AU2009200868B2 - Filter assembly of washer - Google Patents

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990- Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Filter assembly of washer The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/oo/o I I C I Al Uee-A4-2UU-U./1-AU-UU [0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0022976, filed on March 12, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a filter, and more particularly, to a filter assembly of a washer. Although the present I'nvention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for filtering water in a washer that filters and circulates water within a wash tub. Discussion of the Related Art [0003] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer according to a related art. In the following description, a related art washer is explained with reference to FIG. 1. [0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a washer according to a related art consists of a main body 5 of the washer, a water storing tub 70 provided within the main body 5 to accommodate water therein, a dewatering tub 80 provided inside the water string tub 70 to perform washing and dewatering on laundry, a pulsator provided under the dewatering tub 80 to wash to 2 uL-qze-2uus -Uj. /s-Au-oo laundry by rotating to generate water current, and a drive assembly 50 for rotating the pulsator 20. [0005] And, a water supply assembly is installed over the water storing tub 70. Water supplied from the water supply assembly 10 is supplied to the water storing tub 70 and is then stored therein. (0006) A drain assembly 10 is installed under the water storing tub 70 to discharge the water from the water storing tub 70 after completion of washing. [0007] A passage 80a is provided inside the dewatering tub 80 to enable the water stored in the dewatering tub 80 to ascend over the dewatering tub 80 according to the rotation of the pulsator 20. (0008] An injection hole 80b is provided to an upper part of the passage 80 to introduce the water having ascended along the passage 80a into the dewatering tub 80 again. [0009) A mesh net 40 is further provided to the injection hole 80b to filter off particles contained in the water. [0010] In the above-configured washer of the related art, if the pulsator 20 rotates, the water stored within the wash tub ascends along the passage 80a, passes through the injection hole 80b and the mesh net 40 to filter of particles, and is then supplied within the dewatering tub 80. [0011] However, in the related art washer, the mesh net 40 is projected from an inner wall of the washer in part. 3 C:\NRnb\DCC\MAG2936337-I.DC-65nOIO -4 Therefore, while laundry is washed, the laundry and the mesh net 40 collide with each other to abrade or tear the mesh net 50. If the mesh net 40 is torn, particles filtered off by the mesh net 40 may be re-introduced into the dewatering 5 tub 80. And, the laundry is caught on the mesh net 40 to be damaged. [0012] Moreover, the mesh net 40 is capable of filter off particles contained in the water only but is unable to inject water on laundry. Therefore, the mesh net 40 has the 10 configuration failing to implement a function of raising wash efficiency. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to 15 a filter assembly of a washer that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. [0014] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description 20 which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed 25 out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. [0015] To achieve these objects and other advantages the invention provides a filter assembly of a washer, which includes an inner wall having an outlet and a circulation 30 passage to enable water to circulate to the outlet from a wash tub, the filter assembly comprising: a closed-type filter unit filtering off particles C:\NRPonbl\DCC\MAG\2936337 I.DOC-65/2010 -5 from the water discharged from the outlet; a cap having an injection hole to enable the water through the closed-type filter unit to be injected into the wash tub; and 5 a locking means for fixing the closed-type filter unit and the cap to the inner wall, the locking means provided between the cap and the closed-type filter unit. [0016] In a preferred filter assembly of the invention the filter assembly for filtering water is not projected 10 from a wash tub. [0017] In preferred assemblies of the invention the wash performance can be enhanced in a manner of filtering water and injecting the filtered water on laundry. [0018] Preferably, the locking means includes a locking 15 part and a fitting ring. In this case, one side of the locking part is assembled with the cap, the other side of the locking part is detachably attached to the outlet, and the OPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 fitting ring is configured to extend from the locking part to receive the closed-type filter unit therein. (0019] More preferably, the locking part detachably attached to the outlet includes a hook. [0020] In this case, the hook includes a pressurizing portion enabling a user to apply pressurization thereto and an insertion portion extending from the pressurizing portion to be inserted in the outlet. [0021] And, prominence and depression is provided to a topside of the pressurizing portion. [0022] More preferably, the fitting ring is formed of a flexible material. (0023] In this case, a multitude of projections are provided to an outer circumference of the fitting ring by being spaced from each other with a predetermined gap. [0024] Meanwhile, the cap includes a cap body having an injection hole and a cap rib configured to extend by being bent from an edge of the cap body. And, the closed-type filter unit is inserted in the cap rib. [0025] In this case, the cap body is configured to be rounded. The cap rib further includes an insertion recess enabling the locking part to be inserted therein and a holding sill provided to a lower part of the insertion to limit a movement of the pressurizing portion. 