Tumble dryer with a lint filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tumble dryers, lint and fluff deposited between the drum and heat exchanger are not effectively caught by existing filters, leading to reduced air flow and heat transfer efficiency due to accumulation and condensation, which complicates cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A removable shell with a grating is positioned at the lowest point of the exhaust air duct, acting as a deflector and collector for fluff, which can be easily removed and cleaned without manual intervention, ensuring efficient lint collection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lint filter is installed in the exhaust air duct, then lint caught by the filter is reduced, but small fluff particles carried by the process air flow still deposit on the heat exchanger and form felt that impedes air flow and worsens heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air duct is segmented into different zones: a first exhaust air duct leading to the heat exchanger, and a second exhaust air duct branching off at the lowest point. This segmentation allows targeted fluff collection in the second duct without interfering with the main air flow to the heat exchanger, resolving the contradiction by separating the filtration function from the heat exchange function.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluff collector is introduced as an intermediary device in the second exhaust air duct. This collector captures fluff particles before they can reach the heat exchanger, acting as a specialized filter for larger fluff that the main lint filter misses. The intermediary device solves the problem by adding a targeted collection mechanism without disrupting the existing heat exchange process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluff collects at the lowest point of the exhaust air duct where air flow is deflected, then fluff accumulation occurs in hard-to-reach areas, but manual cleaning becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fluff collector is designed as a removable component that can be easily extracted from the second exhaust air duct. This allows fluff accumulated at the lowest point to be removed without disassembling the entire duct system or heat exchanger. The extraction principle resolves the contradiction by making the previously inaccessible collection point easily accessible for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluff collector is designed with dynamic accessibility - it can be in a fixed position during operation to effectively collect fluff, but can be easily removed or accessed when cleaning is needed. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between operational and maintenance states, resolving the contradiction between effective fluff collection and ease of cleaning.
3Ease of repair
If the heat exchanger is covered by a removable grating for lint removal, then direct lint deposition on the heat exchanger can be removed, but fluff deposited elsewhere in the duct between the drum and heat exchanger remains uncollected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only addressing fluff collection at the heat exchanger level (one dimension), the invention adds a second exhaust air duct branching off at a different location (another dimension - the lowest point of the duct). This multi-dimensional approach to fluff collection captures particles throughout the duct system, not just at the heat exchanger, resolving the contradiction by expanding the collection coverage to multiple spatial dimensions.
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 significantly reduces lint accumulation, maintains air flow, and enhances heat transfer efficiency by allowing for regular cleaning of critical areas within the dryer, ensuring reliable and energy-efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
condensation of moisture, which begins as soon as the process air flow has left the drum, promotes the precipitation of fluff
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger through which a flow of process air can flow in a horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
fluff is deposited with condensing water vapor in the vicinity of the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tumble dryer (10) comprising a heat exchanger (1) through which a process-air stream flows in a horizontal direction (3), and a first duct (9) which is arranged upstream of the heat exchanger (1), through which a process-air stream flows in a vertically falling direction (4) and in which a lint filter (12) is arranged. In this case, a tray (2) which is removably attached to the heat exchanger (1) and is open in the horizontal direction (3) and counter to the vertically falling direction (4) is arranged between the duct (11) and the heat exchanger (1).