WO2018121868A1

WO2018121868A1 - A laundry dryer comprising a filter assembly and a method to clean a filter assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018121868A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/082884
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudy Dal Molin; Michael EDENIUS; Nadir MAZZAROTTO; Gabriele Missio; Nicola Reid; Giuseppe Rossi
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2016-12-29
Filing date: 2016-12-29
Publication date: 2018-07-05
Also published as: EP3562985A1; CN110114529A; PL3562985T3; AU2016434849A1; EP3562985B1; CN110114529B; AU2016434849B2

Abstract

A laundry dryer (1) comprising: o a cabinet (2) having a plinth (7) as base portion, said plinth defining an inner plinth volume within said cabinet; o a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet; o a duct (18) defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum (3); o a filter assembly (80, 80', 80", 90, 90', 90") positioned in a duct portion (18a) located at least partially in the inner plinth volume so as to filter process air flowing therein; said filter assembly including: ■ a frame (31); ■ a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filtering surface (32); ■ a cleaning device (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein said cleaning device includes a wiper (330) movable with respect to the frame (31) and in contact with the first filtering surface (32) to wipe the same through its movement; o an actuator (81), adapted to force said wiper (330) to perform said movement with respect to said frame (31) when actuated; o a connector (82), to connect the actuator (81) and the wiper (330), so that movements of the actuator (81) cause movements of the wiper (330); o a fluff collector (50) to collect filtered material wiped by the wiper from said first filtering surface (32); o a first door (61) arranged in said cabinet (2) at said plinth (7) to allow access to the inner plinth volume, said fluff collector (50) being located at least partially behind said first door so that the first door (61) needs to be opened in order to remove said filtered material in the fluff collector (50); o a second door (4) provided in said cabinet (2), said actuator (81) being arranged at least partially behind said second door (4), so that said second door needs to be opened in order to actuate said actuator (81).

Description

A LAUNDRY DRYER COMPRISING A FILTER ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD TO

CLEAN A FILTER ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising a filter assembly having a cleaning device and to a method to clea n such a fi lter assembly by means of the cleaning device.

Laundry dryers usua lly comprise filter systems for collecting fl uff or lint which is detached from the laundry to be treated i n the drying process. Typically, a prior art tum ble dryer provides a filter system which is accessi ble for control and/or maintena nce by opening a door of the tum ble dryer. An air flow is provided inside the tum ble dryer that enters the filter system . Fluff or lint (i n general foreign substances) that is carried by the air flow from the lau ndry to be dried is filtered out by the filter system, such that ai r that leaves the filter system is substantially free from lint or fluff. Said air can be heated up again and conveyed to the laundry treatment chamber of the tumble dryer. Alternatively, the heated ai r can be vented outside the dryer. If the accum ulation of the foreign substance on the fi lter system becomes greater than a pre-set level, the foreign substa nce can interfere with the discharge of the air from the drum by reduci ng the circulation of air from to the drum ; thus, the filter system in the dryer should be clea ned periodically.

The way in which the operation of cleaning of the filter is performed depends on the type of filter system used . For example, some dryer includes below the laundry loadi ng/unloading door a plinth havi ng a plinth door to be opened i n order to reach the filter system and clean the same using a suitable tool, leaving the filter system in place. Alternatively, the fi lter system cleaning is carried out as the user separates the filter system from the dryer after finishing a drying cycle, removes the foreign substa nce from the filter system, and again mounts the filter system into the dryer. Further cleani ng operations of known type provide for removing foreign substances through a fluid sprayed onto the fluffed filter system . The activation of the fl uid spraying operation is generally automatic, i .e. activated by the laundry drying control unit algorithm . Such automatic filter cleaning operation requi res the provision of complex arrangements i n the dryer architecture which, however, always need a user to remove the washed-off fluff from the machine.

Filter clea ning carried out ma nually with a n external tool or by removing completely the filter system is not only cumbersome but also general ly not li ked by the user, who tries to postpone it. Due to this, because the filter cleaning may not be carried out every time the dryer is operated, until the filter is cleaned, a failure to secure adequate air flow rate required for drying due to the foreign substance interfering with the air flow being discharged from the drum can be obtained, thereby reducing the overall efficiency of the drying machine and even causing the laundry not to be as dried as the user desires at the end of a drying cycle.

Further, in case the cleaning of the filter system requires an external tool, such as a brush, the latter can be lost or misplaced. In case the filter system needs to be removed from the laundry dryer in order to be cleaned, this may cause damages to the filter system itself in case of improper handling.

The goal of the present invention is therefore to render available a laundry dryer including a filter assembly and a method to clean a filter assembly in a laundry dryer in which the cleaning operations of the filter assembly are simplified with respect to the prior art of record. Preferably, the cleaning of the filter assembly does not require additional tool(s) external to the dryer which needs to be stored away and retrieved at the time of cleaning.

Further, the act of cleaning is preferably relatively easy and quick.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a laundry dryer comprising : o a cabinet having a plinth as base portion, said plinth defining an inner plinth volume within said cabinet; o a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet; o a duct defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum; o a filter assembly positioned in a duct portion located at least partially in the inner plinth volume so as to filter process air flowing therein; said filter assembly including : a frame; a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filtering surface; ■ a cleaning device for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein said cleaning device includes a wiper movable with respect to the frame and in contact with the first filtering surface to wipe the same through its movement; o an actuator, adapted to force said wiper to perform said movement with respect to said frame when actuated; o a connector, to connect the actuator and the wiper, so that movements of the actuator cause movements of the wiper; o a fluff collector to collect filtered material wiped by the wiper from said first filtering surface;

o a first door arranged in said cabinet at said plinth to allow access to the inner plinth volume, said fluff collector being located at least partially behind said first door so that the first door needs to be opened in order to remove said filtered material in the fluff collector;

o a second door provided in said cabinet, said actuator being arranged at least partially behind said second door, so that said second door needs to be opened in order to actuate said actuator.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method to clean a filter in a laundry dryer, said dryer including :

• a cabinet having a plinth as base portion, said plinth defining an inner plinth volume within said cabinet;

• a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet;

• a duct defining a flow passage for process air exiting

the drum;

• a filter assembly positioned in a duct portion located at least partially in the inner plinth volume so as to filter process air flowing therein; said filter assembly including :

o a frame;

o a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filtering surface; o a cleaning device for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein said cleaning device includes a movable wiper;

• an actuator;

• a connector, to connect the actuator and the wiper; • a fi rst door arranged on said cabinet at said plinth to al low access to the i nner plinth volume;

• a second door provided on the cabinet; wherei n the method includes: · opening the second door to access the actuator;

• moving the actuator which in turn moves the wiper by means of the connector;

• wiping the first filtering surface by movi ng the wiper;

• collecting fi ltered material from the first filtering surface i n a fluff collector accessible from said first door.

In the following, when relative terms such as "front", "back", "rear", "lateral ", "top", "bottom ", etc. are used, they refer to the normal operational position of the la undry dryer when i n use, e.g . located on a floor which usually is (su bstantially) horizontal . Thus, a horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the floor where the dryer is located . The location of a loading/unloading door of the laundry dryer, usually used to load a nd unload laundry from the dryer a nd generally coupled to a front wall of the cabinet in order to access the drum, defi nes the "front" of the dryer itself. Given the horizontal plane on which the laundry is located, "top" and "bottom " - as their normal common mea ni ng - refer to the position of an object along a vertical axis. The vertical axis is defi ned as a n axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane, such as the floor.

With the terms "laundry dryer" or "dryer" both a n appliance having drying functions only, or a combi ned washer-dryer appliance, which is capable of performi ng both washing a nd dryi ng cycles, are meant.

The dryer i ncludes a cabinet or bearing structure, comprising preferably a basement, a front wall and a rear wall . The front a nd rear wall are preferably mounted on the basement, which is standing on a surface, such as the floor. The front wall may advantageously be provided with a through opening, at which a door is mounted to access the interior of the cabinet in order to locate or remove the laundry. Lateral wa lls connect the front a nd the rear wall to form, together with a top wall, a closed volume.

