Technical Field

The present invention relates to washing machines with a microfiber filter assembly.

Background of the Invention

Washing machines, especially used for cleaning textile products, generally comprise at least one tub and at least one drum provided in the tub to rotate around an axis. During a cleaning process in a washing machine, a cleaning liquid in the drum (such a cleaning liquid can be water taken from a source (e.g. a mains) and/or water containing a cleaning agent such as detergent, softener, etc.) is circulated by a circulation pump and the waste water generated after a cleaning process is drained from the washing machine by means of a drain pump. During a cleaning process, the circulation pump is operated at certain periods and the textile products in the drum are cleaned (for example, washed and/or rinsed) by rotating the drum. When this cleaning process is completed, the circulation pump is stopped and the drain pump is started, so that the cleaning liquid in the drum is removed from the washing device by means of a drain line.

During the cleaning process, the dirt and wastes in the textile products are removed from the textile products. However, in this process, microfiber particles can be separated from textile products, especially made of synthetic materials. An exemplary application for filtering said microfiber particles is described in EP0755466B1. However, the application here is related to drying devices and it does not contain any details about washing machines. However, these microfiber particles formed during a cleaning process in the washing machine cannot be filtered by the filters already present in conventional washing machines, and pass from the drain line to the main drain line. These particles, which reach the wastewater treatment plants through the main drain line and can be so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, cannot be separated from the water in the wastewater treatment plants, and they can mix with water sources such as the sea and rivers such that they are included in the food chain, causing serious problems in terms of living health.

Brief Description of the Invention

The washing machine according to the present invention comprises at least one tub with at least one placement opening; at least one drum provided in the tub so as to rotate around an axis and comprising at least one loading opening that at least partially corresponds to the placement opening, wherein a cleaning process is carried out in the drum using a cleaning liquid; at least one door with at least one outer frame and at least one inner frame mounted to the outer frame, which opens or closes the placement opening and the loading opening for controlling access into the drum; and at least one filter assembly provided on a part of the door facing the drum when the door is in a position to close the placement opening and the loading opening, the filter assembly comprising: at least one mounting piece comprising at least a first body in a plate structure mounted on the door and at least one chamber which is connected with the first body substantially perpendicular to the first body and which, when the first body is mounted to the door, extends away from the door, wherein at least one outlet hole is provided on the chamber for sending the cleaning liquid, which has been received from the drum for filtering, to the drum, wherein the chamber comprises at least one base, wherein the filtered cleaning liquid is collected in the chamber and drained therethrough; at least one filter piece located above the chamber so as to prevent the cleaning liquid from passing into the chamber without being filtered, which filters the microfiber particles in the cleaning liquid and allows the filtered cleaning liquid to pass into the chamber, the filter piece comprising at least one holding frame and at least one filtering element which is mounted on the sides of the holding frame and provides filtering property to the area surrounded by the holding frame; at least one holding piece attached to the mounting piece such that the filter piece remains between the holding piece and the mounting piece and is placed in the area between the first body and the chamber, wherein the holding piece forms a closed volume in the area between the first body and the chamber, in which the filter piece is located, wherein the holding piece comprises at least a second body and at least one inlet hole on the second body for the cleaning liquid in the drum to pass into the second body; wherein during a cleaning operation/process, when the cleaning liquid in the drum enters the second body through the inlet hole, the filter assembly filters the cleaning liquid by means of the filtering element in the filter piece, so that the microfiber particles are removed from the cleaning liquid, and when the filtered cleaning liquid is returned to the drum by means of the outlet hole, the filter assembly allows the cleaning process to be continued with the filtered cleaning liquid, while at the same time filtering the cleaning liquid multiple times during a cleaning process.

Thanks to the washing machine according to the present invention, during a cleaning process carried out in the drum, the cleaning liquid is enabled to be filtered periodically, and especially, purified from microfiber particles. Therefore, both the cleaning process can be carried out more effectively with a cleaner cleaning liquid, and the microfiber particles, which adversely affect living and environmental health, are mixed to the main drain line at a minimum level, so that a practical, long-lasting, environmentally friendly and reliable washing machine is obtained.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine for filtering microfiber particles separated from textile products during a cleaning process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine for filtering microfiber particles, especially during a cleaning process carried out in the drum.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which comprises a removable microfiber filter assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which comprises a microfiber filter assembly positioned on the door. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which comprises a practical and reliable microfiber filter assembly that is easy to manufacture and install.

Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the washing machine according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figures 7a-7d are the side sectional views of exemplary embodiments of the filter assembly of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the filter assembly of the washing machine according to the present invention, in a disassembled state.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 10 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention.

Figure 12 is a side sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the door of the washing machine according to the present invention. Figures 13a-13b are perspective views of another embodiment of the filter assembly of the washing machine according to the present invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Door (D)

Outer frame (D1)

Inner frame (D2)

Curved body (D3)

First transmission line (H1)

Second transmission line (H2)

Third transmission line (H3)

Nozzle (N)

First pump (P1)

Second pump (P2)

Drum (S)

Filter assembly (T)

Mounting piece (T1)

Filter piece (T2)

Holding piece (T3)

Hinge (T4)

Locking element (T5)

Guiding element (Y)

First body (1a)

Chamber (1b)

Outlet hole (1c)

Base (1d)

Mounting opening (1e)

Holding frame (2a)

Filtering element (2b)

Second body (3a)

Inlet hole (3b) Description of the Invention

In washing machines for cleaning textile products which comprise a drum that can rotate around an axis, especially during a cleaning process of textile products made of synthetic materials, microfiber particles can be separated from these products, and such particles that cannot be filtered with conventional washing machine filters can pass through the drain line, reaching water sources and adversely affecting the health of living things. In addition, said particles included in the cleaning liquid during a cleaning process may stick back to the textile products in the drum, and not all of these particles can be removed from the textile products. In this context, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising a filter assembly for filtering said microfiber particles, especially during the cleaning process, both to prevent them from sticking back to the textile products and to prevent their passage to the drain line.

The washing machine according to the present invention, exemplary views of which are illustrated in figures 1-13b, comprises at least one tub with at least one placement opening; at least one drum (S) provided in the tub so as to rotate around an axis and comprising at least one loading opening that at least partially corresponds to the placement opening; and at least one door (D) with at least one outer frame (D1), preferably having a circular cross-section, and at least one inner frame (D2) mounted to the outer frame (D1), preferably having a circular cross-section, wherein the door (D) opens or closes the placement opening and the loading opening for controlling access into the drum (S). The washing machine according to the present invention further comprises at least one filter assembly (T) provided on a part of the door (D) facing the drum (S) when the door (D) is in a position to close the placement opening and the loading opening, the filter assembly comprising: at least one mounting piece (T1) comprising at least a first body (1a) in a plate structure preferably having a form (e.g. a semi-circular or a full circle form) substantially corresponding to the frames, which is mounted on the door (D) (preferably on the outer frame (D1) or the inner frame (D2) (preferably between the outer frame (D1) and the inner frame (D2))) (this assembly can be realized by snap-fitting, using screws, pins, magnets and/or other mechanical methods) and at least one chamber (1b) which is connected with the first body (1a) substantially perpendicular to the first body (1a) and which, when the first body (1a) is mounted to the door (D), extends away from the door (D), wherein at least one outlet hole

(lc) (preferably a plurality of outlet holes) is provided on the chamber (1b) for sending the cleaning liquid, which has been received from the drum (S) for filtering, to the drum (S), wherein the chamber (1b) comprises at least one base

