Laundry treatment apparatus having a condensate tank and method of condensate collecting and draining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses, such as condenser dryers, face inefficiencies in filtering condensate from lint, leading to contamination of the condensate when used externally for steam ironing or other purposes.
Innovation Solution
A removable condensate tank with a filter element that can be positioned to filter condensate either during discharge or when the tank is removed from the apparatus, ensuring that lint and dirt are contained within the tank, and the condensate is cleaned before exiting, utilizing a mounting arrangement that allows the filter element to change between active and inactive positions automatically or manually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter element is always positioned to filter condensate during apparatus operation, then condensate is continuously filtered from lint, but the filter element cannot be easily accessed for cleaning and lint removal
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed to be movable between an active filtering position during condensate discharge and an inactive retracted position during apparatus operation. This dynamic positioning allows the filter to be accessible for cleaning by retracting it from the tank opening, while maintaining effective filtering when positioned at the opening during condensate discharge.
2Productivity
If the condensate tank remains permanently installed in the apparatus cabinet, then condensate collection is continuous, but the filter element cannot be removed for cleaning and lint disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate tank is designed as a removable component that can be separated from the apparatus cabinet. The filter element is further segmented as a separate removable component within the tank, allowing the tank to remain installed for continuous collection while the filter element can be independently removed for cleaning by first removing the tank from the cabinet.
3Reliability
If the filter element is positioned close to the tank opening for effective filtering, then lint is effectively filtered from condensate, but the filter element is difficult to access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element incorporates a movable mounting arrangement that allows it to be dynamically repositioned between a forward position near the tank opening for effective filtering and a retracted position away from the opening that provides easy access for maintenance and cleaning operations.
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 effectively filters condensate from lint and dirt, preventing contamination and ensuring clean condensate for external use, particularly during self-cleaning cycles or when used for flushing components within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element adapted to filter the condensate passing through the tank opening from lint
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry dryer (2) and a method of collecting and draining condensate in a laundry dryer (2). The dryer (2) comprises an apparatus cabinet (48) and a removable condensate tank (40) adapted to be inserted into and extracted from the apparatus cabinet (48). The removable condensate tank (40) comprises a tank casing, a tank opening in the tank casing for passing condensate therethrough, and a filter element adapted to filter the condensate passing through the tank opening from lint. A mounting arrangement is arranged for holding the filter element at or in the tank casing in a filter position. The filter element has the filter position and an inactive position, wherein in the filter position the filter element is positioned relative to the tank opening such that the condensate exiting the tank casing is filtered. In the inactive position the filter element is positioned relative to the tank opening such that the condensate entering or exiting through the tank opening is not filtered. In a state, where the condensate tank (40) is fully inserted in the apparatus cabinet (48), the filter element is removed from the filter position and/or is in the inactive position relative to the tank opening.