Integrated Brush Cleaning Device for Dryer Heat Exchanger Lint Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses face issues with foreign materials like lint accumulating on heat exchangers, which reduce air flow and degrade drying performance, requiring inconvenient manual removal methods or additional equipment for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device is integrated into the apparatus, featuring a lint removing unit with a brush and operating mechanism that manually or mechanically moves along the heat exchanger's radiation fins to remove lint, using an external force and elastic restoration for easy operation without additional installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning methods are used to remove lint from heat exchanger, then cleaning can be performed, but operation convenience deteriorates and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device enables the heat exchanger to clean itself through an integrated brush mechanism that automatically contacts and removes lint from the fins during dryer operation, eliminating the need for manual intervention and complex maintenance procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing dryer structure by integrating the brush mechanism into the heat exchanger assembly, combining cleaning functionality with the airflow path without requiring separate cleaning equipment or additional installation space
2Reliability
If additional cleaning equipment is installed to remove lint, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing dryer structure by integrating the brush mechanism into the heat exchanger assembly, combining cleaning functionality with the airflow path without requiring separate cleaning equipment or additional installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cleaning mechanism serves multiple functions: it continuously removes lint during operation, maintains airflow efficiency, and extends heat exchanger life, all within a single compact device that utilizes existing dryer components
3Productivity
If lint accumulates on heat exchanger, then device complexity remains low, but air flow reduces and drying performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brush mechanism performs preliminary cleaning action continuously during dryer operation, preventing lint accumulation before it can significantly impede airflow and reduce drying performance, rather than requiring periodic manual cleaning after degradation occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush operates continuously throughout the dryer's运行 cycle, maintaining consistent lint removal and ensuring uninterrupted optimal airflow through the heat exchanger, thereby sustaining high drying performance without periodic interruptions
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 cleaning device effectively removes lint from heat exchangers, improving drying performance by simplifying maintenance and eliminating the need for separate cleaning tools, enhancing energy efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (224) connected to the connection rod (221) and generating an elastic force restoring the cleaning device (200) to an initial position
Implementation Method 2
a brush (212) fixed onto a brush supporter (211) and facing a front surface of the evaporator (150)... scratching off lint while moving along grains of the overlapped radiation fins (152)
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, a heat exchanger disposed in the cabinet and receiving air from the drum, and a cleaning device disposed in the cabinet and moved by an external force in a first direction to remove lint accumulated on the heat exchanger. The lint may be simply removed from the heat exchanger and air may smoothly flow through the heat exchanger, thus improving performance of the laundry treating apparatus.