Multi-Filter Clothes Dryer Lint Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Condenser dryers face efficiency issues due to lint accumulation on heat exchangers, leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency and maintenance challenges, particularly in preventing fabric damage and malfunction from falling into the fan drive.
Innovation Solution
A multi-filter system comprising a primary filter with a metal thin film, a secondary filter covering the front frame opening, and a tertiary filter in a dual structure coupled to a filter assembly, which improves lint collection, air flow, and prevents fabric damage, with the tertiary filter being easily assembled and replaced to prevent abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single filter is used in the air circulation path, then the device complexity is reduced, but lint accumulates on the heat exchanger reducing heat exchange efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single filter is divided into three separate filters positioned at different locations in the air circulation path. The first filter is near the drum inlet, the second filter is between the first filter and the heat exchanger, and the third filter is at the heat exchanger inlet. This segmentation allows each filter to capture lint at different stages, preventing lint accumulation on the heat exchanger and maintaining heat exchange efficiency while using multiple specialized filters rather than one overloaded filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The second filter acts as an intermediary element positioned between the first filter and the heat exchanger. It specifically captures lint that passes through the first filter, serving as a protective barrier for the heat exchanger. This intermediary filter prevents harmful lint from reaching the heat exchanger, thereby maintaining thermal efficiency without requiring complex modifications to the heat exchanger itself.
2Reliability
If the filter is positioned close to the heat exchanger, then lint is effectively filtered before reaching the heat exchanger, but the filter accumulates lint quickly requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering function is segmented across three filters positioned at different locations. The first filter captures the majority of lint early in the air path, the second filter provides additional filtration, and the third filter is positioned at the heat exchanger inlet. This segmentation distributes the lint accumulation burden across multiple filters, allowing them to be cleaned less frequently than a single filter would require, while still providing effective protection to the heat exchanger.
3Device complexity
If no filter is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but fabric can fall into the fan drive causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering protection for the fan drive is segmented into three filters positioned throughout the air circulation path. The first filter near the drum inlet captures fabric particles early, the second filter provides additional protection, and the third filter at the heat exchanger inlet serves as a final barrier. This segmented approach provides comprehensive protection against fabric entering the fan drive while distributing the filtering function across multiple points in the system.
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 multi-filter system enhances drying efficiency by effectively collecting lint and dust, preventing fabric damage, and simplifying maintenance by increasing air flow and reducing the risk of fabric entry into the fan drive.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter arranged adjacent to the entrance of the drum to filter air discharged from the drum, a second filter arranged between the first filter and the drying unit so as to filter air passing through the first filter, and a third filter provided to filter air passing through the second filter
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes dryer comprises a main body, a drum including an entrance provided to allow an object to be dried to be placed in the drum, the drum being installed inside the main body, a drying unit installed inside the main body to dry air passing through the drum, a first filter arranged adjacent to the entrance of the drum to filter air discharged from the drum, a second filter arranged between the first filter and the drying unit so as to filter air passing through the first filter, and a third filter provided to filter air passing through the second filter.