A washing machine comprising a hydrocyclone and a filtration hybrid arrangement.
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines release microplastic fibers into the environment through discharge water, which contaminate ecosystems and pose health risks, as existing filters are inadequate for separating these fibers without clogging or disrupting the pumping process.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid system combining a hydrocyclone and microfilter, where fibers are separated from discharge water in the hydrocyclone and then retained by a microfilter structure positioned behind the detergent box, ensuring cleaned water is recycled back into the tub, preventing environmental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pore dimensions of the pump filter are reduced to retain micro or millimetric fibers, then the fiber separation efficiency is improved, but the filter may get clogged causing pumping process failure
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration process is divided into two stages: a hydrocyclone separator that performs coarse separation of fibers from water, followed by a fine filter that only needs to handle the already partially cleaned water. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the drawbacks of a single-stage fine filter
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrocyclone acts as an intermediary device between the pump and the fine filter. It pre-treats the water by removing most fibers through centrifugal separation, thereby protecting the fine filter from clogging while still achieving high fiber separation efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fine filter is used to separate microplastic fibers from discharge water, then the environmental protection effect is improved, but the filter clogging and program disruption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrocyclone performs preliminary fiber separation before the water reaches the fine filter. By removing the bulk of fibers in advance through centrifugal force, the fine filter operates under much lighter load conditions, preventing clogging and ensuring continuous program execution
3Reliability
If the pump filter pore size is increased to prevent clogging, then the pumping process reliability is improved, but the microplastic fiber separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the filtration function into two distinct components: the hydrocyclone for coarse fiber separation and the fine filter for final polishing. This allows the fine filter to have larger pores that won't clog, while the hydrocyclone handles the bulk separation task
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces part of the mechanical filtration function with a hydrodynamic separation mechanism (hydrocyclone). The centrifugal force generated in the hydrocyclone performs the heavy lifting of fiber separation, allowing the mechanical filter to operate at lower intensity with larger pores
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
Effectively captures and retains microplastic fibers, preventing their discharge into sewers and oceans, thereby protecting ecosystems and human health by maintaining the pumping process without filter clogging.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaned water is directed to the discharge outlet from the upper part of the hydrocyclone as a result of the centrifugal movement generated due to the geometry of the latter
Implementation Method 2
the particles collected in the collection chamber are passed together with the water remaining inside through the microfilter cartridge positioned behind the detergent dispenser, and the particles are collected in said cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine which cleans the discharge water of the particles therein by means of the filtration system and which prevents the microplastic fibers from being released into the environment, thus protecting the environment.