CN117587620A - Household appliance for caring for laundry with a dedicated flushing system for the air-guide system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a home appliance for caring for laundry, comprising: a housing; an alkaline solution container disposed in the housing; a drum provided in the lye container and rotatably supported about a rotation axis; an air guide system by which air can be introduced into the drum; and a flushing system with which the gas guide system can be flushed at least in part with liquid, the flushing system having an opening in a surrounding wall of the lye container arranged around the rotation axis, the gas guide system being coupled to the opening in a fluid-conducting manner, so that, in the case of a rotation of the drum around the rotation axis, liquid in the lye container can be conducted outwards in the direction of the opening by the flushing system and from there into the gas guide system. Another aspect of the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Description

Household appliance for caring for laundry with a dedicated flushing system for the air-guide system and method

Technical Field

One aspect of the present invention relates to a household appliance for caring for laundry. The home appliance includes a housing. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises an alkaline solution container, which is arranged in the housing. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a drum, which may also be referred to as a laundry drum. The drum is separated from the lye container. The drum is arranged in the lye container and is rotatably supported about a rotation axis. In addition, the household appliance comprises an air guide system with which air can be guided into the drum. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a flushing system with which the air-guiding system can be flushed at least partially with liquid. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for flushing an air guide system of a household appliance.

Background

Household appliances for the care of laundry with a corresponding flushing system are known, for example, from EP 2752519 B1 and EP 1353004 A1. In these known household appliances, it is necessary for the flushing system to have its own pump and/or nozzle. The separate components are utilized to pump or inject liquid into the air guide system. It is also known for flushing systems to have their own additional valves, for example inlet valves and check valves, in order to meter the supply of flushing liquid to the gas-conducting system.

Thus, in such a solution it is necessary to install such additional components, for example in the form of pumps and/or nozzles. Thus, the number of parts is increased. Furthermore, corresponding space requirements are also to be provided in the household appliance for these specifically provided components. In addition, the components such as the nozzles may also become clogged.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to create a household appliance and a method in which the flushing of the air guide system is improved.

The object is achieved by a household appliance and a method according to preferred embodiments.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a household appliance for caring for laundry. The home appliance includes a housing. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises an alkaline solution container, which is arranged in the housing. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a drum, which may also be referred to as a laundry drum. The drum is separated from the lye container. The drum is arranged in the lye container and is rotatably supported about a rotation axis. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises an air guide system with which air can be guided into the drum. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a flushing system with which the air-guiding system can be flushed at least partially with liquid.

The washing system has an opening in a surrounding wall of the lye container, which surrounding wall is arranged around the rotation axis. The opening may also be referred to as a radial opening or a surrounding wall opening. The opening is a through opening for the rinsing liquid. Through this opening, a through opening is provided in the surrounding wall, the hole axis of which is oriented in particular radially, i.e. in particular perpendicularly to the rotation axis. The air guide system is coupled to the at least one opening in a fluid-conducting manner, so that, in the event of a rotation of the drum about the axis of rotation, liquid in the lye container can be conducted through the opening and from there into the air guide system by means of the flushing system. By means of such a solution of the household appliance, the flushing of the air guide system is simplified. As the liquid only has to be pressed or thrown radially and/or tangentially outwards by the rotation of the drum and on the basis of the centrifugal force of the liquid in the drum which is subsequently generated. Thus, by this effect also autonomously realized: the liquid which is thrown outwards on the basis of centrifugal forces is transported further outwards by passing through openings which are locally provided exclusively in the surrounding wall of the lye container. Since the air guide system is directly coupled to the opening in a fluid-conducting manner, in this variant the liquid which is thrown outwards also automatically reaches the air guide system and at least locally flushes the air guide system.

