Filtering System, Filtering Module, Washing Apparatus and Control Method

FIELD

[0001]The present application belongs to the technical field of washing apparatus, and specifically, relates to a filtering system, filtering module, washing apparatus and control method.

BACKGROUND

[0002]In the process of washing laundry in a washing apparatus for washing laundry, such as a washing machine, lint falling off from laundry is mixed into the washing water due to the friction between laundries, and between laundry and the washing machine itself. In the process of draining water out of the washing machine after finishing the washing program, the lint falling off laundry is discharged together with the water flow.

[0003]However, in recent years, the concept of microplastics is paid gradually increasing attention in the environmental protection field. It has found in the studies that the main source of microplastics is sewage discharged from household washing machines. Due to the popularization of chemical fiber fabrics, the fibers falling off laundry during the washing process are discharged with water discharged from the washing machines, and become microplastics mixed into the natural environment. Microplastics enter the ecological cycle directly with the drained water, and will be eventually accumulated in the human body through the natural food chain, which may affect human health. In view of this reason, relevant standards for the content of microplastics in water drained out of the washing machines are formulated in some regions.

[0004]Currently, the method for filtering water drained out of the washing machines is generally to install a filter in the drainage pipeline, such as installing the filter inside the pump. However, most existing pumps with the filtration function can only filter out the foreign objects with a larger size to prevent them from blocking the drainage pipeline. The lint in water, that is, the microplastics, cannot be effectively intercepted by the filter in the pump, and is still mixed in the water flow and discharged from the washing machines in large quantities. Therefore, a problem to be urgently solved in the art is how to effectively separate lint and other filter impurities from the water discharged from the washing machine.

[0005]Furthermore, most washing machines currently require users to take out the filter and clean it manually, which is inconvenient to operate. In the prior art, a filtering device with a self-cleaning function is proposed to solve this problem, so the adhered filter impurities can autonomously be discharged. However, because the interior of the washing machine is relatively compact, the sewage discharge pipeline for discharging sewage from the filtering device is generally long, and may be a certain height difference. So it is difficult to fully discharge the sewage from the filtering device without the aid of a driving force, and sewage is remained in the filtering device after ending the washing process. After long-term use of the filtering device, there are still problems such as bacterial growth.

[0006]In view of those, the present application is proposed.

SUMMARY

[0007]The problem of the present application to be solved is the shortcomings of the prior art, and the application provides a filtering system, a filtration module, a washing apparatus, and a control method.

[0008]In order to solve the technical problem, a first objective of the present application is to provide a filtering system for a washing apparatus and a washing apparatus, thereby effectively reducing the content of filter impurities in water drained out of the washing apparatus. Specifically, the following solutions are adopted.

[0012]As an embodiment, water in the second filtration waterway is merged into the first filtration waterway after passing through the pump to be drained to the outside.

[0013]As an embodiment, in the first filtration waterway, the pump is arranged between the water holding tub and the filtering device.

[0014]In the second filtration waterway, a sewage receiving device is connected with the pump, or connected with part of the first filtration waterway located between the water holding tub and the pump.

[0019]The sewage receiving device is in communication with an internal chamber of the pump, or the sewage receiving device is connected with the water holding tub drain pipe through a pipe.

[0020]As an embodiment, the filtering system includes a sewage discharge control device for controlling the second filtration waterway to be connected and disconnected.

[0021]As an embodiment, the second filtration waterway includes a sewage discharge pipe for delivering water from the filtering device to the sewage receiving device. The sewage discharge control device includes a sewage discharge control valve arranged in the sewage discharge pipe.

[0022]As an embodiment, the sewage receiving device is arranged below the filtering device, and water in the filtering device is discharged into the sewage receiving device along the sewage discharge pipe under the action of gravity.

[0023]Preferably, the filtering device is arranged above a central axis of the water holding tub, and the sewage receiving device is arranged below the central axis of the water holding tub.

[0024]More preferably, the pump is arranged below the central axis of the water holding tub.

[0025]As an embodiment, the filtering system also includes a third filtration waterway, in which water in the water holding tub is driven by the pump to pass through at least the filter and the filtering device in sequence and return to the water holding tub.

[0026]As an embodiment, the filtering system also includes a switching device for controlling one of the first filtration waterway and the third filtration waterway to be connected.

[0027]Preferably, the first filtration waterway includes the external drain pipe for discharging water to the outside the washing apparatus. The third filtration waterway includes a return pipe for delivering water to flow back to the water holding tub.

[0028]The switching device is respectively connected with the filtering device, the external drain pipe, and the return pipe, and capable of controlling to connect one of the external drain pipe and the return pipe with the filtering device.

[0029]A washing apparatus includes the filtering system of the washing apparatus described above.

[0030]A second objective of the present application is to provide a washing apparatus with a filtering device, in which sewage is discharged from the filtering device without the aid of additional driving force and is prevented from being remained inside. Specifically, the following technical solutions are adopted.

[0035]As an embodiment, a position where the filtering device is arranged is higher than a central axis of the water holding tub, and a position where the sewage receiving device is arranged is lower than the central axis of the water holding tub.

[0036]Preferably, the washing apparatus also includes a housing, and the water holding tub is arranged inside the housing.

[0037]A first installation space is constituted by a side wall and a top wall of the housing, and a tub wall of the water holding tub. A second installation space is constituted by the side wall and a bottom wall of the housing, and the tub wall of the water holding tub. The filtering device is arranged in the first installation space, and the sewage receiving device is arranged in the second installation space.

[0038]As an embodiment, the sewage receiving device includes a lint collection assembly used for filtering sewage received in the sewage receiving device and collecting the filtration impurities carried in sewage.

[0039]As an embodiment, the washing apparatus also includes a drainage device connected with the water holding tub for discharging water to the outside of the washing apparatus. The sewage filtered by the sewage receiving device can be discharged from the washing apparatus through the drainage device.

[0040]As an embodiment, the drainage device includes a pump and an external drain pipe. A water inlet end of the pump is connected with the water holding tub. Water from the pump is discharged from the washing apparatus through the external drain pipe. The sewage receiving device is connected with the pump, so the filtered sewage is delivered to the external drain pipe by the pump to be discharged out.

[0041]As an embodiment, the pump includes a pump body, and the sewage receiving device is in contact with the pump body. The sewage receiving device is arranged above the pump body, or arranged on one side of the pump body in a horizontal direction.

[0042]Alternatively, the pump includes a pump body, and the sewage receiving device is spaced from the pump body, and the sewage receiving device is connected with the pump body through a discharge pipe.

[0043]As an embodiment, the sewage receiving device and the pump body are spaced apart, and both are connected with each other through the discharge pipe. An outlet of the sewage receiving device connected with the discharge pipe is higher than an inlet of the pump body connecting the discharge pipe.

[0044]As an embodiment, the water outlet end of the pump is connected with the water inlet of the filtering device, and the external drain pipe is connected with the filtered water outlet of the filtering device. Water from the pump is delivered in the filtering device for filtration and then discharged from the washing apparatus along the external drain pipe.

[0045]As an embodiment, the washing apparatus further includes a return pipe connected with the water holding tub, and a switching device connected with the filtered water outlet of the filtering device. The switching device is used to control one of the return pipe and the external drain pipe to be connected with the filtered water outlet of the filtering device.

[0046]As an embodiment, a filter is arranged between the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the pump. Water in the pump is delivered to the filtering device after being filtered by the filter.

[0047]Preferably, a size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filter is greater than the size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filtering device. The size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filtering device is greater than or equal to the size of the filtration impurities collected in the lint collection assembly in the sewage receiving device.

[0048]A third objective of the present application is to provide a filtering module, a washing apparatus, and a control method for the washing apparatus. For a sewage receiving device for receiving sewage discharged from the filtering device, it can be autonomous detected whether to be blocked, so the sewage receiving device is prevented from being blocked and affecting the working effect of the filtering module. Specifically, the following technical solutions are adopted.

[0060]As an embodiment, the floating element is magnetic, and the sensor is a reed switch arranged on a top of the shell. When the floating element moves to the preset height with the water surface, the reed switch is turned on under the magnetic action of the floating element.

[0061]As an embodiment, the detection assembly also includes a guiding part, and a hollow extending up and down is formed inside the guiding part, and the floating element is confined in the hollow to move up and down with the water surface. The reed switch is arranged above the guiding part.

[0062]As an embodiment, a sewage discharge control valve is arranged in the sewage discharge pipe to control the sewage discharge pipe to be connected and disconnected. One end of the detection branch is connected with the detection device, and another end is connected between the sewage discharge control valve and the sewage receiving device.

[0063]As an embodiment, the detection device is arranged on an upper of the sewage discharge pipe.

[0064]A washing apparatus includes the filtering module described above.

[0065]A control method for the washing apparatus described above includes: the washing apparatus determining that the sewage receiving device is blocked through the detection device, and sending out an alarm signal.

[0066]As an embodiment, the detection device includes a shell having a water receiving chamber inside, a floating element arranged inside the water receiving chamber and moving up and down with the change of the water surface height, and a sensor for sensing a height position of the floating element.

[0067]The sensor generates the feedback signal when the floating element moves to a position higher than or equal to a preset height. The control method includes: sending out an alarm signal if a duration of continuously receiving the feedback signal by the washing apparatus is more than a preset duration.

[0068]A fourth objective of the present application is to provide a filtering module, a washing apparatus, and a control method for the washing apparatus. For a sewage receiving device for receiving sewage discharged from the filtering device, it can be autonomous detected the installation status of the collection assembly therein. So it is avoided affecting the collection effect of filtration impurities in the sewage when the collection assembly is not installed or the collection assembly is not installed in place. Specifically, the following technical solutions are adopted.

[0073]As an embodiment, the sewage receiving device includes a shell, and a collection assembly installed inside the shell.

[0074]The position detection device includes a detection element/a detected element arranged on the shell, and a detected element/a detection element arranged on the collection assembly.

[0075]As an embodiment, the detection element is a reed switch arranged on the shell, and the detected element is a magnetic element arranged on the collection assembly.

[0076]The position detection device also includes a detection circuit, and the reed switch is arranged in the detection circuit. When the collection assembly is installed in place in the sewage receiving device, the reed switch can conduct the detection circuit under the action of the magnetic element.

[0077]As an embodiment, the reed switch is arranged on the outside of the shell and closely adhered to an outer wall of the shell.

[0078]As an embodiment, the collection assembly includes a collection chamber wall forming a collection chamber, and the magnetic element is embedded inside the collection chamber wall.

[0079]As an embodiment, the filtering module of the embodiment also includes a sewage discharge pipe. One end of the sewage discharge pipe is connected with the sewage outlet of the filtering device, and another end is configured to pass through a side wall of the shell to be communicated with the collection chamber of the collection assembly.

[0080]The detection element is arranged on the side wall of the shell through which the sewage discharge pipe passes; the detected element is arranged on the collection assembly and is located on a side where the collection assembly is connected with the sewage discharge pipe.

[0081]A washing apparatus includes the filtering module.

[0085]As an embodiment, if it is determined that the collection assembly is not installed in place, the washing machine is locked and sends an alarm signal.

[0086]As an embodiment, the sewage receiving device includes a shell, and the collection assembly is installed inside the shell. The position detection device includes a reed switch arranged on the shell and a magnetic element arranged on the collection assembly, and the reed switch is arranged in the detection circuit.

[0087]After receiving the start command of the washing program, and if the detection circuit is in a conductive state, the washing apparatus determines that the collection assembly is installed in place, and/or, if the detection circuit is in an open state, the washing apparatus determines that the collection assembly is not installed in place.

[0088]Through the above technical solutions, the present application has the following advantages compared with the prior art.

[0089]The filtering system of the washing apparatus of the present application has two filtration waterways through which water is discharged out after being filtered, so that the filtration impurities in water can be fully removed, and the content of filtration impurities in water discharging from the washing apparatus can be reduced. Among them, both the first filtration waterway and the second filtration waterway are driven by the same pump, thus only the same one pump provides a driving force. The number of filtration waterways is increased without extra adding the driving device, which simplifies the power structure of the washing apparatus for filtering and draining.

[0090]In the washing apparatus of the present application, the sewage discharged from the filtering device is received by the sewage receiving device, so the filtration impurities carried in the sewage is prevented from being directly discharged from the washing apparatus with the drained water flow, thereby avoiding the problem of microplastics in the filtration impurities entering the ecological cycle. The sewage in the filtering device can be discharged into the sewage receiving device under the action of gravity, without the need to provide additional driving force for the discharging sewage. Accordingly the extra driving device is no need, and it can also avoid the problem that residual water cannot be discharged inside the filtering device, especially after the washing apparatus completes washing.

[0091]The filtering module of the present application includes the detection device, and the detection device is connected with the sewage discharge pipe through the detection branch. When the sewage receiving device for receiving the sewage discharged from the filtering device is blocked, the sewage is guided to the detection device along the detection branch, and then the detection device can detect that the sewage receiving device is blocked in time. When the filtering module is applied in the washing apparatus, it can respond to the blockage fault of the sewage receiving device in time and ensure the normal running of the washing apparatus.

[0092]Another filtering module of the present application includes the position detection device for detecting whether the collection assembly in the sewage receiving device is installed in place. When the filtering module is applied in the washing apparatus, the washing apparatus only runs the washing program when it determines that the collection assembly is installed in place. So it is avoided the problem that the filtration impurities cannot be effectively collected due to the installation error of the collection assembly.

