Filter device and clothes treating apparatus having same

Abstract

A filter device positionable outside a washing machine and connectable to a drainage device of the washing machine, the filter device comprising: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter detachably mounted to the filter housing and filtering foreign matter having a size of 5 mm or less; a filter cleaning device configured to clean a surface of the filter; and a controller configured to control the filter cleaning apparatus to clean a surface of the filter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a filter device connectable to a washing machine and a clothes treating device having the filter device. Background Art

[0002] A washing machine is an apparatus for washing clothes put inside a tub by friction by stirring the clothes, water, and detergent together using the driving force of a driving motor.

[0003] Regardless of the type of washing machine, operations performed by the washing machine include: a washing operation for washing clothes put into a tub by supplying detergent and water to the tub and rotating the drum; a rinsing operation for rinsing the clothes by supplying water to the tub and rotating the drum; and a dehydration operation for dehydrating water from the clothes by draining water from the tub and rotating the drum.

[0004] The washing machine includes a drainage device configured to drain water stored in a tub to the outside of the washing machine when performing a washing operation, a rinsing operation and / or a dehydration operation. The drainage device is configured to drain water drained from the tub to the tub again when performing a washing operation and / or a rinsing operation. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure provide an easily manageable filter device and a clothes treating device having the filter device.

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a filter device capable of increasing a filter replacement cycle and a clothes treating device having the filter device.

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a filter device capable of preventing contamination of the surroundings of the filter device when managing a filter, and a clothes treating device having the filter device.

[0009] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a filter device capable of draining water from the filter device even if a portion of a filter is clogged, and a clothes treating device having the filter device.

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a filter device capable of preventing an operation of the filter device from being stopped even if a portion of a filter is clogged, and a clothes treating device having the filter device.

[0011] The technical objectives of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned technical objectives, and other technical objectives not described herein will also be clearly understood by ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs from the following detailed description.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] According to the concept of the present disclosure, a filter device can be positioned outside a washing machine and can be connected to a drainage device of the washing machine, and the filter device includes: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter that can be detachably mounted to the filter housing and filters foreign matter having a size of 5 mm or less; a filter cleaning device configured to clean the surface of the filter; and a controller configured to control the filter cleaning device to clean the surface of the filter.

[0014] According to the concept of the present disclosure, a clothes processing device includes: a washing machine, including a washing machine housing, a tub inside the washing machine housing, and a drainage device configured to drain water from the tub to the outside of the washing machine housing; and a filter device, which is arranged outside the washing machine housing and connected to the drainage device. The filter device includes: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter, which can be detachably mounted to the filter housing; and a circuit, including a controller configured to control the filter device and a power supply component configured to receive power to power the filter device. The filter housing includes: a residual water guide, which is configured to be positioned below the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing, and is inclined downward from the housing outlet toward the housing inlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and / or other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 A clothes treating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 1 A cross section of a washing machine is shown in FIG.

[0018] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 4 A clothes treating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 4 A cross section of a washing machine is shown in FIG.

[0021] Figure 6 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 1 and Figure 3 The interior of the filter device is shown in FIG.

[0022] Figure 7 According to the embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 6Exploded view of the filter assembly shown in .

[0023] Figure 8 In with Figure 7 Different directions show the embodiments according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 The filter arrangement shown in FIG.

[0024] Fig. 9 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 8 The filter and handle are shown separated.

[0025] Fig.10 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Figure 6 A cross section of some components of the filter device is shown in FIG.

[0026] Fig.11 The flow according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 The flow of water into the filter housing shown in and then being discharged after passing through the filter.

[0027] Fig.12 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown in Fig.10 The state of the water remaining in the filter housing is shown in .

[0028] Fig.13 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.12 Flow of residual water discharged from the filter housing shown in FIG.

[0029] Fig.14 Configurations of filter devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure and signal flows between the configurations are shown.

[0030] Fig.15 A flow chart showing a control method of a filter device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Fig.16 The embodiment according to the present disclosure is shown Fig.10 Water flow when the filter shown is clogged.

[0032] Fig.17 Configurations of filter devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure and signal flows between the configurations are shown.

[0033] Fig.18 A flow chart showing a control method of a filter device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Fig.19 A filter device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, but include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for the corresponding embodiments.

[0036] With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to refer to like or related elements.

[0037] It will be understood that nouns in the singular form corresponding to items may include one or more items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] As used herein, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" may include any or all possible combinations of the items listed with the corresponding one of the phrases.

[0039] The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] As used herein, terms such as “1st” and “2nd” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another component and do not limit the component in other aspects (eg, importance or order).

[0041] It will be understood that if a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled to another component (e.g., the second component)", "coupled to another component (e.g., the second component)", "connected to another component (e.g., the second component)" or "connected to another component (e.g., the second component)" with or without the terms "operably" or "communicatively", it means that the component can be directly (e.g., wired) coupled to another component, wirelessly coupled to another component, or coupled to another component via a third element.

[0042] It will be understood that terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof may exist or may be added.

[0043] It will be understood that if a component is referred to as being “coupled to another component,” “coupled to another component,” “supported on another component,” or “in contact with another component,” it means that the component may be directly coupled to another component or indirectly coupled to another component via a third component.

[0044] It will also be understood that if a component is referred to as being "on" or "over" another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

[0045] The washing machine according to various embodiments may perform a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a draining operation, and a dehydration operation. The washing machine may also be a drying combination washing machine capable of performing a drying operation on dehydrated clothes. The washing machine may be an example of a clothes processing device. The clothes processing device is a concept including an apparatus for washing clothes (objects to be washed or dried), an apparatus for drying clothes, and an apparatus capable of washing and drying clothes.

[0046] The washing machine according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a top-loading washing machine in which an inlet through which laundry is put into the top-loading washing machine is provided upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which an inlet through which laundry is put into the front-loading washing machine is provided forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include another loading type washing machine in addition to the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.

[0047] A top-loading washing machine may wash clothes by using a water flow generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. A front-loading washing machine may wash clothes by rotating a drum to repeatedly lift and lower the clothes. A front-loading washing machine may include a lifter for lifting clothes. A front-loading washing machine may include a drying combination washing machine capable of drying clothes stored in a drum. A drying combination washing machine may include a heating device using high-temperature air. A drying combination washing machine may also include a condensing device using dry air. For example, a drying combination washing machine may include a heat pump. Washing machines according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include washing machines using another washing method in addition to washing machines using the above-mentioned washing method.

[0048] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 A clothes treating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross section of a washing machine is shown in FIG.

[0050] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the washing machine 10 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a washing machine housing 11 in which various components are accommodated. The washing machine housing 11 may form an appearance of the washing machine 10. The washing machine housing 11 may have a shape of a box that is at least partially opened.

[0051] The washing machine housing 11 may include a housing opening 12 for allowing access to the interior of the drum 30. The housing opening 12 may be generally open forward.

[0052] The washing machine 10 may include a door 13 for opening or closing a housing opening 12 provided in the washing machine housing 11. The door 13 may be rotatably mounted on the washing machine housing 11 by a hinge 14. At least a portion of the door 13 may be transparent or translucent to show the interior of the washing machine housing 11.

[0053] The washing machine 10 may include a tub 20 disposed inside the washing machine housing 11 to store water. The tub 20 may be disposed inside the washing machine housing 11. The tub 20 may include a tub opening 22 disposed to correspond to the housing opening 12. The tub opening 22 may be substantially open forward. The tub 20 may be supported on an inner surface of the washing machine housing 11. The tub 20 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side thereof open.

[0054] The tub 20 may be elastically supported from the washing machine housing 11 by the damper 80. The damper 80 may connect the tub 20 to the washing machine housing 11. When vibration generated according to the rotation of the drum 30 is transmitted to the tub 20 and / or the washing machine housing 11, the damper 80 may absorb vibration energy between the tub 20 and the washing machine housing 11 to reduce the vibration.

