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 teh 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. One of the problems caused by the state of the art filtering members is the need for requiring the user to check if the filter is full. If the user cannot determine if the filter is full, the filtering member can be replaced before or after the proper time. Another problem caused by the state of the art filtering members is the bad appearance caused by the fibers accumulating and drying on the filter. This bad appearance cause a decrease in the quality perception of the users. Therefore, a washing machine is needed, wherein the clogging of the filter is automatically detected without requiring user intervention.

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 aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the clogging of the filter is detected with great accuracy without requiring the user intervention.

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 disposed into a housing arranged on the body so as to be accessed by the user and having a receptacle which receives the circulation water taken through a water inlet, at least one filter which filters the fibers and particles carried in the circulation water filling in the receptacle, a water outlet which discharges the filtered water and an overflow outlet which allows some of the water in the receptacle to fill therein; a chamber which opens into the receptacle through the overflow outlet; a level sensor which detects teh level of the water fill in the chamber; and a control unit which determines the clogging status of the filter by means of the data received from the level filter. The overflow outlet is positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet in the flowing direction of the water such that some of the water in the receptacle is delivered to the chamber before reaching the water outlet. The filter is preferably a microfilter suitable for filtering microparticles. As the amount of fibers and particles accumulated on the filter increases, in other words as the filter is filling up, the permeability of the filter decreases and more water is collected in the receptacle. Thus, when the filter is at least partially filled, the level of the water in the receptacle reaches the level of the overflow outlet and excess water starts to fill in the chamber. Thereby, the control unit can determine the fullness status of the filter according to the amount of circulation water reaching the chamber by means of the level sensor. Consequently, the fullness status of the filter can be quickly and accurately determined and the operation of the washing machine is regulated according to the detected fullness status of the filter. In an embodiment of the present invention, the chamber is divided into two compartments in fluid communication, that is a first compartment wherein the water coming through the overflow outlet flows, and a second compartment wherein the level sensor takes measurements. The water coming through the overflow outlet passes through the first compartment to fill in the second compartment. Thus, the water coming through the overflow outlet is prevented from dropping directly onto the level sensor, avoiding any inaccurate measurements.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first compartment and the second compartment are separated from each other by means of a wall whereon at least one opening allowing water passage is arranged. Thus, the circulation water passing through the opening is enabled to regularly flow into the second compartment and measurement errors originating from instantaneous changes in the water level are avoided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the opening is in the form of a slit extending almost along the wall. By means of the thin slit form of the opening, fibers and large particles which can be carried with the circulation water are prevented from reaching the second compartment. Thus, moreover, in case the circulation water contains detergent, the foam is enabled to collapse while the circulation water passes through the slit. Consequently, measurement errors which may be caused by the presence of fiber and foam in the second compartment are prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one hole is arranged on the lower wall of the chamber. The hole is designed small enough to ensure that the flow rate of the water filling in the chamber through the overflow outlet is higher than the flow rate flowing out of the chamber. Thus, at the end of the filtering process, the water in the chamber is enabled to be automatically emptied under the effect of gravity. Consequently, the need for requiring an additional component for emptying and transferring the water filling in the chamber is eliminated, and it is ensured that no water remains in the chamber before every measurement.

In an embodiment of the present invention, on the filtering member, a guiding means is provided, which extends from the overflow outlet towards the chamber and which guides the water coming through the overflow outlet towards the vertical wall of the chamber opposite to the water outlet. Thus, the water is enabled to trickle down the wall to fill in the chamber. Consequently, the flow of water is slowed down so as to prevent instantaneous changes in the water level, decreasing measurement errors.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the level sensor has a buoy which is disposed in the chamber and which is configured to float on the water, a magnet which is disposed on the buoy; and a magnetic sensor which interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet so as to detect the position of the buoy in the chamber and thus to determine the level of the water in the chamber. By means of the mechanical structure of the level sensor, the level measurement can be performed without being affected by the presence of fibers/particles in the water.

By means of the present invention, a washing machine is realized, wherein the fullness status of the filter is automatically determined with minimum error. Thus, moreover, since the user is not required to check the filter, the filtering member can be positioned at an inner region of the washing machine, for example behind the detergent dispenser wherein the cleaning agents are loaded, and can be concealed so as to be accessed when required.

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 cross-sectional view of the filtering member, the chamber and the level sensor related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the top view of the chamber and the level sensor related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Circulation line

5. Filtering member

6. Receptacle

7. Water inlet

8. Water outlet

9. Overflow outlet

10. Filter

11. Chamber

12. Level sensor

13. Control unit

14. First compartment

15. Second compartment

16. Wall

17. Opening

18. Hole

19. Guiding member

20. Buoy

21. Sensor

22. Delivery line

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2); a tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a circulation line (4) wherein the water taken from the tub (3) is circulated; and a filtering member (5) having a water inlet (8) through which the water coming from the circulation line (4) is taken, a receptacle (6) wherein the water taken through the water inlet (7) fills, at least one filter (10) which is disposed in the receptacle (6) and which filters the circulation water and a water outlet (8) which enables the water passing through the filter (10) to be discharged out of the receptacle (6). The filtering member (5) is disposable and is positioned in the body (2) so as to be accessed by the user. The circulation water taken through the water inlet (7) fills in the receptacle (6) and is passed through the filter (10) which filters the fibers and particles therein. The filtered water is delivered back to the tub (3) or out of the body (2) so as to be discharged by means of a delivery line (22) connected to the water outlet (8).

