CN110114529B

CN110114529B - Laundry dryer comprising a filter assembly and method of cleaning a filter assembly

Info

Publication number: CN110114529B
Application number: CN201680091875.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁迪·达尔莫林; 米歇尔·埃德纽斯; 纳迪尔·马扎罗托; 加布里埃莱·米西奥; 尼古拉·里德; 朱塞佩·罗西
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2016-12-29
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2021-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-29
Also published as: WO2018121868A1; CN110114529A; EP3562985A1; PL3562985T3; AU2016434849A1; EP3562985B1; AU2016434849B2

Abstract

A laundry dryer (1) comprising: o a cabinet (2) having a base (7) defining a base interior volume within the cabinet; o a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet; an o-duct (18) defining a flow path for the process air leaving the drum (3); o a filter assembly (80, 80', 80 ", 90, 90', 90") located in a duct portion (18a) located at least partially in the base interior volume for filtering process air flowing therein; the filter assembly includes: ■ a frame (31); ■ a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filter surface (32); ■ cleaning means (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein the cleaning device comprises a wiper (330) movable relative to the frame (31) and in contact (32) with the first filtering surface to wipe the first filtering surface by movement of the wiper; an actuator (81) adapted to force said wiper (330) to said movement relative to said frame (31) when actuated; o-connector (82) for connecting the actuator (81) and the wiper (330) such that movement of the actuator (81) causes movement of the wiper (330); o a lint collector (50) for collecting filter material wiped by the wiper from the first filter surface (32); o a first door (61) arranged at the base (7) in the cabinet (2) to allow access to the base interior volume, the lint collector (50) being located at least partially behind the first door such that the first door (61) needs to be opened in order to remove the filter material in the lint collector (50); o a second door (4) provided in the cabinet (2), the actuator (81) being arranged at least partially behind the second door (4) such that the second door needs to be opened in order to actuate the actuator (81).

Description

Laundry dryer comprising a filter assembly and method of cleaning a filter assembly

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a filter assembly with cleaning means, and to a method of cleaning such a filter assembly by means of a cleaning means.

Laundry dryers typically comprise a filter system for collecting fluff or lint separated from the laundry to be treated in the drying process. Typically, prior art tumble dryers provide a filter system that is accessible for control and maintenance by opening the door of the tumble dryer. An air flow into the filter system is provided in the tumble dryer. Fluff or lint (generally, foreign substances) carried by the air flow from the laundry to be dried is filtered out by the filter system, such that the air leaving the filter system is substantially free of lint or fluff. The air may be reheated and delivered to a laundry treatment chamber of the tumble dryer. Alternatively, the heated air may be exhausted out of the dryer.

If the accumulation of foreign matter on the filter system is greater than a predetermined level, the foreign matter may interfere with the air being discharged from the drum by reducing the circulation of air to and from the drum; therefore, the filter system in the dryer should be cleaned periodically.

The manner in which the cleaning operation of the filter is performed depends on the type of filter system used. For example, some dryers include a base below the laundry loading/unloading door with a base door to be opened to access and clean the filter system using suitable tools, leaving the filter system in place. Alternatively, when the user separates the filter system from the dryer after completing the drying cycle, the filter system cleaning is performed, foreign substances are removed from the filter system, and the filter system is installed again in the dryer. A further cleaning operation of known type provides for the removal of foreign substances by means of a fluid sprayed onto the filter system with fluff. The start of the fluid jet operation is typically automatic, i.e. initiated by the laundry drying control unit algorithm. Such automatic filter cleaning operations require complex configurations to be provided in the dryer architecture, however, these configurations invariably require the user to remove the washed fluff from the machine.

Filter cleaning, performed manually with an external tool or by completely removing the filter system, is not only cumbersome, but is also generally not favored by users who try to delay filter cleaning. In view of this, since filter cleaning may not be performed every time the dryer is operated, until the filter is cleaned, there may be a sufficient air flow rate required to fail to achieve drying due to foreign substances interfering with the air flow discharged from the drum, thereby reducing the overall efficiency of the dryer, and even causing the laundry to fail to dry as desired by the user at the end of the drying cycle.

In addition, in the event that cleaning of the filter system requires an external tool (such as a brush), the external tool may be lost or misplaced. In case the filter system needs to be removed from the laundry dryer for cleaning, this may cause damage to the filter system itself if an incorrect handling occurs.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available: a laundry dryer including a filter assembly and a method of cleaning the filter assembly in the laundry dryer in which the cleaning operation of the filter assembly is simplified with respect to prior art records.

Preferably, cleaning of the filter assembly does not require additional tool(s) external to the dryer that need to be stored and retrieved for cleaning.

In addition, the cleaning action is preferably relatively easy and fast.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising:

a cabinet having a base, the base defining a base interior volume within the cabinet;

a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet;

a duct defining a flow path for process air to exit the drum;

a filter assembly located in a duct portion located at least partially in the base interior volume to filter process air flowing therein; the filter assembly includes:

a frame;

a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filter surface;

a cleaning device for cleaning the first filter surface; wherein the cleaning device comprises a wiper movable relative to the frame and in contact with the first filter surface to wipe the first filter surface by movement of the wiper;

an actuator adapted to force said movement of said wiper relative to said frame when actuated;

a connector for connecting the actuator and the wiper such that movement of the actuator causes movement of the wiper;

a lint collector for collecting filter material wiped from the first filter surface by the wiper;

a first door disposed at the base in the cabinet to allow access to the base interior volume, the lint collector being located at least partially behind the first door such that the first door needs to be opened to remove the filter material in the lint collector;

a second door disposed in the cabinet, the actuator disposed at least partially behind the second door such that the second door needs to be opened in order to actuate the actuator.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of cleaning a filter in a laundry dryer, said dryer comprising:

a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet;

a duct defining a flow path for process air to exit the drum;

a frame;

a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filter surface;

a cleaning device for cleaning the first filter surface; wherein the cleaning device comprises a movable wiper;

an actuator;

a connector for connecting the actuator and the wiper;

a first door disposed on the cabinet at the base to allow access to the base interior volume;

a second door disposed on the cabinet;

wherein, the method comprises the following steps:

opening the second door to access the actuator;

moving the actuator, which in turn moves the wiper through the connector;

wiping the first filter surface by moving the wiper;

the filter material from the first filter surface is collected into a lint collector accessible from the first door.

In the following, when relative terms such as "front", "rear", "side", "top", "bottom" and the like are used, they refer to a normal operating position of the laundry dryer when in use, for example on a generally (substantially) horizontal floor. The horizontal plane is thus a plane parallel to the floor on which the dryer is located. The position of the loading/unloading door of the laundry dryer, generally used for loading and unloading the laundry into and from the dryer and usually coupled to the front wall of the cabinet for access to the drum, defines the "front" of the dryer itself. In view of the horizontal plane in which the garment lies, "top" and "bottom" (as their normal common meaning) refer to the position of an object along a vertical axis. A vertical axis is defined as an axis perpendicular to a horizontal plane, such as the ground.

With the term "laundry dryer" or "dryer", it is intended an appliance having only a drying function or a combined laundry drying appliance capable of performing washing and drying cycles.

The dryer includes a cabinet or support structure, preferably including a base, a front wall and a rear wall. The front and rear walls are preferably mounted on a base which stands on a surface such as the ground. The front wall may advantageously be provided with a through opening at which a door is mounted for accessing the interior of the cabinet to locate or remove the laundry. The side walls connect the front and rear walls to form an enclosed volume with the top wall.

The base rests on the floor and its vertical distance from the floor can be advantageously adjusted by means of adjustment feet provided on the lower surface of the base facing the floor.

The base in turn defines a base region of the dryer. The base has a base interior volume, i.e., a volume within the cabinet bounded by the cabinet walls and located at the base region. The base may be perforated or include perforated elements to enable the introduction and removal of cooling air, if desired. The base may be provided with portions for supporting operating components of the laundry dryer, which portions are required for performing a laundry drying process on the laundry, such as air ducts, motors, etc.

The laundry dryer of the present invention comprises a drum in which the load to be dried (for example, clothes or other laundry) is placed. The drum further preferably comprises a cover defining a front end facing the front wall of the cabinet and preferably an opening therein realized and closed by a door for loading and unloading laundry, and a rear end facing the rear wall of the cabinet.

