EP1201812A1 - Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine - Google Patents
Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1201812A1 EP1201812A1 EP00830717A EP00830717A EP1201812A1 EP 1201812 A1 EP1201812 A1 EP 1201812A1 EP 00830717 A EP00830717 A EP 00830717A EP 00830717 A EP00830717 A EP 00830717A EP 1201812 A1 EP1201812 A1 EP 1201812A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- filtering
- washing machine
- chamber
- washing
- filtering unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/10—Filtering arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to units for filtering the washing liquid in washing machines.
- it relates to filtering units usable in domestic washing machines.
- a washing machine has a water circuit suitable for discharging the washing liquid present in a washing tub.
- this water circuit uses a pump, for example, a centrifugal pump, which draws the liquid from the washing tub through a pipe.
- the washing liquid thus drawn out passes through a filtering unit comprising a chamber which is normally disposed upstream of the pump and which houses a filter such as, for example, a conventional labyrinth, grid or screen filter which prevents impurities or residues from being transported by the liquid towards the pump.
- a filter such as, for example, a conventional labyrinth, grid or screen filter which prevents impurities or residues from being transported by the liquid towards the pump.
- Filtering of the impurities present in the washing liquid is also provided for when the liquid, or some of it, is not sent directly to the external drainage system but is sent to a recirculation circuit which enables it to be reused for subsequent washing stages.
- the chamber which houses the filter is arranged in the vicinity of the base of the washing machine, beneath the washing tub, whereas the waste pipe is normally connected to the external drainage system at a level higher than that at which the housing chamber lies.
- known housing chambers have an access opening disposed in a front wall of the washing machine and having a removable cap.
- the filter is removed in rest conditions, that is, when the washing machine is not in operation and, in particular, when the pump is not being operated.
- the washing liquid which is discharged from the access opening is not only constituted by liquid which has collected in the housing chamber but is also due to the fact that, because of the above-mentioned level difference, all of the liquid present in the waste pipe or in the pipe which connects the chamber to the washing tub pours into the chamber.
- the amount of liquid discharged may therefore be considerable, making the operation to remove the filter for cleaning particularly unpleasant.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a filtering unit for washing machines which enables the filter to be removed from the chamber housing it, whilst substantially preventing discharge of washing liquid.
- a unit for filtering the washing liquid in a washing machine comprising:
- Figure 1 shows a section through a lower portion 100 of a washing machine according to the invention.
- the portion 100 of the washing machine shown in Figure 1 comprises an outer housing or casing 1 of which it is possible to see a base wall 2 arranged parallel to a horizontal surface (parallel to the floor), indicated by the line O-O', and a side wall 3 such as, for example, a front wall of the washing machine.
- a vertical axis V-V' perpendicular to the horizontal line O-O' is also indicated in Figure 1.
- the casing 1 houses a unit 4 for filtering the washing liquid of the washing machine, the filtering unit comprising a body 5, for example, made of moulded plastics material, including a removable filter 6 of the labyrinth or grid type and two axially aligned cylindrical housings 8 of which only one is visible in Figure 1 and each of which can house a centrifugal pump 7.
- a body 5 for example, made of moulded plastics material, including a removable filter 6 of the labyrinth or grid type and two axially aligned cylindrical housings 8 of which only one is visible in Figure 1 and each of which can house a centrifugal pump 7.
- the labyrinth filter 6 is a particular example of filtering means usable in the present invention.
- Other filtering means suitable for the present invention comprise, for example, screen filters.
- the labyrinth filter is preferred because it permits easier cleaning.
- Each centrifugal pump 7 has a motor unit (not shown) for driving an impeller (not shown).
- the body 5 of the filtering unit 4 comprises an intake opening 9 arranged in communication with a washing tub (not shown in Figure 1) of the washing machine, from which the washing liquid can be drawn.
- the intake opening 9 is also in communication with a cylindrical inner duct 11 which extends inside a tubular element 12.
- the tubular element 12 comprises a straight portion 12' which, together with the inner duct 11, which is arranged coaxially with the tubular element 12, defines a chamber 23 having the form of a tubular space for housing the filter 6.
