Particle separation system for washing and drying machine

Abstract

A cyclone filter (204b) includes a body (206b) including a cylindrical surface extending between a first end (208b) and a second end (210b) and defining a chamber (212b) of the cyclone filter. An air inlet (214b) is formed through the cylindrical surface and is configured to receive an airflow from the washing machine cabinet and direct the airflow to flow within the chamber along the cylindrical surface. A vortex splitter (226b) extends within the chamber from the second end and is configured to interrupt the airflow as the airflow passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface to separate particles from the airflow. A particle outlet (216b) is formed through the cylindrical surface and axially spaced from the air inlet, configured to direct particles separated from the airflow toward a particle container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a particle separation system, and more particularly, to a particle separation system for a washing and drying machine. Background Art

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present application and is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Laundry systems, particularly dryers, typically include a cabinet in which a drum basket for handling laundry is placed. A motor-driven fan operates to draw heated air from a heater into the cabinet, through the drum basket, through a lint screen, and then out to the outside environment.

[0004] Lint screens typically include at least one layer of fine mesh placed in the airflow, with air from the dryer passing through the lint filter to filter out lint. There is a trade-off between the mesh size of the lint screen and the performance of the lint screen. For example, a very fine mesh (i.e., small openings) may clog easily, thereby increasing the temperature and airflow of the drying system. Alternatively, a coarse mesh (i.e., larger openings) may allow finer lint particles to pass through the filter. Thus, conventional lint screens present a trade-off between reducing the efficiency of the dryer and / or laundry system and being particularly ineffective at filtering lint particles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a cyclone filter. The cyclone filter includes a main body, which includes a cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end. The main body defines a chamber of the cyclone filter. An air inlet is formed through the cylindrical surface. The air inlet is configured to receive an air flow from a washing machine cabinet and guide the air flow to flow along the cylindrical surface within the chamber. A vortex splitter extends from the second end of the main body within the chamber. The vortex splitter is configured to interrupt the air flow when the air flow passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface to separate particles from the air flow. A particle outlet is formed through the cylindrical surface and is axially spaced apart from the air inlet. The particle outlet is configured to guide the particles separated from the air flow to a particle container.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, a vortex inducer extends within the chamber from the first end and at least partially along the cylindrical surface of the body. The vortex inducer includes a cylindrical surface and is configured to direct airflow from the air inlet to flow in a spiral between the cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer. In other embodiments, the vortex splitter includes an annular surface extending from the second end of the body. The annular surface of the vortex splitter has a first outer diameter that is greater than a second outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

[0007] In some embodiments, a clean air outlet is formed through the first end of the body. The clean air outlet is configured to receive clean air drawn from the chamber. In other embodiments, the opening of the clean air outlet is located between the air inlet and the first end of the body. In other embodiments, a clean air duct extends through the clean air outlet and is at least partially located within the chamber. In other embodiments, the clean air duct includes a cylindrical portion extending through the clean air outlet and at least partially located within the chamber, and a curved portion extending at an oblique angle between the cylindrical portion and the airflow source.

[0008] In some embodiments, the air inlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body. In some embodiments, the particle outlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body. In some embodiments, the central axis of the cyclone filter extends between the first end and the second end. The air inlet and the particle outlet are formed through the cylindrical surface tangentially to the central axis.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a laundry system. The laundry system includes a washing machine cabinet configured to process laundry during operation of the laundry system. A particle container is configured to receive particles separated from laundry during operation of the laundry system. The laundry system includes a particle separation system, the particle separation system including a main body including a cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end. The main body defines a chamber for the cyclone filter. An air inlet is formed through the cylindrical surface. The air inlet is configured to receive an airflow from the washing machine cabinet. The air inlet guides the airflow within the chamber along the cylindrical surface. A vortex splitter extends from the second end of the main body within the chamber. The vortex splitter is configured to interrupt the airflow as it passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface, thereby separating particles from the airflow. A particle outlet is formed through the cylindrical surface and is axially spaced apart from the air inlet. The particle outlet is configured to direct the particles separated from the airflow to the particle container.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, a vortex inducer extends within the chamber from the first end and at least partially along the cylindrical surface of the body. The vortex inducer includes a cylindrical surface and is configured to direct airflow from the air inlet to flow in a spiral between the cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer. In other embodiments, the vortex splitter includes an annular surface extending from the second end of the body. The annular surface of the vortex splitter has a first outer diameter that is greater than a second outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

[0011] In some embodiments, a clean air outlet is formed through the first end of the main body, the clean air outlet being configured to receive clean air drawn from the chamber. In other embodiments, the opening of the clean air outlet is located between the air inlet and the first end of the main body. In other embodiments, a clean air duct extends through the clean air outlet and is at least partially located within the chamber. In other embodiments, the clean air duct includes a cylindrical portion extending through the clean air outlet and at least partially located within the chamber, and a curved portion extending at an oblique angle between the cylindrical portion and the airflow source of the laundry system.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air inlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body. In some embodiments, the particle outlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body. Optionally, the central axis of the cyclone filter extends between the first end and the second end. The air inlet and particle outlet formed through the cylindrical surface are tangential to the central axis.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a laundry system. The laundry system includes a cabinet including a drum for processing laundry and an inlet extending through the cabinet; and a particle separation system for removing particles from air in the drum. The laundry system also includes a particle hopper for collecting removed particles. The particle hopper is positioned below the particle separation system and includes a cleaning port. The cleaning port cooperates with the inlet of the cabinet to provide a passage for removing collected, removed particles from the particle hopper.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the cabinet further includes a front side panel and a rear side panel, and the front side panel and the rear side panel are arranged on different sides of the cabinet. Here, the entry port extends from the front side panel to the rear side panel. In some embodiments, the entry port of the cabinet further includes an inlet formed in the rear side panel of the cabinet and an outlet formed in the front side panel of the cabinet. In some embodiments, the particle hopper may be outside the cabinet, and the cleaning port may be adjacent to the inlet formed in the rear side panel of the cabinet. The entry port may include a cleaning duct, which extends from a first end at the cleaning port of the particle hopper through the cabinet to a second end at the outlet of the entry port formed in the front side panel of the cabinet. Additionally or alternatively, the particle hopper is fixed to the rear side panel of the cabinet.

[0015] In some embodiments, the particle separation system comprises a cyclonic separation system. Here, the cyclonic separation system may be located outside the cabinet. In some embodiments, the cyclonic separation system comprises an array of one or more cyclonic filters.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a laundry system. The laundry system includes a cabinet including a drum for processing laundry and an inlet extending through the cabinet; a control panel including a user interface; and a particle separation system for removing particles from air in the drum. The laundry system also includes a particle hopper for collecting the removed particles. The particle hopper includes a capacity sensor in communication with the control panel and configured to detect the capacity of the particle hopper.

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the capacity sensor sends a signal to the control panel in response to detecting that the capacity of the pellet hopper has exceeded a fill threshold. For example, the fill threshold is configured by a user of the user interface. In some embodiments, the user interface of the control panel includes a clean-up notification. Here, the clean-up notification is configured to alert the user that the pellet hopper is full. In some embodiments, the access port extending through the cabinet includes an access controller that communicates with the control panel and is configured to allow access to the access port. In some embodiments, the access controller allows access to the access port in response to receiving that a user has selected a clean-up indication displayed in the user interface of the control panel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the laundry system further comprises a fan in communication with the control board and disposed between the cabinet and the particle separation system. In some embodiments, the laundry system further comprises a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the laundry system and transmit the detected temperature to the control board. Here, the control board increases the speed of the fan in response to determining, using a fan algorithm, that the detected temperature of the laundry system has exceeded a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, the particle separation system comprises a cyclonic separation system located external to the cabinet.

[0019] The details of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figures 1A to 1C A perspective view of a laundry system including a particle separation system according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1A Front perspective view of a laundry system.

[0022] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 The line 3-3 intercepts Figure 2 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a laundry system.

[0023] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 2 The line 3-3 intercepts Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of a laundry system.

[0024] Figure 5 Shown Figures 1A to 1C Front perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0025] Figure 6 Shown Figures 1A to 1C Rear perspective view of the particle separation system.

[0026] Figure 7 Shown Figures 1A to 1C Partial rear perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0027] Figure 8 Shown Figures 1A to 1C A partial top rear perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0028] Figure 9 Shown Figures 1A to 1C Partial front perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0029] Figure 10 Shown Figures 1A to 1C Perspective view of a cyclone filter of a particle separation system.

[0030] Figure 11 Shown along Figure 10 The line 11-11 in the Figure 10 Cross-sectional view of a cyclone filter.

[0031] Figure 12 A perspective view of another laundry system including a particle separation system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 13 Shown Figure 12 Side view of a laundry system.

[0033] Figure 14 and Figure 15 Shown Figure 12 Front perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0034] Figure 16 Shown Figure 12 Rear perspective view of the particle separation system.

[0035] Figure 17 Shown Figure 12 Partial rear perspective view of a particle separation system.

[0036] Figure 18 A front perspective view of another laundry system including a particle separation system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 19 Shown Figure 18 Rear perspective view of a laundry system.

[0038] Figure 20 Shown along Figure 18 The line 20-20 is intercepted Figure 18 Cross-sectional view of a laundry system.

