Self-Cleaning Heat Exchanger Filter for Dryer Lint Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry appliances with heat pump systems face challenges in effectively removing lint particles from process air before they reach the heat exchanger, leading to potential blockages and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning lint filter system is integrated into the laundry appliance, featuring a rotating drum, blower, heat exchanger, and a fluid spray system with nozzles that direct fluid onto the lint filter to dislodge and remove captured lint particles, ensuring they are captured before reaching the heat pump system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lint filter is installed upstream of the heat exchanger to capture lint particles, then the heat exchanger is protected from blockages, but the lint filter itself becomes blocked with lint particles requiring manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heat pump's own operational resources (condensate water and airflow) to automatically clean the lint filter. During the drying cycle, condensate collected from the heat exchanger is pumped back through spray nozzles to flush the lint filter, eliminating manual intervention and making the system self-maintaining
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers condensate water that would otherwise be discarded and repurposes it for cleaning the lint filter. This closed-loop approach transforms waste condensate into a useful cleaning agent, reducing water consumption while maintaining the heat exchanger
2Reliability
If the lint filter is cleaned manually, then lint particles are removed, but the appliance requires user intervention and maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning system operates during the drying cycle without user intervention. The control system activates the pump and spray nozzles to clean the lint filter automatically, eliminating the time users would spend on manual cleaning while ensuring consistent lint removal
Solution Approach 2:
The lint filter cleaning occurs continuously during the drying cycle rather than requiring separate manual maintenance. The system integrates the cleaning function into the normal operation, ensuring the filter remains effective throughout the drying process without interrupting appliance usage
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixedly-secured lint filter is used, then the filter remains in position upstream of the heat exchanger, but lint particles accumulate on the filter surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic spray nozzles powered by the heat pump's condensate pump to deliver high-velocity water streams onto the lint filter surface. This hydraulic action effectively dislodges accumulated lint particles while the filter remains fixed in position, separating the cleaning mechanism from the filter structure
Solution Approach 2:
The spray cleaning operates periodically during the drying cycle at intervals determined by the control system. This periodic action prevents excessive lint accumulation while maintaining the filter's fixed position, balancing continuous protection with intermittent cleaning
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 effectively prevents lint particles from reaching the heat exchanger, maintaining appliance efficiency and reducing maintenance needs by automatically cleaning the lint filter during operation.
Implementation Method 1
A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air
Implementation Method 2
A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum for processing laundry. A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum. A heat exchanger is positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air. A fixedly-secured lint filter captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger. A fluid spray system has spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the fixedly-secured lint filter. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter.