Microplastic filtering system integrated with a pre-filtering assembly, for a washing machine, such as a laundry washing machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplastic filtering systems for washing machines increase the structural complexity of the laundry washing machine by requiring additional components, leading to increased complexity and potential damage to the discharge pump due to larger foreign bodies.
Innovation Solution
A microplastic filtering system integrated with a pre-filtering assembly that traps foreign bodies before the discharge pump, reducing the overall number of separate components and integrating the pre-filtering element into the system, thus preventing damage to the pump and maintaining structural simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a microplastic filtering system is integrated into a laundry washing machine, then microplastic filtration capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the microplastic filtering system with the existing discharge pump assembly by integrating a filtering element directly into the discharge pump housing. This merging approach allows the system to filter microplastics without adding separate standalone filtering components, thereby improving microplastic filtration capability while avoiding increased structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pump assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the discharge pump for removing water from the washing machine and simultaneously serves as the microplastic filtering system. The filtering element integrated into the pump housing enables the same structural assembly to perform both pumping and filtration functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated filtering components
2Reliability
If a pre-filtering assembly is added upstream of the discharge pump, then foreign body filtration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-filtering assembly is merged with the discharge pump housing by integrating a pre-filtering element into the housing structure upstream of the discharge pump inlet. This combination allows the system to filter foreign bodies without adding a separate standalone pre-filtering device, thereby improving foreign body filtration reliability while avoiding an increase in the number of separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pump housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as the housing for the discharge pump, simultaneously serves as the housing for the pre-filtering assembly, and provides structural support for the entire filtration system. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structural assembly to perform pumping, pre-filtering, and housing functions without requiring additional dedicated components
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 integrated system effectively filters microplastics and foreign bodies without increasing the machine's structural complexity, ensuring efficient operation and protection of the discharge pump, thereby enhancing the filtering effectiveness and reducing the risk of clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-filtering assembly 500 configured to be fluidically connected upstream of discharge pump 600 and trap any foreign bodies that may be present in the microplastic-containing washing liquid
Implementation Method 2
filtering assembly 100 configured to be crossed by the washing liquid, thus trapping the microplastics contained therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system (10) comprises a casing (12) internally defining a filtering cavity (14) and comprising, in turn, an inlet (16) leading into the filtering cavity (14) and configured to be hydraulically connected downstream of a discharge pump (600) and to receive a fluid containing microplastics. The casing (12) also has an outlet (18) configured to deliver the fluid contained in the filtering cavity (14), from which the microplastics have been substantially removed. A filtering assembly (100) contained in the filtering cavity (14) is configured to be crossed by the fluid entering the casing (12) through the inlet (16) and exiting through the outlet (18), thus internally trapping the microplastics. A compacting assembly (200) is situated in the filtering cavity (14) and configured for collecting and compacting the solid particles trapped by the filtering assembly (100). There is a pre-filtering assembly (500) configured to be fluidically connected upstream of a discharge pump (600) in order to trap any foreign bodies that may be present in the microplastic-containing fluid.