Patent Publication Number: US-2022228310-A1

Title: Filter device and washing machine having same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a filter device and a washing machine having the same, and for example, to a filter device having an improved structure and a washing machine having the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Washing machines are home appliances configured to wash clothes, towels, bedding, or the like. The washing machines may be classified into a drum-type washing machine configured to wash laundry by the repeated rising and falling of the laundry by rotating a drum and an electric-type washing machine configured to wash laundry using a water flow generated by a pulsator when a drum rotates. 
     Regardless of the type of washing machine, operations performed by the washing machine may include a washing operation of supplying detergent water to a tub in which the laundry is accommodated and washing the laundry while rotating the drum, a rinsing operation of supplying rinsing water to the tub and rinsing the laundry while rotating the drum, and a dehydration operation of discharging the water from the tub and removing moisture from the laundry by rotating the drum. 
     The water discharged from the tub may be discharged together with foreign substances generated from the laundry. Thus, the washing machine may include a filter device configured to filter the water discharged from the tub. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, one or more aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a filter device having an increased lifetime and a washing machine having the same. 
     One or more aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a filter device having a reduced size compared to performance and a washing machine having the same. 
     One or more aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a filter device having improved performance compared to a size thereof and a washing machine having the same. 
     One or more aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a filter device having improved convenience of use and a washing machine having the same. 
     In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a filter device includes a case, an external filter disposed inside the case to filter substances introduced into the case and configured to be movable with respect to the case, and an internal filter disposed inside the external filter to filter the substances introduced into the case and configured to be movable with respect to the external filter. 
     The filter device may further include a first elastic member configured to support the internal filter so that the internal filter is movable with respect to the external filter. 
     The first elastic member may be compressed when a pressure of the substances introduced into the internal filter is greater than or equal to a first preset pressure. 
     The internal filter may be configured to, when the internal filter moves with respect to the external filter, form a first bypass passage to guide the substances introduced into the case between the internal filter and the external filter. The first elastic member may be configured to apply an elastic force to the internal filter in a direction in which the first bypass passage is closed. 
     The filter device may further include a second elastic member configured to support the external filter so that the external filter is movable with respect to the case. 
     A first elastic modulus of the first elastic member may be smaller than a second elastic modulus of the second elastic member. 
     The filter device may further include a sealing member configured to seal the second elastic member and the case. 
     The second elastic member may be compressed when a pressure of the substances introduced into the external filter is greater than or equal to a second preset pressure. 
     The external filter may be configured to, when the external filter moves with respect to the case, form a second bypass passage to guide the substances introduced into the case between the external filter and the case. The second elastic member may be configured to apply an elastic force to the external filter in a direction in which the second bypass passage is closed. 
     The filter device may further include a filter support compressed by the second elastic member, and a support protrusion protruding from a surface of the external filter to be in contact with the filter support. The filter support may be configured to form a discharge passage together with the support protrusion, and the discharge passage guides the substances inside the case to the outside of the case. 
     The internal filter may include a first filter opening configured to open the first bypass passage when the first elastic member is compressed. 
     The filter device may further include an intermediate filter disposed between the internal filter and the external filter. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub disposed inside the cabinet to store washing water, and a filter device configured to filter the washing water discharged from the tub. The filter device includes a case, a first filter disposed inside the case and configured to open or close a first bypass passage through which the washing water discharged from the tub and introduced into the case bypasses the first filter, and a second filter disposed between the first filter and the case and configured to open or close a second bypass passage through which the washing water discharged from the tub and introduced into the case bypasses the second filter. 
     The filter device may be disposed inside the cabinet. 
     The washing machine may further include a drainage pump disposed between the tub and the filter device. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a filter device includes a case, a first filter disposed inside the case and configured to open or close a first bypass passage through which substances introduced into the case bypass the first filter, and a second filter disposed between the first filter and the case and configured to open or close a second bypass passage through which the substances introduced into the case bypass the second filter. 