The drum of the dryer of the invention may be a closed drum, i.e. the rear end is closed by a rear wall or flange which rotates as a single piece with the hood when the drum is driven in rotation. Alternatively, it may be an open drum, with a fixed rear wall closing the rear end of the drum, i.e. the rear wall does not rotate with the drum, and it is preferably integral with the cabinet. Thus, the rear wall of the drum may be attached to and rotate with the drum, or attached to the cabinet and be stationary.

Within the cabinet, the drum is rotatably mounted to rotate, preferably according to a substantially horizontal or inclined axis of rotation. For example, at least one drum support assembly is provided within the cabinet for rotatably supporting the drum upon rotation of the drum about this given axis of rotation.

The drum is fluidly connected to a duct defining a flow path for process air to exit the drum. In fact, relatively dry and warm process air flows over the laundry located in the drum in order to dry the laundry. It is necessary to remove the moist, cooler process air from the drum, so that, for example, additional drying air can flow in.

The drum is part of a process air circuit, in particular a closed loop in the case of a condensation dryer or an open circuit in the case of a ventilation dryer, which in both cases comprises a process air duct for guiding a process air flow in order to dry the load. The process air duct may be connected to the drum through its two opposite ends. In this embodiment, hot dry air is fed into the drum, flows over the laundry, and the resulting moist (and cooled to a lower temperature) air leaves the drum. In case of a closed loop drying air circuit, the humid air stream enriched in water vapour is then fed to a dehumidifying element and/or a hot air generator, such as a heat exchanger. The resulting cooled drying air is then heated before being re-entered into the drying chamber again by means of a hot drying air generator (which may be, for example, a condenser or an air/air exchanger of a heat pump system), and the whole loop is repeated until the end of the drying cycle. In addition, the hot dry air generator may comprise an electrically or gas powered heating device. In a vented dryer, ambient air is fed into the dryer via an inlet duct, such air being heated by a hot drying air generator (such as a condenser of a heat pump system and/or an electrically or gas powered heating device) before entering the drum. The heated air flowing through the drum and over the damp laundry contained in the drum removes moisture from the laundry. The humid air stream leaving the drum may optionally be dehumidified by an evaporator of a heat pump system or an air-air type heat exchanger as explained above before being discharged outside the dryer.

Preferably, the hot or dry air generator is located in the base of the cabinet.

In an embodiment, the duct guides the process air from the drum. A section of the duct, preferably the front section of the duct, directs the process air coming out of the drum downwards towards the base of the laundry dryer and deflects the process air flow from a downward direction to a horizontal direction. The "downward" direction may comprise flow path sections which are vertical and/or (partly) inclined to the vertical or even partly horizontal-but with the net effect that in the channel section unit the process air is directed downwards from a higher height level to a lower height level (in the normal operating orientation of the laundry treatment apparatus). Preferably, the process air deflected to the horizontal flow direction is discharged to the outside or into a hot or dry air generator. In this latter case, the process air then re-enters the drum via the rear wall of the drum, which may have perforations, for example.

Further, preferably, the process air duct may include a fan for blowing the process air flowing into the process air duct.

The process air duct is also provided with a filter assembly arranged along the duct before the vents, in the case of a vented dryer, so that the fluff is not arranged to the outside, or upstream of the heat or drying generator, in the case of a condensation dryer, to prevent fluff and/or lint particles from reaching and clogging the generator and/or fan.

The filter assembly is positioned within the cabinet, i.e., within the base interior volume, corresponding to the base. The base interior volume is the volume at the base enclosed by the cabinet. Due to the available space, typically most of the components of the dryer (such as the heat exchanger) are located in the base.

Any filter assembly may be used in the present invention so long as it includes a first filtering surface supported by a frame.

In the same way, the first filtering surface can have any shape, which can for example comprise a mesh or net of suitable size to block typical fluff or particles produced by the laundry. As an example, the filter assembly may comprise a flat first filter surface having a square shape. The filter surface may be substantially vertical. Alternatively, the filter surface may be inclined with respect to a vertical plane, or there may be more than one filter surface. In addition, the frame defines a frame interior volume. For example, the frame may have a box-like shape with walls surrounding the interior volume. The walls may be open or closed.

In addition, the frame of the filter assembly comprises cleaning means for facilitating cleaning of the first filtering surface, wherein, as mentioned, fluff, particles, dust and other materials filtered from the process air leaving the drum and entering the duct may be present. This material is filtered by the first filtering surface of the filter assembly, which is preferably suitably dimensioned and positioned into the duct such that substantially the entire cross-sectional dimension of the duct is covered by the filtering surface. In this way, most of the foreign substances present in the process air are removed by the first filter surface.

Due to the filtering action, the first filter surface is covered over time by filter material which has been removed from the process air flowing in the duct. In order to maintain the efficiency of the dryer, it is necessary to periodically remove the material collected on the filter surface.

The means for removing such material from the first filter surface in the present invention comprises a cleaning means comprising a wiper adapted to move onto the first filter surface. The fluff, lint and other filter material detach from the filter surface due to the movement of the wiper and the resulting wear on the first filter surface.

Movement of the wiper relative to the first filter surface produces a wiping action. For example, the relative motion may be rotation, translation, or a combination of both (rotation and translation). During the movement, the wiper wipes the first filter surface and drags the filter material present thereon in the movement. After the wiping action, the filter surface is substantially free of filter material.

Preferably, the wiping action is performed after each drying cycle of the appliance. Leaving lint and lint on the filter surface can significantly reduce the performance of the appliance itself, and it is therefore recommended to continuously clean the filter surface by the movement of the wiper.

The filter assembly further comprises a lint collector for collecting filter material removed from the first filter surface. Preferably, the filter material does not need to be removed from the filter assembly after each wiping action, however, it is preferably required to be removed when the lint collector is substantially full, which typically occurs after several drying cycles, depending on the cycle and the type of laundry introduced in the drum. The fluff collector is located at the base. Preferably, the lint picker is part of the frame or wiper of the filter assembly.

The lint picker can comprise the bottom of the frame or wiper. The frame and/or wiper may be, for example, box-like in shape, and the lint collector may be a bottom portion of the box. Preferably, the lint picker is located at the bottom of the frame or wiper so that the lint and lint fall under gravity into the lint picker.

In order to access the lint collector and empty it when full or for any other maintenance purpose, a first door is preferably provided in the cabinet of the dryer. This door on the base, being located at the base of the lint picker, may be the base door or any other door that may access the interior volume of the base. The first door may for example be hinged to the cabinet, for example to a front door of the cabinet.

As mentioned above, the action of removing the filter material from the lint collector is preferably performed after each drying cycle, whereas the action of emptying the lint collector is more rare.

It may be undesirable to access the base of the appliance each time a wiping action is required in order to actuate and move the wiper across the wiping surface, often because the user adopts a less comfortable position (e.g. bends over) in order to do so. Thus, according to the invention, the filter assembly comprises an actuator connected to the wiper to force it to perform a wiping movement. In other words, by actuating the actuator, e.g. moving the actuator, a corresponding movement of the wiper is obtained.

The movement of the actuator may be different from the movement of the wiper. That is, if the wiping movement is, for example, a translation, the actuator also need not be translated (but it may be translated) in order to obtain such a movement. As long as the movement of this actuator is then "transformed" into an appropriate wiper movement, rotation or rotation and translation can be envisaged, so as to achieve the correct movement of the wiper.

The actuator may be located at different positions of the cabinet relative to the wiper. For example, the actuator may be positioned in a location that is easily accessible to a user.

To ensure that movement of the actuator causes movement of the wiper, the filter assembly also includes a connector. The connector may be any connection between the wiper and the actuator that sends commands from the actuator to the wiper to move the wiper.

The connector performs a "shift" of the actuator movement to the wiper movement.

The dryer further includes a second door in the cabinet. Opening the second door provides access to the actuator. Preferably, the position of the second door and the corresponding position of the actuator are optimized for proper manipulation of the actuator.

In this way, if desired, the wiper can be moved by the actuator via the connector at the end of each drying cycle by opening the second door and manipulating the actuator. In this way, frequent wiping actions are performed from a convenient location.

