Patent Application
20250075405
This application claims benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000018120, filed Sep. 4, 2023, which application is incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to the above-disclosed application.
The present invention relates to a microplastic filtering system for a washing machine, such as a laundry washing machine.
Microplastic filtering systems for washing machines, such as laundry washing machines, are known in the art.
In recent years, the use of synthetic fabrics has increased, resulting g in larger amounts of micrometric synthetic microfibres contained in wastewater and hence in the environment, leading to more environmental pollution. In particular, when synthetic fabrics are washed, synthetic microfibres are produced/released which are not biodegradable, thus causing increased water pollution from microplastics (this term refers to particles and/or fibres less than 5 mm in length).
Patent publication EP 4 148 178 A1 by the present Applicant describes a microplastic filtering system specifically intended for use in a laundry washing machine. The system can filter microplastics contained in the washing liquid, which is then drained from the washing tub. Although such system is particularly advantageous and effective in comparison with those previously known in the art, it is nonetheless desirable to add thereto some improvements and refinements.
One drawback of the system disclosed by patent publication EP 4 148 178 A1 lies in the fact that, for such a system to be integrated into a laundry washing machine, it is necessary to add a further component, thus increasing the number of separate elements to be installed in the machine. This results in increased structural complexity of a laundry washing machine comprising such a system.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a microplastic filtering system for a washing machine, such as a laundry washing machine, wherein such system can remedy one or more drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, compared with the prior art, the system made in accordance with the present invention solves the technical problem of not increasing the structural complexity of the laundry washing machine in which the system is intended to be installed. In this regard, an advantageous feature is the inclusion in the system of a pre-filtering assembly for a discharge pump of the washing machine in which said system is to be incorporated. In this way, notwithstanding the addition of such system to the laundry washing machine, the total number of separate components and elements is not increased, since the pre-filtering element is integrated into the system. Therefore, the system according to the present invention provides both filtering of any foreign bodies upstream of the discharge pump and filtering of microplastics.
According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a system having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.
It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.
For completeness' sake, the following is a list of alphanumerical references and names used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above-summarized drawings.
With reference to
In the embodiment illustrated herein, system 10 will be described with particular reference to a laundry washing machine WM.
With particular reference to
As will be further described below also with reference to
In the embodiment described herein, terms or expressions such as “axial” or “axially”, “transversal” or “transversally”, “radial” or “radially”, “lateral” or “laterally”, “internal” or “internally”, “external” or “externally”, “annular” or “annularly”, “peripheral” or “peripherally” are meant to refer to longitudinal axis X-X.
In addition, casing 12 comprises an inlet 16 configured to receive a fluid that contains microplastics and leading into the filtering cavity 14. Casing 10 comprises also an outlet 18 configured to deliver the fluid contained in filtering cavity 14, from which the microplastics have been substantially removed.
System 10 further comprises a filtering assembly 100 contained in filtering cavity 14. Filtering assembly 100 is configured to be crossed by the fluid entering casing 12 through inlet 16 and exiting through outlet 18, thus internally trapping the microplastics contained in said fluid. In particular, filtering assembly 100 is, in a per se known manner, configured for trapping particles and/or fibres of synthetic or plastic material less than 5 mm in length, which may also, in particular, have micrometric dimensions.
In the embodiment shown in
Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated herein, washing machine WM comprises a discharge pump 600 crossed by initial duct D1 and fluidically connected downstream of washing tub T and upstream of inlet 16 of system 10. Discharge pump 600 is configured to push the washing liquid, containing microplastics and coming from washing tub T, towards inlet 16 of system 10.
System 10 comprises also a pre-filtering system 500 configured to be fluidically connected upstream of discharge pump 600 for trapping any foreign bodies that may be present in the microplastic-containing washing liquid. Thanks to such technical features, the structural complexity of the washing machine in which system 10 is installed is not increased.
In a per se known manner, pre-filtering assembly 500 is configured to be crossed by the microplastic-containing washing liquid—which will then be filtered by filtering assembly 110—and trap any foreign bodies that may be present in such washing liquid. Typically, foreign bodies are much bigger than microplastic particles, and may damage discharge pump 600.
In particular, pre-filtering assembly 500 is crossed by initial duct D1 and is fluidically connected downstream of washing tub T. Pre-filtering assembly 500 is configured for filtering any foreign bodies that may be present in the microplastic-containing washing liquid coming from washing tub T before the washing liquid enters discharge pump 600. Typically, the outlet of pre-filtering assembly 500 is hydraulically connected to the inlet of discharge pump 600. Therefore, pre-filtering assembly 500 and discharge pump 600 are fluidically connected in series in initial duct D1.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, pre-filtering assembly 500 is supported by casing 12. In more detail, casing 12 internally defines a pre-filtering cavity 32 which is fluidically separate from filtering cavity 14. Pre-filtering cavity 32 houses pre-filtering assembly 500.