[0055] The washing machine 10 may include a drum 30 for accommodating laundry. The drum 30 may be rotatably disposed inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may perform washing, rinsing, and / or dehydration while rotating inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may include a through hole 34 connecting the inner space of the drum 30 to the inner space of the tub 20. The drum 30 may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open. On the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30, at least one lifter 35 may be provided to lift and lower the laundry according to the rotation of the drum 30.

[0056] The drum 30 may include a drum opening 32 corresponding to the housing opening 12 and the tub opening 22. Clothes may be put into or taken out of the drum 30 through the housing opening 12, the tub opening 22, and the drum opening 32.

[0057] The washing machine 10 may include a washing machine driver 40 configured to rotate the drum 30. The washing machine driver 40 may include a driving motor 41 and a rotating shaft 42 for transmitting a driving force generated in the driving motor 41 to the drum 30. The rotating shaft 42 may penetrate the tub 20 and be connected to the drum 30.

[0058] The washing machine 10 may be classified into a direct drive type in which a rotating shaft 42 is directly connected to a driving motor 41 to rotate the drum 30 and an indirect drive type in which a pulley 43 is connected between the driving motor 41 and the rotating shaft 42 to drive the drum 30 .

[0059] The washing machine 10 according to the embodiment may be arranged in an indirect drive type, but may also be arranged in a direct drive type without being limited thereto.

[0060] One end of the rotating shaft 42 may be connected to the drum 30, and the other end of the rotating shaft 42 may be connected to the pulley 43 to obtain driving force from the driving motor 41. The motor pulley 41a may be formed on the rotating shaft of the driving motor 41. The driving belt 44 is provided between the motor pulley 41a and the pulley 43 so that the rotating shaft 42 can be driven by the driving belt 44.

[0061] In the rear portion of the tub 20, a bearing housing 45 may be installed to rotatably support the rotating shaft 42. The bearing housing 45 may be made of an aluminum alloy, and may be inserted into the rear portion of the tub 20 at the time of injection-molding of the tub 20.

[0062] The washing machine driver 40 may be configured to perform washing, rinsing, and / or dehydrating or drying operations by rotating the drum 30 forwardly or reversely.

[0063] The washing machine 10 may include a water supply device 50. The water supply device 50 may supply water to the tub 20. The water supply device 50 may be positioned above the tub 20. The water supply device 50 may include a water supply pipe 51 and a water supply valve 56 disposed in the water supply pipe 51. The water supply pipe 51 may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe 51 may extend from the external water supply source to the detergent supply device 60 and / or the tub 20. Water may be supplied to the tub 20 via the detergent supply device 60. Water may not be supplied to the tub 20 via the detergent supply device 60.

[0064] The water supply valve 56 may open or close the water supply pipe 51 in response to an electrical signal from the controller 90. The water supply valve 56 may allow or block the supply of water from an external water supply source to the tub 20. The water supply valve 56 may include, for example, a solenoid valve that opens or closes in response to an electrical signal.

[0065] The washing machine 10 may include a detergent supply device 60 configured to supply detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply device 60 may supply detergent to the inside of the tub 20 during the water supply process. The water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 may be mixed with the detergent via the detergent supply device 60. The water mixed with the detergent may be supplied to the inside of the tub 20. The detergent may include a softener, a deodorant, a disinfectant, or an air freshener for a dryer, as well as a detergent for washing. The detergent supply device 60 may be connected to the tub 20 through a connecting pipe 61.

[0066] The washing machine 10 may include a drainage device 70. The drainage device 70 may be configured to drain water contained in the tub 20 to the outside. The drainage device 70 may include a drainage pump 73 for draining water from the tub 20 to the outside of the washing machine housing 11, a connection hose 71 connecting the tub 20 and the drainage pump 73 so that the water inside the tub 20 flows into the drainage pump 73, and a drainage hose 74 for guiding the water pumped by the drainage pump 73 to the outside of the washing machine housing 11. The drainage device 70 may include a drainage valve 72 provided on the connection hose 71 to open and close the connection hose 71.

[0067] The washing machine 10 may provide a user interface device 15 for interaction between a user and the washing machine 10 .

[0068] The washing machine 10 may include at least one user interface device 15. The user interface device 15 may include at least one input interface 16 and at least one output interface 17.

[0069] The at least one input interface 16 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0070] At least one input interface 16 may include a power button, an operation button, a process selection dial (or a process selection button), and a wash / rinse / spin setting button. At least one input interface 16 may include, for example, a touch switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a knob dial, and / or a microphone, etc.

[0071] The at least one output interface 17 may transmit various data related to the operation of the washing machine 10 to the user by generating sensory information.

[0072] For example, at least one output interface 17 may send information related to a washing process, an operation time of the washing machine 10, and a washing setting / rinsing setting / spinning setting to a user. Information on the operation of the washing machine 10 may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one output interface 17 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0073] The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a filter device 100 that is disposed to be connectable to the drain device 70 of the washing machine 10. The filter device 100 may be disposed outside the washing machine 10. The filter device 100 may be disposed to filter foreign matter from water discharged from the washing machine 10. The filter device 100 may be disposed to filter foreign matter having a size smaller than that of foreign matter filterable by the washing machine 10. For example, the filter device 100 may be disposed to filter foreign matter having a size smaller than that of foreign matter filterable by the drain device 70 of the washing machine 10.

[0074] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] In an embodiment, the washing machine 10 may include a user interface device 15 , a driver 40 , a water supply device 50 , a drainage device 70 , a sensor unit 95 , a communicator 96 , and a controller 90 .

[0076] The user interface device 15 may provide a user interface for interaction between the user and the washing machine 10 .

[0077] The user interface device 15 may include at least one input interface 16 and at least one output interface 17 .

[0078] The at least one input interface 16 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0079] At least one input interface 16 may include a power button, an operation button, a process selection dial (or a process selection button), and a wash / rinse / spin setting button. For example, at least one input interface 16 may include a touch switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a knob dial, and / or a microphone, etc.

[0080] The at least one output interface 17 may transmit various data related to the operation of the washing machine 10 to the user by generating sensory information.

[0081] For example, at least one output interface 17 may send information related to a washing process, an operation time of the washing machine 10, and a washing setting / rinsing setting / spinning setting to a user. Information on the operation of the washing machine 10 may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one output interface 17 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0082] The driver 40 may include a driving motor 41 that provides a driving force to rotate the drum 30. The driver 40 may operate based on a control signal from the controller 90.

[0083] The water supply device 50 may include a water supply valve 56 for opening and closing a water supply pipe 51 extending from an external water source to the detergent supply device 60 and / or the tub 20. The water supply valve 56 may be opened and closed based on a control signal from the controller 90.

[0084] The drainage device 70 may include a drainage pump 73 for draining water from the tub 20 to the outside of the washing machine housing 11. The drainage pump 73 may operate based on a control signal of the controller 90.

[0085] The sensor unit 95 may include at least one sensor that obtains information related to an operating state of the washing machine 10 .

[0086] For example, the sensor unit 95 may include at least one of a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the barrel, a sensor for detecting the operating status of the driver 40, a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate flowing into the barrel 20 through the water supply device 50, or a sensor for detecting the operating status of the drainage device 70.

[0087] The sensor for detecting the operating state of the driver 40 may include, for example, a current sensor for measuring a driving current applied to the driving motor 41 , but is not limited thereto.

[0088] The sensor for detecting the operating state of the drain device 70 may include, for example, a current sensor for measuring a driving current applied to the drain pump 73 , but is not limited thereto.

[0089] The washing machine 10 may include a communicator 96 for wired and / or wireless communication with an external device.

[0090] The communicator 96 may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module.

[0091] The communicator 96 may send data to or receive data from an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, a home appliance, and / or the filter device 100). For example, the communicator 96 may establish communication with a server and / or a user device and / or a home appliance, and send / receive various data.