- the straight portion 12', and hence the housing chamber 23 is arranged substantially vertically, that is, its axis I-I' is inclined at an angle ⁇ of between 85° and 95°, preferably about 90°, to the horizontal line O-O'.
- the tubular element 12 comprises, in a curved portion thereof, a duct 24 through which the filter 6 can pass.
- the filter duct 24 is connected, at a lower end, to the housing chamber 23 and, at an upper end, has an access opening 14 which, in the embodiment shown, has a diameter larger than that of the filter duct 24.
- the duct 24 extends inside the casing 1 and, for example, is made of plastics material so as to be substantially rigid.
- the filter duct 24 allows the removable filter 6 to be moved inside the duct 24 in order to remove the filter from the housing chamber 23 and/or to insert it therein.
- the filter duct 24 shown in Figure 1 extends towards the top of the washing machine and towards the side wall 3 of the casing 1.
- the access opening is accessible from outside the washing machine by means of an opening 15 in the side wall 3 of the casing 1.
- the inner duct 11 has a mouth 11' for allowing the washing liquid drawn from the opening 9 to leave the inner duct 11 and occupy the housing chamber 23.
- the filter 6 which, in the embodiment of Figure 1, is a labyrinth filter, has a cylindrical outer shape and is arranged in the housing chamber 23 so as to surround the duct 11. Moreover, in Figure 1, the filter 6 is arranged substantially vertically, that is, it has its longer side disposed substantially in the direction of the vertical axis V-V'. It is pointed out that the arrangement of the duct 11 inside the filter 6 enables the liquid coming out of the duct 11 to be distributed throughout the volume of the filter 6 when the pumps 7 are in operation, making the filtering particularly efficient.
- the filter 6 preferably has a conventional shape but, in contrast with known filters, is formed so as to be flexible in order to adapt to the shape of the filter duct 24.
- the filter 6 of Figure 1 comprises a plurality of elements 101 arranged so as to form a labyrinthine path for the liquid which passes through the filter, and a flexible central rod or rib 102.
- the filter 6 In its upper portion, the filter 6 has a seal 16, for example, a sealing ring, to prevent the washing liquid which comes out of the inner duct 11 from entering the filter duct 24.
- a seal 16 for example, a sealing ring
- the upper portion of the filter 6 is connected to an end of a flexible, rod-shaped element 17 made of resilient material.
- This flexible element 17 has another end connected, preferably by means of an articulated joint 18, to an inspection hand-grip 19, which also performs the function of closing the opening 14.
- the hand-grip 19 and the flexible element 17 are special movement means which can be used for moving the filter 6 inside the filter duct 24.
- the opening 14 and the hand-grip 19 preferably have, respectively, retaining teeth (not shown) for the bayonet engagement of the hand-grip 19, and ribs (not shown) cooperating with the teeth. It is pointed out that, by virtue of the presence of the seal 16, even if the hand-grip 19 is not fully closed, discharge of washing liquid from the opening 14 is prevented.
- the flexible element 17 exerts a suitable force, for example, a resilient force, on the filter 6, favouring the retention of the filter in the appropriate position inside the chamber 23.
- the chamber 23 has a lower wall which is suitably inclined and is arranged in communication with an intermediate chamber 20, by means of a connecting chamber 10.
- the intermediate chamber 20 is in communication with the cylindrical housings 8 of the centrifugal pumps 7.
- the cylindrical housings 8 and hence the pumps 7 are in communication with two outlet openings 22 (of which only one is visible in Figure 1). These outlet openings may be a discharge opening for connection to the drainage system for the washing liquid, and an opening for the recirculation of the washing liquid, for connection to a suitable circuit for reusing the liquid.
- the maximum level of the inert liquid that is, the maximum level that can be reached by the washing liquid inside the filtering unit 4 when the pumps are operated, assuming that the unit 4 does not contain a filter 6, is indicated by a horizontal line A-A'.
- the maximum level of the inert liquid depends upon the water circuit as a whole in which the flow-diversion unit is connected and which comprises, for example, the tub of the washing machine, a pipe for connecting the tub to the intake opening 9, and a pipe for connecting the outlet opening 22 to the external drainage system for the liquid.
