Lattice Lint Filter Partitioning to Reduce Drain Pump Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryers face issues with lint accumulation on lint filters, leading to air flow obstruction, increased load on blower fans, and potential fire hazards due to lint being introduced into fan motors or combustion devices, as well as damage to drain pumps from large lint lumps.
Innovation Solution
A dryer design featuring a lattice-structured partition rib within the lint filter assembly to break down lint into smaller lumps, and a multi-filtering block system with a control valve to stagger the cleaning of each block, ensuring smaller lint lumps are introduced to the drain pump at different times, preventing blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is sprayed through nozzles to remove lint from the lint filter assembly, then lint can be removed from the filter, but large lint lumps are generated that block the drain pump inlet or outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The lint filter assembly is divided into multiple filtering blocks (first filtering block, second filtering block, etc.) arranged in sequence. Each block processes lint separately, breaking down the overall lint removal task into smaller segments. This segmentation prevents large lint lumps from forming and blocking the drain pump, while still achieving comprehensive lint removal from the entire filter assembly.
2Productivity
If the lint filter assembly is cleaned frequently to prevent air flow obstruction, then drying performance is maintained, but the complexity of maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic lint removal through water spraying and drainage without requiring manual disassembly or cleaning operations. The drain pump automatically evacuates lint and water from the filtering blocks, making the maintenance process self-service oriented and reducing operational complexity while maintaining continuous drying performance.
3Device complexity
If lint is not removed from the lint filter assembly, then the device structure remains simple, but air flow is obstructed and fire hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pump acts as an intermediary component that automatically removes lint from the filtering blocks and evacuates it through a drain hole. This intermediary mechanism continuously clears lint without complicating the overall filter structure, preventing air flow obstruction and eliminating fire hazards while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This design minimizes the size of lint lumps, reduces the likelihood of drain pump blockages, and prevents damage, thereby maintaining efficient drying performance and safety by ensuring smooth airflow and reducing the risk of fires.
Implementation Method 1
water is sprayed through nozzles disposed at front and rear sides of the lint filter assembly to remove lint deposited on the lint filter assembly
Implementation Method 2
the water sprayed from the nozzles and the lint lump separated from the lint filter assembly may be introduced into a drain pump and then discharged to the outside of the dryer
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a dryer for clothes. The dryer for the clothes includes a lint filter assembly, and a lint filter cleaning device for removing lint attached to the lint filter assembly. The lint filter assembly includes a filter frame defining an edge thereof, a mesh member attached to the filter frame to cover an inner region of the filter frame, and a partition rib including a plurality of horizontal ribs and vertical ribs which are disposed inside the filter frame. The mesh member is partitioned into a plurality of filtering blocks by the plurality of horizontal ribs and vertical ribs.