The lint picker is accessible via a first door located on the base, which is a more "uncomfortable" position, but the act of cleaning the lint picker to empty it need only be done when the lint picker is full. In this way, a simple and simplified cleaning of the filter assembly is achieved.

The invention may incorporate one or more of the following features in the first or second aspects.

Preferably, the dryer includes:

a loading/unloading hole in the cabinet to allow the drum to be accessed; and a loading/unloading door for closing the loading/unloading hole;

wherein the second door includes the loading/unloading door.

The loading/unloading door of the dryer is generally opened to take out the laundry from the drum. Due to the need to empty the drum, the correct positioning of the actuator is indeed behind the door, regardless of how the door opens. No further action is required by the user to perform the wiping action other than moving the actuator, in addition to the normal operation.

More preferably, an inlet of the duct is formed on an edge surface of the loading/unloading hole, and wherein the actuator is located at the inlet.

The actuator may be positioned in an inlet realized in an edge surface of the loading/unloading aperture, easily accessible by a user.

Preferably, a seat is formed on an edge surface of the loading/unloading hole, and wherein the actuator is located at the seat.

More preferably, the actuator is movable from a rest position, in which it is substantially fully housed in the seat or portal, to a wiping position, in which it projects at least partially from the portal or seat.

Since the actuator is located at the loading/unloading aperture in this embodiment, it is preferred that its presence does not interfere with the standard operation of loading or unloading laundry into the dryer. For this purpose, it is preferred that the actuator is substantially "hidden" in the seat when wiping is not required, and that the actuator may protrude from the seat when wiping is required.

Preferably, the actuator is movable without protruding from the seat.

Alternatively, the actuator remains within the seat at all times during wiping and non-wiping.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a manually operable handle which facilitates actuation of the actuator.

To simplify the movement of the actuator, in particular to grip the actuator when hidden in the seat, a handle is preferably provided.

Preferably, the actuator and/or the wiper are susceptible to linear movement. More preferably, the linear movement may comprise a vertical or horizontal translation.

Many types of movement are possible in order to wipe the first filter surface. Among these, linear translation is a suitable simple motion. In the case of a substantially vertical first filter surface, for example, horizontal or vertical translation can be easily performed to span the entire filter surface and clean the filter surface.

The movement of the wiper may be the same or different than the movement of the actuator. The translational movement of the actuator is also suitable, since in this way the actuator can remain hidden in the seat for the entire wiping movement, if the seat housing the actuator is suitably sized and positioned.

Preferably, the actuator and/or the wiper are susceptible to a rotational movement.

Alternatively or in combination, the wiper and/or actuator may perform a rotation, e.g. about a pivot point.

Preferably, the wiper and/or the actuator are susceptible to rotational and translational movement.

The type of movement performed by the wiper and/or the actuator is preferably selected according to the shape of the filter surface and its positioning and the positioning of the actuator.

Preferably, the first door is accessible through a third door disposed on the base.

The first door may not be the base door but a door behind it. In this manner, different portions of the base may still remain covered and/or protected when the base door is opened.

Preferably, the entirety of the first filter surface is located within the base interior volume.

The filter surface extends within the base interior volume, so that the portion of the wiper that contacts the filter surface during wiping is also completely contained within the base interior volume.

Preferably, the first door is hinged to a front wall of the cabinet, defining an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being substantially horizontal.

Typically, the doors that open onto the base are long and narrow, i.e., their vertical dimension is typically shorter than the horizontal dimension. The horizontal rotation axis allows the door to be opened also in a narrow space.

Preferably, the connector is adapted to transform a translational movement of the actuator into a translational and/or rotational movement of the wiper.

Translation to translational movement may be obtained by a connector that is a rigid body. For example, a rigid element having any desired shape, such as a rod, may connect the actuator and the wiper. The rack and gear connection can transform translational motion into rotational motion.

Preferably, the connector is adapted to transform a rotational movement of the actuator into a rotational and/or translational movement of the wiper.

The type of movement is selected based on the position of the actuator and/or wiper.

Preferably, the connector comprises a connecting element integral with the wiper and/or the actuator.

Preferably, the connector comprises a gear connection.

There may be one or more gears such that the actuator and wiper are connected in their movement by a plurality of wheels.

Preferably, the connector comprises a gear portion fixed to the wiper and an engaging gear portion fixed to the actuator.

In this way, the rotational movement is converted into another rotational movement.

Preferably, the wiper or the actuator includes a rack gear, and the other of the wiper or the actuator includes a gear portion engaged with the rack gear.

Rotational motion may be converted to translational motion and vice versa.

Preferably, the connector comprises a pivot.

The connector may include a pivot about which the connector rotates.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a button.

The movement of the actuator is thus translational.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a lever.

In this case, the movement of the actuator is rotational or rotational and translational.

Preferably, the method comprises the steps of:

the first door is opened to remove the filter material from the lint collector.

When the lint collector is full, it is necessary to remove the filter material in the lint collector. A sensor may be placed near or at the lint picker to detect when the lint picker becomes full. The lint picker is accessed by opening the first door.

Preferably, the step of moving the actuator comprises:

sliding and/or rotating the actuator a given length/angle.

Preferably, the step of moving the actuator comprises:

the actuator is pushed to a given depth.

The motion performed by the actuator depends on the geometry of the actuator position, the type of filter assembly and the connector used. The movement can be suitably adjusted according to desired requirements.

Further advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference, without limitation, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a laundry dryer realized according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the laundry dryer of fig. 1 with its door open to show an additional door;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dryer of fig. 1 and 2, with the additional door opened, and showing a first embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 4 is a schematic view of an air handling duct in the dryer of the invention;

figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filter assembly in a first configuration for use in the dryer of figure 3;

figure 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filter assembly in another configuration for use in the dryer of figure 3;

figure 7 is a perspective view of a dryer comprising a first embodiment of the filter assembly in a second configuration;

figure 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dryer comprising the first embodiment of the filter assembly in a first configuration;

figure 9 is a perspective view of a dryer comprising a second embodiment of a filter assembly;

fig. 10 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 9, including a second embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 11 is a front view of the dryer of figure 10, comprising a second embodiment of the filter assembly in a different configuration;

figure 12 is a rear view of the interior of the dryer of figure 10 or 11 in another configuration;

figure 13 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of a filter assembly in a further configuration for use in the dryer of figures 9 to 12;

figure 14 is a perspective view of a dryer comprising a third embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 15 is a perspective view of the dryer of figure 14, comprising a third embodiment of the filter assembly in another configuration;

figure 16 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of the dryer of figure 15 with a third embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 17 is an additional perspective exploded view of a portion of the dryer of figure 16 with a third embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 18 is a perspective view of a dryer comprising a fourth embodiment of a filter assembly;

figures 19 and 20 are two front views of the dryer of figure 18, with the fourth embodiment of the filter assembly in two different positions;

figure 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the laundry dryer of figures 18 to 20 with a fourth filter assembly;

figure 22 is a perspective view of the laundry dryer of figure 21;

figure 23 is a perspective view of a dryer comprising a fifth embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 24 is a front view of the dryer of figure 23;

figures 25 and 26 are perspective views of a dryer comprising a fifth embodiment of a filter assembly;

figure 27 is a front view of the dryer of figure 26;

figure 28 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the filter assembly;

figure 29 is a front view of the dryer comprising a sixth embodiment of the filter assembly in a partially exploded view and in a first configuration;

figure 30 is a front view of the dryer of figure 29 with the sixth embodiment of the filter assembly in a different configuration;

fig. 31 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 29 and 30 with a sixth embodiment of a filter assembly in yet a different configuration;

fig. 32 is a perspective rear view of a portion of the dryer of fig. 30; and is

Fig. 33 is a perspective rear view of a portion of the dryer of fig. 29.

With reference first to fig. 1, a laundry dryer realized according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with 1.

The laundry dryer 1 comprises: an outer box cabinet 2, preferably but not necessarily parallelepiped-shaped; and a drying chamber, such as a drum 3 (visible only in fig. 3 to 4), for example having the shape of a hollow cylinder, for housing the laundry and, in general, the clothes and garments to be dried. The drum 3 is preferably rotatably fixed to the cabinet 2. Access to the drum 3 is effected, for example, via a door 4 (also further referred to as loading/unloading door), preferably hinged to the cabinet 2, which can open and close a loading/unloading aperture 5 realised on the cabinet itself.