[0093]The specific embodiments of the present application are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0094]The drawings are used as a part of the present application to further understand the solutions of the present application. The exemplary Embodiments of the present application and the descriptions are used to explain the present application, but do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some Embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained according to these drawings without creative effort. In the Figures:

[0095]FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a washing apparatus in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present application;

[0096]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an interior of a washing apparatus in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present application (Circulation process);

[0097]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an interior of a washing apparatus in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present application (Drainage process);

[0098]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an interior of a washing apparatus in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present application (Sewage discharge process);

[0099]FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a filtering device in Embodiments of the present application;

[0100]FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a sewage receiving device and a pump in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present application;

[0101]FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a sewage receiving device and a pump in Embodiment 3 of the present application;

[0102]FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a sewage receiving device and a pump in Embodiment 4 of the present application;

[0103]FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a washing apparatus in Embodiment 6 of the present application;

[0104]FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a filtering module and related waterways in Embodiment 6 of the present application (Normal state of the sewage receiving device);

[0105]FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic diagram of position A in FIG. 10 of the present application;

[0106]FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a filtering module and related waterways in Embodiment 6 of the present application (Blocked state of the sewage receiving device);

[0107]FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic diagram of position B in FIG. 12 of the present application;

[0108]FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a control method for a washing apparatus in Embodiment 6 of the present application;

[0109]FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a washing apparatus in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application;

[0110]FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a filtering module and related waterways in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application;

[0111]FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a sewage receiving device connected with a sewage discharge pipeline in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application;

[0112]FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of installing a position detection device in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application (Collection assembly being installed in place);

[0113]FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of installing a position detection device in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application (Collection assembly not being installed in place);

[0114]FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of installing a position detection device in Embodiments 11 and 12 of the present application (Collection assembly not being installed);

[0115]FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a control method for a washing apparatus in Embodiment 12 of the present application;

[0116]FIG. 22 is a flowchart of another control method for a washing apparatus in Embodiment 12 of the present application.

[0117]In the figures: 10, housing; 11, top wall; 12, front side wall; 13, left side wall; 14, right side wall; 17, bottom wall; 18, lower door; M, first installation space; N, second installation space; 100, water holding tub; 104, tub wall; 110, window gasket; 210, upper drain pipe; 220, middle pipe; 230, return pipe; 231, return water control valve; 240, sewage discharge pipe; 241, sewage discharge control valve; 249, detection branch; 250, drain pipe; 260, water holding tub drain pipe; 270, switching device; 271, switching mechanism; 280, communication pipe; 300, detergent box; 400, pump; 410, pump body; 420, filter; 500, sewage receiving device; 510, shell; 531, first chamber; 532, second chamber; 560, lint collection assembly; 570, collection assembly; 571, collection chamber; 572, collection chamber wall; 590, discharge pipe; 600, filtering device; 610, filtering chamber; 6101, water inlet; 6102, filtered water outlet; 6103, sewage outlet; 620, filtering mechanism; 621, water outlet connector; 660, driving mechanism; 680, cleaning particles; 690, baffle; 691, water passing hole; 810, magnetic element; 820, reed switch; 821, first electrode; 822, second electrode; 823, signal output wire; 900, detection device; 910, shell; 911, water receiving chamber; 920, floating element; 930, sensor; 940, reed switch; 941, first electrode; 942, second electrode; 943, signal output wire; 950, guiding part.

[0118]It should be noted that these figures and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by reference to specific Embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119]In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the Embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the Embodiments are clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the Embodiments of the present application. The following Embodiments are used to illustrate the present application but are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0120]In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “inside” and “outside” are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0121]In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms “installed”, “connected”, and “connected” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

Embodiment 1

[0122]As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the embodiment provides a filtering system for a washing apparatus, and a washing apparatus having the filtering system. The washing apparatus may be a washing machine, a washing and drying machine, a garment care machine, or other washing apparatus having a laundry washing function.

[0123]The filtering system in the embodiment at least includes a first filtration waterway and a second filtration waterway. The first filtration waterway is driven to be drained out of the water holding tub 100 of the washing apparatus at least sequentially through a filter 420 and a filtering device 600 by a pump 400. The second filtration waterway flows at least sequentially through a sewage receiving device 500 and the pump 400 from the filtering device 600, and then is drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0124]In the above solution, the filtering system has at least two filtration waterways which can be drained out of the washing apparatus after filtration. In draining water out of the washing apparatus, the filter 420, the filtrating device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 being disposed in the two filtration waterways can all be used to filter the water flow passing them and intercept the filtration impurities in the water, thereby fully removing the filtration impurities in the water and reducing the filtration impurity content in the water drained out of the washing apparatus. The first filtration waterway is driven by the pump 400, and the second filtration waterway also passes through the same pump 400 and is driven by the pump 400. For a washing apparatus discharging water to the outside by two filtration waterways, it is not necessary to separately arrange two driving devices, which simplifies the power structure for filtration and drainage of the washing apparatus.

[0125]As a preferred solution of the embodiment, in the first filtration waterway, the filter 420 is used to filter filtration impurities larger than a preset size, and the filtering device 600 is used to filter filtration impurities smaller than or equal to the preset size.

[0126]In the above solutions, the water flowing in the first filtration waterway sequentially passes through the filter 420 and the filtering device 600 for filtering filtration impurities in different size ranges step-by-step, thereby achieving a better filtration effect. Filtration impurities in different size ranges are intercepted by different filters, so it is avoided that the filter is easily blocked due to too large difference between the filter pore size and the size of the filtration impurities, and it is beneficial to improving the filtration efficiency.

[0127]Specifically, the filter 420 is mainly used to preliminarily filter water in the water holding tub 100. The filtration impurities larger than the preset size mainly include sundries with a larger size, for example foreign objects such as coins and hairpins brought into the water holding tub 100 with laundry to be washed, or buttons falling off from clothes. Therefore, the water after passing through the filter 420 does not contain the foreign objects, so it can be avoided malfunction of the filtration function of the washing apparatus due to the foreign objects blocking the subsequent pipelines of the first filtration waterway or the filtering device 600.

[0128]After being preliminarily filtered by the filter 420, water is further filtered by the filtering device 600 filtration to remove the filtration impurities smaller than or equal to the preset size, such as lint falling off from the surface of laundry during the washing process. Specifically, in order that water drained out of the washing apparatus does not contain microplastics being harmful to the ecological environment as much as possible, the filtering device 600 can filter out filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, and the filtration impurities may include microplastics. In particular, the filtration impurities may include plastic fibers with a length greater than 50 μm and a diameter of 10-1000 μm. Preferably, the plastic fibers have a length of 400-600 μm, and most of plastic fibers has a length of 500 μm±50 μm. The diameter of these plastic fibers is preferably 10-50 μm, and the most of plastic fibers has a diameter of 17 μm±2 μm.

[0129]In a further solution of the embodiment, water in the second filtration waterway is merged into the first filtration waterway after passing through the pump 400 to be drained to the outside. That is, the first filtration waterway and the second filtration waterway share part of the waterway structure. More specifically, the pipeline that is directly connected with the outside of the washing apparatus and used to guide water to be drained out of the washing apparatus is shared by the two filtration waterways. In this way, the washing apparatus only needs to be provided with one drainage pipeline 250 extending to the outside of the housing 10, so it is more convenient for users to deliver water drained out of the washing apparatus into the drainage system at home, such as a floor drain.

[0130]Further, in the first filtration waterway, the pump 400 is arranged between the water holding tub 100 and the filtering device 600. In the second filtration waterway, a sewage receiving device 500 is connected with the pump 400, so that the second filtration waterway is merged into the first filtration waterway at the pump 400.

[0135]The sewage receiving device 500 is in communication with an internal chamber of the pump 400. Water filtered by the sewage receiving device 500 flows into the pump 400, and is further driven to be discharged from the washing apparatus along the middle pipe 220 and the external drain pipe 250 of the first filtration waterway by the pump 400.

[0136]In the above solutions, the filter 420 is arranged inside the pump 400. Water flowing into the pump 400 along the first filtration waterway is filtered by the filter 420 to remove filtration impurities larger than the preset size, pumped out from a water outlet end of the pump 400, and delivered to the filtering device 600 along the middle pipe 220, and then drained out of the washing apparatus along the external drain pipe 250. In the second filtration waterway, water after being filtered by the sewage receiving device 500 can be delivered into the pump 400, and then driven to be discharged by the pump 400 along the middle pipe 220 and the external drain pipe 250.

[0137]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 specifically includes a shell and a lint collection assembly 560 arranged inside the shell. The lint collection assembly 560 is configured to filter water passing through the sewage receiving device 500, and collect the filtration impurities carried in water.

[0138]Specifically, the lint collection assembly 560 has a collection chamber for collecting filtration impurities. The sewage receiving device 500 is configured to receive the water from the filtering device 600 along the second filtration waterway. The received water directly flows in the collection chamber of the lint collection assembly 560, and flows to the outside of the lint collection assembly 560 after being filtered by the lint collection assembly 560, and then can be discharged into the pump 400. The filtration impurities are collected in the collection chamber.

[0139]As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in a further solution of the embodiment, the pump 400 includes a pump body 410, and the sewage receiving device 500 is in contact with the pump body 410 and is arranged above the pump body 410.

[0140]Specifically, the pump body 410 has a water inlet end connected with the water holding tub 100 and a water outlet end connected with the middle pipe 220. An opening is formed on a top of the pump body 410 to be communicated with an interior of the shell of the sewage receiving device 500 for receiving water drained from the sewage receiving device 500.

[0141]Preferably, the pump body 410 is integrated with the shell of the sewage receiving device 500, and the internal spaces of them are in communication with each other. Water drained out of the filtering device 600 flows in the sewage receiving device 500, and is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560 inside the sewage receiving device 500. The filtered water is further drained into the pump body 410 of the pump 400 under the action of gravity, and then can be driven to deliver to the external drain pipe 250 by the pump 400 and be drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0142]In a further solution of the embodiment, the filtering device 600 has a self-cleaning function. User does not need to disassemble the filtering device 600 from the washing apparatus for manual cleaning. The filtering device 600 can be autonomously cleaned and discharge the filtration impurities accumulated in the filtration process with the water flow. A sewage port 6103 is arranged on the filtering device 600, and the sewage carrying filtration impurities can be discharged through the sewage port 6103 after being cleaned, so a large amount of filtration impurities is prevented from accumulating inside the filtering device 600 to affect the filtration efficiency.

[0143]The filter 420 and the sewage receiving device 500 need to be cleaned by users regularly. Specifically, the filter 420 is detachably installed inside the pump 400, and the lint collection assembly 560 is detachably installed inside the shell of the sewage receiving device 500. A lower door 18 being capable of be opened is provided on a front wall 12 of the housing 10 corresponding to the installation positions of the filter 420 and the sewage receiving device 500. User opens the lower door 18 to disassemble the filter 420 from the pump 400, or take out the lint collection assembly 560 from the sewage receiving device 500 for cleaning.

[0144]In the embodiment, the second filtration waterway is used to filter the sewage from the filtering device 600 after the filtering device is self-cleaned, and then the sewage is discharged from the washing apparatus. Specifically, the sewage carries with filtration impurities in the filtering device 600 flows in the sewage receiving device 500 through the sewage outlet 6103 for being filtered. The filtration impurities are collected in the lint collection assembly 560; and the filtered sewage without filtration impurities can flow in the pump 400, and then be driven to be drained out of the washing apparatus by the pump 400.

[0145]Through the above solutions, filtration impurities in the filtering device 600 can be discharged without being operated by user. So it can also be ensured that the filtration impurities discharged from the filtering device 600 are not be directly discharged with water drained out of the washing apparatus, and microplastics in the filtration impurities do not enter the ecological cycle.

[0146]In the above solution, the sewage receiving device 500 is used to finally collect the filtration impurities. As the foregoing, the filtering device 600 in the embodiment can filter out filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm which includes microplastics, especially plastic fibers with a length greater than 50 μm and a diameter of 10-1000 μm. In order that the microplastics or plastic fibers of the above size carried in the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 can be fully collected in the lint collection assembly 560, the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted is at least not less than the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted by the filtering device 600 when the sewage is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560. For example, if the size of filtration impurities being intercepted by the filtering device 600 is greater than 50 μm, when the sewage is filtered in the lint collection assembly 560, it should be ensured that filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm cannot pass through. Preferably, filtration impurities with a size slightly smaller than 50 μm cannot pass through, thereby microplastics in the sewage are collected in the lint collection assembly 560 as much as possible.

[0147]In the specific solution of the embodiment, a filter screen is arranged inside the filtering device 600 for filtering. The lint collection assembly 560 includes a filter screen surrounding a collection chamber. The sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 flows in the collection chamber of the lint collection assembly 560, and the sewage is filtered and the filtration impurities are collected through the filter screen.

[0148]In order to remove the above size of microplastics through filtration, mesh number of the filter screen inside the filtering device 600 is in a range of 20 mesh to 500 mesh. In order that the sewage receiving device 500 can fully collect the microplastics carried in the sewage through the lint collection assembly 560, and there is no problem that the microplastics intercepted by the filtering device 600 can pass through the lint collection assembly 560 in the sewage receiving device 500, the pore size of the filter screen of the lint collection assembly 560 is at least not greater than the pore size of the filter screen in the filtering device 600. That is, the mesh number of the filter screen of the lint collection assembly 560 is not less than the mesh number of the filter screen in the filtering device 600 which is 20 mesh to 500 mesh.

[0149]Through a large number of experiments on different types of clothes and different washing programs in advance, it is found that both the lint collection assembly 560 and the filtering device 600 with the mesh number of the filter screen within the above range in the embodiment can filter out the above size of plastic fibers from the washing water and the drainage of the washing apparatus, and finally more than 80% of the total content of microplastic particles can be collected in the sewage receiving device 500. So the microplastic content in water finally drained out of the washing apparatus is greatly reduced, and meets the direct discharge standard.

[0154]The filtering mechanism 620 includes a filter screen frame and a filter screen covering the surface of the filter screen frame, and is configured to divide an interior of the filtering chamber 610 into an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The water inlet 6101 is in communication with the outer chamber. The washing water to be filtered in the water holding tub 100 flows in the outer chamber through the water inlet 6101, and then flows in the inner chamber through the filtering mechanism 620 for filtration. The filtration impurities carried in the water are adhered to an outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620, and the filtered water flows out through the water outlet connector 621 communicating with the inner chamber, and finally flows out of the filtering chamber 610 from the filtered water outlet 6102.

[0155]When the filtration impurities inside the filtering device 600 need to be removed, the filtering mechanism 620 is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism 660 such as a motor, to agitate the water flow in the filtering chamber 610. So the filtration impurities adhered to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 are peeled off under the dual action of centrifugal force and agitated water flow, and are mixed into water in the filtering chamber 610, and then discharged with the water flow from the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering chamber 610.