The basement rests on a floor a nd its vertical distance from the floor may be advantageously adjusted throug h regulating feet provided on the lower surface of the basement facing the floor. The basement defines in turn a pl inth region of the dryer. The plinth has a plinth inner volume, that is, the volume inside the cabinet delimited by the cabinet walls and located at the plinth region. The pl inth may be perforated, or including a perforated element, so as to ena ble cooli ng air to be taken in and expelled, if needed . The pli nth ca n be provided with portions for supporting operational components of the laundry dryer that are needed for carrying on a lau ndry dryi ng process on la undry, such as air conduits, motors and so on.

The laundry dryer of the invention includes a drum, in which the load, e.g . clothes or other lau ndry, to be dried is placed . The drum fu rther preferably i ncludes a mantle defi ning a front end a nd a rear end, the front end facing the front wall of the cabi net, and preferably the openi ng therein realized and closed by the door for loadi ng and unloading the lau ndry, and a rear end facing the rear wall of the cabinet.

The drum of the dryer of the invention may be closed drum, i .e. the rear end is closed by a back wall or a flange, which rotates as a single piece together with the mantle when the drum is driven into rotation. Alternatively, it can be an open drum, where the closure of the rear end of the drum is given by a back wall which is stationary, that is, it does not rotate with the drum and it is preferably integral to the cabinet. Thus, the back wall of the drum can be either attached to the drum and rotate with the same, or attached to the cabinet a nd be still . Within the cabinet, the drum is rotatably mounted for rotating, preferably according to a substantially horizontal or tilted rotation axis. For example, at least one drum support assembly for rotatably supporting the drum in its rotation around this given rotation axis is provided for within the cabi net.

The drum is fl uidly connected to a duct defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum . Indeed, relatively dry and warm process ai r flows on the lau ndry located in the drum so as to d ry the same. The then hu mid cooler process air needs to be removed from the dru m so that, for example, additional dry air can flow in.

The drum is part of a process ai r circuit, in particular a closed-loop circuit in case of a condensed dryer or an open circuit in case of a vented dryer, which i n both cases includes a process air duct for channelling a stream of process ai r to dry the load . The process air duct may be connected with its two opposite ends to the drum . In this embodiment, hot dry air is fed into the drum, flowing over the laundry, and the resulting hu mid (and to a lower temperature cooled down) air exits the same. In case of a closed-loop drying air circuit, the humid air stream, rich in water vapour, is then fed into a humidity removal element and/or a hot air generator, such as a heat exchanger. The resulting cool dry ai r is then heated up before re-entering again in the drying chamber by means of a hot dryi ng air generator, which can be for example a condenser of the heat pump system or an ai r/air exchanger, a nd the whole loop is repeated till the end of the drying cycle. Furthermore, the hot drying ai r generator may comprise an electrical or gas powered heati ng device. In a vented d ryer, ambient air is taken into the dryer via an inlet d uct, such air is heated up by a hot dryi ng air generator, such as condenser of a heat pump system a nd/or an electrical or gas powered heating device, before entering the drum . Heated air flowi ng throug h a nd on humid laundry contained in the dru m, removes humidity from laundry. H umid air stream exiting the drum may be optionally dehumidified by an evaporator of a heat pu mp system, or an ai r-air type heat excha nger as explained above, before bei ng exhausted outside the dryer. Preferably, the hot or drying air generator is located in a basement of the cabi net.

In an embodi ment, the duct is guiding the process air from the drum . A section of the duct, preferably a front duct section, g uides the process air coming out of the drum downwards towards the basement of the laundry dryer and deflects the process air flow from the downward di rection to a horizontal direction. 'Downward' di rection may include flow path sections that are vertical and/or (partially) inclined to the vertical or even partially horizontal - however with the net effect that i n the cha nnel section u nit the process air is guided downward from a higher to a lower altitude level (in the normal operation orientation of the lau ndry treatment apparatus). Preferably the process ai r deflected to the horizontal flow di rection is either vented to the outside or enters into the hot or dryi ng air generator. In this latter case, then the process air then re-enters the drum, via for example a rear wall of the same, which can be perforated .

Further, preferably, the process air duct may include a fan to blow the process air flowi ng into the process air duct. The process ai r duct is also provided with a fi lter assembly, which is arranged along the duct, before the vent in case of a vented dryer, so that fl uff is not disposed to the outside, or upstream the hot or dryi ng generator, in case of a condensed dryer, to prevent the fl uff and/or l int particles from reaching a nd clogging up the generator and/or the fan. The filter assembly is positioned within the cabinet in correspondence of the pli nth, that is, within the inner plinth vol ume. The inner pl inth volume is the volume at the plinth surrounded by the cabinet. In the plinth, general ly most of the components of the dryer a re located, such as the heat excha ngers, d ue to the avai lable space. Any filter assembly can be used in the present invention, as long as it includes a first filtering surface supported by a frame.

In the same way, the first filtering su rface may have any sha pe, it may for example include a mesh or net havi ng a proper size to block the typical fluff or particles generated by the laundry. As an example, the filter assembly may include a flat first filtering surface having a squa re shape. The filtering su rface may be substantially vertical. Alternatively, the filtering surface may be ti lted with respect to a vertical plane, or more than a filtering surface may be present. Further, the frame defines an inner frame volume. For example, the frame may have a box-l ike shape the walls of which su rround an inner volume. The walls may be open or closed . Further, the frame of the fi lter assembly incl udes a cleaning device apt to clean the first filtering surface, where, as mentioned, fluff, particles, dust and other material may be present, filtered from the process ai r leaving the drum and entering the duct. This material is filtered by the first filtering surface of the filter assembly, which is preferably properly di mensioned a nd positioned into the duct so that substantially the whole di mension in cross section of the duct is covered by the fi lteri ng surface. In this way, most of the foreign material present i n the process air is removed by the first filtering surface.

Due to the fi lteri ng action, the first filtering surface becomes with time covered by the filtered material which has been removed from the process ai r flowing i n the duct. In order to maintai n efficiency of the dryer, the collected material on the fi lteri ng surface needs to be periodically removed .

The means to remove such material from the first filtering surface include in the present invention the cleaning device, which comprises a wiper adapted to be moved onto the first filteri ng surface. Due to the wiper's movement, and the resulti ng abrasion onto the fi rst filtering surface, fl uff, l int and other filtered material is detached from the filteri ng surface.

The movement of the wiper with respect to the first fi ltering surface creates the wi pi ng action. For example, the relative movement could be a rotation, a translation or a combination of the two (a roto-translation). During the movement, the wiper wi pes the fi rst fi ltering surface and drag i n the movement the filtered material present on it. After the wiping action, the filtering surface is substa ntially filtered material- free. Preferably, the wiping action is performed after every d ryi ng cycle of the appliance. Leaving the fluff and lint on the filteri ng surface significantly decreases the performances of the appl iance itself and therefore a constant cleaning of the filtering surface by wiper's movements is advised .

The filter assembly further includes a fluff collector to collect the filtered material which is removed from the first filtering surface. There is preferably no need to remove the filtered material from the fi lter assembly after every wiping action, however there is preferably the need to remove it when the fluff collector is substa ntia lly full, which generally happens after several drying cycles, depending on the cycles and type of laundry i ntroduced in the drum . The fluff col lector is located at the plinth. Preferably, the fl uff collector is part of the frame or of the wi per of the filter assembly.

The fl uff collector may i nclude a bottom part of the frame or of the wiper. The frame and/or the wi per could be for example box-l ike shaped a nd the fl uff col lector may be the bottom part of the box. Preferably, the fl uff collector is located at the bottom of the frame or of the wi per, so that the fluff and lint fall into the fluff collector by gravity.