     The filter device may further include a first elastic member compressed when a pressure of the substances introduced into the first filter is greater than or equal to a first preset pressure, and a second elastic member compressed when a pressure of the substances introduced into the second filter is greater than or equal to a second preset pressure, and the second elastic member having an elastic modulus greater than an elastic modulus of the first elastic member. The second preset pressure may be equal to the first preset pressure. 
     The first elastic member may be configured to press the first filter in a direction in which the first bypass passage is closed, and the second elastic member may be configured to press the second filter in a direction in which the second bypass passage is closed. 
     The second filter may be supported to be movable with respect to the case, and the first filter may be supported to be movable with respect to the second filter. 
     The first filter may be configured to filter substances having larger sizes than those of substances filtered by the second filter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the example embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a washing machine to which a filter device is applied according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a state in which a first filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 5  is clogged; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a state in which both the first filter and a second filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 6  are clogged; 
         FIG. 8  is a control block diagram for determining and displaying a replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining and displaying the replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining and displaying the replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a filter device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a state in which a first filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 11  is clogged; 
         FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a state in which a third filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 12  is clogged; 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a state in which a second filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 13  is clogged; 
         FIG. 15  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a view illustrating a filter device according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Configurations illustrated in example embodiments and the accompanying drawings disclosed in the specification are merely example embodiments of the disclosure, and various modifications may be made to replace the embodiments and the drawings of the specification. 
     Further, the same reference numerals or symbols presented in each drawing of the specification indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function. 
     Further, terms used in the specification are used only to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit/restrict the disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly otherwise indicated in the context. In the specification, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof that are described in the specification and do not exclude, in advance, the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. 
     Further, in the specification, terms including an ordinal number such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the above terms, and the terms are used only to distinguish one component from other components. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may be also referred to as the first component. 
     The term “and/or” includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any item of the plurality of related listed items. For example, the scope of the expression or phrase “A and/or B” includes the item “A”, the item “B”, and the combination of items “A and B”. 
     In addition, the scope of the expression or phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to include all of the following: (1) at least one of A, (2) at least one of B, and (3) at least one A and at least one of B. Likewise, the scope of the expression or phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” is intended to include all of the following: (1) at least one of A, (2) at least one of B, (3) at least one of C, (4) at least one of A and at least one of B, (5) at least one of A and at least one of C, (6) at least one of B and at least one of C, and (7) at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the expression encompasses an example of a direct connection or direct coupling, as well as a connection or coupling with another element interposed therebetween. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a washing machine to which a filter device is applied according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the washing machine illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a washing machine  1  includes a cabinet  10  forming an exterior, a tub  20  disposed inside the cabinet  10 , a drum  30  rotatably disposed inside the tub  20 , and a driving motor  40  configured to drive the drum  30 . 
     An input port  11  is formed in a front portion of the cabinet  10  so that laundry may be put into the drum  30 . The input port  11  is opened or closed by a door  12  installed in the front portion of the cabinet  10 . 
     A water supply pipe  50  configured to supply washing water to the tub  20  is installed at an upper portion of the tub  20 . One side of the water supply pipe  50  is connected to a water supply valve  56 , and the other side of the water supply pipe  50  is connected to a detergent box  52 . 
     The detergent box  52  is connected to the tub  20  through a connection pipe  54 . Water supplied through the water supply pipe  50  is supplied into the tub  20  via the detergent box  52  together with a detergent. 
     The tub  20  is supported by a damper  70 . The damper  70  connects an inner bottom surface of the cabinet  10  and an outer surface of the tub  20 . 
     The drum  30  includes a cylindrical portion  31 , a front plate  32  disposed in front of the cylindrical portion  31 , and a rear plate  33  disposed behind the cylindrical portion  31 . An opening through which the laundry is introduced or discharged is formed in the front plate  32 , and a shaft  90  configured to transmit power of the driving motor  40  is connected to the rear plate  33 . 
     A plurality of through-holes  34  for circulation of the washing water are formed around the drum  30 , and a plurality of lifters  35  are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the drum  30  so that, when the drum  30  rotates, the laundry may rise and fall. 