[0156]In the above solution, through the arrangement of the rotatable filtering mechanism 620, the filtration impurities can be autonomously removed from the filtering device 600, and the cleaning efficiency of filtration impurities is very high. Under normal use, user does not need to take out the filtering device 600 from the washing apparatus for manual cleaning, and it is more convenient to the use the washing apparatus.

[0157]In a further solution of the embodiment, the filtering system of the washing apparatus also includes a sewage discharge control device for controlling the second filtration waterway to be connected and disconnected. When the filtering device 600 is used to filter water, the second filtration waterway is cut off by the sewage discharge control device, so water flowing in the filtering device 600 can flow out from the filtered water outlet 6102 after being filtered, and there is no situation where the filtered water from the filtering device 600 flows directly to the sewage receiving device 500 along the second filtration waterway. Only when the filtering device 600 needs to be self-cleaned to discharge the sewage, the second filtration waterway is controlled to be connected by the sewage discharge control device.

[0158]Further, the second filtration waterway includes a sewage discharge pipe 240 for delivering water from the filtering device 600 to the sewage receiving device 500. The sewage discharge control device includes a sewage discharge control valve 241 arranged in the sewage discharge pipe 240. When water is filtered in the filtering device 600, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is in a closed state to cutting off the sewage discharge pipe 240, so that water is not drained out the filtering device 600 from the sewage outlet 6103 to the outside. When the filtering device 600 needs to discharge sewage, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is opened, so that the filtering device 600 is connected with the sewage receiving device 500 by the sewage discharge pipe 240, and the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 flows in the sewage receiving device 500.

[0159]In the preferred solution of the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged below the filtering device 600, and water in the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240 under the action of gravity.

[0160]More preferably, the filtering device 600 is arranged above a central axis of the water holding tub 100, and the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged below the central axis of the water holding tub 100. Further, the sewage receiving device 500 in the Embodiment is directly connected with the pump 400, and the shell of the sewage receiving device 500 is integrated with the pump body 410 of the pump 400, and the pump 400 and the sewage receiving device 500 are all arranged below the central axis of the water holding tub 100.

[0161]Further preferably, the sewage outlet 6103 is arranged at a bottom of the filtering chamber 610 of the filtering device 600, so the sewage in the filtering chamber 610 can be fully discharged from the sewage outlet 6103, and not be remained.

[0162]In the above solutions, the sewage in the filtering device 600 can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 under the action of gravity, without the need of additional driving force. In the second filtration waterway, the pump 400 mainly provides driving force for draining water out of the sewage receiving device 500 outwards, while water in the filtering device 600 is drained into the sewage receiving device 500 without external driving force. Especially when the washing apparatus is about to complete or has completed the current washing program, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is kept being opened for a certain time, the residual water in the filtering device 600 can also be fully discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 under the action of gravity. Thereby it is effectively avoided residual water in the filtering device 600 after the washing apparatus has finished running.

[0163]In the embodiment, the housing 10 of the washing apparatus includes a top wall 11 and a bottom wall 17 that are opposite to each other, and four side walls surrounding the outer periphery of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 17. The water holding tub 100 is arranged inside the housing 10, and the central axis of the water holding tub 100 is extended along the front-rear direction of the housing 10.

[0164]In a preferred solution of the embodiment, a right side wall 14, the top wall 11, and the tub wall 104 of the water holding tub 100 together constitute a first installation space M. A right side wall 14, the bottom wall 17, and the tub wall 104 of the water holding tub 100 together constitute a second installation space N. The filtering device 600 is arranged in the first installation space M located in an upper right area of the housing 10, and the pump 400 and the sewage receiving device 500 are arranged together in the second installation space N located in a lower right area of the housing 10.

[0165]In the above solution, a nearly triangular prism-shaped first installation space M is formed in the upper right area inside the housing 10 between the water holding tub 100 and the housing 10, and a nearly triangular prism-shaped second installation space N is also formed in the lower right area inside the housing 10. The filtering device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 are respectively arranged inside the first installation space M and the second installation space N, so the sewage receiving device 500 is located below the filtering device 600 and the sewage in the filtering device 600 can be automatically discharged by gravity, and the internal space of the cabinet 10 can be fully used. Thereby the internal structure of the housing 10 of the washing apparatus is compact, which is beneficial to allow the water tub 100 to have a larger capacity while reducing the overall volume of the washing apparatus. The filtering device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 are arranged on a same side of the water holding tub 100 (the right side of the water holding tub 100 in FIGS. 2 to 4), and the sewage discharge pipe 240 can be extended in a nearly vertical direction, so the structure is simple, and the efficiency of discharging sewage from the filtering device 600 by gravity is high.

[0166]Further preferably, the washing apparatus also includes a detergent box 300, which is used to automatically dispense detergent into the water holding tub 100. The detergent box 300 is arranged in the upper left area of the housing 10, and is specifically installed in a space formed by the top wall 11, the left side wall 13 of the housing 10, and the tub wall 104 of water holding tub 100.

[0167]In a further solution of the embodiment, the filtering system of the washing apparatus also includes a third filtration waterway. In the third filtration waterway, water in the water holding tub 100 is driven by the pump 400 to pass through at least the filter 420 and the filtering device 600 in sequence and return to the water holding tub 100.

[0168]Further, the filtering system also includes a switching device 270 for controlling one of the first filtration waterway and the third filtration waterway to be connected.

[0169]In the above solutions, the first filtration waterway is used to perform the drainage and filtration function of the washing apparatus, so that water is first filtered to remove filtration impurities and then discharged outwards. The third filtration waterway is used to operate the circulation and filtration function of the washing apparatus. Specifically, during the washing process, water in the water holding tub 100 can be continuously circulated through the filter 420 and the filtering device 600, to reduce filtration impurities such as lint in water and prevent the lint from adhering to laundry to affect the washing effect. By controlling one of the first filtration waterway and the third filtration waterway to be connected by the switching device 270, one of the drainage and filtration function and the circulation and filtration function of the washing apparatus can be selected to be operated.

[0170]The first filtration waterway and the third filtration waterway share the pipeline structure between the water holding tub 100 to the filtering device 600, and both of them can use the pump 400 to provide driving force. That is, the pump 400, the filter 420, and the filtering device 600 of the filtering system can be used for both the drainage and filtration process and the circulation and filtration process, so the internal structure of the washing apparatus is simple, and there is no need to arrange too many filtering devices or driving devices, or complex waterways.

[0171]In a further solution of the embodiment, the third filtration waterway includes a return pipe 230 for returning water to the water holding tub 100. The switching device 270 is respectively connected with the filtering device 600, an external drain pipe 250, and the return pipe 230, and controls to connect one of the external drain pipe 250 and the return pipe 230 with the filtering device 600.

[0172]The waterway structure in the embodiment is specifically as follows. One end of the water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with a bottom of the water holding tub 100, and another end of the water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with the water inlet end of the pump 400. The water outlet end of the pump 400 is connected with one end of the middle pipe 220, and another end of the middle pipe 220 is connected with the water inlet 6101 of the filtering device 600. The filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600 is connected with a water inlet of the switching device 270 through a connecting pipe 280, one water outlet of the switching device 270 is connected with the return pipe 230, and another water outlet is connected with the external drain pipe 250. A switching mechanism 271 is movably arranged inside the switching device 270, and the switching mechanism 271 is configured to move to make one of the two water outlets be in communication with the water inlet. Thereby it is controlled that one of the return pipe 230 and the external drain pipe 250 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600.

[0173]In the above solution, when the return pipe 230 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 through the switching device 270, water in the water holding tub 100 is pumped to the filtering device 600 for filtering by the pump 400, and flows back to the water holding tub 100 again along the return pipe 230, so that the washing water can be filtered and circulated to be used during the washing process of the washing apparatus, to perform the circulation and filtration function of the washing apparatus. When the external drain pipe 250 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 through the switching device 270, water in the water holding tub 100 is pumped to the filtering device 600 by the pump 400, and the filtered water is discharged along the external drain pipe 250, so that water is drained out of the washing apparatus after being filtered, to perform the drainage and filtration function of the washing apparatus.

[0174]The working process of the washing apparatus in the embodiment is specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0175]FIG. 2 shows a circulation process for circulating and filtering the washing water during the washing program and/or the rinsing program of the washing apparatus. Specifically, water in the water holding tub 100 is used to wash laundry, the switching device 270 is in a state of connecting the communication pipe 280 with the return pipe 230, and the sewage discharge control valve 241 is closed to keep the sewage discharge pipe 240 in a cut-off state. The pump 400 is turned on to pump the washing water out the water holding tub 100 along the water holding tub drain pipe 260. After being preliminarily filtered by the filter 420 inside the pump 400, the washing water is delivered to the filtering device 600 along the middle pipe 220 for further filtering. The filtered washing water flows out from the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600, flows in the switching device 270 along the communication pipe 280, and finally flows back to the water holding tub 100 through the return pipe 230.

[0176]FIG. 3 shows a drainage process of the washing apparatus. Specifically, when the washing apparatus performs a drainage program, the switching device 270 is switched to a state of connecting the communication pipe 280 with the external drain pipe 250, and the sewage discharge control valve 241 is kept in closed state. The pump 400 is turned on to pump the washing water out the water holding tub 100 along the water tub drain pipe 260. After being preliminarily filtered by the filter 420 inside the pump 400, the washing water is delivered to the filtering device 600 along the middle pipe 220 for further filtering. The filtered washing water flows out from the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600, flows in the switching device 270 along the communication pipe 280, and is finally discharged from the washing apparatus through the external drain pipe 250.

[0177]As shown in FIG. 4, in the washing apparatus, the filtering device 600 performs self-cleaning and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities is drained. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the driving mechanism 660 is turned on to drive the filtering mechanism 620 to rotate in the filtering chamber 610, so that the filtration impurities adhered to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 are peeled off under the action of centrifugal force and agitated water flow. The filtration impurities adhered to an inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 is also acted by the agitated water flow to be peeled off, and then be mixed into the water in the filtering chamber 610. The sewage control valve 241 is opened, and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities in the filtering chamber 610 flows out from the sewage outlet 6103 under the action of gravity, and flows in the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240. After the sewage flowing in the sewage receiving device 500 is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560, the filtration impurities in the sewage are collected inside the lint collection assembly 560, and the sewage without filtration impurities is discharged into the pump 400. The switching device 270 is controlled in a state of connecting the communication pipe 280 with the external drain pipe 250. The pump 400 is turned on to drive the sewage being separated from the filtration impurities to be discharged from the washing apparatus sequentially along the middle pipe 220, the communication pipe 280, and the external drain pipe 250.

[0178]In the embodiment, the filtering system of the washing apparatus is provided with three filtration waterways. In the first filtration waterway, the washing water from the water holding tub 100 is filtered and then drained out of the washing apparatus. The sewage carrying the filtration impurities is drained out of the filtering device 600 along the second filtration waterway after being self-cleaned, and is filtered by the sewage receiving device 500 to collect the filtration impurities before being discharged to the outside. In this way, water discharged from the washing apparatus hardly contains filtration impurities, and it is avoided that the microplastics carried in the filtration impurities are directly discharged with water discharged from the washing apparatus.

[0179]The third filtration waterway is used to perform the circulation and filtration function of the washing apparatus, thereby reducing the lint content in the washing water and improving the effect of washing laundry. In the filtering system, part of structures is shared by at least two of the three filtration waterways, thereby simplifying the structure of the filtering system as much as possible. On the one hand, the internal structure of the washing apparatus can be simplified, and there is no the complex structure occupying too much installation space. On the other hand, it is reduced in the number of driving devices and filtering devices, so the production cost of the washing apparatus is reduced.

Embodiment 2

[0180]As shown in FIG. 1 to 5, a washing apparatus of the embodiment includes a water holding tub 100 and a filtering device 600. The filtering device 600 is used to filter water from the water holding tub 100. The washing apparatus may be a washing machine, a washing and drying machine, a garment care machine, or other washing apparatus having a laundry washing function.

[0181]Specifically, the filtering device 600 has a self-cleaning function. User does not need to dissemble the filtering device 600 for manual cleaning. The filtering device 600 can be autonomously cleaned and discharge the filtration impurities accumulated in the filtration process with the water flow. A sewage outlet 6103 is arranged on the filtering device 600, and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities can be discharged through the sewage outlet 6103 after being self-cleaned, so a large amount of filtration impurities is prevented from accumulating inside the filtering device 600 to affect the filtering efficiency.

[0182]The washing apparatus of the embodiment also includes a sewage receiving device 500 connected with the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600 and used to receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600. In this way, it is avoided that the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 directly is drained out the washing apparatus to the outside with the water flow, so that the microplastics in the filtration impurities can be prevented from entering the ecological cycle with the water flow to cause harm to the ecological environment and human health.

[0183]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged at a position lower than the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600. In this way, the sewage carrying the filtration impurities in the filtering device 600 is discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 and can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 under the action of gravity, without the need of additional driving force. It is not necessary to additionally arrange a driving device in the washing apparatus for discharging the sewage from the filtering device 600, and the filtration impurities are automatically discharged from the filtering device 600.

[0184]Further, in the embodiment, the sewage outlet 6103 is arranged in a bottom of the filtering device 600, and the sewage is drained downward. When water in the water holding tub 100 of the washing apparatus is no longer delivered in the filtering device 600 for filtering, for example, after the last drainage of the current washing process is completed, the water remaining in the filtering device 600 can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 from the sewage outlet 6103 under the action of gravity. Accordingly water is prevented from remaining in the filtering device 600.

[0185]In a further solution of the embodiment, a position where the filtering device 600 is arranged is higher than a central axis of the water holding tub 100, and a position where the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged is lower than the central axis of the water holding tub 100. The filtering device 600 is connected with the sewage receiving device 500 by a sewage discharge pipe 240, and the sewage in the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240 under the action of gravity.

[0186]Preferably, a sewage discharge control valve 241 is arranged in the sewage discharge pipe 240. When the filtering device 600 performs filtering water from the water holding tub 100, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is closed to cut off the sewage discharge pipe 240. Water flowing in the filtering device 600 can be filtered and discharged, and is not directly discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 under the action of gravity and flows into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240. Only when the filtration impurities accumulated in the filtering device 600 needs to be discharged, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is opened to allow the sewage carrying the filtration impurities in the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240.

