Centrifugal filter unit for a washing machine having a removable portion shaped to scrape against a side wall during its removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating textiles often result in the inadequate removal of solid waste fibers and particles, particularly microfibers from synthetic materials, which contaminate waterways and pose environmental harm, with existing centrifugal filtration devices failing to effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal filter unit with a rotating filter and impeller design that enhances filtration efficiency by expelling liquid through perforations while preventing solid material from passing through, allowing for prolonged operation without filter cleaning and functioning as a combined filter and pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional centrifugal filter device is used, then liquid can be separated from solid material, but the filter becomes clogged with solid material buildup requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper element is pre-installed on the filter element to automatically remove solid material during the filtration process itself, preventing clog Before the filter becomes blocked, the scraper continuously acts on the solid material that accumulates on the filter surface during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element performs self-cleaning through the scraper mechanism that is integrated onto its surface, eliminating the need for external cleaning operations or frequent manual intervention to maintain filtration performance
2Productivity
If a separate pump is used to circulate treatment formulation, then filtration can be maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed to perform dual functions: filtration of liquid through its perforated surface and pumping action through the rotation of the filter element itself, eliminating the need for a separate pump in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a filtration medium to separate solid material from liquid, and as a pumping mechanism to circulate the treatment formulation through the washing machine drum
3Device complexity
If solid material is not removed from effluent, then drainage system is simpler, but environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration process separates solid material from liquid effluent through the perforated filter element, dividing the effluent stream into filtrate that passes through and solid material that is retained on the filter surface for removal
Solution Approach 2:
The solid material that would otherwise be harmful environmental contaminant is converted into a manageable byproduct that is automatically scraped off the filter element and collected for proper disposal, transforming the pollution problem into a controlled waste management solution
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The centrifugal filter unit effectively removes solid waste materials from treatment formulations, reducing environmental contamination and improving filtration performance by maintaining efficiency even when solid material builds up on the filter, and can operate independently as a pump, reducing the need for separate equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal filter unit for an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is for use in the treatment of a substrate with a treatment formulation
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal filter unit for an apparatus for use in the treatment of a substrate with a treatment formulation is provided. The centrifugal filter unit includes a) a housing having an outlet; b) an inlet; c) a filter rotatably mounted in the housing and having a side wall with perforations that allow liquid to pass through but prevent solid material from passing through; d) an aperture; and e) a drive for rotating the filter. A portion of the centrifugal filter unit in the filter chamber is removable and, when removed from the centrifugal filter unit following operation, takes with it at least a portion of the solid material prevented from passing through the perforations. The centrifugal filter unit is arranged such that the feed is drawn into the filter from the inlet through the aperture and the liquid is expelled through the perforations to the outlet and the solid material is retained in the filter. The removable portion is shaped to scrape against the side wall during removal.