Filters and Washers

Abstract

To provide a filter having high collection performance, capable of being easily cleaned, and a washing machine using the same.SOLUTION: A lint filter 30 includes a filter part 32 having a plurality of filter faces including a filter bottom face 321, filter side faces 322 and 323, and a filter rear end face 324. These filter faces may be assembled into a box-type filter or may be spread into a flat shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter and a washing machine using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Drum-type washing machines are equipped with a drainage channel that discharges wash water outside the washing tub. During washing, the drained wash water is circulated through a circulation channel that returns the discharged wash water to the washing tub. A filter unit is installed in the drainage channel, and a lint filter within the filter unit captures lint and other debris generated during washing. Accumulation of debris in the lint filter reduces the fluidity of the wash water, resulting in poor washing performance and slower drainage times. Therefore, the lint filter must be cleaned periodically. Conventional lint filters are typically box-shaped filters with an open top and filter surfaces on at least the sides and rear. These box-shaped filters have high lint-collection performance within the filter case of the filter unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-028398 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional box-type filters are cleaned by inserting a finger or a brush through the opening at the top and using the finger or brush to remove lint and other debris that has accumulated on the inner surface of the filter. However, this cleaning method has the problem that it is difficult to reach the bottom of the filter with a finger or brush, making cleaning difficult.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a comb filter with elongated projections that stand vertically from the filter bottom plate to improve the filter's cleanability. A comb filter like the one in Patent Document 1 removes lint and other debris by entangling (hooking) it on the projections, and the entangled lint can be easily removed by wiping it along the length of the projections. However, while comb filters are easier to clean than filters with a grid-like filter surface, they have lower collection performance.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a filter that has high collection performance and is easy to clean, and a washing machine using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the filter of a first aspect of the present invention is a filter that is removably housed in a filter case that has an inlet through which water flows in and an outlet through which water flows out, and has a plurality of filter surfaces that can be assembled together to form a box-shaped filter and can also be unfolded to form a flat shape.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the filter is in use, the filter surfaces can be assembled to form a box-shaped filter with high collection performance, and when cleaning the filter, it can be unfolded to form a flat shape, making it easier for fingers or a brush to reach all of the filter surfaces, improving the ease of cleaning the filter.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above filter, the box-shaped filter is a bottomed filter having one opening surface, and the opening surface can be configured to have a filter top surface frame portion that fits into the edge of the filter surface surrounding the opening surface.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when the filter surface is assembled into a box-shaped filter, the filter surface can be fixed by the filter top frame. Also, when a collection sheet such as a nonwoven fabric is attached to the inside of the box-shaped filter to make cleaning easier, the filter top frame can be used to support the collection sheet.

[0011] In addition, the filter can be configured such that at least one of the plurality of filter surfaces is provided with a sheet holding protrusion that holds the collection sheet when the collection sheet is attached inside the box-shaped filter.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the trapping sheet is attached to the inside of the filter, the trapping sheet is held by the sheet holding protrusions, and the positional displacement of the trapping sheet can be prevented.

[0013] In order to solve the above problem, a washing machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the filter described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The filter and washing machine of the present invention can be assembled into a box-shaped filter with high collection performance when in use, and can be unfolded into a flat shape when cleaning, making it easier to reach all filter surfaces with fingers or a brush, thereby improving the ease of cleaning the filter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a drum-type washing machine to which the filter unit can be applied. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a filter unit according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a filter unit according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above and rearward. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lint filter according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a lint filter according to a first embodiment in an unfolded state. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a lint filter provided with pins for hooking the ends of the net. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing an example of the configuration of a lint filter provided with grooves for hooking the ends of a net. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a lint filter provided with grooves for hooking the ends of a net. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lint filter according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lint filter according to a third embodiment in an unfolded state. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a collection sheet is attached to a lint filter according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] First Embodiment Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a drum-type washing machine (washing machine) 10 to which a filter unit 20 according to the first embodiment can be applied. Drum-type washing machine 10 is configured to include a main body 100 and a door 120, and has a washing tub 110 with a rotating drum 111 inside on the main body 100 side. Washing tub 110 has an opening on the front side of main body 100, and when door 120 is closed, the inside is sealed liquid-tight.