[0191]The filtering mechanism 620 includes a filter screen frame and a filter screen covering the surface of the filter screen frame, and is configured to divide an interior of the filtering chamber 610 into an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The water inlet 6101 is in communication with the outer chamber. The washing water to be filtered in the water holding tub 100 flows in the outer chamber through the water inlet 6101, and then flows in the inner chamber through the filtering mechanism 620 for filtration. The filtration impurities carried in the water are adhered to an outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620, and the filtered water flows out through the water outlet connector 621 communicating with the inner chamber, and finally flows out of the filtering chamber 610 from the filtered water outlet 6102.

[0192]When the filtration impurities inside the filtering device 600 need to be removed, the filtering mechanism 620 is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism 660 such as a motor, to agitate the water flow in the filtering chamber 610. So the filtration impurities adhered to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 are peeled off under the dual action of centrifugal force and agitated water flow, and are mixed into water in the filtering chamber 610, and then discharged with the water flow from the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering chamber 610.

[0193]In the above solution, through the arrangement of the rotatable filtering mechanism 620, the filtration impurities can be autonomously removed from the filtering device 600, and the cleaning efficiency of filtration impurities is very high. Under normal use, user does not need to take out the filtering device 600 from the washing apparatus for manual cleaning, and it is more convenient to the use the washing apparatus.

[0194]The washing apparatus of the embodiment also includes a housing 10. The housing 10 of the washing apparatus includes a top wall 11 and a bottom wall 17 that are opposite to each other, and four side walls surrounding the outer periphery of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 17. The water holding tub 100 is arranged inside the housing 10, and the central axis of the water holding tub 100 is extended along the front-rear direction of the housing 10.

[0195]In a preferred solution of the embodiment, a right side wall 14, the top wall 11, and the tub wall 104 of the water holding tub 100 together constitute a first installation space M. A right side wall 14, the bottom wall 17, and the tub wall 104 of the water holding tub 100 together constitute a second installation space N. The filtering device 600 is arranged in the first installation space M located in an upper right area of the housing 10, and the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged in the second installation space N located in a lower right area of the housing 1.

[0196]In the above solution, a nearly triangular prism-shaped first installation space M is formed in the upper right area inside the housing 10 between the water holding tub 100 and the housing 10, and a nearly triangular prism-shaped second installation space N is also formed in the lower right area inside the housing 10. The filtering device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 are respectively arranged inside the first installation space M and the second installation space N, so the sewage receiving device 500 is lower than the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600 and the sewage in the filtering device 600 can be automatically discharged by gravity, and the internal space of the cabinet 10 can be fully used. Thereby the internal structure of the housing 10 of the washing apparatus is compact, which is beneficial to allow the water tub 100 to have a larger capacity while reducing the overall volume of the washing apparatus. The filtering device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 are arranged on a same side of the water holding tub 100 (the right side of the water holding tub 100 in FIGS. 2 to 4), and the sewage discharge pipe 240 can be extended in a nearly vertical direction, so the structure is simple, and the efficiency of discharging sewage from the filtering device 600 by gravity is high.

[0197]Further preferably, the washing apparatus also includes a detergent box 300, which is used to automatically dispense detergent into the water holding tub 100. The detergent box 300 is arranged in the upper left area of the housing 10, and is specifically installed in a space formed by the top wall 11, the left side wall 13 of the housing 10, and the tub wall 104 of water holding tub 100.

[0198]In a further solution of the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 includes a lint collection assembly 560 used for filtering the sewage received in the sewage receiving device 500. The lint collection assembly 560 can also collect the filtration impurities carried in the sewage.

[0199]Specifically, the sewage receiving device 500 includes a shell. The lint collection assembly 560 is arranged inside the shell, and has a collection chamber for collecting filtration impurities. The sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipeline 240, flows in the collection chamber of the lint collection assembly 560, and then flows to the outside of the lint collection assembly 560 after being filtered by the lint collection assembly 560. The filtration impurities are collected in the collection chamber.

[0200]In detail, the lint collection assembly 560 includes a filter screen surrounding the collection chamber. The sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 flows in the collection chamber of the lint collection assembly 560, the sewage is filtered by the filter screen, and the filtration impurities are collected.

[0201]In the above solution, the sewage flows in the sewage receiving device 500 and is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560, so that the filtration impurities can be separated from the sewage. It is convenient for user to directly treat the collected filtration impurities, and the filtration impurities are prevented from mixing in the water to not be effectively treated.

[0202]In a preferred solution of the embodiment, the lint collection assembly 560 is detachably installed inside the sewage receiving device 500. User can disassemble the lint collection assembly 560 from the sewage receiving device 500 to remove the filtration impurities collected therein. After being cleaned, the lint collection assembly 560 is reinstalled in the sewage receiving device 500, and the sewage receiving device 500 can continue to receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 when the washing apparatus runs a washing process next time.

[0203]Specifically, in the embodiment, a lower door 18 being capable of be opened is provided on a front wall 12 of the housing 10 corresponding to the sewage receiving device 500, so that the sewage receiving device 500 is just located on an inner side of the lower door 18. When the lint collection assembly 560 needs to be manually cleaned, user opens the lower door 18 to take out the lint collection assembly 560 from the sewage receiving device 500.

[0204]In a further solution of the embodiment, the washing apparatus also includes a drainage device connected with the water holding tub 100, and the washing apparatus discharges water to the outside through the drainage device. The sewage receiving device 500 is connected with the drainage device, and the filtered sewage can be discharged from the washing apparatus through the drainage device.

[0205]The filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 no longer contains filtration impurities, can be directly discharged from the washing apparatus through the drainage device, so there is no microplastics to enter the ecological cycle. At the same time, the filtered sewage can be periodically or in real time discharged from the sewage receiving device 500. It is necessary for user to completely disassemble the sewage receiving device 500 from the washing apparatus to pour out the sewage therein, so it is more convenient to use by user. Large quantities of the sewage is not stored in the sewage receiving device 500, so the demand for the volume of the sewage receiving device 500 is low, and the volume of the sewage receiving device 500 can be reduced.

[0206]Further, the drainage device includes a pump 400 and an external drain pipe 250. A water inlet end of the pump 400 is connected with the water holding tub 100. Water in the water holding tub 100 can be pumped out from a water outlet end of the pump 400. The external drain pipe 250 is extended to the outside of the washing apparatus, and can receive water pumped out by the pump 400 and deliver water to discharge from the washing apparatus.

[0207]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 is connected with the pump 400. The filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 can be discharged into the pump 400, and then delivered to the external drain pipe 250 by the pump 400 to be discharged out. On the one hand, the pump 400 is generally arranged below the water holding tub 100. In the embodiment, the pump can be arranged in a position relatively close to the sewage receiving device 500, so that it is convenient the filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 is directly discharged into the pump 400. On the other hand, the pump 400 provides driving force for draining water out of the washing apparatus. The sewage receiving device 500 is configured to be connected with the pump 400, and the pump 400 is used to provide auxiliary driving force for draining water out of the sewage receiving device 500, so the sewage after being filtered by the sewage receiving device 500 can fully discharged into the pump 400.

[0208]As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in a further solution of the embodiment, the pump 400 includes a pump body 410, and the sewage receiving device 500 is in contact with the pump body 410 and is arranged above the pump body 410.

[0209]Specifically, the pump body 410 has a water inlet end connected with the water holding tub 100 and a water outlet end through which water is discharged. An opening is formed on a top of the pump body 410 to be communicated with an interior of the shell of the sewage receiving device 500 for receiving water drained from the sewage receiving device 500.

[0210]Preferably, the pump body 410 is integrated with the shell of the sewage receiving device 500, and the internal spaces of them are in communication with each other. Water drained out of the filtering device 600 flows in the sewage receiving device 500, and is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560 inside the sewage receiving device 500. The filtered water is further drained into the pump body 410 of the pump 400 under the action of gravity, and then can be driven to deliver to the external drain pipe 250 by the pump 400 and be drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0211]Further, the water outlet end of the pump 400 is connected with the water inlet 6101 of the filtering device 600, and the external drain pipe 250 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600. Water is pumped in the filtering device 600 for filtration by the pump 400 and then discharged from the washing apparatus along the external drain pipe 250.

[0212]In the above solution, water in the washing apparatus is first filtered by the filtering device 600 to remove filtration impurities, and then discharged to the outside of the washing apparatus along the external drain pipe 250. In this way, it is ensured that there are no filtration impurities in the drained water from the washing apparatus, and microfibers that may exist in the filtration impurities do not enter the ecological cycle with the drained water.

[0213]In a further solution of the embodiment, the washing apparatus also includes a return pipe 230 connected with the water holding tub 100, and a switching device 270 connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600. The switching device 270 is used to control one of the return pipe 230 and the drainage pipeline 250 to connect with the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600.

[0214]In detail, one end of the water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with a bottom of the water holding tub 100, and another end of the water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with the water inlet end of the pump 400. The water outlet end of the pump 400 is connected with one end of a middle pipe 220, and another end of the middle pipe 220 is connected with the water inlet 6101 of the filtering device 600. The filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600 is connected with a water inlet of the switching device 270 through a communication pipe 280, a water outlet of the switching device 270 is connected with the return pipe 230, and another water outlet is connected with the external drain pipe 250. A switching mechanism 271 is movably arranged inside the switching device 270, and the switching mechanism 271 is configured to move to make one of the two water outlets be in communication with the water inlet. Thereby it is controlled that one of the return pipe 230 and the external drain pipe 250 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600.

[0215]In the above solution, when the return pipe 230 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 through the switching device 270, water in the water holding tub 100 is pumped to the filtering device 600 for filtering by the pump 400, and flows back to the water holding tub 100 again along the return pipe 230, so that the washing water can be filtered and circulated to be used during the washing process of the washing apparatus, to perform the circulation and filtration function of the washing apparatus. When the external drain pipe 250 is connected with the filtered water outlet 6102 through the switching device 270, water in the water holding tub 100 is pumped to the filtering device 600 by the pump 400, and the filtered water is discharged along the external drain pipe 250, so that water is drained out of the washing apparatus after being filtered, to perform the drainage and filtration function of the washing apparatus.

[0216]In the circulation and filtration process and the drainage and filtration process of the washing apparatus, one same pump 400 is shared for providing the driving force, and one same filtering device 600 is used for filtering, and part of waterways is shared. So it is simplified the waterways inside the washing apparatus. In one aspect, the simple waterways occupy the smaller installation space. In the other aspect, it is not necessary to separately set a circulation pump and a drain pump, so the number of driving devices is reduced, which is beneficial to reducing the production cost of the washing apparatus.

[0217]In a further solution of the embodiment, the pump 400 also includes a filter 420, and the filter 420 is arranged between the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the pump 400 and specifically inside the pump body 410. Water flowing in the pump 400 from the water inlet end is filtered by the filter 420, and then pumped out from the water outlet end, and is delivered to the filtering device 600 along the middle pipe 220 for filtering.

[0218]Preferably, the size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filter 420 is greater than the size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filtering device 600. The size of the filtration impurities intercepted by the filtering device 600 is greater than or equal to the size of the filtration impurities collected in the lint collection assembly 560 in the sewage receiving device 500.

[0219]Specifically, the filter 420 in the pump 400 is mainly used to preliminarily filter water from the water holding tub 100, to remove the impurities with larger sizes, for example foreign objects such as coins and hairpins brought into the water holding tub 100, or buttons falling off clothes. When passing through the pump 400 with water, the above foreign objects are intercepted by the filter 420 and are not be discharged from the water outlet end of the pump 400, so the foreign objects are prevented from blocking the middle pipe 220 or the filtering device 600, resulting in a failure of the filtration function of the washing apparatus.

[0220]Preferably, the filter 420 is detachably installed on the pump 400, and user can disassemble the filter 420 for cleaning. Specifically, the pump 400 is integrated with the shell of the sewage receiving device 500, which are arranged in the second installation space N in the lower right area inside the housing 10, and both are located in inner side of the lower door 18 provided on the front wall 12 of the housing 10. User can open the lower door 18 to expose the pump 400 and the sewage receiving device 500, and then the filter 420 of the pump 400 and/or the lint collection assembly 560 of the sewage receiving device 500 can be disassembled for cleaning as needed.

[0221]Further, water is preliminarily filtered by the filter 420 of the pump 400, and further is filtered by the filtering device 600 to intercept filtration impurities with a size smaller than the size of the above foreign objects, such as lint falling off from the surface of clothes during the washing process. Specifically, the filtering device 600 can filter out filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, and the filtration impurities may include microplastics. In particular, the filtration impurities may include plastic fibers with a length greater than 50 μm and a diameter of 10-1000 μm. Preferably, the plastic fibers have a length of 400-600 μm, and most of plastic fibers has a length of 500 μm±50 μm. The diameter of these plastic fibers is preferably 10-50 μm, and the most of plastic fibers has a diameter of 17 μm±2 μm.

[0222]The filtration impurities need to be removed from the filtering device 600, and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 for collecting the filtration impurities in the sewage receiving device 500. In order that the microplastics or plastic fibers with the above size in the sewage can be fully collected in the lint collection assembly 560, the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted must be at least not smaller than the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted by the filtering device 600. For example, the filtering device 600 can intercept the filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, so it is ensured that filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm cannot pass through the lint collection assembly 560 when filtering the sewage. Preferably the filtration impurities with a size slightly smaller than 50 μm cannot pass through, so that microplastics in the sewage are collected in the lint collection assembly 560 as much as possible.

[0223]In order to remove the above size of microplastics through filtration, mesh number of the filter screen inside the filtering device 600 is in a range of 20 mesh to 500 mesh. In order that the sewage receiving device 500 can fully collect the microplastics carried in the sewage, and there is no problem that the microplastics intercepted by the filtering device 600 can pass through the lint collection assembly 560 in the sewage receiving device 500, the pore size of the filter screen of the lint collection assembly 560 is at least not greater than the pore size of the filter screen in the filtering device 600. That is, the mesh number of the filter screen of the lint collection assembly 560 is not less than the mesh number of the filter screen in the filtering device 600 which is 20 mesh to 500 mesh.