In order to access the fluff collector a nd to empty it when it is full or for a ny other maintena nce purposes, preferably a first door is provided in the cabinet of the dryer. This door, located at the pli nth due to the fact that at the plinth the fluff collector is positioned, may be a plinth door or any other door that gives access to the inner volume of the plinth. The fi rst door may for example be hi nged to the cabinet, for example to the front door of the cabinet.

As mentioned, the action of removing the fi ltered material from the fluff collector is preferably performed after every drying cycle, whi le the action of emptyi ng the fluff collector ta kes place more rarely.

Accessing the pl inth of the appl iance every time a wiping action is needed, i n order to actuate the wi per and move the same on the filtering surface may be undesired, due generally to the not very comforta ble position to be taken by the user (e.g . bending) in order to do so. Therefore, according to the invention, the filter assembly i ncludes an actuator, which is connected to the wiper in order to force it to perform the wiping movement. In other words, by actuati ng the actuator, e.g. movi ng 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 to say, if the wiping movement is for example a translation, in order to obtai n this movement, the actuator need not to be translated as well (although it may be translated). A rotation could be envisaged, or a roto-tra nslation, as long as this actuator movement is then "transformed" i nto the proper wiper movement, so that the correct movement of the wiper is achieved .

The actuator can be located in a different position of the cabinet with respect to the wi per. For example, it can be positioned in a location which is easily accessible by the user.

In order to ensure that movements of the actuator leads to movements of the wi per, the filter assembly further includes a connector. The connector can be any link between the wiper and the actuator that sends the com mand from the actuator to the wi per to move the latter.

The connector performs the "transformation" of the actuator movements into the wi per movements. The dryer further includes in the cabi net a second door. Opening the second door renders the actuator accessible. Preferably, the position of the second door and the corresponding location of the actuator are optimized for a proper handling of the actuator.

In this way, the wi per can be moved by means of the actuator, via the connector, at the end of every drying cycle, if needed, by openi ng the second door and handli ng the actuator. In this way the frequent wiping action is performed from a convenient location.

The fl uff collector is accessible via the fi rst door positioned at the plinth, a more "unconformable" location, however the cleaning action of the fluff collector to empty the latter needs to be performed only when the fluff col lector is full . In this way, an easy a nd simplified cleaning of the filter assembly is achieved . The invention in the first or second aspect may contain one or more of the following characteristics.

Preferably, the dryer includes:

o a loading/unloading aperture in said cabinet to allow access to the drum and a loading/unloading door to close said loading/unloading aperture; o wherein said second door includes said loading/unloading door.

The loading/unloading door of the dryer is commonly opened in order to remove laundry from the drum. Due to the fact that the drum needs to be emptied, a proper positioning of the actuator is indeed behind this door, which is anyhow opened. No further operation are needed from the user than the usual ones in order to perform a wiping action, besides moving the actuator.

More preferably, an inlet of said duct is formed on a rim surface of said loading/unloading aperture and wherein said actuator is located at said inlet.

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

Preferably, a seat is formed on a rim surface of said loading/unloading aperture and wherein said actuator is located at said seat.

More preferably, said actuator is movable from a resting position where it is substantially completely housed in said seat or inlet to a wiping position where it protrudes at least partially from said inlet or seat.

Due to the fact that in this embodiment the actuator is positioned at the loading/unloading aperture, it is preferred that its presence does not hinder the standard operations of loading and unloading laundry into the dryer. For this purpose, it is preferred that, when no wiping is needed, the actuator is substantially "hidden" in a seat, while, when wiping is needed, it may protrude from the seat.

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

Alternatively, the actuator, both during wiping and not wiping, always remains within the seat.

Preferably, said actuator includes a manually operable handle apt to actuate said actuator. In order to simplify the movement of the actuator, i n particular grab the same when is hidden within a seat, a handle is preferably provided .

Preferably, said actuator and/or said wiper is apt to perform a linear movement. More preferably, said li near movement may include a vertical or a horizontal translation. In order to wi pe the fi rst filtering surface, many types of movements are possi ble. Among those, a linear translation is a suitable si mple movement. In case for example of a substantially vertical first filtering surface, a horizontal or vertical translation could be easi ly performed, to span the whole filteri ng surface and clean the same.

The movement of the wiper could be identical to the movement of the actuator, or different. A translational movement of the actuator is also suitable, due to the fact that in this way, if the seat housing the actuator is properly dimensioned a nd located, the actuator may remain hidden i n the seat for the whole movement of wiping .

Preferably, said actuator and/or said wi per is apt to perform rotational movements.

Alternatively or in combination, the wiper and/or the actuator may perform a rotation, for example around a pivot point.

Preferably, said wi per and/or said actuator is apt to perform roto-translational movements.

The type of movement performed by the wiper and/or the actuator is preferably chosen depending on the shape of the filtering surface, a nd its positioni ng, as wel l as the positioning of the actuator.

Preferably, said first door is accessible by a thi rd door arranged on the pli nth.

The first door may not be a pl inth door, but a door behi nd it. In this way, different pa rts of the pli nth may still remain covered and/or protected when the plinth door is opened . Preferably, said first filtering surface is located for its enti rety i n said inner plinth volume.

The filtering surface extends within the inner pl inth vol ume and therefore also the portion of the wi per i n contact with the filtering surface during wiping is completely conta ined in the pli nth vol ume. Preferably, said first door is hinged to a front wall of said cabi net defining a rotatable axis, said rotatable axis being substa ntially horizontal .

Generally, doors openi ng on the pl inth are long and narrow, that is, their vertical di mension is generally shorter tha n the horizontal one. A horizontal rotatable axis allows the door to be opened also in narrow spaces.

Preferably, said connector is adapted to transform a translational movement of said actuator into a translational a nd/or rotational movement of said wi per.

The translational-into-tra nslational movement can be obtained by a connector which is a rigid body. For exa mple, a rigid element having any desired shape - such as a bar - can connect the actuator and the wiper. A rack and gear connection can tra nsform a translational movement i nto a rotational one.

Preferably, said connector is adapted to transform a rotational movement of said actuator into a rotational and/or tra nslational movement of said wi per.

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

Preferably, said connector incl udes a connecting element integral to said wiper and/or sa id actuator.

Preferably, said connector includes a gear connection .

One or more gears can be present, so that the actuator a nd the wiper are connected in their movement by a plurality of wheels.

Preferably, the connector includes a gear wheel portion fixed to said wi per and a meshing wheel gear portion fixed to said actuator.

In this way, a rotational movement is transformed into another rotational movement.

Preferably, said wi per or said actuator i ncludes a rack and the other of said wiper or actuator includes a wheel gear portion meshed with sa id rack.

A rotational movement ca n be transformed in a translational one, or vice-versa .

Preferably, said connector includes a pivot.

The connector may include a pivot poi arou nd which it rotates.

Preferably, said actuator incl udes a push button. The movement of the actuator is thus translational . Preferably, said actuator incl udes a leverage.

In this case the movement of the actuator is rotational or roto-translational .

Preferably, the method includes the step of: · opening the first door in order to remove said filtered material from the fluff collector.

The filtered material in the fluff collector needs to be removed when the fluff collector is full . A sensor may be placed i n proximity of or at the fl uff collector to detect when the fluff collector is full . The fl uff collector is reached by opening the first door. Preferably, said step of moving the actuator includes :

• sliding and/or rotating the actuator for a given length/a ngle. Preferably, said step of moving the actuator includes :

• pushing the actuator for a given depth.

The movement to be performed by the actuator depends on the geometry of the location of the actuator, on the type of filter assembly and on the connector used . The movement ca n be suitably tailored to the desired needs.

