Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with recirculation circuits face issues with clogging due to fluff and foreign objects getting entangled in mesh filters, requiring manual cleaning or replacement, which increases energy consumption and detergent loss.
Innovation Solution
A filter element with a cantilevered design and rake-like shape is positioned upstream of the recirculation circuit inlet, featuring filter apertures that allow water to flow through, preventing entanglement and facilitating the washing away of fluff and foreign objects during the draining phase, while a self-actuated valve reduces energy consumption by heating only the necessary water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh filter is used in the recirculation circuit, then foreign objects are prevented from entering the circuit, but fluff and foreign objects get entangled in the mesh requiring manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into multiple filter fingers with apertures that extend to the lateral border, creating segmented filtering surfaces that prevent entanglement while maintaining filtration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is designed to be self-cleaning through the draining circuit, where water flow automatically removes caught fluff and foreign objects during the draining phase without requiring manual intervention
2Use of energy by moving object
If water is recirculated from lower to upper portion of the tub, then energy consumption is reduced by heating less water, but the filter element needs to prevent clogging in the recirculation pump
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit is segmented into zones with strategically placed filter elements that have apertures extending to borders, allowing effective filtration without creating bottlenecks that would cause clogging in the pump
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element acts as an intermediary between the recirculation circuit and the pump, catching fluff and foreign objects before they can enter and clog the pump while still allowing water to flow freely
3Reliability
If a conventional filter is used, then fluff is caught during recirculation, but the filter cannot be cleaned automatically during draining phase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed to clean itself during the draining phase by positioning it in the path of water flow, where the draining water automatically washes away caught fluff and foreign objects
Solution Approach 2:
The filter apertures extend to the lateral border of the filter element, creating a three-dimensional filtering structure that allows water to access and clean all surfaces of the filter during draining, not just one side
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 clogging, reduces energy consumption by minimizing heated water, and enhances detergent utilization by recirculating undissolved detergent, leading to an economical and efficient washing operation.
Implementation Method 1
A filter element of the washing machine is located upstream of an inlet of the recirculation circuit for preventing foreign objects (e.g. fluff, buttons, coins, etc.) to enter the recirculation circuit
Implementation Method 2
When using a mesh filter element as described with respect to DE 100 46 349 or EP 0 240 911 B1, fluff and foreign objects might get entangled in the mesh, such that water flowing past or through the mesh filter cannot remove the entangled fluff any more
Implementation Method 3
A recirculation circuit is provided, which is fluidly connected to the tub for recirculating fluid from a lower portion of the tub to an upper or middle portion of the tub
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a tub (2), a draining circuit (16) fluidly connected to the tub (2) for draining fluid from the tub (2), a recirculation circuit (10) fluidly connected to a lower portion of the tub (2) for recirculating fluid from the lower portion of the tub (2) into the tub, and a filter element (28, 28', 28") at an inlet (14) of the recirculation circuit (10) for preventing foreign objects to enter the recirculation circuit, wherein the filter element (28, 28', 28") comprises at least one filter aperture for letting pass fluid, and wherein the at least one filter aperture extends to a lateral border of the filter element (28, 28', 28"), such that the at least one filter aperture comprises an opening in its perimeter and/or the at least one filter aperture (34a-e) forms a at least two filter fingers (35a-d, 35a'-d', 35a"-f") spaced one another.