     The drum  30  and the driving motor  40  are connected through the shaft  90 , and a drive type may be classified into a direct drive type in which the shaft  90  is directly connected to the driving motor  40  to rotate the drum  30  and an indirect drive type in which a pulley  91  is connected between the driving motor  40  and the shaft  90  to drive the drum  30  according to the type of connection between the shaft  90  and the driving motor  40 . 
     The washing machine  1  according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be provided as the indirect drive type, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the technical features of the disclosure may be applied even to the direct drive type. 
     One end of the shaft  90  is connected to the rear plate  33  of the drum  30 , and the other end of the shaft  90  extends outward from a rear portion  21  of the tub  20 . The other end of the shaft  90  may be inserted into the pulley  91  to obtain a driving force from the driving motor  40 . Further, a motor pulley  41  is formed on a rotary shaft of the driving motor  40 . A driving belt  92  is provided between the motor pulley  41  and the pulley  91 , and thus the shaft  90  may be driven by the driving belt  92 . 
     The driving motor  40  may be disposed on one side of a lower portion of the tub  20  and drive the shaft  90  while the driving belt  92  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in a vertical direction of the tub  20 . 
     A bearing housing  96  is installed in the rear portion  21  of the tub  20  to rotatably support the shaft  90 . The bearing housing  96  may be made of an aluminum alloy and may be inserted into the rear portion  21  of the tub  20  when the tub  20  is injection-molded. 
     A drainage pump  80  configured to discharge the water inside the tub  20  to the outside of the cabinet  10 , a connection hose  82  connecting the tub  20  and the drainage pump  80  so that the water inside the tub  20  may be introduced into the drainage pump  80 , and a drainage hose  84  configured to guide the water pumped by the drainage pump  80  to the outside of the cabinet  10  are provided at the lower portion of the tub  20 . 
     A filter device  100  may be provided between the drainage hose  84  and the drainage pump  80 . A guide hose  83  may connect the drainage pump  80  and the filter device  100 . The filter device  100  may filter the washing water discharged from the drainage pump  80  before the washing water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine  1 . The filter device  100  may be located on a left side of a front lower end inside the cabinet  10  when facing the front side of the washing machine  1  having the door  12 . However, the disclosure is not so limited and the filter device  100  may be disposed at other locations inside or outside of the cabinet  10 . 
     Meanwhile, a display  14  configured to display a state of the washing machine  1  to a user may be provided on a front upper portion of the cabinet  10 . The display  14  may include an inputter. A printed circuit board assembly (not illustrated) may be provided in the front upper portion of the cabinet  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a state in which a first filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 5  is clogged.  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a state in which both the first filter and a second filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 6  are clogged. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the filter device  100  may include a case  101 , a first filter  110 , and a second filter  120 . 
     The case  101  may form an exterior of the filter device  100 . The case  101  may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The first filter  110  and the second filter  120  may be accommodated inside the case  101 . Thus, the first filter  110  may be considered as an internal filter  110 , and the second filter  120  may be considered as an external filter  120 . 
     The case  101  may include an outlet  102 . The outlet  102  may be connected to the drainage hose  84 . The outlet  102  may guide, to the drainage hose  84 , the washing water filtered while passing through the first filter  110  and the second filter  120 . 
     The case  101  may be formed so that one end opposite to the other end at which the outlet  102  is located is open. The open one end of the case  101  may be opened or closed by a case lid  105 . 
     The case  101  may include a catch  103  selectively coupled to a latch  107  of the case lid  105 . When the case lid  105  is coupled to the case  101 , as the latch  107  is locked, the catch  103  may fix the case lid  105  to the case  101 . 
     The case lid  105  may be detachably coupled to the case  101 . When the case lid  105  is separated from the case  101 , the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  may be inserted into the case  101  or the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  may be extracted from the inside of the case  101 . Accordingly, in the filter device  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  may be easily replaced. 
