Accessible Recirculation Air Filter for Vented Laundry Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vented laundry dryers with air recirculation systems face challenges in accessing and maintaining recirculation air filters, which can lead to lint and debris accumulation, posing a fire hazard and requiring complex cleaning or replacement processes.
Innovation Solution
A vented dryer with a removably accessible recirculation air filter positioned at a peripheral region of the drying chamber, allowing users to easily clean and replace the filter without disassembling the dryer, and an air recirculation system where the outlet of the air recirculation channel is concentrically arranged with the inlet of the air supply channel to ensure efficient air mixing and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the recirculation air filter is positioned within the dryer cabinet to enable air recirculation, then energy efficiency is improved through heat recovery, but accessibility for cleaning and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation air filter is segmented from the main dryer cabinet structure and positioned in an accessible location outside the cabinet. This allows the filter to remain functional for air recirculation while being independently accessible for cleaning and maintenance without disassembling the dryer.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary air recirculation channel is introduced to connect the filter (positioned outside the cabinet) with the interior drying chamber. This intermediary structure enables the filter to be located in an accessible position while still performing its function of filtering recirculated air within the drying system.
2Productivity
If the recirculation air filter is placed deep within the dryer structure, then air recirculation efficiency is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering function is segmented from the deep internal structures of the dryer and placed in an externally accessible location. This segmentation maintains the air recirculation pathway efficiency while eliminating the need for complex disassembly during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation air filter is extracted from its traditional hidden position within the dryer cabinet and relocated to an accessible external position. This extraction allows users to easily clean and maintain the filter without requiring technical expertise or special tools.
3Reliability
If lint and debris accumulate in the recirculation air filter, then fire hazard increases, but frequent cleaning requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The filter design enables self-service cleaning by the end user. The filter is positioned and designed such that users can easily remove, clean, and reinstall it without requiring professional service or complex cleaning systems, thereby maintaining fire safety through regular maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced or cleaned frequently by users. This approach prioritizes fire safety through regular maintenance while avoiding the complexity of sophisticated cleaning systems.
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 solution enhances user accessibility and safety by allowing easy maintenance of the recirculation air filter, reducing the risk of lint ignition and improving energy efficiency through effective air recirculation and filtration, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the dryer.
Implementation Method 1
a vented dryer with an air recirculation system that directs a portion of exhausted air from a drying chamber to an air supply channel
Implementation Method 2
The air recirculation system includes a recirculation air filter that removes lint and debris from recirculated air before the air enters the air supply channel
Implementation Method 3
a heater in the air supply channel that heats air in the air supply channel
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry dryer is provided with an air recirculation channel which recirculates air from an air exhaust channel to an air supply channel. The air recirculation channel comprises a recirculation air filter which removes debris from the recirculated air before it is redirected to the air supply channel. The recirculation air filter is removably accessible behind an access door at a peripheral region of an access passage to the drying chamber such that it may be easily serviced by a user of the laundry dryer. In some embodiments, the air recirculation channel may comprise a nozzle with an outlet which is concentrically arranged at an inlet of the air supply channel. In these embodiments, the nozzle may direct the recirculated air to the air supply channel such that it is enveloped by fresh air entering from within a cabinet of the laundry dryer.