(ld) preferably inclined (for example 4°) towards the outlet hole (1c), wherein the filtered cleaning liquid is collected in the chamber (1b) and drained therethrough; at least one filter piece (T2) located above the chamber (1b) so as to prevent the cleaning liquid from passing into the chamber (1b) without being filtered, which filters the microfiber particles in the cleaning liquid and allows the filtered cleaning liquid to pass into the chamber (1b), the filter piece (T2) comprising at least one holding frame (2a) and at least one filtering element (2b) which is mounted on the sides of the holding frame (2a) and provides filtering property to the area surrounded by the holding frame (2a); and at least one holding piece (T3) attached to the mounting piece (T1) such that the filter piece (T2) remains between the holding piece (T3) and the mounting piece (T1) and is placed in the area between the first body (1a) and the chamber (1b), wherein the holding piece (T3) is preferably fixed to the mounting piece (T1) by means of at least one locking element (T5) (e.g. latch), wherein the holding piece (T3), preferably together with the chamber (1b) and the first body (1a), forms a closed volume in the area between the first body (1a) and the chamber (1b), in which the filter piece (T2) is located, wherein the filter piece (T2) is preferably mounted (e.g. in different forms such as slipping, sliding, shrink fit or mechanically locked) in the holding piece (T3) in a removable way to prevent the passage of the cleaning liquid without being filtered, wherein the holding piece (T3) has a first side preferably substantially corresponding to the first body (1a) (e.g. semi-circular) and a second side connected with the first side thereof, substantially corresponding to the chamber (1b) (e.g. having a polygonal section), wherein the holding piece (T3) comprises at least a second body (3a) preferably having a curved form extending towards the drum (S) when the door (D) is in the closed position and at least one inlet hole (preferably, a plurality of inlet holes) on the second body (3a) for the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) to pass into the second body (3a); wherein during a cleaning operation/process, when the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) enters the second body (3a) through the inlet hole (3b), the filter assembly (T) filters the cleaning liquid by means of the filtering element (2b) in the filter piece (T2), so that the microfiber particles are removed from the cleaning liquid, and when the filtered cleaning liquid is returned to the drum (S) by means of the outlet hole (1c), the filter assembly (T) allows the cleaning process to be continued with the filtered cleaning liquid, while at the same time filtering the cleaning liquid multiple times during a cleaning process, and thus, allowing a minimum amount of microfiber particles to be involved in the main drain line.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when a cleaning process is to be carried out in the washing machine according to the invention, the textile products to be cleaned are placed in the drum (S) and the door (D) is closed to initiate the cleaning process. For the cleaning process, a cleaning liquid is taken into the drum (S) and the drum (S) is rotated. During the rotation of this drum (S), the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) enters the second body (3a) through the inlet hole (3b) and reaches the filter piece (T2) under the effect of gravity. Since the filter piece (T2) is positioned to prevent passage of the liquid reaching it without being filtered, all of the cleaning liquid entering the second body (3a) passes through the filtering element (2b) in the filter piece (T2), and during this period, all kinds of fluff, fibres, particles, including microfiber particles in the cleaning liquid, are detained by the filtering element (2b) such that they are removed from the cleaning liquid. The filtered cleaning liquid reaches the chamber (1b) and returns to the drum (S) by means of the outlet hole (1c) communicating into the drum (S) in the chamber (1b). Thanks to the washing machine according to the present invention, a cleaning liquid that performs a cleaning process can be filtered more than once during the cleaning process. Thus, the cleaning liquid for cleaning the textile products stays clean as much as possible and thus the efficiency of the cleaning process can be increased. In addition, since the cleaning liquid is filtered for multiple times, it is possible to filter unwanted residues such as microfiber particles in the cleaning liquid much more effectively and to have a minimum level of microfiber particles in the cleaning liquid reaching the main drain line. As the cleaning process is carried out in the washing machine according to the present invention, the cleaning liquid containing fluff passes through the filter piece (T2) and thus, the filtering element (2b). In the long run, depending on different parameters such as the type of clothes being washed, the washing temperature, whether a fabric softener is used or not, clogging will occur in the filter assembly (T) and thus in the filtering element (2b). As the filter piece (T2) is removable, the user can remove the filter piece (T2) for cleaning at certain intervals. For this purpose, first of all, the holding piece (T3) and preferably the filter piece (T2) mounted thereon must be disassembled from the mounting piece (T1). Preferably, the holding piece (T3), which is fixed to the mounting piece by means of a locking element (T5), is removed from the mounting piece (T1) by releasing the locking element (T5), and in this way, the filter piece (T2) is reached. Afterwards, the filter piece (T2) is cleaned in a suitable area for cleaning, after which it is mounted again on the mounting piece (T1) of the filter piece (T2) and the holding piece (T3).

