Filter screen component, base assembly, clothes dryer, and washing and drying integrated machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current filter devices in clothes dryers require manual cleaning or mechanical cleaning components, which are time-consuming, laborious, and incomplete, as they fail to remove debris from the small meshes of the filter screen.

Innovation Solution

A filter screen component that utilizes centrifugal force to remove debris, eliminating the need for additional cleaning components and allowing for automatic debris removal without manual intervention, effectively cleaning both the surface and small meshes of the filter screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cleaning is used to remove debris from the filter screen, then the filter can be cleaned, but it is time-consuming and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter screen is designed to rotate automatically using the drying machine's existing motor, enabling self-cleaning through centrifugal force. The filter screen rotates to discharge debris automatically without requiring manual intervention, making the system serve itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with a rotational mechanism driven by centrifugal force. Instead of manual scraping or brushing, the filter screen rotates to throw debris outward, substituting human labor with automated mechanical rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If mechanical cleaning components are added to clean the filter screen, then cleaning automation is achieved, but the device complexity increases and debris is transferred to cleaning components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning automationVSAvoidcleaning component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cleaning function from separate mechanical cleaning components and integrates it into the filter screen's own rotational movement. The filter screen itself becomes the cleaning tool by rotating to discharge debris, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter screen serves multiple functions: it filters debris during operation and simultaneously cleans itself through rotation. The same component performs both filtration and self-cleaning, reducing the need for additional specialized cleaning parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If mechanical cleaning components contact the filter screen to remove debris, then some debris is removed, but debris in the small meshes cannot be completely removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris removal effectivenessVSAvoidmesh cleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation of the filter screen creates centrifugal force that acts on debris particles, effectively removing them from the mesh structure. This rotational motion provides a cleaning action that reaches into the mesh openings, unlike static mechanical cleaners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

4Ease of operation

If cleaning components are added to the clothes dryer, then automatic cleaning is possible, but additional components require maintenance and can breed bacteria

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning convenienceVSAvoidbacterial growth on cleaning components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter screen cleans itself through rotation without requiring separate cleaning components. By eliminating additional cleaning parts that would accumulate debris, the system prevents the creation of new surfaces where bacteria could grow.

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

The solution provides a thorough and efficient cleaning of the filter screen, reducing the time and labor required for maintenance, while ensuring that all debris is removed, preventing bacterial growth and improving the overall performance of the clothes dryer.

Implementation Method 1

an airflow enters into the air duct (43) from an air inlet on the base (4), the airflow in the air duct (43) can blow onto an outer surface of the annular filter screen body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the motor (1) can be activated when it is necessary to remove debris from the filter screen part (2), then the motor (1) drives the filter screen part (2) to rotate, and debris and other impurities on the filter screen part (2) will drop from the filter screen under the action of centrifugal force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3848498B1Filter screen component, base assembly, clothes dryer, and washing and drying integrated machine
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 GUANGDONG MIDEA WHITE HOME APPLIANCE TECH INNOVATION CENT CO LTD
  • EP3848498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3848498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3848498B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A filter screen component, a base assembly, a clothes dryer, and a washing and drying integrated machine. The filter screen component comprises a motor (1) and a filter screen part (2); the filter screen part (2) comprises an annular filter screen body having a plurality of holes; one end of the filter screen body is connected to a rotary shaft of the motor (1), and the other end is provided with an opening (216). The filter screen component, the base assembly, the clothes dryer, and the washing and drying integrated machine can not only effectively filter impurities such as soft flocks in an air flow, but also require, when cleaning the impurities such as soft flocks, no additional cleaning parts or manual cleaning; the cleaning is thoroughly completed.