Washing Machine Filter Duct Layout to Protect Laundry and Improve Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foreign materials filtering apparatuses in washing machines face issues such as damage from friction with laundry, inefficient water introduction, and bacterial breeding due to gaps between components, leading to reduced effectiveness and appearance degradation.

Innovation Solution

A foreign materials filtering apparatus featuring a washing water circulating duct with inlets and a filter cover, including a filter unit and water direction changing ribs to enhance water flow and prevent foreign materials from entering gaps, ensuring smooth water introduction and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the filtering net is installed to be exposed to inside of the washing tub, then the filtering net can filter foreign materials, but the filtering net or laundry may be damaged due to repeated contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering functionVSAvoiddurability of filtering net and laundry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filtering net is extracted from the washing tub interior and relocated to the washing water circulating duct. The filter cover is detachably mounted at the washing water circulating duct, positioning the filtering mechanism outside the washing tub where it filters washing water without contacting laundry, thus preventing damage to both the filtering net and laundry while maintaining the filtering function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a washing water inlet is formed on the plane, then the structure is simple, but washing water is not smoothly introduced into the foreign materials filtering apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinlet structureVSAvoidwater introduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing water inlet is formed with a curved surface instead of a flat plane. This curved configuration enables washing water to be smoothly introduced into the foreign materials filtering apparatus by reducing flow resistance and improving water flow dynamics, thereby enhancing water introduction efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a gap is generated at a coupled part of the filtering net, then the filtering net can be detachably mounted, but foreign materials are introduced into the gap causing bacterial breeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachable mountingVSAvoidbacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element at the coupled part between the filter cover and the washing water circulating duct. This seal member fills and seals the gap created by detachable mounting, preventing foreign materials from entering the gap and eliminating the conditions for bacterial breeding, while still allowing the filter cover to be detachably mounted for easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 filters foreign materials from washing water, enhances the washing machine's appearance, and prevents bacterial contamination by ensuring proper water flow and preventing foreign materials from entering gaps, thus improving the overall efficiency and durability of the filtering process.

Implementation Method 1

a filter unit disposed between the washing water circulating duct and the filter cover, for filtering foreign materials from washing water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

water direction changing ribs to enhance water flow and prevent foreign materials from entering gaps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentUS8037721B2Foreign materials filtering apparatus and washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

In a foreign materials filtering apparatus and a washing machine having the same, a filter unit is not exposed to inside of a washing tub thus not to directly come in contact with laundry, thereby preventing the filter unit and laundry from being damaged and enhancing the entire appearance. Also, the foreign materials filtering apparatus is modularized to facilitate a detachable mounting, thereby enhancing the user's convenience. Additionally, the amount of washing water passing through the foreign materials filtering apparatus is increased by controlling a flowing direction of washing water. Furthermore, foreign materials of washing water are prevented from being introduced into a gap between a washing water circulating duct and a filter unit, thereby enhancing a washing effect.