[0017] Filter unit 20 is connected to washing tub 110 via first pipe 131 and second pipe 132. A circulation pump 140 is provided midway through second pipe 132. A circulation path made up of first pipe 131, second pipe 132, filter unit 20, and circulation pump 140 is provided outside washing tub 110, and wash water is circulated between washing tub 110 and the circulation path during washing. Specifically, wash water is sent from washing tub 110 to filter unit 20 via first pipe 131 and returned from filter unit 20 to washing tub 110 via second pipe 132. Lint and other debris generated during washing is collected by a filter in filter unit 20, and the washed water from which the debris has been removed is returned to washing tub 110. While second pipe 132 is connected to the rear side of washing tub 110 in FIG. 1 , the location where second pipe 132 is connected to washing tub 110 is not particularly limited.

[0018] In addition, third pipe 133 for draining water is also connected to filter unit 20, and circulation pump 140 is connected to second pipe 132, with stop valve 151 provided on third pipe 133. That is, during washing, stop valve 151 on the third pipe 133 side is closed and circulation pump 140 on the second pipe 132 side is operated to circulate the wash water. During draining, circulation pump 140 is stopped and stop valve 151 is opened to drain water from washing tub 110. Because the drained wash water also passes through filter unit 20, debris such as lint in the wash water is captured by the filter in filter unit 20, and the wash water from which the debris has been removed is drained.

[0019] Next, a specific configuration of filter unit 20 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of filter unit 20 as seen obliquely from above the front, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of filter unit 20 as seen obliquely from above the rear.

[0020] The filter unit 20 is made up of a filter case 21, a lint filter (filter) 30, and a knob member 22. The filter case 21 is a cylindrical case member with a bottom, and is configured to house the lint filter 30 therein. The filter case 21 is arranged in the drum type washing machine 10 so that the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion faces the front-to-rear direction. In the following description, the orientation of the filter unit 20 indicates the orientation in which it is arranged in the drum type washing machine 10, with the front corresponding to the front side of the drum type washing machine 10 and the rear corresponding to the rear side of the drum type washing machine 10.

[0021] An insertion port 211 for inserting the lint filter 30 is provided on the front side of the filter case 21, and the lint filter 30 can be attached to and detached from the filter case 21 through the insertion port 211. More specifically, the lint filter 30 is attached to and detached from the filter case 21 while attached to the knob member 22. At this time, the lint filter 30 is attached to the knob member 22 by inserting the front end of the lint filter 30 into the rear end of the knob member 22. A male thread portion 221 is formed in the knob member 22, and a female thread portion 212 is formed in the insertion port 211 of the filter case 21, and the lint filter 30 can be attached to and detached from the filter case 21 by rotating the knob member 22.

[0022] Furthermore, an inlet 213, an outlet 214, and a drain outlet 215 are formed on the side surface of the cylindrical portion of filter case 21. Inlet 213 is provided at the top of filter case 21 and connected to first piping 131. Outlet 214 is connected to second piping 132, and drain outlet 215 is connected to third piping 133. A lint filter 30 in filter case 21 is arranged between inlet 213 and outlet 214 and drain outlet 215. As a result, lint filter 30 can filter wash water (circulating water) flowing from inlet 213 to outlet 214 within filter case 21 during washing, and filter wash water (drained water) flowing from inlet 213 to drain outlet 215 within filter case 21 during drainage. In this embodiment, both outlet 214 and drain outlet 215 correspond to outlets as defined in the claims.

[0023] Next, the features of the lint filter 30 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lint filter 30 (and the knob member 22) according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the lint filter 30 is composed of a base 31 inserted into the knob member 22 and a filter portion 32 extending rearward from the base 31. The filter portion 32 is a bottomed filter portion that is open upward, and is composed of a filter bottom surface 321, filter side surfaces 322 and 323, and a filter rear end surface 324, forming a box-shaped filter with an open top surface. In other words, the filter portion 32 uses the filter bottom surface 321, filter side surfaces 322 and 323, and filter rear end surface 324 as filter surfaces, thereby forming a box-shaped filter having multiple filter surfaces. Each filter surface of the lint filter 30 is preferably a lattice filter that has high lint collection performance.