- the maximum level of the inert liquid may be within the housing chamber 23, as shown in the drawing, but may also be at a higher level inside the filter duct 24.
- the maximum level of the inert liquid can easily be determined by an expert in the art for each particular washing machine in which the filtering unit is used.
- the access opening 14 of the filter duct 24 is disposed at a level B-B' such as to be at least above the maximum inert-liquid level A-A'.
- the opening 14 may be arranged so as to be above the maximum level that can be reached by the inert liquid, both when the tub of the washing machine is empty and when the tub contains liquid.
- the opening 14 may advantageously be disposed above the maximum level that can be reached by the washing liquid when the washing machine is in operation and, in particular, during a rinsing stage which corresponds to a maximum quantity of liquid held in the tub.
- the access opening 14 is not disposed in the side wall but in a top wall (not shown in Figure 1) of the washing machine, parallel to the base 2.
- the filter duct 24 may be substantially straight and, with reference to the particular housing chamber of Figure 1, it may form a vertical extension of the housing chamber.
- the housing chamber 23, and hence the filter 6, may be arranged in various orientations inside the washing machine, for example, the chamber may be oriented horizontally or transversely, that is, so that its axis I-I' is arranged parallel to the horizontal plane or transverse the horizontal plane, respectively.
- the axis I-I' of the chamber 23 for housing the filter 6 is preferably inclined at an angle of inclination ⁇ of between 50° and 130° and, more preferably between 70° and 110°, to the horizontal plane.
- Figure 2 is a view of the front wall of a washing machine, that is, a view of the wall comprising the loading porthole (not shown) and the opening 14.
- the filtering unit 4 of Figure 2 is similar to that described above and the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 have been used to indicate identical or similar components in Figure 2.
- the housing chamber 23 is arranged in a manner such that its axis I-I' is inclined at an angle ⁇ of about 105° to the line X-X' of the horizontal plane.
- This inclination advantageously enables the opening 14 and the hand-grip 19 to be spaced suitably from oscillating elements of the washing machine which are present in a central region thereof, such as, for example, counterweights and shock-absorbers (not shown).
- the transverse position of the chamber housing the filter and, in particular, its position at one of the preferred inclinations indicated above optimizes the use of the spaces inside the washing machine, allowing a larger space to be allotted to oscillating components of the machine.
- the various possible transverse positions according to the invention allow the chamber also to adopt the role of a reservoir for holding the washing liquid which occupies it.
- the holding of the washing liquid by the housing chamber is maximized if the chamber is arranged substantially vertically.
- the filter duct not to be clearly distinguishable from the chamber housing the filtering means, as in the embodiment of Figure 1, but to include the chamber to the extent of substantially corresponding to it, or to correspond substantially to the portion of the opening 14 which houses the hand-grip 19.
- the washing liquid present in the tub of the washing machine of Figure 1 is drawn from the intake opening 9 and passes through the inner duct 11 to occupy the housing chamber 23 which includes the filter 6.
- the liquid passes through the filter 6 and falls onto the lower wall of the housing chamber 23 and then reaches the intermediate chamber 20 through the connecting chamber 10. From the intermediate chamber 20, the liquid reaches the housing 8 from which the impellers of the pumps 7 expel it through the outlet openings 22.
- transverse arrangement and, in particular, the vertical arrangement of the housing chamber 23 is also especially advantageous because it allows the centrifugal pump 34 to operate with a greater active column of washing liquid, reducing the risks of cavitation.
- the inspection hand-grip 19 is released from the opening 14 as a result, for example, of a rotation of the hand-grip 19.
- the rotation of the hand-grip 19 does not twist the flexible element 17.
- the filter 6, which is advantageously flexible, is pulled along the filter duct 24 by the flexible element 17, as far as the opening 14.
- this discharge of the washing liquid can be prevented, irrespective of the stage at which the blockage of the filter and the consequent interruption of the washing cycle occurred, and irrespective of the level reached by the washing liquid.
- the seal 16 prevents the liquid from being brought into the filter duct 24 when the pumps are in operation and being drawn towards the opening 14 during the removal of the filter 6.
