Laundry Appliance Bellows Airflow Design to Reduce Lint Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laundry treating appliances, such as combination washers/dryers, experience lint accumulation on the annular bellows, leading to aesthetic issues and unnecessary service calls, as existing configurations do not effectively address this problem.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an air recirculating assembly with a blower and a deflection component that directs drying air into a circumferential airflow, reducing lint accumulation by physically blowing away and preventing lint from sticking to the annular bellows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an annular bellows is used to seal between the cabinet opening and tub opening, then effective sealing and structural support are achieved, but lint accumulates on the bellows surface creating aesthetic issues and potential service calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidlint accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lint accumulation problem by introducing a separate air recirculating assembly that actively removes lint from the bellows surface. The assembly includes an air source, conduit system, and nozzle positioned to direct airflow over the bellows, separating the sealing function from the lint management function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using pressurized air flow through the recirculating assembly to blow lint off the bellows surface. The air source generates a stream that travels through the conduit and exits via the nozzle, creating sufficient force to remove accumulated lint without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If the closure is opened during operation, then user access is enabled, but accumulated lint becomes visible to users causing aesthetic concerns and potential misinterpretation of appliance faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessVSAvoidvisible lint accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by continuously or periodically activating the air recirculating assembly to prevent lint accumulation before it becomes visible. The system proactively manages lint removal during operation, ensuring the bellows remains clean when the closure is opened, rather than reacting to visible accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous lint removal through the air recirculating assembly, which operates during drying cycles to constantly clear lint from the bellows surface. This continuous action ensures that even during extended operation, lint does not accumulate to visible levels when the closure is opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If conventional appliance configurations are used without additional lint management systems, then device complexity is minimized, but lint accumulation on the bellows cannot be effectively addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance configurationVSAvoidlint accumulation on bellows

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating the air recirculating assembly into the existing appliance architecture. The assembly serves multiple purposes: it recirculates air within the cabinet, manages lint removal from the bellows, and potentially aids in drying or ventilation, thereby addressing lint accumulation without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary air recirculating assembly that mediates between the drying process and the bellows surface. Rather than modifying the bellows itself or the drum, the intermediary system uses air flow as a medium to transport lint away from the bellows to designated collection areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces lint accumulation around the chassis opening, enhancing the appliance's appearance and reducing the likelihood of incorrect service calls by effectively managing lint distribution.

Implementation Method 1

an air recirculating assembly having a blower fluidly coupled to a recirculation conduit with an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupled to the treating chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation:

Implementation Method 2

at least one deflector fluidly coupled to the outlet and oriented to deflect, at least a portion of the air emitted through the outlet, in a circumferential direction about the inner peripheral surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS11339520B2Laundry treating appliance with a bellows

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A laundry treating appliance comprising a chassis including a chassis opening, a tub with a tub opening, a drum defining a treating chamber, an annular bellows extending between the tub opening and the chassis opening having an inner peripheral surface, a closure to selectively open/close the chassis opening, and an air recirculating system including a recirculating conduit and deflection component that can crate a circumferential airflow about the annular bellows.