[0092] To this end, the communicator 96 can establish a direct (wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel with an external electronic device (e.g., a server, a user terminal and / or a household appliance), and support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communicator 96 may include a wireless communicator (e.g., a cellular communicator, a short-range wireless communicator or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communicator) or a wired communicator (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communicator or a power line communicator). The corresponding communicator in these communicators can communicate with the external electronic device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct connection or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a telecommunications network, such as a traditional cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet or a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN))). These various types of communicators can be integrated into a component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple independent components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0093] Short-range wireless communicators may include Bluetooth communicators, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communicators, near field communicators (Near Field Communicator), WLAN (Wi-Fi) communicators, ZigBee communicators, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communicators, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communicators, ultra-wideband (UWB) communicators, Ant+ communicators, microwave (uWave) communicators, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0094] The remote communicator may include a communicator that performs various types of remote communications, and may include a mobile communication unit.

[0095] In an embodiment, the communicator can communicate with external devices such as servers, user devices or other household appliances through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the washing machine 10 or the user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The washing machine 10 or the user device can be connected to the server through a wide area network (WAN). The controller 90 can control various components of the washing machine 10 (e.g., the driver 40 and the water supply device 50). The controller 90 can control the various components of the washing machine 10 according to user input to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing and / or dehydration. For example, the controller 90 can control the drive motor 41 to adjust the rotation speed of the drum 30, or control the water supply valve 56 of the water supply device 50 to supply water to the barrel 20.

[0096] The controller 90 may include hardware such as a CPU or a memory and software such as a control program. For example, the controller 90 may include an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine 10, at least one memory 92 storing data in the form of a program, and at least one processor 91 using the data stored in the at least one memory to perform the above operations. The memory 92 and the processor 91 may be implemented as separate chips. The processor 91 may include one or more processor chips, or may include one or more processing cores. The memory 92 may include one or more memory chips, or may include one or more memory blocks. In addition, the memory 92 and the processor 91 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0097] Figure 4 A clothes treating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A cross section of a washing machine is shown in FIG.

[0098] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , a washing machine 10a of a clothes treating apparatus 1a may include a housing 11a in which various components are accommodated. The housing 11a may form an appearance of the washing machine 10a. The housing 11a may have a box shape with a portion thereof opened.

[0099] The housing 11a may include a housing opening 12a formed to be accessible to the inside of the drum 30a. The housing opening 12a may be substantially opened upward.

[0100] The washing machine 10a may include a door 13a for opening and closing a housing opening 12a provided in the housing 11a. The door 13a may be rotatably mounted to the housing 11a by a hinge. At least a portion of the door 13a may be transparent or translucent so that the interior of the housing 11a can be seen.

[0101] The washing machine 10a may include a tub 20a disposed inside the housing 11a to store water. The tub 20a may be disposed inside the housing 11a. The tub 20a may include a tub opening 22a disposed to correspond to the housing opening 12a. The tub opening 22a may be substantially opened upward. The tub 20a may be supported inside the housing 11a. The tub 20a may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open.

[0102] The tub 20a may be elastically supported from the housing 11a by the damper 80a. The damper 80a may connect the housing 11a and the tub 20a. When the vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 30a is transmitted to the tub 20a and / or the housing 11a, the damper 80a may be configured to attenuate the vibration by absorbing the vibration energy between the tub 20a and the housing 11a.

[0103] The washing machine 10a may include a drum 30a configured to accommodate laundry. The drum 30a may be rotatably disposed inside the tub 20a. The drum 30a may rotate within the tub 20a to perform washing, rinsing and / or dehydration. The drum 30a may include a through hole 34a connecting the inner space of the drum 30a and the inner space of the tub 20a. The drum 30a may have a substantially cylindrical shape with one side open.

[0104] The balancing unit 36a may be mounted on the top of the drum 30a to solve the load imbalance caused by the clothes. The balancing unit 36a includes a housing having an annular channel and a ball mass body or a fluid mass body movably disposed inside the channel, and when the ball or the fluid moves according to the rotation of the drum 30a, the load imbalance of the drum 30a may be solved.

[0105] The pulsator 37a is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the drum 30a to generate a wash water flow. The laundry may be washed by the wash water flow generated by the pulsator 37a.

[0106] The drum 30a may include a drum opening 32a disposed to correspond to the housing opening 12a and the tub opening 22a. Clothes may be put into or taken out of the drum 30a through the housing opening 12a, the tub opening 22a, and the drum opening 32a.

[0107] The washing machine 10a may include a washing machine driver 40a configured to rotate the drum 30a and the pulsator 37a. The washing machine driver 40a may include a driving motor 41a and a shaft system for transmitting a driving force generated by the driving motor 41a to the drum 30a and the pulsator 37a.

[0108] The driving motor 41 a may include a fixed stator 48 a and a rotor 49 a that rotates by electromagnetic interaction with the stator 48 a .

[0109] The shaft system may include a dehydration shaft 47a arranged to transmit the driving force of the drive motor 41a to the drum 30a, a washing shaft 46a arranged to transmit the driving force of the drive motor 41a to the pulsator 37a, and a clutch device 45a connecting or disconnecting the drive motor 41a and the dehydration shaft 47a.

[0110] The dehydration shaft 47a is formed to have a hollow, and the washing shaft 46a can be arranged in the hollow of the dehydration shaft 47a. The washing shaft 46a remains connected to the rotor 49a of the drive motor 41a, and the dehydration shaft 47a can be connected to the rotor 49a of the drive motor 41a or disconnected from the rotor 49a of the drive motor 41a through the clutch device 45a.

[0111] When the clutch device 45a disconnects the dehydration shaft 47a and the drive motor 41a, power is transmitted to the washing shaft 46a, so that only the pulsator 37a rotates, and when the clutch device 45a connects the dehydration shaft 47a and the drive motor 41a, power is transmitted to both the dehydration shaft 47a and the washing shaft 46a, so that the drum 30a and the pulsator 37a can rotate simultaneously.

[0112] When only the pulsator 37a rotates, a wash water flow is generated by the rotation of the pulsator 37a, and the clothes are rotated by the wash water flow and rubbed with the drum 30a, so that the clothes can be washed. When the pulsator 37a and the drum 30a rotate simultaneously, the clothes inside the drum 30a are rotated, and the clothes are dehydrated by centrifugal force, so that the clothes can be dehydrated.

[0113] Washing machine 10a may include water supply device 50a. Water supply device 50a may supply water to tub 20a. Water supply device 50a may be positioned above tub 20a. Water supply device 50a may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to detergent supply device 60a and / or tub 20a. Water may be supplied to tub 20a via detergent supply device 60a. Water may be supplied to tub 20a without passing through detergent supply device 60a.

[0114] The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from the controller 90. The water supply valve may allow or prevent the supply of water from an external water supply source to the tub 20a. The water supply valve may include, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes in response to an electrical signal.

[0115] The washing machine 10a may include a detergent supply device 60a configured to supply detergent to the tub 20a. The detergent supply device 60a may be configured to supply detergent to the tub 20a during the water supply process. The water supplied by the water supply pipe may be mixed with the detergent via the detergent supply device 60a. The water mixed with the detergent may be supplied to the tub 20a. The detergent may include not only laundry detergent but also dryer rinse agent, deodorant, disinfectant or fragrance.

[0116] The washing machine 10a may include a drain device 70a. The drain device 70a may be configured to drain the water contained in the tub 20a to the outside. A drain port 21a may be formed at a lower portion of the tub 20a to drain the water stored in the tub 20a to the outside of the tub 20a. A drain hose 74a may be connected to the drain port 21a, and a drain valve 72a for opening and closing the drain hose 74a may be provided in the drain hose 74a.

[0117] The washing machine 10a may include at least one user interface device 15a for interaction between a user and the washing machine 10a. The user interface device 15a may include at least one input interface 16a and at least one output interface 17b.

[0118] The at least one input interface 16a may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0119] At least one input interface 16a may include a power button, an operation button, a process selection dial (or a process selection button), and a wash / rinse / spin setting button. At least one input interface 16a may include, for example, a touch switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a knob dial, and / or a microphone.