In more detail, cabinet 2 generally comprises a front wall 20, a rear wall 21 and two side walls 25, all mounted on a base 24. Preferably, the substrate 24 is realized in a plastic material. Preferably, the substrate 24 is molded via an injection molding process. Preferably, a door 4 is hinged on the front wall 20 to access the drum. The cabinet and its walls define the volume of the laundry dryer 1. The base 24 rests on the floor and its vertical distance from the floor can be advantageously adjusted by means of adjustment feet (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the base facing the floor. The dryer 1 (and in particular the base 24) defines a plane which is substantially the ground on which the dryer 1 is located and is therefore considered to be a substantially horizontal plane (X, Y) and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the plane (X, Y).

Laundry dryer 1 also preferably comprises an electric motor assembly (not shown) for rotating rotary drum 3 on command along its axis inside cabinet 2.

The base 24 defines a base region 7 of the dryer 1. The base region 7 defines a base interior volume, i.e. a volume inside the cabinet 2 bounded by the cabinet walls and located at the base region 7. Preferably, the base region 7 comprises a perforated portion, for example it may comprise a perforated element 71 on the front wall 20, in order to enable the feeding and/or the discharge of cooling air to/from the base interior volume, if required. The base area 7 may be provided with parts and/or elements and/or components for supporting operating components of the laundry dryer 1, which parts and/or elements and/or components are required for performing a laundry drying process on laundry, such as air ducts, motors, etc.

The load to be dried (e.g. clothes or other laundry) is placed in the drum 3 of the laundry dryer 1 via a door 4 provided on the front wall 20 of the cabinet. The drum preferably comprises a cover defining a front end 3a facing the front wall 20 of the casing and a rear end 3b facing the rear wall 21 of the casing (visible only in fig. 15).

Preferably, cabinet 2 includes a base door 60, such as a rotatable door, to access the base interior volume. Preferably, the base door 60 is hinged to the cabinet 2 and its axis of rotation is substantially horizontal. The base door 60 is preferably hinged at the front door 20 of the cabinet 2.

Upon opening the base door 60, there is an additional door 61, referred to as the first door 61. This first door 61 is accessible only by opening the base door 60. Preferably, this further door 61 is also rotatable along a substantially horizontal axis. The first door 61 is located behind the base door 60 so that the base 7 can be accessed by opening both doors. Further, the base door 60 and the first door 61 are located substantially below the loading/unloading hole 5 and the door 4.

Referring now to the schematic view of fig. 4, the drum 3 is fluidly connected to a duct defining a process air circuit 18 (depicted in fig. 4 by a series of arrows). The process air circuit 18 involves a (first) circulation of relatively dry and warm process air inside the tumble 3, on the laundry positioned in the drum for drying, and a (second) circulation of humid, cooler process air outside the drum 3. New dry and warm process air enters the drum 3 and the circuit repeats until the desired is achieved, preferably until the laundry is dried. Depending on the type of dryer, the moist process air can be conveyed in different ways when it leaves the drum 3.

If the dryer 1 is a condensation dryer, the circuit 18 of the process air is a closed loop circuit and the moist process air leaving the drum 3 is first dried by passing through a dehumidifying element/hot-air generator, such as a heat exchanger 19. The resulting cold drying air is then heated by means of the hot-air generator 19 before being re-entered into the drum 3 again. Preferably, the hot-air generator is a heat pump, and the humid air is first passed through an evaporator, in which the water contained in the humid air is removed, and then it is heated in a condenser before being returned into the drum 3.

If the dryer 1 is a vented dryer, the circuit of the process air is open, i.e. ambient air is fed into the dryer, heated and passed into the drum 3, while moist process air leaving the drum 3 is discharged outside the dryer 1. This open circuit is not depicted in the drawings.

Preferably, a hot or dry air generator (e.g., heat pump 19) is located in the base 24 of the cabinet.

The duct forming the process air circuit 18 comprises a first portion 18a having an inlet 16 connected to the front end 3a of the drum. This first portion 18a receives air from the drum 3. The inlet 16 of the first portion 18a of the duct is preferably located at a surface 17 that constitutes the contour of the edge of the loading/unloading hole 5, as can be seen in fig. 3. Further, preferably this first portion 18a of the duct is substantially vertical, i.e. the process air flowing within the first portion 18a has the longest component of movement along a vertical axis. Thus, the process air coming from the drum 3 (flowing substantially horizontally, or having a motion with the longest horizontal component) needs to be turned by substantially 90 ° at the loading/unloading aperture 5 so that it can flow in the first portion 18a of the duct via the inlet 16. This situation is schematically depicted in fig. 4.

In addition, a first portion 18a of the conduit extends from the inlet 16 into the base region 7. The duct then preferably continues with a second portion 18b which extends in the base 24 and is substantially horizontally elongated or has a longer horizontal component, so that the process air performs a further 90 ° bend at the end of the first portion 18a to continue its flow.

The process air then either preferably passes through the rear end 3b to enter into the inside of the drum 3, so the circuit 18 is a closed loop as shown. There, the air absorbs moisture or humidity from the laundry and thus dries the laundry. Alternatively, the process air is led out of the dryer 1 via a vent (not visible in the figures).

The dryer 1 is adapted to provide an air circulation which is preferably variable in temperature. The process air flow is preferably generated in the region below the substrate, for example in a duct of the process air circuit 18, for example by means of a fan (not depicted in the drawings).

In all embodiments of the dryer 1, the duct defining the process air circuit 18 is also provided with a filter assembly, preferably located near or at the front wall 20 of the cabinet 2 and within the base region 7, with the aim of preventing fluff and/or lint particles separated from the laundry during the drying process from reaching undesired locations and flowing with the process air. For example, in a vented dryer, the filter assembly is located upstream of the vent, so that fluff and/or lint is prevented from reaching the outside of the dryer with the moist process air leaving the drum 3 and being discharged to the outside. In a condensing dryer, a filter assembly 30 is located upstream of the heat or drying generator 19 for preventing fluff and/or lint from reaching and clogging the generator.

The duct 18 therefore directs the process air leaving the drum 3 towards the filter assembly. The filter assembly is preferably arranged so that the process air passes therethrough to the end of the first portion 18a of the duct and flows within the second portion 18b and advantageously to the region below the substrate where it is again drawn in by the fan.

Preferably, the filter assembly is arranged below the drum 3.

In the example shown in the drawings of fig. 3 to 8, a first embodiment of a filter assembly 80 is shown. Preferably, a substantial portion of the filter assembly 80 is contained within the base region 7. In addition, the filter assembly 80 is arranged within the first portion 18a of the duct of the process air circuit 18, for example below the inlet 16 of the duct itself. The filter assembly 80 is depicted in a partial enlarged view in fig. 6 to 8 and comprises a first filter surface 32, which in this embodiment is substantially flat, supported by the frame 31. Preferably, the filter surface 32 is substantially vertical. In this embodiment, the frame 31 is a box-like container forming part of the first portion 18a of the duct, and the first filtering surface 32 is a side or wall of the box-like container. The box-like container 31 includes: an inlet 41 for process air, positioned on top of the frame; and surrounding walls which, in addition to the wall with the first filter surface 32, prevent process air from leaving the container. The filter surface 32 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the inlet 41 of the box-like container. Thus, the process air entering the inlet 41 from above is forced to turn through 90 ° to change direction from a downward direction to a substantially horizontal direction and to easily leave the box-like container via the filter surface 32. The first filtering surface 32 separates the first portion 18a of the conduit 18 from the second portion 18b of the conduit, i.e., the first filtering surface 32 places the first portion 18a and the second portion 18b of the conduit 18 in fluid communication.

Preferably, the inlet 41 is located at the top of the frame 31. A bottom member 42 is also defined opposite the inlet 41. The bottom member 42 does not serve as an outlet, but rather the outlet of the filter assembly 30 is via the first filter surface 32, described in more detail below.