Preferably, for the rinsing process, the lye container is supplied with a quantity of liquid sufficient for contact with the drum. In the case of such a liquid quantity, by the rotation of the drum, the force can act directly on the liquid and move it or create the centrifugal force required for circulation. However, it is also possible to fill the lye container with a smaller amount of liquid for the rinsing process. In this case, an air circulation is formed in the lye container with the rotation of the drum, by means of which air circulation the liquid can be entrained and can be brought into circulation, by means of which circulation the corresponding centrifugal force acting on the liquid can be provided.

Thus, by means of this solution it is also possible to design the flushing system without its own individual pumps and/or nozzles and/or valves. Thereby saving components. Accordingly, the corresponding installation space for these components is no longer necessary.

In one embodiment, the opening is formed in the upper half of the surrounding wall, seen in the height direction of the household appliance. In particular, in one embodiment, the opening is formed at least partially in the uppermost position of the surrounding wall, seen in the height direction of the household appliance. In this way, it is achieved in one embodiment that no liquid flows out through the opening in the event of a stop of the drum. Thus, particularly for situations that may be undesirable, permanent flushing of the air guide system may be avoided. Since the liquid can only flow out through the openings which are arranged exclusively in the height direction when the drum rotates and thus a corresponding centrifugal force acts on the liquid in the lye container, the flushing of the air guide system can also be designed accordingly as desired.

In one embodiment, the opening is formed in the rear half of the surrounding wall, seen in the depth direction of the household appliance. In particular, the opening is formed in the rear third of the surrounding wall. Since in an advantageous air guide system several components, for example fans and/or heating devices, are present, by means of which the air in the air guide channels of the air guide system can be guided and/or heated in a targeted manner, a specific length of the air guide system is required. In order to achieve an advantageous coupling of the air guide system with the opening in this case and still be able to functionally mount the above-described components of the air guide system, it is now advantageous for the opening to be located in the depth direction as described above. Since the air guide channel can thus be positioned specifically and provided with a favorable length, nevertheless a direct coupling of the air guide channel of the air guide system to the opening can be achieved.

In one embodiment, the air guide system has a blower. The fan is arranged in particular adjacent to the opening. The fan is arranged in particular in an air duct of the air guide system. By arranging the blower in the air guide channel directly adjacent to the opening, it is possible to flush the component of the air guide system particularly advantageously. Since the fan, which is the quasi-first part of the air-guiding system, can already be flushed with the liquid thrown outwards when the liquid thrown outwards by centrifugal force enters and passes through the opening. In this way, fluff or the like which may accumulate on the fan can be automatically washed away in a particularly advantageous manner. Hereby the functionality of the fan can be maintained in a very advantageous and efficient manner and a very efficient and simple flushing solution can be provided.

In one embodiment, the fan is arranged further outside than the opening, seen in a radial direction and thus perpendicular to the rotation axis. In its position as seen in the depth direction, the fan is arranged in particular overlapping the opening. This is particularly advantageous in that liquid which passes radially and/or tangentially through the opening and is thrown outwardly can reach the fan directly and thus also at a high velocity. This is particularly advantageous in that the medium is flushed from the fan by the liquid. This advantage is achieved in particular in the case of a fan which is arranged directly adjacent to the opening, in particular in the radial direction. In particular, the fan is arranged above the opening, in particular on the extension of the bore axis of the opening, as seen in the height direction of the household appliance.

Preferably, the opening has a size corresponding to between 80% and 120% of the diameter size of the fan wheel of the fan. This makes it possible to flush the fan wheel particularly advantageously and widely.

In one embodiment, it is provided that at least the blower is flushed during a flushing process or flushing process of the gas guidance system with liquid in the flushing system. Thereby, the main components of the air guide system can be cleaned functionally simply but effectively. Thus, the blades of the fan can be cleaned very effectively and widely. In this way, not only is an improved and durable transport of the air flow in the air guide system possible, but also undesired unbalance of the fan wheel is avoided.