     The first filter  110  may be movably provided inside the case  101 . The first filter  110  may be movably provided inside the second filter  120  provided inside the case  101 . The first filter  110  may be provided to filter foreign substances having a predetermined size from the washing water introduced into the filter device  100 . The first filter  110  may be provided to be movable between a first filtering location in which substances introduced into the filter device  100  are filtered and a first bypass location in which the substances introduced into the filter device  100  are bypassed. 
     The first filter  110  may include a first filter body  111  and a first filterer  112  provided along an outer peripheral surface of the first filter body  111 . 
     The first filter  110  may be provided to be movable with respect to the second filter  120 . The filter device  100  may include a first elastic member  131  provided to elastically support the first filter  110  with respect to the second filter  120 . 
     One end of the first elastic member  131  may be supported by a first elastic member fixer  113  formed in the first filter body  111 , and the other end thereof may be supported by a first filter support  132 . 
     A portion of the first filter support  132  may be inserted into and fixed to a filter guide  113   a  formed in the first filter body  111 . The first filter support  132  may be coupled to the first filter body  111  in a hook manner. 
     The first filter support  132  may move with respect to the first filter body  111  as the first elastic member  131  is compressed. For example, when the first elastic member  131  is compressed, the first filter support  132  may relatively move in a direction of being inserted into the first filter body  111 . 
     The first elastic member  131  may elastically press the first filter support  132  in a direction away from the first filter body  111 . When the first filter  110  is inserted into the second filter  120 , the first filter support  132  may be supported by an inner surface of a second filter body  121 . 
     A first filter lid  115  may be coupled to one end opposite to the other end of the first filter body  111  in which the first elastic member  131  is located. The first filter lid  115  may be detachably coupled to the first filter body  111 . 
     The first filter lid  115  may include a first filter opening  116 . The first filter opening  116  may be formed to open bypass passages  161  and  162  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) when the first filter  110  moves with respect to the second filter  120  in a direction in which the first elastic member  131  is compressed. The first filter opening  116  may be formed to close the bypass passages  161  and  162  (see  FIG. 5 ) when the first filter  110  moves with respect to the second filter  120  in a direction in which the first elastic member  131  is stretched. 
     The second filter  120  may be movably provided inside the case  101 . The second filter  120  may be provided to accommodate the first filter  110  therein. The second filter  120  may be provided to filter foreign substances having a predetermined size from the washing water introduced into the filter device  100 . For example, the second filter  120  may be provided to filter foreign substances having a predetermined size from the washing water filtered by the first filter  110  or to filter out foreign substances having a predetermined size from the washing water (see  FIG. 6 ) introduced through the first bypass passage  161  without passing through the first filter  110 . The second filter  120  may be provided to be movable between a second filtering location in which substances passing through the first filter  110  or substances bypassing the first filter  110  are filtered and a second bypass location in which substances passing through the first filter  110  or substances bypassing the first filter  110  are bypassed. 
     The first filter  110  may be provided to be movable between the first filtering location in which substances introduced into the filter device  100  are filtered and the first bypass location in which the substances introduced into the filter device  100  are bypassed. 
     The second filter  120  may include a second filter body  121  and a second filterer  122  provided along an outer peripheral surface of the second filter body  121 . 
     The second filter  120  may be provided to be movable with respect to the case  101 . The filter device  100  may include a second elastic member  141  provided to elastically support the second filter  120  with respect to the case  101 . The first elastic modulus of the first elastic member  131  may be smaller than a second elastic modulus of the second elastic member  141 . 
     One end of the second elastic member  141  may be supported by a second filter support  142  and the other end thereof may be supported by a cover  108  of the case  101 . 
     The filter device  100  may include a first sealing member  143  coupled to the case  101 . The second filter support  142  may be movably inserted into the first sealing member  143 . The second elastic member  141  may be disposed inside the second filter support  142 . The first sealing member  143  may perform sealing between the case  101  and the second filter support  142 . 
     The second filter support  142  may move with respect to the case  101  as the second elastic member  141  is compressed. For example, when the second elastic member  141  is compressed, the second filter support  142  may relatively move in a direction in which the second filter  120  is inserted into the case  101 . 