[0120] The at least one output interface 17b may transmit various data related to the operation of the washing machine 10a to the user by generating sensory information.

[0121] For example, at least one output interface 17b may send information related to a washing process, an operation time of the washing machine 10a, and a washing setting / rinsing setting / spinning setting to a user. Information about the operation of the washing machine 10a may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. At least one output interface 17b may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

[0122] The clothes treating apparatus 1a may include Figure 1 and Figure 2 The filter device 100 is the same as the filter device 100 shown in . For example, the filter device 100 according to the embodiment can be connected to a front loading washing machine or a top loading washing machine. The filter device 100 can be configured to be connectable to the drainage device 70a of the washing machine 10a. The filter device 100 can be arranged outside the washing machine 10a. The filter device 100 can be configured to filter foreign matter from water discharged from the washing machine 10a. The filter device 100 can be configured to filter foreign matter having a size smaller than the size of foreign matter filterable by the washing machine 10a. For example, the filter device 100 can be configured to filter foreign matter having a size smaller than the size of foreign matter filterable by the drainage device 70a of the washing machine 10a.

[0123] and Figure 3 The same control configuration as shown in the control configuration of the washing machine 10 can be applied to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The washing machine 10a of the clothes treating apparatus 1a is shown in FIG.

[0124] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 3 The interior of the filter device is shown in FIG. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Exploded view of the filter assembly shown in . Figure 8 In with Figure 7 Different directions are shown Figure 7 The filter arrangement shown in FIG. Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 The filter and handle are shown separated. Fig.10 Shows Figure 6 A cross section of some components of the filter device is shown in FIG.

[0125] refer to Figures 6 to 8 , the filter device 100 according to the embodiment may include a filter housing 101 accommodating various components. The filter housing 101 may include a housing body 102, a housing cover 103, and a housing bracket 104. For example, the housing body 102, the housing cover 103, and the housing bracket 104 may be provided as separate components. For example, the housing body 102 may be formed integrally with the housing cover 103. For example, the housing body 102 may be formed integrally with the housing bracket 104. For example, the housing cover 103 may be formed integrally with the housing bracket 104. For example, the housing body 102 may be formed integrally with the housing cover 103 and the housing bracket 104.

[0126] The housing body 102 may form a space for accommodating various components. The housing body 102 may have a substantially U-shaped shape in a cross section perpendicular to a direction in which a filter 120 accommodated in the housing body 102 extends. The housing body 102 may have a box shape with an open front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface. The housing body 102 may be detachably coupled to the housing cover 103 and / or the housing bracket 104.

[0127] The housing body 102 may include a housing inlet 102a for receiving water into the interior of the filter device 100 and a housing outlet 102b for discharging water from the interior of the filter device 100 to the exterior of the filter device 100. The housing inlet 102a and / or the housing outlet 102b may be positioned at a lower portion of the housing body 102.

[0128] The housing inlet 102a may be connected to the drain hose 74 of the washing machine 10 and the drain hose 74a of the washing machine 10a. The housing outlet 102b may be connected to the drain line 105.

[0129] The housing cover 103 may be provided to cover the opened front surface and upper surface of the housing body 102. The housing cover 103 may be detachably coupled to the housing body 102 and / or the housing bracket 104. The housing cover 103 may include a cover opening 103a formed to allow the filter 120 to pass therethrough. The housing cover 103 may include a mounting portion 103b on which the user interface device 197 is mounted. At least a portion of the user interface device 197 may be exposed to the outside of the filter device 100 through the mounting portion 103b.

[0130] The housing bracket 104 may be provided to cover the opened rear surface of the housing body 102. The housing bracket 104 may be detachably coupled to the housing body 102 and / or the housing cover 103. The housing bracket 104 may include a cable opening 104a formed to allow the power cable 109 to pass therethrough. The housing bracket 104 may include a connector mounting portion 104b formed to connect a connector 108 for communicating with an external device including the washing machine 10 or the like.

[0131] The filter device 100 may include a filter housing 110 positioned inside the filter case 101. The filter housing 110 may form a flow path through which water flowing into the filter device 100 passes. The filter housing 110 may be configured to accommodate a filter 120. The filter housing 110 may include a housing body 111 and a housing cover 112.

[0132] The housing body 111 may extend in a direction in which the filter 120 accommodated in the housing body 111 extends. The housing body 111 may include a housing opening 111a formed to allow the filter 120 to pass therethrough. The housing opening 111a may be arranged to correspond to the cover opening 103a. The housing opening 111a is positioned closer to the housing outlet 111b than the housing inlet 112a, and may be arranged so that the filter 120 can pass therethrough.

[0133] The housing body 111 may include a housing outlet 111b for discharging water flowing into the filter housing 110 from the filter housing 110. The housing outlet 111b may be positioned at a lower portion of the housing body 111. The housing outlet 111b may be positioned adjacent to the housing opening 111a. The housing outlet 111b may be positioned near the other end opposite to one end where the filter opening 120a of the filter 120 is positioned. The housing outlet 111b may be positioned closer to the second filter portion 122 than the first filter portion 121 of the filter 120.

[0134] The housing outlet 111b may be connected to the case outlet 102b. The filter device 100 may include a discharge guide 107 for connecting the housing outlet 111b and the case outlet 102b.

[0135] The housing cover 112 may be detachably coupled to the other end of the housing body 111 opposite to the end where the housing opening 111a is located. For example, the housing cover 112 may be integrally formed with the housing body 111.

[0136] The housing cover 112 may include a housing inlet 112a through which water flows into the filter housing 110. The housing inlet 112a may be connected to the case inlet 102a. The filter device 100 may include an inflow guide 106 for connecting the housing inlet 112a and the case inlet 102a.

[0137] The housing cover 112 may include a motor mounting portion 112b for mounting the filter cleaning device 130 thereon. The motor mounting portion 112b may be positioned above the housing inlet 112a. The cleaning motor 136 of the filter cleaning device 130 may be mounted on the motor mounting portion 112b.

[0138] The filter device 100 may include a filter 120 detachably coupled to the filter housing 110. The filter 120 may be configured to filter fine-sized foreign matter. The filter 120 may be configured to filter microplastics having a size of about 5 mm or less. The filter 120 may include a mesh filter. The filter 120 may extend generally between the housing inlet 112a and the housing outlet 111b.

[0139] When the filter 120 is mounted on the filter housing 110, the filter 120 may include a filter opening 120a opened toward the housing inlet 112a. Water flowing into the filter housing 110 through the housing inlet 112a may move into the filter 120 through the filter opening 120a.

[0140] The filter 120 may include a first filter portion 121 and a second filter portion 122. The first filter portion 121 may be positioned closer to the housing inlet 112a than the second filter portion 122. In the water flowing into the filter housing 110, foreign matter may be filtered through the first filter portion 121, or may not be filtered in the first filter portion 121, and after passing through the first filter portion 121, the foreign matter may be filtered in the second filter portion 122. The first filter portion 121 and the second filter portion 122 may be arranged in sequence along the direction in which the filter 120 extends. Foreign matter transferred from the first filter portion 121 may be collected in the second filter portion 122 by the filter cleaning device 130.

[0141] When the filter 120 is mounted on the filter housing 110, the filter device 100 may include a handle 129 at least partially exposed to the outside of the filter housing 101. Fig. 9 , the handle 129 may be detachably coupled to the filter 120. When the handle 129 is detachably coupled to the filter 120, the filter 120 may be easily maintained and / or repaired. The handle 129 may be rotated and coupled to the cover opening 103a and / or the housing opening 111a.

[0142] The filter device 100 may include a filter cleaning device 130 for cleaning the filter 120. The filter cleaning device 130 may be mounted on the filter housing 110. The filter cleaning device 130 may include a cleaning member 131 for cleaning a surface of the filter 120 through which foreign matter is filtered, and a cleaning driving device 135 for driving the cleaning member 131.

