Laundry Filter Assembly With Throughput Gradient Lint Deposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter arrangements in laundry treatment machines do not ensure optimal and reproducible filling of the receiving space for impurities, leading to inefficient utilization of space and random deposition of impurities.

Innovation Solution

The filter arrangement features passage openings arranged and dimensioned to create a throughput gradient, ensuring that the liquid enters the receiving space in a predetermined manner, with the passage area's total area per unit area decreasing from an initial area to an end area, promoting controlled deposition of impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If uniform passage openings are used in the filter arrangement, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the receiving space is not optimally filled and impurities are deposited randomly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition control precisionVSAvoidpassage opening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passage openings are designed with varying characteristics in different regions of the filter arrangement. Specifically, the openings have different sizes, shapes, or distributions in different zones to create controlled flow patterns that guide liquid and impurities toward specific deposition areas, thereby optimizing space utilization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The passage area is divided into multiple zones with different opening characteristics. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions - some areas promote liquid flow while others facilitate impurity deposition, creating a structured filling pattern without requiring overly complex overall design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a large receiving space is provided for impurity deposition, then more impurities can be stored, but the space utilization becomes inefficient if filling is random

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity storage capacityVSAvoidspace utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter arrangement is designed with pre-determined flow paths and deposition zones established by the passage opening configuration. This preliminary structuring ensures that as liquid flows through the filter, impurities are systematically directed to specific areas, guaranteeing efficient and reproducible filling of the receiving space from the outset

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The passage openings utilize variations in geometric parameters (size, shape, distribution) to control flow dynamics. By adjusting these parameters across different regions, the system creates optimal conditions for systematic impurity deposition, maximizing the effective utilization of the receiving space volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the filter arrangement is designed for long-term lifetime lint deposit, then regular cleaning is reduced, but the available space for impurity storage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter operation durationVSAvoidimpurity storage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The passage openings are designed with specific dimensional parameters and distributions that optimize both the capacity and duration of filter operation. The varied opening characteristics create efficient flow patterns that maximize impurity capture rate while maintaining structured deposition, enabling the filter to operate effectively for extended periods with adequate storage capacity

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

This design optimizes the filling of the receiving space by ensuring that impurities are deposited in a preferred direction, maximizing the available space for storage and maintaining a controlled flow, resulting in efficient and orderly filling of the filter area.

Implementation Method 1

the passage openings in the passage area are arranged and/or dimensioned in such a way that there is a throughput gradient for the liquid over the passage area, so that the flowing liquid enters the receiving space in a predetermined manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThroughput gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2920352B1Filter assembly for a laundry treating machine
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2920352B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2920352B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The filter system comprises a filter device (26) for filtering off impurities (4) carried by a liquid (3) that flows through a laundry treatment machine, and a receiving chamber (20) for the deposition of impurities (4) that are filtered off, said receiving chamber comprising at least one passage region (24) with a plurality of through-openings (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) for the liquid (3). The aim of the invention is to provide a filter system which has a receiving chamber for receiving impurities to be deposited that can be filled in a structured and reproducible way and is thus optimally utilized. The through-openings (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) in the passage region (24) are arranged and/or dimensioned such as to result in a throughput gradient (38) over the passage region (24), the flowing liquid (3) thus flowing through the receiving chamber (20) in a defined manner such that the receiving chamber (20) is filled and the impurities (4) are deposited in a preferred direction (40).