Samsung patents washing machine filter that automatically bypasses when clogged
This filing describes a washing machine with a filter that has a built-in bypass route. A sensor checks the filter's condition, and if it is blocked, a motorized door opens a bypass path so water can still flow without forcing the machine to stop.
In the filing’s own words
A washing machine includes: a housing; a tub inside the housing; a case connected with the tub; a filter attachable to or detachable from the case; a filtering flow path formed to pass through a portion of the filter; a bypass flow path formed to bypass the portion of the filter; and at least one sensor configured to obtain information about a state of the filter. The washing machine includes; a flow path switching device configured to guide water entered into the case to the filtering flow path or the bypass flow path; and a controller configured to control the flow path switching device to guide the water based on the obtained information about the state of the filter.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A washing machine comprising: a housing; a tub inside the housing; a case connected with the tub; a filter attachable to or detachable from the case; a filtering flow path formed to pass through a portion of the filter; a bypass flow path formed to bypass the portion of the filter; at least one sensor configured to obtain information about a state of the filter; a flow path switching device configured to guide water entered into the case to the filtering flow path or the bypass flow path, the flow path switching device comprising: a bypass body installed at an outer circumference of the case and configured to form the bypass flow path; a bypass door rotatably installed inside the bypass body and configured to open or close the bypass flow path; and a bypass driver installed on the bypass body and configured to operate the bypass door; and a controller configured to control the flow path switching device to guide the water based on the obtained information about the state of the filter.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
- Official title
- Washing machine and controlling method of washing machine
- Patent number
- US12729471B2
- Application number
- 18207927
- Filed
- Jun 9, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
D06F 33/42 Textiles & paperD06F 33/47 Textiles & paperD06F 2103/42 Textiles & paperD06F 2105/08 Textiles & paperD06F 2105/58 Textiles & paperD06F 2105/62 Textiles & paperMore from Samsung in Other
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.