Washing Machine Filter Body With Hinged Hemi-Shells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machines have cost-intensive filter housings and inconvenient handling during cleaning and exchange.

Innovation Solution

A filter design featuring a monolithic body with two hemi-shells connected by deformable elements, allowing for easier manufacturing and user-friendly service, with a cylindrical shape and integrated closure devices for secure mounting and efficient fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional filter housing design is used, then the filter provides reliable filtration, but the manufacturing process is cost-intensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidfilter housing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is divided into two separate hemi-shells that are manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each hemi-shell to be produced using simpler molding processes without complex undercuts, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining the functional integrity of the filter housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of manufacturing a complete filter body with complex internal structures in one piece, the invention inverts the approach by creating two simpler hemi-shell components that are assembled to form the complete filter. This reverse engineering approach simplifies the manufacturing of each individual component while achieving the same functional result

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a complex filter housing design is used, then the filter structure is robust, but the handling during cleaning and exchange is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter handling convenienceVSAvoidfilter mounting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is segmented into two removable hemi-shells connected by deformable elements, allowing the filter to be easily opened for cleaning and exchanged by users. This segmentation maintains reliability through secure closure devices while significantly improving handling convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable connection elements allow the hemi-shells to be dynamically opened and closed during operation. This dynamic capability enables easy access for cleaning while maintaining a secure closed structure during filtration, balancing ease of operation with mounting reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a monolithic filter body design is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the filter body cannot be easily opened for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfilter cleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter body is segmented into two hemi-shells that can be separated for cleaning access. This segmentation is achieved through deformable connection elements that allow easy opening while maintaining a cost-effective manufacturing process compared to traditional complex filter housings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable connection elements between hemi-shells provide flexible opening and closing capability. This flexibility allows the filter to be easily opened for cleaning while maintaining a simple, cost-effective structure that is easier to manufacture than rigid monolithic designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4123080A1Laundry washing machine
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4123080A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4123080A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4123080A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Laundry washing machine (2) comprising a washing tub (12) in which a drum (14) for receiving laundry is arranged, further comprising an outlet duct (74) and a filter (80), said outlet duct (74) being configured to fluidically connect said washing tub (12) and said filter (80), whereby said filter (80) comprises a filter seat (82) and a filter body (160) insertable/inserted on said filter seat (82), whereby said filter body (160) is built in a once-piece design as a monolithic body with two hemi-shells (162, 164) which are connected to each other by at least one deformable connection element (166, 168).