Home appliance having a filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic cleaning appliances face challenges in effectively filtering and recirculating soiled liquids, as existing methods struggle to remove soils efficiently from wash or rinse liquids, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance and water reuse.
Innovation Solution
A recirculation circuit with a filter containing ferrite particles, which are magnetically retained to filter soiled liquids down to less than 2 μm, allowing for efficient clarification and reuse of water without the need for a screen, and a magnet that controls the filtering state to facilitate both filtration and backwashing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtering methods are used to remove soils from wash liquid, then filtering capability is provided, but filtering efficiency and cleaning performance are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical screen filters with a magnetic field-based filtration system. Ferrite particles suspended in the wash liquid are captured by a magnet positioned in the recirculation path, substituting mechanical filtration with magnetic field interaction to achieve superior soil removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the filtration medium by using magnetic fields instead of mechanical screens. The magnet captures ferrite particles based on magnetic attraction, fundamentally changing the filtration mechanism from physical blocking to magnetic field-based separation, thereby improving filtering efficiency
2Loss of substance
If water is continuously used for washing without recirculation, then cleaning capacity is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recirculation system that recovers and reuses wash liquid after magnetic filtration removes soils. The filtered liquid is pumped back into the washing chamber, enabling multiple washing cycles with the same water volume and significantly reducing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous recirculation of filtered wash liquid through the washing chamber, maintaining continuous cleaning action without requiring continuous fresh water input. The magnetic filter enables sustained filtration performance throughout the recirculation process
3Measurement precision
If a magnet is used to retain ferrite particles for filtration, then filtering precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet serves multiple functions: it captures ferrite particles for filtration, enables separation of soils from wash liquid, and facilitates the recirculation process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, offsetting the added complexity with functional consolidation
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 solution enables efficient filtration and recirculation of liquids in household appliances, improving cleaning performance and reducing water consumption by effectively removing soils down to less than 2 μm, enhancing the appliance's ability to reuse cleaned water.
Implementation Method 1
ferrite particles located within the housing and surrounding the housing inlet and fluidly separating the housing inlet from the housing outlet, and a magnet having a first operational state where the ferrite particles filter liquid passing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet
Implementation Method 2
The filter can remove soils from the liquid so that clean liquid can be recirculated for re-use in the cleaning appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance can include a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for holding liquid with an access opening, a nozzle emitting liquid into the treating chamber, a recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the nozzle. The recirculation circuit can include a recirculation pump and a filter having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, ferrite particles located within the housing, and a magnet having a first operational state and a second operational state.