Self-Cleaning Lint Filter for Heat Exchanger Protection in Dryers
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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 to capture and remove lint particles from the process air, ensuring they do not reach the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of the lint filter is required, then the filter can be cleaned, but the appliance requires user intervention and maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic self-cleaning system eliminates the need for user intervention by using the appliance's operational condensate to rinse the lint filter during or after drying cycles. The system automatically diverts condensate through spray nozzles, collects the lint in a reservoir, and drains it away, maintaining filter performance without requiring the user to manually remove or clean the filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated fluid spray mechanism. Instead of requiring users to physically remove and wash the filter, the system uses condensate spray nozzles to automatically rinse the filter screen, with lint being washed into a collection reservoir and drained away automatically.
2Reliability
If the lint filter is positioned upstream of the heat exchanger, then lint particles are captured before reaching the heat exchanger, but the filter occupies space within the airflow path
Solution Approach 1:
The lint filter is integrated into the existing airflow path structure of the heat pump system, nesting the filter within the available space rather than adding a separate external component. The filter is positioned to utilize the existing airflow channel, and the self-cleaning condensate spray system is incorporated into the same compact arrangement, minimizing the overall volume occupied while maintaining effective lint capture upstream of the heat exchanger.
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 captures and removes lint particles, preventing blockages and maintaining the efficiency of the heat pump system by using a combination of airflow paths, filtering materials, and fluid spray mechanisms.
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 of the plurality of spray nozzles directs captured lint away from the fixedly-secured lint filter
Implementation Method 3
A blower directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum
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.