WO2022025848A2

WO2022025848A2 - A washing machine comprising a filtering member

Info

Publication number: WO2022025848A2
Application number: PCT/TR2021/050718
Authority: WO
Inventors: Resul KARTAL; Berrin GULBAY; Simge TARKUC; Erhan ONDER; Ahmet Burak TOP
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2020-07-29
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-29
Also published as: EP4196632A4; EP4196632B1; EP4196632A2; TR202012074A2; WO2022025848A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed; a circulation line (3) through which the water taken from the washing tub (2) is carried; and a filtering member (4) having at least one water inlet (6) through which the water coming from the circulation line (3) is taken, at least one filter (7) which enables the water taken from the water inlet (6) to be passed therethrough and filtered, and a water outlet (8) which enables the water passed through the filter (7) to be discharged.

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A FILTERING MEMBER

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a filtering member for filtering the washing water. In washing machines, the laundry is loaded into a drum disposed in a washing tub supplied with detergent-water mixture and is washed in the drum which is rotated. During the washing process, fibers separated from the laundry subjected to both mechanical and chemical effects are discharged, together with the water discharged at the end of the washing process, to the waste water line whereto the washing machine is connected. Each washing process causes approximately 1 milligram of fibers to enter the waste water line together with the discharged water. It is determined that more than half of microplastic accumulation in the nature is caused by waste waters originating from washing machines. Especially, taking into account the damage caused by synthetic fibers and particles in the nature, it is observed that waste waters originating from washing machines causes a critical environmental pollution. Therefore, the use of filtering members comprising filters which filter the washing water is becoming widespread. In state of the art embodiments, microplastic particles in the washing water are collected in the filtering member and the filtering member is replaced with a new one at the end of the economic life thereof. However, in this case, the filtering member itself creates a large waste and the cost of the replaced filtering member causes the users to refrain from using filtering members.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2123821, a household appliance is disclosed, comprising a filtering member wherein the water coming from the washing tub is filtered before being discharged.. The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine comprising a filtering member which provides ease of use and cost advantage.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a filtering member having an inner body whereon a water inlet connected to a circulation line through which the water taken from the washing tub flows, and a filter which filters the water taken through the water inlet are provided, and an outer body wherein the inner body is snap-fittingly attached, which at least partially surrounds the inner body, and whereon a water outlet through which the filtered water is discharged is provided. The outer body protects the inner body which is fitted therein. When the filter is full, the inner body is taken out of the outer body and a new inner body is fitted into the outer body. Thus, while the inner body is produced as a low cost and recyclable component, the outer body ensures long-term use. Consequently, the use of the filtering member is facilitated while the cost thereof is decreased, also generating less waste.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment which bears against the inner body so as to support the inner body when the inner body is in the outer body is provided on the outer body. The abutment prevents the inner body from moving in the outer body under the effect of the flow, thus enabling the inner body to retain the position thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment is positioned in the vicinity of the water outlet. Thus, the inner body is prevented from bearing against the water outlet and closing the water outlet.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment which bears against the inner body from above is provided on the ceiling of the outer body. By means of this embodiment, the inner body which is light is prevented from rising under the effect of the buoyancy force of the water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one pair of claw and locking arm which provides snap-fit connection is arranged on the outer body and the inner body. While the inner body is being attached to the outer body, the claw engages with the locking arm such that the inner body is attached to the outer body. By means of the clawed- structure, the inner body is enabled to be easily attached/detached by the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the claw comprises an inclined friction surface which rubs against the locking arm when the inner body is pushed to be attached to the outer body. While the inner body is being attached to the outer body, the inclined friction surface pushes and stretches the locking arm. Thus, the inner body can be easily attached to the outer body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking arm is positioned on the outer body, and at least one slit is provided on the outer body wall containing the locking arm. The slit ensures that the outer body wall containing the locking arm can be stretched so as to push the locking arm and enable the claw to be easily disengaged from the locking arm. Thus, the inner body can be easily detached from the outer body. In a preferred version of this embodiment, the slit extends both towards the front and the back of the locking arm so as to provide further stretching.

By means of the present invention, thanks to the filtering member structured as a two- piece component composed of the inner body and the outer body, cost advantage and ease of use are provided, increasing user satisfaction.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the washing machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 - is the view of the filtering member related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the view of the inner body and the outer body related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the view of the outer body related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the view of the claw and the locking arm before engaging with each other related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Washing tub 3. Circulation line

4. Filtering member

5. Inner body

6. Water inlet

7. Filter

8. Water outlet

9. Outer body

10. Abutment

11. Claw

12. Locking arm

13. Friction surface

14. Slit

15. Discharge line

The washing machine (1) comprises a washing tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed; a circulation line (3) through which the water taken from the washing tub (2) is carried; and a filtering member (4) having at least one water inlet (6) through which the water coming from the circulation line (3) is taken, at least one filter (7) which enables the water taken from the water inlet (6) to be passed therethrough and filtered, and a water outlet (8) which enables the water passed through the filter (7) to be discharged. The filtering member (4) filters the water taken from the water inlet (6) connected to the circulation line (3) and retains the fibers in the water. The filtered water is delivered to a discharge line (15) so as to be discharged out of the washing machine (1) by means of the water outlet (8) or to be sent back to the washing tub (2). The filter (7) is preferably a microfilter suitable for filtering micron-sized particles. The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises the filtering member (4) having an inner body (5) which supports the filter (7) and whereon the water inlet (6) is provided, and an outer body (9) whereon the water outlet (8) is provided and wherein the inner body (5) is detachably attached. The inner body (5) is configured as a frame supporting the filter (7). The inner body (5) whereon the water inlet (6) is provided is produced from a low cost material as a simple and disposable component. The outer body (9) is in the form of a box which is suitable for receiving the inner body (5) and which at least partially surrounds the inner body (5). The water outlet (8) is preferably configured as perforations provided on the outer body (9). The outer body (9) is produced from a material with high durability compared to the inner body (5), ensuring long-term use. The used water coming from the circulation line (3) passes through the water inlet