[0024] The longitudinal direction of filter bottom surface 321 and filter side surfaces 322, 323 is the insertion direction into filter case 21 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 or 3 ), and they have a linear longitudinal axis along this longitudinal direction. In filter unit 20, the filter surface of filter section 32 (filter side surface 322 in this example) is provided facing outlet 214 and drain outlet 215, and the opening of filter section 32 is provided facing inlet 213. When filter unit 20 is in use (during washing or draining), wash water flowing in from inlet 213 of filter case 21 flows in from above filter section 32, passes through the filter surface of filter section 32, and flows out from outlet 214 or drain outlet 215 of filter case 21. At this time, debris such as lint mixed in the wash water is collected by the filter surface of filter section 32.

[0025] The box-shaped lint filter 30 shown in Fig. 4 is difficult to clean in its original shape (it is particularly difficult to remove lint and the like adhering to the filter bottom surface 321). For this reason, the lint filter 30 is characterized in that the filter portion 32 can be unfolded into a flat shape, making cleaning easier. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the lint filter 30 in a state in which the filter portion 32 is unfolded flat.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the lint filter 30 has a filter bottom surface 321 fixedly attached to the base 31, and filter side surfaces 322, 323 and a filter rear end surface 324 that are foldable relative to the filter bottom surface 321. The filter rear end surface 324 may be further formed of two foldable surfaces 324a and 324b. Similarly, the filter side surfaces 322, 323 may be formed of multiple foldable surfaces. Alternatively, even if the filter side surfaces 322, 323 and the filter rear end surface 324 are formed of multiple surfaces, the multiple surfaces do not have to be foldable relative to each other. In other words, the filter portion 32 of the lint filter 30 only needs to be able to unfold generally flat, and does not have to be able to unfold completely flat.

[0027] At least one fitting protrusion 325 (two fitting protrusions on each of the filter side surfaces 322 and 323 in FIG. 5) is provided on the front edge of the filter side surfaces 322 and 323. Furthermore, a fitting groove 311 is provided on the rear end surface of the base 31 at a position corresponding to the fitting protrusion 325. When the filter section 32 is assembled into a box-shaped filter, the filter side surfaces 322 and 323 are fixed by fitting the fitting protrusion 325 into the fitting groove 311.

[0028] Furthermore, engagement protrusions 326 are provided on both side edges of filter rear end surface 324. When filter section 32 is assembled into a box-shaped filter, hook portions at the tips of engagement protrusions 326 are engaged with lattice holes in filter side surfaces 322, 323, thereby fixing filter rear end surface 324.

[0029] As described above, the lint filter 30 according to the first embodiment can be easily formed into a box-shaped filter by assembling the filter portion 32, or can be easily unfolded into a flat shape. When cleaning the lint filter 30, the unfolded flat shape makes it easier to reach all filter surfaces (including the filter bottom surface 321) with fingers or a brush, improving the ease of cleaning the filter. Of course, when using the lint filter 30, high collection performance can be ensured by assembling it into a box-shaped filter.

[0030] Furthermore, some users may use a bag-shaped net (such as a commercially available drain net) to cover the lint filter 30, and in this case, to prevent the net from slipping, the end of the net may be placed over the knob member 22 and sandwiched between the knob member 22 and the filter case 21 (between the male thread portion 221 and the female thread portion 212). However, using the net in this manner creates a gap between the knob member 22 and the filter case 21, which can cause water leakage from the filter unit 20.

[0031] In the lint filter 30 according to the first embodiment, when a bag-shaped net is used, the end of the net can be hooked onto the fitting protrusion 325 and fixed by being sandwiched between the fitting groove 311 and the fitting protrusion 325. In this case, it is possible to prevent the net from shifting without causing water leakage from the filter unit 20. Furthermore, aside from the fitting protrusion 325, a pin or groove for hooking the end of the net may be formed on the base 31 or the filter part 32.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a lint filter 30 provided with pins 328 for hooking the ends of the net. The lint filter 30 in Fig. 6 is provided with hook-shaped pins 328 that extend outward from the filter side surfaces 322, 323 and have hook-shaped protrusions with their tips extending forward. By hooking the opening side end of the net onto these pins 328, it is possible to cover only the filter portion 32 with the net and prevent it from slipping off the filter portion 32.