     The second elastic member  141  may elastically press the second filter support  142  in a direction in which the second filter  120  is extracted from the case  101 . The second filter support  142  may apply an elastic force to the second filter  120  in a direction in which the second bypass passage  162  is closed. 
     The second filter body  121  may include a plurality of support protrusions  123  protruding toward the second filter support  142  when being inserted into the case  101 . The plurality of support protrusions  123  may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, for example, in a circumferential direction. When in contact with the second filter support  142 , the support protrusions  123  may be provided to form a discharge passage configured to guide the washing water introduced into the filter device  100  to the outlet  102 . 
     A second filter lid  125  may be coupled to one end opposite to the other end of the second filter body  121  supported by the second filter support  142 . The second filter lid  125  may be detachably coupled to the second filter body  121 . 
     The second filter lid  125  may include a second filter opening  126 . A portion of the first filter lid  115  may be inserted into the second filter opening  126 . 
     The case  101  may include the cover  108  detachably provided on a portion in which the second elastic member  141  is located. A second sealing member  109  may be provided in at least a portion between the cover  108  and the case  101 . One end of the second elastic member  141  may be in contact with the second sealing member  109 . The second elastic member  141  may be supported by the cover  108 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , an operation of the filter device  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , when both the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  are not clogged and are in a normal state, the washing water introduced into the filter device  100  may be filtered while sequentially passing through the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  and then discharged through the outlet  102 . For example, washing water may pass through the inlet  106  into the first filter  110  (for example, in an axial direction), to be filtered using the first filterer  112 . The washing water may then pass from the first filter  110  to the second filter  120  (for example, in a radial direction), to be filtered using the second filterer  122 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the first filter  110  is clogged, the first elastic member  131  is compressed due to a water pressure of the washing water introduced into the filter device  100 , and the first filter  110  moves with respect to the second filter  120 . As the first filter  110  moves due to the water pressure, the first filter opening  116  of the first filter lid  115  is opened, and the first bypass passage  161  is formed. For example, the first bypass passage  161  may be formed between an inner surface of the second filter lid  125  and an outer surface of the first filter lid  115  and extend to a space between the first filter body  111  and the second filter body  121 . Accordingly, the washing water introduced through an inlet  106  is guided not to the inside of the first filter  110  but to the first bypass passage  161 . The washing water guided to the first bypass passage  161  is filtered by the second filter  120 . The washing water filtered by the second filter  120  may be discharged to the outside of the filter device  100  through the outlet  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , when both the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  are clogged, the second elastic member  141  is compressed due to the water pressure of the washing water introduced into the filter device  100 , and the second filter  120  moves with respect to the case  101 . As the second filter  120  moves due to the water pressure, the second bypass passage  162  is formed. For example, the second bypass passage  162  may be formed between an inner surface of the case lid  105  and an outer surface of the second filter lid  125  and extend to a space between the second filter body  121  and the case  101 . Accordingly, the washing water introduced through the inlet  106  is guided not to the inside of the second filter  120  but to the second bypass passage  162 . The washing water guided to the second bypass passage  162  may be discharged to the outside of the filter device  100  through the outlet  102  without the filtering process. 
     According to this configuration, the washing machine  1  according to the embodiment of the disclosure is provided to be operable only using the second filter  120  when the first filter  110  is clogged and may thus be used until both the filters  110  and  120  are clogged, thereby increasing a lifetime of the filter device  100 . 
     For example, when a plurality of filters are connected in series, when a filter located upstream is clogged, even when the filter located downstream is not clogged, the filter device should be replaced. However, when the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  are configured like the filter device  100  according to the embodiment of the disclosure, both the first filter  110  and the second filter  120  may be used, and accordingly, the lifetime can be increased approximately two or three times. 
       FIG. 8  is a control block diagram for determining and displaying a replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining and displaying the replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining and displaying the replacement time of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the filter device  100  may include a sensor  140  configured to identify the replacement time of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sensor  140  may be installed in the case  101 . 
