Filter assembly and washing machine

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a filtering assembly and a washing machine, and the filtering assembly comprises a box body which is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet and an overflow hole; the filter screen is arranged in the box body and is positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet; the overflow tank is arranged on the outer side of the box body corresponding to the overflow hole; the detection piece is mounted on the outer side of the box body, and part of the detection piece is located in the overflow groove so as to detect water entering the overflow groove through the overflow hole when the filter screen is blocked, and prompt information is sent out. The overflow tank and the detection piece are arranged in the filter assembly, so that when the filter screen is blocked and water enters the overflow tank due to water level rise caused by continuous water feeding at the water inlet, the detection piece can be triggered to detect and give out a prompt, the filter screen can be judged to be blocked at the moment, and a user can be reminded to clean in time; and the problem of water leakage caused by untimely cleaning is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of washing machines, and in particular to a filter assembly and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Microplastics are defined as plastic fragments less than 5 mm in length, and are becoming a big problem in lakes, rivers and oceans. Clothes are one of the main sources of microplastics, accounting for 35% of the total amount of microplastics entering the environment during the washing machine's processing of clothes. Therefore, it is necessary to set up a filter component at the washing machine drain to collect microplastics.

[0003] However, existing filter components can only collect microplastics, and users cannot know if the filter components are blocked, which can easily lead to problems such as water leakage due to failure to clean them in time. Utility Model Content

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a filter assembly and a washing machine, which can promptly remind the user when the filter assembly is clogged, so as to reduce the problem of water leakage caused by failure to clean in time.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a filter assembly, which is applied to a washing machine, wherein the washing machine comprises a body and a drain pipe which are detachably connected, and the filter assembly is mounted on the drain pipe; the filter assembly comprises:

[0006] The box body is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet and an overflow hole;

[0007] A filter screen is arranged in the box body and located between the water inlet and the water outlet;

[0008] An overflow groove is arranged on the outside of the box body corresponding to the overflow hole;

[0009] The detection member is installed on the outside of the box body and is partially located in the overflow groove to detect the water entering the overflow groove through the overflow hole when the filter screen is blocked and issue a prompt message.

[0010] Optionally, the box body includes:

[0011] A main shell, the water inlet, the water outlet and the overflow hole are all arranged on the main shell, and the filter screen is arranged in the main shell;

[0012] The cover body is detachably connected to the main shell to cover or expose the main shell.

[0013] Optionally, the main shell includes a side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall is opposite to the cover body, the side wall is connected to the bottom wall and abuts against the cover body; the water inlet and the overflow hole are arranged on the side wall, and the water outlet is arranged on the bottom wall.

[0014] Optionally, the overflow hole is higher than the water inlet.

[0015] Optionally, a drain port is provided between the filter screen and the cover body to drain water when the filter screen is blocked and discharge the water through the water outlet.

[0016] Optionally, the drain port is higher than the overflow hole.

[0017] Optionally, the box body further includes:

[0018] A first buckle, disposed on the cover;

[0019] The second fastener is disposed on the main shell, and the second fastener is connected to the first fastener by being fastened to connect the cover body to the main shell.

[0020] Optionally, the box body further includes:

[0021] A rotating shaft is disposed on the cover body and is disposed on an opposite side of the cover body to the first buckle;

[0022] A shaft sleeve is arranged on the main shell and is arranged on the opposite side of the main shell to the second buckle. The shaft sleeve is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft so that the cover body can be turned over relative to the main shell.

[0023] Optionally, the filter assembly includes two filter screens, and the mesh size of the filter screen close to the water inlet is greater than or equal to the mesh size of the filter screen far from the water inlet.

[0024] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a washing machine, comprising:

[0025] The main body is used for holding and handling clothes;

[0026] A drain pipe, detachably connected to the body, to discharge waste water discharged from the body;

[0027] A filter assembly is disposed on the drain pipe to filter and collect microplastics in the drain pipe. The filter assembly is as described in any of the above items.

