Drying Air Duct Filter Layout for Reduced Lint Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry treating appliances, lint accumulation at the inlet of the drying air duct restricts airflow, reducing drying efficiency due to its accumulation around the chassis opening, which is not effectively addressed by traditional designs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a filter with a front face having a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet, positioned at the drying air duct inlet, which directs drying air through a deflection component to induce circumferential airflow, reducing lint accumulation around the chassis opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is placed at the inlet of the drying air duct, then lint is collected at a central location and airflow to components is protected, but lint accumulates on the filter and restricts airflow from the tub to the drying air duct, reducing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The filter front face is designed with a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet, extending into the airflow path. This dimensional extension creates a larger filtration surface that intercepts lint particles before they can accumulate at the inlet, while the extended geometry allows airflow to pass through the filter in multiple directions, preventing flow restriction
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component between the tub and the drying air duct system. By positioning the filter with its front face overlying the inlet, it serves as a mediating structure that captures lint particles from the airflow while allowing clean air to pass through to the drying components, preventing lint from reaching and accumulating at critical locations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the filter surface area is made larger than the inlet cross-sectional area, then lint accumulation is reduced and airflow is enhanced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters lint from the airflow, directs drying air through the deflection component, induces circumferential airflow pattern, and prevents lint accumulation around the chassis opening. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated design where the filter front face with greater surface area performs both filtration and airflow guidance roles, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device configuration
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
This configuration significantly reduces lint accumulation, enhancing airflow and drying efficiency by directing drying air in a manner that minimizes lint deposition around the chassis opening, thus improving the performance of laundry treating appliances.
Implementation Method 1
A filter can be placed in an air flow circuit providing air to the drum in order to aid in the capture, or reduction of lint from the circulating fluid flow within the laundry treating appliance
Implementation Method 2
a filter having a front face overlying the inlet and having a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area... directs drying air through a deflection component to induce circumferential airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance comprising a tub with a tub access opening, a rotatable drum located within the tub and partially defining a treating chamber, a drying air duct having an inlet formed in the tub and defining a cross-sectional area of the inlet, and a filter overlying the inlet and having a surface area greater than the cross-sectional area of the drying air duct.