In one embodiment, the gas guiding system has a gas guiding channel leading from said opening to the front opening of the lye container. The air can thus be introduced into the lye container and thus preferably also into the drum by means of the air-guiding system through the opening of the lye container on the front side, viewed in the depth direction. In this way, it is possible to supply air, in particular heated air, particularly advantageously and widely locally (or by location) into the interior of the lye container and in particular also into the interior of the drum. The front-side opening of the drum and of the lye container, which is present in the opposite direction, can thus be used, so that air can also be supplied on demand through this opening. In this case, the front opening of the drum is also a filling opening, through which the laundry can be removed or inserted.

In one embodiment, the air guide channel is arranged at least partially above the lye container in the housing, seen in the height direction of the household appliance. The installation space present in the housing above the lye container is thereby advantageously utilized, so that the air guide channel can also be positioned at least partially there. Furthermore, this position is also advantageous for embodiments in which the opening is formed at the upper half of the surrounding wall of the lye container. In this way, a particularly short-distance and direct coupling to the opening can be achieved particularly simply and widely.

In addition, it is thereby also achieved that the geometry of the air guide channel can be designed very simply, so that the air guide scheme can also be improved.

In one embodiment, the rear end of the air guide channel, viewed in the depth direction, is arranged in the housing above the lye container. The rear end portion abuts the opening as seen in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis. The geometric complexity of the components can thereby also be reduced and particularly direct coupling can be achieved. Since the rear end portion adjoins the opening, it is possible to avoid the air guide passage extending more rearward than the opening as viewed in the depth direction. Thus, undesired air blocking or air turbulence in the air guide channel can be avoided. This is particularly advantageous for flushing of the air-guiding system. This is because the air channel, seen in depth, only starts from the depth level of the opening, or the rear end, so that liquid is prevented from entering the further rear air guiding system, seen in depth. Thus, the flow scheme of the liquid is particularly effective and efficient. This advantageously affects the flushing result of the air-guiding system.

Therefore, in particular, the rear end of the air guide channel is located almost at the same depth as the rear edge of the opening. The air guide channel thus does not protrude substantially rearwards of the opening in the depth direction, in particular in such an embodiment.

In one embodiment, the air guide channel has a tubular channel section. The channel section may be a channel coupler. The channel section forms in particular an end region of the air guide channel. The end region ends in particular directly at the opening of the surrounding wall. Preferably, the channel section has a section longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the channel section may be arranged such that its section longitudinal axis is oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation. In particular, the longitudinal axis of the segment is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In particular, the section longitudinal axis is arranged coaxially to the bore axis surrounding the opening in the wall. In an advantageous embodiment, the channel section is oriented obliquely. In particular, the longitudinal axis of the segment is oriented tangentially. In particular, in this embodiment, the angle between the hole axis surrounding the opening in the wall and the longitudinal axis of the section is greater than 90 ° and less than 180 °, in particular between 90 ° and 130 °.

In one embodiment, the household appliance is configured merely as a washing machine (or washing machine). In such embodiments, the air guide system is configured for introducing hot air into the drum, at least for noise reduction and/or germ reduction and/or heating of the laundry during washing of the laundry to be cleaned in the drum. Thus, the air guide system is not used in a pure washing machine for drying the washed items that have been cleaned. Therefore, the air guide system does not have a drying function in the pure washer.

In another embodiment, the household appliance is a washer-dryer. The air guide system is then configured at least for introducing hot air into the drum during a laundry drying program of a washing dryer for drying washed laundry. In particular, the air guide system can have the functions already mentioned above, even during the washing process of the washing dryer, as it has been elucidated for the washing machine.

The already mentioned general solution of the simplified flushing of the air guide system can thus be implemented not only in a pure washing machine but also in a washing dryer.

