Laundry Filter Cascade With Overflow to Prevent Clogging Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household laundry appliances face issues with filter clogging due to the formation of clumps from dirt particles, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and potential flooding during cleaning and drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a filter unit comprising multiple filter assemblies arranged in series, connected via an overflow system, allowing fluid to flow to subsequent assemblies if one becomes clogged, ensuring continuous filtration and preventing uncontrolled fluid escape. The filter unit is designed to extend from top to bottom, with arcuate or cascade-shaped assemblies, utilizing gravity to maintain flow and reduce the need for additional drive or pump units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single filter assembly is used to filter the fluid, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the filter becomes clogged quickly by dirt particle clumps, reducing filtration efficiency and requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is divided into multiple filter assemblies (first, second, third, and fourth filter assemblies) arranged in series. Each filter assembly acts as an independent filtering stage, so when one assembly becomes clogged, the others can continue to filter the fluid, maintaining filtration efficiency and extending the overall filter operating time without requiring frequent maintenance.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple filter assemblies are arranged in series, then the filtration duration is extended and clogging is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple filter assemblies are nested within a single filter unit housing, with each assembly positioned in sequence. This nested arrangement allows the system to provide extended filtration operating time through multiple stages while containing the complexity within a unified structure, making the system manageable and space-efficient.
3Volume of stationary object
If the filter assemblies are arranged in a compact configuration, then the appliance space is optimized, but the fluid flow path becomes restricted, potentially causing flooding when clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An overflow channel is introduced as an intermediary element between the filter assemblies. This channel provides a controlled escape path for fluid when one or more filter assemblies become clogged, preventing uncontrolled flooding while allowing the filter assemblies to be arranged in a compact series configuration that optimizes appliance space.
4Reliability
If additional pump units are added to maintain fluid flow through multiple filter assemblies, then the filtration continues effectively, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is designed to utilize the existing pump unit of the household appliance rather than requiring additional dedicated pump units. The multiple filter assemblies are arranged and dimensioned to work effectively with the existing pump's flow capacity, allowing the system to maintain reliable continuous filtration without increasing energy consumption or adding complex additional driving mechanisms.
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
This design extends the filtration process duration by preventing clogging, ensuring almost complete removal of dirt particles from the fluid, and preventing fluid leakage, thus maintaining appliance functionality and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of filter assemblies are arranged in series and are each fluidically connected to one another via at least one overflow. The filter unit is designed to extend from top to bottom, with arcuate or cascade-shaped assemblies, utilizing gravity to maintain flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) for treating laundry, comprising a base (12b) and a top (12a), the top (12a) being arranged opposite the base (12b). Furthermore, the household appliance (1) has a pump unit (53) for transferring and/or draining the fluid (35) present during a cleaning and/or drying process, a drive unit (55) for essentially driving the pump unit (53), a control unit (57) for controlling the drive unit (55), and a filter unit (15) for filtering the fluid (35), wherein the filter unit (15) comprises several filter assemblies (13), the several filter assemblies (13) being arranged in series and each being fluidically connected via at least one overflow (27).