In particular, casing 12 has an inlet passageway 34 configured to receive the washing liquid containing microplastics and any foreign bodies, and leading into pre-filtering cavity 32 upstream of pre-filtering assembly 500.
In addition, casing 12 has an outlet passageway 36 configured to deliver the microplastic-containing washing liquid, which is intended to cross pre-filtering cavity 32, and from which any foreign bodies have been substantially removed.
Inlet passageway 34 is also configured to be hydraulically connected downstream of washing tub T of laundry washing machine WM.
Outlet passageway 36 is also configured to be hydraulically connected upstream of inlet 16 and of discharge pump 600.
System 10 comprises, therefore, two filters, comprising filtering assembly 100 and pre-filtering assembly 500, which are fluidically decoupled from each other, and between which discharge pump 600 is fluidically interposed.
Pre-filtering assembly 500 comprises a transverse septum 502 situated in pre-filtering cavity 32 and having a plurality of narrow openings 504 configured to be crossed by the micro-plastic-containing washing liquid and to trap any foreign bodies that may be present in the washing liquid.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, casing 12 comprises a tubular portion 22, a cover member 24 and a closure member 26 sealingly connected to tubular portion 22 on opposite sides, thereby internally defining filtering cavity 14. In particular, filtering cavity 14 is laterally delimited by tubular portion 22 and axially delimited, on opposite sides, by cover member 24 and closure member 26. Tubular portion 22 develops around longitudinal axis X-X.
In particular, pre-filtering cavity 32 is laterally delimited by tubular portion 22, while being—as will be described in more detail hereafter—axially delimited on opposite sides by walls of closure member 26.
As will be described in more detail below, inlet 16 and outlet 18 lead into filtering cavity 14 through casing 12 in a substantially transversal direction (i.e. substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis X-X). In the embodiment illustrated herein, inlet 16 and outlet 18 are formed laterally on casing 12, i.e. with axes oriented transversally to longitudinal axis X-X. In more detail, inlet 16 and outlet 18 are formed on tubular portion 22. In the embodiment illustrated herein, inlet 16 and outlet 18 are provided as fittings laterally protruding from casing 12, in particular from tubular portion 22.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, inlet passageway 34 and outlet passageway 36 lead into pre-filtering cavity 32 through casing 12 in a substantially transversal direction (i.e. substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis X-X). In the illustrated embodiment, inlet passageway 34 and outlet passageway 36 are formed laterally on casing 12, i.e. with axes oriented transversally to longitudinal axis X-X. In more detail, inlet passageway 34 and outlet passageway 36 are formed on tubular portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment, inlet passageway 34 and outlet passageway 36 are provided as fittings laterally protruding from casing 12, in particular from tubular portion 22, axially offset relative to longitudinal axis X-X and radially offset by 180° relative to longitudinal axis X-X.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, pre-filtering assembly 500 is supported by closure member 26. In particular, closure member 26 comprises a central upright 38 extending from transverse septum 502 and coaxial to longitudinal axis X-X. Openings 504 extend in a sunburst pattern on transverse septum 502 around central upright 38.
In particular, closure member 26 comprises a grip disc 40 mounted to central upright 38 on the side axially opposite transverse septum 502. In particular, grip disc 40 and transverse septum 502 are sealingly mounted within tubular portion 22.
System 10 comprises also a compacting assembly 200 situated in filtering cavity 14 and configured for collecting and compacting the microparticles trapped by filtering assembly 100.
In addition, system 10 comprises a driving assembly 300 configured to drive compacting assembly 200. Preferably, driving assembly 300 comprises a motor, in particular an electric motor 302. In the illustrated embodiment, electric motor 302 co-operates with a reduction gear train 303 to drive compacting assembly 200. In particular, driving assembly 300 is housed in cover member 24.
Preferably, filtering assembly 100 comprises a hollow filtering body 102 having an axial through aperture 104. Hollow filtering body 102 comprises, advantageously, a plurality of concentrical cylindrical filtering layers of different mesh gauges suitable for trapping microplastic particles of different sizes. In the embodiment illustrated herein, filtering assembly 100 comprises a support shell 106, in which hollow filtering body 102 is mounted. In addition, support shell 106 has a plurality of lateral apertures or slots 108 (only one of which is numbered in
Preferably, as will be described hereafter, compacting assembly 200 extends axially through filtering assembly 100. In particular, axial through aperture 104 of hollow filtering body 102 is crossed by compacting assembly 200.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, compacting assembly 200 is configured to remove microplastics from the inner surface of hollow filtering body 102, in particular conveying them out of filtering assembly 100. In other words, compacting assembly 200 is operatively mounted in contact with the inner lateral surface of hollow filtering body 102, defined by axial through aperture 104, for removing microplastics from the filtering assembly. In this manner, compacting assembly 200 is configured to operatively slide against said inner lateral surface of hollow filtering body 102, thereby removing microplastics from such surface.