In one embodiment, a flushing process for flushing the air guide system is coupled with a washing process provided for washing laundry. In particular, the liquid present during the washing process, in particular lye, is introduced into the air guide system through the opening by centrifugal force in the case of a drum rotation during the washing process for rinsing. In this advantageous embodiment, the liquid which is already present and is required in the opposite direction, i.e. the lye, is used, so that the gas guidance system can also be flushed on demand. This enables a gentle medium-friendly process. This is because especially liquid can be saved. In particular, the rinsing process may be performed during the washing process for a specific period of time. In particular, in one such embodiment, it can be provided that the rinsing process is also automatically carried out during a specific period of the washing process, during which the drum is rotated at a specific rotational speed. Thus, in one embodiment it may be provided that a flushing slinging is performed during the washing process. In this case, a separation of lye from the amount of lye present in the lye container can be achieved. In particular, fresh water can also be added to dilute the existing lye. Thereby, the remaining detergent can be diluted. In this case, the rotational speed of the drum can be set during the removal process in such a way that the process mentioned is carried out. In particular, in one embodiment, the rotational speed is advantageously so great that a corresponding centrifugal force occurs to throw the lye radially and/or tangentially out of the opening into the gas guiding system. In particular, it is the following rotational speeds: during the spin-drying process of the washing process, the drum is rotated at a speed which is set at all times. In one embodiment, no special rotational speeds, which may be higher than those previously set in conventional washing processes, have to be set in order to be able to throw the liquid out through the openings. In this way, it is advantageously also possible to implement that conventional washing processes, in particular in terms of spin-drying, do not have to be changed in order to be able to implement the proposed solution. This makes it possible to implement the solution very simply also in the already existing solution.

In particular, if the section longitudinal axis of the above-mentioned channel section of the air guide channel is oriented at an angle of between more than 90 ° and less than 180 ° with respect to the hole axis of the opening in the surrounding wall, flushing of the air guide system can be effected depending on the direction of rotation of the laundry drum about the rotation axis. This is because, by virtue of the oblique orientation of the channel sections, a tangential outward projection of liquid into the channel sections can be achieved in a first direction of rotation of the laundry drum, in particular in a direction along the section longitudinal axis or substantially along the section longitudinal axis. Conversely, in the second direction of rotation of the laundry drum, a tangential outward fling of the liquid can only result in little liquid entering the air guide system, since the liquid is flied outward at a relatively sharp angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the section.

In one embodiment, the household appliance may be set up such that it can perform a rinsing process for rinsing the air guide system independently of a washing process for washing laundry and/or a drying process for drying washed laundry. In this solution, the liquid is introduced through the opening by centrifugal force during the flushing process for flushing the air guide system, with the drum rotating. In this flushing process, which is different from the washing process and the drying process, the respective liquids are therefore introduced into the lye container, so that these liquids can then be thrown radially through the openings into the gas guide system. That is, the household appliance may have a separate program for the flushing process of the air guide system in addition to the program for the washing process and/or the drying process, which may be selected by the user. Alternatively, however, the rinsing process may also be comprised by the washing process and/or the drying process. This has the particular advantage that the liquid required for washing or the liquid produced during drying can be used for flushing the air guide system and that no additional liquid required for flushing has to be fed.

In one embodiment, the air guide system is coupled to the opening in a fluid-conducting manner, so that in the event of a rotation of the drum above a threshold rotational speed, the liquid in the lye container can be conducted outwards towards the opening and from there, in particular thrown out into the air guide system, by means of the flushing system. Preferably, the threshold rotational speed is greater than 100 revolutions per minute. In particular, the threshold rotational speed is greater than 130 revolutions per minute. The threshold rotational speed may be between 100 rpm and 300 rpm.

Preferably, in one embodiment, it is provided that the blower of the air guide system is at least temporarily activated during the flushing process. This is advantageous in that the liquid thrown into the air guiding system is further distributed in the air guiding system by the active and thus rotating fan blades of the fan. Particularly effective flushing of the gas guide system, in particular of a large part of the entire gas guide system, can thus be achieved better. In a washing process, which is carried out during the washing process, the rotational speed of the drum is so high that the diluted lye is thrown out into the gas-guiding system as liquid for washing the gas-guiding system, if the lye has been diluted with additional water.