(6) and flows into the inner body (5), and then passes through the filter (7) and leaves the inner body (5) to fill in between the inner body (5) and the outer body, and finally leaves the filtering member (4) after passing through the water outlet (8) on the outer body (9). The water outlet (8) is in fluid communication with the discharge line (15) which enables the water to be discharged out of the washing machine (1). When the filter

(7) is full, the filtering member (4) is detached and the inner body (5) is separated from the outer body (9), and the new inner body (5) is fitted into the outer body (9) so as to be attached to the outer body (9), and then the filtering member (4) is mounted back into the washing machine (1).

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment (10) in the form of a protrusion, which bears against the inner body (5) when the inner body (5) is in the outer body (9) is provided on the outer body (9). The abutment (10) is in the form of a protrusion configured on the outer body (9) walls facing the inner body (5). When the inner body (5) is inserted into the outer body (9), the abutment (10) bears against the inner body (5) and supports the inner body (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment (10) is provided on the outer body (9) wall whereon the water outlet (8) is provided. The abutment (10) bears against the inner body (5) surface facing the water outlet (8). The abutment (10) ensures that there is a distance between the water outlet (8) and the inner body (5) so as to provide a smooth flow for the filtered water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one abutment (10) is provided on the upper wall of the outer body (9) so as to support the inner body (5) from above. The abutment (10) is positioned at the upper side of the outer body (9) so as to support the inner body (5) in a downwards manner. Thus, the inner body (5) is prevented from displacing due to the effect of the buoyancy force of the water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one claw (11) and at least one locking arm (12) one of which is provided on the inner body (5) and the other one is provided on the outer body (9) so as to engage with each other while the inner body (5) is being placed into the outer body (9) and enable the enable the inner body (5) and the outer body (9) to engage with each other. While the inner body (5) is being placed into the outer body (9), the claw (11) on the inner body (5) engages with the locking arm (12) on the outer body (9). Thus, the inner body (5) is easily and durably attached to the outer body (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the claw (11) has an inclined friction surface (13) which bears against the locking arm (12) while the inner body (5) is being moved inside the outer body (9). The part of the claw (11) bearing against the locking arm (12) while the inner body (5) is being placed into the outer body (9) is inclined. The inclined structure of the friction surface (13) enables the locking arm (12) to be stretched while the inner body (5) is being attached to the outer body (9), thus facilitating the attachment of the inner body (5) to the outer body (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one slit (14) is provided in the vicinity of the locking arm (12). The slit (14) is positioned on the part where the locking arm (12) is connected to the outer body (9) such that the part of the outer body (9) whereon the locking arm (12) is provided can be pushed and stretched. The slit (14) enables the locking arm (12) to be stretched and easily disengaged from the claw (11) while the inner body (5) is being taken out of the outer body (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer body (9) is produced from a material with higher durability that the material of the inner body (5). Thus, the economic life of the outer body (9) is prolonged, providing cost advantage. By means of the present invention, a filtering member (4) is realized, which provides long-term use and cost advantage by replacing only the inner body (5) when the filter (7) is full.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed; a circulation line (3) through which the water taken from the washing tub (2) is carried; and a filtering member (4) having at least one water inlet (6) through which the water coming from the circulation line (3) is taken, at least one filter (7) which enables the water taken from the water inlet (6) to be passed therethrough and filtered, and a water outlet (8) which enables the water passed through the filter (7) to be discharged, characterized by the filtering member (4) having an inner body (5) which supports the filter (7) and whereon the water inlet (6) is provided, and an outer body (9) whereon the water outlet (8) is provided and wherein the inner body (5) is detachably attached.

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by at least one abutment (10) which is in the form of a protrusion provided on the outer body (9) and which bears against the inner body (5) when the inner body (5) is in the outer body (9).

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by .at least one abutment (10) which is provided on the outer body (9) wall whereon the water outlet (8) is provided.

4. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one abutment (10) which is provided on the upper wall of the outer body (9) so as to support the inner body (5) from above.

5. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one claw (11) and at least one locking arm (12) one of which is provided on the inner body (5) and the other one is provided on the outer body (9) so as to engage with each other while the inner body (5) is being placed into the outer body (9) and enable the inner body (5) and the outer body (9) to engage with each other.

6. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the claw (11) having an inclined friction surface (13) which bears against the locking arm (12) while the inner body (5) is being moved inside the outer body (9).

7. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by at least one slit (14) which is provided in the vicinity of the locking arm (12).

8. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the outer body (9) which is produced from a material with higher durability that the material of the inner body (5).