KR20220043935A - Microplastic reduction device for washing tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microplastic reduction device for a washing tub and, more specifically, to a microplastic reduction device for a washing tub, which can drain washing water from which microplastics contained in washing water discharged from a washing tub and can exchange a filter or filter assembly removing the microplastics from the washing water. According to the present invention, the microplastic reduction device (1000) comprises: a case body (1100) including a first sealed chamber disposed on one side and equipped with a washing water discharge pipe connector connected to a washing water discharge pipe of a washing machine and a second sealed chamber disposed on the other side and including a washing water discharge port through which washing water is discharged while microplastics are filtered therefrom; a vacuum pump (1200) mounted in the first chamber, having one end connected to the washing water discharge pipe connector, and having the other end connected to the second chamber; a washing water sensor (1300) installed at a discharge end part of the vacuum pump to monitor the flow of water when the washing water is drained through the vacuum pump and transmitting a signal to a controller to rotate or stop the vacuum pump; a controller (1400) installed in the first chamber to selectively operate the vacuum pump by receiving the signal from the washing water sensor when power is supplied; and a filter assembly (1500) detachably fitted and mounted in the middle of the second chamber and separated to one side of the case body, wherein three filters vertically stacked in three stages filter the microplastics included in the washing water and discharge the filtered washing water to the washing water discharge port through the lower part when the washing water pumped from the vacuum pump flows into the upper part.

Description

Microplastic reduction device for washing tank

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing microplastics, and more particularly, a filter or filter capable of draining wash water in a state in which microplastics contained in the drain water drained from the washing tub are removed, as well as removing microplastics from the wash water. It relates to an apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub so that the assembly can be replaced.

Recently, interest in micro-plastics (microbeads), which are small pieces of plastic less than 5 mm, are increasing, and micro-plastics are sometimes manufactured in the form of small plastic granules for use in toothpaste or cosmetics from the beginning. It can also be created when parts are broken.

These microplastics are problematic in that they destroy the environment and threaten human health as a result, and creatures living in rivers and seas mistake microplastics for food and ingest them and accumulate them in their bodies. Since silver accumulates in the human body, microplastics cause intestinal obstruction and can adversely affect energy allocation and growth.

Due to the seriousness of this problem, an approach is being taken to regulate products containing microplastics worldwide, but microplastics are peeled off from the cloth during washing and drained into the washing water, resulting in marine environmental pollution.

That is, in order to collect the microplastics contained in the washing water, the title of the invention "washing machine with pre-removal function of microplastics in laundry and its operation control method" is known as Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2020-0035191. , When washing is started after putting laundry in the washing machine, the washing tub is dry idle for a relatively short period of time set in advance while no water is added to the washing machine. By adopting a configuration in which water is added and a general washing process is performed, microplastics generated in the washing process are reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of microplastics emitted by mixing with water by removing microplastics that may come off from the synthetic fibers of laundry during the washing process through dry idling pretreatment, thereby reducing marine environmental pollution caused by microplastics. there is.

However, the collecting member of No. 10-2020-0035191 has no method to use to remove the microplastics generated in the previously sold washing machines, and it is difficult to exchange the collecting member, and the microplastic still remains in the washing water. There was a problem that the reliability of the performance was insufficient.

Reference: Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2020-0035191 entitled "Washing Machine with Pre-removal of Microplastics from Laundry and Operation Control Method Thereof".

The present invention has been devised to solve the above requirements, and since it is connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine from the outside of the previously sold washing machine and the newly purchased washing machine, microplastics in the washing water generated in the washing machine are removed. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub, which is made easy to perform.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub, which makes it easy to replace a filter from which microplastics collected from washing water are removed at home.

An apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a sealed first chamber equipped with a washing water discharge pipe connector connected to the washing water discharge pipe of the washing machine on one side, and a microplastic filter on the other side A case body including a sealed second chamber provided with a wash water discharge port discharged in a state, and a vacuum pump seated in the first chamber, one end connected to a wash water discharge pipe connector, and the other end connected to the second chamber; , a wash water sensor installed at the discharge end of the vacuum pump to monitor the flow of water when the wash water is drained through the vacuum pump and send a signal to the controller to rotate or stop the vacuum pump, and installed in the first chamber When power is supplied, the controller is configured to selectively operate the vacuum pump by receiving a signal from the washing water sensor, and is detachably inserted and seated in the middle portion of the second chamber and can be separated to one side of the case body, When the wash water pumped from the vacuum pump flows into the upper part, three filters stacked up and down filter the microplastics contained in the wash water in three stages, and then include a filter assembly that can be discharged to the wash water outlet through the lower part. do.

Here, the case body is configured in the form of a quadrangular tube configured to partition the first and second chambers by the partition wall, and the filter assembly is fitted in the second chamber and provided with a filter assembly guide protrusion so that it can be detachably seated; a case right sealing means that is hermetically assembled to one side of the case to form the first chamber of the case; It is characterized in that it has a washing water discharge pipe connector fitted into one end of the vacuum pump while being fitted into a hole formed on the upper side of the first chamber, and a washing water discharge port installed under the second chamber to drain the wash water.

In addition, the case is further provided with a magnetic body on the front or rear side so that the case body can be selectively attached to a washing machine or an iron plate.

In addition, the case, characterized in that provided with a drain hole for draining the bottom surface of the first chamber.

On the other hand, the filter assembly is removably fitted with a filter assembly guide protrusion provided in the second chamber of the case body and is seated, and a sealing member is seated on the upper portion to form an upper sealing groove for sealing, the upper portion A filter case storage member having a filter case fitting part on one side of the filter case to be inserted and assembled while communicating downward in the filter case, a filter case stacked in three stages and fitted to the filter case fitting part, and the filter case In addition to being seated in the filter case, the filter is seated with a thickness thinner than the thickness of the filter case to sequentially filter the microplastics contained in the wash water, and a sealing member fitted into the upper sealing groove formed on the upper portion of the filter case storage member. characterized in that

As described above, according to the device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub according to the present invention, since it is used by connecting to the drain pipe of the washing machine from the outside of the previously sold washing machine and the newly purchased washing machine, microplastics in the washing water generated in the washing machine are removed. There is an effect that it becomes easy to do it.

According to the device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is easy to replace the filter from which the microplastics collected from the washing water are removed even at home.

1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A - A of FIG. 1;
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B - B of FIG. 2;
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C - C of FIG. 2;
5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;
6 is an exploded perspective view in the other direction of FIG. 5;
7 is a rear exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;
8 is an exploded perspective view in the other direction of FIG. 7;
9 is a perspective view showing a filter assembly of the present invention;
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the filter case storage member of Figure 9;
11 is a perspective view illustrating the filter case of FIG. 9 .

Hereinafter, an apparatus for reducing microplastics for a washing tub according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In adding reference numerals to the components of the drawings, only the same components are to have the same reference numerals as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings, and a known function determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention. and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted. Also, directional terms such as 'top', 'bottom', 'front', 'back', 'lead', 'front', 'rear', etc. are used in connection with the orientation of the disclosed figure(s). The directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as components of embodiments of the present invention may be positioned in various orientations.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 11, the microplastic reduction device 1000 for a washing tub of the present invention includes a case body 1100, a vacuum pump 1200, a washing water sensor 1300, a controller 1400 and and a filter assembly 1500 .

Here, the case body 1100 has a sealed first chamber (S1) equipped with a washing water discharge pipe connection port 1140 connected to the washing water discharge pipe of the washing machine on one side, and the washing discharged with microplastics filtered on the other side It includes a second chamber (S2) in a closed state provided with a water outlet (1150).

Accordingly, the wash water flowing into the wash water outlet pipe connection port 1140 is discharged to the wash water outlet 1150 through the first chamber S1 and the second chamber S2.

