Dryer Dual Filter Cartridge Layout for Smooth Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes dryers with dual filter structures face challenges in air flow due to overlapping filters, which narrows the circulation channel and hinders efficient air passage, especially when the drum capacity is increased, leading to turbulent air flow and difficulty in removing foreign matter without leaving the outside filter behind.
Innovation Solution
A clothes dryer design featuring a dual filter structure where the inside filter cartridge is received in the outside filter cartridge, with filters positioned at the front, rear, and lateral surfaces of the outside filter cartridge, allowing for improved air flow and easy separation of both cartridges during maintenance, and incorporating a discharge duct that guides air laterally to an off-center blowing fan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are sequentially arranged in the forward and rearward direction, then filtering is provided, but the circulation channel is narrowed and air flow becomes turbulent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from sequential forward-rearward filter arrangement to a lateral arrangement where filters are positioned at the front and rear surfaces of the outside filter cartridge, perpendicular to the drum rotation axis. This dimensional change allows air to flow smoothly through both filters without narrowing the circulation channel, resolving the contradiction between filtering performance and air flow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The inside filter cartridge is nested within the outside filter cartridge, with the inside cartridge having a smaller diameter and being receivable within the outside cartridge. This nested configuration allows both filters to function simultaneously while maintaining adequate circulation channel width, enabling both filters to provide filtering without causing turbulent air flow
2Productivity
If drum capacity is increased, then drying capacity is improved, but the space for mounting filter cartridges cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the lateral dimension (width of the circulation channel) rather than the forward-rearward direction for filter cartridge placement. By positioning filters at the front and rear surfaces of the outside cartridge, the design accommodates larger drum capacities without requiring additional forward-rearward space, thus resolving the space constraint for filter mounting
3Reliability
If dual filter structure is used, then filtering performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inside filter cartridge is designed to be nested within the outside filter cartridge, with the inside cartridge being separably received within the outside cartridge. This nested structure provides dual filtering capability while maintaining a compact, integrated appearance that does not significantly increase overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dual filter system is segmented into separable inside and outside filter cartridges, allowing independent removal and maintenance of each filter. This segmentation simplifies maintenance operations compared to a integrated dual-filter design, offsetting the increased structural complexity through ease of serviceability
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
This configuration enhances filtering performance and ensures smooth air flow through the channel, even in narrow spaces, preventing the outside filter from being left behind during maintenance and improving overall air circulation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a filter cartridge for filtering air in the circulation channel, the filter cartridge including an inside filter cartridge for filtering air discharged from the drum and an outside filter cartridge disposed in the circulation channel in a state of being supported by the drum supporter
Implementation Method 2
a circulation channel for guiding air discharged through the discharge port into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes dryer includes a rotatable drum, a drum supporter for supporting the drum, the drum supporter being provided with a discharge port for discharging air from the drum, a circulation channel for guiding air discharged through the discharge port into the drum, and a filter cartridge for filtering air in the circulation channel, wherein the filter cartridge includes an inside filter cartridge for filtering air discharged from the drum and an outside filter cartridge disposed in the circulation channel in a state of being supported by the drum supporter, the outside filter cartridge including a front filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows forward, a rear filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows rearward, and a lateral filter for filtering air that passes through the inside filter cartridge and flows in the lateral direction.