[0039] Figure 21 Shown along Figure 18 The line 21-21 intercepts Figure 18 Cross-sectional view of a laundry system.

[0040] Figure 22 Shown Figure 18 A perspective view of a particle separation system of a laundry system.

[0041] Figure 23 Shown along Figure 22 The line 23-23 is intercepted Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of a particle separation system.

[0042] Figure 24 Shown Figure 22 Top view of cyclone filter and clean air duct of particle separation system.

[0043] Figure 25 Shown Figure 22 Perspective view of the cyclone filter and clean air duct of the particle separation system.

[0044] Figure 26 Shown Figure 22 Front view of the cyclone filter of the particle separation system.

[0045] Figure 27A Shown along Figure 25 The line 27-27 is intercepted Figure 22 A cross-sectional perspective view of the cyclone filter and clean air duct of a particle separation system.

[0046] Figure 27B Shown along Figure 25 The line 27-27 is intercepted Figure 22 A cross-sectional perspective view of a cyclone filter and clean air duct of a particle separation system, wherein the clean air duct has been removed from the cyclone filter.

[0047] Figure 27C Shown along Figure 25 The line 27-27 is intercepted Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of the cyclone filter and clean air duct of the particle separation system.

[0048] Figure 28 A perspective view of another example of a laundry system according to the principles of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figure 29 Shown Figure 28A perspective view of a laundry system showing the laundry system's access panel removed to reveal the pellet hopper.

[0050] Figure 30 Shown Figure 28 A partial perspective view of a laundry system showing an access panel of the laundry system removed to expose a particle separation system.

[0051] Figure 31 Shown Figure 28 A side view of a laundry system is shown with a side panel of the laundry system removed to illustrate the interior configuration.

[0052] Figure 32 Shown Figure 28 A side perspective view of a laundry system is shown with a side panel of the laundry system removed to illustrate the interior configuration.

[0053] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] See also Figures 1A to 2 , shows a laundry system 10 that includes a cabinet 100, a particle separation system 200, and a particle hopper 300. Briefly, as described in greater detail below, during operation, air 12 passes through the cabinet 100 as the cabinet 100 processes laundry, passes through the particle separation system 200, and flows to the external environment or back to the cabinet 100. The particle separation system 200 and the particle hopper 300 are located outside the cabinet 100, with the particle separation system 200 removing particles 14 from the air 12 drawn through the cabinet 100 and depositing the removed particles 14 in the particle hopper 300 located below the particle separation system 200. Advantageously, the particle hopper 300 can be emptied when full via a purge duct 314 extending from the particle hopper 300, through the cabinet 100, to the front of the cabinet 100.

[0056] As shown, the laundry system 10 includes two cabinets 100 (i.e., vertically stacked drum dryers). However, the laundry system 10 may include any number of cabinets 100 that surround one or more drying bags (e.g., drums). For example, the laundry system 10 may include a single cabinet surrounding a pair of stacked drums. In other examples, the particle separation system 200 and the particle hopper 300 may be implemented with a cabinet or multiple cabinets that include a single washing machine, a single dryer, a single combination washer / dryer, a stacked washing machine, a stacked combination washer / dryer, or a washing machine stacked with a dryer. Given that the structure and function of the components associated with each cabinet 100 of the laundry system 10 are substantially similar, the same reference numerals are used below and in the drawings to identify the same components.

[0057] See also Figure 3 , cabinet 100 includes a drum 102 and one or more side panels 104a-104d for processing clothes. As shown in the figure, cabinet 100 includes a first front panel 104a and a second rear panel 104b, and the second rear panel 104b is arranged on a side (i.e., rear side) opposite to the front panel 104a of cabinet 100. A third side panel 104c and a fourth side panel 104d extend between the first front panel 104a and the second rear panel 104b, respectively, so that the side panels 104a-104d jointly define a chamber 106 in which the drum 102 is arranged. Cabinet 100 also includes an entry 108, which extends through cabinet 100 from the entrance 110 arranged at the rear panel 104b to the exit 112 arranged at the front panel 104a.

[0058] The cabinet 100 also includes a door 114 mounted to an opening in the front panel 104a that allows a user to enter the drum 102, a control panel 116 including a user interface 118, and an entry panel 120 in communication with the control panel 116. The entry panel 120 covers the exit 112 formed in the front panel 104a and may include a lock and / or an actuator. Here, when the pellet hopper 300 is full and needs to be emptied, the control panel 116 may send a signal to the actuator (e.g., in response to a user selecting a cleanup notification) to unlock / open the entry panel 120 for user access. In other embodiments, the user may manually unlock the entry panel 120 using a manual locking or latching device.

[0059] The control board 116 includes data processing hardware 122 and memory hardware 124. The data processing hardware 122 can process instructions executed within the control board 116, including instructions stored in the memory hardware 124, to display information in the user interface 118. In some embodiments, the user interface 118 is displayed on a screen of the control board 116 and responds to any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and can receive input from the user in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 118 includes one or more mechanical buttons and / or lights for user interaction.

[0060] See also Figure 1B 、 Figure 1C and Figure 4 The cabinet 100 also includes an exhaust port or air outlet 126 formed in the rear panel 104b. A drum exhaust duct 128 is connected to the air outlet 126 and provides a duct or channel for airflow between the cabinet 100 and the particle separation system 200. In the illustrated example, the inlet of the first drum exhaust duct 128 is associated with the air outlet 126 of the lower cabinet in the cabinet 100, while the inlet of the second drum exhaust duct 128 is associated with the air outlet of the upper cabinet in the cabinet 100. As described above, the particle separation system 200 and the particle hopper 300 are located remote from the cabinet 100 and adjacent to the rear panel 104b of the cabinet 100. In other words, the particle separation system 200 is configured as an independent peripheral system of the cabinet. The particle separation system 200 removes particles 14 from the air 12 flowing from the cabinet 100, where the removed particles 14 are collected by the particle hopper 300 located below the particle separation system 200, while the clean air 12C is drawn upward. While the use of screens to separate lint from air is well known in the art, particle separation system 200 may operate without the use of screens at all.

[0061] See also Figures 5 to 11In some embodiments, the particle separation system 200 includes a cyclonic separation system 202 located outside the cabinet 100. However, in other embodiments, the particle separation system 200 can be located inside the cabinet 100. The cyclonic separation system 202 can include an array of one or more cyclonic filters 204, which are designed to receive the incoming air 12 from the cabinet 100 (via the drum exhaust duct 128) and output particles 14 and clean air 12C, respectively. As shown, the array of one or more cyclonic filters 204 includes four cyclonic filters 204. Here, each cabinet 100 of the laundry system 10 is connected to an array of two cyclonic filters 204 via one of the drum exhaust ducts 128, so that the drum exhaust duct 128 associated with each cabinet 100 is connected to a pair of cyclonic filters 204 operating in parallel. However, in the array of cyclonic filters 204, any combination of cabinets 100 and / or cyclonic filters 204 can be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Given that the structures and functions of the components associated with each cyclonic filter 204 in the cyclonic separation system 202 are substantially similar, like reference numerals are used below and in the drawings to identify like components.

[0062] See also Figure 10 and Figure 11 The cyclone filter 204 has a conical body 206 that tapers from a first end 208 at the top of the cyclone filter 204 to a second end 210 at the bottom of the cyclone filter 204 to define a frusto-conical cyclone chamber 212 that defines a central axis A of the cyclone filter 204. 204 . The main body 206 of the cyclone filter 204 includes an air inlet 214, a particle outlet 216 and a clean air outlet 218. The air inlet 214 guides the air 12 from the drum exhaust duct 128 into the cyclone chamber 212. The particle outlet 216 is formed at the lower second end 210 of the main body 206 for allowing the removed particles 14 to enter the particle hopper 300 through the particle outlet 216. The clean air outlet 218 is formed at the first end 208 of the main body 206 for allowing the clean air to be discharged from the cyclone filter 204. As shown in the figure, the air inlet 214 includes a connection interface for connecting the cyclone filter to the outlet of one of the drum exhaust ducts 128. The air inlet 214 also defines an inlet duct 215, which is configured to be relatively close to the main body 206 and the central axis A. 204 The air 12 is introduced into the cyclone chamber 212 in a substantially tangential manner. In contrast, the particle outlet 216 and the clean air outlet 218 are respectively aligned with the central axis A of the body 206. 204 Coaxial.

[0063] During operation of the laundry system 10, air 12 from the cabinet 100 enters the cyclone filter 204 tangentially through the air inlet 214 and begins to flow in a circular downward spiral within the cyclone chamber 212 toward the second end 210 of the main body 206, thereby forming an outer spiral vortex 220 flowing from the air inlet 214 to the particle outlet 216 and an inner spiral vortex 222 flowing from the second end 210 of the main body 206 to the clean air outlet 218 formed at the first end 208 of the main body 206. As the air 12 flows within the outer spiral vortex 220, particles 14, due to their mass, exit the outer spiral vortex 220 and fall into the particle hopper 300 through the particle outlet 216. Once the air 12 reaches the second end 210 of the main body, the flow transitions from the downward-flowing outer spiral vortex 220 to the upward-flowing inner spiral vortex 222, causing clean air 12C to flow upward through the main body 206 along the centerline axis A204 to the clean air outlet 218.