6 UPF-AZ-2UU8-0179-AU-00 [0026] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: [0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a mesh net according to a related art; [0029] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a filter assembly according to the present invention; [0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a state of the filter assembly prior to being assembled to a washer is shown; (0031] FIG. 4A is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter unit; 7 UFF-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 (0032] FIG. 4B is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter unit, in which an open state of the closed-type filter unit is shown; [0033] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cap and closed-type filter unit of a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a state prior to assembling the cap and the closed type filter unit together is shown; [0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cap of a filter assembly according to the present invention; [0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of the cap shown in FIG. 6; [0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram for a locking device assembled to a cap of a filter assembly according to the present invention; and (0037) FIG. 9 is a diagram of a backside of a filter assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0038] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. [0039] The present invention is applicable to a washer. In this case, the washer can have one of various types including 8 OPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 a vertical shaft type for rotating a pulsator or a wash tub and the like. In this disclosure, a vertical-shaft type washer having a rotated pulsator is taken as an example for the description of the present invention. [0040) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a washer having a filter assembly according to the present invention. [0041] Referring to FIG. 2, a configuration of a washer 100 of the present invention is explained as follows. (0042] First of all, a washer of the present invention includes a main body 50 configuring an exterior, a wash tub 800 provided within the main body 50 to wash laundry by rotating centering on a vertical axis, and a water storing tub 700 provided outside the wash tub 800 to accommodate water therein. [0043] A pulsator 120 is provided to an inner bottom of the wash tub 800. And, the wash tub 800 and the pulsator 120 are rotated by drive and shaft assemblies 500 and 600 provided under the water storing tub 700. [0044] If the wash tub 800 is rotated by the drive and shaft assemblies 500 and 600, the water stored on the bottom of the wash tub 800 is able to flow to an upper part of the wash tub by the corresponding rotational force. Preferably, the wash tub includes a circulation passage 800a enabling the water to flow. 9 UPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 [0045] In this case, the circulation passage 800a can include a space constructed with an inner wall configured to extend from the pulsator 120 and the wash tub 800. [0046] And, an outlet 820 is provided to the inner wall 810 to enable the water having ascended via the circulation passage 800a to be introduced into the wash tub 800. [0047] Meanwhile, a water supply assembly (150) for supplying water to the water storing tub 700 can be provided over the water storing tub 700 by being connected to an external water supply source of the washer. [0048] In the following description, a filter assembly provided to the above-configured washer of the present invention is explained. [0049] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective diagram of a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a separated configuration of the filter assembly prior to being assembled to a washer is shown. [0050] Referring to FIG. 3, a washer 100 of the present invention includes a filter assembly 400 enabling water, which ascends the circulation passage 800a and introduced into the outlet 820, to be filtered and injected. [0051] The filter assembly 400 can be detachably provided to the outlet 820 provided to the inner wall 810. Preferably, the filter assembly 400 is inserted in the inner wall 810 to 10 UPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 configure the same plane of a plane configured by the inner wall 810. [0052) This is to prevent laundry from being damaged by friction generated between the laundry and the filter assembly 400 when the laundry is washed through the rotation of the wash tub. [0053) For this, the inner wall 810 is preferably configured to have a recess for enabling the filter assembly 400 to be accommodated therein. [0054] The filter assembly 400 includes a cap 200 for injecting water into the wash tub 800 and a closed-type filter unit 300 detachably assembled with the cap 200 to filter the water introduced from the outlet 820. [0055] And, the filter assembly 400 according to the present invention can further include a locking device 250 enabling the cap 200 and the closed type filter unit 300 to be assembled to the outlet 820 provided to the inner wall 810 of the washer. [0056] The locking device 250 can be built in one body of the cap 200. Alternatively, the locking device 250 can be provided separate from the cap 200 to enable both of the cap 200 and the closed-type filter unit 300 to be detachably assembled to the inner wall 810. [0057) FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of a cap and closed-type filter unit of a washer filter assembly according 11 to the present invention, in which a front-view state of the washer filter assembly prior to assembling the cap and the closed-type filter unit together is shown. (00581 A configuration and shape of the cap 200 are explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5 as follows. [0059] Referring to FIG. 5, the cap 200 is preferably configured to enable the closed-type filter unit 300 to be accommodated in its backside. [0060] Therefore, the cap 200 is able to include a cap body 214 having a circular shape and a cap rib 216 configured to extend backward along an outer circumference of the cap body 214. [0061] A multitude of injection holes 210 can be included in the cap body 214. This configuration is provided to enable the water, which was filtered via the closed-type filter unit 300, to be injected into the wash tub 800. [0062] In particular, the water filtered by the closed type filter unit 300 to circulate into the wash tub 800 is made to pass through the narrow passage, thereby being injected onto the laundry within the wash tub 800. [0063] Therefore, according to the filer unit of the washer of the present invention, since the water circulating into the wash tub 800 is injected on the laundry, the effect of beating and washing the laundry can be caused to enhance wash performance. 12 UF-AZ-UUd-Ui /O-AU-UU [0064) The cap rib 216 provides a space for accommodating the closed-type filter unit 300 with the configuration that bent on an outer circumference of the cap body 214. And, the cap rib 216 is configured to be assembled with the locking device 250. [0065] Therefore, it is preferable that the cap rib 216 is provided with an insertion recess 205 for receiving the locking device 250 therein. (0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a cap of a filter assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram for a backside view of the cap shown in FIG. 6. [0067) Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cap 200 can further include an insertion recess 205, a holding sill 207 and a projection 235. [0068] The insertion recess 205 is configured to be bent along a length direction of the cap rib 216 and is provided for receiving a locking part 240 of the locking device 250 therein. [0069) The holding sill 207 is configured to restrict a motion of the locking part 240 if the locking part 240 of the locking device 250 is pressurized by the user. [0070] The locking part 240 (cf. FIG. 8) includes a pressurizing portion 243 (cf. FIG. 8) enabling a user to 13 UFF-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 pressurize it for attaching/detaching the filter assembly of the present invention. [0071] Therefore, the holding sill 207 is configured to limit a distance for the locking part 240 to move in a radial direction of the cap when a user pressurizes the pressurizing portion 243. [0072] This is to enhance overall durability of the washer of the present invention by preventing the pressurizing portion 243 from being excessively transformed. [0073] The fixing projection 225 shown in FIG. 7 is configured to determine a locking position of the closed-type filter unit 300 when the closed-type filter unit 300 is accommodated in the cap 200. And, the fixing projection 225 is also configured to maintain the holding force between the cap 200 and the closed-type filter unit 300. [0074] Meanwhile, a plurality of the fixing projections 225 can be provided to the backside of the cap 200. In FIG. 7, two pairs of the fixing projections 225 are provided for example. [0075] The fixing projections of each pair are preferably provided to symmetric positions. And, a guide rib 327 (explained later) of the closed-type filter unit 300 can be inserted in a space provided by a pair of the fixing projections 225, which will be explained in detail later. 14 OPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 [0076) FIG. 4A is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter unit. And, FIG. 4B is a perspective diagram of a closed-type filter unit, in which an open state of the filter unit is shown. [0077) In the following description, a configuration of the closed-type filter unit 300 of the present invention is explained. (0078] First of all, the closed-type filter unit 300 includes a front cover 320 for separating particles contained in water and a rear cover 340 assembled to the front cover 320. [0079] The front cover 320 and the rear cover 340 can be provided in an open/close configuration for facilitating assembly. This can be implemented by engaging a hinge member 330 between the front cover 320 and the rear cover 340. [0080] Preferably, a front side of the front cover 320 includes a mesh 322 to filter off particles contained in water when the water passes through the front cover 320. [0081] Moreover, a first rib 324 can be configured to backward extend along a circumference of the front cover 320. [0082] And, a guide rib 327 can be further included in an outer circumference of the first rib 324. [0083] Preferably, the guide rib 327 is configured to extend outward from the first rib 324 in a radial direction 15 UPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 of the closed-type filter unit 300. More preferably, at least two guide ribs 327 are provided. [0084] The guide rib 327 is configured to facilitate the assembly of the closed-type filter unit 300 and the cap 200 in a manner of being fitted in a space formed by the fixing projections 225 provided to the backside of the cap 200. (0085] Therefore, a length or shape of the guide rib 327 is configured enough to correspond to a dimension of the space provided by the fixing projections 225. [0086] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cap and closed-type filter unit of a filter assembly according to the present invention, in which a state prior to assembling the cap and the closed type filter unit together is shown. [0087] An assembled state of a cap and a closed type filter unit is explained with reference to FIG. 5 as follows. [0088) First of all, when the cap 200 and the closed-type filter unit 300 are assembled together, a backside of the cap 200 assembled to an upper part of the front cover 320 is preferably able to maintain a prescribed space from the mesh 322. [0089] In particular, if the cap 200 and the closed-type filter unit 300 are assembled together, an outer circumference of the first rib 324 of the front cover 320 is inserted in the cap rib 216 of the cap 200. 