The first filter surface 32 may be in the form of a mesh or net of suitable size to block typical fluff or particles produced by the garment. The mesh or filter is not depicted in the drawings, otherwise it would cover all other elements. Thus, in the drawings, the first filter surface 32 appears to be "open," but it should be construed as being covered by a mesh or grid, or any other structure that facilitates filtering of material flowing in the process air flowing in the conduit 18.

Preferably, the filtering surface 32 is positioned substantially vertically, or at a small inclination with respect to the vertical. The frame 31 thus defines an upper portion, which is the portion of the frame having the topmost vertical position (i.e. the portion including the inlet 41).

In the filter assembly 80 of fig. 3-8, there is a single filtering surface 32.

The frame 31 may also include a non-filtering surface 37 facing the first filtering surface 32. In this configuration, the frame 31 defines an internal volume 40 between the first filtering surface 32 and the non-filtering surface 37, but only one surface (filtering surface) is subjected to the flow of process air in order to filter it. In other words, in this embodiment, the non-filtering surface 37 is a wall of the box-like container or frame 31, which is opposite the first filtering surface 32 and faces the first filtering surface (which forms the other wall of the box-like container 31) and guides the flow of the process air.

In this embodiment, the non-filtering surface 37 is attached to the first door 61. By opening this further first door 61, the filter assembly 80 can be rotated, for example, from a position in which the first filter surface is substantially vertical to a position in which the first filter surface is inclined with respect to a vertical plane. In addition, rotation of the first door 61 causes rotation of the entire filter assembly 80 attached to the door 61.

However, the filter assembly 80 rotates only under certain conditions detailed below.

Thus, in this embodiment, the filtering surface 32 faces substantially, even more preferably parallel, to the first door 61 to which the non-filtering surface 37 is attached. Both the first door 61 and the filtering surface 32 are preferably vertical, i.e. they define a substantially vertical plane or a plane that is only slightly inclined with respect to the vertical plane. An interior volume 40 is defined between the two surfaces (i.e., the non-filtering surface 37 and the filtering surface 32).

In an embodiment not depicted, the first door 61 is not attached to the non-filtering surface 37. The filter assembly 30 may still be rotatable, for example with the axis of rotation also parallel to the horizontal axis about which the base door 60 and the first door 61 rotate, however the rotation of the

doors

60, 61 and the rotation of the filter assembly 30 are independent. Thus, in order to move into a position in which the first filtering surface is inclined with respect to a vertical plane, in an embodiment not depicted here the first door 61 is first rotated, and then the filter assembly is likewise rotated.

In addition, the filter assembly 80 includes a cleaning device 33 that facilitates the removal of lint or other material deposited on the first filter surface 32 from the first filter surface. The cleaning device 33 comprises a wiper 330 for wiping the first filter surface 32.

Preferably, the wiper 330 is made of a plastic material.

The wiper 330 cleans the filter surface by virtue of its movement, as described below.

In the first embodiment of the filter assembly 80, the movement performed by the wiper 330 onto the first filter surface 32 of the frame 31 is a sliding movement, i.e. the wiper 330 is translated onto the first filter surface 32 in order to remove fluff or other filter material from the first filter surface.

In this embodiment, such as the one depicted in detail in fig. 3 and 5-8, the wiper 330 has a shape that matches the shape of the interior volume 40 formed by the frame 31. Therefore, according to the shape of the frame 31, the shape of the wiper 330 follows accordingly.

The filter assembly 80 includes a lint collector 50. In the embodiment of fig. 3 and 5-8, the lint picker 50 is part of the wiper 330, and in embodiments in which the filter surface 32 is substantially vertical, or which has a major vertical component, the lint picker comprises the bottom wall 51 of the wiper 330. Further, the wiper may include a sidewall 52 that outlines a bottom portion or bottom wall 51 of the wiper 330. The sidewall 52 may be at least partially part of the lint picker 50. Thus, the wiper 330 includes a lint collector 50 at its bottom end, and the lint collector tends to collect lint or any other filter material that collects as the wiper 330 slides onto the first filter surface 32 and falls under gravity into the lint collector 50.

A wiper 330 is housed in the interior volume 40. In the embodiment of fig. 6 to 8, the frame 31, which has the shape of a box-like container, defines a box-like inner volume 40. Thus, as shown, wiper 330 also has a box-like shape.

The box-like shape of wiper 330 is formed by a plurality of rungs, which for example form the sides of a substantially parallelepiped shape. Thus, the wipers 330 are formed by these ledges which form a shape matching the shape of the interior volume 40 of the frame 31. One of the ledges, indicated with 331, is in contact with the first surface 32, so that translation of the wiper 330 in turn means that the ledge 331 translates onto the first surface 32 and thus scrapes the first surface.

Thus, the wiper 330 fills the volume 40 from the inlet 41 of the frame 31 up to the bottom 42 of the frame 31. The wiper 330 is preferably also air-permeable in a position corresponding to the inlet 41 of the frame, preferably the position in which the handle 332 is located, i.e. preferably through which process air can pass. For example, the top of the wiper 330 is air permeable so that the process air can freely flow into the wiper 330.

Fluff collector 50 has a substantially flat bottom defined by bottom wall 51 of wiper 330.

In addition, the filter assembly 80 includes an actuator 81 and a connector 82. The actuator 81 is connected to a connector 82 which in turn is connected to a wiper 330.

In more detail, the drier 1 comprises, at the loading and unloading hole 5, an edge surface 17 formed with a seat 8. The seat 8 is located at the inlet 16 of the conduit 18, i.e. the seat is formed substantially around the inlet 16.

The actuator 81 is positioned within the seat 8 and preferably does not protrude from the seat. Actuator 81 preferably comprises a manually operable handle 84 formed from a plastics material and which extends downwardly into the base towards seat 8 via connector 82. The connector converts the movement of the actuator 81 into the movement of the wiper 330. The connector 32 in the preferred embodiment includes two parallel bars 82. The rod is a rigid element. The two parallel bars represent a geometric continuation of both sides of the wiper 330. The sides of the wiper that interface with the rod are preferably substantially perpendicular to the sides of the first door 61 and/or the first filter surface 32.

Preferably, the connector 82 and the wiper 330 are implemented as a single piece.

Preferably, the actuator, connector and wiper are a single integral piece.

Preferably, the actuator 81 is air-permeable, located at the inlet 16 of the conduit 18, except for the presence of the handle-like portion. For this purpose, it preferably comprises a plurality of perforations 83, for example formed in a surface perpendicular to the first filtering surface.

Thus, in the embodiment of fig. 3 to 8, the movement of the actuator 81 is a translation and the corresponding movement of the wiper is also a translation.

The operation of the filter assembly 80 is as follows.

In the rest configuration, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom. The wiper 330 has a lint picker 50 located at the bottom of the frame 31. This is the most "compact" configuration of the filter assembly 80, with the wiper 330 fully inserted into the frame 31. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened. The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user can actuate the actuator by pulling it 81 upwards, so that it protrudes from the seat 8. By pulling upwards, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 slides the wiper against the frame 31, so that the rod 331 scrapes the first filter surface 32. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50. When the lint picker is located on top of the frame 31, the end position of the wiper is reached.

In order to remove fluff collected in the fluff collector 50, the wiper 330 may be completely withdrawn from the seat 8 (see fig. 3 or fig. 8). In this configuration, the door 61 may be opened and the filter assembly 80 rotated. The first door 61 may be opened, for example, to clean the remainder of the filter assembly or for other maintenance purposes as some filter material falls from the lint container 50.

In addition, wiper 330 needs to be reinserted into frame 31 before a new drying cycle can begin. In this way, the rest position is reached again, in which the pile receptacle 50 is positioned at the bottom of the frame 31.

The above-described configuration of actuating the wiper 330 via the connector by means of the actuator may also be achieved using a filter assembly that is not attached to the door 61.

Referring now to fig. 9-13, a second embodiment of a filter assembly 80' is disclosed. In this embodiment, the same features as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The filter assembly 80' includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, in this case the lint picker 50 is part of the frame 31, in particular it comprises its bottom portion 42. Thus, filter material from the first filter surface 32 is collected within the frame 31.