[0028] In the filter assembly and washing machine of the embodiments of the present application, by arranging an overflow groove and a detection component in the filter assembly, when the filter net is blocked, the water level rises due to continuous water inflow at the water inlet and enters the overflow groove, which can trigger the detection component to perform detection and issue a prompt, thereby determining that the filter net is blocked at this time, and can promptly remind the user to clean it, thereby reducing the problem of water leakage caused by untimely cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work.

[0030] In order to more completely understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals represent the same parts.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the first angle of the filter assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the filter assembly at a second angle provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the filter assembly along AA is shown.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the filter assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application with its cover in an open state.

[0036] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the filter assembly from a third angle provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0038] See also Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of the present application. An embodiment of the present application provides a washing machine 1, which can be a drum washing machine or a pulsator washing machine, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific restrictions. For ease of explanation, the embodiment of the present application is described by taking a drum washing machine as an example. The washing method of the drum washing machine is designed to imitate the principle of hitting clothes with a mallet. It consists of a stainless steel inner drum, a mechanical program controller, a triple-protected outer shell that has been phosphated, electrophoresed, and sprayed, and a number of heavy cement blocks for balancing the huge centrifugal force generated when the drum rotates to perform repeated movements, and the combined action of washing powder and water makes the clothes clean. In other words, the inner drum of the drum washing machine is in a horizontal position, and the opening of the inner drum faces the horizontal direction. The inner drum can rotate around the horizontal axis, and the lifting ribs in the inner drum are combined to drive the clothes to turn over, so that the clothes can be washed or dried evenly.

[0039] Exemplarily, the washing machine 1 includes a main body 100 and a drain pipe 200. The main body 100 is a structure including components such as a box body, an inner drum, a display panel, and a control panel. The main body 100 can hold and process clothes, that is, the main body 100 is a main component for washing clothes. The drain pipe 200 is detachably connected to the main body 100, such as by plugging and connecting through a plug-in pipe. The drain pipe 200 is used to discharge the sewage after the main body 100 processes the clothes, such as discharging it into a sewer through a drain port.

[0040] Among them, although the washing machine will filter and collect some slightly larger lint or fluff in the washing machine during the washing process, it does not process the microplastics, but directly discharges them. Microplastics, or microfibers, refer to plastic particles with a size of less than 5 mm. Microplastics also contain harmful substances, such as dyes, which can easily lead to ecological pollution problems. Therefore, it is necessary to set up a filter component at the drainage of the washing machine to collect microplastics. However, the existing filter components can only collect microplastics, and users cannot know if the filter components are blocked, which can easily lead to problems such as water leakage due to failure to clean in time.

[0041] In order to reduce the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a filter component 300 that can filter and collect microplastics, reduce pollution to the ecology, and can remind the user to clean the filter component 300 when it is blocked, thereby reducing the problem of water leakage caused by untimely cleaning.

[0042] It is understandable that the filter assembly 300 is used in the washing machine 1, but it can also be sold separately like the drain pipe 200. That is to say, the filter assembly 300, the drain pipe 200 and the main body 100 can be three independent products that can be sold separately or used in combination, and thus sold as a set. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the embodiment of the present application classifies the filter assembly 300 as a part of the washing machine 1, and it should not be understood that the filter assembly 300 must be included in the washing machine 1.

[0043] The filter assembly 300 is arranged on the drain pipe 200, or in other words, the filter assembly 300 is arranged on the drainage path of the drain pipe 200. During installation, the drain pipe 200 can be divided into two sections, and the filter assembly 300 is sandwiched between the two sections of the drain pipe, so that water passes through the filter assembly 300 to filter and collect microplastics in the drain pipe 200. Of course, the filter assembly 300 can also be connected to the end of the drain pipe 200, so that the water filtered by the filter assembly 300 is directly discharged. Among them, the filter assembly 300 can be installed on the side of the body 100 through a hook structure or a double-sided adhesive structure, and the top of the filter assembly 300 is not higher than the area of ​​the drainage pump head.