During the flushing process, it is preferably provided that a liquid ring is created between the drum and the lye container by the said throwing-off and the centrifugal forces acting on the liquid which occur here, as a result of which the liquid can be thrown off very purposefully and in a metered manner into the air-guiding system even at the opening.

In one embodiment, the heater of the air guide system, which is preferably present, is deactivated during the flushing process. This prevents the liquid from being heated by the heating device undesirably and thus stresses can occur in the heater, in particular on the surface, as a result of the temperature gradient. Thereby, also undesired corrosion of the heater can be better avoided. Furthermore, it is also possible to avoid: if the heater is activated and thus heated accordingly, residual detergent or calcium salt may remain or accumulate on the heater. If necessary, the evaporated lye may also cause disadvantages in the gas-conducting system.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for flushing an air guide system of a household appliance for care of laundry. The household appliance can be constructed with an embodiment according to the above aspects or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The method comprises the following steps:

-rotating the drum around a rotation axis;

-causing the liquid in the lye container of the household appliance to be thrown outwards due to the rotation of the drum;

-introducing liquid thrown outwards from the lye container through an opening in the surrounding wall of the lye container into a gas guiding system coupled to the opening in a fluid-guiding manner; and

-flushing the air-guiding system at least locally with a liquid introduced into the air-guiding system by centrifugal force.

By means of which a very efficient and desired flushing of the gas-conducting system can be carried out. In this case, no separate, in particular active, delivery units, such as pumps and/or nozzles and/or valves, are required in order to be able to deliver the liquid into the gas guide system. The introduction of the liquid into the gas-guiding system is particularly advantageously effected automatically on the basis of the forces acting on the liquid by the throwing out and the opening provided in the surrounding wall of the lye container, which opening is coupled in a fluid-guiding manner with the gas-guiding system. This allows an autonomous flushing to be provided without additional components.

It is also possible to activate the fan wheel of the fan exclusively for better flushing and dispensing of liquid. In particular, if a flushing process is performed, the heater of the air guide system is deactivated.

Advantageous embodiments of the household appliance should be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method. In particular, the individual components can be implemented individually or in operative connection with each individual method step.

The description "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" is used to describe the positions and directions given when the household appliance is used as specified and positioned as specified.

Further features of the invention result from the claims, the drawings and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations described in the description and the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and shown individually in the figures can be used not only in the respectively proposed combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention which are not explicitly shown and illustrated in the drawings but which can be known and produced by the respective feature combinations from the illustrated embodiments are also to be regarded as included and disclosed. Furthermore, the following embodiments and combinations of features should also be considered as disclosed, which do not have all of the features of the independent claims originally written.

Drawings

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail by means of schematic drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic vertical cross-section of one embodiment of a household appliance for caring for laundry according to the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the components of an embodiment of the household appliance of the present invention;

fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the components of another embodiment of the household appliance of the present invention; and

fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the components of a further embodiment of the household appliance of the invention.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, an embodiment of a household appliance 1 for caring for laundry is shown in a vertical section. The vertical section is developed by the height direction (y-direction) and the depth direction (z-direction) of the household appliance 1.

The household appliance 1 may be configured as a washing machine (or washing machine) or a washing dryer (or washing dryer) only.

The household appliance 1 has a housing 2. In the housing 2, an alkaline solution container 3 and a drum 4 of the household appliance 1 are provided. The drum 4 is separated from the lye container 3. The drum is accommodated in a lye container 3.

The drum 4 is rotatably supported about a rotation axis a oriented horizontally here. For this purpose, in one embodiment, a motor 5 is provided, which is connected to the shaft 7 of the drum 4, for example by means of a belt 6.

