Washing/Drying Machine Rough-Surface Chamber to Reduce Filter Clogging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Washing/drying machines face inefficiencies in laundry drying cycles due to filament accumulation on filters, leading to clogging and reduced air flow, which affects the drying process.

Innovation Solution

The inner walls of the washing/drying chamber, including the side wall and back wall, are given a rough surface finish to hold filaments before they reach the filter, reducing the amount that deposit on the filter and preventing clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter with tight mesh is used to trap filaments released by fabrics, then the air filtering effectiveness is improved, but the filter becomes clogged quickly reducing air flow and drying efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair filtering effectivenessVSAvoiddrying cycle efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a preliminary filtration stage using the rough inner walls of the washing/drying chamber as an intermediary barrier. This rough surface acts as a first line of defense that captures larger filament wads before the air reaches the main filter, thereby protecting the filter from rapid clogging while maintaining effective air filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rough surface treatment of the chamber walls is applied in advance to create a preliminary trapping mechanism. This pre-filtration action occurs before air enters the main filtering system, removing a significant portion of filaments upstream and preventing them from accumulating on the main filter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If a smooth inner wall surface is used in the washing/drying chamber, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but filaments accumulate on the filter causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechamber manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfilter performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a rough surface finish specifically to the inner walls of the washing/drying chamber, creating a localized area with different surface properties. This rough surface is strategically positioned to intercept filaments in the air flow path before they reach the filter, while other parts of the machine can maintain smooth surfaces for ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach maintains efficient air filtering by reducing filament accumulation on filters, promoting better air circulation and extending the time before filter clogging occurs, thus enhancing the drying cycle efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The inner walls of the washing/drying chamber, including the side wall and back wall, are given a rough surface finish to hold filaments before they reach the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3090096B1Washing/drying machine with a system for preventing an air filter from getting clogged

Publication Date: 2022.04.13 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a washing/drying machine equipped with a system for preventing a drying air filter from getting clogged by filaments released by the laundry during the washing/drying cycle. To this end, the tub of the washing/drying machine has a rough surface, so that it will hold a part of the filaments and reduce the quantity of those trapped in the filter, thereby preventing the latter from getting clogged.