Laundry Filter Slide Guide Reduces Flap Mechanical Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter arrangements for laundry treatment machines are mechanically loaded due to a spring-biased blocking part, leading to undesirable flap bias and increased complexity, cost, and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A filter arrangement with a slide mounted in a transverse slide guide, featuring end stops for blocking and release positions, and a filter handle that coordinates with the blocking device to allow controlled transfer between positions, reducing mechanical loading and enhancing usability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased blocking part is used to prevent flap movement, then the flap can be reliably blocked, but the flap is constantly mechanically stressed leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking part is changed from a static spring-biased component to a dynamic slider that moves along a guide path. The slider can be actively positioned in blocking or release positions, eliminating constant mechanical stress on the flap while maintaining reliable blocking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is extracted from the blocking part design. Instead of using spring force to maintain blocking, the invention uses an active positioning system where the slider is moved to specific positions, removing the continuous mechanical stress source while preserving the blocking function.
2Reliability
If a spring-preloaded blocking part is used, then the blocking function is maintained, but the construction becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The static spring-preloaded blocking part is replaced with a dynamic slider system that moves along a guide. This active positioning approach simplifies the overall construction by eliminating the spring mechanism while maintaining the blocking function through controlled slider positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based mechanical system is replaced with a slider-guide system that uses direct mechanical engagement. This substitution simplifies the construction by removing elastic components and using straightforward geometric constraints instead.
3Reliability
If the blocking part is constantly prestressed by a spring, then the blocking position is maintained, but the mechanical loading increases cost and reduces simplicity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is extracted from the design, eliminating the need for precision manufacturing of elastic elements and reducing overall manufacturing cost. The blocking position stability is achieved through the slider-guide geometry rather than spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from using elastic force parameters (spring constant, preload) to geometric parameters (slider guide path, end stop positions). This parameter change simplifies manufacturing by using rigid components with defined geometries instead of elastic components requiring precise force characteristics.
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 simplifies the construction and operation of the filter arrangement, reduces mechanical loading, and enhances durability, making it cheaper and more efficient to handle and maintain, while ensuring proper filter positioning for optimal machine operation.
Implementation Method 1
the spring preloads the blocking part in the direction of its blocking position, and the blocking part can be moved by means of the filter against a spring force of the spring in the direction of its release position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter arrangement (3) for a laundry treatment machine (1), comprising a filter holder (4), a filter (6), a flap (10) pivotable about a pivot axis (8), and a locking device (12) with a locking element (16) pre-tensioned by means of a spring (14) of the locking device (12), wherein the filter (6) can be moved back and forth between a receiving position and a removal position, and wherein the flap (10) can be moved back and forth between a closed position and an open position along an actuation path, and wherein the locking element (16) of the locking device (12) can be moved back and forth between a locking position, in which the locking element (16) prevents the flap (10) from moving into its closed position, and a release position, in which the locking element (16) enables the flap (10) to move into its closed position, characterized in thatthat the blocking element (16) is designed as a slide (16) movably mounted in a slide guide (18) of the filter assembly (3) extending transversely to the actuation path of the flap (10), wherein the slide guide (18) has a first end stop for the slide (16) corresponding to the blocking position and a second end stop for the slide (16) corresponding to the release position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry treatment machine (1).