[0044] It should be noted that the water filtered by the filter assembly 300 in the embodiment of the present application can be directly discharged into the sewer. Since it has been filtered, at least part of the microfibers can be filtered out, thereby reducing the pollution to the ecology. Of course, the water filtered by the filter assembly 300 can also be recycled, such as connecting one end of the drain pipe 200 to the sewer, and then connecting the end branch of the drain pipe 200 to the water supply system of the body 100, so as to achieve water recycling and reduce the waste of resources.

[0045] The filter assembly 300 is not limited to being used in the washing machine 1. For example, the filter assembly 300 can also be set at the drain pipe of the washing pool, so as to remove microplastics in the washing pool and reduce the pollution of microplastics to the ecology. Of course, the filter assembly 300 can also be used in other scenarios, any scenario that can filter microplastics, and no examples are given here.

[0046] Please combine Figure 1 Also see Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 The first perspective structural diagram of the filter assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG.

[0047] The box body 310 can be made of plastic, which has a certain strength and low cost. The box body 310 is used to place the filter 320, so that at least part of the microplastics can be filtered out through the box body 310 to reduce the pollution to the ecological environment. The shape of the box body 310 can be set to adapt to the shape of the filter 320. The box body 310 is provided with a water inlet 311, a water outlet 312 and an overflow hole 313. The water inlet 311 is used to connect with the water outlet of the drain pipe 200, and the water outlet 312 is used to discharge the water filtered by the filter 320 in the box body 310. The overflow hole 313 is used to overflow water at a set height when the filter 320 is blocked, so as to remind the user by overflowing water.

[0048] The material of the filter 320 can be a nylon mesh. The filter 320 is arranged in the box body 310. The filter 320 is used to intercept microplastics or microfibers in the sewage after the clothes are processed by the main body 100 to reduce the pollution of the ecological environment by microplastics. The filter 320 is located between the water inlet 311 and the water outlet 312 to filter the water passing through the box body 310. Among them, the cooperation between the filter 320 and the box body 310 can be a fool-proof structure to prevent the filter 320 from being installed incorrectly.

[0049] The overflow groove 330 is arranged on the outside of the box body 310 corresponding to the overflow hole 313 . The overflow groove 330 is used to contain water overflowing from the overflow hole 313 when the filter screen 320 in the box body 310 is blocked.

[0050] The detection member 340 is installed outside the box body 310 and is partially located in the overflow groove 330. For example, a probe can be set in the overflow groove 330 to detect water entering the overflow groove 330 through the overflow hole 313 when the filter screen 320 is blocked, and issue a prompt message.

[0051] The prompt information may be an alarm sound, a warning light, or a combination of the two, which is not specifically limited here.

[0052] Exemplarily, the detection member 340 is a water overflow detector, which can be a battery-powered detector type, so that no additional power supply is required. The probe or detection connector of the detection member 340 can be fixed in the overflow tank 330 near the overflow hole 313.

[0053] In the filter assembly 300 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by providing an overflow groove 330 and a detection component 340 in the filter assembly 300, when the filter net 320 is blocked, the water level rises due to continuous water inflow from the water inlet 311 and enters the overflow groove 330, which can trigger the detection component 340 to perform detection and issue a prompt, thereby determining that the filter net 320 is blocked at this time, and can promptly remind the user to clean it, thereby reducing the problem of water leakage caused by untimely cleaning.

[0054] For example, please combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 Also see Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the filter assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application from a second angle. Figure 4 for Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the filter assembly shown is along AA. The box body 310 includes a main shell 314 and a cover body 315. The main shell 314 is also the main component of the box body 310, and is used to hold the filter 320. The water inlet 311, the water outlet 312 and the overflow hole 313 are all arranged on the main shell 314, and the filter 320 is arranged in the main shell 314. Among them, the main shell 314 can have an opening, the main shell 314 can be square, and the filter 320 can be vertically inserted into the main shell 314 from the opening. Among them, in order to fix the filter 320 to the main shell 314, a card slot can be set on the inner side wall of the main shell 314, and the filter 320 can be fixed in the card slot, and at the same time, it can be conveniently disassembled to disassemble and wash the filter 320. The cover body 315 is detachably connected to the main shell 314 to cover or expose the main shell 314. It is understandable that the box body 310 is designed to be split, which can facilitate the cleaning of the filter 320. A sealing member (not shown in the figure) can be provided at the connection between the cover body 315 and the main shell 314 to prevent water from leaking out.

