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. In traditional washing machines, each washing process causes approximately 1 milligram of fibers to be discharged to the waste water line. 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 which filter the washing water is becoming widespread. However, in the state of the art filters, the foam generated due to the water hitting the filter in case the circulation water contains detergent disrupts the flow of the water and causes the filtering performance to decrease. Moreover, the foam may overflow from the filtering member to reach other parts of the washing machine and mix with the clean water.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20070063996, a washing machine is disclosed, comprising a filter which is positioned under the detergent dispenser.

In the state of the art Chinese Patent Application No. CN201172752, a washing machine is disclosed, comprising a filter which is disposed into the detergent compartment.

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a filtering member providing foam dampening. 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 a box-shaped receptacle wherein the filter is enclosed and which has thereon a water inlet connected to the circulation line and water outlet opening to a delivery line whereto the water passed through the filter is delivered, and a grill-shaped dampening means which is positioned so as to be before the filter in the flow direction of the water in the receptacle and which has a plurality of openings. The foam formed in the receptacle hits the dampening means and collapses, and thus the foam in the receptacle is dampened. Thus, the decrease of the filtering performance due to foam accumulation in the receptacle is prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dampening means has a plurality of grill bars with at least one edge sharpened which are arranged at intervals on the same plane and which define the openings. Thus, the foam hitting the sharp edges of the dampening means is efficiently dampened.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the grill bar has a parallelogram shaped cross-section and is configured such that all the comers thereof are sharp. Thus, by increasing the number of sharp corners, the foam dampening performance is improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dampening means is positioned just in front of the water inlet. Thus, the water coming through the water inlet hits the dampening means and slows down so as to disperse in the receptacle, decreasing the risk of foam formation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the width of the openings increases towards the sides of the dampening means. Thus, more water is directed towards the edges of the filter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, protrusions with pointed ends are provided on the ceiling of the receptacle. Thus, the foam accumulating between the dampening means and the top wall of the receptacle is efficiently dampened. By means of the present invention, the decrease of the filtering performance is prevented by dampening the foam in the receptacle.

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 exploded view of the filtering member related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the dampening means related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the cross-sectional view of the dampening means related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the view of the top wall 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. Receptacle

6. Water inlet

7. Filter

8. Water outlet

9. Dampening means

10. Opening

11. Grill bars 12. Protrusion

13. Top wall

14. Delivery line

The washing machine (1) comprises a washing tub (2) wherein the washing process is performed; a circulation line (3) through which the circulation water taken from the washing tub (2) is carried; and a filtering member (4) having a receptacle (5), a water inlet (6) which is arranged on the receptacle (5) and through which the water coming from the circulation line (3) is taken, at least one filter (7) which is disposed in the receptacle (5) and 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 out of the receptacle (5). The circulation water is taken through the water inlet (6) opening to the circulation line (3) and is passed through the filter (7) and then delivered to a delivery line (14) by means of the water outlet (8).

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a perforated dampening means (9) which is disposed in the receptacle (5) so as to be positioned between the filter (7) and the water inlet (6) and which has thereon a plurality of openings (10) allowing the passage of water. The water containing foam coming through the water inlet (6) passes through the openings (10) and reaches the filter (7). As the circulation water continues to be supplied to the receptacle (5), the water and foam level in the receptacle (5) gradually increases, and upon reaching the level of the dampening means (9), the foam hits the dampening means (9) and collapses. Thus, the flow disruptions due to excessive foam accumulation in the filtering member (4) are eliminated, and the foam is prevented from overflowing from the receptacle (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dampening means (9) has grill bars (11) with at least one edge sharpened which form a grill such that the openings (10) remain therebetween. The openings (10) are separated from each other by means of the elongated grill bars (11). At least one edge of the lath-shaped grill bars (11), especially the edge facing the filter (7), is sharpened. By means of the grill bars (11) with sharp edges, the dampening efficiency of the dampening means (9) is increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the grill bars (11) have a diamond- shape cross-section. The grill bars (11) have a diamond-shape cross-section such that all the corners thereof are sharp. Thus, the foam remaining above and under the dampening means (9) and passing through the openings (10) is dampened.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dampening means (9) is positioned between the water inlet (6) and the filter (7) so as to be closer to the water inlet (6). The dampening means (9) is disposed so as to extend just under a top wall (13) of the receptacle (5) whereon the water inlet (6) is arranged. Thus, the dampening means (9) also functions as a water guiding means, and the water coming through the water inlet (6) is guided towards the sides of the receptacle (5). Thus, the foam is prevented from accumulating at one spot.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dampening means (9) has the openings (10) with varying widths such that the relatively narrower openings (10) are positioned at the central region thereof facing the water inlet (6). By means of the openings (10) widening towards the sides, more water is guided towards the sides of the receptacle (5). Thus, a homogeneous water is provided towards the filter (7), decreasing the accumulation of foam.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions (12) are provided on a top wall (13) of the receptacle (5) facing the dampening means (9). The protrusions (12) are provided on the top wall (13) situated above the dampening means (9). The protrusions (12) are conical and extend towards the dampening means (9). Thus, in case of excessive water and foam level in the receptacle (5), the foam remaining above the dampening means (9) is enabled to be dampened by the protrusions (12).

By means of the present invention, a washing machine (1) is realized, comprising a filtering member (4) for filtering the circulation water containing detergent in an efficient and safe manner.