16 [0090) Preferably, a prescribed space is maintained between the cap backside and the mesh in a manner that a length (cf. 'Ll' in FIG. 5) of the cap rib 216 is set greater than a length (cf. 'L2' in Fig. 5) of the first rib 324. (0091] If the prescribed space is not. maintained between the backside of the cap and the mesh, the water having passed through the mesh partially collides with the backside portion of the cap which is not provided with the injection hole 210. Therefore, a pressure between the cap and the front cover is raised to possibly separate the cap and the closed-type filter unit from each other. [0092] If the prescribed space is maintained between the backside of the cap and the mesh, the water passing through the mesh can be smoothly injected into the wash tub via the injection hole 210. [0093] In the following description, the rear cover 340 is explained in detail with reference to FIG. 4B. [0094] First of all, the rear cover 340 is configured to guide water introduced via the outlet 820 and can include an inlet 342, a second rib 344 and a passage rib 343. [0095] The inlet 342 can be provided to a central part of the rear cover 340 to correspond to the outlet 820 provided to the inner wall 810. 17 [0096] The second rib 344 is configured to extend forward along a circumference of the rear cover 340 and is also configured to be fitted in the first rib 324. [0097] Once the front cover and the rear cover 340 are assembled together, the second rib 344 is assembled with the first rib 324 by coming into contact with the first rib 324. Therefore, a sealed space is provided to prevent the water introduced from the outlet from entering outer parts except the mesh 322. [0098] In particular, once the front cover 320 and the rear cover 340 are assembled together, the first rib 324 provided to the front cover 320 covers the second rib 344 provided to the rear cover 340 so that circumferential parts of the front and rear covers 320 and 340 can be completely sealed. Therefore, particles accommodated within the closed type filter unit 300 according to the mesh 322 are prevented from being discharged outside the closed-type filter unit 300. [0099] The passage rib 343 is provided to a circumference of the inlet 342 provided to the rear cover 340. [00100] And, the passage rib 343 can be configured to extend forward a front side of the rear cover 340 with a prescribed inclination. [00101] Moreover, the passage rib 343 is configured to guide the water introduced into the closed-type filter unit 400 from the outlet 820 via the inlet 342. 18 U1?F-AZ-2UU8-U1/9-AU-UU [00102] In particular, the passage rib 343 extends toward the front side of the rear cover 340 to enable the introduced water to be directly introduced into the mesh 322 of the front cover 320. [00103] And, the passage rib 343 is configured to have the prescribed inclination in order to prevent the water introduced into the closed-type filter unit 300 from flowing backward in a direction of the inlet 342. [00104) In the following description, the locking device 250 provided between an inner circumference of the cap and the closed-type filter unit is explained with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. [00105) FIG. 8 is a diagram for a locking device assembled to a cap of a filter assembly according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for a backside of a filter assembly according to the present invention. [00106] Referring to FIG. 8, the locking device 250 includes the locking part 240. In this case, one side of the locking part 240 is inserted in the insertion recess (cf. '205' in FIG. 7) of the cap rib 216, while the other side of the locking part 240 is detachably attached to the inner wall 810 of the filter assembly 400. [00107] Referring to FIG. 9, the locking device 250 includes a fitting ring 230 configured to extend from the locking part 240. In this case, an outer circumference of the 19 UVF-AZ-2UUb -U./)-AU-UU fitting ring 230 is fitted in the backside of the cap 200, while the closed-type filter unit is inserted in an inner circumference of the fitting ring 230. [00108) The locking part 240 is explained with reference to FIG. 8 as follows. [00109] First of all, the locking part 240 is configured to enable a user to detachably attach the filter assembly 400 to the outlet 820. The locking part 240 can include one of various device configurations. In particular, the washer filter assembly 400 according to the present invention can include a hook device as the locking part 240. [00110) In this case, the locking part 240 can include a pressurizing portion 243 and an insertion potion 245 configured to extend from the pressurizing portion 243 to be inserted in the locking recess 825 provided to the outlet 820. [00111] In order to attach/detach the filter assembly 400 installed at the outlet 820 to/from the inner wall 810, a user pressurizes the pressurizing portion 243 in a vertical direction (up/down). [00112] Preferably, a multitude of prominences and depressions 243a are provided to a topside of the pressurizing portion 243 to prevent a slippery surface against user's pressurization applied to the pressurizing portion 243. 