Furthermore, the household appliance 1 has a lead-out system 8. The liquid is led out of the lye container 3 by means of the lead-out system 8. The lead-out system 8 has a pump 9. The tapping system 8 has a tapping opening 10 which is formed in a surrounding wall 11 of the lye container 3. The outlet opening 10 is formed in the lower half of the surrounding wall 11, seen in the height direction. In particular, the outlet opening is formed in the height direction at the lowermost position of the surrounding wall 11. The surrounding wall 11 is formed completely around the rotation axis a. The surrounding wall can also be referred to as the hollow cylindrical side wall of the lye container 3. In particular, the liquid is transported out of the household appliance 1 by means of the outlet system 8, which is also characterized by the outlet hose 12.

The drum 4 has an opening 13 at the front side. The lye container 3 also has an opening 14 on the front side. It is also in particular a filling opening through which laundry can be removed from the drum 4 or placed into the drum 4.

Furthermore, the household appliance 1 has an air guide system 15. In an embodiment in which the household appliance 1 is a pure washing machine, the air guide system 15 is designed to supply air, in particular heated air, into the drum 4, so as to act correspondingly on the laundry 16 placed therein during the washing process, for germ reduction and/or noise reduction and/or heating of the laundry 16. The air guide system 15 preferably has an air guide channel 17. The air guide channel is arranged at least partially above the lye container 3, seen in the height direction. In one embodiment, air conduction system 15 has a blower 18. In one embodiment, air guide system 15 has a heater 19. In one embodiment, not only the blower 18 but also the heater 19 are arranged in the air guide channel 17. The air duct 17 has a section in front of the lye container 3 and the drum 4, seen in the depth direction, and a discharge opening 21 is formed in front of the openings 13 and 14. Thereby allowing air L to directly enter the drum 4 through the openings 13 and 14.

If the household appliance 1 is a washing dryer, the air guide system 15 serves to guide air heated during drying into the drum 4, so that the already cleaned laundry 16 can be dried subsequently.

In one embodiment, the surrounding wall 11 has an opening 22. Thus, the opening 22 is a through opening through the surrounding wall 11. The opening 22 may also be referred to as a surround wall opening. In the present embodiment, the at least one opening 22 is located in the upper half of the surrounding wall 11, seen in the height direction. The at least one opening may be formed, for example, at least partially in a first location 23 in the upper part of the surrounding wall 11. This applies in particular when viewed in the section plane. The opening 22 is likewise three-dimensional on account of the convex curvature of the surrounding wall 11 and in this respect preferably also extends slightly to the left and right (in the case of a view in the direction of the axis of rotation a) with respect to the uppermost position 23. In the present embodiment, this opening 22 is formed in the rear half of the surrounding wall 11, in particular in the rear third of the surrounding wall 11, seen in the depth direction. It can be seen that the air guiding system 15 is directly coupled with the opening 22 in a fluid-directed manner. In one embodiment, it can be provided that the rear end 24 of the air guide system 15, in particular of the air guide channel 17, is arranged in the region of the opening 22, seen in the depth direction. In particular, the fan 18 is arranged in the region of this rear end 24 of the air duct 17. Thus, the fan is preferably arranged overlapping the radial opening 22 seen in the depth direction. In the radial direction and perpendicular to the axis of rotation a, the blower 18 is disposed immediately adjacent to the opening 22. A heater 19 is arranged after the fan 18 in the flow direction.

The opening 22 is also in particular an integral part of a flushing system 25 of the household appliance 1. The flushing system 25 is set as prescribed: the gas-conducting system 15 is at least partially flushed with liquid. The opening 22 is an integral part of the flushing system 25. The flushing system 25 is designed here without an activatable delivery unit, for example a pump and/or a nozzle and/or a valve.

The flushing system 25 is configured such that, in the case of a rotation of the drum 4 about the axis of rotation a, the liquid in the lye container 3 can be guided outwards in the direction of the opening 22 due to centrifugal forces and can from there enter the gas-guiding system 15 by itself and directly.