In another alternative embodiment shown in Figure 13a and Figure 13b, the filter assembly (T) preferably comprises only the mounting piece (T1) and the filter piece (T2), not the holding piece (T3). In other words, according to this embodiment, the mounting piece (T1) is used both for mounting on the door (D) and for the placement of the filter piece (T2) in accordance with filtration. In this embodiment, the filter piece (T2) comprises at least one holding frame (2a) in a rectangular form and at least one filtering element (2b) attached to the holding frame (2a) so as to cover the area surrounded by the rectangular holding frame (2a). Moreover, the mounting piece (T1) preferably comprises at least a first body (1a) which is mounted on the door (D) and has a form (for example, a semi-circular or a full circle form) substantially corresponding to the inner frame (D2) (or the outer frame (D1)); at least one chamber (1b) which is connected with the first body (1a) and which, together with the first body (1a), forms a closed area preferably having a curved form with at least one opening at the bottom, wherein the filter piece (T2) is inserted in the chamber (1b) in a removable manner so as to prevent cleaning liquid to pass without being filtered, wherein at least one mounting opening (1e) is provided on the chamber (1b) for placing the filter piece (T2) therein; and at least one inlet hole (3b) (preferably, a plurality of inlet holes) located on the chamber (1b) for allowing the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) to pass into the chamber (1b) and to be filtered by the filter piece (T2) such that it is returned to the drum through the opening. Thus, the filtering process can be carried out in a practical way with a simpler structure by fewer parts. In this embodiment, the opening may form the entire underside of the chamber (1b), or the chamber (1b) may comprise at least one base (1d) on which the opening is located in the form of at least one (preferably more than one) outlet hole (1c). In this embodiment, the base (1d) can preferably have a form inclined towards the outlet hole (1c). In this embodiment, the door (D) preferably comprises at least one curved body (D3) preferably made of a transparent material such as glass, which is located in the area surrounded by the outer frame (D1) and the inner frame (D2) such that it at least partially covers said area, wherein the curved body (D3) extends into the drum (S) when the door (D) is in the closed position. The filter assembly (T) is also preferably located on the door (D) such that it is at an upper part of the curved body (D3) and that the opening faces the curved body (D3). Therefore, the cleaning liquid entering the chamber (1b) by passing through the inlet hole (3b) for filtration is filtered by the filter piece (T2), and then it reaches the curved body (D3) through the opening, and returned to the drum. Yet in another embodiment, the filter assembly (T) is preferably located on the door (D) such that it is at a part of the curved body (D3) and that the opening faces the drum. Therefore, the cleaning liquid entering the chamber (1b) by passing through the inlet hole (3b) for filtration is filtered by the filter piece (T2), and then, it passes through the opening and returns directly into the drum. In another alternative embodiment, the filter assembly (T) is preferably located in the middle of the curved body (D3) and the mounting piece (T1) is mounted on this middle part, wherein the first body (1a) is in the form of a plate substantially corresponding to the middle part. In this embodiment, the filter assembly (T) is in a direct fluid communication with the cleaning liquid in the drum (S). Therefore, when the drum (S) rotates, the cleaning liquid can easily enter the second body (3a) through the inlet hole (3b) and pass through the filter piece (T2) and return to the drum (S) through the opening in the chamber (1b) under the effect of gravity.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing machine according to the present invention comprises at least a first pump (P1) which enables the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) to be taken from the drum (S) and returned to the drum (S) in a cleaning process; at least a first transmission line (H1) in which said pump is located, wherein the cleaning liquid exits the drum (S) and is returned to the drum (S) by means of the first transmission line (H); and at least one nozzle (N) (preferably, at least as many as the number of inlet holes (3b)) which is connected with a side of the first transmission line (H1) sending the cleaning liquid to the drum (S), and is preferably positioned at the top or bottom of the drum (S) such that it is substantially aligned with inlet hole (3b) and that substantially all of the cleaning liquid it sprays passes through the inlet hole (3b) (in other words, such that the cleaning liquid enters the second body (3a) or chamber (1b) by passing through the inlet hole (3d)). According to an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3, a part of the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) is taken into the first transmission line (H1) by the first pump (P1) and the cleaning liquid passing through the first transmission line (H1) is sent back into the drum (S) via the nozzle (N). Furthermore, since the nozzle (N) is located in the washing machine so that that most of the liquid it sprays passes through the inlet hole (3b), most of the liquid coming from the first transmission line (H1) passes through the filter assembly (T) and returns to the drum (S) after being filtered. In another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, the washing machine according to the present invention also preferably comprises at least two nozzles (N), at least one of them spraying some of the cleaning liquid coming from the first transmission line (H1) so that it passes through the inlet hole (3b), and at least the other one spraying another part thereof directly into the drum (S). Thus, while performing the filtering process, the cleaning process can also be continued. According to an alternative of this embodiment shown in Figure 4, a side of the first transmission line (H1) that sends the cleaning liquid into the drum (S) is divided into at least two branches, and each of the branches is connected to a nozzle (N). According to another alternative illustrated in Figure 5, the washing machine preferably comprises at least a first transmission line (H1) connected with the nozzle (N) spraying the cleaning liquid such that it passes through the inlet hole (3b); at least a second transmission line (H2) connected with the nozzle (N) spraying the cleaning liquid directly into the drum (S); at least a first pump (P1) located in the first transmission line (H1); and at least a second pump (P2) located in the second transmission line (H2) (the first pump (P1) and the second pump (P2) can be operated simultaneously or at different times). Thanks to the separation of the transmission lines and pumps of the nozzles (N), the circulation performance of the cleaning liquid in the drum (S) can be increased, and in case of failure in any line or pump, the operation of the washing machine can be continued with the other line and pump. In one embodiment, the first pump (P1) and/or the second pump (P2) is preferably a circulation pump. In another embodiment, the first pump (P1) and/or the second pump (P2) may preferably be a drain pump. In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 6, the washing machine also comprises a third transmission line (H3) connected to a main drain line on one side thereof, wherein the third transmission line (H3) is connected, on one side thereof, to the first transmission line (H1) (or the second transmission line (H2) by means of a guiding element (Y) (e.g. a valve or a thermoactuator) having at least one inlet and at least two outlets. In this embodiment, the first pump (P1) is also located in the first transmission line (H1) between the guiding element (Y) and the drum (S). When the first pump (P1), which is a drain pump, is operated, the washing liquid coming to the first transmission line (H1) by being drawn from the drum (S) according to the relevant phase of the cleaning process can continue to move in the first transmission line (H1) or directed to the third transmission line (H3) by means of the guiding element (Y). For example, as long as the cleaning process continues, the guiding element (Y) directs the cleaning liquid drawn from the drum (S) to the first transmission line (H1) by means of the first pump (P1) so that it returns to the drum (S) by moving along the first transmission line (H1). When the cleaning process is completed, the cleaning liquid drawn from the drum (S) to the first transmission line (H1) by means of the first pump (P1) is prevented from moving into the first transmission line (H1) and is directed to the third transmission line (H3) by means of the guiding element (Y), so that the cleaning liquid is drained from the washing machine.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the filter assembly (T) is preferably located on the door (D) so as to completely cover the area surrounded by the outer frame (D1) and the inner frame (D2) of the cover (D) in the washing machine. According to alternative embodiments shown in Figure 2, Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11, the door (D) comprises at least one curved body (D3) preferably made of a transparent material such as glass, which is located in the area surrounded by the outer frame (D1) and the inner frame (D2), at least partially covers the said area, and extends into the drum (S) when the door (D) is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the filter assembly (T) can be located on an upper side or a lower side of the curved body (D3) or in a middle part thereof extending into the drum (S). According to an exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 2, the filter assembly (T) is located in the middle part of the curved body (D3) and the mounting piece (T1 ) is mounted on this middle part, wherein the first body (1a) is in the form of a plate that substantially corresponds to this middle part. In this embodiment, the filter assembly (T) is in a direct fluid communication with the cleaning liquid in the drum (S). Therefore, when the drum (S) rotates, the cleaning liquid can easily enter the second body (3a) through the inlet hole (3b) and pass through the filter piece (T2) and return to the drum (S) through the outlet hole (1c) in the chamber (1b). In this embodiment, the outlet hole (1c) is preferably located in the base (1d) of the chamber (1c) and returns to the drum (S) under the effect of gravity. According to another embodiment shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10, the filter assembly (T) is preferably positioned on the door (D) so as to be on an upper part of the curved body (D3). In this embodiment, the curved body (D3) covers a part of the area surrounded by the frames, while the filter assembly (T) covers another part of the area surrounded by the frames. In addition, according to this embodiment, the mounting piece (T1) is preferably mounted to the outer frame (D1) or the inner frame (D2), wherein the first body (1a) has a form that substantially corresponds to the frames. Also, the chamber (1b) preferably has a form in which the outer surface of its base (1d) substantially corresponds to the upper surface of the curved body (D3). Thus, the mounting piece (T1) can be positioned without gaps in the area between the inner frame (D2) and the curved body (D3), and in particular, unwanted problems can be avoided such as the textile products that move upon the rotation of the drum (S) getting stuck between the filter assembly (T) and the door (D). Also, in this embodiment, preferably, the outlet hole (1c) is located on a side of the chamber (1b) facing the inner part of the drum (S). In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the filter assembly (T) is preferably located on the door (D) so as to be on the lower side of the curved body (D3). In this embodiment, the curved body (D3) covers a part of the area surrounded by the frames, while the filter assembly (T) covers another part of the area surrounded by the frames. In addition, according to this embodiment, preferably, the mounting piece (T1) is mounted to the outer frame (D1) or the inner frame (D2), wherein the first body (1a) has a form that substantially corresponds to the lower surface of the curved body (D3). Thus, the mounting piece (T1) can be positioned without gaps in the area between the inner frame (D2) and the curved body (D3), and in particular, unwanted problems can be avoided such as the textile products that move upon the rotation of the drum (S) getting stuck between the filter assembly (T) and the door (D). Also, in this embodiment, preferably, since the inlet hole (3b) is positioned to face a lower part of the drum (S), the nozzle (N) is also positioned to ensure spraying of cleaning liquid from a lower part of the drum (S). In addition, the outlet hole (1c) is located on a side of the chamber (1b) facing the inside of the drum (S), where the cleaning liquid can return to the drum (S) under the effect of gravity. When the filter assembly (T) is positioned on the lower part of the curved body (D3), the items inside the drum (S) do not hit the filter assembly (T) during washing or spinning processes. Therefore, the filter assembly (T) does not have an extra load thereon, thus operating more stably and having a longer life.

