Collecting device and washing machine including collecting device

Abstract

To provide a collecting device capable of collecting minute foreign matters such as microplastics even in a limited space and reducing the frequency of maintenance.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste water treatment apparatus including a case in which an introduction port for introducing waste water and a discharge port for discharging the waste water are formed, and a filter having one surface facing the introduction port and the other surface facing the discharge port and configured to collect foreign matters contained in the waste water. In the collection device in which a plurality of the filters that are in contact with the bottom surface of the case and are separated from the top surface of the case are provided between the introduction port and the discharge port, an upper end of the filter on the discharge port side is higher than an upper end of the filter on the introduction port side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection device and a washing machine equipped with the collection device. [Background technology]

[0002] When washing clothes in a washing machine, microplastics are contained in the wastewater discharged during the washing, rinsing, and spin cycles. Because microplastics are smaller than ordinary lint, they cannot be captured unless the mesh size of the filter is smaller than that of ordinary washing machines. However, if the filter mesh size is made smaller, the filter may easily become clogged, which may increase the frequency of maintenance. Therefore, technologies have been proposed that can ensure the filtration area of ​​the filter in order to reduce the frequency of maintenance.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for removing metal powder and fiber debris from liquid collected from a car body washing device, but also ensures a sufficient filtering area even with a compact configuration. Specifically, claim 1 of Patent Document 1 states, "A plurality of filters are provided in multiple stages from the upstream side to the downstream side at predetermined intervals." Furthermore, paragraph 0046 of the specification of Patent Document 1 also states, "When the first-stage filter becomes clogged, the wash water overflows (overflows) the top end of the first-stage filter, and the wash water is filtered by the second-stage or subsequent filters." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-112920 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of collection devices attached to household appliances such as washing machines, the installation space is limited, so it is necessary to narrow the distance between filters and the overflow path, which may result in a faster flow rate of wastewater. However, the height of the filter described in Patent Document 1 is lower on the outlet side than on the inlet side. This means that overflowing wastewater may pass through the subsequent filter and not be filtered.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a collection device that can collect tiny foreign matter such as microplastics even in a limited space and reduce the frequency of maintenance, and a washing machine equipped with the collection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a collection device comprising a case having an inlet for introducing wastewater and an outlet for discharging the wastewater, and a filter having one side facing the inlet and the other side facing the outlet for capturing foreign matter contained in the wastewater, wherein the bottom surface of the case is a horizontal plane or an inclined surface in which the outlet side is lower than the inlet side, and wherein a plurality of filters are provided between the inlet and the outlet, each filter contacting the bottom surface of the case and separating it from the top surface of the case, and wherein the upper end of the filter on the outlet side is higher than the upper end of the filter on the inlet side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a collection device that can capture tiny foreign matter such as microplastics even in a limited space and reduce the frequency of maintenance, and a washing machine equipped with a collection device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of a drum-type washer-dryer to which a collection device according to an embodiment is attached. [Figure 2A]FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of a collection device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which the first filter on the inlet side is clogged and overflows in the collection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of a modified example of the collection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the cover is being removed in a modified example of the collection device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of a collection device according to Example 2. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the first filter on the inlet side is clogged and overflows in the collection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of a collection device according to Example 3. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the outline of the configuration of the collection device according to Example 3. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the flow of wastewater when the four upstream filters are clogged in the collection device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of a drum-type washer-dryer to which a collection device according to an embodiment is attached. Here, a drum-type washer-dryer will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washing machine without a drying function, or a vertical washing machine or washer-dryer.

[0012] 1, drum type washer-dryer 100 includes housing 20, outer tub 30 for storing wash water and rinse water, and inner tub 40 (washing and spin tub) that can rotate and accommodate clothes, etc. In drum type washer-dryer 100, wash water used in the washing process and rinse water used in the rinsing process are discharged from drain outlet 30a of outer tub 30 via a drainage channel.

[0013] Here, the drainage channel is mainly composed of an internal drainage channel 60a, a collector 60b, a drain valve 60c, and a drain hose 60d. The internal drainage channel 60a connects the drain outlet 30a of the outer tub 30 to the collector 60b. The collector 60b collects foreign matter contained in the wastewater flowing through the internal drainage channel 60a. The drain valve 60c is closed mainly during the washing and rinsing processes and is open mainly during the spin-drying process. The wastewater passes through the drain hose 60d when the drain valve 60c is open. In addition, a circulation pump 50 is provided downstream of the collector 60b to circulate the wash water and rinsing water in the outer tub 30.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the collection device 60b has at least a portion of its filter with mesh sizes smaller than 5 mm, and is therefore capable of collecting minute foreign matter known as microplastics. The configuration of the collection device 60b will be described in detail below with reference to Examples 1 to 3. While the example in FIG. 1 shows the collection device 60b built into the drum-type washer-dryer 100, the collection device 60b may alternatively be attached externally to the downstream side of the drain hose 60d of the drum-type washer-dryer 100. [Example]

[0015] 2A is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of the collection device according to Example 1. As shown in FIG. 2A, the collection device includes a case 1 forming an outer shell and a plurality of filters 2 fixed inside the case 1.