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises an overflow outlet (8) which is arranged on the receptacle (6) so as to be positioned before the water outlet (8) in the flow direction of the water; a chamber (11) wherein the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) fills; a level sensor (12) which detects the level of the water filling in the chamber (11); and a control unit (13) which determines the clogging status of the filter (10) by means of the water level data received from the level sensor (12). When the circulation water collected in the receptacle (6) rises and reaches the level of the overflow outlet (9), the overflow outlet (9) allows some of the circulation water to flow from the receptacle (6) into the chamber (11). The overflow outlet (9) is preferably positioned at the upper side of the receptacle so as to be just after the water inlet (7) in the flow direction of the circulation water. Since the permeability of the filter (10) decreases as the filter (10) getting full, the water level in the receptacle (6) increases more rapidly and the water collected in the receptacle (6) reaches the overflow outlet (9) and starts to fill in the chamber (11). The level sensor (12) detects the level of the water flowing into the chamber (11); and the control unit (13) monitors the change in the level of the water in the chamber (11) by using the water level data received from the level sensor (12). Thus, the control unit (13) measures the change in the level of the water in the chamber (11) which is proportional to the fullness rate of the filter (10) and compares the measurement with the water level data prerecorded in the memory thereof, thus determining the fullness rate of the filter (10). Thus, the fullness rate of the filter (10) can be easily and precisely determined. In an embodiment of the present invention, the chamber (11) has a first compartment

(14) and a second compartment (15) which are at least partially separated from each other such that the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) flows first into the first compartment (14) and into the second compartment (15), and the level sensor (12) is positioned in the second compartment (15). The first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15) are disposed one after the other in the chamber (11) such that the water coming from the receptacle (6) passes through the first compartment (14) so as to fill in the second compartment (15) wherein the level sensor (12) is positioned. Thus, the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) is prevented from dropping directly onto the level sensor (12), avoiding any measurement errors.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a wall (16) separates the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15) from each other, and at least one opening (17) arranged on the wall (16) allows the passage of the water from the first compartment (14) to the second compartment (15). The wall (16) is positioned between the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15) so as to almost completely separate the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15) from each other, and the opening (17) arranged on the wall (16) ensures the water communication between the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15). Thus, the first compartment (14) and the second compartment (15) are almost completely separated from each other in an advantageous manner, and the water in the second compartment

(15) is enabled to be affected least by the flow in the first compartment (14).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the opening (17) is in the form of a flit extending on the wall (16). The opening (17) is configured in the form of a slit extending almost along the wall (16). By means of the narrow structure in the form of a slit, the opening (17) prevents the possible fibers, particles and foam in the water overflowing from the receptacle (6) from reaching the second compartment (15).

In another embodiment of the present invention, at the base of the chamber (11), a hole (18) is arranged, which has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the overflow outlet (9) and which provides the discharge of the water in the chamber (11). The hole (18) is arranged at the base of the chamber (11), preferably of the second compartment (15), so as to enable the water in the chamber (11) to flow out of the chamber (11) under the effect of gravity. The hole (18) is configured to be small enough, in other words narrower than the overflow outlet (9), to allow the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) to rise in the chamber (11). Thus, the water in the chamber (11) is enabled to be automatically discharged at the end of each measurement.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the filtering member (5) comprises a guiding means (19) which extends from the overflow outlet (9) towards the chamber (11) and which guides the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) towards a vertical wall of the chamber (11). The guiding means (19) extends outwards from the overflow outlet (9) and guides the water coming through the overflow outlet (9) towards the vertical wall of the chamber (11) extending opposite to the overflow outlet (9). Thus, the water coming from the receptacle (6) at high speed hits the wall of the chamber (11) to be slowed down. Thus, a regular flow into the chamber (11) is ensured, preventing instantaneous changes in the water level.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the level sensor (12) comprises a buoy (20) which is disposed in the chamber (11) and which is suitable to float on the water so as to rise together with the water filling into the chamber (11), and a sensor (21) which detects the position of the buoy (20) so as to measure the height of the water in the chamber (11). The buoy (20) is disposed in the chamber (11), preferably in the second compartment (15). The sensor (21) is preferably a magnetic sensor and detects the height of the buoy (20) in the chamber (11) by means of a magnet disposed on the buoy (20). Thus, the level measurement is performed without being affected by impurities in the water sucxh as fibers, particles, detergent, chemicals, etc.

By means of the present invention, a washing machine (1) is realized, wherein the fullness status of the filter (10) is quickly and accurately determined. Moreover, by means of the present invention, measurement errors which may be caused by an irregular flow of water and particles are prevented. Thus, it is automatically determined whether the filtering member (5) is required to be replaced or cleaned, providing ease of use.