20 [00113] The insertion portion 245 is configured to extend from the pressurizing portion 243. And, the insertion portion 245 is provided to be inserted in the locking recess (cf. '825' in FIG. 3) provided to the inner wall 810. [00114] Therefore, in order to facilitate the insertion portion 245 to be inserted in the locking recess 825, an outer circumference of the insertion portion 245 is rounded. (00115) Meanwhile, the holding sill 207 is preferably provided to a lower part of the insertion recess 205 provided to the cap rib 216. The holding sill 207 is provided to limit a movement of the pressurizing portion 243 if a user applies a force to the pressurizing portion 243. (00116] Therefore, the user is able to fix the cap and the closed-type filter unit to the inner wall of the wash tub 800 in a manner of inserting the insertion portion 245 in the locking recess 825 provided to the inner wall 810. [00117] Moreover, the user is able to separate the cap and the closed-type filter unit from the inner wall of the wash tub 800 in a manner of separating the insertion portion 245 from the locking recess 825 provided to the inner wall 810 by pressurizing the pressurizing portion 243. [00118] In the following description, the fitting ring 230 is explained with reference to FIG. 9. (00119] First of all, the fitting ring 230 has a ring-type configuration for connecting two locking parts 240 in-between. 21 OPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 [00120] An outer circumference of the fitting ring 230 is contacted with an inner circumference of the cap 200. And, the closed-type filter unit 300 is inserted in an inner circumference of the fitting ring 230. [00121] In particular, the fitting ring 230 is provided between the inner circumference of the cap 200 and the outer circumference of the closed-type filter unit 300, thereby enabling both of the cap 200 and the closed-type filter unit 300 to be fixed in one body to the inner wall 810. (00122] Preferably, the fitting ring 230 is formed of such a flexible material as rubber, plastic, etc. [00123] If the fitting ring 230 is formed of the flexible material, it is able to fix the closed-type filter unit 300 by shrink fit. 100124] Moreover, since the outer circumference of the fitting ring 230 can be fixed to the inner circumference of the cap by the shrink fit, it is able to assemble the cap and the closed-type filter unit together within a separate locking or assembling member. [00125] Meanwhile, in order to raise the attachment force between the inner circumference of the cap and the closed type filter unit, a plurality of projections 235 can be further provided to the outer circumference of the fitting ring 230. In this case, a plurality of the projections 235 are spaced apart from each other with a prescribed gap. 22 Ur--P4-UUd- U.L /-AU-UU [00126] In the following description, a process for filtering water in the above-configured water filter assembly 400 is explained. [00127] First of all, in performing a washing or rinsing cycle, the pulsator 120 is rotated by the drive assembly 500. [00128] Once the pulsator 120 is rotated, a strong water current is radially generated from water by a corresponding rotational force of the pulsator 120 so that the water can flow upward along the circulation passage 800a from a lower part of the wash tub 800. [00129] Subsequently, the water is introduced into the wash tub 800 via the outlet 820 provided to the circulation passage 800 and the filer assembly 400 provided to the outlet 820. [00130) In doing so, the water having passed through the outlet 820 is introduced into the closed-type filter unit 300 via the inlet 342 provided to the rear cover 340 of the closed-type filter unit 300. [00131] And, particles contained in the water introduced into the closed-type filter unit 300 are filtered off by the mesh 322 provided to the front cover 320. [00132] In this case, since the circumferences of the front and rear covers 320 and 340 configuring the closed-type filter unit 300 are sealed by the first rib 324 provided to the front cover 320 and the second rib 344 provided to the 23 UF-Az -2UU-U/P!-AU-OU rear cover 340, the particles filtered off by the mesh 322 are not discharged from the closed-type filter unit 300. [00133) Moreover, the inclining passage rib 343 is provided around the inlet 342 to guide the water introduced into the closed-type filter unit 300 and to prevent the water from flowing backward in a direction of the inlet 342. [00134] Meanwhile, the water having passed through the closed-type filter unit 300 is injected into the wash tub via the injection hole 210 provided to the cap 200. [00135] In this case, a multitude of injection holes 210 are provided to the cap so that the water through the closed type filter unit can be introduced into the wash tub 800 via narrow holes. Thus, it is able to provide the water with a strong injection pressure. [00136] Therefore, the water through the injection holes is sprayed onto the laundry stored in the wash tub, whereby washing or rinsing efficiency can be raised. [00137] Moreover, the filter assembly 400 of the washer according to the present invention is provided not to be projected from the inner wall 810, thereby preventing laundry from being damaged by the contact in-between in the course of a washing process. [00138] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope 24 UPP-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. [00139] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. [00140) The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 25

