Self-cleaning filter device and clothes dryer having the same

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of clothes dryers, and more particularly to a self-cleaning filter device and a clothes dryer having the same. The self-cleaning filter device includes: a filter section for filtering lint and hair inside the dryer; a collection section disposed on one side of the filter section for collecting lint and hair; a cleaning section movable relative to the filter section for cleaning lint and hair from the filter section and collecting it into the collection section; and a drive section drivenly connected to the cleaning section for driving the cleaning section to move relative to the filter section. Thus, after each drying cycle, the drive section can move the cleaning section relative to the filter section to clean lint and hair from the filter section and collect it into the collection section, eliminating the need for users to clean the filter after each use and greatly improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clothes dryers, and more particularly to a self-cleaning filter device and a clothes dryer having the same. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, heat pump dryers have become popular among users due to their energy-saving features and low-temperature drying that does not damage clothes. However, heat pump dryers are not convenient to use at present. After each use, users need to manually clean the lint collected on the filter screen, otherwise it will affect the drying effect of the next use. Cleaning is time-consuming and laborious, and it is not easy to clean it thoroughly, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the technical problem that the filter screen of a dryer needs to be manually cleaned after each use in related technologies, a self-cleaning filter device and a dryer incorporating it are proposed.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a self-cleaning filter device is provided, comprising: a filter section for filtering lint inside a dryer; a collection section disposed on one side of the filter section for collecting lint; a cleaning section movable relative to the filter section for cleaning lint on the filter section and collecting lint into the collection section; and a driving section drivenly connected to the cleaning section for driving the cleaning section to move relative to the filter section.

[0005] Furthermore, the filtration section and the collection section are integrated; or the filtration section and the collection section are separate units.

[0006] Furthermore, the filter section and / or collection section are retractable.

[0007] Furthermore, the drive unit includes: a rotating shaft, with a pulley at each of its axial ends, and the two rotating shafts are spaced apart; two conveyor belts, each sleeved on the pulleys at both ends of the two rotating shafts; and a motor, which is drivenly connected to one of the two rotating shafts. The cleaning unit includes: a cleaning brush, which is disposed between the two conveyor belts. The rotating shafts and the motor are located outside the air duct of the front shell of the dryer.

[0008] Furthermore, the self-cleaning filter device includes: an integrated pull-out box, which is divided into a filter chamber and a collection chamber by a partition, and the integrated pull-out box is slidably installed in the air duct of the front shell of the dryer; a first filter screen, which is installed at the upper opening of the filter chamber to form a primary filter, and the filter chamber forms a secondary filter; the first filter screen and the filter chamber form a filter section, and the collection chamber forms a collection section; the cleaning section is movable relative to the first filter screen and is used to clean the lint on the first filter screen into the collection chamber.

[0009] Furthermore, the self-cleaning filter device includes: a first pull-out box having a filter chamber, the first pull-out box being removably disposed within the front shell air duct of the dryer; a second filter screen disposed at the upper opening of the filter chamber to form primary filtration, the filter chamber forming secondary filtration; a second pull-out box removably disposed outside the front shell air duct of the dryer, the second pull-out box being disposed to one side of the first pull-out box and located below the first pull-out box; a lint channel, one end of the lint channel being located to one side of the first pull-out box, the other end of the lint channel being connected to the second pull-out box; the second filter screen and the filter chamber forming a filtration section, the second pull-out box and the lint channel forming a collection section.

[0010] Furthermore, a cleaning fan is located behind the second pull-out box to create a negative pressure environment within the collection section; a third filter is located behind the second pull-out box to prevent lint from entering the cleaning fan.

[0011] Furthermore, the position of the second pull-out box is consistent with the position of the drain pump cleaning opening of the dryer; and / or the size of the second pull-out box is consistent with the size of the drain pump cleaning opening of the dryer.

[0012] Furthermore, the self-cleaning filter device also includes: a filter grille, which is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly of the dryer, located at the air inlet of the front housing duct, and above the cleaning section; and / or a filter sponge, which is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly of the dryer and located below the filter section.