[0224]Through a large number of experiments on different types of clothes and different washing programs in advance, it is found that both the lint collection assembly 560 and the filtering device 600 with the mesh number of the filter screen within the above range can filter out the above size of plastic fibers from the washing water and the drainage of the washing apparatus, and finally more than 80% of the total content of microplastic particles can be collected in the sewage receiving device 500. So the microplastic content in water finally drained out of the washing apparatus is greatly reduced, and meets the direct discharge standard.

[0225]In the embodiment, the working process of the washing apparatus is the same as that in Embodiment 1, and not be repeated herein.

[0226]The washing apparatus in the embodiment is provided with the filtering device 600 with a self-cleaning function. The filtering device 600 can be used in filtering the washing water being circulated and water drained out of the washing apparatus. The filtration impurities accumulated inside the filtering device can also autonomously removed without disassembling the filtering device 600 for manual cleaning by user, so it is convenient for users to use. The sewage receiving device 500 is arranged in the washing apparatus, can receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 after being self-cleaned for collecting the filtration impurities in the sewage. So the microplastics carried in the filtration impurities are directly discharged from the washing apparatus with water.

[0227]The filtering device 600 is arranged in the upper area inside the housing 10 of the washing apparatus, and the sewage receiving device 500 is arranged in the lower area inside the housing 10, so that the sewage receiving device 500 is lower than the filtering device 600, especially the sewage receiving device 500 is lower than the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600. The sewage inside the filtering device 600 can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 only under the action of gravity without an additional driving force. When the operation of the washing program is about to end or has been ended in the washing apparatus, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is kept in an open state for a certain time, and the water remaining in the filtering device 600 can also be fully discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 under the action of gravity. Therefore, it is avoided that the washing water is remained in the filtering device 600, and the interior of the filtering device 600 can be in a relative dry environment as soon as possible after the washing process is completed to be kept in the cleanliness and hygiene.

Embodiment 3

[0228]As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the difference between the embodiment and Embodiment 1 or 2 is that the sewage receiving device 500 and the pump 400 are arranged horizontally. Specifically, the sewage receiving device 500 is in contact with the pump body 410 of the pump 400 and is arranged on a side of the pump body 410 (that is, a left side of the pump body 410 in FIG. 7).

[0229]Further, in the embodiment, an opening is provided on the left side of the pump body 410 to communicate with the interior of the shell of the sewage receiving device 500. The filtered sewage inside the sewage receiving device 500 can flow in the pump 400 through the opening, and then be delivered into the external drain pipe 250 from the pump 400 to be discharged from the washing apparatus.

[0230]Preferably, as Embodiment 1, the pump body 410 is integrated with the sewage receiving device 500 in the embodiment, and the interiors of them are connected with each other. After the sewage in the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500, the pump 400 is turned on, and the sewage filtered by the lint collection assembly 560 in the sewage receiving device 500 is delivered into the pump body 410, and flows upward along the middle pipe 220, and finally discharged from the washing apparatus through the external drain pipe 250.

[0231]In the embodiment, on the basis of Embodiments 1 and 2, only the arrangement of the sewage receiving device 500 and the pump 400 is changed, and the structures thereof are the same as those in Embodiment 1 or 2. The overall structure of the filtering system is unchanged, and still includes three filtration waterways for operating different functions. The sewage in the filtering device 600 is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 under the action of gravity, and then the filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 is driven to be discharged from the washing apparatus by the pump 400.

Embodiment 4

[0232]As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the difference between the embodiment and Embodiment 1 or 2 is that the sewage receiving device 500 and the pump body 410 of the pump 400 are spaced apart, and both are connected through a discharge pipe 590.

[0233]In the preferred solution of the embodiment, an outlet of the sewage receiving device 500 connected with the discharge pipe 590 is higher than an inlet of the pump body 410 connected with the discharge pipe 590. After being discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 along the sewage discharge pipe 240, the sewage in the filtering device 600 is filtered by the lint collection assembly 560 in the sewage receiving device 500. The filtered sewage can be delivered into the interior of the pump body 410 of the pump 400 along the discharge pipe 590 under the action of gravity, and then finally driven to be discharged along the external drain pipe 250 by the pump 400.

[0234]Specifically, the outlet on the lower of the shell of the sewage receiving device 500 is connected with one end of the discharge pipe 590, the inlet on the lower of the pump body 410 is connected with another end of the discharge pipe 590, and the sewage receiving device 500 is slightly higher than the pump 400, so that the outlet of the sewage receiving device 500 is higher than the inlet of the pump body 410. The discharge pipe 590 is extended from the outlet on the shell of the sewage receiving device 500 to the inlet on the pump body 410, and is extended obliquely downward in an overall structure. Therefore, the filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 can be automatically discharged into the pump body 410 of the pump 400 along the discharge pipe 590 under the action of gravity, and there is no sewage remained inside the sewage receiving device 500.

[0235]In the embodiment, the other structures of the washing apparatus are the same as those in Embodiment 1 and 2, so that different filtering functions are operated through three filtration waterways respectively. The sewage in the filtering device 600 can discharge into the sewage receiving device 500 only by the action of gravity, and water is prevented from being remained inside the filtering device 600. The sewage receiving device 500 and the pump 400 are spaced apart and connected with each other by the discharge pipe 590, so that the filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 is delivered into the pump 400 and then discharged. In this way, through simply modifying the pump used in the washing apparatus in the prior art and arranging an inlet for receiving the sewage, the pump 400 of the embodiment can be obtained, and there is no need of redesigning the structure of the pump body 410. The sewage receiving device 500 is arranged slightly higher than the pump 400, and the filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 can be fully discharged into the pump 400 under the action of gravity, so there is no sewage remained in the sewage receiving device 500.

Embodiment 5

[0236]The difference between the Embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that: in the second filtration waterway, the sewage receiving device is connected with part between the water holding tub and the pump in the first filtration waterway.

[0237]Specifically, in the embodiment, the water holding tub and the pump are connected through a water holding tub drain pipe, and the sewage receiving device is connected with the water holding tub drain pipe through a pipeline.

[0238]In the embodiment, the shell of the sewage receiving device is provided with an outlet and is connected with an outlet pipe. A tee structure is provided in the water holding tub drain pipe, and the end of the outlet pipe is connected with the tee structure, thereby communicating with the water holding tub drain pipe.

[0239]Through the above structure, water in the water holding tub can be directly delivered into the pump through the water holding tub drain pipe. The filtered sewage in the sewage receiving device can also flow to the tee structure along the outlet pipe, and flows in the water holding tub drain pipe through the tee structure, and then flows into the pump along the water holding tub drain pipe.

[0240]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device is connected with the water holding tub drain pipe, instead of directly delivering the filtered sewage into the pump. Compared with Embodiment 1, 3 and 4, the pump in the embodiment can directly adopt the pump used in a washing apparatus in the prior art, without modifying the structure of the pump.

Embodiment 6

[0241]As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, the embodiment provides a filtering module and a washing apparatus with the filtering module. The filtering module is used to filtering water when applied to a washing apparatus. The washing apparatus may be a washing machine, a washing and drying machine, a garment care machine, or other washing apparatus having a laundry washing function.

[0242]Specifically, the washing apparatus includes a water holding tub 100, and the filtering module is connected with the water holding tub 100 for filtering the water in the water holding tub 100.

[0243]In the embodiment, the filtering module specifically includes a filtering device 600 and a sewage receiving device 500. The filtering device 600 has a self-cleaning function, and is provided with a sewage outlet 6103. The sewage in the filtering device after being self-cleaned is discharged through the sewage outlet 6103, and the filtration impurities carried in the sewage is accumulated during a filtering process. The sewage receiving device 500 is connected with the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600 for receiving the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600.

[0244]In the above solution, the filtering device 600 of the filtering module is used to filter water from the water holding tub 100 of the washing apparatus, and the filtering device 600 has a certain self-cleaning ability, so the filtration impurities accumulated during the filtering process can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500, and the filtering efficiency is not reduced due to the filtration impurities large accumulated. The sewage receiving device 500 is configured to receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600, instead of directly discharging the sewage into water drained out of the washing apparatus. Accordingly there is no the problem that the microplastics in the filtration impurities directly enter the ecological cycle with water drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0245]The filtering module is totally installed inside the washing apparatus. When user uses the washing apparatus, the state of the filtering module cannot be directly observed, especially the filtration impurities accumulated therein. When there are too many filtration impurities, the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked by the filtration impurities, and the sewage in the filtering device 600 cannot continue to be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500. So the filtering module cannot continue to perform the filtering function.

[0246]For the foregoing reasons, the filtering module of the embodiment is also provided with a detection device 900 for detecting whether the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked. Specifically, the filtering module is provided with a sewage discharge pipe 240 for connecting the sewage receiving device 500 with the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600 to deliver the sewage in the filtering device 600 into the sewage receiving device 500. A detection branch 249 is connected with the sewage discharge pipe 240, and the detection branch 249 is configured to deliver the sewage to the detection device 900 when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked.

[0247]Through the above arrangements, when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, the sewage from the filtering device 600 cannot flow in the sewage receiving device 500, and is delivered to the detection device 900 along the detection branch 249. When it is detected that the sewage flows in the detection device 900, it can be determined that the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked. In this way, the filtering module can detect the blockage of the sewage receiving device 500 in time through the detection device 900, and then feed back corresponding information to a control system of the washing apparatus, so that the washing apparatus can respond to the blockage of the sewage receiving device 500 in time, for example, controlling the sewage in the filtering device 600 not to flow in the sewage receiving device 500 in subsequent washing processes. Thereby the washing apparatus can be kept in running normally.

[0248]In a further solution of the embodiment, the detection device 900 specifically includes a shell 910 with a water receiving chamber 911 therein, and a detection assembly for detecting a water level height in the water receiving chamber 911. The detection assembly can generate a feedback signal when the water level height in the water receiving chamber 911 reaches a preset height, and send it to the control system of the washing apparatus. The control system of the washing apparatus can control the washing apparatus to send an alarm signal according to the feedback signal received, thereby promptly reminding user of the sewage receiving device 500 being blocked. User can clean the sewage receiving device 500 after the washing apparatus ends this running, and it is ensured that the sewage receiving device 500 can be used normally when the washing apparatus runs again.

[0249]Specifically, the sewage receiving device 500 in the embodiment is detachably installed on the housing 10 of the washing apparatus, and user can clean it regularly, especially remove the filtration impurities accumulated after filtering sewage. However, when user forgets to clean the sewage receiving device 500 in time, the sewage receiving device 500 may be blocked by filtration impurities during the running of the washing apparatus. The detection device 900 can detect the blockage of the sewage receiving device 500 in time, so that the washing apparatus sends an alarm signal to remind user, and then user can promptly know the blockage of the sewage receiving device 500 and manually clean it to clear the failure.

[0250]In the embodiment, the detection device 900 is arranged on a position above the sewage discharge pipe 240, and the detection branch 249 is preferably extended vertically upward from a position between the two ends of the sewage discharge pipe 240 to be connected with the detection device 900. When the sewage receiving device 500 can normally receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600, the sewage generally does not flow in the detection device 900 along the detection branch 249 under the action of gravity. Only when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, the sewage in the filtering device 600 is discharged outward, and flows in the detection device 900 along the detection branch 249.

[0251]Further, the detection assembly described in the embodiment includes a floating element 920 and a sensor 930. The floating element 920 is arranged inside the water receiving chamber 911 and can moves up and down with the change of the water level height in the water receiving chamber 911. The sensor 930 is used to sense a height position of the floating element 920, and generates a feedback signal when the floating element 920 rises to a preset height with a water surface.

[0252]In a specific solution of the embodiment, the floating element 920 is magnetic, and the sensor 930 is a reed switch 940 arranged on a top of the shell 910. When the floating element 920 moves to a preset height with the water surface, the reed switch 940 is turned on under the magnetic action of the floating element 920 to generate a feedback signal.

[0253]In detail, the floating element 920 may include a permanent magnet and a covering body wrapped around the outside of the permanent magnet. The density of the covering body is less than water, for example a foam plastic material, so that the floating element 920 can float on the water surface. Alternatively, the covering body has a hollow, so that the floating element 920 has the overall density being less than water and can float on the water surface.

[0254]The reed switch 940 is arranged on an outer side of a top of the shell 910 to not be in contact with the sewage flowing in the water receiving chamber 911. The reed switch 940 is connected with a signal output wire 943 for connecting with the control system of the washing apparatus to transmit the feedback signal. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, when sewage does not flow in the water receiving chamber 911, the floating element 920 is stationary at a bottom of the water receiving chamber 911, and a first electrode 941 and a second electrode 942 inside the reed switch 940 are not in contact under a normal condition, that is, the reed switch 940 is in an open state.

[0255]When the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 flows in the water receiving chamber 911 along the detection branch 249. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the floating element 920 rises up with water surface in the water receiving chamber 911. When reaching a certain height, the reed switch 940 is subjected to the magnetic action of the floating element 920, so that the first electrode 941 and the second electrode 942 are in contact. Accordingly the reed switch 940 is in a conducting state to generate a feedback signal, and transmits it to the control system of the washing apparatus through the signal output wire 943.

[0256]In a further solution of the embodiment, the detection assembly also includes a guiding part 950, and a hollow extending up and down is formed inside the guiding part 950, and the floating element 920 is confined in the hollow to move up and down with the water surface. The reed switch 940 is arranged above the guiding part 950.

[0257]Specifically, the guiding part 950 has a hollow tubular being vertically extended, thereby forming the hollow inside. A lower end of the guiding part 950 has an opening for communicating the hollow with the outside the guiding part 950, so that the water level height in the hollow can change synchronously with the water level height in the water receiving chamber 911.

[0258]Further, a plurality of holes (not shown in the figure) are arranged in an upper of the guiding part 950 to allow air in the hollow can be discharged from the holes as the water surface rises. So there is a height difference between the water surface in the hollow and the water surface in the water receiving chamber 911 due to the air pressure in the hollow.

[0259]In the above solution, the floating element 920 is confined in the hollow formed in the guiding part 950, and can only move up and down in the hollow and not move randomly in the water receiving chamber 911. That is to say, the floating element 920 is kept in floating up and down in the area just below the reed switch 940, so that the magnetic field radiated outward from the floating element 920 can act on the reed switch 940 to turn on the reed switch 940 in rising with the water surface, and it is avoided the problem that the reed switch 940 cannot be turned on.