[0064] See also Figure 1A 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, a fan 130 driven by a motor 132 in communication with the control board 116 is disposed within a housing 134 located at the top of the particle separation system 200. Here, the fan 130 is configured to force air 12C through the drum 102 as the drum 102 rotates to process laundry, out of the air outlet 126 of the cabinet 100, into the particle separation system 200 through the drum exhaust duct 128, and finally, through the fan 130, the clean air 12C flows through the clean air outlet 216 and is discharged to the external environment or back into the drum 102 through the exhaust port 138. In some embodiments, the fan 130 can be disposed between the cabinet 100 and the particle separation system 200. In other embodiments, the fan 130 is disposed within the particle separation system 200. Alternatively, the fan 130 is disposed within the cabinet 100.

[0065] In some examples, laundry system 10 includes one or more temperature sensors 16 configured to measure the temperature of laundry system 10 and transmit the measured temperature to control board 116. Control board 116 is configured to evaluate the measured temperatures to detect operating conditions of the laundry system. For example, a relatively high measured temperature detected by control board 116 may correspond to a blockage in drum exhaust duct 128 and / or exhaust pipe 138 of laundry system 10. Here, control board 116 may instruct fan 130 to increase its speed to clear the blockage. One or more temperature sensors 16 may be located in any combination of air passages within laundry system 10, such as chamber 106 of cabinet 100, drum exhaust duct 128, particle separation system 200, and / or housing 134 of fan 130. Here, control board 116 may execute (e.g., via data processing hardware 122) a fan algorithm to optimize the variable speed of fan 130 based on one or more temperature readings measured by temperature sensors 16 located within laundry system 10. In other words, control board 116 may increase the speed of fan 130 in response to determining, using the fan algorithm, that the detected temperature of laundry system 10 has exceeded a temperature threshold.

[0066] Now see Figures 4 to 9 , the particle hopper 300 includes one or more panels 302a-302d that define a hopper chamber 304 for collecting particles 14 removed from the particle separation system 200. As shown, the particle hopper 300 includes a divider 306 that forms two particle hopper chambers 304, which collect particles 14 from the two cyclone filters 204, respectively. However, in some embodiments, the particle hopper 300 does not include a divider 306, but instead collects particles 14 from the entire particle separation system 200. It should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates any number of combinations of cabinets 100, particle separation systems 200, and particle hoppers 300. Given that the structure and function of the components associated with each particle hopper 300 are substantially similar, the same reference numerals are used below and in the figures to identify the same components.

[0067] The pellet hopper 300 may include a top plate 302a including a pellet inlet 308 that aligns with the pellet outlet 216 of the pellet separation system 200 and allows separated pellets 14 to fall into the hopper chamber 304. Additionally, the pellet hopper 300 includes a removable service panel 302b located on a rear side of the pellet hopper 300, and an access panel 302c located on a side of the pellet hopper 300 opposite the service panel 302b. The access panel 302c includes a cleaning port 310 that cooperates with the access port 108 formed in the cabinet 100 to provide an access channel 312 for removing collected, removed pellets 14 from the pellet hopper 300. Figures 2 to 4As shown, the cleaning port 310 is adjacent to and aligned with the inlet 110 of the entry port 108 of the cabinet 100 .

[0068] In some embodiments, the access duct 312 includes a purge duct 314 that extends through the cabinet 100 from a first end 316 located at the purge port 308 (i.e., outside the dryer) to a second end 318 located at the outlet 112 of the access port 108 formed in the front panel 104a of the cabinet 100. In these embodiments, the access duct 312 can secure the pellet hopper 300 to the rear panel 104a of the cabinet 100. When the pellet hopper 300 is full of pellets 14, a user can empty the pellet hopper 300 by sucking out the pellets 14 using a vacuum device connected to the second end 318 of the purge duct 314 located at the front panel 104a of the cabinet 100.

[0069] like Figures 3 to 5 、 Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, the pellet hopper 300 includes a low-clogging system 322 to enable a quick and efficient cleaning process with minimal or no clogging of the cleaning pipe 314. The low-clogging system 322 can be secured to the inlet panel 302c and includes a panel 324 shaped to form an air gap G between the inlet panel 302c and the panel 324. 322 ( Figure 3 ). The panel 324 includes a low-clogging port 328 formed in the surface of the panel 324, and the low-clogging port 328 is aligned with the cleaning port 310 formed in the entry panel 302c and the first end 316 of the cleaning duct 314. In other words, the low-clogging port 328 is disposed between the cleaning port 310 and the first end 316 of the cleaning duct 314, and fluidly connects the cleaning port 310 and the first end 316 of the cleaning duct 314. The low-clogging system 322 also includes a bypass hole 326 formed in the entry panel 302c at a position spaced apart from the cleaning port 310. In the illustrated example, the bypass hole 326 is disposed above the cleaning port 310 and is vertically aligned with the cleaning port 310. During the cleaning process, while the vacuum device sucks particles 14 through the low-clogging port 328, clean air enters the air gap G formed between the entry panel 302c and the panel 324 through the bypass hole 326 in the entry panel 302c. 322and mixes with the particles 14 entering the cleaning duct 314 at the first end 316. By mixing the clean air drawn in through the bypass hole 326 with the particles 14, it is ensured that the air flowing through the cleaning duct 314 through the bypass hole 326 maintains a constant flow, thereby effectively eliminating blockage in the cleaning duct 314. For example, in the event that particles 14 may accumulate in the cleaning port 310 and cause the air flow through the cleaning duct 314 to become static, the air flows a second time through the bypass hole 326 to disrupt the collection of the particles 14 and provide a dynamic air flow to the first end 316 of the cleaning duct 314.

[0070] Pellet hopper 300 also includes a capacity sensor 320 that communicates with control board 116 and is configured to measure the capacity of hopper chamber 304 of pellet hopper 300. Capacity sensor 320 measures the capacity of hopper chamber 304 and sends a signal to control board 116. Control board 116, in response to determining that the capacity of pellet hopper 304 has exceeded a fill threshold, sends a signal indicating that pellet hopper 304 needs to be emptied. Here, the fill threshold can be configured by a user of user interface 118. For example, a user can select an acceptable threshold capacity for pellet hopper 300, wherein control board 116 generates a notification (e.g., a warning light, an alarm) in response to detecting that the capacity of pellet hopper 304 has exceeded the user-configured fill threshold. In other examples, the fill threshold is configured by the manufacturer of laundry system 10 (e.g., periodically to ensure maximum performance).

[0071] In some embodiments, user interface 118 of control panel 116 includes a cleaning notification configured to alert the user that pellet hopper 300 is full (i.e., needs to be emptied). For example, the cleaning notification may correspond to a graphical element displayed in user interface 118. In other examples, the cleaning notification may correspond to a light that changes color based on the status of pellet hopper 300. Here, the cleaning notification light may switch from a first color (e.g., green) to a different second color (e.g., orange) to notify the user that pellet hopper 300 is full and needs to be emptied. In addition, control panel 116 may track the schedule / frequency of cleaning notifications generated relative to the number of cycles of laundry system 10. Here, control panel 116 may transmit the cleaning frequency to a processing platform in communication with control panel 116 over a network to optimize the process of generating cleaning notifications.

[0072] In some examples, a user accesses the cleaning duct 314 by removing the access panel 120 on the front side of the cabinet 100 to expose the entry port 108, and can secure a vacuum device to the outlet 112 of the entry port 108 to draw particles 14 from the particle hopper 300 disposed on the rear side of the cabinet 100 through the cleaning duct 314 and out of the outlet 112. By securing the vacuum device directly to / inside the outlet 112, the cleaning process can be substantially dust-free. In other examples, the entry port 108 includes an access controller 136 that communicates with the control board 116 and is configured to allow access to the entry port 108. Figure 1B 、 Figure 2 and Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the access control 136 can be a cover that closes the outlet 112 of the access port 108. Here, the control panel 116 can send a signal to an actuator of the access control 136 in response to receiving an indication that the user has addressed a cleaning instruction displayed on the user interface 118 of the control panel 116. After receiving the signal from the control panel 116, the actuator can retract or remove the access control 136 to allow the user to access the cleaning duct 314. In other examples, the laundry system 10 includes a tool (e.g., a screwdriver, an Allen wrench, etc.) to open the access control 136 to access the cleaning duct 314.

[0073] Advantageously, the particle separation system 200 and particle hopper 300 of the laundry system 10 can be retrofitted to existing cabinets 100 that may or may not use a lint screen. This modification significantly improves particle separation efficiency compared to traditional lint screens (i.e., the particle separation efficiency is improved by at least 35%). Because the particle separation system 200 and particle hopper 300 are connected to the rear panel 104b of the cabinet 100, the modification requires minimal changes to the customer-facing portion of the cabinet 100. In addition, the volume of the three-dimensional particle hopper 300 is significantly larger than the volume of a traditional lint screen (i.e., a single panel), thereby reducing the frequency with which a user may need to clean particles from the laundry system 10. Furthermore, the modularity of the particle separation system 200 enables the laundry system 10 to be easily replicated on multiple cabinets. For example, laundry system 10 may be implemented in a commercial application using multiple stacked cabinets, using a single particle separation system 200 having an array of one or more cyclones and / or multiple particle hoppers 300, or in a residential application using a single particle separation system 200, as described herein.