- the flexible element 17 has a stiffness such as to enable the filter 6 to be pushed along the tubular element 12 until it is housed correctly in the housing chamber 23.
- teachings of the present invention may be applied to washing machines having filtering units of types other than that described with reference to Figure 1.
- the present invention is applicable to washing machines which do not have circuits for recirculating the washing liquid.
- FIG 3 shows a cross-section of a filtering unit 30 according to the invention which is an alternative to the filtering unit 4 described above and which does not provide for a connection to a washing-liquid recirculation circuit.
- the components of the filtering unit 30 of Figure 3 which are identical or similar to those described with reference to Figure 2 will be indicated by the same reference numerals.
- the filtering unit 30 comprises the intake opening 9 communicating with a cylindrical housing chamber 31, including a screen filter 32.
- the housing chamber 31 is in communication, through an opening 42, with a cylindrical pump housing 33 disposed beneath the chamber 31 and coaxial therewith.
- centrifugal pump 34 which can be driven by a motor 35.
- the pump housing 33 is also in communication with the outlet opening 22.
- the upper portion of the chamber 31 is connected to a duct 36 which is provided with the opening 14 and through which the screen filter 32 can be moved by means of the hand-grip 19 and the flexible element 17.
- the screen filter 32 comprises a cylindrical element 37 and a screen or diaphragm 38 which can face the communication opening 42 between the chamber 31 and the housing 33.
- the pump 34 comprises an impeller 39 keyed to a suitable shaft 40 which can be connected to an end or shank 41 of a drive shaft of the motor 35.
- the shaft 40 can be connected to the shank 41 by coupling means 45 which enable the torque generated by the motor 35 to be transmitted from the shank 41 to the shaft 40.
- the coupling means 45 are preferably releasable so as to enable the shaft 40 to be fixed to and/or detached from the shank 41.
- the coupling means comprise lugs 46 associated with an end of the shaft 40 for insertion in and/or removal from suitable openings or channels 47 provided on the shank 41 so as to form a male/female coupling.
- the cylindrical body 37 of the filter 32 is connected to a support structure 43, for example, made of plastics material which, together with the body 5, defines the housing chamber 31 and the pump housing 33, as well as the opening 42.
- the support structure 43 comprises a suitably shaped portion 48 which extends beneath the impeller 39 and has a hole in which the shaft 40 can extend and rotate, thus performing the function of a hub.
- This portion 48 also performs the function of an element for the engagement of the support structure 43 on the impeller 39.
- seals 44 are associated with the support structure 43, isolating the housing chamber 31 from the pump housing 33 and isolating the latter from the region occupied by the shank 41 connected to the motor 35.
- the support structure 43 is connected to the flexible element 17 by means of a articulated joint 18 so that it can be removed and/or reinserted through the duct 36 by means of the hand-grip 19.
- the flexible element 17 exerts on the structure a resilient force which keeps it in the required position, compensating for any axial thrusts generated during the rotation of the impeller 39.
- the filter duct is formed with a suitable width, it is possible to use a conventional screen filter 32, that is, a non-flexible filter.
- the facility to remove the impeller 39 which is offered by the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3 is particularly advantageous because it permits easy cleaning not only of the screen filter 32 but also of the impeller 39. In fact, without this facility, and particularly if the filter chamber were in a vertical position, it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to gain access to the chamber housing the impeller in order to clean the impeller.
- the opening 14 is also disposed in the washing machine at least above the maximum level that can be reached by the inert liquid.
- FIG 4 shows extremely schematically a washing machine 300, for example, a domestic laundry-washing machine, of which the lower portion 100 including the filtering unit 4 has been described above with reference to Figure 1.
- the washing machine 300 comprises the casing 1 which has support feet 1' and which houses a washing tub 50 for collecting the washing liquid coming from a pipe 52 connected to the external water mains and having a valve 52' such as, for example, a solenoid valve.
- the washing tub 50 encloses a drum 53 that has suitable holes for the inlet of the washing liquid and can hold the laundry to be washed which can be inserted through a porthole 54 connected to the tub 50 by means of a gasket 55.
