Laundry Dryer Filter Insert with Integrated Closure for Safe Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry dryers face challenges in simplifying maintenance, particularly with the handling and replacement of filter inserts, which can lead to user exposure to contaminated filter bags and increased complexity in the filtration process.

Innovation Solution

A laundry dryer design featuring a filter insert holder with a dimensionally stable holding component and a filter bag that can be inserted and removed as a whole, incorporating a closure unit to prevent particle escape and a handling mechanism for safe operation, allowing for easy insertion and removal without direct contact with the filter bag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the filter bag is inserted separately into the air duct, then the filtration function is achieved, but the handling complexity increases and user exposure to contaminated filter bags occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of filter insertVSAvoiduser exposure to contaminated filter bag
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the filter bag with the holding component to form an integrated filter insert assembly. The holding component has a receptacle that receives the filter bag, creating a unified structure that is inserted and removed as a single unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate handling of the filter bag, reducing user exposure to contamination while maintaining the filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding component serves as an intermediary between the user and the filter bag. Users interact with the holding component (which remains outside the contaminated environment) rather than directly handling the filter bag that becomes contaminated during operation. This intermediary structure protects the user from harmful factors while enabling easy operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the filter bag and cover are inserted separately, then the filtration structure is established, but the maintenance effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly structureVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the filter bag, holding component, and closure element into a single integrated filter insert assembly that is inserted as one unit. This consolidation simplifies maintenance operations, as the entire filtration assembly can be quickly removed and replaced without separate manipulation of multiple components, thereby reducing maintenance effort while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the filter insert requires separate insertion of bag and cover, then the filtration function is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidinsertion process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple filtration components (filter bag, holding component with receptacle, and closure element) into a single integrated filter insert assembly. This unified structure simplifies the insertion process to a single operation while maintaining all necessary filtration functions, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies maintenance by reducing user contact with contaminated filter bags and streamlining the filtration process, enhancing safety and efficiency while maintaining effective particle filtration.

Implementation Method 1

filtering the drying air can also ensure that the heat exchangers of the heat pump are not exposed to and contaminated with the impurities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the filter bag has at least one closure unit for closing an air inlet opening of the filter bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3488043B1Laundry treatment applicance
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3488043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3488043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a laundry treatment device (1, 176, 199), comprising a filter insert holder (6, 201) and a filter insert (7, 15, 25, 27, 33, 40, 46, 58, 69, 80, 89, 101, 110, 119, 132, 146, 152, 153, 154, 164, 170, 179, 191, 200, 207), which is inserted into the filter insert holder and which has a dimensionally stable retaining component (8, 16, 28, 34, 41, 47, 59, 70, 81, 90, 102, 111, 120, 133, 147, 180, 192, 202, 208) and a filter bag (11, 18, 29, 35, 42, 48, 60, 71, 82, 92, 104, 113, 122, 135, 149, 181, 193, 204, 210) retained by the retaining component, wherein the retaining component is connected to the filter bag in a nondestructively releasable manner. The filter insert is designed in such a way that the filter insert can be inserted into the filter insert holder as a whole and can be removed from the filter insert holder as a whole. The filter bag comprises a closure unit (20, 155, 158, 161, 165, 171, 182, 185, 187, 194) for closing an air inlet opening of the filter bag.