which is guided into a guide 9 (and 10, not shown).

The filter insert 1 furthermore comprises a release element, which is arranged between the guide devices on the insertion side, is covered in fig. 1, and is shown in fig. 6 and 12, and which is arranged relative to the guide devices in such a way that, when the rails connected to one another by the connecting means are inserted into the guide devices, it reaches between the rails and pushes the rails apart from one another, so that the connecting means connected to one another are released from one another.

Furthermore, the filter insert 1 comprises a locking element 6 arranged on the mounting unit 3, which locking element locks the guide device in the insertion region for the rail shown on the right in fig. 1 in the locked position shown in fig. 1 and fixed to the mounting unit 3. The guide device merges at the end region opposite the insertion region as shown in fig. 5, 7 and 9. In the locked position shown in fig. 1, the locking element 6 is fixed to the mounting unit 3 by at least one latching or tilting connection, not shown. The locking element 6 is movably connected to the mounting unit 3 via a connection 7, so that it can be pivoted from the illustrated locking position into the open position illustrated in fig. 8 to 12. The filter insert 1 also comprises a spacer element, which is arranged in an end region on the mounting unit 3, is covered in fig. 1 and is shown in fig. 7 and 9, and is arranged between the rails on the end side. The rail is clamped between the end region shown on the left in fig. 1 and the blocking element 6 in its blocking position, so that the rail bears tightly against the guide.

The filter cartridge 1 further comprises an operating means 8 in the form of a graspable handle arranged on the mounting unit 3. A person can grip the handle in order to handle the filter insert 1, in particular in order to place it in a receptacle provided on the appliance or to remove it therefrom.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the filter insert shown in fig. 1 from below. It can be seen in particular that the filter bag 2 is not flat but is spread open and therefore open, which means that the rails, not shown, are not connected to one another, at least in the middle region of the rails. Furthermore, two

guide devices

9 and 10 are shown, which have an extension that curves away from one another, so that an approximately oval space exists between the

rails

9 and 10, through which space process air flows into the filter bag 2.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the filter insert 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2, wherein the section extends in the region of the air inlet section 4 of the installation unit 3, which engages in an opening on the operating means shown in fig. 1. The

guides

9 and 10 are each L-shaped in cross section.

Rails

11 and 12 are shown, which are connected in a material-locking manner to the filter bags 2 and which engage in the

guides

9 and 10. Since the

rails

11 and 12 are clamped between the blocking element shown in fig. 1 and 2 and the opposite end regions of the mounting unit 3, in which the

guide devices

9 and 10 are located, the

rails

11 and 12 are pushed apart from one another and pressed tightly against the

guide devices

9 and 10.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic and perspective view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 3, viewed from obliquely above. The folded-in air inlet section 4 of the mounting unit 3, the blocking element 6 in its blocking position, the actuating means 8 and the guide device 10 can be seen in particular.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic and perspective view of the mounting unit shown in fig. 1 to 4 viewed obliquely from below. It can be seen that the air intake section 4 is supported by the support element 13.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic and perspective detail view of the mounting unit 3 shown in fig. 1 to 5 from obliquely below. The lead-in area of the mounting unit 3 is shown. Between the ends of the

guides

9 and 10 in the insertion region, there is a gap through which a rail, not shown in fig. 6, can be inserted into the

guides

9 and 10. In the end region, a partially wedge-shaped release element 14 is arranged, which engages the gap at a defined distance. If the interconnected rails are guided through the gap, the guided ends of the rails move towards the release element 14. When the rail is further introduced into the

guides

9 and 10, the release element 14 is squeezed between these ends of the rail, so that the interconnected connecting means continue to release from each other with continued introduction of the rail. The wedge-shaped configuration of the release element 14 also serves to deflect the rails released from one another in the direction of the

respective guide

9 or 10, so that they move along the

respective guide

9 or 10 and, when they are clamped, are pressed tightly against the

guides

9 and 10 by the latching element being moved into its latching position shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic and perspective detail view of the mounting unit 3 shown in fig. 1 to 6 from obliquely below. The end region of the mounting unit 3 opposite the insertion region is shown, in which the

guide devices

9 and 10 meet and form a stop 15 for a rail, which is not shown in fig. 7. Furthermore, a spacer element 16 is shown, which is arranged in the end region between the

guides

9 and 10 and is partially designed as a double wedge. It is additionally ensured by the spacer elements 16 that the rails completely inserted into the

guides

9 and 10 are spaced apart from one another in the central region.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic and perspective side view of the filter insert 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3, with the closure element 6 in its open position. The insertion region of the mounting unit 3 is thereby released, so that the

rails

11 and 12 can be engaged into the guide 9 (and 10, not shown) or can be pulled out of the guide 9 (and 10). The

rails

11 and 12 protrude from the guide device 9 (and 10) on the right in fig. 8 with a defined dimension, in order to be acted upon by the locking element 6 with a force in the direction of the end region of the mounting unit 3 shown on the left in fig. 8 when the locking element 6 is introduced into its locking position shown in fig. 1 to 7, as a result of which the

rails

11 and 12 are clamped between the stop in fig. 7, which is not shown in fig. 8, and the locking element 6.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of the mounting unit 3 shown in fig. 8 from below. In particular, a release element 14 and a spacer element 16 arranged between the

guides

9 and 10 can be seen.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic and perspective side view of the filter insert 1 shown in fig. 8 with a filter bag 2 released from the mounting unit 3. The filter bag 2 is closed in that the

rails

11 and 12 are connected to each other by means of the connecting means shown in fig. 15, which are covered in fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic and perspective detail view of the mounting unit 3 shown in fig. 8 to 10, viewed from obliquely below. It can be seen that the ends of the

guide devices

9 and 10 in the insertion region of the mounting unit 3 extend away from one another, whereby a type of insertion funnel is formed, which facilitates the insertion of a rail, not shown in fig. 11, between the

guide devices

9 and 10 or an insertion gap arranged therebetween.

