Drying Air Filter with Propping Grid for In-Situ Cleaning Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying air filters for laundry dryers are prone to damage during cleaning and require disassembly for effective lint removal, leading to potential deformation and reduced air flow efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A drying air filter design featuring a supporting grid and a propping grid with contact portions that stabilize the supporting grid during cleaning, allowing for in-situ cleaning without disassembly, while maintaining low air flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter mesh is cleaned by scratching with an external tool, then lint or fluff can be removed from the filter surface, but the filter mesh and filter frame may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a propping grid positioned behind the supporting grid that acts as a cushioning element. When a user scratches the filter mesh with a cleaning tool, the propping grid absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the filter mesh and filter frame. This prior cushioning mechanism allows effective lint removal while protecting the filter components from damage.
2Ease of operation
If the filter is disassembled for cleaning, then lint removal becomes more effective, but the cleaning process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the filter assembly to clean itself in place without requiring disassembly. The propping grid provides the structural support needed for users to effectively scratch and remove lint from the filter mesh while the filter remains installed in the dryer. This self-service capability allows effective lint removal through simple manual cleaning actions without complex disassembly procedures.
3Reliability
If the supporting grid is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then cleaning reliability improves, but air flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into two separate functional components: a supporting grid with ribs that provides cleaning stability and a propping grid with openings that maintains air flow efficiency. The supporting grid segments are positioned to provide localized support during cleaning, while the propping grid segments with their open structure allow unobstructed air flow through the filter assembly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between rigidity and air flow.
4Reliability
If the filter mesh is supported more firmly to prevent deformation during cleaning, then cleaning reliability improves, but the filter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a propping grid as an intermediary element positioned between the supporting grid and the filter mesh. This intermediary structure provides the additional support needed to prevent filter mesh deformation during cleaning without requiring direct modification or reinforcement of the supporting grid itself. The propping grid acts as a mediator that enhances mesh stability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and modular.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drying air filter (10) for a laundry dryer (50) comprising a) at least one filter mesh (3, 6, 32, 33) b) at least one supporting grid (2, 5, 20b, 22b) provided for supporting the filter mesh (3, 6, 32, 33) and comprising supporting ribs (8, 11, 34, 35) and supporting grid openings (27, 29), which are at least partially separated from each other by at least one or more of the supporting ribs (8, 11, 34, 35) and which define an air passage area for passing through of the drying air (A), c) at least one propping grid (4, 7, 16b, 18b) provided for propping up the at least one supporting grid (20b, 22b), the at least one propping grid (4, 7, 16b, 18b) comprising propping ribs (9, 13, 26, 28) and propping grid openings (66, 68), which are at least partially separated from each other by at least one or more of the propping ribs (9, 13, 26, 28) and which are at least partially provided for passing through of the drying air (A), d) wherein at least one contact portion (45, 47, X1, X3, X6, XA, XB, XC) is arranged to provide contact between at least one supporting rib (8, 11, 34, 35) and at least one propping rib (9, 13, 26, 28) in order to prop up the respective supporting rib (8, 11, 34, 35).