Laundry care system with an external filter element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry care appliances with external filter elements can operate even with non-functional filter elements, allowing microplastic particles to be released into wastewater, as they lack a reliable electrical connection ensuring proper operation.
Innovation Solution
A laundry care system with an external filter element that requires an electrical connection to the laundry care device for operation, ensuring the filter element is always functional by providing necessary energy and communication, preventing operation without a connected and operational filter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external filter element is used to filter microplastic particles from washing liquid, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the risk of improper operation leading to non-functional filter and release of microplastics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the external filter element communicate its operational status (electrical connection status) back to the laundry care device. The control unit receives this feedback and can respond by preventing operation or alerting the user, ensuring the filter is functional before washing proceeds.
Solution Approach 2:
An electrical connection system acts as an intermediary between the external filter element and the laundry care device. This intermediary verifies the filter's presence and functionality through electrical contact, serving as a gatekeeper that prevents device operation unless the filter is properly connected and functional.
2Ease of operation
If the laundry care device is allowed to operate independently without mandatory filter connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of filtration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of the filter's electrical connection and functionality before allowing the laundry care device to operate. The control unit checks the filter status in advance and only permits operation when the filter is confirmed to be properly connected and functional.
3Reliability
If an electrical connection system is implemented between the external filter element and laundry care device, then filter operational reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power to the external filter element, enables communication between the filter and device control units, and acts as a verification mechanism for filter presence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry care system (200) comprising a laundry care device (100) and an external filter element (115), wherein the laundry care device (100) has a tub (105) for receiving washing liquid, a drain line (111) fluidically connected to the tub (105), and a pump (113) configured to pump washing liquid from the tub (105) and through the drain line (111) out of the laundry care device (100), wherein the drain line (111) has an external drain line section (111-2) which is arranged outside the laundry care device (100) and which is fluidly connected to the external filter element (115), and wherein the external filter element (115) is configured to filter washing liquid pumped through the external drain line section (111-2) in order to remove impurities, in particular microplastics, from the to remove washing liquid.The external filter element (115) has an external electrical component (121), and the laundry care system (200) has an electrical connection (129, 142) which connects the laundry care appliance (100) to the external electrical component (121) of the external filter element (115), wherein the external electrical component (121) of the external filter element (115) is configured to provide the electrical energy required for the operation of the laundry care appliance (100) via the electrical connection (129, 142) and/or wherein the external electrical component (121) of the external filter element (115) is configured to communicate with the laundry care appliance (100) via the electrical connection (129, 142).