[0260]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 specifically includes a shell 510 and a collection assembly 570 installed inside the shell 510. The collection assembly 570 divides an interior of the shell 510 into a first chamber 531 and a second chamber 532 in an up and down direction. An outlet of the sewage discharge pipe 240 is connected with the first chamber 531, and the sewage carrying filtration impurities flows in the first chamber 531 and flows in the second chamber 532 after being filtered by the collection assembly 570. The filtration impurities are collected in the first chamber 531, that is, collected on the upper surface of the collection assembly 570.

[0261]The filtration impurities are separated from the sewage in the sewage receiving device 500 by the collection assembly 570. When user cleans the sewage receiving device 500, it is convenient for user to directly treat the collected filtration impurities. So it is avoided that the filtration impurities are mixed in the water and cannot be effectively treated.

[0262]In detail, the collection assembly 570 includes a frame horizontally arranged and a filter screen laid on the frame. The shell 510 can be installed on the housing 10 of the washing apparatus in an inserted/extracted manner. An upper side of the shell 510 has an opening, and the collection assembly 570 is detachably installed inside the shell 510. When it is necessary to clean the sewage receiving device 500, especially the collection assembly 570, user pulls the shell 510 out of the housing 10, and the collection assembly 570 can be disassembled and taken out from the interior of the shell 510 through the opening on the upper side of the shell 510 for cleaning. And it is not necessary to completely take out the sewage receiving device 500, so the operation is more convenient.

[0263]Preferably, the shell 510 of the sewage receiving device 500 can be provided with a water outlet (not shown in the figure) being communicated with the second chamber 532, so that the filtered water without filtration impurities in the second chamber 532 is discharged to the outside, for example, directly discharged from the washing apparatus through the drainage system of the washing apparatus. Accordingly there is no problem of carrying filtration impurities in the drained water, and resulting in the risk of microplastic discharge. In this way, user does not need to manually pour out the sewage in cleaning the sewage receiving device 500, which is more convenient. And it is also avoided that the sewage receiving device 500 is filled with sewage during the running of the washing apparatus, and the sewage overflows the sewage receiving device 500.

[0264]In the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 may be blocked due to the connection between the sewage discharge pipe 240 and the sewage receiving device 500 being blocked by filtration impurities, so sewage cannot flow in the sewage receiving device 500. It is possibility that the collection assembly 570 is blocked due to the excessively high content of filtration impurities in the sewage, and the sewage cannot be filtered by the collection assembly 570 to flow in the second chamber 532, so that the first chamber 531 is filled with sewage, and the sewage continually discharged from the filtering device 600 cannot flow in the sewage receiving device 500 to cause to be blocked.

[0269]The filtering mechanism 620 divides an interior of the filtering chamber 610 into an outer chamber and an inner chamber, the water inlet 6101 is in communication with the outer chamber, and the filtered water outlet 6102 is in communication with the inner chamber. The water to be filtered flows in the outer chamber through the water inlet 6101, passes through the filtering mechanism 620 to flow in the inner chamber for filtering, the filtration impurities carried in the water adhere to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620, and water filtered out the filtration impurities can flow out from the filtered water outlet 6102 through the water outlet connector 621.

[0270]In detail, the filtering mechanism 620 includes a filter screen frame and a filter screen covering the filter screen frame. One end of the filter screen frame is extended into the filtered water outlet 6102 to form the water outlet connector 621.

[0271]When the filtration impurities inside the filtering device 600 need to be removed, the filtering mechanism 620 is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism 660 to agitate the water flow in the filtering chamber 610. So the filtration impurities adhered to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 are peeled off under the dual action of centrifugal force and agitated water flow, and are mixed into water in the filtering chamber 610. The sewage mixed with filtration impurities is discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 on the filtering chamber 610 with the water flow, and the sewage is delivered to the sewage receiving device 500 through the sewage discharge pipe 240.

[0272]In a further solution of the embodiment, a sewage discharge control valve 241 is arranged in the sewage discharge pipe 240 to control the sewage discharge pipe 240 to be connected and disconnected. The upper end of the detection branch 249 is connected with the detection device 900, and the lower end is connected with the sewage discharge pipe 240 and located between the sewage discharge control valve 241 and the sewage receiving device 500.

[0273]When water is filtered in the filtering device 600, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is in a closed state to cutting off the sewage discharge pipe 240. Since the detection branch 249 is located in the downstream of the sewage discharge control valve 241, the sewage outlet 6103 is disconnected from the detection branch 249 when the sewage discharge control valve 241 is closed. At this time, water in the filtering device 600 is not discharged from the sewage outlet 6103, and water flowing in the filtering device 600 from the water inlet 6101 can be discharged from the filtered water outlet 6102 after being filtered by the filtering mechanism 620.

[0274]Only when the filtering device 600 needs to discharge sewage, the sewage discharge control valve 241 is opened to connect the sewage discharge pipe 240. At this time, the sewage in the filtering device 600 can be discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 into the sewage receiving device 500, and the detection branch 249 can also deliver water to the detection device 900 when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, thereby it is detected whether the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked.

[0275]In the embodiment, the filtering device 600 can intercept the filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, and the filtration impurities may include microplastics. In particular, the filtration impurities may include plastic fibers with a length greater than 50 μm and a diameter of 10-1000 μm. Preferably, the plastic fibers have a length of 400-600 μm, and most of plastic fibers has a length of 500 μm±50 μm. The diameter of these plastic fibers is preferably 10-50 μm, and the most of plastic fibers has a diameter of 17 μm±2 μm.

[0276]The filtration impurities need to be removed from the filtering device 600, and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 for collecting the filtration impurities in the sewage receiving device 500. In order that the microplastics or plastic fibers with the above size in the sewage can be fully collected in the collection assembly 570, the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted the collection assembly 570 must be at least not smaller than the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted by the filtering device 600. For example, the filtering device 600 can intercept the filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, so it is ensured that filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm cannot pass through the collection assembly 570 when filtering the sewage. Preferably the filtration impurities with a size slightly smaller than 50 μm cannot pass through, so that microplastics in the sewage are collected in the collection assembly 570 as much as possible.

[0277]In order to remove the above size of microplastics through filtration, mesh number of the filter screen inside the filtering device 600 is in a range of 20 mesh to 500 mesh. In order that the sewage receiving device 500 can fully collect the microplastics carried in the sewage, and there is no problem that the microplastics intercepted by the filtering device 600 can pass through the collection assembly 570 in the sewage receiving device 500, the pore size of the filter screen of the collection assembly 570 is at least not greater than the pore size of the filter screen in the filtering device 600. That is, the mesh number of the filter screen of the collection assembly 570 is not less than the mesh number of the filter screen in the filtering device 600 which is 20 mesh to 500 mesh.

[0278]Through a large number of experiments on different types of clothes and different washing programs in advance, it is found that both the collection assembly 570 and the filtering device 600 with the mesh number of the filter screen within the above range can filter out plastic fibers with the above size from the washing water and the drainage of the washing apparatus, and finally more than 80% of the total content of microplastic particles can be collected in the sewage receiving device 500. So the microplastic content in water finally drained out of the washing apparatus is greatly reduced, and meets the direct discharge standard.

[0279]The specific structure of the washing apparatus equipped with the above filtering module is further described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0280]A washing apparatus includes a circulation and filtration pipeline, a water inlet end and a water outlet end of which are respectively in communication with the water holding tub 100. Both the filtering device 600 and a pump 400 are arranged in the circulation and filtration pipeline. During the process of washing laundry in the washing apparatus, the pump 400 is turned on to drive water in the water holding tub 100 to flow into the filtering device 600 along the circulation and filtration pipeline, and flow back to the water holding tub 100 after being filtered.

[0281]In detail, a bottom of the water holding tub 100 is connected with a water holding tub drain pipe 260. The water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with the water inlet end of the pump 400, and the water outlet end of the pump 400 is connected with an upper drain pipe 210 being upwardly extended. An upper end of the upper drain pipe 210 is connected with a middle pipe 220, and the middle pipe 220 is then connected with the water inlet 6101 of the filtering device 600. The filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600 is connected with the water holding tub 100 through a return pipe 230. A water outlet end of the return pipe 230 is specifically connected with a window gasket 110 at an opening of the water holding tub 100, and water flows back to the water holding tub 100 through the window gasket 110.

[0282]Preferably, a return water control valve 231 is arranged in the return pipe 230 to control the return pipe 230 to be connected and disconnected. When the washing apparatus performs the circulation and filtration process for water, the return water control valve 231 is opened to allow water to flow back to the water holding tub 100. When the sewage in the filtering device 600 needs to be discharged, the return water control valve 231 is closed to cut off the return pipe 230, so that water is the filtering device 600 cannot be discharged from the filtered water outlet 6102, and sewage in the filtering device 600 can be fully discharged from the sewage outlet 6103.

[0283]In a further solution of the embodiment, a switching device 270 is arranged between the upper drain pipe 210 and the middle pipe 220, and a water inlet of the switching device 270 is connected with the upper end of the upper drain pipe 210. The switching device 270 has a first outlet and a second outlet, the first outlet is connected with the middle pipe 220, and the second outlet is connected with an external drain pipe 250 for discharging water to the outside of the washing apparatus. A switching mechanism is arranged inside the switching device 270 for controlling one of the first outlet and the second outlet to be communicated with the water inlet.

[0284]When water in the washing apparatus is circulated and filtered, the first outlet of the switching device 270 is in communication with the water inlet, so that the upper drain pipe 210 is in communication with the middle pipe 220, and the circulation and filtration pipeline of the washing apparatus is communicated. When water need to be discharged from the washing apparatus after a washing process is completed, the second outlet of the switching device 270 is in communication with the water inlet, and the upper drain pipe 210 is connected with the external drain pipe 250. The pump 400 is turned on to drive the water in the water holding tub 100 to be discharged from the washing apparatus along the upper drain pipe 210 and the external drain pipe 250.

[0285]Through the arrangement of the switching device 270, one pump 400 in the washing apparatus is utilized to perform the circulation and filtration process during the washing process and drive water to be discharged from the washing apparatus to the outside. At the same time, part of pipelines is shared by the circulation and filtration process and the drainage process, thereby simplifying the waterways inside the washing apparatus. The circulation and filtration process and the drainage process can be switched by controlling the communication direction of the switching device 270, so the control logic is simple.

[0286]The embodiment also provides a control method for the above washing apparatus, by which an alarm is automatically sent when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked.

[0287]Specifically, if it is determined that the sewage receiving device 500 in the washing apparatus is blocked through the detection device 900, an alarm signal is sent. The detection device 900 can detect whether the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked. When it is detected that the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, the washing apparatus is capable of reminding user by sending an alarm signal. So user can get the working status of the sewage receiving device 500 in time, and manually clean the sewage receiving device 500 as soon as possible to eliminate the blockage failure.

[0288]In the embodiment, the sensor 930 (i.e. the reed switch 940) of the detection device 900 is capable of send a feedback signal to the control system of the washing apparatus to reminder that the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked. In a further solution of the embodiment, the washing apparatus sends an alarm signal after continuously receiving the feedback signal for more than a preset time.

[0289]In detail, when sewage flows in the shell 910 of the detection device 900 along the detection branch 249 to rise to a water level height in the water receiving chamber 911, the floating element 920 rises with the water surface. So the reed switch 940 is turned on to generate a feedback signal and send it to the control system of the washing apparatus.

[0290]As shown in FIG. 14, it starts timing when the control system of the washing apparatus receives the feedback signal, and a duration T of receiving the feedback signal this time is calculated and compared with a preset duration TO. If the duration T is greater than the preset duration TO, the washing apparatus is controlled to send an alarm signal. If T≤T0, the duration T continues timing until T>T0, or the feedback signal is no longer received because the reed switch 940 is disconnected.

[0291]In the embodiment, sewage generally does not flow in the detection device 900 when the sewage receiving device 500 is not blocked. However, in view of the length of the detection branch 249, if the amount of water in the sewage discharge pipe 240 is too large, some sewage may flow into the detection device 900 along the detection branch 249. In this case, the floating element 920 may float up with the water surface, thereby the first electrode 941 of the reed switch 940 is connected with the second electrode 942 to generate a feedback signal.

[0292]In the above solutions, the washing apparatus sends an alarm when continuously receiving the feedback signal for more than the preset time TO. The washing apparatus is prevented from falsely alarming the blockage failure of the sewage receiving device 500 when the reed switch 940 is turned on in a short time due to excessive sewage.

[0293]In the embodiment, the sewage discharge pipe 240 between the filtering device 600 and the sewage receiving device 500 is connected with the detection branch 249 in which the detection device 900 is arranged, to detect whether the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, so that the washing apparatus can be kept normally running. The washing apparatus can alarm and prompt user when the sewage receiving device 500 is blocked, so that the sewage receiving device 500 can be cleaned in time to avoid affecting subsequent use. The washing apparatus sends an alarm signal when continuously receiving the feedback signal sent by the detection device 900, so it is reduced in the probability of false alarms, and the alarm for the blockage failure of the sewage receiving device 500 is more accurate.

Embodiment 7

[0294]The difference between the embodiment and the above embodiment 6 is that: a reed switch is arranged at a bottom of a shell of a detection device. When there is no water in the water receiving chamber, the magnetic floating element is located at the bottom of the water receiving chamber, and the reed switch is in a conductive state under the magnetic action of the floating element. When sewage flows in the water receiving chamber, the floating element rises up with the water surface and is spaced from the reed switch by a certain distance, so that the reed switch is no longer affected by the magnetic action of the floating element, and the first electrode is disconnected from the second electrode. At this time, a feedback signal can be generated and sent to the control system of the washing apparatus.

[0295]In the embodiment, the other structures are the same as those in Embodiment 6 except that the setting position of the reed switch is changed, and it can also be detected that the sewage receiving device is blocked.

Embodiment 8

[0296]The difference between the embodiment and Embodiment 6 is that: the sensor is a magnetic field strength sensor for detecting changes in the strength of surrounding magnetic field.

