Removable Condensate Filter Layout to Prevent Dryer Overflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry drying appliances face issues with efficiently removing fluff and lint from condensate, leading to clogging of filters and reduced cleaning effectiveness due to the small sieve surface area and uncontrolled flow of condensate, which results in backwater and overflow.

Innovation Solution

A removable condensate collection container with a condensate filter arranged fluidically between the inlet and outlet, allowing for easy cleaning and locking, featuring a larger volume to prevent overflow and clogging, and a detachable design for thorough cleaning and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a pot-shaped filter insert is used at the condensate inlet, then fluff can be retained in the filter insert, but the filter surface becomes clogged quickly causing backwater and overflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluff retentionVSAvoidclogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separate components: a condensate collector that receives condensate from the heat sink, and a removable condensate filter that can be independently positioned and cleaned. This segmentation allows the filter to be removed for cleaning without affecting the condensate collection function, preventing clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The condensate filter is designed to be completely removable from the condensate collector. This extraction capability allows users to easily remove the filter for cleaning or replacement, preventing the clogging problems that occur with fixed filter designs. The filter can be taken out, cleaned thoroughly, and reinserted without disassembling the entire condensate collection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the condensate filter is fixed in the condensate collector, then filtering is continuous, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous filteringVSAvoidfilter cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two separate components: a condensate collector that receives condensate from the heat sink, and a removable condensate filter that can be independently positioned and cleaned. This segmentation allows the filter to be removed for cleaning without affecting the condensate collection function, preventing clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The condensate filter transitions from a fixed position to a removable position, providing dynamic adaptability. The filter can be inserted into the condensate collector for continuous filtering operation, or removed for cleaning and maintenance. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between filtering mode and maintenance mode, solving the contradiction between continuous operation and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If large cross-section nozzles are used in the diffuser, then lint can flow through without clogging, but cleaning effectiveness on the heat sink is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclogging resistanceVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The condensate filter is designed to be completely removable from the condensate collector. This extraction capability allows users to easily remove the filter for cleaning or replacement, preventing the clogging problems that occur with fixed filter designs. The filter can be taken out, cleaned thoroughly, and reinserted without disassembling the entire condensate collection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The condensate filter acts as an intermediary component between the condensate collector and the heat sink cleaning process. By providing a removable filtering stage, it allows condensate to be filtered before reaching the diffuser, enabling the use of smaller nozzle cross-sections that maintain cleaning effectiveness while the removable filter prevents clogging by capturing lint particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures unhindered condensate flow, prevents overflow, and reduces clogging, maintaining efficient cleaning of the condensate filter and heat sink, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the appliance.

Implementation Method 1

a condensate filter with at least one screen which is arranged fluidically between the condensate inlet and the condensate outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink disposed in the process air duct to separate the moisture as condensate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP2504483B1Laundry drying appliance with a condensate container

Publication Date: 2015.07.08 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a clothes dryer (1) comprising a removable condensate collector (108, 208) comprising a condensate inlet (110, 210) and a condensate outlet (131), wherein the condensate collector (108, 208) comprises a condensate filter (109, 209) having at least one screen (134, 234) fluidly disposed between the condensate inlet (110, 210) and the condensate outlet (131) at a distance from the condensate inlet (110, 210). The condensate filter (109, 209) is thereby removable from the condensate collector (108, 208) and can be locked onto the condensate collector (108, 208).