     The sensor  140  may be provided to measure the turbidity of the washing water passing through the filter device  100 . The sensor  140  may be provided to measure the turbidity using an electrode. 
     In another example, the sensor  140  may be provided to detect the location of the second filter  120  of the filter device  100 . The sensor  140  may be provided to detect that the second filter  120  comes into contact with the sensor  140  as the second filter  120  is clogged and thus moves in a drainage direction. The sensor  140  may be provided as an infrared sensor and may be provided to measure a distance to the second filter  120 . 
     The sensor  140  may transmit the measured information to a controller  19 . The controller  19  may be provided to determine the replacement time of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  on the basis of the information transmitted from the sensor  140  and to display the need for replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  to the user through the display  14 . The display  14  may be configured to visually and/or audibly display the information to the user. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 9 , when the sensor  140  is provided to measure the turbidity of the washing water passing through the filter device  100 , the controller  19  compares the turbidity of the washing water measured by the sensor  140  with a reference turbidity. (S 101 ) 
     When the turbidity of the washing water measured by the sensor  140  is higher than the reference turbidity, the controller  19  may determine that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is needed and control the display  14  to display that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is needed to the user. (S 102 ) 
     On the other hand, when the turbidity of the washing water measured by the sensor  140  is lower than the reference turbidity, the controller  19  determines that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is not yet needed and compares the turbidity of the washing water measured by the sensor  140  again with the reference turbidity. The sensor  140  may be configured to measure the turbidity of the washing water at a preset period. The controller  19  may perform an operation of comparing the turbidity of the washing water transmitted from the sensor  140  with the reference turbidity at a preset period. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the sensor  140  is provided to detect the location of the second filter  120 , the controller  19  determines whether or not the second filter  120  moves to a preset location. (S 201 ). For example, the controller  19  measures or determines whether or not the second filter  120  is clogged and is thus pushed and moved to the preset location in a direction in which the washing water is drained. That is, the controller  19  determines whether or not the second filter  120  moves to a location illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     When the second filter  120  is clogged and is thus moved to the preset location, the controller  19  may determine that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is needed and may thus control the display  14  to display that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is needed to the user. (S 202 ). 
     On the other hand, when the second filter  120  is not clogged and is thus not yet moved to the preset location, the controller  19  determines that the replacement of the first filter  110  and/or the second filter  120  is not yet needed and thus measures the location of the second filter  120  again. The sensor  140  may be configured to measure the location of the second filter  120  at a preset period. The controller  19  may perform an operation of determining whether or not the second filter  120  moves to the preset location at a preset period. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a filter device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a state in which a first filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 11  is clogged.  FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a state in which a third filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 12  is clogged.  FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a state in which a second filter of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 13  is clogged. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 to 14 , the filter device according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described. However, the same reference components as those of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Unlike the filter device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , the filter device  100 ′ according to an embodiment of the disclosure further includes a third filter  150  disposed between the first filter body  111  and the second filter body  121 . Thus, the third filter  150  may be considered as an intermediate filter  150 . Although not shown, the filter device  100 ′ may also include the sensor  140 . 
     The third filter  150  may include a third filter body  151  and a third filterer  152 . A third filter lid  155  may be detachably mounted on one open end of the third filter body  151 . The third filter lid  155  may include a third filter opening  156  into which a portion of the first filter lid  115  is inserted. 