When describing the case body 1100 in more detail, it is configured in the form of a quadrangular tube configured to partition the first and second chambers S1 and S2 by the partition wall 1111, and the second chamber has a filter assembly ( 1500) is fitted and detachably seated in a case 1110 provided with a filter assembly guide protrusion 1112, and a sealing member 1121 that is hermetically assembled to one side of the case to constitute the first chamber S1 of the case. ), a right side cover 1122 and a case right sealing means 1120 made of a fastening screw 1123, and a sealing member 1131 that is sealingly assembled to the other side of the case to constitute the second chamber S2 of the case. and a case left sealing means 1130 comprising a right cover 1132 and a fastening screw 1133, and a hole 1113 formed on the upper side of the first chamber of the case, as well as one end of the vacuum pump 1200. It has a structure equipped with a washing water discharge pipe connection port 1140 and a washing water discharge port 1150 installed at the lower part of the second chamber S2 to drain the washing water.

Accordingly, the case right sealing means 1120 and the case left sealing means 1130 are assembled on the right and left sides of the case 1110 to constitute the first and second chambers S1 and S2, and the vacuum pump 1200 . is operated and the washing water is pumped to the second chamber S2 , the washing water filtered out of microplastics in the filter assembly 1500 is discharged to the washing water outlet 1150 .

And, the case 1110 is further provided with a drain hole 1114 for draining the bottom surface of the first chamber (S1).

Accordingly, when washing water falls into the first chamber S1 due to leakage of the vacuum pump 1200 , it is drained to the drain hole 1114 to prevent the controller 1400 from being inundated and defective or malfunctioning.

Unexplained reference numeral 1115 denotes a power line hole for drawing out a power supply line, and this power line hole is formed on the bottom surface of the case 1110 in this embodiment, but the right cover 1122 of the case right sealing means 1120 ) may be formed.

In addition, the vacuum pump 1200 is seated in the first chamber S1, one end is fitted into the hole 1113, and one end is fixed to the case 1110 by being inserted into the washing water discharge pipe connector 1140, and the other While the end is fitted and assembled in a sealed state with the pump connection hole 1115 formed on the upper part of the partition wall 1111, the vacuum pump seating protrusion 1122a protruding to the inner surface of the right cover 1122 is fitted and seated, In addition, the wash water sensor 1300 is assembled at the lower part of the side connected to the pump connection hole 1115 to detect wash water.

Accordingly, the vacuum pump 1200 is firmly fixed by the washing water discharge pipe connection 1140, the pump connection hole 1115, and the vacuum pump seating protrusion 1122a, and the washing water sensor 1300 is connected to the washing water. When a signal is sent to the controller 1400 installed on the bottom surface of the first chamber S1 by detecting the is pumped into the second chamber (S2), and as the wash water passes through the filter assembly 1500, microplastics are filtered and discharged through the wash water outlet 1150 installed in the pump connection hole 1115.

At this time, if the wash water sensor 1300 does not detect the wash water, the controller 1400 sets the vacuum pump 1200 to stop after about 10 to 20 seconds, so that the wash water remaining in the second chamber S2 is vacuumed. All of the washing water is discharged through the washing water outlet 1150 by pressing the .

On the other hand, the wash water sensor 1300 is installed at the discharge end of the vacuum pump 1200 as described above to monitor the flow of water when the wash water is drained through the vacuum pump 1200 and send a signal to the controller 1400 is sent to rotate or stop the vacuum pump 1200.

In addition, the controller 1400 is installed in the first chamber S1 in this embodiment and receives a signal from the wash water sensor 1300 to selectively operate the vacuum pump 1200 when power is supplied, and the wash water sensor 1300 ) is set to stop the vacuum pump 1200 after about 10 to 20 seconds if the washing water is not detected.

Therefore, when the washing machine operates in a state in which power is supplied to the controller 1400, washing water flows into the vacuum pump 1200, and the washing water sensor 1300 detects the washing water, the controller 1400 operates the vacuum pump 1200. operation to pump wash water from the first chamber (S1) to the second chamber (S2), and when the wash water sensor 1300 does not detect the wash water, the vacuum pump 1200 is turned on after about 10 to 20 seconds. Stop so that the wash water discharged to the second chamber (S2) passes through the filter assembly (1500) and is discharged to the wash water outlet (1150).