In one embodiment, the flushing of the air guide system 15 may take place locally in that the drum 4 rotates about the rotation axis a when the domestic appliance 1 is in operation. This makes it possible, for example, to throw the liquid in the lye container 4 radially outward from the axis of rotation A. This outward swing out is achieved in particular on the basis of the rotation of the drum 4. The outwardly thrown liquid can then enter or drain from the lye container 3 through the at least one opening 22 into the gas guiding system 15 which is coupled in a fluid-conducting manner with the opening 22. In this connection, moreover, an autonomous flushing of the gas-guiding system 15 takes place at least locally with the liquid which enters the gas-guiding system 15 by centrifugal force.

In an advantageous embodiment, the blower 18 may be activated at least temporarily during such a flushing. This allows the liquid that has entered autonomously to continue to be guided in the air guide system 15, so that other areas of the air guide system 15 can also be flushed better.

In particular, the air guide channel 17 has a channel section 26. The channel section 26 is tubular in design. The channel section may be a pipe joint. The channel section 26 is in particular an end piece of the air guide channel 17. The channel section has in particular a rear end 24. The channel section 26 ends in particular directly at the opening 22. The channel section 26 has a section longitudinal axis 27. The bore axis 28 of the opening 22 is also shown in fig. 1. The hole axis is oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis a. In the present embodiment, the channel section 26 is oriented radially to the axis of rotation a. The section longitudinal axis 27 is then also oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation a in the plane of the drawing. The section longitudinal axis is then oriented coaxially with the bore axis 28.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of the components of the household appliance 1 according to fig. 1. The channel section 26 is shown here in particular oriented strictly radially.

In fig. 3 a schematic front view of a further embodiment of the household appliance 1 is shown. Here, the components as in fig. 2 are shown. In contrast to fig. 1 and 2, the orientation of the channel section 26 can be seen here. In particular, the opening 22 is here also not situated in the highest position 23, but is offset laterally, but is situated in the upper half of the surrounding wall 11. The section longitudinal axis 27 of the channel section 26 is not coaxial with the bore axis 28, but is at an angle α thereto. The angle alpha may be between greater than 90 deg. and less than 180 deg.. In particular, the section longitudinal axis 27 is oriented in the height direction of the household appliance 1 and is therefore vertical. However, this is just one possible example. Thus, in this case, the liquid F is advantageously caused to be thrown into the air guide system 15 in the case of a counter-clockwise rotation of the drum 4. The tangential outward flinging here enters the channel section 26 in a very targeted manner. This is particularly advantageous in order to achieve a flushing of the blower 18. In the case of a clockwise rotation of the drum 4, the liquid F which is thrown tangentially in the other direction out is thrown out through the openings 22, but only a small amount enters the channel section 26. Thereby, the flushing process can also be influenced in a defined manner depending on the direction of rotation of the drum 4.

In fig. 4, another schematic illustration of an embodiment of a household appliance 1 is shown. In contrast to fig. 2 and 3, another possible orientation and position of the channel section 26 is shown here.

In all embodiments it may be provided that: during the flushing process, the blower 18 is at least temporarily activated, so that the blower wheel is at least temporarily driven by the motor, for example for starting. It is also possible to cause the fan wheel to rotate by the thrown-in liquid F.

List of reference numerals:

1. household appliance

2. Shell body

3. Alkali liquor container

4. Roller

5. Motor with a motor housing

6. Belt with belt body

7. Shaft

8. Export system

9. Pump with a pump body

10. Export opening

11. Surrounding wall

12. Guiding hose

13. An opening

14. An opening

15. Air guide system

16. Laundry articles

17. Air guide channel

18. Blower fan

19. Heater

20. Segment(s)

21. An opening

22. An opening

23. Position of

24. Rear end portion

25. Flushing system

26. Channel section

27. Longitudinal axis of the segment

28. Hole shaft

A rotating shaft

L air

F liquid

In the x width direction

y-height direction

z depth direction.

