Dryer Lint Filter and Spray Cleaning to Protect Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In clothes treating apparatuses with a drying function, lint adheres to heat-exchangers, reducing heat exchange efficiency and increasing flow resistance, and is difficult to remove due to strong binding forces, especially when condensate water is reused.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating apparatus with a lint filter on the upstream side of the heat-exchanger and a lint collecting part below it, using a sloped mesh design and spray tubes to separate and collect lint, reducing contact between lint and the heat-exchanger and facilitating easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If condensate water is sprayed to remove lint from the heat-exchanger surface, then lint removal is facilitated, but lint in the condensate water dries and adheres to the heat-exchanger, increasing binding force and making removal more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts lint from the condensate water before the water is sprayed onto the heat-exchanger. A lint filter is installed in the condensate water discharge path to capture lint particles, preventing them from being redeposited on the heat-exchanger surface when the water is sprayed for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary lint removal from condensate water before the water is used for spraying. By filtering lint out in advance, the cleaning water becomes lint-free, eliminating the problem of lint redeposition and strong adhesion that would otherwise occur during the spraying process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a lint filter is installed on the upstream side of the heat-exchanger, then lint contact with the heat-exchanger is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lint filter function with the existing condensate water discharge system. The lint filter is integrated into the condensate water path that already exists for heat-exchanger cleaning, merging two functions (lint filtration and cleaning water delivery) into a single system component.
Solution Approach 2:
The lint filter serves multiple functions: it filters lint from condensate water, prevents lint redeposition on the heat-exchanger, and maintains the cleaning water supply system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If spray water is used to remove lint from the heat-exchanger, then lint removal is achieved, but water consumption increases and lint may not be completely removed due to strong binding force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts lint from the air stream before it can adhere to the heat-exchanger by placing a lint filter on the upstream side. This preventive extraction eliminates the need for extensive water spraying to remove lint, significantly reducing water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary lint removal from the air stream before lint can accumulate on the heat-exchanger. By filtering lint out in advance, the heat-exchanger remains cleaner for longer periods, reducing the frequency and intensity of water spraying needed for maintenance.
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 suppresses adverse effects from lint, improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces noise and vibration, and allows for easy collection and removal of lint, enhancing the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-exchanger heat-exchanged with air exhausted from the drum
Implementation Method 2
high temperature air exhausted from a drum is heat-exchanged with an evaporator so as to be cooled and condensed to remove moisture
Implementation Method 3
a spray tube spraying water to the lint filter such that lint collected in the lint filter is separated from the lint filter
Implementation Method 4
a lint filter disposed on an upstream side of the heat-exchanger with respect to flow of air exhausted from the drum to collect lint in the air
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating apparatus having a drying function includes: a cabinet; a drum provided within the cabinet; a heat-exchanger heat-exchanged with air exhausted from the drum; a lint filter disposed on an upstream side of the heat-exchanger with respect to flow of air exhausted from the drum to collect lint in the air; a spray tube spraying water to the lint filter to separate lint collected in the lint filter from the lint filter; and a lint collecting part at least partially provided below the lint filter or below the heat-exchanger to collect falling lint. Lint in condensate water may be collected, and thus, generation of a bad influence when condensate water is re-used may be suppressed. Also, contact between lint in drying air and the heat-exchanger may be restrained.