Self-Cleaning Fluff Trap Using Water Jets and Moving Filter Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry dryer fluff traps require frequent manual cleaning and reinsertion, which is inconvenient and can lead to reduced dryer performance due to pollution and sedimentation, and current automatic cleaning systems are not satisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning fluff trap system using pressurized water jets and mechanical brushing, where the filter wall moves relative to a stationary scraping member, providing a 'prewash' and effectively removing fluff residues without the need for manual cleaning at each drying cycle, and an electronic control system to automate the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of fluff trap is required at each drying cycle, then the fluff trap can be cleaned thoroughly, but user convenience deteriorates and cleaning frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluff trap cleaning system performs automatic cleaning operations without requiring user intervention. The system includes a cleaning mechanism that automatically removes fluff deposits from the filter wall during or after drying cycles, eliminating the need for manual extraction and cleaning by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by positioning the fluff trap in a convenient location for automatic cleaning and preparing the cleaning mechanism in advance. The fluff trap is designed to be easily accessible to the cleaning mechanism, allowing pre-positioned cleaning operations before fluff accumulation becomes problematic.
2Volume of moving object
If fluff trap is positioned in the lower part of the dryer, then space is optimized, but user access for cleaning becomes difficult requiring leaning posture
Solution Approach 1:
The fluff trap is designed with movable or adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned between a lower space-saving position during operation and an upper accessible position during cleaning. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between space optimization and cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluff trap is designed as a separable component that can be easily extracted and repositioned. The trap is divided into manageable sections that can be independently handled, allowing users to access it easily even when the main body is positioned in the lower part of the dryer.
3Reliability
If scraping member performs significant movements to clean filter wall, then cleaning coverage is improved, but space requirements increase and filter wall deformations occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the scraping member along the filter wall, the system inverts the approach by moving the filter wall itself past a stationary scraping member. This inversion eliminates the need for complex scraping mechanism movements and prevents filter wall deformations while maintaining effective cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is extracted from the scraping member and transferred to the filter wall movement. The stationary scraping member only performs the scraping function while the filter wall provides the motion, separating the cleaning action from the movement mechanism and reducing device complexity.
4Reliability
If manual extraction and reinsertion of fluff trap is required, then cleaning can be performed, but time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluff trap cleaning system performs self-service cleaning operations automatically during or after drying cycles. The system includes automated mechanisms that clean the filter wall without requiring user extraction and reinsertion of the fluff trap, maintaining drying productivity while ensuring thorough cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is integrated into the drying cycle continuity, allowing cleaning to occur during idle periods or immediately after drying without interrupting the overall productivity. The fluff trap remains in position throughout, eliminating extraction and reinsertion time losses.
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 system reduces the frequency of manual cleaning, maintains dryer performance by preventing pollution, and simplifies the handling and transport of fluff residues, ensuring reliable scraping pressure and avoiding filter wall deformations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more spray nozzles (12) supported by the filter support structure (10) and configured to spray one or more pressurized water jets (13) on the filter wall (9) to detach fluff (14) from the filter wall (9)
Implementation Method 2
a scraping member (15) supported by the filter support structure (10) in a scraping position against the filter wall (9)... which is configured to brush the soaked fluff (14) away from the filter wall (9)
Implementation Method 3
the scraping member (15) in contact with (the inlet surface 19 of) the filter wall (9) so as to clean it from the attached fluff (14)
Implementation Method 4
The filter wall (9) is supported by said spools (21), so that the rotary actuation of the one or more spools (21) moves the filter wall (9) in scraping or brushing contact against the scraping member (15)
Implementation Method 5
a heat exchanger (7) for extracting moisture from the drying air (6), as well as a fluff trap (8) positioned in the air circuit (5) downstream of the laundry compartment (3) and upstream of the heat exchanger (7)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A laundry dryer (1) comprises a housing (2) which houses a laundry compartment (3), an air circuit (4) which includes the laundry compartment (3) and a heat exchanger (5) for extracting moisture from the drying air (11), a fluff trap (6) positioned in the air circuit (4) downstream of the laundry compartment (3) and upstream of the heat exchanger (5), wherein the fluff trap (8) comprises a filter support structure (10), a sieve-filter wall (9) supported by the filter support structure (10) and a filter cleaning system (11), wherein the filter cleaning system (11) comprises: - one or more spray nozzles (12) supported by the filter support structure (10) and configured to spray one or more pressurized water jets (13) on the filter wall (9) to soak and detach fluff (14) from the filter wall (9), and - a scraping member (15) supported by the filter support structure (10) in a scraping position against the filter wall (9), - a filter movement device (16) configured to move the filter wall (9) with respect to the filter support structure (10) and with respect to the scraping member (15) so that the scraping member (15) brushes the soaked fluff (14) away from the filter wall (9).