Laundry drying device and method for cleaning a filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry drying devices require frequent maintenance due to limited capacity and restricted access for disposing of fluff collected in dry state, leading to inefficient cleaning of fluff filters and reduced appliance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A laundry drying device with a sieve inclined at an angle in the process air duct, featuring a cleaning liquid application system that automatically flushes the filter, allowing for efficient removal of fluff without manual intervention, using a cleaning liquid that drains easily and doesn't require high pressure, integrated into a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fluff is stored in dry state in a collection container, then fluff can be collected during drying processes, but the collection volume is limited and maintenance intervals are frequent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluff collection capacityVSAvoidmaintenance interval
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the state parameter of fluff storage from dry to wet by introducing cleaning liquid. This transforms the fluff from a low-density dry state to a high-density wet state, dramatically increasing the collection capacity within the same container volume and reducing maintenance frequency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual cleaning of fluff filters is required, then fluff can be removed from the filter, but user effort and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically cleaning the fluff filter using a cleaning liquid delivery mechanism. The cleaning liquid is automatically supplied to the filter surface, dissolving and removing accumulated fluff without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating user effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If cleaning liquid is applied under high pressure, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high to low by utilizing atmospheric pressure and gravity-driven flow. The cleaning liquid is delivered through channels that allow ambient pressure to suffice, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through optimized liquid distribution pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables efficient and automatic cleaning of fluff filters, reducing maintenance needs, saving space and costs, while ensuring effective removal of fluff without manual effort, enhancing appliance efficiency and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the process air duct has a substantially vertical extension at least in the area of the screen, with a flow direction of a process air guided in the process air duct running predominantly from top to bottom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2202349B1Laundry drying device and method for cleaning a filter
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2202349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2202349B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a laundry drying device (1) comprising a sieve (7) for filtering out particles (F), in particular lint, from a process airflow passing through a process air duct (5) of the laundry drying device (1), and comprising a cleaning device (9) for cleaning the sieve (7), wherein the sieve (7) is arranged at an angle (α) in space relative to the process airflow. The method serves to clean a sieve (7) of such a laundry drying device (1), wherein a cleaning fluid (W) is passed over the obliquely installed sieve (7).