Lint Screen Holder Level Detection for Dryer Pump Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment appliances, particularly drying appliances, face operational malfunctions due to fluff accumulation in filters, which impairs liquid drainage and pump operation, leading to unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sieve holder with a level measuring device connected to a control device that flushes the fluff filter with a predetermined volume of liquid to detect the fluff level, triggering actions such as alerts or process inhibition when the filter reaches a predetermined filling level, ensuring reliable operation by preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluff filter is used to collect lint from process air, then lint removal efficiency is improved, but pump reliability deteriorates due to fluff accumulation causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second fluff filter positioned in the condensate flow path before the pump. This filter proactively captures fluff and hair that accumulate during operation, preventing them from reaching the pump and causing malfunctions. The preliminary filtration action ensures the pump receives relatively clean condensate, maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fluff filter acts as an intermediary element between the first fluff filter and the pump. It intercepts and retains fluff and hair particles that escape the first filter, serving as a protective barrier that prevents these contaminants from damaging the pump while allowing clean condensate to pass through to the collection tray.
2Productivity
If liquid flows through the fluff filter to drain condensate, then condensate drainage is improved, but filter performance deteriorates as fluff accumulation blocks liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filtration function into two separate stages: the first fluff filter handles lint removal from process air, while the second fluff filter handles fluff and hair removal from condensate. This segmentation allows each filter to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent monitoring and maintenance of each filtration stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a level measuring device that monitors the fill level of the collection tray and provides feedback to the control device. When the tray is full or when abnormal conditions are detected, the system can automatically stop the drainage process, preventing overflow and allowing for timely filter maintenance before performance deteriorates.
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 solution allows for precise detection of fluff accumulation in filters, preventing malfunctions by triggering alerts or halting processes when the filter is full, thus ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one level measuring device for measuring at least one level on the sieve holder being assigned to the sieve holder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The laundry treatment device (1) has a screen holder (27) for holding a screen (28), wherein the screen holder (27) has at least one associated level measuring device (31) for measuring at least one reading on the screen holder (27).