Dryer Filter Cleaning Notification via Successive Operation Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dryers fail to provide user-specific notifications regarding the cleanliness state of the filter, as they only indicate filter cleaning based on separation and installation after a previous operation, ignoring the actual cleanliness status.

Innovation Solution

A dryer equipped with a processor that tracks the number of successive operations with a non-cleaned filter and provides tailored notifications based on the operation type, lint creation, and laundry weight to guide filter cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the dryer provides notification based only on filter separation and installation status, then the notification system is simple, but the notification accuracy and user awareness of actual filter cleanliness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleanliness informationVSAvoidnotification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dryer implements a feedback mechanism by tracking the number of successive operations with non-cleaned filter and using this information to dynamically adjust notifications. The processor monitors operation count and generates tailored notifications based on accumulated usage data, providing accurate feedback about filter cleanliness status rather than relying solely on separation/installation events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary tracking of operation times before generating notifications. By counting successive operations in advance and storing this data, the dryer prepares tailored notifications that reflect the actual accumulated usage, enabling proactive rather than reactive filter cleaning reminders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the dryer tracks number of successive operations and provides tailored notifications, then user awareness of filter cleanliness is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dryer performs self-monitoring by automatically tracking its own operation count and determining when filter cleaning is needed. The processor autonomously counts successive operations, evaluates filter cleanliness status, and generates appropriate notifications without requiring external intervention or complex external sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the notification parameter from a simple binary state (filter separated/not separated) to a dynamic parameter based on the number of successive operations. This parameter change enables tailored notifications that adapt to actual usage patterns, improving reliability while using straightforward counting logic rather than complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If the dryer makes notification only based on filter separation after previous operation, then the notification timing is simple, but the notification is not fit with current state of filter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent filter state informationVSAvoidnotification timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dryer performs preliminary counting of successive operations and stores this data before generating notifications. By accumulating operation count information in advance, the system prepares accurate, state-appropriate notifications that reflect the true current filter condition rather than relying on timing coincidental with filter separation events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances user awareness of filter cleanliness, ensuring optimal dryer performance by prompting timely filter maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a filter configured to filter out foreign substances included in the air discharged from the drum in the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4644604A1Dryer and method for controlling same
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4644604A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644604A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644604A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a dryer and method of controlling the same. The dryer includes a drum, an air blowing module configured to form a flow of air brought into the drum, a filter configured to filter out foreign substances included in air discharged out of the drum in the air flow, an input/output interface, a memory storing at least one instruction, and at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the at least one instruction to determine whether the filter is separated and installed after a previous dry operation, increase a number of successive operation times based on a dry operation type of the dryer in response to the filter being not separated and installed, and control the input/output interface to provide a notification to guide separation and cleaning of the filter from the dryer based on the number of successive operation times.