Further adva ntages of the present i nvention wil l be better understood with non- li miting reference to the appended drawings, where:

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

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

Fig . 3 is a perspective view of the dryer of Fig . 1 a nd Fig . 2 where the additional door has been opened and a first embodi ment of the filter assem bly is shown ; - Fig . 4 is a schematic view of an air process duct in the dryer of the i nvention;

Fig . 5 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the filter assembly used in the dryer of Fig . 3 in a first configuration; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the filter assembly used in the dryer of Fig. 3 in a further configuration;

Fig. 7 is a perspective partial exploded view of the dryer including the first embodiment of the filter assembly in a second configuration; - Fig. 8 is a perspective partial exploded view of the dryer including the first embodiment of the filter assembly in a first configuration;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a dryer including a second embodiment of the filter assembly;

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

Fig. 11 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 10 including the second embodiment of the filter assembly in a different configuration;

Fig. 12 is a back view from the inside of the dryer of fig. 10 or 11 in a further configuration; - Fig. 13 a perspective exploded view of the second embodiment of the filter assembly used in the dryer of Figs. 9 - 12 in an even further configuration;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a dryer including a third embodiment of the filter assembly;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the dryer of figure 14 including the third embodiment of the filter assembly in a further configuration;

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

Fig. 17 is an additional perspective exploded view of the portion of the dryer of figure 16 having the third embodiment of the filter assembly;

- Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a dryer including a fourth embodiment of the filter assembly;

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

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of portion of the laundry dryer of Figs. 18 - 20 with the fourth filter assembly; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the laundry dryer of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a dryer including a fifth embodiment of the filter assembly;

Fig. 24 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 23; - Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 are perspective views of the dryer including the fifth embodiment of the filter assembly;

Fig. 27 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 26;

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

Fig. 29 is a front view of a dryer including a sixth embodiment of the filter assembly in a partially exploded view and in a first configuration;

Fig. 30 is a front view of the dryer of fig. 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 fig. 30 with the sixth embodiment of the filter assembly in a further different configuration; - Fig. 32 is a perspective rear view of a portion of the dryer of figure 30; and

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

With initial reference to Fig. 1, a laundry dryer realized according to the present invention is globally indicated with 1.

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 figs. 3 - 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 achieved for example via a door 4, further referred also as the loading/unloading door, preferably hinged to cabinet 2, which can open and close a loading/unloading aperture 5 realized on the cabinet itself.

More in detail, cabinet 2 generally includes a front wall 20, a rear wall 21 and two sidewalls 25, all mounted on a basement 24. Preferably, the basement 24 is realized in plastic material. Preferably, basement 24 is molded via an injection molding process. Preferably, on the front wall 20, the door 4 is hinged so as to access the drum. The cabinet, with its walls, defines the volume of the laundry dryer 1. The basement 24 rests on a floor and its vertical distance from the floor may be advantageously adjusted through regulating feet (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the basement facing the floor. The dryer 1, and in particular basement 24, defines an horizontal plane (X,Y) which is substantially the plane of the ground on which the dryer 1 is situated, thus it is considered to be substantially horizontal, and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to the plane (X,Y).

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

The basement 24 defines a plinth region 7 of the dryer 1. The plinth region 7 defines a plinth inner volume, that is, the volume inside the cabinet 2 delimited by the cabinet walls and located at the plinth region 7. Preferably the plinth region 7 includes a perforated portion, for example it may include a perforated element 71 on the front wall 20, so as to enable cooling air to be taken in and/or expelled from/to the plinth inner volume, if needed. The plinth region 7 can be provided with portions and/or elements and/or components for supporting operational components of the laundry dryer 1 that are needed for carrying on a laundry drying process on laundry, such as air conduits, motors and so on.

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

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

Upon opening the plinth door 60, a further door 61 - called first door 61 - is present. This first door 61 is accessible only opening the plinth door 60. Preferably this further door 61 is also rotatable along an axis which is substantially horizontal. The first door 61 is situated behind the plinth door 60, such that the plinth 7 is accessible by opening both doors. Further, plinth door 60 and first door 61 are located substantially below the loading/unloading aperture 5 and door 4. With now reference to the schematic view of figure 4, the drum 3 is fluidly connected to a duct defining a process air circuit 18 (depicted with a series of arrows in figure 4). The process air circuit 18 involves the circulation - first - of relatively dry and warm process air, inside the drum 3, on the laundry located therein so as do dry it and - second - of humid cooler process air, outside the drum 3. New dry and warm process air enters the drum 3 and the circuit is repeated until desired, preferably until the laundry is dried. When the humid process air exits the drum 3, it may be channeled in different ways, depending on the dryer type.

If the dryer 1 is a condensed dryer, the circuit 18 of the process air is a closed-loop circuit and the humid process air leaving the drum 3 is first dried by passing through a humidity removal element and/or a hot air generator, such as a heat exchanger 19. The resulting cool dry air is then heated up by means of the hot air generator 19 before re-entering again the drum 3. Preferably, the hot air generator is a heat pump and the humid air is first passing through an evaporator where the water contained in it is removed and then it is heated in a condenser before returning 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 taken into the drier, heated up and entered into the drum 3 while the humid process air leaving the drum 3 is exhausted outside the dryer 1. This open circuit is not depicted in the drawings.

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

The duct forming the process air circuit 18 includes a first portion 18a having an inlet 16 connected with the front end 3a of the drum. This first portion 18a receives the air coming from the drum 3. The inlet 16 of the first portion 18a of the duct is located preferably at a surface 17 contouring a rim of loading/unloading aperture 5, as visible in fig. 3. Further, preferably, this first portion 18a of the duct is substantially vertical, that is, the process air flowing within the first portion 18a has the longest component of motion along a vertical axis. The process air coming from the drum 3 thus, flowing substantially horizontally, or having a motion with a longest horizontal component, needs to turn by substantially 90° at the loading/unloading aperture 5 so that it can flow within the first portion 18a of the duct via inlet 16. This situation is schematically depicted in fig. 4. Further, the first portion 18a of the duct extends from the inlet 16 into the plinth region 7. The duct then preferably continues with a second portion 18b which extends in the basement 24 and runs substantially horizontally, or with a longer horizontal component, so that the process air, at the end of the first portion 18a, performs a further 90° bend to continue its flow.

The process air then either preferably passes through the rear end 3b into the interior side of the drum 3, so the circuit 18 is a closed loop circuit as depicted. There, the air absorbs moisture or humidity from the laundry and, thus, dries the laundry. Alternatively, the process air is directed outside the dryer 1 via a vent (not visible in the attached drawings).

The dryer 1 is adapted to provide circulation of air, preferably with variable temperature. The process air flow is preferably generated in a region below the basement, e.g. in the duct of the process air circuit 18, for example by means of a fan (not depicted in the drawings). In all embodiments of dryers 1, the duct defining the process air circuit 18 is also provided with a filter assembly, preferably situated in proximity of or at the front wall 20 of the cabinet 2 and inside the plinth region 7, with the purpose of stopping the fluff and/or lint particles detached from the laundry during the drying process to reach undesired locations and flowing with the process air. For example, in a vented dryer, the filter assembly is situated upstream the vent such that the fluff and/or lint is stopped from reaching outside the dryer together with the humid process air leaving the drum 3 and being exhausted outside. In a condensed dryer, the filter assembly 30 is situated upstream the hot or drying generator 19 for stopping the fluff and/or lint from reaching and clogging up said generator. The duct 18 thus guides the process air leaving the drum 3 towards the filter assembly. The filter assembly is preferably arranged in such a way that the process air passes there through, reaches the end of the first portion 18a of the duct and flows within the second portion 18b, and advantageously reaches the region below the basement, where it is again sucked in by the fan. Preferably, the filter assembly is arranged below the drum 3.

