Laundry Dryer Filter Assembly With Integrated Wiper Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryers require cumbersome and often incomplete filter cleaning processes, leading to reduced air flow efficiency and potential damage to the filter system due to the need for external tools and manual handling.
Innovation Solution
A laundry dryer with a filter assembly that includes a wiper mechanism for cleaning the filter surface, allowing for easy and tool-free cleaning by translating a wiper from one end of the frame to the other, collecting filtered material in a storage portion without the need to remove the filter assembly during the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning with external tools is used, then the filter can be cleaned, but the cleaning process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly performs self-cleaning through an integrated wiper mechanism that automatically removes lint and foreign substances from the filter surface, eliminating the need for manual intervention with external tools and significantly reducing cleaning time
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the filter assembly by integrating a wiper mechanism directly into the filter structure, allowing the filter to clean itself without requiring separate cleaning tools or procedures
2Ease of operation
If the filter system is removed for cleaning, then complete cleaning is possible, but damage to the filter system may occur due to improper handling
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly cleans itself while remaining installed in the dryer through the integrated wiper mechanism, eliminating the need to remove the filter and thereby preventing potential damage from improper handling during removal and reinstallation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is integrated into the installed filter assembly, allowing cleaning to be performed in-situ without separation from the dryer system, thus maintaining filter system integrity
3Extent of automation
If automatic fluid spraying is used for cleaning, then cleaning is automated, but complex arrangements are required in the dryer architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is equipped with a simple manual wiper mechanism that requires minimal architectural integration, providing a practical balance between automation and system complexity by allowing user-operated self-cleaning without complex automated fluid spraying systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method to clean a filter assembly in a laundry dryer (1), wherein the laundry dryer (1) comprises: ⋅ a cabinet (2) ⋅ a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet (2); ⋅ a duct (18) defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum (3); ⋅ a filter assembly (80,80`,90) positioned at least partially in the duct (18) so as to filter process air flowing therein; ⋅ said filter assembly (80,80`,90) including: ⋅ ▪a frame (31) having a first and a second end portions and defining a storage portion (50) at the first end portion thereof; ⋅ ▪ a filter supported by the frame (31) and defining a first filtering surface (32); ⋅ ▪a cleaning device for cleaning the first filtering surface (32) including a translatable wiper (330) to wipe the first filtering surface (32); the method being characterised by comprising: ⋅ translating the wiper (330) from a first position wherein the wiper is located at the second end portion of said frame (31) towards the first end portion of the frame (31); ⋅ wiping said first filtering surface (32) by means of said wiper (330) during translating so as to move filtered material attached to said first filtering surface (32) towards the first end portion of the frame (31); and ⋅collecting said filtered material in said storage portion (50).