[0143] The cleaning member 131 may be positioned inside the filter 120. The cleaning member 131 may be arranged to correspond to the first filter portion 121 of the filter 120. The cleaning member 131 may have a blade 131a extending in a spiral. The blade 131a may extend in a radial direction from the rotation axis of the cleaning member 131. The cleaning member 131 may be arranged to contact the surface of the filter 120 through which foreign matter is filtered. The cleaning member 131 may be arranged to contact the inner surface of the filter 120. For example, the cleaning member 131 may include a plurality of brushes.

[0144] When the cleaning member 131 is driven by the cleaning drive device 135, the cleaning member 131 may be arranged to transfer foreign matter filtered from a portion of the filter 120 closer to the housing inlet 112a to a portion of the filter 120 closer to the housing outlet 111b of the filter 120. The cleaning member 131 may be arranged to transfer foreign matter filtered by the first filter portion 121 to the second filter portion 122. For example, the cleaning member 131 may be rotatably arranged inside the filter 120. The cleaning member 131 may include a flexible material. The cleaning member 131 rotates in contact with the filter 120, and may clean foreign matter filtered by the filter 120. When the cleaning member 131 is driven in contact with the filter 120, the cleaning member 131 may scrape and remove foreign matter attached to the surface of the filter 120 through which foreign matter is filtered. For example, the cleaning member 131 may be slidably arranged inside the filter 120.

[0145] When the cleaning member 131 is provided to transfer foreign matter filtered by the first filter portion 121 to the second filter portion 122 and the water flowing into the filter housing 110 flows from the first filter portion 121 to the second filter portion 122, the foreign matter filtered by the first filter portion 121 can be effectively collected in the second filter portion 122. Considering the flow of water passing through the filter 120, the cleaning member 131 can be provided Fig.10 , and the housing outlet 111b may be disposed behind the reference line C shown in FIG. Fig.10 In front of the reference line C shown in .

[0146] The cleaning drive device 135 may include a cleaning motor 136 and a motor shaft 137. The cleaning motor 136 may be configured to generate power for driving the cleaning member 131. The motor shaft 137 may be connected to the cleaning member 131. The cleaning motor 136 may be mounted on the filter housing 110. The cleaning motor 136 may be located closer to the housing inlet 112a than the housing outlet 111b.

[0147] The filter device 100 may include a circuit 190 positioned inside the filter housing 101. The circuit 190 may be positioned at an upper end of the interior of the filter housing 101. The circuit 190 may be positioned on one side of the filter housing 110. For example, the circuit 190 may be positioned above the filter housing 110. For example, the circuit 190 may be disposed above the filter 120.

[0148] The circuit 190 may include a controller 191 for controlling the filter device 100 and a communication part 199 for communicating with the washing machines 10 and 10 a.

[0149] The filter device 100 may include a user interface device 197 positioned above the circuit 190. At least a portion of the user interface device 197 may be exposed to the outside of the filter device 100 through the mounting portion 103b of the filter housing 101. The user interface device 197 may be positioned on the upper surface of the filter device 100. The user interface device 197 may include a first button 197a and a second button 197b. The first button 197a may include one of a power button and a WiFi connection button. The second button 197b may include a power button and a Wi-Fi connection button different from the first button 197a.

[0150] The filter device 100 may include a display 198 that displays visual information related to the filter device 100. The display 198 may be positioned on an upper surface of the filter device 100. For example, the display 198 may be provided as a component of the user interface device 197.

[0151] The filter device 100 may include a filter sensor 181 that acquires information about the state of the filter 120. The filter sensor 181 may be mounted on the filter housing 110. The filter sensor 181 may be positioned outside the filter housing 110. The filter sensor 181 may be positioned to correspond to the second filter portion 122 of the filter 120 mounted on the filter housing 110. For example, the filter sensor 181 may include a magnetic sensor. For example, the filter sensor 181 may include an optical sensor.

[0152] The filter device 100 may include a water supply sensor 182 for detecting that water is supplied to the filter device 100. The water supply sensor 182 may be installed on a lower portion of the filter housing 110. The water supply sensor 182 may be located close to a housing inlet 112a of the filter housing 110.

[0153] refer to Fig.10 , the filter housing 110 may include a residual water guide 119 formed to guide the residual water inside the filter housing 110. The residual water guide 119 may be positioned below the filter 120 in the direction of gravity. For example, the residual water guide 119 may be formed with a downward slope from the housing outlet 111b toward the housing inlet 112a. The residual water guide 119 may be inclined to have a predetermined angle a relative to a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The water inside the filter housing 110 may be prevented from being discharged to the outside of the filter device 100 through the housing outlet 111b by the residual water guide 119.

[0154] The position of the lower end of the inlet of the housing outlet 111b in the direction of gravity may be higher than the position of the lower end of the housing inlet 112a in the direction of gravity. When residual water is generated inside the filter housing 110, the residual water may move from the periphery of the housing outlet 111b toward the housing inlet 112a due to gravity. For example, the bottom surface of the filter housing 110 between the inlet of the housing outlet 111b and the housing inlet 112a may be configured to include a step portion.

[0155] The housing inlet 112a may be positioned below the filter 120. The top of the housing inlet 112a in the direction of gravity may be positioned below the top of the filter 120 in the direction of gravity. The lowest end of the housing inlet 112a according to the direction of gravity may be positioned below the lowest end of the filter 120 according to the direction of gravity. The lowest height h1 of the housing inlet 112a in the direction of gravity may be lower than the height h2 of the filter 120 in the direction of gravity. The inlet of the housing outlet 111b may be positioned below the filter 120.

[0156] The filter housing 110 may include a connection hole 118. The connection hole 118 may be located at one end of the remaining water guide 119 close to the housing inlet 112a. The connection hole 118 may be formed in the filter housing 110 so that water guided by the remaining water guide 119 can be discharged toward the housing inlet 112a.

[0157] The filter device 100 may include an opening and closing device 140 for opening and closing the connection hole 118. The opening and closing device 140 may include a connection door 141 and a door motor 142 for operating the connection door 141.

[0158] The connection door 141 may be provided to open and close the connection hole 118. The connection door 141 may be provided in a size and / or shape capable of closing the connection hole 118. The connection door 141 may be rotatably coupled to the filter housing 110. The connection door 141 may be rotatably provided in a direction in which water flows from the remaining water guide 119 to the housing inlet 112a. The connection door 141 may be provided to be rotatable in a direction opposite to a direction in which water introduced through the housing inlet 112a flows into the connection hole 118. The connection door 141 may be provided to prevent the connection hole 118 from being opened by the hydraulic pressure of the water introduced through the housing inlet 112a.

[0159] The door motor 142 may be configured to generate power for operating the connection door 141. The opening and closing device 140 may include a power transmission device 143 for transmitting the power generated by the door motor 142 to the connection door 141. The power generated by the door motor 142 may be transmitted to the connection door 141 through the power transmission device 143.

[0160] A filter flow path 116 passing through the filter 120 and a bypass flow path 117 bypassing the filter 120 may be formed inside the filter housing 110. Water introduced through the housing inlet 112a may move to the housing outlet 111b through the filter flow path 116 or may move to the housing outlet 111b through the bypass flow path 117.

[0161] The connection hole 118 may be positioned at one end of the bypass flow path 117 close to the housing inlet 112a. When the connection door 141 opens the connection hole 118, water introduced through the housing inlet 112a may move directly to the bypass flow path 117 without passing through the filter flow path 116. When the connection door 141 opens the connection hole 118, water in the bypass flow path 117 may move directly to the housing inlet 112a without passing through the filter flow path 116. The connection hole 118 may be formed so that water in the bypass flow path 117 may move to the housing inlet 112a, or water flowing into the housing inlet 112a may move to the bypass flow path 117.

[0162] Fig.11 Shows the flow to Fig.10 The flow of water into the filter housing shown in and then being discharged after passing through the filter. Fig.12 Shown in Fig.10 The state of the water remaining in the filter housing is shown in . Fig.13 Shows from Fig.12 Flow of residual water discharged from the filter housing shown in FIG.