The frame 31 has a box shape as in the first embodiment of the filter assembly 80. The first filtering surface 32 is preferably vertical and is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of the frame 31 and the filtering surface 32, reference is made to the first of the filter assemblies 80

Examples

The filter assembly 80' further includes a wiper 330 that is adapted to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 comprises a translatable rod 331, i.e. the rod can slide onto the first filter surface 32. The bar 331 can slide from left to right or from right to left, i.e. the movement of the bar 331 is in a horizontal direction. The wiping movement is wide enough to wipe the entire first filter surface. For example, the wiper 330 may begin a horizontal sliding motion from one side of the first filter surface 32 and end the motion on the opposite side of the filter surface 32. Two opposite configurations (start-end) are shown in fig. 10 and 11, respectively.

In addition, the filter assembly 80' includes an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in the seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. The actuator 81, when not actuated, preferably remains completely housed within the seat 8 realised at the edge surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator 81 includes a handle 84 in the form of a block or knob.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by a connector 82, which comprises a rigid element. A rigid element connects wiper 330 to handle 84 such that movement of handle 84 causes movement of wiper 330 and, more precisely, translation of handle 84 causes translation of wiper 330.

The filter assembly 80' with connector and actuator is more clearly shown in the enlarged view of fig. 13.

The handle 84 is susceptible to translation within the inlet 16 of the conduit 18, e.g., the handle is susceptible to horizontal translation within a guide track 85 formed in the inlet 16.

The operation of the filter assembly 80' is as follows.

When wiping is not required, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom. The wiper 330 is located on one of the two sides of the filter surface 32. This configuration is shown in fig. 10. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened. The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user can actuate the actuator by sliding the actuator 81 in the track 85 to perform a horizontal translation. By translating an actuator, such as handle 84, connector 82 attached to wiper 330 slides the wiper in frame 31 such that rod 331 scrapes first filter surface 32 from left to right or from right to left in a horizontal slide. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached on the side of the filter surface opposite to the side on which the wiping action has started (fig. 11).

During wiping, the actuator 81 may protrude from the seat 8 due to the configuration of the edge surface, as shown for example in fig. 12. However, at the beginning and end positions of the wiper 330 at the side of the first filtering surface, the actuator 81 is "hidden" in the seat.

In order to remove fluff collected in the fluff collector 50, the wiper 330 may be completely withdrawn from the seat 8. In this configuration, the door 61 can be opened and the lint collector 50 within the frame 31 can be accessed. The opening of the first door 61 may also take place, for example, for maintenance purposes.

In addition, wiper 330 needs to be reinserted into frame 31 before a new drying cycle can begin.

A third embodiment of a filter assembly 80 "is depicted in fig. 14-17.

In this embodiment, the same features as those of the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The filter assembly 80 "comprises a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the first or second embodiment. As in the second embodiment 80 ", the lint picker 50 is part of the frame 31, in particular, the lint picker comprises its bottom portion 42. Thus, the filter material from the first filter surface 32 is collected within the frame 31, at the bottom of the frame (see fig. 17).

The frame 31 has a box shape as in the first and second embodiments of the filter assemblies 80, 80'. The first filtering surface 32 is preferably vertical and is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of the frame 31 and the filtering surface 32, reference is made to the first or second embodiment of the filter assembly 80, 80'.

The filter assembly 80 "further includes a wiper 330 that is adapted to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 comprises a T-shaped member comprising a substantially horizontal bar 331 and a vertical bar 333 fixed in the middle of the horizontal bar and projecting upwards. The T-shaped element is translatable, i.e. it can slide from the bottom 42 of the frame 31 onto the first filtering surface 32 to the upper part thereof. The bar 331 can slide from bottom to top or top to bottom, i.e. the movement of the bar 331 is in a vertical direction. The movement is wide enough to wipe the entire first filter surface. Preferably, the width of the bar 331 is equal to or slightly less than the width of the frame so that the bar 331 matches a portion of the inner shape of the frame 31 for smooth sliding. For example, the wiper 330 may start movement from the bottom 41 of the frame 31 and end movement at the top of the frame 32, or vice versa. The configuration of the bar 331 of the wiper 330 is depicted in fig. 15 with the bar at the bottom, while the assembly 80 "(but the wiper not visible) is shown in fig. 14 with the bar at the top of the frame. The configuration in which the wiper 330 is positioned between the top and bottom of the frame is depicted in fig. 16 and 17.

In addition, the filter assembly 80 "includes an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in the seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. The actuator 81, when not actuated, preferably remains completely housed within the seat 8 realised at the edge surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator 81 protrudes from the seat 8 when actuated, as described in detail below. The actuator 81 comprises an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the longitudinal axis of the elongate member is substantially horizontal and the elongate member lies substantially flat in the inlet 16. In this configuration, the T-shaped element of wiper 330 is located on top of frame 31. When actuated, the longitudinal axis of the elongate member is substantially vertical and the elongate member protrudes from the inlet 16. In this configuration, the T-shaped element of wiper 330 may be located anywhere between the top and bottom of frame 31.

Actuator 81 is connected to wiper 330 by connector 82, which includes a pivot member 336. The pivot element 336 connects the wiper 330 (in particular the vertical rod 333) and the elongated element of the actuator 81, so that the elongated element can oscillate about the pivot element 336 with respect to the T-shaped element of the wiper 330 (see fig. 16 and 17).

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. The first motion is a rotation such that the elongated element rotates about the pivot element 336 and the vertical rod 333 and the elongated element of the actuator 81 become geometrical extensions of each other along a vertical axis. Furthermore, the actuator is pushed, i.e. it translates in a vertical motion, i.e. downwards. This second movement of the actuator causes movement of the wiper 330 and, more precisely, causes the wiper 330 to translate downward.

The operation of the filter assembly 80 "is as follows.

When wiping is not required, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom. The longitudinal axis of the elongate member is substantially horizontal. The wiper 330 is located on top of the frame 31. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened (fig. 15). The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user can actuate the actuator 81, rotating the elongated element about the pivot element 336 and then pushing it downwards, performing a vertical translation. By translating the actuator 81, the connector 82 (pivot element 336, which does not act as a pivot during translation) attached to the wiper 330 slides the T-shaped element in the frame 31, so that the bar 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32 from top to bottom in a vertical sliding. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. At the bottom side 42 of the frame 31, the end position of the wiper 330 is reached.

A fourth embodiment of a filter assembly 90 is depicted in fig. 18-22.

In this embodiment, the same features as those of the first or second or third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The filter assembly 90 includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as the first or second or third embodiment. As in the second and third embodiments 80', 80 ", the lint picker 50 is part of the frame 31, and in particular, it includes a bottom portion 42 thereof. Thus, the filter material from the first filter surface 32 is collected within the frame 31, at the bottom of the frame.

The frame 31 has a box shape as in the first or second or third embodiment of the

filter assembly

80, 80', 80 ". The first filtering surface is preferably vertical and is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of the frame 31 and the filtering surface 32 reference is made to the first or second or third embodiment of the

filter assembly

80, 80', 80 ".

The filter assembly 90 further includes a wiper 330 that is adapted to wipe the first surface 32. Wiper 330 includes a pointer or hand-like element 331 that pivots at pivot point 337. Wiper 330 may thus only rotate or oscillate about pivot point 337. The pivot point 337 is preferably attached to the non-filtering surface 37 of the frame 31, more preferably it is centrally located, i.e., located at a position along the axis of the frame, such that the wiper can symmetrically wipe the surface 32. Preferably, the pivot point 337 is located at an upper portion of the frame 31. The wiper 330 can thus be rotated onto the first filter surface 32 from a starting point where the pointer is substantially horizontal to an end point where the pointer is again horizontal but positioned on the opposite side of the pivot point 337 with respect to the starting point. Preferably, a rotation of the pointer 331 by at least 180 ° with respect to the pivot point 337 is performed in order to completely wipe the first filter surface 32. Preferably, the pointer 331 is long enough to wipe the entire first filter surface. Preferably, the length of the pointer is equal to or slightly less than the height of the frame.

In fig. 19 is depicted a configuration where the pointer 331 is substantially horizontal on one side of the pivot point 337. In fig. 20 is depicted a configuration where the wiper is rotated over 150 deg. so that almost the opposite side about the pivot point is reached.