[0016] The case 1 is formed with an inlet 1a for introducing drainage water from the internal drainage channel 60a of the drum type washer-dryer 100, and an outlet 1b for discharging the drainage water filtered by the filter 2 downstream where the circulation pump 50 and the drainage hose 60d are located.

[0017] Each filter 2 is disposed between the inlet 1a and the outlet 1b, with one surface facing the inlet 1a and the other surface facing the outlet 1b. Therefore, wastewater flowing into the case 1 from the inlet 1a is filtered sequentially, starting with the filter 2 on the inlet 1a side, preventing foreign matter, including microplastics, from flowing out of the outlet 1b. Furthermore, because the lower end of each filter 2 is in contact with the bottom surface 1c of the case 1, wastewater flowing downward through the case 1 due to gravity is prevented from reaching the outlet 1b without passing through the filter 2. Meanwhile, because the upper end of each filter 2 is separated from the top surface 1d of the case 1, if the entire area of ​​the upstream filter 2 becomes clogged, the gap between the upper end of the filter 2 and the top surface 1d serves as an overflow path, directing the wastewater downstream and preventing backflow of the wastewater.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each filter 2 is provided so that the upper end of the filter 2 on the outlet 1b side is higher than the upper end of the filter 2 on the inlet 1a side. Therefore, even if the wastewater flowing through the case 1 passes over the upstream filter 2, it is difficult for it to pass over the downstream filter 2 in one go. As a result, wastewater containing foreign matter that was not filtered by the upstream filter 2 is more likely to be guided to the downstream filter 2, allowing the downstream filter 2 to filter out the foreign matter. Note that, in this embodiment, the filter 2 rises in a stepped manner from the most upstream filter 2 to the most downstream filter 2, but multiple filters 2 of the same height may be included.

[0019] Additionally, the bottom surface 1c of the case 1 may be a horizontal surface, but is preferably an inclined surface with the outlet 1b side lower than the inlet 1a to prevent water from remaining in the case 1. Furthermore, the top surface 1d of the case 1 may be a horizontal surface, but is preferably an inclined surface with the inlet 1a side lower than the outlet 1b side, as in this embodiment, to fit the stepped filter 2. By making the top surface 1d of the case 1 an inclined surface, it is possible to reduce wasted space on the inlet 1a side.

[0020] 2B is a side view showing a state in which the first filter on the inlet side of the collection device according to Example 1 becomes clogged and overflows. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the upstream filter 2 becomes clogged, the water level of the wastewater 3 rises, and the wastewater 3 flows over the upper end of the filter 2 and reaches the overflow channel. However, the wastewater 3 passing through the overflow channel cannot flow over the upper end of the downstream filter 2 and is filtered by the filter 2.

[0021] In this way, in this embodiment, by providing multiple filters 2 between the inlet 1a and the outlet 1b, a wide filtration area is ensured while the filter 2 on the outlet 1b side is made higher. This makes it possible to lengthen the time until all the filters 2 become completely clogged, reducing the frequency of cleaning (maintenance) by the user, while maintaining high performance in capturing foreign matter.

[0022] The mesh size of each filter 2 may be the same, but it is preferable to make the mesh size of the filter 2 on the inlet 1a side larger than that of the filter 2 on the outlet 1b side. This prevents the upstream filter 2 from clogging quickly and allows the wastewater 3 to be guided downstream with as little overflow as possible.

[0023] Furthermore, at least the filter 2 closest to the outlet 1b may be dedicated to microplastics. In this case, the filter 2 dedicated to microplastics may be disposable and detachable from the case 1. This is because it is not easy to remove the captured microplastics 4 from the filter 2. The mesh size of the filter 2 dedicated to microplastics is smaller than 5 mm, but if it is too small, resistance increases and drainage efficiency decreases, so it is desirable to make it 55 μm or larger.

[0024] (Modification of Example 1) In a modification of Example 1, the collection device is equipped with a cleaning means. Fig. 3A is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of a modification of the collection device according to Example 1. As shown in Fig. 3A, in the modification of Example 1, the outer shell of the collection device is composed of a case 1 (case main body) and a cover 10 (case upper part).

