Filter insert and device for treating laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treatment devices, such as tumble dryers, require frequent maintenance to prevent contaminants like fluff, hair, and allergens from re-entering the system, which increases operational complexity and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A filter insert with an elastic and kink-resistant rail system that allows for easy attachment and detachment to a device component, featuring a non-destructive connection mechanism that automatically opens and closes the filter bag for simple installation and removal, ensuring effective filtration of process air without manual interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter bag is used to filter process air in a clothes dryer, then air filtration efficiency is improved, but maintenance effort and operational complexity increase due to frequent cleaning and replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter insert is divided into separate components: a reusable mounting unit with connecting elements and a replaceable filter bag with rails. This segmentation allows the filter bag to be easily detached and replaced without removing the entire filter assembly, significantly reducing maintenance effort while maintaining continuous filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting unit incorporates elastic connecting elements that can be detached and reattached dynamically. The rails on the filter bag engage with these elastic connecting elements, allowing for quick tool-free installation and removal of the filter bag, making maintenance operations simple and efficient.
2Ease of operation
If a detachable mounting unit is used to attach the filter insert to the device, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit is designed to be self-contained with integrated connecting elements that automatically engage with the filter bag rails. The elastic nature of the connecting elements provides self-aligning and self-latching functionality, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex assembly procedures despite the added components.
3Reliability
If the mounting unit covers the air inlet opening of the filter bag, then structural integrity and proper air flow are improved, but the filter bag cannot be easily opened for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter insert is segmented into the mounting unit that remains installed in the device and the removable filter bag. The mounting unit covers the air inlet opening and provides structural support, while the filter bag can be independently detached via the rail-connecting element interface, allowing maintenance access without compromising the mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic connecting elements act as intermediaries between the mounting unit and the filter bag. These connecting elements allow the filter bag to be attached to and detached from the mounting unit, enabling easy access for maintenance while the mounting unit maintains coverage of the air inlet opening when the filter bag is installed.
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 filter insert simplifies maintenance by allowing single-person operation for installation and removal, preventing contaminant escape during replacement, and maintaining air filtration efficiency, thus reducing maintenance complexity and ensuring cleaner air circulation in laundry treatment devices.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic and kink-resistant rails (11; 12) which are arranged on opposite sections of the filter bag (2)
Implementation Method 2
a filter insert (1) for filtering process air in a device for treating laundry, in particular in a clothes dryer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Filter insert (1) with a filter bag (2) and an attachment unit (3) connected to the filter bag (2) for attaching the filter insert (1) to a component of the device (20), the attachment unit (3) having an air inlet section (4) has, through which the process air enters the filter bag (2); the filter insert (1) comprises two elastic and buckling-resistant rails (11, 12) which are arranged in opposite sections of the filter bag (2) and the sides facing each other extend at least over part of the longitudinal extent of the respective rail (11, 12) have extending connecting means (17, 18) which can be detachably connected to the connecting means (17, 18) of the respective other rail (11, 12), two guides (9, 10 ), in each of which one of the rails (11, 12) is inserted and which run on opposite sides of the rails (11, 12), and a release element (14) which is arranged on the insertion side between the guides (9, 10) and which is relatively to the guides (9, 10) is arranged such that when the rails (11, 12) connected to one another via the connecting means (17, 18) are inserted into the guides (9, 10) between the rails (11, 12). ngt and the rails (11, 12) pushed apart, so that the interconnected connecting means (17, 18) are released from each other.