External Washer Drain Filter With Self-Cleaning and Bypass Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machines lack an effective solution for managing and maintaining the filter system, leading to clogging issues, contamination risks, and operational interruptions, especially when filtering fine foreign substances from discharged water.
Innovation Solution
A filter apparatus is designed to be connected to the washing machine's drain device, featuring a filter case with a cleaning device, a controller, and a bypass flow path, allowing for efficient filtration, cleaning, and residual water management, including a remaining water guide and a connecting door to handle clogged situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is installed in the drain device to filter foreign substances, then the filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes clogged and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning device automatically cleans the filter surface using a cleaning member that rotates against the filter, removing accumulated foreign substances without requiring manual intervention. The cleaning driving device periodically activates to maintain filter performance, enabling the system to service itself and extend the filter replacement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the filter when clogged, the system recovers its functionality by automatically cleaning the filter surface. The cleaning device removes accumulated debris and restores the filter's filtration capacity, allowing continuous reuse without replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the filter is cleaned manually, then the filter can be maintained, but the washing machine operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning device operates automatically during or between washing cycles, eliminating the need for manual cleaning intervention. The controller manages the cleaning process timing to maintain filter performance without requiring user action, thus preventing operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic cleaning mechanism ensures continuous filter functionality by periodically removing debris during operation. This maintains uninterrupted water drainage and washing machine productivity without stopping for manual maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the filter apparatus is disposed outside the washing machine, then the filter management is facilitated, but residual water may cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The filter apparatus is separated from the washing machine and disposed externally, allowing independent filter access, cleaning, and maintenance. This extraction facilitates easier filter management while the remaining water guide and connecting door mechanisms prevent contamination by properly directing residual water flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The remaining water guide acts as an intermediary structure that directs residual water from the filter apparatus back to the washing machine or appropriate drainage path. The connecting door controls water flow between the filter apparatus and washing machine, preventing unauthorized or contaminated water discharge.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If a cleaning device is added to the filter apparatus, then the filter replacement cycle is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member, cleaning driving device, and controller are integrated into a compact cleaning device assembly that attaches to the filter apparatus. This merging of functions into a single integrated unit extends the filter replacement cycle while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient design.
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 extends the filter replacement cycle, prevents contamination, and ensures continuous operation by efficiently filtering fine substances and managing residual water, even when the filter is clogged, thereby enhancing the overall management and performance of the washing machine system.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member configured to be rotated in contact with the surface of the filter
Implementation Method 2
a remaining water guide configured to guide remaining water inside the filter case from a position close to the case outlet toward a position close to the case inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A filter apparatus positionable outside a washing machine and connectable to a drain device of the washing machine, the filter apparatus including a filter case including a case inlet configured so that, with the filter apparatus connected to the drain device, water from the drain device is flowable through the case inlet into the filter case, and a case outlet configured so that, with the filter apparatus connected to the drain device, water in the filter case is flowable through the case outlet out of the filter case; a filter detachably mountable inside the filter case so that water flowing through the case inlet is flowable through a surface of the filter to filter foreign substances from the water, and then to the case outlet; a filter cleaning device configured to clean the surface of the filter; and a controller configured to control the filter cleaning device.