In addition, the filter assembly 90 includes an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in the seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. In all conditions, for example, the actuator 81, when activated or not, preferably remains completely housed within the seat 8 realised at the edge surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator comprises a button, which is preferably translatable along a vertical axis. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the button is in a rest position close to the highest point of the drum (see fig. 18 or 22). In this configuration, pointer 331 of wiper 330 is substantially horizontal on one side of pivot point 337. When actuated, the button is depressed. At the end of the movement, e.g. at the lowest point reachable by the button, the pointer is again preferably substantially horizontal on the opposite side with respect to the pivot point 337 compared to the starting position.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 through the connector 82. The connector 82 includes a rack member 338 connected to the actuator 81 and a gear portion 339 connected to a pivot point 337. A gear portion 339 is formed about pivot point 337. The gear portion 339 and the rack member 338 are configured such that they can mesh with each other.

When the button is at rest, i.e. it is not actuated (pushed), the rack is located above the pivot point 337. Since geared portion 339 surrounds pivot point 337, when the button is depressed, rack 338 engages geared portion 339 and pointer 331 rotates accordingly.

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. The first motion is a downward translation of the button 81 such that the rack 338 engages the geared portion 339. Due to this connection, the wiper 330 rotates. A second movement occurs when the button is released. The button translates upward and the wiper 330 rotates again due to the translation of the rack 338 engaging the gear portion 339. Translation of the actuator 81 thus causes rotation of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90 is as follows.

When wiping is not required, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom. The button is in a rest state with the rack 338 not engaged with the gear portion 339. Wiper 330 is positioned substantially horizontally to one side of pivot point 337. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened. The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user can actuate the actuator 81, pressing the button, performing a vertical translation. By translating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and the button rotates the wiper 330 such that the pointer 331 scrapes the first filter surface 32 from side to side with a 180 ° rotation. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper is reached when the wiper 330 is placed horizontally on the other side of the pivot element.

In order to remove fluff collected in the fluff collector 50, the wiper 330 may be completely withdrawn from the seat 8. In this configuration, the door 61 can be opened and the lint collector 50 within the frame 31 can be accessed. The opening of the first door 61 may also take place, for example, for maintenance purposes. This configuration is shown in fig. 22.

A fifth embodiment of a filter assembly 90' is depicted in fig. 23-28.

In this embodiment, the same features as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The filter assembly 90' includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the fourth embodiment. As in the fourth embodiment, the lint picker 50 is part of the frame 31, in particular, the lint picker comprises its bottom portion 42. Thus, the filter material from the first filter surface 32 is collected within the frame 31, at the bottom of the frame.

The frame 31 has a box shape as in the fourth embodiment of the filter assembly 90. The first filtering surface is preferably vertical and is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of the frame 31 and the filtering surface 32, reference is made to the fourth embodiment of the filter assembly 90.

The filter assembly 90' further includes a wiper 330 that is adapted to wipe the first surface 32. Wiper 330 includes a pointer or hand-like element 331 that pivots at pivot point 337. The wiper may thus only rotate or oscillate about the pivot point 337. The pivot point is preferably attached to the non-filtering surface 37 of the frame 31, more preferably it is centrally located, i.e. located at a certain position along the axis of the frame, so that the wiper can wipe the surface 32 symmetrically. Preferably, the pivot point 337 is located at an upper portion of the frame 31. Wiper 330 may thus be rotated onto first filter surface 32 from a position where the pointer is substantially horizontal to a position where the pointer is again horizontal but positioned on the opposite side of pivot point 337 with respect to the starting point. Preferably, a rotation of the pointer by at least 180 ° with respect to the pivot point 337 is performed in order to wipe the first filtering surface 32. Preferably, the pointer is long enough to wipe the entire first filter surface. Preferably, the length of the pointer is equal to or slightly less than the height of the frame.

In fig. 27, a configuration is depicted in which the pointer 331 is substantially horizontal on one side of the pivot point 337. The configuration with the wiper rotated 180 is depicted in fig. 23, but the wiper 330 is not visible.

In addition, the filter assembly 90' includes an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in the seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. The actuator 81, when not actuated, preferably remains completely housed within the seat 8 realised at the edge surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator 81 protrudes from the seat 8 when actuated.

The actuator 81 includes a lever. The lever is rotatable about pivot point 88. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the lever is placed so that its longitudinal axis is substantially horizontal inside the seat 8. In this configuration, pointer 331 of wiper 330 is substantially horizontal on one side of pivot point 337. The lever rotates about pivot point 88 when actuated. During rotation, the lever protrudes from the seat when the longitudinal axis of the lever is no longer horizontal. At the end of the movement, when the lever has reached a position in which its longitudinal axis is substantially vertical, preferably the pointer is again substantially horizontal on the opposite side with respect to the pivot point 337 when compared to the starting position.

The substantially horizontal configuration of the lever together with the horizontal pointer 331 is better seen in fig. 28, where an enlarged view of the filter assembly 90' is shown.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by means of a connector 82 comprising a first gear part 340 connected to the actuator and a second gear part 339 connected to the pivot point 337. The first gear portion 340 and the second gear portion 339 are configured such that they can mesh with each other. When the actuator 81 is at rest (i.e., it is not actuated (rotated)), the pivot points 88 and 337 are preferably located above each other with the pivot point 88 of the lever located higher. The distance between the two pivot points is such that rotation of the lever about pivot point 88 causes the first gear portion 340 to engage into the second gear portion 337 and thus cause subsequent rotation of the wiper 330. Due to the fact that the gear portion surrounds the pivot point 337, when the lever rotates, the first gear portion 340 engages with the gear portion 339 and the pointer rotates accordingly.

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. The first motion is a rotation of the actuator 81, i.e. a rotation of the lever about the pivot point 88, such that the first gear portion 340 engages with the second gear portion 339. Due to this connection, the wiper 330 rotates. The lever is rotated until the lever is substantially vertical. In this configuration, the wiper is preferably horizontal again. The second motion occurs when the lever returns to the resting horizontal position. Due to the meshing of the first gear portion and the second gear portion, the wiper 330 rotates again. Rotation of the actuator 81 thus causes rotation of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90' is as follows.

When wiping is not required, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom (see fig. 23). The lever is in a rest state and substantially horizontal. Wiper 330 is positioned substantially horizontally to one side of pivot point 337. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened. The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical (see fig. 26 and 27).

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user may actuate the actuator 81, thereby rotating the lever. By rotating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and the actuator 81 rotates the wiper 330 such that the pointer 331 scrapes the first filter surface 32 from side to side with a 180 ° rotation. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper is reached when the wiper 330 is placed horizontally on the other side of the pivoting element.

A sixth embodiment of a filter assembly 90 "is depicted in fig. 29-33.

The filter assembly 90 "includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the fourth and fifth embodiments. As in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the lint picker 50 is part of the frame 31, in particular, the lint picker comprises its bottom portion 42. Thus, the filter material from the first filter surface 32 is collected within the frame 31, at the bottom of the frame.

The frame 31 has a box shape as in the fourth and fifth embodiments of the filter assemblies 90, 90'. The first filtering surface is preferably vertical and is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of the frame 31 and the filtering surface 32, reference is made to the fourth and fifth embodiments of the filter assembly 90, 90'.

The frame 31 includes a guide or rail 15 that extends with a first rectilinear portion 15a on the frame bottom 41 (e.g., in the lint picker 50) and with a second curvilinear portion 15b that extends upwardly from the first curvilinear portion 15a along a portion of one side of the frame 31.

The filter assembly 90 "further includes a wiper 330 that is adapted to wipe the first filter surface 32. Wiper 330 includes a rod 331 that is substantially linear having a first end 331a and a second end 331 b. The second end 331b of the lever 331 is inserted into the rail 15 so that it can be guided in motion by the rail 15 itself. Thus, the movement of the rod is pushed by the geometry of the track. Therefore, the wiper 330 can perform rotation or translation, i.e., rotation and translation, only while being guided by the end 331b inside the rail. For example, the rod 331 may translate substantially in a horizontal translation direction when the end 331b slides within a rectilinear portion of the track 15a, and then rotate when the end 331b is guided in a curvilinear portion 15b of the track 15.