In another embodiment of the washing machine according to the invention shown in Figure 12, the holding piece (T3) is preferably connected to the mounting piece (T1) in a rotatable manner by means of at least one hinge (T4). According to this embodiment, the hinge (T4) is preferably located on a farthest side of the holding piece (T1) from the door (D), extending into the drum (S) when the door (D) is in the closed position. Also, in this embodiment, preferably the holding piece (T3) is fixed to the mounting piece (T1) (especially to the first body (1a)) by means of at least one locking element (T5) (e.g. a latch) in order to prevent the holding piece (T3) from unlocking unintentionally. When the user wants to reach the filter piece (T2) for cleaning, he/she unlocks the locking element (T5) and rotates the holding piece (T3) around the hinge (T4) axis so that it moves away from the inner frame (D2). In order to lock, the holding piece (T3) is rotated around the hinge (T4) axis so that it approaches the inner frame (D2). In this way, an ease of use can be provided and undesirable issues such as breakage and loss of the holding piece (T3) can be minimized.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 7, the filter piece (T2) may comprise a filtering element (2b) in a cartridge form. In this embodiment, the holding frame (2a) is in the form of a quadrangle (especially rectangular) and can be moved to be attached to the holding piece (T3) (or mounting piece (T1)) and to be removed from the holding piece (T3) (or mounting piece (T1)). According to this embodiment, the filtering element (2b) is also attached to the holding frame (2a) so as to cover the area surrounded by the rectangular holding frame (2a). In this embodiment, the filter piece (T2) may comprise a plurality of filtering elements (2b). If a plurality of filtering elements (2b) are used, preferably, widths of the filter holes in each filtering element can be the same or different from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the filter holes in the filtering element (2b), which filters the cleaning liquid first, can be wider than the width of the filter holes in the filter element (2b), which performs the next filtering, so that the filtering elements (2b) can be lined up from the wider hole to the narrower hole. For example, if there are three filtering elements (2b), the width of the filter holes of the filtering element (2b) performing the first filtering can be 150 microns, the width of the filter holes of the filtering element (2b) performing the second filtering can be 100 microns, and the width of the filter holes of the filtering element (2b) performing the third filtering can be 150 microns. If a plurality of filtering elements (2b) are used, the user can preferably insert a number of filtering elements (2b) suitable for his needs into the holding frame (2a) and remove them from the holding frame (2a), so that he/she can adjust the number of filtering elements (2b) himself/herself. Also in this embodiment, preferably, the distance between the filtering elements (2b) can be equal or different from each other and the distance between each filtering element (2b) can preferably be adjusted automatically or manually by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7b, the filter piece (T2) may comprise a filter element (2b) in the form of a bag. In this embodiment, the filtering element (2b) is attached to the holding piece (T3) in different ways such as with a slide, tight fit or mechanical lock, and after a certain number of cleaning processes, the holding piece (T3) can be separated from the mounting piece (T1) so as to clean the filter piece in and out.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7c, the holding frame (2a) of the filter piece (T2) may comprise at least one base portion substantially parallel to the chamber (1b); and a plurality of (for example four) lateral surface portions extending upward from the edges of the base portion, having a form substantially corresponding to the inner lateral walls of the second body (3a), wherein the filtering element (2b) can also be fixed to the holding frame (2a) so as to cover the base portion and the lateral surface portions. Thus, the filtering process can be carried out both in the base portion and in the lateral surface portions, the filtered cleaning liquid can reach the chamber (1b) by passing through the base portion and passing through the spaces between the lateral surfaces and the inner lateral walls of the second body (3a). According to this embodiment, the width of the filter holes of the filtering element (2b) located in the base portion and the width of the filter holes of the filtering elements (2b) located in the lateral surface portions may be the same or different from each other. For example, the width of the filter holes in the base portion may be 50 microns, and the width of the filter holes in the lateral surface portions may be 100 microns. In this embodiment, the assembly of the filter piece (T2) to the holding piece (T3) can be realized as a snap fit, or by means of pins, magnetic fasteners, slides, latches, etc. Yet in another alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 7d, lateral surface portions and base portion may be attached to/removed from each other as a snap fit, or by pins, magnetic fasteners, etc., and likewise, the filtering elements (2b) can be attached to/removed from both the base portion and the lateral surface portions.

