Washing Machine Drain Filter Geometry to Block Pump Chamber Debris

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drain devices in washing machines fail to effectively filter out smaller foreign substances like toothpicks and hairpins, leading to pump malfunctions and frequent filter clogging, as these substances can pass through the existing filter systems and accumulate rapidly, reducing drainage efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A drain device with a filter member having a sectional area that gradually increases toward the pump chamber, featuring an end terminal separated from the pump chamber inlet by a designated distance, and including a hollow main body with an extension portion and wing parts that form eddies to trap foreign substances, ensuring they do not enter the pump chamber and facilitating easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional drain filter with a channel pipe or mesh shape is used, then large foreign substances can be filtered out, but smaller foreign substances cannot be completely filtered and may flow into the pump chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidfilter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member is designed as a porous cylindrical structure with numerous small holes distributed throughout its body. This porous configuration enables the filter to capture both large and small foreign substances effectively, while maintaining structural simplicity and allowing easy attachment to the drain case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If a drain filter with through-holes in mesh shape is used, then large foreign substances can be filtered, but foreign substances accumulate around the through-holes rapidly and the filter requires frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The porous structure of the filter member provides numerous small holes distributed throughout its entire body, preventing foreign substances from accumulating in specific areas. This uniform distribution of filtering surfaces allows washing water to flow through smoothly and reduces the frequency of cleaning required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Device complexity

If washing water flows into the drain device through a side surface, then the structure is simple, but foreign substances having bar shape accumulate rapidly and the filter cannot be easily attached and detached

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidattachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member is designed as a separate, detachable cylindrical component that can be independently attached to and removed from the drain case. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily accessed for cleaning without disassembling the entire drain device, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a filter member with uniform cross-section is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively prevent foreign substances from entering the pump chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter structureVSAvoidprotection of pump chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member features an asymmetric design with a larger diameter at one end and a smaller diameter at the other end. This asymmetric configuration creates a tapered structure that effectively blocks foreign substances from entering the pump chamber while maintaining a relatively simple overall form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 effectively prevents foreign substances from entering the pump chamber, maintaining drainage efficiency and extending the filter's lifespan by ensuring smooth water flow and reducing the frequency of filter cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a filter member (40) having a sectional area, which is gradually increased toward an inlet of a pump chamber (P)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

wing parts that form eddies to trap foreign substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy formation: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentUS8881555B2Drain device and washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a drain device having a drain filter, which causes foreign substances contained in washing water to be effectively filtered out by a filter chamber to prevent the foreign substances from flowing into a pump chamber, and allows the washing water to smoothly flow in the filter chamber to use the drain filter for a long time, and a washing machine having the same. The washing machine includes a housing provided with a washing chamber; and a drain device including a filter chamber provided with a filter member installed therein filtering out foreign substances from washing water in the washing chamber, and a pump chamber connected to the filter chamber to forcibly discharge the washing water. The filter member has a sectional area gradually increased toward the pump chamber and is provided with an end terminal separated from an inlet of the pump chamber by a designated distance.