Heat exchanger filter for self lint cleaning system in dryer appliance
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsGianluca Bocchino, Arun Rajendran
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims20
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a rotating drum for processing laundry;
- a blower that directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum;
- a heat exchanger positioned within the airflow path that dehumidifies the process air, wherein the heat exchanger is supported from below by a heat exchange plate that further defines the airflow path, wherein the heat exchange plate includes a base and a sidewall that extend parallel with the airflow path;
- and
- a lint filter that captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the lint filter is slidably installed into the airflow path via a filter receptacle that is defined within the sidewall of the heat exchange plate, the filter receptacle extending perpendicular to the airflow path.
A lint removal system for a laundry appliance, the lint removal system comprising:
- a blower that directs process air through an airflow path for processing laundry;
- a lint filter that is fixed in a position upstream of a heat exchanger by a fastener;
- a heat exchange plate that secures the lint filter and the heat exchanger within the airflow path, the heat exchange plate having a bottom recess that receives a bottom edge of the lint filter;
- a cover member that is positioned over the heat exchange plate and the heat exchanger;
- and
- a top recess of the airflow path that is positioned within the cover member, wherein the top recess receives a top side of the lint filter, and wherein the cover member and the bottom recess of the heat exchange plate define a laterally extending slot that receives the lint filter through a sidewall of the heat exchange plate, wherein the top recess and the bottom recess extend perpendicular to the airflow path.
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a rotating drum for processing laundry;
- a blower that directs process air through an airflow path that includes the rotating drum;
- a heat exchanger positioned within a heat exchanger housing of the airflow path that cools and dehumidifies the process air;
- a lint filter that captures lint from the process air at a position upstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the lint filter is laterally slidable through a filter receptacle of the heat exchanger housing and is secured via a fastener, wherein the lint filter and the fastener are concealed from view within a structural cabinet;
- and
- a filter spray system having a plurality of spray nozzles that deliver fluid to a surface of the lint filter, wherein each spray nozzle engages the lint filter and defines a portion of the filter receptacle, wherein the lint filter is slidably installed into the filter receptacle through a side panel of the structural cabinet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.