Washing Machine Exhaust Filter With Automatic Lint Blowoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lint accumulation in washing machines leads to reduced dry efficiency, fire hazards, and safety concerns, particularly when filters leak or are not regularly cleaned, compromising the reliability and safety of the appliance.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design incorporating a filter with a lint removal unit that uses compressed air to automatically remove collected lint, ensuring it does not accumulate excessively and maintaining the respiration hole function, even when an infant or pet is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is inserted into the exhaust port to prevent lint accumulation, then lint filtering is improved, but the filter requires manual cleaning and may leak lint when not properly maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning filter system where a blowout fan generates airflow to automatically remove accumulated lint from the filter screen during the drying cycle. This eliminates the need for manual filter cleaning by users, allowing the filter to maintain its filtering function continuously without human intervention. The filter serves itself by using the drying process's airflow to clean its own screening surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous lint removal by operating the blowout fan during the entire drying cycle. Instead of requiring periodic manual cleaning interruptions, the system maintains continuous filtering effectiveness by constantly clearing lint accumulation through automated airflow. This ensures the filter remains effective throughout the complete drying process without performance degradation.
2Device complexity
If lint accumulates in the bellows and exhaust port, then the structure remains simple, but dry efficiency deteriorates and fire hazard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lint removal function from the manual maintenance process and integrates it into the automated drying system. By separating the lint clearing action (through the blowout fan) from the drying function, the system prevents lint accumulation in the bellows and exhaust port while maintaining structural simplicity. The extracted lint is removed through the exhaust system itself, preventing efficiency degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of lint accumulation into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The hot airflow generated for drying purposes is redirected to blow lint off the filter and prevent accumulation in the bellows. The same airflow that could potentially carry lint into the bellows is instead used to clear lint from critical areas, turning a potential hazard into a cleaning advantage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhaust port is used for respiration when infants or pets are confined, then safety is improved, but lint accumulation blocks the port and creates fire danger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary lint removal by the blowout fan before lint can accumulate to blocking levels in the exhaust port. By continuously clearing lint during the drying cycle, the system ensures the exhaust port remains open and functional, maintaining both respiration safety for confined individuals and fire prevention. The preliminary action prevents the hazardous condition of port blockage before it occurs.
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
Enhances safety and dry efficiency by preventing lint buildup, reducing the risk of fires, and improving user convenience by eliminating the need for frequent filter cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle for spraying air to the filter to remove collected lint from the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine and a method of controlling the same are provided. The washing machine includes an exhaust port, a filter, and a nozzle. Humid air in a tub is exhausted through the exhaust port to the outside. The filter filters is provided to the exhaust port to filter lint. The nozzle sprays air to the filter. The lint filtered by the filter is automatically removed, so that use convenience safety is enhanced and dry efficiency of the washing machine is improved.