[0033] 7A and 7B show an example configuration (deployed state) of a lint filter 30 provided with grooves 329 for hooking the ends of the net. In the lint filter 30 of FIGS. 7A and 7B, grooves 329 are provided on the filter bottom surface 321 and the outer surfaces of the filter side surfaces 322 and 323. In the assembled lint filter 30, the grooves 329 are formed across the outer surface of the filter portion 32. If the bag-shaped net to be placed over the lint filter 30 has a stretchable ring-shaped attachment portion (such as a rubber band) at the open end, the attachment portion can be hooked onto the grooves 329 to cover only the filter portion 32 and prevent the net from slipping off the filter portion 32. Note that while FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate grooves 329 that are concave relative to the outer surface of the filter portion 32, ridges that are convex relative to the outer surface of the filter portion 32 may be formed instead of the grooves 329.

[0034] Second Embodiment As a means to facilitate cleaning of box-type filters, commercially available products include paper collection sheets (water-permeable sheets such as nonwoven fabrics) that are attached to the inside of the filter before use. These collection sheets collect lint inside the filter, allowing the collected lint to be discarded along with the sheet, reducing the effort required to clean the filter. However, these collection sheets have the problem of being easily displaced relative to the box-type filter by the flow of wastewater. A collection sheet that is displaced from its original position will not be able to fully exert its intended effect.

[0035] The lint filter 30 according to the second embodiment has a function of preventing misalignment of a commercially available trapping sheet or the like when the sheet is used. As a specific example, (preferably multiple) sheet holding protrusions 327 (see FIG. 5) may be provided on the filter bottom surface 321, and the sheet holding protrusions 327 may be pierced into the trapping sheet to hold the trapping sheet. In this way, when the trapping sheet is attached to the lint filter 30, the sheet holding protrusions 327 can prevent the trapping sheet from misaligning, allowing the trapping sheet to fully exert its effect. Note that the sheet holding protrusions 327 may be provided on the filter side surfaces 322 and 323 instead of the filter bottom surface 321.

[0036] The trapping sheet may be attached to the lint filter 30 while the lint filter 30 is unfolded and flat, and the lint filter 30 may be assembled with the trapping sheet attached. This facilitates attachment of the trapping sheet to the lint filter 30. The sheet holding protrusions 327 may be configured to move close to or be inserted into adjacent filter surfaces as the lint filter 30 is assembled. For example, one of the sheet holding protrusions 327 shown in FIG. 5 may be configured to be inserted into the filter side surfaces 322, 323 as the lint filter 30 is assembled, or to move close to another sheet holding protrusion 327 provided on the filter side surfaces 322, 323. This allows the folded portion of the trapping sheet that is folded when the lint filter 30 is assembled to be securely held.

[0037] Third Embodiment The lint filter 30 according to the third embodiment shows a modified example of the function of preventing the trapping sheet from shifting position. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lint filter 40 (and the knob member 22) according to the third embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the lint filter 40 with the filter portion 42 laid out flat. In the filter unit 20 according to the second embodiment, the filter case 21 and the knob member 22 can have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 8 , the lint filter 40 is composed of a base 41 inserted into the knob member 22 and a filter portion 42 extending rearward from the base 41. The filter portion 42 is a bottomed filter portion that is open at the top and is a box-shaped filter that includes a filter bottom surface 421, filter side surfaces 422 and 423, and a filter rear end surface 424. The filter bottom surface 421, filter side surfaces 422 and 423, and filter rear end surface 424 of the lint filter 40 can be configured similarly to the filter bottom surface 321, filter side surfaces 322 and 323, and filter rear end surface 324 of the lint filter 30. The lint filter 40 also includes a filter top frame 425. The filter top frame 425 is installed so as to fit over the upper edges of the filter side surfaces 422 and 423 and the filter rear end surface 424. In other words, the filter top frame 425 is fitted onto the edge of the filter surface surrounding the opening surface of the box-shaped filter.

