Laundry treating machine comprising a removable de-fluff filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry drying machines face inefficiencies due to fluff accumulation in de-fluff filters, which can obstruct air flow and reduce machine performance, requiring frequent filter cleaning and potentially leading to malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A de-fluff filter with an airflow diverter that directs drying air into different portions of the filter based on fluff accumulation, ensuring a homogeneous flow rate and reducing energy losses by diverting airflow when fluff reaches a threshold, thereby maintaining efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the de-fluff filter is used to trap fluff particles, then fluff accumulation is prevented from damaging components, but the filter becomes clogged over time reducing air flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is divided into a first portion and a second portion, allowing the filter to be segmented into functional zones. The first portion handles initial fluff collection while the second portion provides backup filtering capacity, enabling the system to maintain effectiveness longer before cleaning is required.
Solution Approach 2:
An airflow diverter is incorporated that can dynamically redirect airflow between the first and second portions based on fluff accumulation levels. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying filter loading conditions, optimizing performance and extending the interval between cleanings.
2Reliability
If fluff accumulates in the de-fluff filter, then filtering function is maintained, but air flow obstruction occurs causing pressure peaks and temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow diverter dynamically adjusts airflow distribution between the first and second portions based on real-time fluff accumulation conditions. When the first portion becomes clogged causing pressure peaks, the system automatically redirects airflow to the second portion, maintaining energy efficiency while continuing to trap fluff effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor air flow conditions and fluff accumulation levels. This feedback enables the airflow diverter to make intelligent decisions about redirecting airflow, ensuring that energy losses are minimized while maintaining effective fluff trapping throughout the drying cycle.
3Productivity
If the filter housing size is increased to improve fluff storage capacity, then the number of drying cycles between cleanings increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating one large filter housing, the invention segments the filtering capacity into two separate portions within a compact structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended drying cycle capacity without proportionally increasing the overall housing size or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic airflow diverter allows the compact filter housing to effectively utilize both portions sequentially or simultaneously based on needs. This dynamic capability enables the system to achieve the functionality of a larger filter without the corresponding increase in physical size and complexity.
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 extends the number of laundry drying cycles between filter cleanings, maintaining energy efficiency and preventing pressure and temperature fluctuations, ensuring stable air pressure and temperature during the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
a de-fluff filter with an airflow diverter that directs drying air into different portions of the filter based on fluff accumulation, ensuring a homogeneous flow rate
Implementation Method 2
The de-fluff filter is arranged for trapping fluff or lint particles carried by the flow of drying air crossing said de-fluff filter
Implementation Method 3
trapped fluff may reduce a flow rate through the de-fluff filter, thus causing localized pressure peaks and drops in the air circuit and subsequent localized /or temperature rise along the air circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A laundry machine (100) adapted to dry laundry by means of a flow of drying air is proposed. The laundry machine comprises: a casing (110); inside the casing, a laundry treating chamber (105) adapted to contain the laundry to be dried; an air circuit in fluid communication with the laundry treating chamber through an inlet opening (210) and through an outlet opening (215), and defining an air-path for the flow of drying air between said inlet (210) and outlet (215) openings; a filter housing (217) for removably accommodating a de-fluff filter (218), said filter housing (217) being provided in the air-path and being accessible through a housing aperture (219). The de-fluff filter (218) is arranged for trapping fluff or lint particles carried by the flow of drying air crossing said de-fluff filter (218), the de-fluff filter (218) comprises a filtering element (318) and a hollow chamber (361) which comprises an inlet aperture (330) and an outlet portion (303d). The de-fluff filter (218) further comprises an airflow diverter (370) which: divides the hollow chamber (361) of the de-fluff filter (218) in a first portion (395a) and a second portion (395b), and diverts the flow of drying air entering the de-fluff filter (218) towards the first portion (395a) of the hollow chamber (361) or towards the second portion (395b) of the hollow chamber (361) according to an amount of fluff currently trapped in the de-fluff filter (218).