In the illustrated embodiment, compacting assembly 200 comprises an endless screw 202 configured to be rotatably driven by driving assembly 300, so as to axially push the solid particles trapped by filtering assembly 100.
In addition, endless screw 202 is housed in axial through aperture 104 of hollow body 102, and is substantially aligned axially with longitudinal axis X-X.
In particular, endless screw 202 has a helicoidal profile 204 that, in a per se known manner, facilitates the conveyance of microplastics out of filtering assembly 100. In other words, helicoidal profile 204 is operatively mounted in contact with the inner lateral surface of hollow filtering body 102. In this way, helicoidal profile 204—rotatably driven by driving assembly 300—can effectively remove the microplastics deposited on said surface of hollow filtering body 102. In fact, helicoidal profile 204 is configured to rotatably slide against said surface of hollow filtering body 100, thereby removing microplastics therefrom.
As clearly visible in
System 10 further comprises a storing container 20 situated in storing chamber 14c and facing towards compacting assembly 200. Storing container 20 is configured to receive the microplastics collected and compacted by compacting assembly 200. Particularly, storing container 20 is removable from filtering cavity 14 and accessible through casing 12.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, storing container 20 is housed in closure member 26, which internally defines storing chamber 14c. In particular, storing container 20 is substantially cup-shaped, and closure member 26 is substantially glass-shaped. In particular, storing container 20 and closure member 26 are mutually assembled by means of a clamping ring 21, wherein a peripheral edge of storing container 20 is axially locked between clamping ring 21 and a corresponding peripheral edge of closure member 26. In addition, axial through aperture 104 of hollow body 102 faces towards storing container 20. Closure member 26 is mounted to tubular portion 22 and removable, in particular repeatably and reversibly, therefrom. For example, as shown in
In the embodiment illustrated herein, pre-filtering assembly 500, in particular its transverse septum 502, is mounted to closure member 26 on the side axially opposite storing container 20, in particular on the bottom wall 41 that delimits storing chamber 14c. Preferably, closure member 26 comprises a plurality of braces 42 axially connecting the periphery of bottom wall 41 to the periphery of transverse septum 502.
In particular, in addition to being delimited laterally by tubular portion 22, pre-filtering cavity 32 is also delimited axially by bottom wall 41 and by grip disc 40. In more detail, pre-filtering cavity 32 is divided into an inflow chamber 32a, where the washing liquid is intended to enter through inlet passageway 34, and an outflow chamber 32b, from where the washing liquid is intended to exit through outlet passageway 36 after any foreign bodies have been substantially removed therefrom. Inflow chamber 32a and outflow chamber 32b communicate with each other through pre-filtering assembly 500, in particular through the narrow openings 504. Inflow chamber 32a is axially delimited by grip disc 40 and by transverse septum 502, while outflow chamber 52b is axially delimited by transverse septum 502 and by bottom wall 41.
Preferably, closure member 26 provides a support structure which supports both storing container 20 and pre-filtering assembly 500, forming a unitary module mounted repeatably and reversibly removable (e.g. extractable) from tubular portion 22.
System 10 further comprises a draining pump 400 configured for taking in liquid contained in storing chamber 14c and pushing such liquid out of casing 12. Thus, liquid is prevented from stagnating in the storing container and interfering with the normal operation of compacting assembly 200, with the risk of clogging filtering assembly 100—particularly when system 10 is installed in laundry washing machine WM with longitudinal axis X-X oriented in a substantially horizontal direction (e.g. according to the arrangement shown in
In the system arrangement shown in
Preferably, draining pump 400 is of the peristaltic type. In particular, draining pump 400 comprises, in a per se known manner, a rotor 402 and an elastically deformable tube 404, having an inlet opening 406 and an outlet opening 408 (only visible in
In the embodiment illustrated herein, tube 404 is mounted in such a way that its outlet opening 408 leads out of system 10, particularly out of casing 12, so as to discharge in washing tub T any washing liquid L stagnating in storing chamber 14c. In particular, as shown in
Preferably, casing 12 defines a draining duct 28 fluidically connected to storing chamber 14c on one side and to the inlet of draining pump 400 on the other side—in particular, to inlet opening 406. In the embodiment illustrated herein, the hydraulic connection of draining duct 28 is provided by means of an elbow connection 410 hydraulically connected to inlet opening 406 on one side and to one end of draining duct 28 on the other side.
Preferably, draining duct 28 is defined on the periphery of casing 12 (e.g. of the latter's tubular portion 22).
In the embodiment illustrated herein, draining duct 28 extends along casing 12 (in particular, along tubular portion 22) in a substantially axial direction.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, draining duct 28 is defined by an interspace laterally delimited between casing 12 (in particular, the latter's tubular portion 22) and filtering assembly 100 (in particular, the latter's support shell 106).