[0163] refer to Fig.11 , water flowing into the filter device 100 through the housing inlet 102a can be guided to the filter housing 110 by the inflow guide 106. Water flowing into the filter housing 110 through the housing inlet 112a can flow into the filter 120 through the filter opening 120a. Water introduced into the filter housing 110 can flow into the filter flow path 116. Since the connection door 141 closes the connection hole 118, the water flowing into the filter housing 110 cannot flow to the bypass flow path 117 through the connection hole 118. The water flowing into the filter 120 passes through the filter 120, and foreign matter can be filtered out. The water passing through the filter 120 can be discharged to the outside of the filter housing 110 through the housing outlet 111b. The water discharged through the housing outlet 111b can be discharged from the filter device 100 by passing through the discharge guide 107 and the housing outlet 102b in sequence. The water discharged from the filter device 100 can be guided through the drain line 105.

[0164] refer to Fig.12 When the water flow into the filter device 100 is stopped, residual water may be generated inside the filter housing 110. The residual water may be stored at the bottom of the filter housing 110 by gravity. The residual water may be stored in the bypass flow path 117.

[0165] refer to Fig.13 , when the connection door 141 opens the connection hole 118, the residual water stored in the bottom of the filter housing 110 may flow into the housing inlet 112a. The residual water flowing into the housing inlet 112a may be discharged to the outside of the filter device 100 by sequentially passing through the inflow guide 106 and the housing inlet 102a. The residual water discharged to the outside of the filter device 100 may be guided to the drainage devices 70 and 70a of the washing machines 10 and 10a through the drainage hoses 74 and 74a.

[0166] Fig.14 Configurations of filter devices according to embodiments and signal flows between the configurations are shown.

[0167] refer to Fig.14 , will describe the use of Figures 6 to 13A control method for discharging residual water inside the filter housing 110 of the filter device 100 to the outside of the filter device 100 is shown in FIG.

[0168] refer to Fig.14 According to an embodiment, the filter device 100 includes a user interface device 197 for interacting with a user, a filter sensor 181, a water supply sensor 182, a cleaning motor 136, a door motor 142, a display 198, a communication component 199 and a controller 191 for controlling various configurations of the filter device 100.

[0169] The controller 191 may include at least one memory 191 a and at least one processor 191 b to perform the above-mentioned operations and operations to be described later.

[0170] In an embodiment, the controller 191 may include at least one memory 191a and at least one processor 191b, the memory 191a storing data for controlling the operation of components in the filter device 100 in the form of algorithms and / or programs, and the processor 191b using the data stored in at least one memory 191a to perform the above-mentioned operations and the following operations. The memory 191a and the processor 191b may be implemented as separate chips. The processor 191b may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory 191a may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. In addition, the memory 191a and the processor 191b may be implemented as a single chip.

[0171] The controller 191 may process user input received through the user interface device 197 and control various components of the filter apparatus 100 (eg, the filter cleaning device 130 , the opening and closing device 140 , the display 198 ) based on the processed user input.

[0172] The user interface device 197 may include a first button 197 a and a second button 197 b , and may be operable based on a control signal from the controller 191 .

[0173] The filter sensor 181 may be mounted on the filter housing 110. The filter sensor 181 may detect the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120.

[0174] For example, the filter sensor 181 may include an optical sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor) that detects the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120. However, the type of the filter sensor 181 is not limited thereto, and any configuration that can detect the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120 may be adopted as the filter sensor 181.

[0175] The water supply sensor 182 may be installed on the filter housing 110. The water supply sensor 182 may detect a situation in which water flows into the filter housing 110.

[0176] For example, the water supply sensor 182 may include a capacitive sensor that detects water flowing into the filter housing 110. However, the type of the water supply sensor 182 is not limited thereto, and any configuration capable of detecting water flowing into the filter housing 110 may be adopted as the water supply sensor 182.

[0177] The controller 191 may process sensor data received through the filter sensor 181 and / or the water supply sensor 182 and control various components of the filter device 100 (eg, the filter cleaning device 130 , the opening and closing device 140 ) based on the processed sensor data.

[0178] The filter cleaning device 130 may include a cleaning member 131 slidably and rotatably inserted into the inner surface of the filter 120 and a cleaning motor 136 for rotating the cleaning member 131 .

[0179] The controller 191 may control the filter cleaning device 130 .

[0180] In an embodiment, the controller 191 may control a driving circuit that applies a driving current to the cleaning motor 136. The driving circuit may supply the driving current to the cleaning motor 136 in response to a driving signal from the controller 191. The driving circuit may include: a rectifier circuit for rectifying AC power of an external power source; a DC link circuit that removes ripples of the rectified power and outputs DC power; an inverter circuit that converts the DC power into a sinusoidal wave type driving power and outputs the driving current to the cleaning motor 136; a current sensor that measures the driving current supplied to the cleaning motor 136; and a gate driver that turns on / off a switching element included in the inverter circuit based on a driving signal from the controller 191.

[0181] The drive circuit connected to the cleaning motor 136 may include components for driving a DC motor.

[0182] The opening and closing device 140 may include a connection door 141 for opening and closing the connection hole 118 and a door motor 142 for operating the connection door 141 .

[0183] The controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the filter flow path 116 based on satisfaction of the first preset condition.

[0184] In addition, the controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the bypass flow path 117 based on satisfaction of the second preset condition.

[0185] The display 198 may display visual information related to the filter device 100. For example, the display 198 may be provided in a configuration separate from the user interface device 197. For example, the display 198 may be provided as a component of the user interface device 197.

[0186] The communication part 199 may transmit or receive data to or from an external device based on a control signal of the controller 191. For example, the communication part 199 may transmit / receive various types of data by communicating with a server and / or a user terminal device and / or home appliances including the washing machines 10 and 10a.

[0187] To this end, the communication component 199 can establish a direct (wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel with an external electronic device (e.g., a server, a user terminal and / or a household appliance), and support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication component 199 may include a wireless communicator (e.g., a cellular communicator, a short-range wireless communicator or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communicator) or a wired communicator (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communicator or a power line communicator). The corresponding communicator in these communicators can communicate with the external electronic device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct connection or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a telecommunications network, such as a traditional cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet or a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN))). These various types of communicators can be integrated into a component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple independent components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0188] According to various implementations, the communication component 199 may establish communication with the user terminal device through the server.

[0189] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication part 199 may include a WiFi module, and may perform communication with an external server and / or a user terminal based on establishing communication with an access point (AP) in the home.

[0190] For example, the controller 191 may operate the opening and closing of the device 140 based on processing sensor data received through the water supply sensor 182 .

[0191] In an embodiment, the controller 191 may operate the opening and closing device 140 based on sensing the stop of water supply to the filter device 100 through the water supply sensor 182. When the water supply sensor 182 detects that the water supply to the filter device 100 has stopped, the controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 so that the opening and closing device 140 opens the connection hole 118.

[0192] In an embodiment, the controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 based on sensing that water is being supplied to the filter device 100 through the water supply sensor 182. When the water supply sensor 182 detects that water is being supplied to the filter device 100, the controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 so that the opening and closing device 140 closes the connection hole 118.

[0193] According to the present disclosure, when the filter 120 is separated to manage (maintain and / or repair) the filter device 100, the clothes treating device 1 can prevent the residual water of the filter housing 110 from being discharged to the outside of the filter device 100 through the cover opening 103a and the housing opening 111a, thereby preventing the outside of the clothes treating device 1 from being contaminated.

[0194] Fig.15 A flow chart showing a control method of a filter device according to an embodiment.

[0195] refer to Fig.15 , the water supply sensor 182 may detect that the water supply to the filter device 100 is stopped (operation 1100). The water supply sensor 182 may obtain information about the drainage state of the washing machines 10 and 10a. The controller 191 may receive information about the water supply to the filter device 100 from the water supply sensor 182 that obtains information about the water supply to the filter device 100, and may detect whether water is supplied to the filter device 100.