[0074] See also Figures 12 to 17, a laundry system 10a is provided that includes a cabinet 100, a particle hopper 300a, and a particle separation system 200a disposed within the particle hopper 300a. As will be described in greater detail below, by integrating the particle separation system 200a into the particle hopper 300a, the particle separation system 200a is isolated from the surrounding air and the moisture content within the laundry system 10a is reduced. Because the components associated with the laundry system 10 are substantially similar in structure and function to those of the laundry system 10a, the same reference numerals with letter extensions are used to identify the modified components.

[0075] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, laundry system 10a includes two cabinets 100 (i.e., vertically stacked tumble dryers). As shown, each cabinet 100 includes a first front panel 104a and a second rear panel 104b, and the second rear panel 104b is arranged on a side (i.e., rear side) opposite to the front panel 104a of the cabinet 100. The third side panel 104c and the fourth side panel 104d extend between the front panel 104a and the rear panel 104b, respectively, so that the side panels 104a-104d jointly define a chamber for placing a drum. In addition to the door 114 installed on the opening of the front panel 104a, the cabinet 100 also includes a control panel 116a, which includes a user interface 118a and an entry panel 120 communicating with the control panel 116a. The entry panel 120 covers the outlet 112 formed in the front panel 104a and can include a lock and / or an actuator. Here, when the pellet hopper 300a is full and needs to be emptied, the control panel 116a can send a signal to the actuator (e.g., in response to the user selecting a clean notification) to unlock / open the access panel 120 for the user to open. In other embodiments, the user can manually unlock the access panel 120 using a manual locking or latching device.

[0076] In this example, user interface 118a of control panel 116a includes a graphical user interface and mechanical buttons for interacting with a user of laundry system 10a. Control panel 116a includes data processing hardware 122a and memory hardware 124a. Data processing hardware 122a can process instructions executed within control panel 116a, including instructions stored in memory hardware 124a, to display information in the graphical user interface of user interface 118a. In some embodiments, user interface 118a is displayed on a screen of the graphical user interface of control panel 116a and responds to any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback, and can receive input from the user in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, user interface 118a includes one or more mechanical buttons and / or lights for interacting with the user.

[0077] like Figures 12 to 15 As shown, laundry system 10a includes one or more grilles 18 that surround the additional components of laundry system 10a and allow ambient outside air to flow into the drying chamber located between pellet hopper 300a and cabinet 100. Laundry system 10a also includes a bracket 20 that supports pellet hopper 300a and pellet separation system 200a. Bracket 20 allows a user of pellet hopper 300a and pellet separation system 200a to remove the pellet hopper 300a and pellet separation system 200a to facilitate access to the drying chamber of laundry system 10a for maintenance. As shown, bracket 20 includes casters, but bracket 20 can include any type of system that allows pellet hopper 300a and pellet separation system 200a to be easily moved.

[0078] See also Figures 12 to 14 , the laundry system 10a includes a drum exhaust duct 128a that connects the cabinet 100 to the particle hopper 300a and the particle separation system 200a. As described above, the particle hopper 300a and the particle separation system 200a are remote from the cabinet 100 and may be adjacent to the rear panel 104b of the cabinet 100. In other words, the particle hopper 300a and the particle separation system 200a are provided as independent peripheral systems of the cabinet 100. In some embodiments, one or both of the particle hopper 300a and the particle separation system 200a may be provided within the cabinet 100 or integrated with the cabinet 100 to form a single unit.

[0079] Particle separation system 200a removes particles 14 from air 12 flowing out of cabinet 100. The removed particles 14 are collected by particle hopper 300a located below particle separation system 200a, while clean air 12C is drawn upward. Like particle separation system 200, particle separation system 200a can operate completely without a screen.

[0080] like Figure 17 As best shown in FIG. 1 , particle separation system 200a is mounted within particle hopper 300a to limit the impact of external ambient air on particle separation system 200a. In other words, integrating particle separation system 200a into particle hopper 300a isolates particle separation system 200a from ambient air, which in turn reduces the moisture content within particle separation system 200a and particle hopper 300a. For example, cyclone filter 204 of particle separation system 200a is surrounded by relatively warm air contained within particle hopper 300a, allowing cyclone filter 204 to be maintained at a higher temperature than if cyclone filter 204 were exposed to ambient air. By maintaining cyclone filter 204 at a higher temperature, relatively humid air passing through cyclone filter 204 is less likely to condense on the sidewalls of cyclone filter 204, thereby minimizing the ingress of moisture into particles 14.

[0081] Now see Figures 15 to 17 , the particle hopper 300a includes one or more panels 302d-302e that define a hopper chamber 304a, which collects particles 12 removed from the particle separation system 200a. As shown, the particle hopper 300a includes a divider 306a, which forms two particle hopper chambers 304a, respectively collecting particles 14 from the two cyclone filters 204 of the particle separation system 200a. However, in some embodiments, the particle hopper 300a does not include a divider 306a, but instead defines a common bin for collecting particles 14 from the entire particle separation system 200a. It should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates any number of combinations of cabinets 100, particle separation systems 200a, and particle hoppers 300a. Given that the structure and function of the components associated with each particle hopper 300a are substantially similar, the same reference numerals are used below and in the figures to identify the same components.

[0082] The pellet hopper 300a may include a rear panel 302d including a removable service panel 330 and an access panel 302e disposed on a side of the pellet hopper 300a opposite the rear panel 302d. The access panel 302e includes a cleaning port 310 that cooperates with the access port 108 formed in the cabinet 100 to provide an access passage 312 for removing collected, removed pellets 14 from the pellet hopper 300.

[0083] Continue to see Figure 17 , the pellet hopper 300a also includes a pair of inclined bottom plates 302f that facilitate the flow of pellets 14 toward the cleaning port 310 of the pellet hopper 300a. Here, each pellet hopper chamber 304a includes a bottom plate 302f that extends at an oblique angle from a first end attached to the divider 306a to a second end adjacent the cleaning port 310. In other words, the bottom plates 302f each merge with a respective outer wall 302g in a downward direction, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​each pellet hopper chamber 304a gradually decreases or tapers in the direction of flow toward the cleaning port 310. In addition to directing the pellets toward the cleaning port 310 for improved cleaning, the tapered configuration advantageously provides increased airflow velocity in the direction toward the cleaning port, thereby minimizing the possibility of pellet blockage near or within the cleaning port 310.

[0084] like Figure 17As shown, the inclined bottom panels 302f of each corresponding particle hopper chamber 304a cooperate to form an air intake duct 332 that extends between the particle hopper chambers 304a from the rear panel 302d to the front panel 302c, thereby increasing airflow into the air intake of the laundry system 10a. Furthermore, the particle hopper 300a includes a top panel 302e to which the particle separation system 200a is mounted. As shown, the housing 134 of the fan 130 is disposed atop and supported by the top panel 302g of the particle hopper 300a.

[0085] Similar to laundry system 10, a purge duct 314 of laundry system 10a extends through cabinet 100 from a first end 316 disposed on purge port 310 (i.e., outside the dryer) to a second end 318 at an outlet 112 of access port 108 formed in a front panel 104a of cabinet 100. In these embodiments, access port 312 may connect pellet hopper 300a to rear panel 104b of cabinet 100. When pellet hopper 300a is full of pellets 14, a user may empty pellet hopper 300a by sucking out the pellets 14 via a vacuum device connected to second end 318 of purge duct 314 disposed on front panel 104a of cabinet 100.

[0086] The pellet hopper 300a also includes one or more capacity sensors 320a, which communicate with the control board 116a and are configured to measure the capacity of the pellet hopper 300a's hopper chamber 304a. As shown, the capacity sensors 320a are mounted on the corresponding access panel 302e of each hopper chamber 304a. Each capacity sensor 320a measures the available capacity of the hopper chamber 304a and sends a signal to the control board 116a. Upon determining that the capacity of the pellet hopper 304a has exceeded a fill threshold, the control board 116a sends a signal indicating that the pellet hopper 304a needs to be emptied. The fill threshold can be configured by the user of the user interface 118a. For example, the user can select an acceptable threshold capacity for the pellet hopper 300a, wherein the control board 116a generates a notification (e.g., a warning light, an alarm) upon detecting that the capacity of the pellet hopper 304a has exceeded the user-configured fill threshold. In other examples, the fill threshold is configured by the manufacturer of the laundry system 10a (e.g., periodically to ensure maximum performance).

[0087] In some embodiments, the user interface 118a of the control panel 116a includes a cleaning notification that is configured to alert the user that the pellet hopper 300a is full (i.e., needs to be emptied). For example, the cleaning notification can correspond to a graphical element displayed in the user interface 118a. In other examples, the cleaning notification can correspond to a light that changes color based on the status of the pellet hopper 300a. Here, the cleaning notification light can switch from a first color (e.g., green) to a different second color (e.g., orange) to notify the user that the pellet hopper 300a is full and needs to be emptied. In addition, the control panel 116a can track the schedule / frequency of cleaning notifications generated relative to the number of cycles of the laundry system 10a. Here, the control panel 116a can transmit the cleaning frequency to a processing platform in communication with the control panel 116a via a network to optimize the process of generating cleaning notifications.

