Extractable Lint Filter Washing for Laundry Air Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry treating apparatuses with circulation-type or hybrid drying systems face issues with foreign substances like lint accumulating on air circulation conduits, leading to malfunction and reduced efficiency, requiring manual disassembly for filter washing, inspection, and replacement.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with a filter frame that includes an extractable filter net and nozzles for automatic washing, featuring a guide surface to direct water drainage and a sensor for correct positioning, allowing easy extraction, washing, and replacement of the filter without disassembling the entire apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is disposed within a circulation conduit to remove foreign substances, then foreign substances are filtered from air, but the filter requires disassembly of the apparatus for washing, inspection, and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter functionVSAvoidfilter maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is divided into separable components: the filter net and the frame. The frame includes an extraction portion that can be removed from the circulation conduit without disassembling the entire apparatus, while the fixed portion remains installed. This segmentation allows users to easily access, wash, inspect, and replace the filter by simply extracting the extraction portion from the cabinet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If nozzles are provided for automatic washing of the filter, then foreign substances are removed automatically, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter washingVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is equipped with nozzles that automatically spray water to wash foreign substances from the filter net during or after operation. This self-service washing function reduces the need for manual intervention and disassembly, allowing the filter to clean itself while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by integrating the nozzles directly into the filter assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy manual or automatic washing of the filter, efficient removal of foreign substances, and maintains the apparatus's airtightness, ensuring effective operation and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

nozzles for spraying water to remove foreign substances filtered by the filter net

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

a filter net disposed in the circulation conduit to filter foreign substances included in moving air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3333307B1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3333307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3333307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3333307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus having a washable filter provided on an air circulation conduit for drying laundry. Disclosed is the laundry treating apparatus that is capable of automatically or manually washing the filter. The laundry treating apparatus, according to the present invention, comprises: a cabinet (1); an outer tub (2) disposed within the cabinet (1); an inner tub (3) rotatably disposed within the outer tub (2); a circulation conduit (10) that serves as a guide to allow at least a part of air within the outer tub (2) to be discharged from the outer tub (2) and supplied back to the outer tub (2); a fan (17) disposed on the circulation conduit (10) to move air; a filter net (22) disposed on the circulation conduit (10) to filter foreign substances included in the moving air; a filter frame (24) that supports the filter net (22); and a nozzle (32) that sprays water to remove the foreign substances filtered by the filter net (22). At least a part of the filter frame (24) includes an extraction frame (24a) that is able to be extracted from the cabinet (1).