Detachable Dryer Duct Filter Coupling for Lint Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clothes treating apparatuses face issues with foreign substances accumulating in heat exchangers due to unfiltered air, reducing efficiency, and releasing lint or dust into homes without proper filtration.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating apparatus with a detachable filter unit and attachment mechanism that automatically cleans the filter to prevent foreign substance accumulation, ensuring efficient air filtration and reducing lint release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is discharged from the reception unit without filtration, then the drying process is simple and fast, but foreign substances accumulate in the heat exchanger and lint is released into the home
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge duct is divided into multiple sections with filters positioned at different locations. The first filter is placed in the discharge duct to capture larger foreign substances, while the second filter is positioned downstream to capture finer particles. This segmented filtration approach maintains drying efficiency while progressively removing contaminants at different stages of the air flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Filter units are introduced as intermediary components between the reception unit and the external environment. These filters act as mediators that allow air to pass through while intercepting and retaining foreign substances, preventing both heat exchanger contamination and lint release into the home.
2Reliability
If a filter unit is added to remove foreign substances, then heat exchange efficiency is maintained and lint is filtered, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment unit is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It serves multiple purposes: securing the filter unit in place, providing a removable connection for filter maintenance, and integrating with the discharge duct structure. This universal component consolidates several functions into one assembly, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliable filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit is designed as a detachable, extractable component from the main discharge duct system. This allows the filter to be removed for cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire discharge duct or heat exchanger system, thereby maintaining heat exchange efficiency while managing filtration complexity through modular design.
3Reliability
If the filter unit is permanently fixed, then filtration is continuous, but maintenance and cleaning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment unit employs a dynamic, reversible coupling mechanism rather than a permanent fixed connection. The coupling part allows the filter unit to be securely attached during operation for continuous filtration, yet can be easily detached when maintenance is needed. This dynamic design enables the system to switch between operational and maintenance states seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable coupling mechanism facilitates periodic maintenance of the filter unit. The filter can be removed, cleaned, or replaced at regular intervals without permanent installation, allowing the system to maintain continuous filtration capability while enabling scheduled maintenance activities that preserve filtration effectiveness over time.
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 effectively removes foreign substances from discharged air, maintains drying efficiency, and prevents foreign substance accumulation, enhancing the apparatus's performance and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a filter provided in the frame and configured to filter air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus (100) including a reception unit (3) configured to receive clothes, a discharge duct (71) configured to guide air coming from an interior of the reception unit (3) to an outside of the reception unit (3), a filter unit (9) including a frame (F) that is configured to be detachably inserted into the discharge duct (71) and a filter (93) provided in the frame (F) that is configured to filter air, and an attachment unit (C) configured to detachably couple the filter unit (9) to the discharge duct (71), wherein the attachment unit (C) includes a body (993) provided in the frame (F) and configured to rotate to thereby allow coupling between the filter unit (9) and the discharge duct (71), and a coupling part (995) located at one side of the body (993) and configured to be selectively coupled to the discharge duct (71) through a through hole (915) that is defined in the frame (F), wherein the body (993) defines a body through hole (996) passing through the body (993), the body through hole (996) being configured to prevent foreign substances from remaining in a space between the body (993) and the through hole (915).