Drum Filter Structure That Sprays Wash Water While Trapping Lint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses with mesh-type filter units are prone to damage from laundry collisions, allowing foreign substances to re-enter the drum and fail to effectively spray washing water onto laundry, limiting washing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with filter units that filter water and spray it onto laundry, featuring a body with an inflow and discharge system, a filter on the inner surface, and a rotatable design to prevent backflow, all made from the same material as the drum for durability and design unity, including stainless steel components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then water filtration function is provided, but the filter units may be damaged due to collision with laundry during washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter unit durabilityVSAvoidfilter unit resistance to collision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit material is changed from mesh-type to a more durable material that can withstand collision with laundry during washing, while still maintaining the filtration function through its structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is constructed using composite material structure combining durability and filtration capabilities, with a body made of collision-resistant material and filtering elements integrated into the structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then foreign substances are filtered out, but foreign substances may be re-introduced into the drum if the filter unit is torn

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidre-introduction of foreign substances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is designed with a robust structure and durable material selection to prevent tearing and damage before it can occur, ensuring continuous protection against foreign substance re-introduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then foreign substances are filtered out, but the filter units cannot spray washing water to laundry, causing difficulty in increasing washing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater filtration functionVSAvoidwashing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit is designed to perform multiple functions: filtering water from foreign substances and spraying the filtered water onto laundry. This is achieved by incorporating spray holes in the filter unit body and configuring the structure to enable both filtration and spray functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit structure is modified to include spray capabilities, changing from a simple mesh filter to a multi-functional component with filtration and spray features that enhance washing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus effectively filters water, prevents re-introduction of foreign substances, and enhances washing efficiency by spraying water onto laundry, while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

filter units to filter water moving along the flow path units, wherein each of the filter units includes a body configured to provide a storage space of foreign substances from water being filtered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

discharge parts to discharge water containing foreign substances to the outside of the body during a spin-drying operation in which the drum is rotated to discharge water from laundry to the tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3121326B1Laundry treating apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus (100) including a tub (3), a drum (5) provided within the tub (3) to accommodate laundry, flow path units (8) provided on the drum (5) to provide moving paths of water, an agitation unit (57) provided within the drum (5) so as to be rotatable and moving at least a part of water within the drum (5) to the flow path units (8) during rotation, and filter units (9) to filter water moving along the flow path units (8). Each of the filter units (9) includes a body (B) configured to provide a storage space of foreign substances, an inflow part (913) to introduce water in the flow path unit (8) into the body (B), a filter (943) provided on the body (B) to filter water introduced into the body (B) and then to discharge filtered water to the drum (5), and discharge parts (915) provided on the body (B) to discharge water containing foreign substances in the tangential direction of a rotating trajectory of the drum (5).