In addition, the filter assembly 1500 is detachably fitted and seated in the middle portion of the second chamber S2 and can be separated to one side of the case body 1100 while pressurized from the vacuum pump 1200. When the washed water flows into the upper part of the second chamber (S2), three filters 1530 stacked up and down each filter the microplastics contained in the wash water in three stages, and then, through the lower part, the washing water outlet (1150) It is constructed so that it can be discharged as

Therefore, since the wash water flowing into the second chamber S2 is drained in a state in which microplastics are hung by the filter assembly 1500 having three filters 1530, it is possible to prevent contamination of the sea water. , the filter assembly 1500 can be separated from one side of the case body 1100, so that it is possible to replace the contaminated filter by periodically replacing the filter.

When the filter assembly 1500 is described in more detail, it is detachably fitted and seated with the filter assembly guide projection 1112 provided in the second chamber S2 of the case body 1100, and a sealing member is provided on the upper part. A filter case having an upper sealing groove 1511 in which the 1540 is seated and sealing is formed, and having a filter case fitting part 1512 that communicates from the top to the bottom and allows the filter case to be fitted and assembled on one side of the filter case The receiving member 1510, the filter case 1520 stacked in three stages in the filter case fitting part and fitted to be seated, and the filter case 1520 are fitted and seated in the filter case, and are seated with a thickness thinner than the thickness of the filter case to be washed in water. It includes a filter 1530 configured to filter the contained microplastics, and a sealing member 1540 fitted into an upper sealing groove formed on an upper portion of the filter case storage member.

Therefore, the wash water discharged to the upper portion of the filter case storage member 1510 is included in the washing water in a state in which the filter case 1520 and the filter 1530 are stacked in three layers in the filter case fitting part 1512 as a pair. It is possible to prevent contamination of seawater due to washing water by filtering out microplastics.

Here, the filter case fitting portion 1512 of the filter case accommodating member 1510 includes an upper through-hole 1512a penetrating toward the upper sealing groove 1511, and a lower portion penetrating to the opposite side of the upper sealing groove 1511. Between the through hole 1512b, the filter case fitting hole 1512c passing through one side of the filter case accommodating member 1510 in the width direction, and the upper through hole 1512a and the lower through hole 1512b, etc. Two pairs of two pairs that protrude a certain length from both inner surfaces while supporting both ends of the filter case 1520 that are positioned at intervals and fit into the filter case fitting hole 1512c and guide the inside of the filter case storage member 1510. It includes a filter case guide projection (1512d).

Accordingly, the filter case 1520 is assembled in three stages on the filter case guide protrusion 1512d and the lower through hole 1512b, so that microplastics contained in the wash water can be removed as much as possible, while the filter case Clean water can be drained by removing the filter case 1520 from the guide protrusion 1512d and the lower through hole 1512b and replacing the filter 1530 with a new one.

In addition, the filter case 1520 has a rectangular shape and has a wall portion 1521 having an upper portion and a lower portion penetrated therethrough, and the lower portion of the wall portion 1521 and the inner surface extending to a predetermined width to support the edge of the filter. The first filter support rib 1522 designed to do this, and the lower inner surface of the wall part 1521 or the first filter support rib 1522 do not interfere with the flow rate of wash water discharged diagonally and in a honeycomb shape to the maximum. It includes second and third filter support ribs 1523 and 1524 having a constant width and thickness so as to fall out easily.

Therefore, even when the washing water is pumped to the filter 1530 seated inside the wall portion 1521, it is supported by the second and third filter support ribs 1523 and 1524 and does not fall out, and at this time, the second and third By forming the filter support ribs 1523 and 1524 thin, the drain and flow rate of wash water as well as the reduction in filtering are prevented as much as possible, and the edge of the filter 1530 is supported by the first filter support ribs 1522 . Thus, the filter 1530 is firmly supported to prevent it from falling out.

