Fluid Emitting Feature for Laundry Appliance Particulate Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry appliances face challenges in effectively removing foreign particulates such as lint and pet hair from clothing during the drying cycle, as these particles often adhere due to static charges and are not efficiently dislodged by conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A fluid emitting feature is integrated into the laundry appliance, which dispenses a fluid, such as an anti-static solution or air mixture, into the rotating drum to contact and dislodge foreign particulates, while air nozzles direct bursts of gas to collect them on a foreign particulate filter, enhancing particulate removal during the drying cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drying methods are used, then the drying cycle completes, but foreign particulates such as lint and pet hair are not effectively removed from clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies anti-static fluid to clothing items before the main drying cycle to prevent static charge buildup that causes particulates to adhere. This preliminary treatment ensures that lint and pet hair do not bond to fabrics during drying, making removal much more effective without extending the overall cycle time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary substance (anti-static fluid) that mediates between the clothing items and foreign particulates. This fluid reduces static electricity and prevents adhesion, allowing particulates to be easily removed by the filter without requiring more aggressive or time-consuming drying methods.
2Reliability
If anti-static solution and air bursts are applied, then foreign particulates are effectively dislodged and collected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid emitting feature is designed to serve multiple functions: dispensing anti-static fluid during the drying cycle, delivering air bursts to dislodge particulates, and working in conjunction with the existing filter system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several particulate removal mechanisms into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing rotating drum motion and airflow paths to assist in directing dislodged particulates toward the filter. The drum's rotation naturally moves clothing items through the air stream, and the existing exhaust airflow helps carry loosened particulates to the filter, reducing the need for additional complex mechanical components.
3Ease of operation
If fluid is dispensed into the rotating drum, then foreign particulates contact the fluid and are decoupled from clothing, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid dispensing system, air burst mechanism, and existing filter into an integrated particulate removal system. By merging these functions rather than adding them as separate independent systems, the overall component count is minimized while maintaining effectiveness. The fluid emitting feature is positioned to work in conjunction with the drum rotation and existing airflow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-static fluid acts as an intermediary that facilitates the decoupling of particulates from clothing without requiring direct mechanical contact. This chemical/physical intermediary approach is more efficient than mechanical removal methods and integrates smoothly with the existing drying environment, requiring minimal additional components.
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 fluid emitting feature effectively decouples foreign particulates from clothing items, directing them towards a filter for collection, thereby improving the removal of lint and pet hair, and allowing for additional treatments like static elimination and odor reduction during the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid emitting feature is configured to dispense a fluid into the rotating drum. The fluid is configured to contact foreign particulates in the rotating drum.
Implementation Method 2
Air emitting nozzles are activated during the drying cycle to intermittently dislodge additional amounts of the foreign particulates.
Implementation Method 3
The fluid and rotation of the rotating drum direct the foreign particulates toward the foreign particulate filter.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that defines an opening. A rotating drum is accessible via the opening and operably coupled to the cabinet. A fluid emitting feature is proximate the rotating drum. The fluid emitting feature is configured to dispense a fluid into the rotating drum. The fluid is configured to contact foreign particulates in the rotating drum. A housing is proximate the rotating drum and includes a foreign particulate filter configured to collect the foreign particulates. The fluid and rotation of the rotating drum direct the foreign particulates toward the foreign particulate filter.