[0039] The lint filter 40 can be unfolded into a flat shape, similar to the lint filter 30. In the lint filter 40 unfolded into a flat shape, as shown in Fig. 9, the filter top frame portion 425 is connected to the filter side surface 423 in a bendable manner.

[0040] When a paper collection sheet is attached to the inside of a box-type filter, the sheet is curved to fit the inner surface of the filter. However, with this installation method, the sheet tends to return to a flat state due to its stiffness. As a result, the collection sheet attached to the box-type filter tends to lift up, causing the collection sheet to easily become misaligned.

[0041] Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 8, showing a state in which a trapping sheet is attached to the lint filter 40. As shown in Fig. 10, the lint filter 40 has a filter top frame 425 fitted to the upper edges of the filter side surfaces 422, 423 and the filter rear end surface 424, and the filter top frame 425 can press down the upper edge of the attached trapping sheet (a trapping sheet that is installed in a curved manner). This prevents the trapping sheet attached to the lint filter 40 from floating up and suppresses displacement of the trapping sheet. Alternatively, when the filter top frame 425 is fitted to the upper edges of the filter side surfaces 422, 423 and the filter rear end surface 424, the end of the trapping sheet can be clamped and fixed in place in the fitting positions.

[0042] 5, the lint filter 40 of Fig. 9 has fitting protrusions and engagement protrusions for fixing the filter side surfaces 422, 423 and the filter rear end surface 424 in an assembled state. However, in the lint filter 40, the filter side surfaces 422, 423 and the filter rear end surface 424 in an assembled state can be fixed by fitting the filter top frame portion 425. For this reason, in the lint filter 40, it is possible to omit the fitting protrusions and engagement protrusions for fixing the filter side surfaces 422, 423 and the filter rear end surface 424.

[0043] 9 has a configuration in which the filter top frame 425 is connected to the filter side surface 423 in a manner that allows it to be bent, i.e., the filter top frame 425 is made of the same material as the other filter surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the filter top frame 425 may be made of a separate material from the other filter surfaces and may be combined when assembling the filter unit 42 into a box-shaped filter.

[0044] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 Drum type washing machine (washing machine) 100 units 110 Washing machine tub 111 Rotating Drum 120 doors 131 First Pipe 132 Second Pipe 133 Third Pipe 140 Circulation Pump 151 Water stop valve 20 Filter unit 21 Filter case 211 Outlet 212 Female thread 213 Inlet 214 Outlet (Outlet) 215 Drain port (outlet) 22 Knob member 221 Male thread 30,40 Lint filter (filter) 31,41 base 311 Fitting groove 32,42 Filter section 321,421 Filter bottom 322,323,422,423 Filter side 324,424 Rear end face of filter 325 mating projection 326 Engagement protrusion 327 Seat holding protrusion 328 pins 329 Groove 425 Filter top frame

Claims

1. A filter that is detachably housed in a filter case that has an inlet through which water flows in and an outlet through which water flows out, It has a plurality of filter surfaces, the plurality of filter surfaces can be assembled together to form a box-shaped filter and can be unfolded into a flat shape; The filter, wherein the plurality of filter surfaces include a filter bottom surface and a pair of filter side surfaces that are bendable relative to the filter bottom surface.

2. 2. The filter of claim 1, The box-type filter is a filter with a bottom and one open surface, The filter has a filter top frame portion at the opening surface that is fitted onto an edge portion of a filter surface surrounding the opening surface.

3. A filter that is detachably housed in a filter case that has an inlet through which water flows in and an outlet through which water flows out, It has a plurality of filter surfaces, the plurality of filter surfaces can be assembled together to form a box-shaped filter and can be unfolded into a flat shape; A filter characterized in that at least one of the plurality of filter surfaces is provided with a sheet holding protrusion that holds a collection sheet when the collection sheet is attached inside the box-type filter.

4. A washing machine comprising the filter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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