     A third elastic member fixer  153  may be provided in one end opposite to the other end of the third filter body  151 . One end of a third elastic member  171  may be fixed to the third elastic member fixer  153 . The other end of the third elastic member  171  may be fixed to a third filter support  172 . The third filter support  172  may be supported by the second filter body  121 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , when all of the first filter  110 , the third filter  150 , and the second filter  120  are not clogged, substances introduced into the inlet  106  may be filtered while sequentially passing through the first filter  110 , the third filter  150 , and the second filter  120  and may then be discharged through the outlet  102 . For example, washing water may pass through the inlet  106  into the first filter  110  (for example, in an axial direction), to be filtered using the first filterer  112 . The washing water may then pass from the first filter  110  to the third filter  150  (for example, in a radial direction), to be filtered using the third filterer  152 . The washing water may then pass from the third filter  150  to the second filter  120  (for example, in a radial direction), to be filtered using the second filterer  122 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , when the first filter  110  is clogged, the first bypass passage  161  is opened. The substances introduced into the inlet  106  may pass through the first bypass passage  161 , may be filtered while sequentially passing through the third filter  150  and the second filter  120 , and may then be discharged through the outlet  102 . For example, the first bypass passage  161  may be formed between an inner surface of the third filter lid  155  and an outer surface of the first filter lid  115  and extend to a space between the first filter body  111  and the third filter body  151 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , when the first filter  110  and the third filter  150  are clogged, a third bypass passage  163  is opened. The substances introduced into the inlet  106  may pass through the third bypass passage  163 , may be filtered while passing through the second filter  120 , and may then be discharged through the outlet  102 . For example, the third bypass passage  163  may be formed between an inner surface of the second filter lid  125  and an outer surface of the third filter lid  155  and extend to a space between the second filter body  121  and the third filter body  151   
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , when all of the first filter  110 , the third filter  150 , and the second filter  120  are clogged, the second bypass passage  162  is opened. The substances introduced into the inlet  106  may pass through the second bypass passage  162  and may then be discharged through the outlet  102  without the filtering process. For example, the second bypass passage  162  may be formed between an inner surface of the case lid  105  and an outer surface of the second filter lid  125  and extend to a space between the second filter body  121  and the case  101 . 
       FIG. 15  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 16  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 17  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 18  is a view illustrating a washing machine according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 to 18 , a washing machine in which the filter device  100  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is applied to various locations will be described. The same reference components as those of the washing machine  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , in a washing machine  1   a  according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter device  100  may be located approximately at a center of a lower end of a front side inside the cabinet  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , in a washing machine  1   b  according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter device  100  may be located approximately at a center of a lower end of a right side inside the cabinet  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , in a washing machine  1   c  according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter device  100  may be located on a right side of an upper end of a rear side inside the cabinet  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , in a washing machine  1   d  according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter device  100  may be located on a right side of an upper end of a rear side outside the cabinet  10 . 
     Thus, as described herein, the filter device  100  according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be applied to various locations with respect to the cabinet  10 . 
       FIG. 19  is a view illustrating a filter device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 20  is an exploded view illustrating the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the filter device illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19 to 21 , a filter device  200  according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described. However, the same reference components as those of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7  are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19 to 21 , unlike the filter device  100  according to an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , in the filter device  200 , an inlet  206  of a case  201  may extend radially from an outer circumferential surface of the filter device  200 . An outlet  202  may extend in a lengthwise direction of the filter device  200 . Although not shown, the filter device  200  may also include the sensor  140 . 
     A case lid  205  may include a case coupler  207  provided to be coupled to a lid coupler  203  of the case  201 . 
     The case lid  205  may include a handle  208  provided to be gripped by the user when being separated from the case  201 . 
     The case lid  205  may include a connector  209  provided to communicate with the inlet  206 . The connector  209  may guide substances introduced through the inlet  206  into the case  201 . The connector  209  may be provided to support the second filter  120 . 
     According to the spirit of the disclosure, in a filter device and a washing machine having the same, since all of a plurality of filters can be used, a lifetime of the filter device can be increased. 
     According to the spirit of the disclosure, in the filter device and the washing machine having the same, since the plurality of filters can be arranged compactly, the size of the filter device compared to the performance can be reduced. 
     According to the spirit of the disclosure, in the filter device and the washing machine having the same, since the plurality of filters can be arranged compactly, the performance of the filter device compared to the size can be improved. 
     According to the spirit of the disclosure, in the filter device and the washing machine having the same, when the filters are clogged, a user is notified of the clogging, and thus convenience of use may be improved. 
     Hereinabove, example embodiments have been illustrated and described. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may derive various changes without departing from the subject matter and technical spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is described in the appended claims and their equivalents.