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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dryers face challenges in maintaining a high airflow rate over time due to filter clogging, requiring frequent manual filter cleaning, which is cumbersome and can lead to inadequate drying efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dryer with a filter assembly featuring a brush frame and brush that rotates to separate and compress foreign substances, enhancing filter cleaning efficiency and extending the cleaning period, while ensuring secure mounting and preventing filter breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter is positioned on the front of the drum to remove foreign substances from discharged air, then foreign substance removal is improved, but the filter accumulates lint and requires frequent manual cleaning which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance removalVSAvoiddrying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush frame rotates automatically to clean the filter surface, removing accumulated lint without user intervention. The brush is driven by a motor that rotates the brush frame, which then rotates to contact and remove lint from the filter, enabling self-maintenance operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The brush frame transitions from a static structure to a dynamically rotating component. The brush frame rotates about a rotation axis to bring the brush into contact with the filter surface, enabling continuous cleaning operation during dryer operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If manual filter cleaning is performed periodically, then filter maintenance is achieved, but the cleaning process is cumbersome and air flow rate deteriorates between cleanings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaningVSAvoidair flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brush automatically cleans the filter during dryer operation without requiring user removal or manual cleaning. The motor drives the brush frame to rotate and contact the filter surface, continuously removing lint accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The brush cleaning action operates continuously during dryer operation rather than periodically. The motor continuously drives the brush frame to rotate and clean the filter, maintaining consistent air flow rate throughout the drying cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If the filter accumulates foreign substances, then filtration capacity increases, but air flow is blocked and drying efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance accumulationVSAvoidair flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush frame rotates dynamically to continuously remove accumulated lint from the filter surface. The rotation mechanism brings the brush into contact with different portions of the filter, preventing localized blockage and maintaining air flow channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The brush removes lint from the filter surface before it accumulates to blocking levels. By continuously cleaning the filter during operation, the system prevents air flow restriction rather than addressing it after blockage occurs

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

The solution maintains a high airflow rate for a longer period, improves drying efficiency, extends filter cleaning intervals, and prevents filter breakage by effectively cleaning and compressing foreign substances, ensuring efficient air filtration and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

a brush frame and a brush that rotates to separate and compress foreign substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a brush frame and a brush that rotates to separate and compress foreign substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2788540B1dryer
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2788540B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2788540B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2788540B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A dryer includes a cabinet (1), a drum (6) rotatably provided in the cabinet, a duct that defines a flow passage for air exiting the drum, and a filter assembly (4) located at a position relative to the flow passage and contacting air that has exited the drum. The filter assembly includes a case (410) defining the filter assembly, a filter portion (420) configured to filter foreign substance from the air contacting the filter assembly, a brush frame (430) configured for rotational movement relative to the case about a rotational axis, and a brush (440) that is supported by the brush frame and configured to separate the foreign substance fron the filter portion. A first distance from a first side of the case to the rotational axis of the brush frame is longer than a second distance from a second side of the case to the rotational axis of the brush frame.