Dryer Filter Guide Latch for Automatic Duct Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes-drying machines face issues with foreign substances like lint damaging mechanical parts or contaminating external air, and the filter used to remove these substances often interferes with airflow and requires manual cleaning, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A filter guide with a latch device for the filter cover that maintains the cover in a closed position using an elastic restitution force, allowing it to automatically open when the filter assembly is inserted and close when separated, preventing foreign substances from entering the duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter cover is kept closed to prevent foreign substances from entering the duct, then safety is improved, but the filter assembly cannot be inserted or removed for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cover is designed to dynamically change its state between closed and open positions. It automatically closes when the filter assembly is removed to prevent foreign substances from entering the duct, and automatically opens when the filter assembly is inserted to allow filter cleaning. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining safety and enabling ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the filter assembly is frequently removed for cleaning, then foreign substance removal is improved, but the risk of foreign substances entering the duct increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cover automatically closes in advance when the filter assembly is removed, preventing foreign substances from entering the duct before the cleaning operation begins. This preliminary protective action ensures that even when frequent cleaning is performed, the risk of foreign substance entry is minimized.
3Ease of operation
If the filter cover remains open to allow filter assembly insertion, then ease of maintenance is improved, but foreign substances can enter the duct
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cover dynamically transitions from an open state during filter assembly installation to a closed state when the filter assembly is removed for cleaning. This automatic state change allows easy maintenance operations while preventing foreign substance contamination when the filter is not being serviced.
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 solution ensures the filter cover remains closed when the filter assembly is not inserted, preventing foreign substances from entering the duct and simplifies the cleaning process by automatically opening when the filter assembly is inserted, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
maintains the cover in a closed position using an elastic restitution force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A clothes-drying machine includes a drum (6) defining a cavity that receives clothes to be dried, a cabinet (1 ) that houses the drum and defines an opening to enable loading and unloading of clothes, a door (3) configured to open an dclose to enable and inhibit access to the opening, a filter assembly (4) configured to filter foreign substances included in air exhausted from the drum, and a filter guide (30) positioned at a portion of the cabinet (1 ) that defines the opening and defining a conduit that receives at least a portion of the filter assembly. The filter guide (30) includes a sensing mechanism configured to detect a presence of the filter assembly in the conduit, a filter cover (10) positioned within the conduit defined by the filter guide and separated from the portion of the cabinet that defines the opening, and a securing member (13) configured to secure the filter cover in the closed position and allow the filter cover to move to an open position based on the sensing mechanism detecting the presence fo the filter assembly in the conduit.