Filtering system, in particular for a laundry washing machine or a clothes dryer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtering systems for washing or drying machines are inefficient in trapping microplastic particles and have issues with clogging and maintenance, leading to reduced service life and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A filtering system with a compacting assembly driven by an electric motor and reduction gear train, featuring a hollow body with concentrical filtering layers and an endless screw for removing trapped particles, along with a flow diverter assembly and bypass mechanism to manage fluid flow and prevent clogging, ensuring the filtering assembly remains clean and extends its service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filtering assembly is used to trap solid particles, then particle trapping efficiency is improved, but the filtering assembly becomes clogged and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle trapping efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a compacting assembly with an endless screw that automatically removes trapped particles from the filtering assembly. This self-service mechanism continuously cleans the filter surface, maintaining trapping efficiency without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective particle trapping and maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The compacting assembly performs preliminary cleaning action by continuously removing particles before they can accumulate to clog the filtering assembly. This preventive approach maintains filter permeability and eliminates the need for periodic maintenance shutdowns, addressing both the trapping efficiency and ease of operation concerns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the filtering assembly is continuously operated, then productivity is improved, but particle accumulation causes clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compacting assembly operates continuously alongside the filtering assembly, providing uninterrupted particle removal. This continuous action prevents particle accumulation and clogging, enabling the filtering system to maintain both high productivity and reliable clogging resistance throughout extended operation periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system's automatic particle removal mechanism operates without interrupting the filtering process, allowing continuous productive operation while simultaneously preventing clogging through self-service maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If a compacting assembly with endless screw is used to remove particles, then service life is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of filtering assemblyVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The endless screw mechanism serves multiple functions: it compacts trapped particles, transports them along the filter surface, and removes them from the filtering assembly. This multi-functionality extends filter service life while minimizing the addition of separate components, thereby managing device complexity effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The compacting and particle removal functions are merged into a single endless screw mechanism that operates within the existing filtering assembly structure. This integration extends service life without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same component performs multiple protective functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If concentrical filtering layers are used to trap microplastic particles, then trapping efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicroplastic trapping efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering assembly is divided into multiple concentrical filtering layers, each with different mesh gauges designed to trap particles of specific sizes. This segmentation approach improves microplastic trapping efficiency by addressing different particle size ranges with specialized layers, while the modular concentric structure facilitates standardized manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If a flow diverter assembly is used to manage fluid flow, then clogging is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclogging preventionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow diverter assembly dynamically redirects fluid flow based on operating conditions, preventing stagnant zones where particles could accumulate and cause clogging. This dynamic flow management improves reliability while the diverter's integrated design within the existing casing minimizes the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively traps microplastic particles, extends the service life of the filtering assembly, and reduces maintenance costs by ensuring continuous operation and efficient fluid management, minimizing clogging and particle accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a filtering assembly (100) contained in said cavity (14) and configured to be crossed by a fluid entering said casing (12) through said inlet (16), so as to trap any solid particles, in particular microplastic ones, contained in said fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a compacting assembly (200) situated in said cavity (14) and configured for collecting and compacting the solid particles trapped by said filtering assembly (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

said compacting assembly (200) comprises an endless screw (202) having a helicoidal profile (204) configured to convey the compacted particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyance: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4148178A1Filtering system, in particular for a laundry washing machine or a clothes dryer
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 ELBI INT
  • EP4148178A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4148178A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4148178A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The filtering system (10) comprises a casing (12) internally defining a cavity (14) and comprising an inlet (16) configured to receive a fluid and leading into the cavity (14), and an outlet (18) configured to deliver the fluid coming from the cavity (14). A filtering assembly (100) is contained in the cavity (14) and is configured to be crossed by the fluid entering said casing (12) through the inlet (16), so as to trap any solid particles, in particular microplastic ones, contained in the fluid. A compacting assembly (200) situated in said cavity (14) is configured for collecting and compacting the solid particles trapped by the filtering assembly (100). A driving assembly (300) is configured to drive the compacting assembly (200).