[0196] The controller 191 may determine to end the water supply to the filter device 100 based on the detection of the interruption of the water supply to the filter device 100 (operation 1200). The controller 191 may determine that the drainage of the washing machines 10 and 10a has ended based on the detection of the interruption of the water supply to the filter device 100.

[0197] The controller 191 may generate a signal for operating the opening and closing device 140 to remove the residual water inside the filter housing 110 based on the detection of the end of water supply to the filter device 100 (operation 1300). The controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 to remove the residual water inside the filter housing 110 based on the detection of the end of drainage of the washing machines 10 and 10a.

[0198] When water supply to the filter device 100 is completed, the opening and closing device 140 may open the connection hole 118 of the filter housing 110 (operation 1400). When drainage of the washing machine 10, 10a is completed, the opening and closing device 140 may open the connection hole 118 of the filter housing 110.

[0199] Fig.16 Shows when Fig.10 Water flow when the filter shown is clogged.

[0200] refer to Fig.16 When the filter 120 of the filter device 100 is clogged with foreign matter, the opening and closing device 140 may open the connection hole 118. When the filter 120 is clogged with foreign matter, the opening and closing device 140 may open the bypass flow path 117. The connection door 141 may rotate to open the connection hole 118. The connection door 141 may rotate to open the bypass flow path 117.

[0201] When the bypass flow path 117 is opened, water flowing into the filter housing 110 may move along the bypass flow path 117. Water introduced into the filter housing 110 may be introduced into the bypass flow path 117 through the connection hole 118 and then discharged to the outside of the filter housing 110 through the housing outlet 111b.

[0202] According to this configuration, even if a portion of the filter 120 is clogged, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may drain water from the filter device 100, and thus, the operation of the filter device 100 may be prevented from being stopped.

[0203] Fig.17 Configurations of filter devices according to embodiments and signal flows between the configurations are shown.

[0204] refer to Fig.17 , will describe Figures 6 to 13 The control method of the opening and closing device 140 of the filter device 100 shown in FIG. Fig.14 The components shown in the figure coincide with the description of the components.

[0205] refer to Fig.17 , when the filter device 100 is driven, the controller 191 may operate the filter sensor 181 .

[0206] As described above, the controller 191 can control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the filter flow path 116 based on satisfying the first preset condition, and can control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the bypass flow path 117 based on satisfying the second preset condition.

[0207] In this case, the first preset condition and the second preset condition may be information on the state of the filter 120. For example, the first preset condition may be a condition that clogging of the filter 120 is not detected, and the second preset condition may be a condition that clogging of the filter 120 is detected.

[0208] The filter sensor 181 may detect whether the filter 120 is clogged. For example, the filter sensor 181 may irradiate light to the second filter portion 122 and detect the amount of foreign matter collected in the second filter portion 122 when receiving reflected light. Information on the amount of foreign matter obtained from the filter sensor 181 may be digitized.

[0209] The controller 191 may determine whether the filter 120 is clogged based on information obtained from the filter sensor 181 .

[0210] For example, the controller 191 may determine that the filter 120 is clogged based on the fact that the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120 is greater than a preset amount, and may determine that the filter 120 is not clogged based on the fact that the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120 is less than a preset amount.

[0211] The controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the bypass flow path 117 based on the confirmation that the filter 120 is clogged. The opening and closing device 140 may control the connection door 141 to open the bypass flow path 117 based on the control signal from the controller 191.

[0212] The controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 to guide the water flowing into the filter housing 110 to the filtration flow path 116 based on the confirmation that the filter 120 is not clogged. The opening and closing device 140 may control the connection door 141 to close the bypass flow path 117 based on a control signal from the controller 191.

[0213] In this embodiment, the controller 191 can control the connecting door 141 to open the bypass flow path 117 based on the detection of clogging of the filter 120 by the filter sensor 181, and can control the connecting door 141 to close the bypass flow path 117 based on the fact that clogging of the filter 120 is not detected by the filter sensor 181.

[0214] Fig.18 A flow chart showing a control method of a filter device according to an embodiment.

[0215] refer to Fig.18, the filter sensor 181 may detect that the filter 120 is clogged (operation 2100). The filter sensor 181 may detect that the second filter portion 122 of the filter 120 is clogged. The filter sensor 181 may obtain information about the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120. The controller 191 may receive information about the clogging of the filter 120 from the filter sensor 181 that obtains information about the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120, and may detect whether the filter 120 is clogged.

[0216] The controller 191 may determine clogging of the filter 120 based on detecting that the amount of foreign matter collected in the filter 120 exceeds a preset amount (operation 2200). The controller 191 may determine that the flow of water passing through the filter flow path 116 is not smooth based on detecting that the filter 120 is clogged.

[0217] The controller 191 may generate a signal for operating the opening and closing device 140 to open the bypass flow path 117 based on the detection of the clogging of the filter 120 (operation 2300). Based on the detection of the clogging of the filter 120, the controller 191 may control the opening and closing device 140 so that the water flowing into the filter housing 110 is discharged without passing through the filter 120.

[0218] When the filter 120 is clogged, the opening and closing device 140 may open the bypass flow path 117 (operation 2400). When the filter 120 is clogged, the opening and closing device 140 may open the connection hole 118 of the filter housing 110.

[0219] Fig.19 A filter device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0220] refer to Fig.19 , the filter device 200 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig.19 In the filter device 200 shown in FIG. 1 , the same reference numerals are assigned to the filter device 200 as in FIG. Figures 6 to 8 The components of the filter device 100 shown in FIG. 1 are the same components, and a detailed description may be omitted.

[0221] refer to Fig.19 In the filter device 200, the positions of the housing inlet 202a and the housing outlet 202b can be Figures 6 to 8 The positions of the housing inlet 102a and the housing outlet 102b of the filter device 100 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged differently.

[0222] refer to Fig.19 , the housing inlet 202a can be positioned on the rear side of the filter device 200. The housing inlet 202a can be positioned on the housing bracket 204. Figures 6 to 8 The housing inlet 102a of the filter device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in the housing body 102, however, Fig.19 The housing inlet 202a of the filter device 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be positioned on the housing bracket 204. The housing inlet 202a may extend in substantially the same direction as the housing inlet 112a of the filter housing 110. The housing inlet 202a may be directly connected to the housing inlet 112a.

[0223] The housing outlet 202b may be positioned on the rear side of the filter device 200. The housing outlet 202b may be positioned on the housing bracket 204. Figures 6 to 8 The housing outlet 102b of the filter device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in the housing body 102, however, Fig.19 The housing outlet 202 b of the filter device 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be positioned on a housing bracket 204 .

[0224] Although not shown, the filter device may also Fig.19 The housing inlet 202a and Figures 6 to 8 The housing outlet 102b shown in FIG. 1 is combined with the housing outlet 102b shown in FIG. 1 , and the housing outlet 102b shown in FIG. 1 may also be combined with the housing outlet 102b shown in FIG. Figures 6 to 8 The housing inlet 102a and Fig.19 The housing outlet 202b shown in FIG.

[0225] The filter device 100 according to the embodiment is a filter device 100 that can be positioned outside the washing machine and can be connected to the drainage device of the washing machine, and the filter device includes: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter that is detachably mounted to the filter housing and filters foreign matter having a size of 5 mm or less; a filter cleaning device configured to clean the surface of the filter; and a controller configured to control the filter cleaning device to clean the surface of the filter. According to the present disclosure, since the filter device 100 is set outside the washing machines 10 and 10a, the management of the filter device 100 can be facilitated. According to the present disclosure, since the filter device 100 includes the filter cleaning device 130, the life of the filter 120 can be increased. According to the present disclosure, since the filter device 100 includes the controller 191 for controlling the filter device 100, independent control of the filter device 100 is possible.

[0226] The filter cleaning device may include: a cleaning drive device including a cleaning motor; and a cleaning member configured to rotate in contact with the surface of the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing. The cleaning drive device may be configured to drive the rotation of the cleaning member with power generated by the cleaning motor. According to the present disclosure, since the cleaning member 131 is arranged to contact and rotate with the surface of the filter 120 on which foreign matter is filtered, the time required for the filter 120 to be blocked can be increased.