In the example illustrated in the enclosed drawings of figs. 3 - 8, a first embodiment of the filter assembly 80 is shown. Preferably, the filter assembly 80 is contained for its majority within the plinth region 7. Further, 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 and enlarged view in figs. 6 - 8 and includes a first filtering surface 32, in the present embodiment substantially flat, supported by a frame 31. Preferably, the filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical. The frame 31 is in this embodiment a box-like container which forms a 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 the process air, positioned on top of the frame, and surrounding walls which prevent the process air to leave the container with the exception of the wall having the first filtering surface 32. The filtering surface 32 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the inlet 41 of the box-like container. The process air therefore, entering the inlet 41 from above, is forced to perform a 90° turn to change direction from a downwards direction to a substantially horizontal direction and is apt to leave the box-like container via the filtering surface 32. The first filtering surface 32 separates the first portion 18a of the duct 18 and the second portion 18b of the duct, that is, the first filtering surface 32 puts in fluid communication the first portion 18a and second portion 18b of the duct 18.

Preferably, the inlet 41 is located at the top of the frame 31. A bottom part 42 is also defined, opposite to inlet 41. The bottom part 42 is not used as an outlet, on the contrary, the outlet from the filter assembly 30 is via the first filtering surface 32, as better detailed below.

The first filtering surface 32 may be in the form of a mesh or net having a proper size to block the typical fluff or particles generated by the laundry. The mesh or filter is not depicted in the drawing otherwise it would cover all other elements. Therefore, in the drawings, first filtering surface 32 appears "open", but it should be interpreted as covered by a net or a mesh, or any other structure apt to filter material flowing in the process air flowing in duct 18.

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

In the filter assembly 80 of figs. 3 - 8 a single filtering surface 32 is present. The frame 31 may also comprise a non-filtering surface 37 facing the first filtering surface 32. In this configuration, the frame 31 is defining an inner volume 40 between the first filtering surface 32 and the non-filtering surface 37, but one surface only, the filtering one, is subjected to the flow of process air in order to filter it. The non- filtering surface 37, in other words, in this embodiment, is a wall of the box-like container or frame 31 which is opposite and facing the first filtering surface 32 (which forms another wall of the box like container 31) and directs the flow of 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, for example, rotated from a position where the first filtering surface is substantially vertical to a position where the first filtering surface is tilted with respect to a vertical plane. Further, rotation of the first door 61 causes rotation of the whole filtering assembly 80 which is attached to the door 61.

The filter assembly 80 however can be rotated only in certain conditions, as detailed below.

In this embodiment, therefore, the filtering surface 32 is substantially facing and even more preferably parallel to the first door 61 to which the non-filtering surface 37 is attached. Both first door 61 and filtering surface 32 are preferably vertical ,that is, they define substantially vertical planes or planes only slightly tilted with respect to a vertical plane. Between the two surfaces, i.e. non filtering surface 37 and filtering surface 32, the inner volume 40 is defined.

In a non-depicted embodiment, the first door 61 is not attached to the non-filtering surface 37. The filter assembly 30 may still be rotatable, for example with a rotation axis also parallel to the horizontal axis around which the plinth door 60 and the first door 61 rotates, however the rotations of the doors 60, 61 and of the filter assembly 30 are independent. Therefore, in order to move into a position in which the first filtering surface is tilted with respect to a vertical plane, in this non depicted embodiment the first door 61 is first rotated and then the filter assembly is rotated as well.

Further, the filter assembly 80 includes a cleaning device 33 apt to clean the first filtering surface 32 of fluff or other materials deposited on it. The cleaning device 33 comprises a wiper 330 to wipe the first filtering surface 32.

Preferably, the wiper 330 is made of plastic material. The wiper 330 cleans the filtering surface by means of movement of the same, as detailed below.

The movements performed by the wiper 330 onto the first filtering surface 32 of frame 31 are, in the first embodiment of the filter assembly 80, sliding movements, that is, the wiper 330 translates onto the first filtering surface 32 in order to remove fluff or other filtered material from it.

In this embodiment, such as the one depicted in detail in figures 3 and 5 - 8, the wiper 330 has a shape matching the shape of the inner volume 40 created by the frame 31. Therefore, depending on the shape of the frame 31, the shape of the wiper 330 follows accordingly.

The filter assembly 80 includes a fluff collector 50. In the embodiment of figures 3 and 5 - 8, the fluff collector 50 is a portion of wiper 330 and, in an embodiment where the filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical or it has a major vertical component, it includes a bottom wall 51 of the wiper 330. Further, the wiper may include lateral walls 52 contouring the bottom part or wall 51 of the wiper 330. The lateral walls 52 may be, at least partially, part of the fluff collector 50. Thus wiper 330 includes the fluff collector 50 at its bottom end and the fluff collector is apt to collect the fluff or lint or any other filtered material collected when the wiper 330 slides onto the first filtering surface 32 and which fall into the fluff collector 50 by gravity. The wiper 330 is housed in the inner volume 40. In the embodiment of figures 6 - 8, the frame 31, having the shape of a box-like container, defines a box-like inner volume 40. Thus, as shown, the wiper 330 has also a box-like shape.

The box like shape of wiper 330 is formed by a plurality of crosspieces, which for example form the sides of a substantially parallelepiped shaped form. The wiper 330 is thus formed by these crosspieces which create a shape which mates the shape of the inner volume 40 of the frame 31. One of the crosspieces, indicated with 331, is in contact with the first surface 32 and thus translation of the wiper 330 in turns means translation of the crosspiece 331 onto the first surface 32 and thus scraping of the same. The wiper 330 thus fills up the volume 40 from the inlet 41 of the frame 31 till the bottom 42 of the frame 31. The wiper 330, in a position corresponding to the inlet 41 of the frame, where preferably the handle 332 is located, in also preferably air permeable, that is, preferably the process air can pass through it. For example, a top portion of the wiper 330 is air permeable so that process air can freely flow into the wiper 330.

The fluff collector 50 has substantially a flat bottom defined by the bottom wall 51 of the wiper 330. Further, the filter assembly 80 includes an actuator 81 and a connector 82. Actuator 81 is connected to the connector 82 which is in turn connected to the wiper 330.

More in detail, the dryer 1 includes, at the aperture 5 for the loading and unloading, the rim surface 17 where a seat 8 is formed. The seat 8 is located at the inlet 16 of duct 18, that is, the seat is substantially formed around inlet 16. The actuator 81 is positioned within the seat 8 and preferably does not protrude from the latter. The actuator 81 includes preferably a manually operable handle 84 formed in plastic material and it extends downwards towards the plinth within the seat 8 by means of the connector 82. The connector transforms movements of the actuator 81 into movements of the wiper 330. The connector 32 in the preferred embodiment includes two parallel bars 82. Bars are rigid elements. The two parallel bars represent the geometrical continuation of two sides of the wiper 330. The two sides of the wiper continued by the bars are preferably the sides substantially perpendicular to the first door 61 and/or the first filtering surface 32.

Preferably, connector 82 and wiper 330 are realized as an integral piece.

Preferably, actuator, connector and wiper are a single unitary piece.

Preferably the actuator 81, besides the presence of a handle shaped portion, is air permeable, being located at the inlet 16 of the duct 18. For this purpose preferably it includes a plurality of perforations 83, for example formed in a surface perpendicular to the first filtering surface. In the embodiment of figure 3 - 8, therefore, the movements of the actuator 81 are translations and the corresponding movements of the wiper are translations as well

The operation of the filter assembly 80 is as follows.

In a resting configuration, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same. The wiper 330 has the fluff collector 50 located at the bottom of frame 31. This is the most "compact" configuration of the filter assembly 80, where the wiper 330 is completely inserted in the frame 31. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened. The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, by pulling it upwards, so that it protrudes from the seat 8. By pulling it upwards, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 slides the wiper against the frame 31 so that the bar 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32. The fluff is collected in the fluff collector 50. The end position of the wiper is reached when the fluff collector is at the top of the frame 31.

In order to remove the fluff collected in the fluff collector 50, the wiper 330 may be totally extracted from the seat 8 (see figure 3 or figure 8). In this configuration, the door 61 can be opened and the filter assembly 80 rotated. The opening of the first door 61 can take place for example for cleaning the remaining of the filter assembly in case some filtered material has fallen from the fluff container 50 or for other maintenance purposes.