[0055] The main shell 314 includes a side wall 3140 and a bottom wall 3142. The bottom wall 3142 is opposite to the cover body 315. The side wall 3140 is connected to the bottom wall 3142 and abuts against the cover body 315. The water inlet 311 and the overflow hole 313 are both arranged on the side wall 3140, and the water outlet 312 is arranged on the bottom wall 3142, that is, the water inlet 311 is arranged higher than the water outlet 312, and the water inlet 311 is arranged on the side wall 3140, facing the direction of the filter 320, so that the water inlet 311 can be easily flushed to the filter 320 for filtration, and then flows out from the water outlet 312 under the action of gravity. The detection member 340 can be installed on the side wall 3140 to facilitate the probe to be placed in the overflow tank 330.

[0056] Exemplarily, the overflow hole 313 is arranged higher than the water inlet 311, so as to facilitate the overflow detection when the filter screen 320 is abnormally blocked. This is also the reason why the water inlet 311 is arranged on the side wall 3140 instead of the cover body.

[0057] Exemplarily, a drain port 322 is provided between the filter 320 and the cover 315, and the drain port 322 is higher than the overflow hole 313, so that when the filter 320 is blocked and the water is discharged through the water outlet 312. That is to say, when the filter 320 is blocked and drainage is abnormal, the sewage first reaches the overflow hole 313 to cause overflow detection and alarm prompts. If the user does not handle it in time, in order to prevent the box body from being broken and leaking due to excessive water pressure caused by the blockage, the embodiment of the present application sets the drain port 322 at a higher position, so that the unfiltered water can be discharged. Among them, the volume of the overflow tank 330 should be greater than the volume of the height difference between the drain port 322 and the overflow hole 313, so as to ensure that when the filter 320 is blocked and drainage is abnormal, the sewage first reaches the overflow hole 313 to cause overflow detection alarm prompts, and then reaches the abnormal drain port 322 to be discharged through the water outlet 312.

[0058] The filter assembly 300 may have two filter screens 320, which are arranged in parallel and at intervals in the main shell 314, so that double filtration of microplastics can be achieved and the filtration effect can be improved. Exemplarily, the mesh size of the filter screen 320 close to the water inlet 311 is greater than or equal to the mesh size of the filter screen 320 far from the water inlet 311, so that a coarse filtration can be performed once, and then a fine filtration can be performed once, or double filtration can be performed, both of which can improve the filtration effect.

[0059] For example, please combine Figures 1 to 4 Also see Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the filter assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application with the cover body in an open state. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the filter assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application at a third angle. The detachable connection structure for the cover body 315 and the main shell 314 can be a snap-fit ​​structure. For example, the box body 310 also includes a first snap-fit ​​member 316 and a second snap-fit ​​member 317. The first snap-fit ​​member 316 is disposed on the cover body 315, and the second snap-fit ​​member 317 is disposed on the main shell 314. The second snap-fit ​​member 317 is snap-connected with the first snap-fit ​​member 316 to connect the cover body 315 to the main shell 314. For example, the first snap-fit ​​member 316 and the second snap-fit ​​member 317 can be a structure in which a slot and a protrusion can cooperate, thereby realizing a snap-fit ​​detachable connection.