[0088] In some examples, a user accesses the cleaning duct 314 by removing the access panel 120 on the front side of the cabinet 100 to expose the entry port 108, and can secure a vacuum device to the outlet 112 of the entry port 108 to draw particles 14 from the particle hopper 300a disposed on the rear side of the cabinet 100 through the cleaning duct 314 and out of the outlet 112. By securing the vacuum device directly to / inside the outlet 112, the cleaning process can be substantially dust-free. In other examples, the entry port 108 includes an access controller 136 that communicates with the control board 116 and is configured to allow access to the entry port 108. Figures 13 to 15 As shown, the access control 136 can be a cover that closes the outlet 112 of the entry port 108. Here, the control panel 116a can send a signal to the actuator of the access control 136 in response to receiving an indication that the user has processed the cleaning instruction displayed on the user interface 118a of the control panel 116a. After receiving the signal from the control panel 116a, the actuator can retract or remove the access control 136a to allow the user to access the cleaning duct 314. In other examples, the laundry system 10a includes a tool (e.g., a screwdriver, an Allen wrench, etc.) to open the access control 136 to access the cleaning duct 314.

[0089] See also Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 17Laundry system 10a includes one or more temperature sensors 16 configured to measure the temperature of laundry system 10a and transmit the measured temperature to control board 116a. Control board 116a is configured to evaluate the measured temperatures to detect operating conditions of laundry system 10a. For example, a relatively high measured temperature detected by control board 116a may correspond to a blockage in the exhaust vent of laundry system 10a. Here, control board 116a may instruct fan 130 to increase its speed to clear the blockage. One or more temperature sensors 16 may be located in any combination of air passages within laundry system 10, such as chamber 106 of cabinet 100, drum exhaust duct 128, pellet hopper 300a, and / or housing 134 of fan 130. Here, control board 116a may execute (e.g., via data processing hardware 122a) a fan algorithm to optimize the variable speed of fan 130 based on one or more temperature readings measured by temperature sensors 16 located within laundry system 10a. In other words, the control board 116a may increase the speed of the fan 130 in response to determining, using the fan algorithm, that the detected temperature of the laundry system 10a has exceeded a temperature threshold.

[0090] refer to Figures 18 to 27C , a laundry system 10b is provided that includes a cabinet 100 and a particle separation system 200b that separates particles 14 (e.g., lint, hair, and other debris) from air 12 passing through the cabinet 100 and deposits the particles 14 into a container or particle hopper 300b in a lower portion or area of ​​the cabinet 100, while clean air 12C separated from the particles 14 is exhausted from the laundry system and / or returned to the cabinet 100. As discussed further below, the particle separation system 200b includes one or more horizontal cyclone filters 204b disposed in a lower portion or area of ​​the cabinet 100 (e.g., below the drum 102) to reduce the footprint of the laundry system 10b and maintain a high particle extraction rate with low airflow restriction. In addition, particle separation system 200b deposits particles 14 at a particle hopper 300b located in a lower portion or area of ​​cabinet 100 and allows a user to access the particle hopper at the front of the cabinet to more easily remove accumulated particles 14 from particle hopper 300b and to more easily clean particle hopper 300b. Some aspects of laundry system 10b may be substantially similar to aspects of laundry systems 10 and 10a described herein, and thus like reference numerals are used below and in the figures to identify like components.

[0091] like Figure 18 and Figure 19As shown, laundry system 10b includes two cabinets 100 (i.e., vertically stacked tumble dryers). As shown, each cabinet 100 includes a first front panel 104a and a second rear panel 104b, and the second rear panel 104b is arranged on the side (i.e., the rear side) opposite to the first front panel 104a of the cabinet 100. A third side panel 104c and a fourth side panel 104d extend between the front panel 104a and the rear panel 104b, respectively, so that the side panels 104a-104d together define a chamber for placing the drum 102. A door 114 is mounted at the opening of the front panel 104a so that the user can enter the drum 102. In addition, an entry panel 120b is arranged at the opening of the front panel 104a below the door 114 and can be removed from the cabinet 100 or moved relative to the cabinet 100 so that the user can enter the particle hopper 300b arranged below the drum 102 behind the front panel 104a. Access panel 120b may include a lock and / or actuator for selectively allowing a user access to pellet hopper 300b.

[0092] The laundry system 10b also includes an exhaust vent or air outlet 138b formed in the rear side panel 104b. A duct system is connected to the system exhaust vent 138b and provides a duct or passage for airflow to flow out of the cabinet 100 and out of the laundry system 10b. The system exhaust vent 138b is fluidly connected to the environment through an exhaust plenum 150, for example. Specifically, a particle separation system 200b is fluidly connected between the cabinet 100b and the system exhaust vent 138b so that particles 14 are removed from the air 12 by the particle separation system 200b before (i.e., upstream of) the system exhaust vent 138b and the clean air 12C discharged from the laundry system 10b. For example, a fan 130b is disposed behind the rear side panel 104b of the cabinet 100 and draws air 12 from the interior of the cabinet 100 toward the particle separation system 200b and the exhaust plenum 150.

[0093] like Figure 20 and Figure 21 As shown, during operation of laundry system 10b, air 12 is drawn through cabinet 100 into drum 102. As laundry system 10b processes laundry, particles 14, such as lint, hair, dust, and other debris, are carried with air 12 out of drum 102 and toward particle separation system 200b and air outlet 126b. For example, a series of holes or through-holes 140b are formed in the outer wall of drum 102. Holes 140b fluidly connect the interior of drum 102 with a portion of the interior of cabinet 100 that is in fluid communication with particle separation system 200b. Holes 140b are configured to allow air 12 and particles 14 to pass from drum 102 through particle separation system 200b without allowing laundry or larger debris to pass through drum 102.

[0094] In the illustrated example, an air duct or air cavity 142b surrounds or encircles at least a portion of the drum 102, such as the front portion of the drum 102 facing the door 114, so that the drum 102 rotates or spins within the air cavity 142b. A first seal 144b surrounds the drum 102 and fluidly separates the air cavity 142b from the rear portion of the cabinet 100, where the air 12 is drawn into the drum 102, thereby allowing the air 12 to be drawn into the drum 102 rather than directly into the air cavity 142b. A second seal or flange 146b surrounds the drum 102 and fluidly separates the air cavity 142b from the front portion of the cabinet 100 (e.g., at or near the door 114). As air 12 and particles 14 flow out of drum 102 and toward particle separation system 200b through aperture 140b and air cavity 142b, first seal 144b and second seal 146b prevent particles 14 from entering portions of cabinet 100 other than air cavity 142b (where particles 14 could potentially clog or damage components of laundry system 10b).

[0095] The particle separation system 200b is fluidly connected to the air cavity 142b and is disposed within the cabinet 100 below the drum 102. The fan 130b draws air 12 through the particle separation system 200b, thereby forcing an air flow from the drum 12 through the apertures 140b and the air cavity 142b into the particle separation system 200b. As discussed further below, the particle separation system 200b separates particles 14 from the air flow and directs the particles 14 to the particle hopper 300b.

[0096] In the illustrated example, the particle hopper 300b is provided as a collection area below the drum 102, and a user can clean the particle hopper 300b by removing the access panel 120b at the front side panel 104a of the cabinet 100. For example, the access panel 120b is secured to the particle hopper 300b such that the particle hopper 300b and the access panel 120b can be extended and / or removed together in series from the laundry system 10b to empty the particle hopper 300b.

[0097] like Figures 22 to 27C As shown, the particle separation system 200b is disposed within the cabinet 100 below the drum 102 and is thus integrated with the cabinet 100 to remove particles 14 from the air 12 drawn through the cabinet 100 without the use of a screen or conventional lint collector. The particle separation system 200b includes one or more cyclone filters 204b configured to receive incoming air 12 from the air cavity 142b and output particles 14 and clean air 12C, respectively. In the illustrated example, the particle separation system 200b of each cabinet 100 includes two cyclone filters 204b, and the air 12 is drawn into the two cyclone filters 204b in parallel by the fan 130b.

[0098] The cyclone filter 204b has a generally cylindrical body 206b extending between a first end 208b and a second end 210b to define a cyclone chamber 212b of the cyclone filter 204b. 204b Extends along the cylindrical body 206b between the first end 208b and the second end 210b. Figure 20 and Figure 23 As shown, the cyclone filter 204b extends substantially horizontally within the cabinet 100, so that the particle separation system 200b is accommodated in a compact space below the drum 102. That is, the central axis A of the cyclone filter 204b is substantially horizontal. 204b The front side panel 104a and the rear side panel 104b extend generally parallel to the ground on which the laundry system 10b is located or generally perpendicular to the front side panel 104a and the rear side panel 104b.