Further, before starting a new drying cycle, the wiper 330 needs to be reinserted in the frame 31. In this way the resting position in reached again, where the fluff container 50 is positioned at the bottom of the frame 31.

The above configuration in which the wiper 330 is actuated by means of an actuator via a connector can be realized also using a filter assembly not attached to door 61.

With now reference to figs. 9 - 13, a second embodiment of the filter assembly 80' is disclosed. In this embodiment, characteristics identical to those of the first embodiment are referred with the same reference numerals.

Filter assembly 80' includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the first embodiment. Differently from the first embodiment, however, in this case the fluff collector 50 is a portion of frame 31, and in particular it includes its bottom portion 42. Therefore filtered material from the first filtering surface 32 is collected within frame 31.

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 it is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of frame 31 and filtering surface 32, reference is made to the first embodiment of the filter assembly 80. The filter assembly 80' further comprises a wiper 330 apt to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 includes a bar 331 which is translatable, that is, it can be slided onto the first filtering surface 32. The bar 331 is slidable from left to right or from right to left, that is to say, the movements of the bar 331 are along a horizontal direction. The wiping movement is wide enough so that the whole first filtering surface is wiped. For example, the wiper 330 may start the sliding horizontal movement from one lateral side of the first filtering surface 32 and end the movement on the opposite side of the filtering surface 32. The two opposite configurations (start - end) are depicted in figures 10 and 11 respectively. Further, the filter assembly 80' comprises an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of duct 18. When not actuated, preferably, the actuator 81 remains completely contained within seat 8, realized at the rim surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator 81 includes an handle 84 having the form of a lump or a knob.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by means of a connector 82, including a rigid element. The rigid element connects the wiper 330 to the handle 84, so that movements of the handle 84 result in movements of the wiper 330 and more precisely translations of the handle 84 result in translations of the wiper 330.

The filter assembly 80' with connector and actuator is better shown in the enlarged view of figure 13.

The handle 84 is apt to translate within the inlet 16 of the duct 18, for example it is apt to translate horizontally within a guide rail 85 formed in the inlet 16.

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

When no wiping is needed, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same. The wiper 330 is located at one of the two lateral sides of the filter surface 32. This configuration is shown in figure 10. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened. The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, by sliding it in the rail 85 performing a horizontal translation. By translating the actuator, e.g. the handle 84, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 slides the wiper in the frame 31 so that the bar 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32 from left to right or from right to left in a horizontal sliding. The fluff is collected in the fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached on the opposite side of the filtering surface from the one from which the wiping action has started (figure 11). During the wiping, the actuator 81 may protrude from the seat 8, due to the configuration of the rim surface, as shown for example in figure 12. However, at the start and end position where the wiper 330 is at the sides of the first filtering surface, the actuator 81 is "hidden" in the seat.

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

Further, before starting a new drying cycle, the wiper 330 needs to be reinserted in the frame 31. The above configuration in which the wiper 330 is actuated by means of an actuator via a connector can be realized also using a filter assembly not attached to door 61.

A third embodiment of the filter assembly 80" is depicted in figures 14 - 17.

In this embodiment, characteristics identical to those of the first or second embodiment are referred with the same reference numerals. Filter assembly 80" includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the first or second embodiment. As in the second embodiment 80", the fluff collector 50 is a portion of frame 31, and in particular it includes its bottom portion 42. Therefore filtered material from the first filtering surface 32 is collected within frame 31, at the bottom of the same (see figure 17). Frame 31 has a box shape as in the first and second embodiment of the filter assembly 80, 80'. The first filtering surface 32 is preferably vertical and it is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of frame 31 and filtering surface 32, reference is made to the first or second embodiment of the filter assembly 80, 80'. The filter assembly 80" further comprises a wiper 330 apt to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 includes a T-shaped element including a substantially horizontal bar 331 and a vertical bar 333 fixed in the middle of the horizontal bar and protruding upwards. The T-shaped element is translatable, that is, it can be slided onto the first filtering surface 32, from the bottom 42 of the frame 31 to an upper portion of the same. The bar 331 is slidable from bottom to top or from top to bottom, that is to say, the movement of the bar 331 are along a vertical direction. The movement is wide enough so that the whole first filtering surface is wiped. Preferably, the width of the bar 331 is equal or slightly smaller than the width of the frame, so that the bar 331 matches a portion of the inner shape of the frame 31, for a smooth sliding. For example, the wiper 330 may start the movement from the bottom 41 of the frame 31 and end the movement at the top of the frame 32 or vice - versa. The configuration with the bar 331 of wiper 330 at the bottom is depicted in figure 15, while the assembly 80" with the bar at the top of the frame is shown in figure 14 (although the wiper is not visible). A configuration in which the wiper 330 is positioned between the top and the bottom of the frame is depicted in figures 16 and 17.

Further, the filter assembly 80" comprises an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of duct 18. When not actuated, preferably, the actuator 81 remains completely contained within seat 8, realized at the rim surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. When actuated, the actuator 81 protrudes from the seat 8, as detailed below. The actuator 81 includes an elongated element defining a longitudinal axis. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the longitudinal axis of the elongated element is substantially horizontal and the elongated element substantially lies in the inlet 16. In this configuration, the T-shaped element of wiper 330 is at the top of frame 31. When actuated, the longitudinal axis of the elongated element is substantially vertical and the elongated element protrudes from the inlet 16. In this configuration, the T-shaped element of wiper 330 can be in any position between the top and the bottom of frame 31.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by means of a connector 82, including a pivot element 336. The pivot element 336 connects the wiper 330, and in particular vertical bar 333, and the elongated element of actuator 81 so that the elongated element can oscillate around the pivot element 336 with respect to the T-shaped element of wiper 330 (see figures 16 and 17).

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. A first movement is a rotation, so that the elongated element is rotated around pivot element 336 and vertical bar 333 and elongated element of actuator 81 become one the geometrical extension of the other along a vertical axis. Further, the actuator is pushed, that is, it is translated, in a vertical movement, that is, downwards. This second movement of the actuator results in movement of the wiper 330 and more precisely in a translation the wiper 330 downwards.

The operation of the filter assembly 80" is as follows. When no wiping is needed, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same. The longitudinal axis of the elongated element is substantially horizontal. The wiper 330 is located at the top of the frame 31. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened (figure 15). The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical. The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, rotating the elongated element around pivot element 336 and then pushing the elongated element downwards, performing a vertical translation. By translating the actuator 81, the connector 82 (pivot element 336, which during the translation is not used as a pivot) 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 the fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached on the bottom side 42 of the frame 31.

Further, before starting a new drying cycle, the wiper 330 needs to be reinserted in the frame 31.

A fourth embodiment of the filter assembly 90 is depicted in figures 18 - 22.

In this embodiment, characteristics identical to those of the first or second or third embodiment are referred with the same reference numerals. 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 embodiment 80', 80", the fluff collector 50 is a portion of frame 31, and in particular it includes its bottom portion 42. Therefore filtered material from the first filtering surface 32 is collected within frame 31, at the bottom of the same.

Frame 31 has a box shape as in the first and second and third embodiment of the filter assembly 80, 80', 80". The first filtering surface is preferably vertical and it is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of frame 31 and 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 comprises a wiper 330 apt to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 includes a pointer or hand-like element 331 pivoted at a pivot point 337. The wiper 330 therefore can only perform rotations or oscillations around pivot point 337. Pivot point 337 is preferably attached to the non-filtering surface 37 of the frame 31, more preferably it is located centrally, that is, in a location along an axis of the frame, so that the wiper can wipe surface 32 symmetrically. Preferably, pivot point 337 is positioned at the upper portion of frame 31. Wiper 330 thus can be rotated onto the first filtering surface 32, from a starting point in which the pointer is substantially horizontal, to an end point where the pointer is again horizontal but placed at the opposite side of the pivot point 337 with respect to the starting point. Preferably, a rotation of at least 180° of the pointer 331 with respect to the pivot point 337 is performed in order to wipe first filtering surface 32 completely. Preferably, the pointer 331 is long enough so that the whole first filtering surface is wiped. Preferably, the length of the pointer is equal or slightly smaller than the height of the frame.