[0013] Furthermore, the self-cleaning filter also includes a sensing unit, which is disposed inside the collection unit to determine whether the collection unit is full of hair.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a clothes dryer is provided, which includes the self-cleaning filter device described above.

[0015] By applying the technical solution of this invention, after each drying cycle, the cleaning unit can be driven by the driving unit to move relative to the filter unit to clean the lint on the filter unit and collect the lint into the collection unit. This eliminates the need for users to clean the filter after each use, greatly improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a dryer according to an optional embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the filter section and the collection section of the self-cleaning filter device are integrally provided;

[0017] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A structural diagram of the dryer from another angle;

[0018] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of some parts of the dryer in the picture;

[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a dryer according to another optional embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the filter section and the collection section of the self-cleaning filter device are separately arranged;

[0020] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A structural diagram of the dryer from another angle;

[0021] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 A three-dimensional structural diagram of some parts of the dryer.

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention.

[0023] In the attached diagram:

[0024] 10. Filter section; 20. Collection section; 30. Cleaning section; 31. Cleaning brush; 40. Drive section; 41. Rotating shaft; 42. Conveyor belt; 43. Motor; 100. Integrated pull-out box; 101. Partition; 102. Filter chamber; 103. Collection chamber; 200. First filter screen; 300. First pull-out box; 400. Second filter screen; 500. Second pull-out box; 600. Lint channel; 700. Cleaning fan; 800. Third filter screen; 50. Filter grille; 60. Filter sponge; 1. Housing; 11. Clothes loading port; 12. Front housing assembly; 2. Door assembly; 3. Cylinder assembly; 4. Front housing air duct; 5. Rear housing air duct; 6. Dual-heater air duct; 7. Evaporator; 8. Condenser; 9. Dryer fan. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] To address the technical problem that the filter screen of dryers in related technologies requires manual cleaning after each use, this invention provides a self-cleaning filter device and a dryer incorporating the same.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the self-cleaning filter device includes: a filter section 10 for filtering lint inside the dryer; a collection section 20 disposed on one side of the filter section 10 for collecting lint; a cleaning section 30 movable relative to the filter section 10 for cleaning lint on the filter section 10 and collecting lint into the collection section 20; and a drive section 40 drivenly connected to the cleaning section 30 for driving the cleaning section 30 to move relative to the filter section 10.

[0028] In this way, after each drying cycle, the cleaning unit can be driven by the drive unit to move relative to the filter unit, cleaning the lint on the filter unit and collecting the lint into the collection unit 20. This eliminates the need for users to clean the filter after each use, greatly improving the user experience.

[0029] Optionally, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the filter section 10 and the collection section 20 are integrated into one unit. This facilitates assembly and reduces the number of parts.

[0030] Optionally, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the filter section 10 and the collection section 20 are set separately. In this way, the location, shape and size of the collection section 20 can be set more flexibly.

[0031] Optionally, the filter section 10 and / or the collection section 20 are removable. This facilitates the removal of the filter section 10 and / or the collection section 20 for cleaning.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the filter section 10 and the collection section 20 are integrated and can be pulled out. This makes it easy to remove them together for cleaning after the dryer has been used for a period of time.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the filter section 10 and the collection section 20 are separately arranged, and both the filter section 10 and the collection section 20 can be pulled out. This makes it convenient to remove the filter section 10 or the collection section 20 for cleaning as needed after the dryer has been used for a period of time.

[0034] Optionally, the filter section 10 and / or the collection section 20 can be pulled up and down or back and forth, and the pulling direction can be selected according to actual needs.

[0035] Optionally, such as Figures 1 to 6As shown, the drive unit 40 includes: a rotating shaft 41, with a pulley at each of its axial ends, and the two rotating shafts 41 are spaced apart; two conveyor belts 42, which are respectively fitted onto the pulleys at both ends of the two rotating shafts 41; and a motor 43, which is drivenly connected to one of the two rotating shafts 41. The cleaning unit 30 includes: a cleaning brush 31, which is disposed between the two conveyor belts 42; the rotating shafts 41 and the motor 43 are located outside the front air duct 4 of the dryer. In this way, the area of ​​the conveyor belts 42 inside the front air duct 4 is small, which can avoid obstructing air circulation. Furthermore, since the rotating shafts 41 and the motor 43 are located outside the front air duct 4 of the dryer, only the conveyor belts 42 move inside the air duct, so even if lint adheres to the conveyor belts 42, it will not affect the rotation of the conveyor belts 42.