In another alternative embodiment, the washing machine preferably comprises a drain line through which the remaining water in the mounting piece (T1) can be drained if the filter piece (T2) is clogged. In case of clogging, since water will not pass over the filter piece (T2), water accumulates in the mounting piece (T1). The clogging does not cause any adverse effects during the operation of the washing machine, the excess of the water accumulating on the filter piece (T2) flows back into the drum (S) through the inlet hole (3b). However, after the cleaning process in the washing machine is completed, when the filter piece (T2) is desired to be removed for cleaning and the door (D) of the washing machine is opened, the water accumulated due to the clogging can be spilled into the environment. In order to prevent this spillage, at least one slot is provided on the mounting piece (T1) in which the drain line is located, and at least one drain cover is provided on the mounting piece (T1) for controlling access to this slot. For the drainage process, the drain line in the form of a hose is connected with the chamber (1b), and when the drain cover is removed, the drain line is used to enable the draining process to take place. When clogging occurs, the user can drain the water in the mounting piece (T1) with the help of the drain line using a suitable container. After the water is completely removed, the drain line is placed in the mounting piece (T1) and the drain cover is closed.

Thanks to the washing machine according to the present invention, during a cleaning process carried out in the drum (S), the cleaning liquid is enabled to be filtered periodically, and especially, purified from microfiber particles. Therefore, both the cleaning process can be carried out more effectively with a cleaner cleaning liquid, and the microfiber particles, which adversely affect living and environmental health, are mixed to the main drain line at a minimum level, so that a practical, long-lasting, environmentally friendly and reliable washing machine is obtained.