Clothing dryer having lint removing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lint removal devices in dryers are cumbersome for users to clean, especially when they have a two-stage filter structure, as they require detachment, manual brushing, and reattachment, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A lint filter unit with a built-in filter cleaning mechanism that includes a movable first cleaning member for the main filter and a second cleaning member for the auxiliary filter, allowing for easy scraping off of lint when the lid is in the opening position, simplifying the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-stage filter structure (main filter and auxiliary filter) is used, then lint filtering performance is improved, but cleaning complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main filter and auxiliary filter into a single integrated filter unit that is detached and cleaned as one component. The cleaning mechanism includes a brush that simultaneously cleans both filters when the unit is removed from the dryer, eliminating the need to separately access and clean each filter stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning mechanism where the user simply removes the integrated filter unit and activates a cleaning button. This triggers an automated cleaning process using a rotating brush that cleans both filters without requiring manual disassembly or complex user intervention, reducing cleaning burden while maintaining two-stage filtering capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual cleaning with brush and detachment is required, then lint removal is achieved, but time consumption and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning mechanism where the user simply removes the integrated filter unit and activates a cleaning button. This triggers an automated cleaning process using a rotating brush that cleans both filters without requiring manual disassembly or complex user intervention, reducing cleaning burden while maintaining two-stage filtering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush is pre-positioned within the filter unit housing, ready to immediately clean the filters upon removal from the dryer. The system prepares the cleaning mechanism in advance so that when the user inserts the filter unit and presses the cleaning button, the brush rotates and cleans the filters without requiring any additional user actions or time for manual brushing.
3Ease of operation
If filter cleaning mechanism is added, then ease of cleaning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush is integrated into the existing filter unit structure, combining the filtering and cleaning functions in one component. The brush is positioned within the filter unit housing and rotates to clean both the main and auxiliary filters simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms for each filter stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filter unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the main filter and auxiliary filter housing, and simultaneously incorporates the cleaning mechanism. The single filter unit that is removed from the dryer contains both filtering elements and the cleaning brush, allowing one component to perform multiple functions and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing dryer includes: a blowing path through which warm air circulates; a heat exchanger in the blowing path and configured to supply heat to the warm air; and a lint filter unit at an upstream side of the heat exchanger in the blowing path and configured to filter lint from the warm air. The lint filter unit includes: a unit body including an intermediate path connected to the blowing path and an opening, located at the upstream side of the heat exchanger in the blowing path; a lint filter in the intermediate path and configured to filter the lint in the warm air; a filter cleaner movable relative to the lint filter and configured to scrape off the lint attached to the lint filter; and a lid configured to open and close the opening, and block and allow movement of the lid in a closing and opening position.