- the drum 53 can be rotated by means of a shaft 56 connected to a rotor 57 which can be driven by a motor 58, by means of a belt 59.
- the washing drum 50 is in communication with a tube 60 connected to the intake opening 9 of the filtering unit 4.°
- the outlet opening 22 is connected to a tube 61 connected to the drainage system for the washing liquid.
- the washing machine 300 has a system, not shown in Figure 4, for recirculating the washing liquid in order to readmit the washing liquid filtered in the filtering unit 4 to the tub 50.
- the washing machine 300 of Figure 4 enables the filter 6 to be removed as a result of the removal of the hand-grip 19 without any discharge through the opening 14 of the washing liquid present in the housing chamber 23 and coming from the tube 61 or from the washing tub 50, through the tube 60.
- washing machine 300 shown by way of example in Figure 4 is of the front-loading type having a washing tub with a vertical axis and that the hand-grip 14 is advantageously accessible from the front.
- the present invention is applicable to washing machines of other types such as, for example top-loading types and/or types with washing tubs having inclined axes.
- the opening 14 may also be arranged at a level higher than the maximum level that can be reached by the liquid held in the washing tub.
- the opening 14 is disposed above a line 1-1 tangential to a lower edge of the porthole 54.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE60021728T DE60021728T2 (de) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine |
ES00830717T ES2246221T3 (es) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Una unidad de filtrado para una maquina lavadora. |
EP00830717A EP1201812B1 (de) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP00830717A EP1201812B1 (de) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1201812A1 true EP1201812A1 (de) | 2002-05-02 |
EP1201812B1 EP1201812B1 (de) | 2005-08-03 |
Family
ID=8175530
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00830717A Expired - Lifetime EP1201812B1 (de) | 2000-10-31 | 2000-10-31 | Filtereinheit fuer eine Waschmaschine |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1201812B1 (de) |
DE (1) | DE60021728T2 (de) |
ES (1) | ES2246221T3 (de) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2559802A1 (de) * | 2011-08-18 | 2013-02-20 | Miele & Cie. KG | Laugenpumpe mit Filtereinsatz für eine Waschmaschine |
CN112424416A (zh) * | 2018-08-22 | 2021-02-26 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | 洗衣机 |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3407633A (en) * | 1966-01-12 | 1968-10-29 | Giambertoni Natale | Washing machine filter |
GB1309363A (en) * | 1970-05-22 | 1973-03-07 | Ulgor Sci | Washing machines |
US4485645A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1984-12-04 | Whirlpool Corporation | Foreign objects trap for automatic washer |
GB2146546A (en) * | 1983-09-15 | 1985-04-24 | Copreci Ind Sci | Filter for a washing machine water pump |
WO1994025661A1 (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-10 | Urbano Petito | Washing machine having a filter removeable from above |
-
2000
- 2000-10-31 ES ES00830717T patent/ES2246221T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-31 DE DE60021728T patent/DE60021728T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-10-31 EP EP00830717A patent/EP1201812B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3407633A (en) * | 1966-01-12 | 1968-10-29 | Giambertoni Natale | Washing machine filter |
GB1309363A (en) * | 1970-05-22 | 1973-03-07 | Ulgor Sci | Washing machines |
US4485645A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1984-12-04 | Whirlpool Corporation | Foreign objects trap for automatic washer |
GB2146546A (en) * | 1983-09-15 | 1985-04-24 | Copreci Ind Sci | Filter for a washing machine water pump |
WO1994025661A1 (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-10 | Urbano Petito | Washing machine having a filter removeable from above |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2559802A1 (de) * | 2011-08-18 | 2013-02-20 | Miele & Cie. KG | Laugenpumpe mit Filtereinsatz für eine Waschmaschine |
CN112424416A (zh) * | 2018-08-22 | 2021-02-26 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | 洗衣机 |
CN112424416B (zh) * | 2018-08-22 | 2023-02-24 | 松下知识产权经营株式会社 | 洗衣机 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2246221T3 (es) | 2006-02-16 |
EP1201812B1 (de) | 2005-08-03 |
DE60021728D1 (de) | 2005-09-08 |
DE60021728T2 (de) | 2006-04-06 |
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