The configuration in which pointer 331 is on one side of the pivot point 337 substantially horizontal is depicted in figure 19. The configuration with the wiper rotated of more than 150° so that the opposite side with respect to the pivot point is almost reached is depicted in figure 20.

Further, the filter assembly 90 comprises an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of duct 18. In all conditions, e.g. when actuated or when not actuated, preferably, the actuator 81 remains completely contained within seat 8, realized at the rim surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. The actuator includes a push button, which is preferably translatable along a vertical axis. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the push button is in a rest position at the highest point closer to the drum (see figure 18 or figure 22). In this configuration, the pointer 331 of wiper 330 is substantially horizontal at one side of the pivot point 337. When actuated, the push button is pressed downwards. At the end of the motion, e.g. at the lowest point reachable by the push button, preferably the pointer is again substantially horizontal on the opposite side with respect to the pivot point 337 than at the starting position. The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by means of a connector 82. The connector 82 includes a rack element 338 connected to the actuator 81 and a gear portion 339 connected to the pivot point 337. The gear portion 339 is formed around pivot point 337. The gear portion 339 and the rack element 338 are so configured that they can mesh one into the other.

When the push button is resting, that is, it is not actuated (pushed), the rack is located above the pivot point 337. When the push button is pushed, the rack 338 engages with the gear portion 339 and the pointer 331 rotates accordingly, due to the fact that the gear portion 339 surrounds the pivot point 337.

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. A first movement is a translation downwards of the push button 81, so that the rack 338 engages with the gear portion 339. Due to this connection, the wiper 330 is rotated. A second movement takes place when the push button is released. The push button translates upwards and the wiper 330 rotates again due to the translation of the rack 338 engaging the gear portion 339. Translations of the actuator 81 thus results in rotations of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90 is as follows.

When no wiping is needed, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same. The push button is in a rest state and the rack 338 is not engaged with the gear portion 339. The wiper 330 is located on one side of the pivot point 337 substantially horizontally. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened. The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, pushing the push button, performing a vertical translation. By translating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and the push button rotates the wiper 330 so that the pointer 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32 from one side to the other in a 180° rotation. The fluff is collected in the fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached when it rests horizontally on the other side of the pivot element.

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

A fifth embodiment of the filter assembly 90' is depicted in figures 23 - 28.

In this embodiment, characteristics identical to those of the fourth embodiment are referred with the same reference numerals. Filter assembly 90' includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the fourth embodiment. As in the fourth embodiment, the fluff collector 50 is a portion of frame 31, and in particular it includes its bottom portion 42. Therefore filtered material from the first filtering surface 32 is collected within frame 31, at the bottom of the same. Frame 31 has a box shape as in the fourth embodiment of the filter assembly 90. The first filtering surface is preferably vertical and it is preferably one of the walls of the box defined by the frame 31. For other characteristics of frame 31 and filtering surface 32, reference is made to the fourth embodiment of the filter assembly 90.

The filter assembly 90' further comprises a wiper 330 apt to wipe the first surface 32. The wiper 330 includes a pointer or hand-like element 331 pivoted at a pivot point 337. The wiper therefore can only perform rotations or oscillations around pivot point 337. Pivot point is preferably attached to the non-filtering surface 37 of the frame 31, more preferably it is located centrally, that is, in a location along an axis of the frame, so that the wiper can wipe surface 32 symmetrically. Preferably, pivot point 337 is positioned at the upper portion of frame 31. Wiper 330 thus can be rotated onto the first filtering surface 32, from a position in which the pointer is substantially horizontal, to a position where the pointer is again horizontal but placed at the opposite side of the pivot point 337 with respect to the starting point. Preferably, a rotation of at least 180° of the pointer with respect to the pivot point 337 is performed in order to wiper first filtering surface 32. Preferably, the pointer is long enough so that the whole first filtering surface is wiped. Preferably, the length of the pointer is equal or slightly smaller than the height of the frame.

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

Further, the filter assembly 90' comprises an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of duct 18. When not actuated, preferably, the actuator 81 remains completely contained within seat 8, realized at the rim surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. When actuated, the actuator 81 protrudes from seat 8.

The actuator 81 includes a leverage. The leverage is rotatable around a pivot point 88. When the actuator 81 is not operated, the leverage is laying with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal within the seat 8. In this configuration, the pointer 331 of wiper 330 is substantially horizontal at one side of the pivot point 337. When actuated, the leverage is rotated around pivot point 88. The leverage protrudes from the seat during the rotation, when its longitudinal axis is not any more horizontal. At the end of the motion, when the leverage 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 configuration in which the leverage is substantially horizontal together with an horizontal pointer 331 is better visible in figure 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, including a first gear portion 340 connected to the actuator and a second gear portion 339 connected to the pivot point 337. The first and second gear portions 340, 339 are so configured that they can mesh one into the other. When the actuator 81 is resting, that is, it is not actuated (rotated), the pivot points 88 and 337 are preferably positioned one above the other, with the pivot point 88 of the leverage located higher. The distance between the two pivot points is such that rotations of the leverage around the pivot point 88 causes meshing of the first gear portion 340 in the second gear portion 337 and thus consequent rotation of the wiper 330. When the leverage is rotated, the first gear portion 340 engages with the gear portion 339 and the pointer rotates accordingly, due to the fact that the gear portion surrounds the pivot point 337. The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. A first movement is a rotation of the actuator 81, that is, rotation of leverage around pivot point 88, so that the first gear portion 340 engages with the second gear portion 339. Due to this connection, the wiper 330 is rotated. The leverage is rotated till the leverage is substantially vertical. In this configuration, preferably the wiper is again horizontal. A second movement takes place when the leverage is brought back to the resting horizontal position. The wiper 330 rotates again due to the meshing of the first and second gear portions. Rotations of the actuator 81 thus results in rotations of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90' is as follows. When no wiping is needed, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same (see figure 23). The leverage is in a rest state and substantially horizontal. The wiper 330 is located on one side of the pivot point 337 substantially horizontally. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened. The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical (see figures 26 and 27).

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, rotating the leverage. By rotating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and to the actuator 81 rotates the wiper 330 so that the pointer 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32 from one side to the other in a 180° rotation. The fluff is collected in the fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached when it rest horizontally on the other side of the pivot element.

A sixth embodiment of the filter assembly 90" is depicted in figures 29 - 33.

In this embodiment, characteristics identical to those of the fourth embodiment are referred with the same reference numerals.

Filter assembly 90" includes a frame 31 having the same characteristics as in the fourth and fifth embodiment. As in the fourth and fifth embodiment, the fluff collector 50 is a portion of frame 31, and in particular it includes its bottom portion 42. Therefore filtered material from the first filtering surface 32 is collected within frame 31, at the bottom of the same.

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

Frame 31 includes a guide or rail 15 which runs for a first rectilinear portion 15a on the bottom 41 of the frame, e.g. in the fluff collector 50, and for a second curvilinear portion 15b it extends from the first curvilinear portion 15a upwards running along a portion of a side of the frame 31.

The filter assembly 90" further comprises a wiper 330 apt to wipe the first filtering surface 32. The wiper 330 includes a bar 331, substantially rectilinear, having a first and second ends 331a, 331b. The second end 331b of the bar 331 is inserted in the rail 15 so that it can be guided in movements by the rail 15 itself. The movements of the bar therefore are forced by the geometrical configuration of the rail. The wiper 330 therefore can only perform rotations or translations, that is, roto - translations, while being guided with its end 331b inside the rail. For example, the bar 331 can be translated, substantially with a horizontal direction of translation, while the end 331b slides inside the rectilinear portion of the rail 15a, and it then rotates when the end 331b is guided in the curvilinear portion 15b of rail 15. For example, the end 331b of the bar 331 located in the rail 15 may include a pin (not depicted) or any other ending to provide a good slidable connection of the wiper in the rail. Wiper 330 thus can be translated or rotated onto the first filtering surface 32, from a position in which 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 so that the whole first filtering surface 32 is wiped. Preferably, the length of the wiper (bar 331) is equal or slightly smaller than the height of the frame.