[0099] The main body 206b of the cyclone filter 204b includes: an air inlet 214b provided at a first end 208b of the main body 206b for introducing air 12 from the air cavity 142b into the cyclone chamber 212b; a particle outlet 216b provided at a second end 210b of the main body 206b for introducing particles 14 removed from the air 12 into the particle hopper 300b; and a clean air outlet 218b formed at the first end 208b of the main body 206b for discharging clean air 12C out of the cyclone filter 204b. The air inlet 214b provides an inlet duct 215b, which is configured to be axially spaced relative to the main body 206b and the central axis A. 204b The air 12 is introduced into the cyclone chamber 212b in a substantially tangential manner. Similarly, the particle outlet 216b is oriented relative to the body 206b and the central axis A. 204b The particles 14 from the cyclone chamber 212b are directed in a substantially tangential manner, with the clean air outlet 218b being aligned with the central axis A. 204b Coaxial.

[0100] In the illustrated example, the air inlet 214b extends tangentially from the cylindrical body 206b, along and substantially parallel to the bottom plate 104e of the cabinet 100, which forms the lower boundary of the air cavity 142b. The particle outlet 216b extends tangentially from the cylindrical body 206b and is spaced apart from the bottom plate 104e of the cabinet 100 to direct the particles 14 into a particle hopper 300b located above the bottom plate 104e. The particle outlet 216b can be at least partially downwardly directed toward the bottom plate 104e and can extend at least partially into the particle hopper 300b to fluidly connect the cyclone chamber 212b and the particle hopper 300b. In addition, the air inlet 214b and the particle outlet 216b can each have a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the cross-sections of the air inlet 214b and the duct 215b are larger than the cross-section of the particle outlet 216b, such that the volume of the air 12 entering the cyclone chamber 212b via the air inlet 214b is larger than the volume of the particles 14 exiting the cyclone chamber 212b via the particle outlet 216b. In other words, the cross-section of the air inlet 214b is configured to provide a sufficient volume of air 12 to the cyclone chamber 212b to supply corresponding portions of the volume of the air 12 to the particle outlet 216b (i.e., the dirty portion) and the clean air outlet 218b (i.e., the clean portion). For example, the air inlet 214b includes a plurality of conduits parallel to the central axis A. 204b Extended width W 214b , and the particle outlet 216b includes a 204b Extended width W 216b , wherein the width W of the air inlet 214b is 214b Greater than the width W of the particle outlet 216b 216b .

[0101] During operation of the laundry system 10b, air 12 is drawn from the air cavity 142b into the cyclone chamber 212b through the inlet duct 215b of the air inlet 214b. Figure 24 As shown, the central axis A of the two cyclone filters 204b 204b The cyclone filters 204b are arranged parallel to each other, with the air inlet 214b of one cyclone filter 204b facing the air inlet 214b of the other cyclone filter 204b, so that part of the air 12 in the air cavity 142b flows into each cyclone filter 204b. In other words, the cyclone filters 204b are formed as mirror images of each other and are arranged on opposite sides of the air cavity 142b. The clean air outlet 218b extends from the first end 208b of the main body 206b along the central axis A. 204b The air inlet 214b extends axially so that the air 12 is drawn along the inlet duct 215b upon entering the body 206b and at least partially around the cylindrical neck or vortex inducer 224b at the clean air outlet 218b. 214bThe vortex inducer 224b may substantially correspond to or be equal to the central axis A of the cyclone filter 204b. 204b Length L 224b Thus, the inlet duct 215b and the vortex inducer 224b cooperate to define a spiral duct for the air flow, thereby promoting the formation of an outer spiral vortex 220b of the air 12 flowing from the air inlet 214b to the particle outlet 216b and the second end 210b of the body 206b. Figure 27C ).

[0102] When the air 12 enters the body 206b and forms an outer spiral vortex 220b flowing from the air inlet 214b to the particle outlet 216b, the particles 14 are subjected to centrifugal force, causing the particles 14 to flow along the inner cylindrical surface of the body 206b. Figure 26 As shown, the particle outlet 216b is formed to be aligned with the main body 206b and the central axis A 204b The cyclone filter 204b is oriented substantially tangentially to the outer spiral vortex 220b of the air 12 and to the particle hopper 300b through the particle outlet 216b. In other words, because the cyclone filter 204b is oriented substantially horizontally (rather than vertically) and allows for removal of particles 14 at an easily accessible location within the particle hopper 300b, the tangential particle outlet 216b relies on the centripetal acceleration of the particles 14 relative to the inner surface of the body 206b and the tangential linear velocity of the particles 14 when they reach the particle outlet 216b. The particles 14 are directed from the cyclone chamber 212b in a generally downward and outward direction relative to the body 206b toward the particle hopper 300b via the particle outlet 216b. In other words, the particle outlet 216b directs the particles 14 at least partially downward and away from the cyclone filter 204b.

[0103] To prevent the outer spiral vortex 220b from moving out of the particle outlet 216b at the second end 210b of the body 206b (which could cause the particles 14 to re-enter the airflow), a vortex splitter 226b extends from the inner surface of the second end 210b of the body 206b along the central axis A. 204b The vortex splitter 226b includes an outer splitter wall 228b having a length L extending from a first end attached to the second end 210b of the body 206b to a distal second end. 228b As shown, the length L of the diverter wall 228b 228b Greater than the width W of the particle outlet 216b 206b The vortex splitter wall 228b of the vortex splitter 226b is aligned with the central axis A. 204b The diverter wall 228b has an outer diameter D 226bThe outer diameter tapers from the first end of the diverter wall 228b to the second end of the diverter wall 228b and is at least slightly larger than the inner diameter D of the clean air outlet 218b at the second end of the diverter wall 228b. 218b The conical cover 230b is disposed at the second end of the diverter wall 228b. When the airflow of the outer spiral vortex 220b approaches the second end 210b and the vortex diverter 226b, the vortex diverter 226b helps separate the particles 14 from the airflow and promotes the inner airflow of the clean air 12C or the inner spiral vortex 222b to flow along the central axis A. 204b Flows toward the clean air outlet 218b.

[0104] Thus, instead of using a long conical outer cylinder to allow the air vortex to turn and exit the filter, the vortex splitter 226b includes a cylindrical or conical splitter wall 228b extending from the second end 210b of the body 206b within the cyclone chamber 212b and having a diameter D 228b Slightly larger than the diameter D of the clean air outlet 218b or the vortex inducer 224b 218b This geometry affects the direction of the airflow as it enters the air inlet 214b and the body 206b along the vortex inducer 224b. In addition, the vortex splitter 226b allows the body 206b to be oriented along the central axis A relative to a cyclonic design without a vortex splitter. 204b The length of the particle separation system 200 b is shortened to further reduce the packaging requirements of the particle separation system 200 b within the cabinet 100 .

[0105] When the fan 130b is operated to draw air from the cyclone filter 204b through the clean air outlet 218b, the inner spiral vortex 222b of the clean air 12C flows within the outer spiral vortex 220b (i.e., radially inward) and through the clean air outlet 218b at the first end 208b of the body 206b. Figures 27A to 27C As shown, a clean air duct 232b is connected between the fan 130b and the clean air outlet 218b so that clean air 12C flows from the cyclone filter 204b to the fan 130b to be exhausted from the laundry system 10b and / or reintroduced into the cabinet 100. The clean air duct 232b includes a cylindrical docking portion 234b at least partially received along the clean air outlet 218b and an angled, curved, or twisted portion 236b extending from the docking portion 234b toward the fan 230b.

[0106] In the illustrated example, the clean air duct 232b is manufactured separately from the cyclone filter 204b and docks with the cyclone filter 204b at the clean air outlet 218b during assembly to simplify manufacturing and facilitate assembly of the particle separation system 200b. However, it should be understood that the clean air duct 232b and the cyclone filter 204b can be formed integrally with each other. In addition, docking the docking portion 234b of the clean air duct 232b with the cylindrical clean air outlet 218b of the cyclone filter 204b allows the axial or rotational position of the end of the vortex inducer 224b to be adjusted and set relative to the vortex splitter 226b. That is, in some embodiments, the docking portion 234b of the clean air duct 232b can extend into the cyclone chamber 212b beyond the end of the vortex inducer 224b, so that the outer surface of the docking portion 234b operates to extend the vortex inducer 224b into the cyclone chamber 212b.

[0107] In addition, since the clean air outlet 218b is along the central axis A 204b The first end 208b of the main body 206b is axially inwardly disposed, and the abutting portion 234b of the clean air duct 232b extends along the vortex inducer 224b to the clean air outlet 218b, so that the curved portion 236b of the clean air duct 232b extends from the abutting portion 234b at or near the first end 208b of the main body 206b. In other words, the geometry of the main body 206b and the clean air duct 232b allows the clean air duct 232b to rotate or bend closer to the main body 206b than would be the case with an integrally formed duct. This allows for a compact airflow solution without increasing flow restriction or causing the airflow to turn at a sharp angle.

[0108] like Figure 22 and Figure 24 As shown, the clean air duct 232b connected to the parallel filters 204b is connected to the fan 130b via a two-way manifold or adapter 238b. Such that, when the fan 130b is operated to draw air through the particle separation system 200b, the air 12 is drawn in parallel through the individual filters 204b. The particle outlets 216b of the parallel filters 204b deposit the particles 14 into a shared particle hopper 300b located between the filters 204b. It should be understood that the fan 130b can be fluidly connected to any number of filters 204b via adapters of different configurations. For example, the fan 130b can be fluidly connected to the particle separation system 200b serving the upper cabinet 100 and the particle separation system 200b serving the lower cabinet 100.

