Variable Gap Filter Assembly for Uniform Airflow in Dryers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in improving filter performance, increasing filter capacity and filtering area, ensuring air flow uniformity, and facilitating easy extension and retraction of filters, particularly when air flow direction changes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a filter assembly with a filter chamber having a chamber inlet and outlet in different directions, a filter member with multiple filter surfaces, and a separation distance that varies to enhance air flow uniformity and capacity, and allows for easy extension and retraction of the filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the filtering area of the filter is increased, then the flow rate of air is increased and drying efficiency is improved, but when air flow is not uniformly distributed across the filtering area, the filter efficiency is lowered and air flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different separation distances between the filter member and filter chamber at different locations. Specifically, the separation distance is smaller at the inlet side and larger at the outlet side, optimizing air flow distribution across the filter surface to ensure uniform filtration while maximizing overall flow rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the separation distance variable rather than constant. The distance between the filter member and filter chamber changes along the air flow direction, creating a dynamic flow path that adapts to maintain uniform air distribution across the filtering area
2Volume of moving object
If a flow channel is bent based on design necessity, then space utilization is improved, but the flow rate uniformity on the flow cross-section at the bending point is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the bending issue by transitioning to a three-dimensional configuration. Instead of a two-dimensional bent channel, the filter member and chamber are arranged in 3D space with variable separation distances, allowing the air flow path to navigate space efficiently while maintaining flow uniformity through vertical and lateral dimension adjustments
3Quantity of substance
If the filter capacity is increased, then the filtering area is increased, but the air flow uniformity on the filtering cross-section becomes harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different separation distances between the filter member and filter chamber at different locations. Specifically, the separation distance is smaller at the inlet side and larger at the outlet side, optimizing air flow distribution across the filter surface to ensure uniform filtration while maximizing overall flow rate
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 design effectively improves filter performance, increases filtering area, ensures uniform air flow, and simplifies filter handling, enhancing the overall efficiency and usability of the laundry treating apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a filter member disposed in the filter assembly to filter foreign substances in air
Implementation Method 2
a heat pump system that uses heat generated by compressing a fluid such as a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an air circulator that circulates air inside the drum
Data Source
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AI summary
Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus is disclosed. The clothes treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet, a drum, an air circulation part and a filter part. A filter chamber includes a chamber inlet part in through which air flows in a first direction, and a chamber outlet part through which the air is discharged in a second direction, which intersects the first direction. A filter member includes: an inlet surface which faces the chamber inlet part, and through which the air flows in the first direction into a filter space formed inside the filter member; a first filter surface which is connected to the inlet surface and faces the chamber outlet part, and through which the air in the filter space passes in the second direction and is filtered; and a second filter surface which is connected to the inlet surface, and through which the air in the filter space passes and is filtered, wherein the distance between one surface of the filter chamber facing the second filter surface and the second filter surface decreases as the distance from the inlet surface increases.