For example, the end 331b of the rod 331 located in the track 15 may include a pin (not shown) or any other tip to provide a good slidable connection of the wiper in the track.

Thus, the wiper 330 may translate or rotate onto the first filter surface 32 from a position where the wiper 330 is substantially vertical to a position where the wiper may be tilted with respect to a vertical axis. Preferably, the wiper 330 is long enough to wipe the entire first filter surface 32. Preferably, the length of the wiper (bar 331) is equal to or slightly less than the height of the frame.

In fig. 29, a configuration is depicted in which the rod 331 is located at one side of the frame 31 in a vertical position at the beginning of the linear portion of the track 15. The configuration of the wipers at the end of the curved portion of the track 15 on the opposite side of the filter surface 32 is depicted in fig. 31.

In addition, the filter assembly 90 "includes an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in the seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. The actuator 81, when not actuated, preferably remains completely housed within the seat 8 realised at the edge surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator 81 protrudes from the seat 8 when actuated.

The actuator 81 includes a handle 84 in the form of a block or knob.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by a connector 82 comprising a rigid element 89 and a pivot point 87. The pivot point connects the free end 331a of the lever 331, which is not inserted in the track 15, with one end of the rigid element 89. The rigid element connects the wiper 330 to the handle 84 such that movement of the handle 84 causes movement of the wiper 330 and, more precisely, translation of the handle 84 causes rotational translation of the wiper 330 due to the combination of the rigid element 89 and the pivot point 87.

The handle 84 is susceptible to translation within the inlet 16 of the conduit 18, e.g., the handle is susceptible to horizontal translation within a guide track 94 formed in the inlet 16.

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. The first motion is translation of the actuator 81, i.e., translation of the handle 84 within the track 94. Due to the connector 82, the wiper 330 is rotationally translated. The rod 31 translates while in the straight part of the track 15 and then rotates in the curved part. The second motion occurs when the handle 84 returns to the rest position. The translation of the actuator 81 thus causes a rotational translation of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90 "is as follows.

When wiping is not required, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude therefrom (see fig. 29). The wiper 330 is located to one side of the filter surface 32 and the wiper is substantially vertical. In this configuration, the door 61 cannot be opened. The filter surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened to take out the laundry from the drum 3, for example. At the end of extraction, the user may actuate actuator 81 to translate handle 84 within track 94. By translating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and the actuator 81 rotates the wiper 330 so that the rod 331 scrapes the first filter surface 32 from side to side as the end 331b of the rod 331 is guided within the track 15. The fluff is collected in a fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. When the wiper 330 is placed on the other side of the frame, the end position of the wiper is reached. In this configuration, the handle 84 protrudes from the seat 8, as depicted for example in fig. 31.

In all embodiments of

filter assemblies

80, 80', 80 ", 90', 90", inlet 16 may be covered by a gas permeable plate (e.g., plate 100, including a plurality of perforations for passage of process air) except for the presence of actuator 81. The plate 100 is used to form a track to guide the actuator 81 and protect the connector 82 located below. When it is desired to remove wiper 330, plate 100 may be removed.

Claims

1. A laundry dryer (1) comprising:

a cabinet (2) having a base (7) defining a base interior volume within the cabinet;

a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet;

a duct (18) defining a flow path for the process air leaving the drum (3);

a filter assembly (80, 80', 80 ", 90, 90', 90") located in a duct portion (18a) located at least partially in the base interior volume to filter process air flowing therein; the filter assembly includes:

a frame (31);

a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filter surface (32);

a cleaning device (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein the cleaning device comprises a wiper (330) movable relative to the frame (31) and in contact with the first filtering surface (32) to wipe the first filtering surface by movement of the wiper;

an actuator (81) adapted to force said wiper (330) to said movement relative to said frame (31) when actuated;

a connector (82) for connecting the actuator (81) and the wiper (330) such that movement of the actuator (81) causes movement of the wiper (330);

a lint collector (50) for collecting filter material wiped by the wiper from the first filter surface (32);

a second door (4) provided in the cabinet (2), the actuator (81) being arranged at least partially behind the second door (4) such that the second door needs to be opened in order to actuate the actuator (81);

characterized in that said laundry dryer further comprises

A first door (61) at the base (7) arranged in the cabinet (2) to allow access to the base interior volume, the lint collector (50) being located at least partially behind the first door such that the first door (61) needs to be opened in order to remove the filter material in the lint collector (50).

2. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, comprising:

-a loading/unloading aperture (5) located in said cabinet (2) to allow access to the drum (3); and a loading/unloading door (4) for closing said loading/unloading aperture (5);

wherein the second door (4) comprises the loading/unloading door.

3. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 2, wherein an inlet (16) of said duct (18) is formed on an edge surface (17) of said loading/unloading aperture (5), and wherein said actuator (81) is located at said inlet (16).

4. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 2, wherein a seat (8) is formed on an edge surface (17) of said loading/unloading aperture (5), and wherein said actuator (81) is located at said seat (8).

5. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said actuator (81) is movable from a rest position, in which it is substantially completely housed in said seat (8) or in said inlet (16), to a wiping position, in which it protrudes at least partially from said inlet (16) or seat (8).

6. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 4, wherein said actuator (81) is movable without protruding from said seat (8).

7. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said actuator (81) comprises a manually operable handle (84) apt to actuate said actuator.

8. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said actuator (81) and/or said wiper (330) are susceptible to a linear movement.

9. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 8, wherein said linear movement can comprise a vertical translation or a horizontal translation.

10. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said actuator (81) and/or said wiper (330) are susceptible to a rotary movement.

11. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said wiper (330) and/or said actuator (81) are susceptible to a rotational and translational movement.

12. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first door (61) is accessible through a third door (60) arranged on the base.

13. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first filtering surface (32) is located entirely in said base internal volume.

14. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first door (61) is hinged to a front wall (20) of said cabinet (2) and defines a rotation axis, which is substantially horizontal.

15. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said connector (82) is adapted to transform a translational movement of said actuator (81) into a translational movement and/or a rotational movement of said wiper (330).

16. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said connector (82) is adapted to transform a rotational movement of said actuator (81) into a rotational and/or translational movement of said wiper (330).

17. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said connector (82) comprises a connecting element integral with said wiper and/or said actuator.

18. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said connector (82) comprises a geared connection (338, 339, 340).

19. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 18, wherein said connector (82) comprises a gear portion (339) fixed to said wiper (330) and a meshing gear portion (340) fixed to said actuator (81).

20. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 18, wherein said wiper (330) or said actuator (81) comprises a rack (338), the other of said wiper (330) or actuator (81) comprising a gear portion (339) meshing with said rack (338).

21. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 15, wherein said connector (82) comprises a pivot (337, 88).

22. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said actuator (81) comprises a push button.

23. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, wherein said actuator (81) comprises a lever.

24. A method for cleaning a filter assembly (80, 80', 80 ", 90, 90', 90") in a laundry dryer (1), the dryer comprising:

a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet;

a duct (18) defining a flow path for the process air to leave the drum;

a frame (31);

a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filter surface (32);

-cleaning means (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface (32); wherein the cleaning device comprises a movable wiper (330);

an actuator (81);

a connector (82) for connecting the actuator and the wiper;

a first door (61) arranged at the base (7) of the cabinet (2) to allow access to the base interior volume;

a second door (4) provided on the cabinet (2);

wherein, the method comprises the following steps:

opening the second door (4) to access the actuator (81);

moving the actuator (81), which in turn moves the wiper (330) through the connector (82);

wiping the first filter surface (32) by moving the wiper (330);

-collecting filter material from the first filter surface (32) into a lint collector (50) accessible from said first door (61); and is

The first door (61) is opened to remove said filter material from the lint collector (50).

25. Method for cleaning a filter assembly (80, 80', 80 ", 90, 90', 90") in a laundry dryer (1) according to claim 24, wherein said step of moving the actuator (81) comprises:

the actuator is slid and/or rotated a given length/angle.

26. Method for cleaning a filter assembly (80, 80', 80 ", 90, 90', 90") in a laundry dryer (1) according to claim 24, wherein said step of moving the actuator (81) comprises:

the actuator (81) is pushed to a given depth.