[0297]When there is no water in the water receiving chamber, the magnetic floating element is stationary at the bottom of the water receiving chamber, and spaced from the magnetic field strength sensor by a larger distance, so the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field strength sensor is small. When the sewage receiving device is blocked and sewage flows in the water receiving chamber, the floating element rises with the water surface and gradually approaches the magnetic field strength sensor, so the magnetic field strength detected by the sensor is gradually increased.

[0298]In the embodiment, when the detected magnetic field strength reaches a set threshold, a feedback signal is generated and sent to the control system of the washing apparatus. When the control system of the washing apparatus is kept continuously receiving the feedback signal for more than a preset time, that is, when the detected magnetic field strength not being lower than the set threshold is continuously kept for a time exceeding a preset time, it is determined that the sewage receiving device is blocked, and the washing apparatus sends an alarm signal.

[0299]In a further solution of the embodiment, the magnetic field strength sensor can also be used together with the reed switch in embodiment 6. That is, it is determined whether the floating element rises up with the water surface through the on and off of the reed switch, and the position of the floating element is also determined by a change in magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field strength sensor. So it is more accurately detected that the sewage receiving device is blocked through the above two ways.

[0300]In the embodiment, the filtering module and other structures of the washing apparatus are the same as those in Embodiment 6, and are not repeated herein.

Embodiment 9

[0301]The difference between the embodiment and Embodiment 6 is that: the sensor is a contact switch, which is arranged in an upper area of an inner wall of the guiding part, or arranged on an inner wall of the shell corresponding to a top of the guiding part.

[0302]In the embodiment, the floating element does not need to be magnetic, and can float on the water surface, so that the floating element can move up and down with a height change of the water surface. When there is no water in the water receiving chamber, the floating element is stationary at the bottom of the water receiving chamber and is spaced from the contact switch. When the sewage receiving device is blocked and sewage flows in the water receiving chamber, the floating element gradually rises with the water surface. When the water surface in the water receiving chamber reaches a certain height, the floating element rises to a position and is in contact with the contact switch, and the contact switch is triggered to generate a feedback signal.

[0303]Further, when the floating element is kept continuously being in contact with the contact switch for more than a preset time, that is, the control system of the washing apparatus is kept continuously receiving the feedback signal for more than a preset time, it is determined that the sewage receiving device is blocked, and the washing apparatus sends an alarm signal.

[0304]Similar to Embodiment 3, the embodiment can also be in combination with the solutions of Embodiments 6 and 3. That is, the detection device is simultaneously provided with a contact switch, and a reed switch and/or a magnetic field strength sensor. The control system of the washing apparatus can simultaneously receive feedback signals from the contact switch, and the reed switch and/or the magnetic field strength sensor, and comprehensively analyze and determine whether the sewage receiving device is blocked, thereby further improving the accuracy of the detection.

Embodiment 10

[0305]The difference between the embodiment and Embodiment 6 is that: the detection assembly is a water level sensor, which can generate a feedback signal when a water level in the water receiving chamber reaches a preset height.

[0306]As a specific solution of the embodiment, the water level sensor is two water level probes arranged at a certain height on an inner wall of the water receiving chamber. When the water level in the water receiving chamber reaches a preset height, the two water level probes are in contact with water to conduct the detection circuit, thereby generating a feedback signal.

[0307]As another specific solution of the embodiment, the water level sensor is a pressure sensor arranged on a bottom wall or a bottom area of a side wall of the water receiving chamber. The water level in the water receiving chamber is determined according to a water pressure detected by the pressure sensor. When the water level reaches a preset height, a feedback signal is generated and sent to the control system of the washing apparatus.

[0308]In a further solution of the embodiment, the detection assembly may also include a floating element and a sensor. The water level sensor is used to directly detect the water level in the water receiving chamber, and the sensor is used to detect a rising height of the floating element with the water surface. The control system of the washing apparatus simultaneously receives the feedback signal generated by the water level sensor and the feedback signal generated by the sensor cooperating with the floating element. Only when the duration for receiving both feedback signals exceeds a preset duration, it is determined that the sewage receiving device is blocked, and then the washing apparatus is controlled to send an alarm signal.

[0309]In the above solutions, the combination of the floating element and the sensor can adopt any one of solutions of Embodiments 6 to 9.

[0310]In the embodiment, through utilizing the water level sensor and the combination of the floating element and the sensor, it is further improved in the detection accuracy of whether the sewage receiving device is blocked. In particular, when the floating element is stuck in the guiding part and cannot descend with the water surface, it is avoided that the sensor continuously generates the feedback signal to make the washing apparatus misjudge on the blockage of the sewage receiving device.

Embodiment 11

[0311]As shown in FIGS. 15 to 20, the embodiment provides a filtering module and a washing apparatus having the filtering module. The filtering module is used to realize the function of filtering water when applied to the washing apparatus. The washing apparatus may be a washing machine, a washing and drying machine, a garment care machine, or other washing apparatus having a laundry washing function.

[0312]Specifically, the washing apparatus includes a water holding tub 100, and the filtering module is connected with the water holding tub 100 for filtering water in the water holding tub 100.

[0313]In the embodiment, the filtering module specifically includes a filtering device 600 and a sewage receiving device 500. The filtering device 600 has a self-cleaning function, and is provided with a sewage outlet 6103. Sewage can be discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 after the filtering device is self-cleaned, and filtration impurities carried in sewage are accumulated during the filtering process. The sewage receiving device 500 is arranged downstream of the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600, and can receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600.

[0314]In the above solutions, the filtering device 600 of the filtering module is used to filter water from the water holding tub 100 of the washing apparatus. The filtering device 600 has a certain self-cleaning ability. The filtration impurities accumulated during the filtering process can be discharged into a collection assembly 570 of the sewage receiving device 500, and the filtering efficiency is not reduced due to the filtration impurities large accumulated. The sewage receiving device 500 is configured to receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600, instead of directly discharging the sewage into water drained out of the washing apparatus. Accordingly there is no the problem that the microplastics in the filtration impurities directly enter the ecological cycle with water drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0315]Specifically, in the embodiment, the collection assembly 570 is arranged inside the sewage receiving device 500, and the collection assembly 570 has a collection chamber 571 for collecting filtration impurities in the sewage, and the collection chamber 571 is connected with the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600. The sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 directly flows in the collection chamber 571, and is filtered by the collection assembly 570, so that the lint and other filtration impurities in the sewage are collected in the collection chamber 571.

[0316]The collection assembly 570 of the embodiment is detachably installed inside the sewage receiving device 500. When the amount of the filtration impurities accumulated in the collection chamber 571 reaches a value, user can detach the collection assembly 570 from the sewage receiving device 500 for cleaning, and then reinstall the cleaned collection assembly 570 into the sewage receiving device 500 for use.

[0317]However, the collection assembly 570 is detachably installed inside the sewage receiving device 500, it is very likely that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, or even user forgets to install the collection assembly 570. At this time, if the washing apparatus is running and performing the filtration function by the filtering module, the filtration impurities cannot be collected in the collection chamber.

[0318]In order that the collection assembly 570 can effectively collect the filtration impurities, the filtering module of the embodiment is also provided with a position detection device for detecting whether the collection assembly 570 is installed in place in the sewage receiving device 500. The position detection device is used to feed the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 back to the washing apparatus, and user is promptly reminded when the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, so that it is avoided the washing apparatus runs when the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place. In this way, when the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, it is avoided that the sewage in the filtering device 600 is discharged, further to cause the filtration impurities in the sewage not to be effectively collected.

[0319]In a further solution of the embodiment, the sewage receiving device 500 includes a shell 510, and the collection assembly 570 is installed inside the shell 510. The position detection device includes a detection element arranged on the shell 510 and a detected element arranged on the collection assembly 570. When the detected element is located within the effective detection range of the detection element, the detection element can be triggered. Thereby it is detected whether the collection assembly 570 is installed in place.

[0320]It can be understood that the positions of the detection element and the detected element can be interchanged. The detection element is arranged on the collection assembly, and the detected element is arranged on the shell. It can be also detected whether the collection assembly is installed in place.

[0321]Further, in the embodiment, the detection element is a reed switch 820 arranged on the shell 510, and the detected element is a magnetic element 810 arranged on the collection assembly 570. The position detection device also includes a detection circuit, and the reed switch 820 is arranged in the detection circuit. When the collection assembly 570 is installed in place in the sewage receiving device 500, the magnetic element 810 is located within the effective detection range of the reed switch 820, and then the reed switch 820 can conduct the detection circuit under the action of the magnetic element 810.

[0322]In detail, the reed switch 820 includes a first electrode 821 and a second electrode 822 inside, and is connected in series with the detection circuit through a signal output wire 823. The first electrode 821 is not in contact with the second electrode 822 in the normal condition, so that the detection circuit is in an open state. When the collection assembly 570 is installed in place, the magnetic element 810 is close to the reed switch 820, and the reed switch 820 is subjected to the magnetic action of the magnetic element 810, so that the first electrode 821 is in contact with the second electrode 822 to conduct the detection circuit. The washing apparatus can determine whether the collection assembly 570 is installed in place according to the on-off state of the detection circuit.

[0323]A top view of the sewage receiving device 500 in the embodiment is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the sewage receiving device 500 in FIG. 17 along the dotted line.

[0324]As shown in FIG. 18, in the preferred solution of the embodiment, the reed switch 820 is arranged on the outside of the shell 510 and closely adhered to the outer wall of the shell 510. So the signal output wire 823 on the reed switch 820 is easily led out, and it is also reduced in the risk of damage on the reed switch 820 due to being in contact with the sewage discharged into the sewage receiving device 500.

[0325]The collection assembly 570 includes a collection chamber wall 572 forming a collection chamber 571, and the magnetic element 810 is embedded inside the collection chamber wall 572. Because the magnetic element 810 cooperating with the reed switch 820 is embedded in the collection chamber wall 572, the magnetic element 810 cannot fall off when the collection assembly 570 is repeatedly disassembled, and further the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 is effectively detected.

[0326]Further, the filtering module of the embodiment also includes a sewage discharge pipe 240. One end (i.e., water inlet end) of the sewage discharge pipe 240 is connected with the sewage outlet 6103 of the filtering device 600, and the other end (i.e., water outlet end) passes through a side wall of the shell 510 to be communicated with the collection chamber 571 of the collection assembly 570.

[0327]The reed switch 820 as the detection element is arranged on the side wall of the shell 510 through which the sewage discharge pipe 240 passes, that is, the left side wall of the shell 510 in FIG. 18. The magnetic element 810 as the detected element is located in a side of the collection assembly 570 that is communicated with the sewage discharge pipe 240, that is, the magnetic element 810 is embedded in the left side wall of the collection chamber wall 572 in FIG. 18.

[0328]In the above solutions, the collection assembly 570 is connected with the sewage discharge pipe 240 to receive sewage and collect the filtration impurities, and the reed switch 820 and the magnetic element 810 are respectively arranged a position near the water outlet end of the sewage discharge pipe 240, so that it is more accurately detected whether the current installation position of the collection assembly 570 can be in effective connection with the water outlet end of the sewage discharge pipe 240. In this way, when it is detected that the collection assembly 570 is installed in place in the sewage receiving device 500, the water outlet end of the sewage discharge pipe 240 is ensured to be effectively connected with the collection assembly 570. Thereby the filtration impurities are effectively collected in the sewage, and microplastics in the filtration impurities are intercepted and are prevented from being discharged with water drained out of the washing apparatus.

[0329]In detail, as shown in FIG. 18, when the collection assembly 570 is installed in place in the shell 510, the magnetic element 810 is close to the reed switch 820 on the outside of the shell 510, so that the first electrode 821 and the second electrode 822 of the reed switch 820 are in contact with each other under the magnetic force of the magnetic element 810 to conduct the detection circuit.

[0330]As shown in FIG. 19, when the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place in the shell 510, the magnetic force acted on the reed switch 820 is extremely weak due to the certain distance between the magnetic element 810 and the reed switch 820, so that the first electrode 821 is separated from the second electrode 822 to make the detection circuit be in an open state. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 20, when the collection assembly 570 is not installed in the shell 510, the reed switch 820 is not affected by the magnetic field at all, so the first electrode 821 is separated from the second electrode 822 to make the detection circuit be in an open state.

[0331]In the detailed solution of the embodiment, multiple holes are formed on the collection chamber wall 572, and the collection assembly 570 also includes a filter screen. The filter screen covers the holes and is used to filter the sewage, so that the filtration impurities are collected in the collection chamber 571. The sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 flows in the collection chamber 571 along the sewage discharge pipe 240, the filtration impurities are intercepted by the filter screen and collected inside the collection chamber 571, and the sewage filtered out the filtration impurities flows in the shell 510 through the filter screen covering on the holes.

[0332]In the embodiment, the shell 510 is slidably arranged in the housing 10 of the washing apparatus. User can pulls out the shell 510, and then can disassemble the collection assembly 570 to remove the filtration impurities collected therein. By filtering the sewage through the collection assembly 570, the filtration impurities can be separated from the water, and it is avoided to be difficultly handled for user due to the filtration impurities being mixed in water.

[0333]In the preferred solution of the embodiment, a water outlet (not shown in the figure) can be arranged on the shell 510 for discharging the filtered water. The water outlet can be connected with the water holding tub 100 of the washing apparatus to allow the filtered water without the filtration impurities to flow in the water holding tub 100 for reuse. Alternatively, the water outlet can be communicated with the outside of the washing apparatus, and the filtered water without the filtration impurities can also be discharged to the outside of the washing apparatus.

[0334]By the arrangement of the water outlet on the shell 510 through which water is automatically drained, the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 is not remained in the shell 510. Thereby it is reduced in the internal volume of the shell 510, and it is avoided that the sewage overflows the sewage receiving device 500 during the running of the washing apparatus. When user pulls out the shell 510 for cleaning, it is only necessary to disassemble the collection assembly 570 to remove the filtration impurities inside, and it is unnecessary to take out the shell 510 from the housing 10 to manually pour out the accumulated sewage. So it is more convenient.

[0339]The filtering mechanism 620 is configured to divide an interior of the filtering chamber 610 into an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The water inlet 6101 is in communication with the outer chamber, and the filtered water outlet 6102 is in communication with the inner chamber. Water to be filtered flows in the outer chamber through the water inlet 6101, passes through the filtering mechanism 620 and flows in the inner chamber for filtering. The filtration impurities carried in water are adhered to an outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620, and water filtered out the filtration impurities can flow out of the filtered water outlet 6102 through the water outlet connector 621.