[0109] See also Figures 28 to 32, another example of a laundry system 10c is provided that includes an alternative configuration embodiment of a cabinet 100c and a particle separation system 200c disposed within a particle hopper 300c. Given that the structure and function of components associated with laundry system 10c and laundry systems 10, 10a, and 10b are substantially similar, like reference numerals with letter extensions are used to identify modified components.

[0110] like Figures 28 to 32 As shown, laundry system 10c includes a cabinet 100c having a single drum 102c. Cabinet 100c includes a first front panel 104e and a second rear panel 104f, with second rear panel 104f disposed on a side of cabinet 100c opposite first front panel 104e (i.e., rear side). A third side panel 104g and a fourth side panel 104h extend between first front panel 104e and second rear panel 104f, respectively, such that side panels 104e-104h collectively define a chamber 106c in which drum 102c is disposed. In addition to a door 114c mounted on the opening of front panel 104e, cabinet 100c also includes a control panel 116 having a user interface 118, as previously described.

[0111] Cabinet 100c also includes an entry panel 120c detachably connected to the lower portion of cabinet 100c (i.e., below drum cavity 106c). Entry panel 120c is configured to selectively remove and replace from front panel 104e to expose and hide particle hopper 300c. Optionally, entry panel 120c can include an electronic lock. When particle hopper 300c is full and needs to be emptied, control panel 116c can send a signal to actuator (e.g., in response to user selection of cleaning notification) to unlock / open entry panel 120c for user to open. In other embodiments, the user can manually unlock entry panel 120c using a manual lock or latch device.

[0112] refer to Figure 30 and Figure 32 , the laundry system 10c includes a drum exhaust duct 128c that connects the cabinet 100c to the particle hopper 300c and the particle separation system 200c. As described above, in some examples of the present disclosure, the particle hopper 300c and the particle separation system 200c are integrated with the cabinet 100c. For example, Figure 32 As shown, particle hopper 300c and particle separation system 200c are located below cabinet 100c, with drum exhaust duct 128c providing fluid communication between chamber 106c of cabinet 100c and particle separation system 200c.

[0113] As previously discussed with respect to cabinet 100b, cabinet 100c may include an air cavity surrounding at least a portion of drum 102c, such as a front portion of drum 102c facing door 114c, such that drum 102c rotates or spins within the air cavity. Figure 21 Similarly, in the illustrated configuration, a first seal surrounds the drum 102c and fluidically separates the air cavity from the rear portion of the cabinet 100c, where air 12 is drawn into the drum 102c. This allows the air 12 to be drawn into the drum 102c rather than directly into the air cavity. A second seal or flange surrounds the drum 102c and fluidically separates the air cavity from the front portion of the cabinet 100c (e.g., at or near the door 114). Thus, air 12 and particles 14 are directed from the drum 102c to the drum exhaust duct 128c via the air cavity formed around the drum 102c.

[0114] See also Figures 28 to 32 The particle separation system 200c removes particles 14 from the air 12 flowing out of the cabinet 100c. The removed particles 14 are collected by a particle hopper 300b located below the particle separation system 200c, while the clean air 12 is simultaneously drawn upward. Like the particle separation systems 200, 200a, and 200b described above, the particle separation system 200b can operate completely without a screen.

[0115] like Figure 32 As shown, particle separation system 200c is mounted within particle hopper 300c to limit the impact of external ambient air on particle separation system 200c. In other words, integrating particle separation system 200c into particle hopper 300c isolates particle separation system 200c from ambient air, which in turn reduces the moisture content within particle separation system 200c and particle hopper 300c. For example, cyclone filter 204 of particle separation system 200c is surrounded by relatively warm air contained within particle hopper 300c, allowing cyclone filter 204 to be maintained at a higher temperature than if cyclone filter 204 were exposed to ambient air. By maintaining cyclone filter 204 at a higher temperature, relatively humid air passing through cyclone filter 204 is less likely to condense on the sidewalls of cyclone filter 204, thereby minimizing the ingress of moisture into particles 14.

[0116] Now see Figures 28 to 32 The pellet hopper 300c includes one or more panels defining a hopper chamber 304c that collects pellets 14 removed from the pellet separation system 200c. While the pellet hopper 300c may include separate panels similar to the panels 302a-302g discussed above, the illustrated example provides a pellet hopper 300c defined by panels 104e-104h of the cabinet 100c. Thus, the pellet hopper 300c may be provided as an integrated part of the cabinet 100c.

[0117] In the example shown, pellet hopper 300c includes an optional intermediate hopper purge chamber or duct 303c located between drum exhaust duct 128c and hopper chamber 304c. Figure 31 and Figure 32 As best shown, intermediate cleaning chamber 303c is separated from hopper chamber 304c by intermediate hopper chamber panel 302h, which extends generally between rear hopper wall 302i and front side panel 104e to define intermediate cleaning chamber 303c and hopper chamber 304c located below intermediate cleaning chamber 303c. As shown, intermediate hopper chamber panel 302h is oriented at an oblique angle, sloping downward from rear hopper wall 302i to front side panel 104e. Intermediate cleaning chamber 303c also includes intermediate cleaning entry panel 310d, which defines an opening in the front portion of intermediate cleaning chamber 303c. Thus, larger objects and debris removed from drum 102c by the flow of air 12 can fall into intermediate cleaning chamber 303c upstream of particle separation system 200c, allowing the objects to enter and be removed through intermediate cleaning entry panel 310d without entering particle separation system 200c.

[0118] See also Figure 29 、 Figure 31 and Figure 32 , the hopper chamber 304c is located below the intermediate cleaning chamber 303c. However, it should be understood that the pellet hopper 300c may not be provided with the intermediate cleaning chamber 303c, so that the hopper chamber 304c is directly connected to the drum exhaust duct 128c. In the illustrated example, the hopper chamber 304c is located between the rear hopper wall 302i and the front hopper wall 302j ( Figure 32 ). The front hopper wall 302j may include a hopper cleanout port 310c configured to provide access to the hopper chamber 304c when the cabinet access panel 120c is removed.

[0119] See also Figures 30 to 32 The particle separation system 200c is configured in a manner substantially similar to the particle separation systems 200 and 200a discussed above. Specifically, the particle separation system 200c includes a cyclone separation system 202c, which includes the cyclone separation system 202c described above. Figure 10 and Figure 11 The plurality of cyclone filters 204 described herein are thus incorporated into the cyclone filter 204 of the cyclonic separation system 202c. In the illustrated example, the cyclone filter 204c is disposed within the hopper chamber 304 such that the central axis A of the cyclone filter 204 is 204 For the avoidance of doubt, the central axis A of the cyclone filter 204 is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the vertical or horizontal.204 At an angle θ relative to the horizontal bottom of the laundry system 10c 206 ( Figure 31 ) orientation, whereby the bottom of the conical body 206 of each cyclone filter 204 is also at an oblique angle θ 206 ( Figure 31 ) are oriented to provide a continuous descent from the air inlet 214 to the particle outlet 216.

[0120] like Figure 31 As best shown, each cyclone filter 204 is positioned adjacent to the intermediate hopper chamber panel 302h, whereby the air inlet 214 and duct 215 communicate with the drum exhaust duct 128c and receive the mixture of air 12 and particles 14 from the drum 102c. The mixture of air 12 and particles 14 is filtered through the cyclone filter 204 in a manner similar to that described above, whereby the particles 14 are removed from the air 12 by centripetal acceleration and fall from the particle outlet 216 into the hopper chamber 304c. Optionally, the hopper chamber 304c may include a panel or channel defining a particle inlet 308c of the hopper chamber 304c. Clean air 12 is discharged from each cyclone filter 204 through a clean air outlet 218, which is located adjacent to the rear hopper wall 302i ( Figure 31 The clean air 12 is then exhausted through the system exhaust port 138c.

[0121] The pellet hopper 300a also includes one or more capacity sensors 320 that are in communication with the control board 116 and are configured to measure the capacity of the hopper chamber 304c of the pellet hopper 300c. Figure 29 As shown, a capacity sensor 320 is mounted on the upper portion of pellet hopper 300c, above hopper chamber clearing port 310c. Capacity sensor 320 measures the available capacity of hopper chamber 304c and sends a signal to control panel 116. Control panel 116, in response to determining that the capacity of pellet hopper 304c has exceeded a fill threshold, sends a signal indicating that pellet hopper chamber 304c needs to be emptied. Here, the fill threshold can be configured by a user of user interface 118. For example, a user can select an acceptable threshold capacity for pellet hopper 300c, wherein control panel 116 generates a notification (e.g., a warning light, an alarm) in response to detecting that the capacity of pellet hopper 304c has exceeded the user-configured fill threshold. In other examples, the fill threshold is configured by the manufacturer of laundry system 10c (e.g., periodically to ensure maximum performance).

[0122] In some examples, a user accesses the hopper chamber 304c by removing the access panel 120c on the front side of the cabinet 100c to expose the access port 108, and can attach a vacuum device to the clean-out port of the access panel 310c to suck pellets 14 from the pellet hopper 300c below the cabinet 100c. The control board 116 can send a signal to the actuator of the access controller 136 in response to receiving an indication that the user has addressed the clean-out instruction displayed on the user interface 118 of the control board 116.