[0036] Optionally, the conveyor belt 42 is a belt. During operation, the belt rotates counterclockwise. The cleaning brush 31 cleans the hair from left to right and sweeps the hair into the collection chamber 103. Then, it moves upward with the belt and resets from right to left.

[0037] If the drive unit 40 uses a screw, slide rail or other structure that needs to be exposed in the air duct, the accumulation of lint on the track can easily cause jamming. The drive unit 40 of this application uses a conveyor belt 42, which can avoid jamming caused by the accumulation of lint.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment of this application, the self-cleaning filter device includes: an integrated pull-out box 100, which is divided by a partition 101 to form a filter chamber 102 and a collection chamber 103, and the integrated pull-out box 100 is slidably disposed in the front shell air duct 4 of the dryer; a first filter screen 200, which is disposed at the upper opening of the filter chamber 102; the first filter screen 200 and the filter chamber 102 form a filter section 10, and the collection chamber 103 forms a collection section 20; and a cleaning section 30 is movable relative to the first filter screen 200 to clean the lint on the first filter screen 200 into the collection chamber 103.

[0039] Optionally, the first filter 200 is a fine filter.

[0040] Optionally, the side walls and bottom of the filter chamber 102 are perforated and a filter screen structure is provided for secondary filtration.

[0041] like Figure 6As shown, in another optional embodiment of this application, the self-cleaning filter device includes: a first pull-out box 300, the first pull-out box 300 having a filter chamber 102, the first pull-out box 300 being removably disposed within the front shell air duct 4 of the dryer; a second filter screen 400, the second filter screen 400 being disposed at the upper opening of the filter chamber 102; a second pull-out box 500, the second pull-out box 500 being removably disposed outside the front shell air duct 4 of the dryer, the second pull-out box 500 being disposed on one side of the first pull-out box 300 and located below the first pull-out box 300; a lint channel 600, one end of the lint channel 600 being located on one side of the first pull-out box 300, the other end of the lint channel 600 communicating with the second pull-out box 500; the second filter screen 400 and the filter chamber 102 forming a filter section 10, and the second pull-out box 500 and the lint channel 600 forming a collection section 20. The cleaning unit 30 is movable relative to the second filter 400 to clean lint from the second filter 400 into the lint channel 600 and the second pull-out box 500. In this way, the collection unit 20 is independently configured and does not occupy the airflow area of ​​the air duct, and the second pull-out box 500 has a larger capacity as a collection box.

[0042] Optionally, the second filter 400 is a fine filter.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, a cleaning fan 700 is located behind the second pull-out box 500 to create a negative pressure environment within the collection section 20; a third filter 800 is located behind the second pull-out box 500 to prevent lint from entering the cleaning fan 700.

[0044] Optionally, the position of the second pull-out box 500 is aligned with the position of the dryer's drain pump cleaning opening; and / or the size of the second pull-out box 500 is aligned with the size of the dryer's drain pump cleaning opening. This allows for a more unified appearance of the set.

[0045] Optionally, the second pull-out box 500 is located in the lower right corner of the dryer.

[0046] Optionally, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the self-cleaning filter device also includes a filter grille 50, which is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly 12 of the dryer. The filter grille 50 is located at the air inlet of the front housing air duct 4 and above the cleaning section 30. In this way, larger debris is filtered out first using the filter grille 50. The filter grille 50 can also be periodically removed for cleaning.

[0047] Optionally, such as Figures 1 to 6As shown, the self-cleaning filter device also includes a filter sponge 60, which is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly 12 of the dryer and located below the filter section 10. This provides a final layer of protection using the filter sponge 60, which can also be removed for cleaning.

