Filter apparatus and clothes treating apparatus having the same
A filter apparatus positionable outside a washing machine and connectable to a drain device of the washing machine, the filter apparatus including a filter case including a case inlet a case outlet; a filter detachably installable inside the filter case, the filter through which water flowing from the case inlet to the case outlet passes; a sensor to detect water entered into the filter apparatus from the drain device and to produce a corresponding signal; and a filter cleaning device to clean the filter in accordance with the signal produced by the sensor.
1 . A filter apparatus positionable outside a washing machine, the filter apparatus being connectable to a drain device of the washing machine, the filter apparatus comprising:
a filter case including a case inlet and a case outlet;
a filter detachably installable inside the filter case, the filter through which water flowing from the case inlet to the case outlet passes;
a sensor configured to detect the water introduced into the filter apparatus from the drain device and to produce a corresponding signal; and
a filter cleaning device configured to clean the filter in accordance with the corresponding signal produced by the sensor, and
wherein the sensor includes:
a first electrode portion positioned in the case inlet, wherein the first electrode portion includes a first sensor cable, and
a second electrode portion spaced from the first electrode portion, wherein the second electrode portion includes a second sensor cable and
wherein the sensor, through the first sensor cable and the second sensor cable, is configured to detect conduction between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion based on a current produced upon contact of the water to the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.
2 . The filter apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to control an operation of the filter cleaning device in accordance with the corresponding signal produced by the sensor.
3 . The filter apparatus of claim 2 , wherein
the controller is configured to operate the filter cleaning device based on a detection of a preset condition in accordance with the corresponding signal produced by the sensor.
4 . The filter apparatus of claim 2 , wherein
the controller is configured to stop operating the filter cleaning device based on a detection of a preset condition in accordance with the corresponding signal produced by the sensor.
5 . The filter apparatus of claim 3 , wherein
the preset condition includes a water level in the filter case being equal to or higher than a height of a lowest end of the filter while the filter is installed inside the filter case.
6 . The filter apparatus of claim 1 , wherein
the filter case includes:
a first space in which the filter is installable, and
a second space positioned below the first space to accommodate the water received through the case inlet and flowing toward the first space.
7 . The filter apparatus of claim 6 , wherein
the sensor is configured to detect at least one of the water passing through the case inlet or the water accommodated in the second space.
8 . The filter apparatus of claim 1 , wherein
the filter cleaning device includes:
a cleaning driver including a cleaning motor, and
a cleaning member configured to be rotatable in contact with a surface of the filter through which foreign materials are filtered while the filter is installed inside the filter case,
wherein the cleaning driver is configured to drive rotation of the cleaning member with power generated by the cleaning motor.
9 . The filter apparatus of claim 8 , wherein
an external diameter of the cleaning member is greater than an internal diameter of the filter.
10 . The filter apparatus of claim 6 , wherein
the sensor is mounted on an outer surface of the filter case, corresponding to the second space, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the water accommodated in the second space.
11 . The filter apparatus of claim 6 , wherein
the sensor includes a float configured to float in the water received through the case inlet, at least one portion of the float being positioned in the second space.
12 . The filter apparatus of claim 1 , wherein
the sensor includes a rotating body positioned in the case inlet and the sensor is configured to be rotated by the water passing through the case inlet.
13 . The filter apparatus of claim 6 , wherein
the sensor includes:
a first electrode portion positioned in the second space, and
a second electrode portion spaced from the first electrode portion, and
the sensor is configured to detect conduction between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.
14 . The filter apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a connecting tube configured to receive the water from the filter case into the connecting tube,
wherein a first end of the connecting tube communicates with the filter case,
a second end of the connecting tube is connected to the sensor, and
the sensor is configured to detect a change of internal pressure of the connecting tube.