Claims (11)

1. A filter assembly of a washer, which includes an inner wall having an outlet and a circulation passage to enable water to circulate to the outlet from a wash tub, the filter assembly comprising: a closed-type filter unit filtering off particles from the water discharged from the outlet; a cap having an injection hole to. enable the water through the closed-type filter unit to be injected into the wash tub; and a locking means for fixing the closed-type filter unit and the cap to the inner wall, the locking means provided between the cap and the closed-type filter unit.

2. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 1, the locking means comprising: a locking part; and a fitting ring, wherein one side of the locking part is assembled with the cap, wherein the other side of the locking part is detachably attached to the outlet, and 26 UF-AZ-2008-0179-AU-00 wherein the fitting ring is configured to extend from the locking part to receive the closed-type filter unit therein.

3. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 2, wherein the locking part detachably attached to the outlet comprises a hook.

4. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 3, the hook comprising: a pressurizing portion enabling a user to apply pressurization thereto; and an insertion portion extending from the pressurizing portion to be inserted in the outlet.

5. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 4, wherein prominence and depression is provided to a topside of the pressurizing portion.

6. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 2, wherein the fitting ring is formed of a flexible material.

7. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 6, wherein a multitude of projections are provided to an outer 27 C:\RPonbhDCC\MAG\2936337 1. DOC-6MS/2010 - 28 circumference of the fitting ring by being spaced from each other with a predetermined gap.

8. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 4, the 5 cap comprising: a cap body having an injection hole; and a cap rib configured to extend by being bent from an edge of the cap body, wherein the closed-type filter unit is inserted in the cap rib. 10

9. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 8, wherein the cap body is configured to be rounded.

10. The filter assembly of the washer of claim 8, the 15 cap rib further comprising: an insertion recess enabling the locking part to be inserted therein; and a holding sill provided to a lower part of the insertion to limit a movement of the pressurizing portion. 20

11. A filter assembly of a washer, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.