[0048] Optionally, the filter sponge 60 can be integrated with the filter section 10 or it can be separate from the filter section 10.

[0049] Optionally, the self-cleaning filter device further includes a sensing unit disposed within the collection unit 20, used to determine whether the collection unit 20 is full of lint. Thus, when the sensing unit determines that the collection unit 20 is full of lint, it can remind the user to clean it.

[0050] This application also provides a clothes dryer that includes the self-cleaning filter device described above or below.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the dryer also includes: a housing 1 with a clothes inlet 11; a door assembly 2 connected to the housing 1 and closable at the clothes inlet 11; a drum assembly 3 disposed inside the housing 1, having a space for loading clothes, the space being connected to the clothes inlet; a front shell air duct 4 connected to the front end of the space of the drum assembly 3; a rear shell air duct 5 connected to the rear end of the space of the drum assembly 3; a dual-function air duct 6, the two ends of which are connected to the front shell air duct 4 and the rear shell air duct 5 respectively; an evaporator 7 and a condenser 8, the evaporator 7 and the condenser 8 being sequentially disposed within the dual-function air duct 6 along the airflow direction; and a drying fan 9 disposed within the rear shell air duct 5.

[0052] Optionally, the housing 1 includes a front housing assembly 12, on which a self-cleaning filter is disposed.

[0053] In this way, the accommodating space of the drum component 3, the front shell air duct 4, the rear shell air duct 5, and the dual-evapor duct 6 together form an air circulation system. Driven by the drying fan 9 installed in the rear shell air duct 5, the dual-evapor assemblies condense and heat the air before it is sent into the drum component to dry clothes. The dual-evapor assemblies are a condenser 8 and an evaporator 7. The air first flows through the evaporator 7, where the low temperature condenses the humid air before it flows through the condenser 8, where the high temperature heats the air for drying clothes. When the dryer is running, the door assembly 2 closes the clothes inlet 11, and the inside of the dryer is sealed relative to the outside. Air passes through the drum component 3, enters the front shell air duct 4 through the filter grille 50, is filtered by the filter section 10, and then enters the dual-evapor duct 6. The rotating shaft 41 and the drive motor 43 are located on the outside of the front shell air duct 4, which is also the outside of the clothing loading port 11. There is a rectangular hole on each side of the front shell air duct 4 to avoid the conveyor belt 42 and the cleaning brush 31. Since this is a negative pressure area, air enters from the front shell air duct 4 to the bottom. The side openings avoid the belt. The air here also enters the air duct from the outside, which will not cause the problem of hot and humid air leakage.

[0054] Optionally, the cleaning brush 31 is elongated, with a length that is the same as or slightly longer than the filter section 10. The cleaning brush head can be similar to toothbrush bristles or have a rubber particle structure.

[0055] During the drying process, clothes produce lint. To prevent lint from entering the dryer assembly and causing blockages that affect drying performance, a filter device is installed in the front shell air duct 4 to block lint. This application uses a self-cleaning filter device with a cleaning section 30 located on the front shell assembly 12 to automatically clean the filter screen, sweeping lint into the lint collection box, i.e., the collection section 20. Manual cleaning is not required after each use; the lint in the collection section 20 can be emptied after a few uses. The motor drives the rotating shaft to rotate, which in turn moves the belt fixed to the shaft. To avoid the belt area being too large and obstructing air circulation, the belt is positioned on both sides of the rotating shaft, and the cleaning brush is fixed between the two belts. The advantage of using a rotating shaft to drive the belt for cleaning is that the rotating structure is located outside the air duct, and only the belt moves inside the air duct. Even if lint adheres to the belt, it does not affect the belt's rotation.

[0056] This application automatically cleans the lint on the filter section 10 by setting a cleaning section 30 and a driving section 40 on the front shell, and sweeps the lint into the collection section 20 after each drying, so that the user does not need to clean the filter after each use, greatly improving the user experience.