In addition, the filter 1530 uses a micro filter to filter out dirty laundry wastewater. There are three types of filters, and the uppermost filter filters out scales with a primary mesh network, and the middle filter is 10 For use with a ㎛ or larger, it removes impurities such as fine dust and microplastics in laundry.

In addition, the case 1110 may further include a magnetic body 1600 to selectively attach the case body 1100 to a washing machine or an iron plate on the front or back side.

Therefore, the magnetic material 1600 provided in the case 1110 makes it easy to attach the microplastic reduction device 1000 for a washing tub of the present invention to the side or front side of the washing machine, as well as easy attachment to a separately provided metal plate. become convenient

The embodiments of the present invention described above and shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can improve and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Accordingly, such improvements and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention if they are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

1000: microplastic reduction device for washing tub 1100: case body
1110: case 1111: bulkhead
1112: filter assembly guide projection 1113: hole
1114: drain hole 1120: case right sealing means
1130: case left sealing means 1140: washing water discharge pipe connector
1150: washing water outlet 1200: vacuum pump
1300: washing water sensor 1400: controller
1500: filter assembly 1510: filter case storage member
1511: upper sealing groove 1512: filter case fitting part
1520: filter case 1530: filter
1540: sealing member 1600: magnetic material

Claims (5)

A case comprising a sealed first chamber equipped with a washing water discharge pipe connection connected to the washing water discharge pipe of the washing machine on one side and a sealed second chamber equipped with a washing water discharge port through which microplastics are discharged in a filtered state on the other side The body 1100 and
A vacuum pump 1200 that is seated in the first chamber and has one end connected to the washing water discharge pipe connector and the other end connected to the second chamber;
A wash water sensor 1300 installed at the discharge end of the vacuum pump to monitor the flow of water when the wash water is drained through the vacuum pump and send a signal to the controller to rotate or stop the vacuum pump;
a controller 1400 installed in the first chamber to selectively operate the vacuum pump by receiving a signal from the washing water sensor when power is supplied;
On the other hand, when the wash water pumped from the vacuum pump flows into the upper part, the microplastics contained in the wash water are stacked up and down while being detachably fitted and seated in the middle part of the second chamber. A device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub including a filter assembly 1500 configured to allow the three filters to be filtered in three stages and then discharged to the washing water outlet through the lower part. The method of claim 1,
The case body 1100 is,
In addition to being configured in the form of a quadrangular tube configured to partition the first and second chambers S1 and S2 by the partition wall, the filter assembly 1500 is fitted and detachably seated in the second chamber. A filter assembly guide projection 1112 is provided. The provided case 1110 and,
A case right sealing means (1120) that is sealingly assembled to one side of the case to constitute the first chamber of the case;
a case left sealing means 1130 that is sealingly assembled to the other side of the case to constitute the second chamber of the case;
A washing water discharge pipe connector 1140 fitted into one end of the vacuum pump 1200 as well as being fitted into the hole 1113 formed on the upper side of the first chamber of the case;
A device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub, characterized in that it has a washing water outlet (1150) installed in the lower portion of the second chamber to drain the washing water. 3. The method of claim 2,
The case 1110,
A device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub, characterized in that a magnetic body 1600 is further provided on the front or rear side to selectively attach the case body 1100 to a washing machine or an iron plate. 3. The method of claim 2,
The case 1110,
A device for reducing microplastics for a washing tub, characterized in that a drainage hole 1114 for drainage is provided on the bottom surface of the first chamber. 3. The method of claim 2,
The filter assembly 1500,
An upper sealing groove 1511 that is detachably fitted and seated with a filter assembly guide projection 1112 provided in the second chamber of the case body 1100, and a sealing member 1540 is seated on the upper portion to perform sealing. A filter case storage member 1510 having a filter case fitting portion 1512 formed therein, communicating from the top to the bottom, and having a filter case fitted therein to one side thereof;
A filter case 1520 fitted to the filter case fitting part 1512 in three stages to be seated, and
Filter ( 1530) and
and a sealing member (1540) fitted into an upper sealing groove (1511) formed on an upper portion of the filter case storage member.

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