Claims (15)

1. A household appliance (1) for caring for laundry, comprising: a housing (2); an alkaline solution container (3) arranged in the housing (2); a drum (4) which is arranged in the lye container (3) and is rotatably supported about a rotation axis (A); an air guide system (15) with which air can be introduced into the drum (4); and a flushing system (25) with which the air guide system (15) can be flushed at least in sections with liquid, characterized in that the flushing system (25) has an opening (22) in a surrounding wall (11) of the lye container (3) which is arranged around the axis of rotation (A), wherein the air guide system (15) is coupled to the opening (22) in a fluid-conducting manner, so that, when the drum (4) rotates around the axis of rotation (A), liquid (F) in the lye container (3) can be conducted outwards in the direction of the opening (22) and from there into the air guide system (15) with the flushing system (25).

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (22) is formed in an upper half of the surrounding wall (11), in particular in an uppermost position (23), seen in a height direction (y) of the household appliance (1).

3. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening (22) is formed in the rear half, in particular in the rear third, of the surrounding wall (11) as seen in the depth direction (z) of the household appliance (1).

4. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guide system (15) has a fan (18) arranged adjacent to the opening (22).

5. Household appliance (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fan (18) is arranged outside the opening (22) in a radial direction and is arranged overlapping the opening (22) in its position in the depth direction (z).

6. Household appliance (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at least the blower (18) is flushed with the flushing system (25) during flushing of the air-guiding system (15).

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide system (15) has an air guide channel (17), in particular leading from the opening (22) to the front opening (14) of the lye container (3).

8. Household appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the air guide channel (17) is arranged at least partially above the lye container (3) in the housing (2) as seen in the height direction (y) of the household appliance (1), and/or that the rear end (24) of the air guide channel (17) is arranged above the lye container (3) in the housing (2), in particular the rear end (24) adjoins the opening (22).

9. The household appliance (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the air guide channel (17) has a channel section (26) ending at the opening (22) and having a section longitudinal axis (27) oriented coaxially to the bore axis (28) of the opening (22) or at an angle between 90 ° and less than 180 ° with respect to the bore axis (28).

10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is configured exclusively as a washing machine and the air guide system (15) is configured for introducing hot air into the drum (4) at least for noise reduction and/or germ reduction and/or heating of the laundry to be cleaned in the drum (4).

11. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is a washing dryer and that the air guide system (15) is configured at least for introducing hot air into the drum (4) during a laundry drying program of the washing dryer for drying washed laundry, in particular also for introducing hot air into the drum (4) during a washing process of the washing dryer, at least for noise reduction and/or germ reduction and/or heating of laundry to be cleaned in the drum (4).

12. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rinsing process for rinsing the air guide system (15) is coupled with a washing process for washing the laundry, wherein liquid present during the washing process, in particular lye, is introduced into the air guide system (15) by centrifugal force in the case of rotation of the drum (4) through the opening (22) during the rinsing process for rinsing.

13. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is designed such that a rinsing process for rinsing the air guide system (15) can be carried out independently of a washing process for washing laundry and/or a drying process for drying washed laundry, wherein liquid is introduced into the air guide system (15) by centrifugal force in the course of a rinsing process for rinsing by means of the opening (22) when the drum (4) is rotated.

14. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide system (15) is coupled with the opening (22) in a fluid-conducting manner, so that in the event of a rotation of the drum (4) about the rotational axis (a) of more than a threshold rotational speed, in particular more than 100 revolutions per minute, liquid in the lye container (3) can be conducted in a radial direction towards the opening (22) and from there into the air guide system (15) by means of the flushing system (25).

15. Method for flushing an air guide system (15) of a household appliance (1) for caring for laundry, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

-rotating the drum (4) about an axis of rotation (a);

-causing the liquid in the lye container (3) of the household appliance (1) to be thrown outwards due to the rotation of the drum (4);

-introducing liquid which is thrown outwards from the lye container (3) through an opening (22) in the surrounding wall (11) of the lye container (3) into a gas guiding system (15) which is fluidly coupled to the opening (22); and

-flushing the air guiding system (15) at least partially with a liquid introduced into the air guiding system (15) by centrifugal force.