[0057] Optionally, the dryer provided in this application is a heat pump dryer. Through the design of the filter self-cleaning structure, it can automatically collect the lint intercepted by the filter after each drying into the lint collection box. Users can clean it once every few cycles. The cleaning is also relatively convenient. Just pour out the lint in the collection box. There is no need to brush the filter.

[0058] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been specifically shown and described above. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, arrangements, or implementations described herein; rather, this disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements contained within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0059] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0060] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0061] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0062] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0063] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0064] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer, characterized in that, include: Self-cleaning filter device; The self-cleaning filter device includes: The filter section (10) is used to filter lint inside the dryer; A collection section (20) is provided on one side of the filter section (10) for collecting hair; The cleaning section (30) is movable relative to the filter section (10) and is used to clean the hair on the filter section (10) and collect the hair into the collection section (20). A drive unit (40) is driven to the cleaning unit (30) and is used to drive the cleaning unit (30) to move relative to the filter unit (10); The drive unit (40) includes: A rotating shaft (41) is provided with a pulley at each of its two axial ends, and the two rotating shafts (41) are arranged at intervals. Conveyor belts (42), the two conveyor belts (42) are respectively fitted onto the pulleys at both ends of the two rotating shafts (41); A motor (43) is driven to one of the two rotating shafts (41); The cleaning department (30) includes: A cleaning brush (31) is disposed between the two conveyor belts (42); The rotating shaft (41) and the motor (43) are located outside the front shell air duct (4) of the dryer. The left and right sides of the front shell air duct (4) have openings to avoid the conveyor belt (42) and the cleaning brush (31). The conveyor belt (42) is arranged in the front shell air duct (4).

2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter section (10) and the collection section (20) are integrally formed; or The filtration section (10) and the collection section (20) are separately arranged.

3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter section (10) and / or the collection section (20) are retractable.

4. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-cleaning filter device includes: An integrated pull-out box (100) is formed by separating a filter chamber (102) and a collection chamber (103) by a partition (101). The integrated pull-out box (100) is detachably installed in the front shell air duct (4) of the dryer. The first filter screen (200) is disposed at the upper opening of the filter chamber (102) to form a primary filter, and the filter chamber (102) forms a secondary filter; The first filter screen (200) and the filter chamber (102) form the filter section (10), and the collection chamber (103) forms the collection section (20). The cleaning section (30) is movable relative to the first filter (200) for cleaning lint from the first filter (200) into the collection chamber (103).

5. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-cleaning filter device includes: The first pull-out box (300) has a filter chamber (102) and is removably disposed in the front shell air duct (4) of the dryer; The second filter screen (400) is disposed at the upper opening of the filter chamber (102) to form a primary filter, and the filter chamber (102) forms a secondary filter; The second pull-out box (500) is detachably disposed outside the front shell air duct (4) of the dryer. The second pull-out box (500) is disposed on one side of the first pull-out box (300) and located below the first pull-out box (300). A lint channel (600) is provided, one end of which is located on one side of the first pull-out box (300), and the other end of which is connected to the second pull-out box (500). The second filter screen (400) and the filter chamber (102) form the filter section (10), and the second pull-out box (500) and the lint channel (600) form the collection section (20).

6. The clothes dryer according to claim 5, characterized in that, A cleaning fan (700) is located behind the second pull-out box (500) to create a negative pressure environment inside the collection section (20); The third filter (800) is located behind the second pull-out box (500) to prevent lint from entering the cleaning fan (700).

7. The clothes dryer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The position of the second pull-out box (500) is aligned with the position of the drain pump cleaning opening of the dryer; and / or The size of the second pull-out box (500) is the same as the size of the drain pump cleaning opening of the dryer.

8. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-cleaning filter also includes: A filter grille (50) is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly (12) of the dryer, the filter grille (50) being located at the air inlet of the front housing duct (4), and the filter grille (50) being located above the cleaning section (30); and / or A filter sponge (60) is detachably mounted on the front housing assembly (12) of the dryer and located below the filter section (10).

9. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The self-cleaning filter also includes: The sensing unit is disposed in the collecting unit (20) and is used to determine whether the collecting unit (20) is full of hair.

Images