[0025] The cover 10 can be attached and detached by the user lifting it upward relative to the case 1. Similar to the top surface 1d of the case 1 of the first embodiment, the top surface 10d of the cover 10 has an inclined surface in which the inlet 1a side is lower than the outlet 1b side. Furthermore, a plurality of frames 11 extending vertically downward are formed on the top surface 10d of the cover 10, and each frame 11 is inserted alternately into each filter 2 and positioned between adjacent filters 2. Note that each frame 11 is provided only at both ends in the left-right direction (depth direction in FIG. 3A ) or multiple frames 11 are provided at both ends and with a gap between them, so as not to cover the entire surface of each filter 2.

[0026] A brush 12 is supported at the lower end of each frame 11. As shown in Fig. 3A, when the cover 10 is attached to the case 1, the brush 12 abuts against the bottom surface 1c of the case 1.

[0027] 3B is a side view showing a state in which the cover is being removed in a modified example of the collection device according to Example 1. As shown in FIG. 3B, when a user lifts the cover 10 upward relative to the case 1, the brush 12 also moves upward in conjunction with the movement. At this time, the brush 12 slides while contacting at least the upstream side of each filter 2, thereby carrying up foreign matter, including microplastics, adhering to each filter 2. In this way, in this modified example, the filter 2 can be cleaned in conjunction with the operation of removing the cover 10, making maintenance easier. [Example]

[0028] 4A is a side view showing the outline of the configuration of the collection device according to Example 2. Below, a description of the configuration common to Example 1 will be omitted, and only the configuration different from Example 1 will be described.

[0029] 4A, the upper end of the filter 2 on the outlet 1b side is at approximately the same height as the upper end of the filter 2 on the inlet 1a side, so that the top surface 1e of the case 1 is a horizontal surface.

[0030] In this embodiment, a plurality of partitions 1f are formed extending vertically downward from the top surface 1e of the case 1. The partitions 1f are inserted alternately into the filters 2 and are positioned between adjacent filters 2. Furthermore, each partition 1f is provided continuously from one end to the other in the left-right direction (depth direction in FIG. 4A), and the lower end of each partition 1f is at the same height as or lower than the upper end of each filter 2. Note that each partition 1f is not limited to a shape extending vertically, and may be a shape that is inclined forward or backward relative to the vertical direction.

[0031] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even if the wastewater flowing through the case 1 passes over the upstream filter 2, it is difficult for the wastewater flowing through the case 1 to pass over the downstream filter 2 in one go. As a result, the wastewater containing foreign matter that was not filtered by the upstream filter 2 is more likely to be guided to the downstream filter 2, allowing the downstream filter 2 to filter out the foreign matter.

[0032] 4B is a side view showing a state in which the first filter on the inlet side of the collection device according to Example 2 is clogged and overflowing. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the upstream filter 2 is clogged, the water level of the wastewater 3 rises, and the wastewater 3 passes over the upper end of the filter 2 and reaches the overflow flow path. However, the wastewater 3 passing through the overflow flow path collides with the partition 1f and is guided downward, so it is filtered by the filter 2. Therefore, Example 2 also provides the same effects as Example 1. [Example]

[0033] Fig. 5A is a side view showing an outline of the configuration of a collection device according to Example 3, and Fig. 5B is a top view showing an outline of the configuration of a collection device according to Example 3. Hereinafter, a description of the configuration common to Example 1 will be omitted, and only the configuration different from Example 1 will be described.

[0034] 5A, in this embodiment, no overflow passage is formed because the upper end of each filter 2 is in contact with the top surface 1g of the case 1. Therefore, even if the entire area of ​​the upstream filter 2 becomes clogged, the wastewater will not flow over the filter 2 but will flow in the left-right direction.

[0035] 5B, the filters 2 are arranged such that one (first filter) extends leftward from the right side surface 1h of the case 1 and the other (second filter) extends rightward from the left side surface 1k of the case 1 in a staggered manner. That is, one end of the first filter contacts the right side surface 1h and the other end of the first filter is spaced apart from the left side surface 1k opposite the right side surface 1h, and one end of the second filter contacts the left side surface 1k and the other end of the second filter is spaced apart from the right side surface 1h opposite the left side surface 1k.

[0036] Furthermore, the inlet 1a is formed near one end (right end) in the left-right direction, and the outlet 1b is formed near the other end (left end) in the left-right direction. In particular, the filter 2 closest to the inlet 1a is the first filter described above, and the filter 2 closest to the outlet 1b is the second filter described above.

