Dryer Component Cleaning Using Liquid Level Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry drying apparatuses face performance deterioration due to accumulated fluff, which can clog air filters and reduce heat exchanger efficiency, necessitating an effective cleaning mechanism to maintain performance.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a cleaning arrangement that uses liquid to remove fluff from components, featuring a collector tank, liquid level detector, and control unit to monitor and manage the cleaning process, ensuring efficient fluff removal and filter maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluff is continuously collected on the apparatus component during drying operation, then the apparatus component is exposed to fluff conveyed in the downstream channel, but the performance of the apparatus component deteriorates due to fluff accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning operations periodically during the drying cycle rather than continuously. The liquid injection mechanism is activated at specific intervals to remove fluff accumulation, allowing the drying process to proceed uninterrupted while maintaining component performance through periodic maintenance actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning arrangement operates continuously during the drying cycle to prevent fluff accumulation from deteriorating component performance. By maintaining continuous cleaning action, the system ensures that the apparatus component remains functional throughout the drying operation without performance degradation.
2Reliability
If a cleaning arrangement is introduced to remove fluff, then component performance is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional cleaning components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses itself to clean the apparatus component. Liquid is injected into the downstream channel where fluff accumulates, and the existing airflow and water flow dynamics within the dryer facilitate the removal process. This self-cleaning approach maintains component performance without requiring external cleaning equipment or complex additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning arrangement utilizes liquid injection through the downstream channel to remove fluff. By employing hydraulic principles, the system introduces liquid flow to dislodge and remove accumulated fluff from the apparatus component, maintaining performance through fluid-based cleaning rather than mechanical intervention.
3Reliability
If liquid is applied to clean the apparatus component, then fluff is removed, but liquid accumulation in the collector tank requires monitoring and management
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a liquid level detector that continuously monitors the collector tank and provides feedback to the control unit. When the liquid level reaches a predetermined threshold, the control unit automatically activates the pump to drain excess liquid. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures effective cleaning while preventing liquid overflow and simplifying operation through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual liquid level monitoring and management with an automated electronic control system. The liquid level detector and control unit work together to automatically activate the pump when needed, substituting mechanical/manual intervention with an automated sensing and control mechanism that simplifies operation.
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 apparatus effectively removes fluff, maintains component performance, and alerts users to filter cleaning needs, enhancing convenience and reliability by evaluating each cleaning phase and indicating malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid level detector is adapted to detect the liquid level in the collector tank
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning arrangement is adapted to clean the apparatus component from fluff by applying liquid in a cleaning cycle
Implementation Method 3
a pump, which is associated with the collector tank and adapted to pump liquid collected in the collector tank to the cleaning arrangement
Implementation Method 4
Another example for an apparatus component is an (air/air) heat exchanger of a condenser-type dryer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus adapted for laundry drying, in particular condenser-type laundry dryer, exhaust-type laundry dryer, heat pump dryer or washing machine having drying function, the laundry treatment apparatus comprising: an apparatus body (3), a laundry storing compartment (18) for receiving laundry to be dried by passing process air through the laundry storing compartment, a downstream channel (20d) for guiding the process air exhausted from the laundry storing compartment outside the storing compartment and within the apparatus body, an apparatus component arranged at and/or within the downstream channel, wherein the apparatus component is exposed to fluff conveyed in the downstream channel (20d), a cleaning arrangement adapted to clean the apparatus component from fluff by applying liquid in a cleaning cycle, a collector tank (26) adapted to collect the liquid used for cleaning the apparatus component, a liquid level detector (72a-b) adapted to detect the liquid level in the collector tank, and a control unit (9) receiving the signal from the liquid level detector, wherein the control unit (9) is adapted to monitor and process the signal from the liquid level detector (72a-b) for determining the flow rate and/or the amount of liquid supplied during the cleaning cycle to the apparatus component to be cleaned.