[0227] The cleaning member may be configured to transfer foreign matter filtered in a portion of the filter near the housing inlet to a portion of the filter near the housing outlet when the cleaning drive device drives the cleaning member to rotate when the filter is installed inside the filter housing.

[0228] The filter housing may include a residual water guide inclined downward from the housing outlet toward the housing inlet. According to the present disclosure, since the residual water guide 119 is inclined downward from the housing outlet 111b toward the housing inlet 112a, residual water generated in the filter device 100 can be easily processed.

[0229] When the filter is mounted inside the filter housing, the remaining water guide may be positioned below the filter.

[0230] The filter device may further include: a connection hole arranged in the filter housing to discharge water guided by the residual water guide toward the housing inlet; and a connection door configured to open and close the connection hole. According to the present disclosure, when the connection door 141 selectively opens and closes the connection hole 118, residual water can be easily processed if necessary.

[0231] The filter device may also include: a filter flow path that passes through the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing; a bypass flow path that bypasses the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing; a connecting hole formed to allow water from the bypass flow path to move to the housing inlet, and to allow water flowing through the housing inlet to move to the bypass flow path; and a connecting door configured to open and close the connecting hole.

[0232] The controller may control the connection door to open the connection hole based on confirming that the filter is clogged. According to the present disclosure, when the filter 120 is clogged, since the connection hole 118 is opened and water can be discharged through the bypass flow path 117, even if the filter 120 is clogged, the operation of the filter device 100 can be prevented from being stopped.

[0233] The controller can control the connection door to open the connection hole based on confirming that the inflow of the water outlet through the housing inlet has stopped. According to the present disclosure, when it is necessary to treat residual water, the filter device 100 can open the connection hole 118, and since the connection hole 118 is also the configuration of the bypass flow path 117, a relatively simple configuration can be used to treat the residual water and deal with the clogging of the filter 120.

[0234] The filter device may further comprise an electrical circuit positioned above the filter when the filter is mounted inside the filter housing, and the controller may be arranged in the electrical circuit.

[0235] The filter apparatus may further include a user interface device positioned above the circuit. According to the present disclosure, since the user interface device 197 is positioned above the circuit 190 of the filter apparatus 100, user usability may be improved.

[0236] The filter housing may include a housing opening through which the filter may be mounted inside the filter housing, and the housing opening may be located closer to the housing outlet than to the housing inlet.

[0237] The cleaning drive device can be positioned closer to the housing inlet than the housing outlet. According to the present disclosure, through the arrangement of this configuration, since the flow direction of water passing through the filter device 100 and the direction in which the filter cleaning device 130 transfers the foreign matter of the filter 120 are the same, the foreign matter of the filter 120 can be effectively collected.

[0238] The filter device may further include a handle detachably coupled to the filter. Since the handle 129 is detachably mounted on the filter 120, management of the filter 120 may be facilitated.

[0239] The clothes treating device according to the embodiment includes: a washing machine including a washing machine housing, a tub inside the washing machine housing, and a drainage device configured to drain water from the tub to the outside of the washing machine housing; and a filter device, which is arranged outside the washing machine housing and connected to the drainage device. The filter device includes: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter, which is detachably mounted to the filter housing; and a circuit, including a controller configured to control the filter device and a power supply component configured to receive power to power the filter device. The filter housing includes a residual water guide, which is positioned below the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing and is inclined downward from the housing outlet toward the housing inlet.

[0240] The filter device may further include a connection hole 118 provided in the filter housing to discharge water guided by the remaining water guide toward the housing inlet, and a connection door 141 for opening and closing the connection hole.

[0241] The filter device may include a communication component 199 for communicating with the washing machine.

[0242] The controller may control the connection door to open the connection hole based on receiving drainage completion information from the washing machine through the communication part.

[0243] The filter device may further include a cleaning member 131 rotatably contacting a surface of the filter through which foreign matter is filtered, and a cleaning motor 136 for driving the cleaning member.

[0244] The filter of the filter device may be configured to filter foreign matter having a size smaller than a size of foreign matter filterable by the washing machine.

[0245] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the filter device is provided outside the washing machine, the clothes treating device may be easily managed.

[0246] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the filter device includes the filter cleaning apparatus, the filter replacement cycle can be increased.

[0247] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the filter device and the clothes treating device having the same include the surplus water guide, it is possible to prevent the surroundings of the filter device from being contaminated when the filter is managed.

[0248] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the filter device includes the bypass flow path, water can be discharged from the filter device even if a portion of the filter is clogged.

[0249] According to the concept of the present disclosure, since the filter device and the clothes treating device having the same include the bypass flow path, even if a portion of the filter is clogged, operation stop can be prevented.

[0250] Effects that can be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood from the above description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0251] So far, specific embodiments have been shown and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and it should be interpreted that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the technical concept of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filter device capable of being positioned outside a washing machine and capable of being connected to a drainage device of the washing machine, the filter device comprising: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter that is detachably mounted to the filter housing and filters foreign matter having a size of 5 mm or less; a filter cleaning device configured to clean a surface of the filter; as well as A controller is configured to control the filter cleaning device to clean the surface of the filter.

2. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein The filter cleaning device comprises: Cleaning drive equipment, including cleaning motors, and a cleaning member configured to rotate in contact with a surface of the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing, Wherein, the cleaning drive device is configured to drive the rotation of the cleaning member using power generated by the cleaning motor.

3. The filter device according to claim 2, wherein: When the filter is installed inside the filter housing, the cleaning member is configured to transfer foreign matter filtered in a portion of the filter near the housing inlet to a portion of the filter near the housing outlet when the cleaning drive device drives the cleaning member to rotate.

4. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein The filter housing comprises a residual water guide sloping downwardly from the housing outlet towards the housing inlet.

5. The filter device according to claim 4, wherein The remaining water guide is positioned below the filter when the filter is mounted inside the filter housing.

6. The filter device according to claim 4, further comprising: a connecting hole arranged in the filter housing to discharge the water guided by the remaining water guide toward the housing inlet; as well as The connecting door is configured to open and close the connecting hole.

7. The filter device according to claim 1, further comprising: a filter flow path that passes through the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing; a bypass flow path that bypasses the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing; a connecting hole formed to allow water from the bypass flow path to move to the housing inlet and to allow water flowing through the housing inlet to move to the bypass flow path; as well as The connecting door is configured to open and close the connecting hole.

8. The filter device according to claim 7, wherein The controller controls the connection door to open the connection hole based on confirmation that the filter is clogged.

9. The filter device according to claim 7, wherein: The controller controls the connection door to open the connection hole based on confirming that the inflow of the outlet water through the housing inlet is stopped.

10. The filter device of claim 1, further comprising: an electric circuit positioned above the filter when the filter is mounted inside the filter housing, Wherein, the controller is arranged in the circuit.

11. The filter device according to claim 10, further comprising: A user interface device is positioned above the circuit.

12. The filter device according to claim 1, wherein The filter housing comprises a housing opening through which the filter can be mounted inside the filter housing, and the housing opening is located closer to the housing outlet than to the housing inlet.

13. The filter device according to claim 2, wherein: The cleaning drive device is positioned closer to the housing inlet than to the housing outlet.

14. The filter device of claim 1, further comprising: A handle is detachably coupled to the filter.

15. A clothes processing device comprising: A washing machine comprising a washing machine housing, a tub inside the washing machine housing, and a drainage device configured to drain water from the tub to the outside of the washing machine housing; as well as A filter device is arranged outside the washing machine housing and connected to the drainage device, and the filter device includes: a filter housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a filter removably mounted to the filter housing; and a circuit comprising a controller configured to control the filter device and a power supply component configured to receive power to power the filter device, The filter housing includes a residual water guide, which is positioned below the filter when the filter is installed inside the filter housing and is inclined downward from the housing outlet toward the housing inlet.

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