Laundry Drying Airflow Lint Removal via Self-Cleaning Rinsing Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with lint accumulation in the drying air passage, impeller, and air outlet, leading to operational inefficiencies and reduced drying efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a rinsing member with enlarged rinsing ports and a rinsing chamber to clean multiple positions within the laundry treatment apparatus, including the air outlet and air inlet, preventing lint accumulation and improving drying efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drying device with fan and air passage is used to dry laundry, then drying efficiency is improved, but lint accumulates in the air passage and impeller reducing performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rinsing member performs preliminary cleaning action before lint accumulation significantly impacts performance. Water is sprayed into the air passage and impeller areas during or after drying cycles to prevent lint buildup, maintaining the drying device's operational efficiency over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rinsing member enables the drying device to clean itself. By spraying water through the air passage and onto the impeller, the system performs self-maintenance, removing lint automatically without requiring external manual cleaning, thus sustaining high drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the condensing tray temperature is reduced to improve condensation efficiency, then moisture condensation increases, but the condensing tray may freeze

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensation efficiencyVSAvoidcondensing tray operational status
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the condensing tray temperature and adjusts the water flow rate accordingly. When the temperature approaches freezing point, the controller reduces or stops water flow to prevent freezing, while maintaining optimal condensation efficiency during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the water flow rate parameter based on temperature conditions. By adjusting this parameter in real-time, the system optimizes condensation efficiency while preventing the condensing tray temperature from dropping below freezing point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors and complex control logic are added to prevent misjudgment, then drying accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that processes temperature data from multiple sensors and applies predetermined logic to determine drying completion. This centralized control approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision through multiple sensing points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the first valve is opened to inject condensate water into the third chamber, then condensing tray temperature is reduced improving condensation, but excessive water may cause freezing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture condensation rateVSAvoidcondensing tray freeze prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first valve operates dynamically with adjustable opening degree rather than being fully open or closed. The controller modulates the valve opening to control water flow rate, enabling precise regulation of condensing tray cooling while preventing excessive water accumulation that could cause freezing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively cleans various positions within the apparatus, preventing lint buildup and enhancing drying efficiency by ensuring smooth airflow and operation of the fan and drying device.

Implementation Method 1

the condensing tray is configured to exchange heat with hot and humid air generated in the laundry treatment apparatus in the drying mode, so that moisture in the hot and humid air is condensed into condensate water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

moisture in the hot and humid air is condensed into condensate water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

The condensate water enters the third chamber and flows out of the third chamber, thereby reducing the temperature of the condensing tray

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4624648A1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HISENSE(SHANDONG)REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4624648A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP4624648A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~7
  • EP4624648A1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

A laundry treatment apparatus, comprising a housing (l), an outer tub (2), a drying device (5), a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor is configured to measure a first temperature Ta of the air at the bottom of the outer tub (2). The second sensor is configured to measure a second temperature Tb of the air flowing from the outer tub (2) back to the drying device (5). The controller is configured to: in a drying mode, on the basis of first preset time intervals, sequentially take values of n △T and record same as △T1, △T2, △T3, ..., △Tn; calculate a difference △Tz between the maximum value △Tmax and the minimum value △Tmin among the n △T; if it is determined that the difference △Tz is less than or equal to a preset temperature difference, define the average value of the n △T as △Tn', and sequentially calculate a difference △Tm between the second temperature and the first temperature on the basis of second preset time intervals; and if it is determined that △Tm-△Tn'≥△Tx and Tb≥Ty, control the drying mode to stop running. Tx is a first stop determination parameter, and Ty is a second stop determination parameter. Thus, the dryness of laundry can be accurately determined. A rinsing member is further provided, so as to rinse a passage in the drying device.