Fig. 12 shows a further schematic and perspective detail of the mounting unit 3 shown in fig. 8 to 11, viewed from obliquely below. In particular, a release element 14 arranged between the

guides

9 and 10 can be seen.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic and perspective view of the filter bag 2 shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 10 in the open state. The filter bag 2 is in this state when the

rails

11 and 12 engage in guides not shown in fig. 13 and are clamped between a blocking element not shown in fig. 13 and a stop not shown in fig. 13 in the end region.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic and perspective illustration of the filter bag 2 shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 and 13, which has

rails

11 and 12 arranged thereon and in the closed state. The filter bag 2 is in this state when it is not arranged on a mounting unit, not shown in fig. 14. The

rails

11 and 12 are connected to one another in a manner that can be released without damage by the connecting means shown in fig. 15, which is covered in fig. 14.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic and perspective cross-sectional view of the filter bag 2 shown in fig. 14 and the

rails

11 and 12 arranged thereon. Connecting means 17 and 18 are formed on the

rails

11 and 12, which form a pressure or sliding closure. The connecting means 17 are mushroom-shaped in cross section. The connecting means 18 is C-shaped in cross section and surrounds the connecting means 17. Two projections 19 are also arranged on the rail 11, which projections extend over the longitudinal extension of the rail 11 and bear on the outside against the connecting means 18 in order to reinforce the connection between the connecting means 17 and 18.

Fig. 16 is a schematic and perspective view of an embodiment for an appliance 20 according to the invention in the form of a laundry dryer for treating laundry. The device 20 comprises a front end cap 21 and a closed process air circuit, not shown, which has an air well arranged on the end cap 21, on which a receptacle 22 for receiving the filter insert 1 is formed. Furthermore, the appliance 20 comprises a filter cartridge 1 which is as a whole engaged into the receiving portion 22 and which is as a whole removable from the receiving portion 22. The filter cartridge 1 is constructed according to fig. 1 to 15, with reference to the above description of fig. 1 to 15 in order to avoid repetition.

List of reference numerals

1 Filter element

2 Filter bag

3 mounting unit

4 air intake section

5 air intake opening

6 blocking element

7 delivery part

8 operating device

9 guide device

10 guide device

11 Rail

12 rail

13 support element

14 Release element

15 stop part

16 spacer element

17 connecting device

18 connecting device

19 projection

20 utensil

21 front side end cap

22 receiving part

Claims

1. Filter cartridge (1) for filtering process air in a device (20) for treating laundry, having:

-at least one filter bag (2) having at least one air inlet opening, and

-at least one mounting unit (3) which is connected to the filter bag (2) in a non-destructive, releasable manner and covers the air inlet opening for the defined mounting of the filter insert (1) on a component of the appliance (20), wherein the mounting unit (3) has at least one air inlet section (4) through which process air reaches the filter bag (2), characterized in that,

-two elastic and bending-resistant rails (11, 12) are provided, which are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag (2) and which each have, on the sides facing each other, at least one connecting means (17, 18) extending at least over a part of the longitudinal extension of the respective rail (11, 12), which connecting means is connected in a manner such that it can be released without damage to the connecting means (17, 18) of the respective other rail (11, 12),

-two guide means (9, 10) arranged on a side of the mounting unit (3) facing the filter bag (2), into which guide means one rail each of the rails (11, 12) is introduced and which guide means extend on sides of the rails (11, 12) facing away from each other, and

-at least one release element arranged between the guide devices (9, 10) on the insertion side, which release element is arranged relative to the guide devices (9, 10) in such a way that, when inserting the rails (11, 12) connected to one another by the connecting means (17, 18) into the guide devices (9, 10), the release element reaches between the rails (11, 12) and pushes the rails (11, 12) apart from one another, so that the connecting means (17, 18) connected to one another release from one another.

2. Cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein said connection means (17, 18) constitute a pressure closure or a sliding closure.

3. The filter cartridge (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rails (11, 12) are connected with the filter bag (2) by material locking.

4. Filter cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one latching element (6) is provided which is arranged on the mounting unit (3) and which, in a latched position fixed to the mounting unit (3), latches the guide device (9, 10) in a lead-in region for the rail (11, 12), wherein the guide device (9, 10) merges at an end region opposite the lead-in region.

5. Cartridge (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rails (11, 12) are clamped between the end region and the blocking element (6) in its blocking position.

6. Cartridge (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the locking element (6) is fixed in its locked position on the mounting unit (3) by means of at least one latching or tilting connection.

7. Cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the blocking element (6) is movably connected with the mounting unit (3) or is a separate component.

8. Filter cartridge (1) according to one of claims 4 to 5, wherein at least one spacer element (16) is provided which is arranged in the end region on the mounting unit (3) and which is arranged between the rails (11, 12) at the end side.

9. Cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, 4 to 5, wherein at least one operating means (8) is provided, arranged on the mounting unit (3).

10. Cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, 4 to 5, wherein said appliance (20) is a clothes dryer.

11. Appliance (20) for treating laundry, having at least one front-side end cap (21) and at least one process air circuit with an air well arranged on the end cap (21), on which a receptacle (22) for receiving a filter cartridge (1) is configured, characterized in that at least one filter cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 is provided, which can be integrated into the receptacle (22) and can be removed as a whole from the receptacle (22).

12. The appliance (20) of claim 11, wherein the appliance (20) is a clothes dryer.