Preferably, draining pump 400 is supported between casing 12 (in particular, cover member 24) and filtering assembly 100 (in particular, an axial end of support shell 106). In addition, electric motor 302 and reduction gear train 303 are sealingly separated from draining pump 400 through the interposition of a spacer 29.
Driving assembly 300 comprises a shaft 304 configured to be rotatably driven by electric motor 302, in particular via reduction gear train 303, for controlling compacting assembly 200. In particular, shaft 304 extends in filtering cavity 14 in order to co-operate with compacting assembly 200. In the illustrated embodiment, shaft 304 is coupled to endless screw 202 to control the rotation thereof, such two parts being, in particular, rotatably integral (e.g. keyed) with each other. In more detail, shaft 304 and endless screw 202 are substantially coaxial to each other and to longitudinal axis X-X.
Preferably, driving assembly 300 is also configured to control draining pump 400. Thus, when system 10 is in operation, driving assembly 300 provides not only the action of compacting the microplastics towards storing container 20, but also the action of draining any liquid stagnating in storing chamber 14c.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, said driving assembly 300 comprises a shaft 304 controllable in rotation and mounted coaxial to both rotor 402 and endless screw 202. In particular, shaft 304 is rotatably supported by casing 12 (in particular, by cover member 24 and/or spacer 29) on one side and, on the axially opposite side, by filtering assembly 100 (in particular, by support shell 106, e.g. by the top thereof). Particularly, shaft 304 axially and sealingly crosses spacer 29 to connect to rotor 402 and endless screw 202.
By way of example, fluid-tightness of casing 12 is obtained by means of a plurality of sealing gaskets 30 interposed between members 24 and 26 and tubular portion 22. In particular, sealing gaskets 30 have a substantially annular shape, e.g. they are O-rings.
For completeness' sake, the following will briefly describe the path followed by the washing liquid in system 10, from washing tub T to waste system WS.
When system 10 is in operation, inlet passageway 34 is hydraulically connected to initial duct D1 of discharge piping D, and is configured to receive, in a substantially transversal or radial direction, the washing liquid coming from washing tub T and containing microplastics and foreign bodies. Inlet passageway 34 then leads into inflow chamber 32a, which receives the washing liquid and hydraulically communicates, in the axial direction, with outflow chamber 32b through narrow openings 504 of transverse septum 502. Thus, inflow chamber 32a traps the foreign bodies upstream of transverse septum 502, so that outflow chamber 32b receives washing liquid substantially free from foreign bodies, but still containing microplastics.
Subsequently, from peripheral chamber 14b the microplastic-containing washing liquid flows, transversally or radially, through the interspaces defined between braces 42 in outlet passageway 36 and out of tubular portion 22 of casing 12. Outlet passageway 18 is connected to the inlet of discharge pump 600 through initial duct D1 of discharge piping D.
Afterwards, inlet 16, which is hydraulically connected to initial duct D1 of discharge piping D, is configured to receive, substantially in a transversal or radial direction, the microplastic-containing washing liquid delivered by discharge pump 600. Inlet 16 extends transversally or radially through tubular portion 22 of casing 12 and leads into central chamber 14a defined by hollow filtering body 102.
Central chamber 14a receives the microplastic-containing washing liquid and hydraulically communicates, transversally or radially, with peripheral chamber 14b through the sidewalls of hollow filtering body 102. In particular, in the substantially horizontal arrangement of system 10 shown in
At the same time, central chamber 14a hydraulically communicates, in the axial direction, with storing chamber 14c, which, due to the action of compacting assembly 200, receives the microplastics retained within the hollow filtering body, and traps them in storing container 20. As previously described, any washing liquid L stagnating in storing chamber 14c is drained out of it by draining pump 400.
Subsequently, the washing liquid, from which microplastics have been substantially removed, flows out of peripheral chamber 14b, transversally or radially, through outlet 18 to exit tubular portion 22 of casing 12. Outlet 18 is connected to terminal duct D2 of discharge piping D, thus delivering to waste system WS washing liquid which is substantially free from microplastics.
With reference to
Those parts and elements which are similar to—or which perform the same function as—those of the previously illustrated embodiment have been assigned the same reference numerals. For brevity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the description of the previous embodiment.
In the illustrated embodiment, system 10 further comprises discharge pump 600.
In particular, discharge pump 600 is supported by casing 12. In more detail, discharge pump 600 is supported by cover member 24, in particular on the side axially opposite driving assembly 300.
Pump inlet 602 of discharge pump 600 is fluidically connected downstream of outlet passageway 36, while pump outlet 604 of discharge pump 600 is fluidically connected upstream of inlet 16.
Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102023000018120 | Sep 2023 | IT | national |