[0340]In detail, the filtering mechanism 620 includes a filter screen frame and a filter screen covering the surface of the filter screen frame. One end of the filter screen frame is inserted into the filtered water outlet 6102 to form the water outlet connector 621.

[0341]When the filtration impurities inside the filtering device 600 need to be removed, the filtering mechanism 620 is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism 660 to agitate the water flow in the filtering chamber 610. So the filtration impurities adhered to the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 are peeled off under the dual action of centrifugal force and agitated water flow, and are mixed into water in the filtering chamber 610. The sewage mixed with filtration impurities is discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 on the filtering chamber 610 with the water flow, and the sewage is delivered to the sewage receiving device 500 through the sewage discharge pipe 240.

[0342]Further preferably, cleaning particles 680 are also arranged between the inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 and the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 for rubbing against and colliding with the inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 and the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 with the water flow to clean. During the filtering process, the cleaning particles 680 continuously rub against the inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 and the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620 with the water flow, so that the adhered filtration impurities fall off. Thereby the filtration impurities are prevented from depositing to too quickly cover the filtering mechanism 620, and further the filtering efficiency is affected. On the other hand, it is also avoided that the thickness of the adhered filtration impurities is too large after the filtering is completed, and the filtration impurities are too firmly adhered to the inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 or the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620. So it is difficult to remove the filtration impurities when cleaning the filtering device 600 in the later stage.

[0343]When the filtering mechanism 620 is driven to rotate in the filtering chamber 610 by the driving mechanism 660 for self-cleaning, the cleaning particles 680 is driven to move in the filtering chamber 610 under the action of the agitated water flow and rub against the inner wall of the filtering chamber 610 and the outer wall of the filtering mechanism 620. Thereby it is improved in the efficiency for peeling off the filtration impurities and the self-cleaning effect of the filtering device 600.

[0344]A baffle 690 is also arranged in the filtering chamber 610, and a water passing hole 691 is formed on the baffle 690. The cleaning particles 680 are arranged in one side of the baffle 690 (i.e., the left side in FIG. 16), and the filtered water outlet 6102 and the sewage outlet 6103 on the filtering chamber 610 are both located in the other side of the baffle 690 (i.e., the right side in FIG. 16).

[0345]The cleaning particles 680 can be blocked from accumulating towards the filtered water outlet 6102 by the baffle 690 during the filtering process. When the filtering device 600 is self-cleaned and discharges sewage, the sewage carrying the filtration impurities can pass through the water passing hole 691 of the baffle 690 to be discharged from the sewage outlet 6103, while the cleaning particles 680 are blocked by the baffle 690 and not discharged from the sewage outlet 6103 with the water flow. So the loss of the cleaning particles 680 is avoided, and the cleaning particles 680 can also be prevented from accumulating in the sewage outlet 6103 to block the sewage outlet 6103, thereby not affecting the efficiency of discharging sewage.

[0346]In a further solution of the embodiment, a sewage control valve 241 is arranged in the sewage discharge pipe 240 to control the sewage discharge pipe 240 to be connected and disconnected. When water is filtered by the filtering device 600, the sewage control valve 241 is in the closed state to cut off the sewage discharge pipe 240, accordingly water flowing in the filtering device 600 can flow out from the filtered water outlet 6102 after being filtered. When the sewage in the filtering device 600 needs to be discharged, the sewage control valve 241 is opened to connect the sewage discharge pipe 240, and the sewage in the filtering device 600 can be discharged into the sewage receiving device 500.

[0347]Preferably, the filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600 is connected with the return pipe 230 for delivering the water filtered by the filtering device 600. A return water control valve 231 is arranged in the return pipe 230 to control the return pipe 230 to be connected and disconnected. When the filtering device 600 performs filtering, the return water control valve 231 is in the open state. When the filtering device 600 is controlled to discharge sewage, the return water control valve 231 is closed, so that the filtering device 600 cannot discharge water from the filtered water outlet 6102, and the sewage in the filtering device 600 is fully discharged from the sewage outlet 6103.

[0348]In the embodiment, the filtering device 600 can filter out filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, and the filtration impurities may include microplastics. In particular, the filtration impurities may include plastic fibers with a length greater than 50 μm and a diameter of 10-1000 μm. Preferably, the plastic fibers have a length of 400-600 μm, and most of plastic fibers has a length of 500 μm±50 μm. The diameter of these plastic fibers is preferably 10-50 μm, and the most of plastic fibers has a diameter of 17 μm±2 μm.

[0349]The filtration impurities need to be removed from the filtering device 600, and the sewage carrying the filtration impurities is discharged into the sewage receiving device 500 for collecting the filtration impurities in the collection assembly 570 in the sewage receiving device 500. In order that the microplastics or plastic fibers with the above size in the sewage can be fully collected in the collection assembly 570, the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted the collection assembly 570 must be at least not smaller than the size of the filtration impurities being intercepted by the filtering device 600. For example, the filtering device 600 can intercept the filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm, so it is ensured that filtration impurities with a size greater than 50 μm cannot pass through the collection assembly 570 when filtering the sewage. Preferably the filtration impurities with a size slightly smaller than 50 μm cannot pass through, so that microplastics in the sewage are collected in the collection chamber 571 of the collection assembly 570 as much as possible.

[0350]In order to remove the above size of microplastics through filtration, mesh number of the filter screen of the filtering mechanism 620 in the filtering device 600 is in a range of 20 mesh to 500 mesh. In order that the collection assembly 570 inside the sewage receiving device 500 can collect the microplastics carried in the sewage as fully as possible, and there is no problem that the microplastics intercepted by the filtering device 600 can pass through the filter screen of the collection assembly 570 in the sewage receiving device 500, the pore size of the filter screen of the collection assembly 570 is at least not greater than the pore size of the filter screen in the filtering device 600. That is, the mesh number of the filter screen of the collection assembly 570 is not less than the mesh number of the filter screen in the filtering device 600 which is 20 mesh to 500 mesh.

[0351]In the embodiment, through a large number of experiments on different types of clothes and different washing programs in advance, it is found that both the collection assembly 570 and the filtering device 600 with the mesh number of the filter screen within the above range can filter out plastic fibers with the above size from the washing water, and finally more than 80% of the total content of microplastic particles can be collected in the collection assembly 570. So the microplastic content in water finally drained out of the washing apparatus is greatly reduced, and meets the direct discharge standard.

[0352]The specific structure of the washing apparatus equipped with the above filtering module is further described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0353]A washing apparatus includes a circulation and filtration pipeline, a water inlet end and a water outlet end of which are respectively in communication with the water holding tub 100. Both the filtering device 600 and a pump 400 are arranged in the circulation and filtration pipeline. During the process of washing laundry in the washing apparatus, the pump 400 is turned on to drive water in the water holding tub 100 to flow into the filtering device 600 along the circulation and filtration pipeline, and flow back to the water holding tub 100 after being filtered.

[0354]In detail, a bottom of the water holding tub 100 is connected with a water holding tub drain pipe 260. The water holding tub drain pipe 260 is connected with the water inlet end of the pump 400, and the water outlet end of the pump 400 is connected with an upper drain pipe 210 being extended in the rear side of the water holding tub 100. An upper end of the upper drain pipe 210 is connected with a middle pipe 220, and the middle pipe 220 is then connected with the water inlet 6101 of the filtering device 600. The filtered water outlet 6102 of the filtering device 600 is connected with the water holding tub 100 through a return pipe 230. A water outlet end of the return pipe 230 is specifically connected with a window gasket 110 at an opening of the water holding tub 100, and water flows back to the water holding tub 100 through the window gasket 110.

[0355]In a further solution of the embodiment, a switching device 270 is arranged between the upper drain pipe 210 and the middle pipe 220, and a water inlet of the switching device 270 is connected with the upper end of the upper drain pipe 210. The switching device 270 has a first outlet and a second outlet, the first outlet is connected with the middle pipe 220, and the second outlet is connected with an external drain pipe 250 for discharging water to the outside of the washing apparatus. A switching mechanism is arranged inside the switching device 270 for controlling one of the first outlet and the second outlet to be communicated with the water inlet.

[0356]When water in the washing apparatus is circulated and filtered, the first outlet of the switching device 270 is in communication with the water inlet, so that the upper drain pipe 210 is in communication with the middle pipe 220, and the circulation and filtration pipeline of the washing apparatus is communicated. When water need to be discharged from the washing apparatus after a washing process is completed, the second outlet of the switching device 270 is in communication with the water inlet, and the upper drain pipe 210 is connected with the external drain pipe 250. The pump 400 is turned on to drive the water in the water holding tub 100 to be discharged from the washing apparatus along the upper drain pipe 210 and the external drain pipe 250.

[0357]Through the arrangement of the switching device 270, one pump 400 in the washing apparatus is utilized to perform the circulation and filtration process during the washing process and drive water to be discharged from the washing apparatus to the outside. At the same time, part of pipelines is shared by the circulation and filtration process and the drainage process, thereby simplifying the waterways inside the washing apparatus. The circulation and filtration process and the drainage process can be switched by controlling the communication direction of the switching device 270, so the control logic is simple.

[0358]In the embodiment, the washing apparatus is provided with the filtering module for circulating and filtering the washing water in the running process, to prevent lint and the like from adhering to the washed clothes and improve the washing effect of clothes. The filtering device 600 of the filtering module used to filter the washing water has a self-cleaning function, and can autonomously discharge the filtration impurities such as lint accumulated during the filtering process. The filtering module also includes the sewage receiving device 500 in which the collection assembly 570 is used to receive the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 to collect the filtration impurities in the sewage. The sewage is prevented from directly discharging to the outside, and accordingly the microplastics in the filtration impurities are prevented from entering the ecological cycle.

[0359]The collection assembly 570 is detachably arranged inside the sewage receiving device 500, so user can take it out for manual cleaning. The filtering module is also provided with the position detection device for feeding back the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 to the washing apparatus. When user does not install the collection assembly 570 in place, or forgets to install the collection assembly 570, user can be reminded in time, so the washing apparatus is avoided from directly running the washing program, and the filtration impurities is prevented from not being effectively collected by the collection assembly 570.

Embodiment 12

[0363]Further, if it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, the washing machine is locked and sends an alarm signal.

[0364]It should be noted that the “collection assembly 570 is not installed in place” described in the embodiment includes at least the following two situations. That is, the collection assembly 570 is installed inside the shell 510 but is not installed in place (as shown in FIG. 19), and the collection assembly 570 is not installed inside the shell 510 (as shown in FIG. 20).

[0365]In the embodiment, after receiving the start command of the washing program, the washing apparatus does not start running directly, but it is firstly determined the installation situation of the collection assembly 570. Only when the collection assembly 570 is installed in place, the washing program is started, and the sewage discharged from the filtering device 600 can flow into the collection assembly 570 of the sewage receiving device 500 during the washing process for collecting the filtration impurities in the sewage by the collection assembly 570.

[0366]If it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, or even if the collection assembly 570 is not installed, the washing apparatus can be automatically locked and the washing program is not run, so it is avoided that the filtration impurities are not able to be effectively collected. If it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place, the washing apparatus can also send an alarm signal to promptly remind user to manually check the installation situation of the collection assembly 570, so that the washing apparatus can start running as soon as possible.

[0367]The alarm signal described in the embodiment may be in various forms such as a flashing alarm light, a buzzer sound, or a voice reminder, which are not specifically limited herein.

[0368]In the specific solution of the embodiment, the filtering module feeds back the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 to the washing apparatus through the cooperation of the magnetic element 810 and the reed switch 820. The reed switch 820 is connected to the detection circuit, and it is determined whether the collection assembly 570 is installed in place by the washing apparatus according to the on-off state of the detection circuit.

[0369]Specifically, after receiving the start command of the washing program, the washing apparatus obtains the on-off state of the detection circuit. If the detection circuit is in a conductive state, it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is installed in place; if the detection circuit is in an open state, it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place.

[0370]Further, a program start button is arranged on the washing apparatus of the embodiment, and the washing apparatus receiving the start command of the washing program specifically refers to: the washing apparatus receiving a signal that the program start button is triggered.

[0376]In a further solution of the embodiment, after it is determined that the collection assembly 570 is not installed in place by the washing apparatus, if it is detected that the shell 510 is pulled out and pushed into the housing 10 again, the on-off state of the detection circuit is obtained again to determine the installation situation of the collection assembly 570.

[0380]In the above solutions, when the washing apparatus is detected that the shell 510 is pulled out and pushed into the housing 10 again, it is determined that the installation of the collection assembly 570 is readjusted by user. At this time, the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 can be detected again. If the collection assembly is installed in place, the washing program can be automatically started without manually starting the washing program again by user, which is convenient for operation.

[0381]Furthermore, if the washing apparatus continuously obtains that the detection circuit is in an open state N times, the washing apparatus remains continuously locked, the operation of the washing program is canceled, and the washing apparatus sends an alarm message prompting user to perform an overall detection of the sewage receiving device 500.

[0382]In the above solutions, if the washing apparatus is detected that the detection circuit is still in an open state after user adjusts the installation position of the collection assembly 570 multiple times, it is possible that the reed switch 820, the collection assembly 570 and other structures themselves are damaged, so it is impossible to be detected that the collection assembly 570 is installed in place. Since it is impossible to accurately determine whether the collection assembly 570 can collect the filtration impurities, the washing apparatus does not run the washing program and prompts user to carry out maintenance.

[0383]In the embodiment, before the washing apparatus starts running the washing program, the installation situation of the collection assembly 570 is firstly detected by the position detection device. Only when the collection assembly 570 is installed in place, the washing program is started. Otherwise, the washing apparatus is locked and the washing program is not run. So the collection assembly 570 can effectively collect filtration impurities during the running of the washing apparatus, and microplastics are prevented from being discharged from the washing apparatus with the filtration impurities.

[0384]The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the present application. Although the present application has disclosed preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application. Without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present application, anyone in the field of this patent application can be hinted to make some changes or modifications as equivalent embodiments by the above technical content. Any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the substantive content of the present application still belong to the scope of the solution of the present application.