Filter cleaning device

Abstract

A filter cleaning device which automatically cleans a filter. The filter cleaning device includes a brush unit to collect foreign substances filtered out by a filter member, a processing unit to process the foreign substances collected by the brush unit, and a storage unit to store the foreign substances processed by the processing unit.

1 . A filter cleaning device comprising:
 a filter member;   a brush unit to collect foreign substances filtered out by the filter member;   a processing unit to process the foreign substances collected by the brush unit; and   a storage unit to store the foreign substances processed by the processing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the brush unit includes a brush part to clean the filter member, a guide part to guide the brush part in the vertical direction, and a first driving part to move the brush part in connection with the guide part. 
     
     
         3 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first driving part includes a first driving roller connected with the guide part, and a first motor to provide driving force to the first driving roller. 
     
     
         4 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit includes a pressure part to compress the foreign substances collected by the brush unit, and a second driving part to drive the pressure part. 
     
     
         5 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the pressure part includes a first pressure roller and a second pressure roller facing each other; and   the second driving part includes a second driving roller connected with one of the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, and a second motor to provide driving force to the second driving roller.   
     
     
         6 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 5 , wherein the storage unit includes a dust box to store the foreign substances processed by the processing unit, and a cover to open and close the dust box. 
     
     
         7 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 6 , wherein the cover is opened and closed by the second driving part. 
     
     
         8 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 7 , wherein the cover includes a second gear part to receive driving force transmitted from the second driving roller, and an idle rotation induction part to induce idle rotation of the second driving roller; and
 the filter cleaning device further comprises first springs to elastically support the cover such that the second gear part of the cover is engaged with the second driving roller.   
     
     
         9 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a separation unit to separate the foreign substances, collected by the brush unit, from the brush unit. 
     
     
         10 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 9 , wherein the separation unit includes:
 a guide housing;   a separation part provided so as to slidably move in a first guide housing of the guide housing;   second springs to elastically support the separation part in the first guide housing;   stoppers provided so as to slidably move in a second guide housing of the guide housing; and   third springs to elastically support the stoppers in the second guide housing.   
     
     
         11 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 10 , wherein the separation part includes stepped parts in which the stoppers are seated or from which the stoppers are separated such that the separation part is restricted by the stoppers or the restriction of the separation part by the stoppers is released. 
     
     
         12 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 10 , wherein the brush unit includes a brush part to apply pressure to the stoppers so as to separate the stoppers from the stepped parts. 
     
     
         13 . The filter cleaning device according to  claim 10 , wherein the storage unit includes a cover to apply pressure to the separation part so as to seat the stoppers in the stepped parts. 
     
     
         14 . A home appliance comprising the filter cleaning device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of automatically cleaning a filter member comprising:
 collecting foreign substances filtered out by the filter member;   processing the collected foreign substances; and   storing the processed foreign substances.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein processing the collected foreign substances includes compressing the collected foreign substances by rollers. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein collecting the foreign substances includes brushing the foreign substances off the filter member so that the foreign substances of the filter member are collected at a region under the filter member.