Filtering Device for Household Appliances with Limescale Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic filters for household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, fail to effectively reduce limescale content in water from supply networks, leading to appliance damage and compromised washing quality, while mechanical filters do not address this issue and require costly, environmentally harmful chemical additives for descaling.
Innovation Solution
A filtering device with a removable cartridge containing silicopolyphosphate salt and a micrometric polyester filter, which softens water and removes solid particles larger than 50 microns, reducing limescale formation and allowing easy replacement and installation without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical filtering devices are installed to remove solid particles, then solid particle removal is improved, but limescale reduction capability deteriorates (no effect)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical filtration (mesh filter) and chemical treatment (silicopolyphosphate salt) into a single integrated filtering device. The mesh filter removes solid particles while the silicopolyphosphate salt simultaneously addresses limescale, resolving the contradiction between solid particle removal and limescale reduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering device uses a composite approach by incorporating both physical filtration elements (mesh structure) and chemical treatment materials (silicopolyphosphate salt) within the same device. This composite structure enables dual functionality: mechanical particle removal and chemical limescale prevention.
2Reliability
If chemical additives are used to reduce limescale, then limescale removal is improved, but environmental harm and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using silicopolyphosphate salt, which has different properties from traditional chemical additives. This substance provides limescale removal functionality while being environmentally friendly, thus improving limescale removal without increasing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering device with silicopolyphosphate salt cartridge is designed as a disposable or replaceable unit, eliminating the need for ongoing chemical additive purchases and applications. This reduces both cost and environmental impact compared to continuous use of chemical additives.
3Reliability
If traditional chemical additives are applied periodically, then limescale accumulation is reduced, but operational complexity and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The silicopolyphosphate salt is pre-loaded into the filtering device cartridge before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for periodic manual application of chemical additives, as the treatment is automatically provided continuously as water flows through the filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering device with pre-loaded silicopolyphosphate salt serves itself by continuously treating water as it passes through, without requiring periodic user intervention for additive application. The system automatically maintains limescale control throughout its service life.
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 device significantly slows down limescale deposition, retains solid particles, reduces detergent and electricity costs, and is environmentally friendly, providing immediate washing quality improvements and economic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a salt 110, adapted to soften the feed water
Implementation Method 2
a micrometric polyester filter, which softens water and removes solid particles larger than 50 microns
Data Source
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AI summary
A filtering device (1) for providing a household appliance, in particular, a washing machine or a dishwasher, with feed water coming from a water supply network, comprising: - a first internally hollow containment body (2), having an inlet port (3) for the inlet of water to be filtered, an outlet port (4) for the outlet of filtered water and a housing seat (5) interposed between the inlet port (3) and the outlet port (4); - a first connection element (6) adapted and configured to connect the containment body (2) to a water supply network; - a second connection element (7) adapted and configured to connect the containment body (2) to the household appliance; - a filtering cartridge (101) accommodated inside the housing seat (5) of the first containment body (2) and comprising a second containment body (102) and a salt (110), adapted to soften the feed water, accommodated inside the second containment body (102); - at least one first mechanical filter (103) operatively interposed between the inlet port (3) and the outlet port (4) .