[0037] FIG. 5C is a top view showing the flow of wastewater when the four upstream filters in the collection device according to Example 3 are clogged. As shown in FIG. 5C, because the most upstream filter 2 is clogged, the wastewater 3 flows leftward in front of the filter 2 and then passes through the gap between the left end of the filter 2 and the left side surface 1k of the case 1 to reach the front of the next (second) filter 2. Furthermore, because the second filter 2 is also clogged, the wastewater 3 flows rightward in front of the second filter 2 and reaches the gap between the right end of the filter 2 and the right side surface 1h of the case 1. Similarly, the wastewater 3 flows meandering between the adjacent filters 2 to the fourth upstream filter. Because the fifth and subsequent filters 2 are not clogged, the wastewater 3 flows from the fifth filter 2 toward the outlet 1b along a path that is close to the shortest path, with foreign matter being filtered out by each filter 2 along the way.

[0038] Therefore, the same effects as those of Example 1 can be obtained with Example 3. Furthermore, in Example 3, the inlet 1a and the outlet 1b are located on opposite sides in the left-right direction, so that the wastewater 3 can be filtered by more filters 2, thereby improving the performance of capturing foreign matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1...case, 1a...inlet, 1b...outlet, 1c...bottom, 1d...top, 1e...top, 1f...partition, 1g...top, 1h...right side, 1k...left side, 2...filter, 3...drainage, 4...microplastics, 10...cover, 10d...top, 11...frame, 12...brush, 20...casing, 30...outer tub, 30a...drain outlet, 40...inner tub, 50...circulation pump, 60a...internal drainage channel, 60b...collection device, 60c...drain valve, 60d...drain hose, 100...drum type washer-dryer

Claims

1. a case having an inlet for introducing wastewater and an outlet for discharging the wastewater; a filter having one surface facing the inlet and the other surface facing the outlet, for capturing foreign matter contained in the wastewater; The bottom surface of the case is a horizontal surface or an inclined surface in which the outlet side is lower than the inlet side, In a collection device in which a plurality of filters are provided between the inlet and the outlet, the filters being in contact with the bottom surface of the case and separating the case from the top surface, A collection device, characterized in that the upper end of the filter on the outlet side is higher than the upper end of the filter on the inlet side.

2. a case having an inlet for introducing wastewater and an outlet for discharging the wastewater; a filter having one surface facing the inlet and the other surface facing the outlet, for capturing foreign matter contained in the wastewater; The bottom surface of the case is a horizontal surface or an inclined surface in which the outlet side is lower than the inlet side, In a collection device in which a plurality of filters are provided between the inlet and the outlet, the filters being in contact with the bottom surface of the case and separating the case from the top surface, a partition extending downward from the top surface of the case between adjacent filters; A collection device characterized in that the lower ends of the partitions are at the same height as or lower than the upper ends of the adjacent filters.

3. a case having an inlet for introducing wastewater and an outlet for discharging the wastewater; a filter having one surface facing the inlet and the other surface facing the outlet, for capturing foreign matter contained in the wastewater; In a collection device in which the bottom surface of the case is a horizontal surface or an inclined surface in which the outlet side is lower than the inlet side, the filter is composed of a plurality of first filters that are in contact with one side surface of the case and separate it from another side surface opposite to the one side surface, and a plurality of second filters that are in contact with the other side surface of the case and separate it from the one side surface, A collection device, characterized in that the first filter and the second filter are arranged alternately.

4. The collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A collection device, characterized in that the mesh size of the filter on the inlet side is larger than the mesh size of the filter on the outlet side.

5. The collection device according to claim 4, A collection device characterized in that at least the filter closest to the outlet captures microplastics.

6. The collection device according to claim 5, A collection device characterized in that the filter that collects the microplastics is detachable from the case.

7. The collection device according to claim 1, A collection device characterized in that the top surface of the case is an inclined surface in which the inlet side is lower than the outlet side.

8. The collection device according to claim 1, The case has an upper part including a top surface that can be attached and detached from above, A brush is supported on the upper part of the case, A collection device characterized in that, when the upper case part is removed from the main case part, the brush lifts up the foreign matter adhering to the filter.

9. The collection device according to claim 3, the inlet is located near the one side surface of the case, and the outlet is located near the other side surface of the case, A collection device, characterized in that the filter closest to the inlet is the first filter, and the filter closest to the outlet is the second filter.

10. 4. A washing machine, wherein the collecting device according to claim 1 is provided between a drain outlet of an outer tub of the washing machine and a drain hose, or on the downstream side of the drain hose.

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