The configuration in which bar 331 is on one side of the frame 31 in a vertical position is depicted in figure 29 at the beginning of the rectilinear portion of rail 15. The configuration with the wiper is at the opposite side of filtering surface 32 at the end of the curvilinear portion of rail 15 is depicted in figure 31. Further, the filter assembly 90" comprises an actuator 81. The actuator is positioned in seat 8 realized at the inlet 16 of duct 18. When not actuated, preferably, the actuator 81 remains completely contained within seat 8, realized at the rim surface 17 of the loading/unloading opening 5. When actuated, the actuator 81 protrudes from seat 8. The actuator 81 includes a handle 84 having the form of a lump or a knob.

The actuator 81 is connected to the wiper 330 by means of a connector 82, including a rigid element 89 and a pivot point 87. The pivot point connects the free end 331a of the bar 331 not inserted in the rail 15 with an end of the rigid element 89. The rigid element connects the wiper 330 to the handle 84 so that movements of the handle 84 result in movements of the wiper 330 and more precisely translations of the handle 84 result in roto- translations of the wiper 330 due to the combination of rigid element 89 and pivot point 87.

The handle 84 is apt to translate within the inlet 16 of the duct 18, for example it is apt to translate horizontally within a guide rail 94 formed in the inlet 16.

The actuation of the actuator 81 includes the following movements. A first movement is a translation of the actuator 81, that is, translation of handle 84 within rail 94. Due to the connector 82, the wiper 330 is roto-translated. The bar 31 perform a translation while in the rectilinear portion of rail 15 and then a rotation in the curvilinear portion. A second movement takes place when the handle 84 is brought back to the resting position. Translations of the actuator 81 thus results in roto- translations of the wiper 330.

The operation of the filter assembly 90" is as follows. When no wiping is needed, the actuator 81 is positioned in the seat 8 and does not protrude from the same (see figure 29). The wiper 330 is located on one side of the filtering surface 32 and it is substantially vertical. In this configuration door 61 cannot be opened. The filtering surface 32 is substantially vertical.

The loading/unloading door 4 is opened, for example to download laundry from the drum 3. At the end of the download, the user may actuate the actuator 81, translating handle 84 within the rail 94. By translating the actuator, the connector 82 attached to the wiper 330 and to the actuator 81 roto-translates the wiper 330 so that the bar 331 scrapes the first filtering surface 32 from one side to the other while the end 331b of bar 331 is guided in rail 15. The fluff is collected in the fluff collector 50 within the frame 31. The end position of the wiper 330 is reached when it rest on the other side of the frame. In this configuration, as depicted for example in figure 31, handle 84 protrudes from seat 8.

In all embodiments of the filter assembly 80, 80', 80", 90, 90', 90", the inlet 16 may be covered, beside the presence of actuator 81, by an air permeable plate, such as for example plate 100 including a plurality of perforations for the passage of process air. Plate 100 is used to both form rails to guide the actuator 81 and to protect the connector 82 positioned underneath. The plate 100 can be removed when the wiper 330 needs to be removed.

Claims

ndry dryer (1) comprising: a cabinet (2) having a plinth (7) as base portion, said plinth defining an inner plinth volume within said cabinet; a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet;

a duct (18) defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum (3); a filter assembly (80, 80', 80", 90, 90', 90") positioned in a duct portion (18a) located at least partially in the inner plinth volume so as to filter process air flowing therein; said filter assembly including :

^■ a frame (31);

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

■ a cleaning device (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface; wherein said cleaning device includes a wiper (330) movable with respect to the frame (31) and in contact with the first filtering surface (32) to wipe the same through its movement; an actuator (81), adapted to force said wiper (330) to perform said movement with respect to said frame (31) when actuated; a connector (82), to connect the actuator (81) and the wiper (330), so that movements of the actuator (81) cause movements of the wiper (330); a fluff collector (50) to collect filtered material wiped by the wiper from said first filtering surface (32);

a first door (61) arranged in said cabinet (2) at said plinth (7) to allow access to the inner plinth volume, said fluff collector (50) being located at least partially behind said first door so that the first door (61) needs to be opened in order to remove said filtered material in the fluff collector (50); o a second door (4) provided in said cabinet (2), said actuator (81) being arranged at least partially behind said second door (4), so that said second door needs to be opened in order to actuate said actuator (81).

2. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 1, including : o a loading/unloading aperture (5) in said cabinet (2) to allow access to the drum (3) and a loading/unloading door (4) to close said loading/unloading aperture (5); o wherein said second door (4) includes said loading/unloading door.

3. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 2, wherein an inlet (16) of said duct (18) is formed on a rim 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 (81) is formed on a rim 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 resting position where it is substantially completely housed in said seat (8) or inlet (16) to a wiping position where 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 any of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (81) includes a manually operable handle (84) apt to actuate said actuator.

8. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (81) and/or said wiper (330) is apt to perform a linear movement.

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

10. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (81) and/or said wiper (330) is apt to perform rotational movements.

11. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said wiper (330) and/or said actuator (81) is apt to perform roto-translational movements.

12. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first door (61) is accessible by a third door (60) arranged on the plinth.

13. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first filtering surface (32) is located for its entirety in said inner plinth volume.

14. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first door (61) is hinged to a front wall (20) of said cabinet (2) and it defines a rotatable axis, said rotatable axis being substantially horizontal.

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

16. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, 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) includes a connecting element integral to said wiper and/or said actuator.

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

19. The laundry dryer (1) according to claim 18, wherein said connector (82) includes a gear wheel portion (339) fixed to said wiper (330) and a meshing wheel 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) includes a rack (338) and the other of said wiper (330) or actuator (81) includes a wheel gear portion (339) meshed with said rack (338).

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

22. The laundry dryer (1) according to any the claims 1 to 17, wherein said actuator (81) includes a push button.

23. The laundry dryer (1) according to any of claims 1 - 21, wherein said actuator (81) includes a leverage.

24. A method to clean a filter assembly (80, 80', 80", 90, 90', 90") in a laundry dryer (1), said dryer including :

• a cabinet (2) having a plinth (7) as base portion, said plinth defining an inner plinth volume within said cabinet;

• a drum (3) rotatably supported in the cabinet;

• a duct (18) defining a flow passage for process air exiting the drum; • a filter assembly (80, 80', 80", 90, 90', 90") positioned in a duct portion (18a) located at least partially in the inner plinth volume so as to filter process air flowing therein; said filter assembly including :

o a frame (31);

o a filter supported by the frame and defining a first filtering surface (32); o a cleaning device (33) for cleaning the first filtering surface (32); wherein said cleaning device includes a movable wiper (330);

• an actuator (81);

• a connector (82), to connect the actuator and the wiper;

• a first door (61) arranged on said cabinet (2) at said plinth (7) to allow access to the inner plinth volume;

• a second door (4) provided on the cabinet (2); wherein the method includes:

• opening the second door (4) to access the actuator

(81);

• moving the actuator (81) which in turn moves the wiper (330) by means of the connector (82);

• wiping the first filtering surface (32) by moving the wiper (330); and

• collecting filtered material from the first filtering surface (32) in a fluff collector (50) accessible from said first door (61).

25. The method according to claim 24, including the step of:

• opening the first door (61) in order to remove said filtered material from the fluff collector (50).

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said step of moving the actuator (81) includes:

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

27. The method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said step of moving the actuator (81) includes:

• pushing the actuator (81) for a given depth.