[0123] Optionally, laundry system 10c includes one or more temperature sensors 16 configured to measure the temperature of laundry system 10a and transmit the measured temperature to control board 116a. Control board 116 is configured to evaluate the measured temperatures to detect operating conditions of laundry system 10c. For example, a relatively high measured temperature detected by control board 116 may correspond to a blockage in exhaust vent 138c of laundry system 10c. Here, control board 116 may instruct fan 130 to increase its speed to clear the blockage. One or more temperature sensors 16 may be located in any combination of air passages within laundry system 10, such as chamber 106c of cabinet 100c, drum exhaust duct 128, pellet hopper 300c, and / or housing 134 of fan 130. Here, control board 116 may execute (e.g., via data processing hardware 122) a fan algorithm to optimize the variable speed of fan 130 based on one or more temperature readings measured by temperature sensors 16 located within laundry system 10c. In other words, the control board 116 may increase the speed of the fan 130 in response to determining, using the fan algorithm, that the detected temperature of the laundry system 10c has exceeded the temperature threshold.

[0124] The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. The same may vary in many respects. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0125] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific exemplary configurations and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "compose", "comprise", "include" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the particular order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0126] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0127] Terms such as first, second, and third can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below can be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

Claims

1. A cyclone filter, characterized in that: include: a body comprising a cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end, said body defining a chamber of said cyclone filter; an air inlet formed through the cylindrical surface, the air inlet being configured to receive airflow from the washing machine cabinet and direct the airflow within the chamber along the cylindrical surface; a vortex splitter extending from the second end of the body within the chamber, the vortex splitter being configured to interrupt the airflow as the airflow passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface to separate particles from the airflow; and A particle outlet is formed through the cylindrical surface and axially spaced from the air inlet, the particle outlet being configured to direct particles separated from the air flow to a particle container.

2. The cyclone filter according to claim 1, characterized in that A vortex inducer extends within the chamber from the first end and at least partially along the cylindrical surface of the body, the vortex inducer including a cylindrical surface and configured to direct airflow from the air inlet to flow in a spiral between the cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

3. The cyclone filter according to claim 2, characterized in that The vortex splitter includes an annular surface extending from the second end of the body, the annular surface of the vortex splitter having a first outer diameter that is greater than a second outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

4. The cyclone filter according to claim 1, wherein A clean air outlet is formed through the first end of the body, the clean air outlet being configured to receive clean air drawn from the chamber.

5. The cyclone filter according to claim 4, characterized in that The opening of the clean air outlet is located between the air inlet and the first end of the main body.

6. The cyclone filter according to claim 4, characterized in that A clean air duct extends through the clean air outlet and is located at least partially within the chamber.

7. The cyclone filter according to claim 6, characterized in that The clean air duct includes a cylindrical portion extending through the clean air outlet and at least partially within the chamber, and a curved portion extending at an oblique angle between the cylindrical portion and the airflow source.

8. The cyclone filter according to claim 1, wherein The air inlet comprises a duct extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body.

9. The cyclone filter according to claim 1, wherein The particle outlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body.

10. The cyclone filter according to claim 1, wherein The central axis of the cyclone filter extends between the first end and the second end, and the air inlet and the particle outlet are formed through the cylindrical surface tangential to the central axis.

11. A laundry system, characterized in that: include: a washing machine cabinet configured to process laundry during operation of the laundry system; a particle container configured to receive particles separated from laundry during operation of the laundry system; as well as A particle separation system, comprising: a body comprising a cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end, said body defining a chamber of said cyclone filter; an air inlet formed through the cylindrical surface, the air inlet being configured to receive airflow from the washing machine cabinet and direct the airflow within the chamber along the cylindrical surface; a vortex splitter extending from the second end of the body within the chamber, the vortex splitter being configured to interrupt the airflow as it passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface to separate particles from the airflow; and A particle outlet is formed through the cylindrical surface and is axially spaced from the air inlet, the particle outlet being configured to direct the particles separated from the air flow to the particle container.

12. The laundry system according to claim 11, wherein: A vortex inducer extends within the chamber from the first end and at least partially along the cylindrical surface of the body, the vortex inducer including a cylindrical surface and configured to direct airflow from the air inlet to flow in a spiral between the cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

13. The laundry system according to claim 12, wherein: The vortex splitter includes an annular surface extending from the second end of the body, the annular surface of the vortex splitter having a first outer diameter that is greater than a second outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

14. The laundry system according to claim 11, wherein: A clean air outlet is formed through the first end of the body, the clean air outlet being configured to receive clean air drawn from the chamber.

15. The laundry system according to claim 14, wherein: The opening of the clean air outlet is located between the air inlet and the first end of the main body.

16. The laundry system according to claim 14, wherein: A clean air duct extends through the clean air outlet and is located at least partially within the chamber.

17. The laundry system according to claim 16, wherein: The clean air duct includes a cylindrical portion extending through the clean air outlet and at least partially within the chamber, and a curved portion extending at an oblique angle between the cylindrical portion and an airflow source of the laundry system.

18. The laundry system according to claim 11, wherein: The air inlet comprises a duct extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body.

19. The laundry system according to claim 11, wherein: The particle outlet comprises a conduit extending tangentially to the cylindrical surface of the body.

20. The laundry system according to claim 1, wherein: The cyclone filter has a central axis extending between the first end and the second end, and the air inlet and the particle outlet formed through the cylindrical surface are tangential to the central axis.

21. A laundry system, characterized in that: include: a cabinet including a drum for processing laundry and an access opening extending through the cabinet; a particle separation system for removing particles from the air in the drum; A pellet hopper is configured to collect removed pellets and includes a cleaning port that cooperates with the access port of the cabinet to provide access for removing the collected removed pellets from the pellet hopper.

22. The laundry system according to claim 21, wherein: The cabinet further includes a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel and the rear panel being disposed on different sides of the cabinet, the access opening extending from the front panel to the rear panel.

23. The laundry system according to any one of claims 21 to 22, characterized in that: At least a portion of the particle hopper is disposed below an outlet of the particle separation system.

24. The laundry system according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that: At least a portion of the particle separation system is disposed within the particle hopper.

25. The laundry system according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that: The particle separation system includes a cyclone separation system.

26. The laundry system according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that The cyclone separation system is integrated into the cabinet.

27. The laundry system according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that: The cyclonic separation system includes an array of one or more cyclonic filters.

28. The laundry system according to any one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that: The particle separation system comprises: a body comprising a cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end, said body defining a chamber of said cyclone filter; an air inlet formed through the cylindrical surface, the air inlet being configured to receive airflow from the washing machine cabinet and direct the airflow within the chamber along the cylindrical surface; a vortex splitter extending from the second end of the body within the chamber, the vortex splitter being configured to interrupt the airflow as the airflow passes through the chamber between the vortex splitter and the cylindrical surface to separate particles from the airflow; and A particle outlet is formed through the cylindrical surface and axially spaced from the air inlet, the particle outlet being configured to direct particles separated from the air flow to a particle container.

29. The laundry system according to claim 28, wherein: A vortex inducer extends within the chamber from the first end and at least partially along the cylindrical surface of the body, the vortex inducer including a cylindrical surface and configured to direct airflow from the air inlet to flow in a spiral between the cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

30. The laundry system according to claim 29, wherein: The vortex splitter includes an annular surface extending from the second end of the body, the annular surface of the vortex splitter having a first outer diameter that is greater than a second outer diameter of the cylindrical surface of the vortex inducer.

31. A laundry system, characterized in that: include: a cabinet including a drum for processing laundry and an access opening extending through the cabinet; a control panel, including the user interface; a particle separation system for removing particles from the air in the drum; as well as A pellet hopper is provided for collecting the removed pellets, the pellet hopper including a capacity sensor in communication with the control board and configured to detect a capacity of the pellet hopper.

32. The laundry system according to claim 31, wherein: The capacity sensor sends a signal to the control board in response to detecting that the capacity of the pellet hopper has exceeded a fill threshold.

33. The laundry system according to claim 32, wherein: The fill threshold is configurable by a user of the user interface.

34. The laundry system according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that The user interface of the control panel includes a clean notification configured to alert a user that the pellet hopper is full.

35. The laundry system according to any one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that The access port extending through the cabinet includes an access controller in communication with the control panel and configured to allow access to the access port.

36. The laundry system according to claim 35, wherein: The access controller allows access to the access port in response to receiving that a user has selected a clean indication displayed in the user interface of the control panel.

37. The laundry system according to any one of claims 31 to 36, characterized in that Also included is a fan in communication with the control board and disposed between the cabinet and the particle separation system.

38. The laundry system according to claim 37, wherein: A temperature sensor is further included, configured to detect a temperature of the laundry system and transmit the detected temperature to the control board.

39. The laundry system according to claim 38, wherein: The control board increases the speed of the fan in response to determining, using a fan algorithm, that a sensed temperature of the laundry system has exceeded a temperature threshold.

40. The laundry system according to any one of claims 31 to 39, characterized in that The particle separation system includes a cyclone separation system located outside the cabinet.

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