[0060] In order to further improve the convenience of opening the cover 315, the cover 315 is set to a structure that can be rotated or flipped relative to the main shell 314. For example, the box body 310 also includes a rotating shaft 318 and a sleeve 319. The rotating shaft 318 is set on the main shell 314 and is set on the opposite side of the main shell 314 with the second clip 317. The sleeve 319 is set on the cover 315 and is set on the opposite side of the cover 315 with the first clip 316. The sleeve 319 is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 318 so that the cover 315 can be flipped relative to the main shell 314. Of course, the setting positions of the rotating shaft 318 and the sleeve 319 can also be interchanged, that is, the rotating shaft 318 is set on the cover 315, and the sleeve 319 is set on the main shell 314. This embodiment of the present application does not illustrate this situation, and only takes the above situation as an example for explanation, and should not be understood as a limitation on the setting positions of the rotating shaft 318 and the sleeve 319.

[0061] The flip angle of the cover 315 relative to the main shell 314 can be set to be greater than 90°, so as to facilitate the removal of the filter 320. An angle limiting rib can be set on the rotating shaft 318 to prevent the cover 315 from being opened too far.

[0062] In the filter assembly 300 and the washing machine 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by setting the overflow tank 330 and the detection member 340 in the filter assembly 300, when the filter net 320 is blocked, the water level rises due to the continuous water inflow into the water inlet 311 and enters the overflow tank 330, which can trigger the detection member 340 to detect and issue a prompt, thereby determining that the filter net 320 is blocked at this time, and the user can be reminded to clean it in time, thereby reducing the water leakage problem caused by not cleaning it in time. In addition, when the user fails to clean the filter net 320 in time and the water level in the box body 310 continues to rise and the pressure gradually increases, a drain port 322 is also provided to drain the water to the water outlet 312, which can prevent the problem of breaking through the box body 310 and leaking due to excessive water pressure.

[0063] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0064] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

[0065] The filter assembly and washing machine provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present application and its core idea. At the same time, for technicians in this field, according to the ideas of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A filter assembly, applied to a washing machine, the washing machine comprising a detachably connected body and a drain pipe, the filter assembly being mounted on the drain pipe; characterized in that: The filter assembly comprises: The box body is provided with a water inlet, a water outlet and an overflow hole; A filter screen is arranged in the box body and located between the water inlet and the water outlet; An overflow groove is arranged on the outside of the box body corresponding to the overflow hole; The detection member is installed on the outside of the box body and is partially located in the overflow groove to detect the water entering the overflow groove through the overflow hole when the filter screen is blocked and issue a prompt message.

2. The filter assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body comprises: A main shell, the water inlet, the water outlet and the overflow hole are all arranged on the main shell, and the filter screen is arranged in the main shell; The cover body is detachably connected to the main shell to cover or expose the main shell.

3. The filter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main shell includes a side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall is opposite to the cover body, the side wall is connected to the bottom wall and abuts against the cover body; the water inlet and the overflow hole are arranged on the side wall, and the water outlet is arranged on the bottom wall.

4. The filter assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The overflow hole is higher than the water inlet.

5. The filter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A drain port is provided between the filter screen and the cover body to drain water when the filter screen is blocked and discharge the water through the water outlet.

6. The filter assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that The drain port is higher than the overflow hole.

7. The filter assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The box body also includes: A first buckle, disposed on the cover; The second fastener is disposed on the main shell, and the second fastener is connected to the first fastener by being fastened to connect the cover body to the main shell.

8. The filter assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The box body also includes: A rotating shaft is disposed on the main shell and is disposed on an opposite side of the main shell to the second buckle; A shaft sleeve is arranged on the cover body and is arranged on the opposite side of the cover body to the first buckle. The shaft sleeve is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft so that the cover body can be turned over relative to the main shell.

9. The filter assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The filter assembly includes two filter screens, and the mesh size of the filter screen close to the water inlet is greater than or equal to the mesh size of the filter screen far from the water inlet.

10. A washing machine, characterized in that: include: The main body is used for holding and handling clothes; A drain pipe, detachably connected to the body, to discharge waste water discharged from the body; A filter assembly is disposed on the drain pipe to filter and collect microplastics in the drain pipe, and the filter assembly is the filter assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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