A laundry dryer comprising a filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Condensation type laundry dryers face inefficiencies in drying effectiveness due to unfiltered condensate water, which can lead to clogging and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a water filter at the tank outlet to filter condensate water before it is reused in the air circulation system, preventing clogging and enhancing cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If condensate water is reused in the air circulation system without filtration, then the system operates continuously without maintenance interruptions, but clogging occurs reducing drying effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A water filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the condensate tank and the air circulation system. The filter housing with detachable filter element captures lint and debris from condensate water before it is pumped back to the heat exchanger, preventing clogging while maintaining system continuity and drying effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a water filter is installed at the tank outlet, then clogging is prevented improving drying effectiveness, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration system is segmented into a filter housing and a detachable filter element. This segmentation allows the filter element to be easily removed and cleaned without disassembling the entire water circulation system, maintaining productivity while managing device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element acts as an intermediary between the condensate tank and pump, intercepting debris that would otherwise cause clogging. This protects the more complex pumping and heating components while adding minimal complexity through a simple filtration stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the water filter is integrated into the tank structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for filter maintenance is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidfilter accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing serves as an intermediary structure that provides easy access to the filter element through a removable cover. This design simplifies maintenance operations by allowing users to clean the filter without draining the tank or disassembling complex components, improving ease of operation while maintaining integrated design benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The filtered water improves drying effectiveness by maintaining system cleanliness and preventing errors like a full tank due to clogging, while allowing easy maintenance of the water filter.

Implementation Method 1

a water filter that provides the filtering of the water delivered to the water conduit through the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The spraying device sprays the water onto the condenser or the air filter and thus cleans these components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray cleaning: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

a condenser that provides the dehumidification of the drying processing air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP2938776B1A laundry dryer comprising a filter
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2938776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2938776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2938776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer (1) comprising a body (2), a drum (3) wherein the laundry is placed, a condenser (4) that provides the dehumidification of the drying processing air, a tank (5) wherein the condensate water leaving the condenser (4) is collected, an outlet (6) situated on the tank (5) and provides the discharge of the water in the tank (5), and a water conduit (7) through which the water transferred through the outlet (6) is carried.