Rotating Dryer Filter Assembly for Compact Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tumble dryers face challenges in maintaining the effectiveness and accessibility of air filter elements due to space constraints and the need for regular cleaning, especially in compact household designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact filter device is designed where the filter element and cleaning device can rotate relative to each other, utilizing a worm gear drive mechanism to facilitate automated cleaning with minimal space requirements, allowing for efficient particle removal and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional strip-style filter element is used, then the filter area is sufficient, but the device occupies a large amount of installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed as a circular cross-section element instead of a flat strip, allowing it to be arranged in a compact, space-efficient configuration while maintaining sufficient filter area. The circular shape enables rotation and automated cleaning mechanisms to be integrated within a smaller overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element transitions from a two-dimensional flat strip to a three-dimensional circular structure. This dimensional change allows the filter to be arranged in a compact configuration that reduces the device's footprint while maintaining adequate filter surface area through the circular cross-section geometry.
2Ease of operation
If the filter element is arranged in an easily accessible manner for manual cleaning, then maintenance is convenient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is equipped with an automated cleaning mechanism that rotates the element and uses a scraper to remove accumulated particles. This self-cleaning function eliminates the need for manual disassembly and cleaning by users, reducing maintenance complexity while preserving ease of operation through automatic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is designed to be rotatable rather than stationary, enabling dynamic access for cleaning purposes. The rotation mechanism allows the scraper to contact different portions of the filter surface during operation, providing automated cleaning without requiring complex manual intervention structures.
3Extent of automation
If a scraper mechanism is added to clean the filter element, then automated cleaning is achieved, but the device takes up more space
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper mechanism is integrated directly onto the rotating filter element or its support structure, combining the cleaning function with the existing rotational mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate cleaning device housings and reduces overall device volume while maintaining automated cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational mechanism serving the filter element serves dual purposes: it enables both the filtering operation and the automated cleaning function. The same rotation that positions the filter for operation also brings the filter surface into contact with the scraper, eliminating the need for dedicated cleaning mechanism space.
4Productivity
If the filter element is made rotatable for automated cleaning, then cleaning efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element transitions from a stationary to a rotatable configuration, enabling dynamic cleaning contact between the scraper and filter surface. This rotation improves cleaning efficiency by allowing the scraper to access the entire filter circumference, while the rotational mechanism is integrated into the existing filter support structure to minimize added 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
This configuration enables a more compact filter device with the same effective filter area as traditional strip-style filters, reducing installation space needs and improving maintenance accessibility, making it suitable for various household appliance designs.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a worm gear drive mechanism to facilitate automated cleaning with minimal space requirements
Implementation Method 2
an air filter element, also known as a fluff filter, is typically arranged between the drying room and the heat exchanger for separating particles from the air flow in general and textile fluff in particular
Implementation Method 3
The device that is usually used to clean the filter element is what is known as a scraper for scraping off the particles more or less firmly adhering to the filter element, in particular textile lint
Data Source
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AI summary
A household appliance contains a filter device (3) for filtering exhaust air, preferably from a drying room. The filter device (3) contains a filter element (31) and a cleaning device for cleaning the filter element (31). The filter element (31) and the cleaning device are arranged so that they can rotate in relation to one another. This arrangement allows for a compact design and integration of the filter device (3), for example in the base (9) of the household appliance.