CN105696285B

CN105696285B - Laundry drying apparatus with removable fluff filter unit

Info

Publication number: CN105696285B
Application number: CN201510920610.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马可·圣塔罗萨; 马尔钦·洛伦茨
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2014-12-12
Filing date: 2015-12-11
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-11
Also published as: AU2015264794B2; EP3031977A1; EP3031977B1; AU2015264794A1; CN105696285A

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry drying apparatus comprising: a housing; a rotatable drum arranged within the cabinet and adapted to receive laundry to be dried; a loading opening for loading and unloading laundry into and out of the drum; a door disposed at the cabinet and adapted to close the filling opening; an air passage disposed within the cabinet and adapted to guide the drying air exiting the drum within the cabinet; a filter unit; a filter unit seat arranged at, upstream of or in the air passage and adapted to receive a filter unit, wherein the filter unit, when arranged in an operative position in the filter seat, is adapted to filter fluff from drying air leaving the drum; and a grip portion arranged at the filter unit and adapted to remove the filter unit from the filter unit seat. In particular, the grip portion comprises at least one handle element which is movably arranged at the grip portion and which is movable between an idle position and an operating position.

Description

Laundry drying apparatus with removable fluff filter unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to laundry drying appliances, in particular to a condensation or ventilation dryer having a filter unit which can be inserted into and removed from a filter seat at a filling opening of the drying appliance.

Background

EP 2458071a1 discloses a laundry dryer having a rotatable drum, a loading opening for loading laundry into the drum, and a lint filter, wherein the lint filter is removably positioned in a filter seat provided at the frame at the loading opening. The filter is formed by two shells supporting a filter mesh, wherein the shells are pivotably connected to each other for opening and closing the filter when the filter is removed from the filter seat. After opening, the fluff can be conveniently removed. In each case, a finger hole is provided at an upper surface, which is exposed to a user when the filter is inserted into the filter seating part. The filter can be removed from its operative position within the filter seat by grasping into the finger hole and pulling out.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry drying appliance with a filter unit that improves the convenience of the user in terms of filter handling, and to provide a method of handling the filter unit.

The invention is defined in claims 1 and 19, respectively. Particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, a laundry drying apparatus, in particular a condensing dryer or a vented dryer, is provided. The condensing dryer may be a heat pump system tumble dryer. In the cabinet of the dryer a rotatable drum is arranged which is adapted to receive the laundry to be dried. The drum is for example a horizontal axis drum or a tilted axis drum having a rotation axis tilted with respect to the horizontal axis-preferably the tilted axis drum is not a vertical axis drum and/or is tilted by an angle of less than 60 °. The laundry to be dried is loaded into (and unloaded from) the drum through the loading opening. During the drying operation, the filling opening is closed by a door arranged at the cabinet. Preferably, the door is pivotably supported at the cabinet or at a front frame of the dryer.

During operation, drying air flows through the drum, and the drying air leaving the drum at the loading opening is transferred into and guided through an air channel, which is arranged within the cabinet. In the case of a condensation dryer, the air channel preferably leads the drying air from the region of the filling opening to the dehumidifying element (e.g. evaporator, heat exchanger), to the heater (electric heater and/or condenser) and then to the drum. The dehumidified and heated drying air enters the drum through one or more drum openings, preferably at the backside of the drum. The air channel has an inlet opening at the filling opening, which inlet opening is preferably arranged in or at the front frame of the dryer (wherein the front frame is preferably arranged behind the front wall of the cabinet and/or behind the front wall of the cabinet).

Upstream of the air passage, and/or at the air passage, and/or in the air passage, a filter unit seat is arranged, which is adapted to receive a filter unit. The filter unit seat may be arranged at said front frame or front frame, and/or at or in the air passage, and/or at an inwardly extending front wall portion of the front wall of the cabinet (inwardly extending means that the front wall portion extends from the front surface towards the interior space of the drum). The filter unit is adapted to filter fluff from drying air leaving the drum when the filter unit is positioned in its operating position in the filter seat. Preferably, when the filter unit is inserted, the filter unit extends beyond the filter unit seating portion (also referred to as filter seating portion or just seating portion) and preferably into the air passage.

In an embodiment, when the filter unit is inserted into the filter unit seating portion, the exposed filter surface is exposed to the drying air flowing in toward the air passage away from the inside of the drum. Preferably, the exposed filter surface has one or more inlets for drying air, so that the drying air can pass from the drum into the filter unit. Alternatively or in addition, the filter unit is inserted into the seat such that only a small portion of the filter unit or only the inlet surface side (e.g. the upper surface) extends and/or is exposed towards the filling opening (where the filling opening is accessible to a user when the door is opened). Other parts of the filter unit are inserted into and/or received by the filter seat and/or the air channel. Preferably, the filter unit is inserted into the filter seat from above, and/or the inlet surface side is an upper side of the filter unit. And/or the filter unit, when received in the filter unit seat, is arranged between the drum front edge and the front wall of the cabinet (said front wall) and/or is received in the front frame (said front frame).

When the filter unit is inserted in an operating position within the seat, the filter unit filters and collects fluff in an interior space of the filter unit during a drying operation. From time to time (after one or more drying cycles) the user has to pull the filter unit out of the filter seat for removing fluff collected in the filter unit. In order to remove the filter unit manually by a user, a grip portion is arranged at the filter unit, which grip portion is adapted to remove the filter unit manually from the filter unit seat. Preferably, the grip portion is arranged at an inlet surface side or an upper surface of the filter unit.

The grip portion comprises at least one handle element arranged and/or supported in a movable manner at the grip portion, wherein the at least one handle element is movable between an idle position and an operating position. Here and in the following, unless otherwise stated, the "at least one" handle element may be one or more handle elements. In the case of more than one handle element, all handle elements are meant to be movable and all to have the same relative position (e.g. all handle elements are in the rest position or all in the operating position at the same time). Furthermore, the "at least one" handle element may be replaced by the "same" or "said" handle element.

The at least one handle element is preferably permanently mechanically connected to the filter unit (for normal and non-destructive handling considerations) and/or connected to be movable relative to the filter unit. "arranged in a movable manner" is, for example: slidably supported (connected), pivotably supported (connected), extendable supported (connected), or any combination of sliding and/or pivoting and/or extendable movable means. For example, a sliding bearing can be arranged at the filter unit such that the at least one handle element can be pulled out of the rest position and slid into the operating position. The sliding bearing may be combined with the pivoting bearing such that the at least one grip element may pivot (e.g. within a predetermined angular region), for example in the slide-out position. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one grip element may be arranged like a telescope for expansion and contraction.

The operating position of the at least one handle element is the following: in this position, the user may grip/hold the at least one handle element, for example for removing the filter unit from the seat and/or for transporting the filter unit. Preferably, the at least one handle element is movable from the rest position to the operating position by the action of a user. Preferably, the operating position is or represents a (first) final position of the range of motion of the at least one handle element.

The rest position of the at least one handle element is the following position: the at least one handle element is positioned at the filter unit seat when the filter unit is in that position and the dryer is operated (e.g. during a drying operation). Preferably, the rest position is or represents a (second) final position of the range of motion of the at least one handle element.

With the at least one handle element arranged at the filter unit in a movable manner, user comfort is increased, since the user does not have to grip the filter body during handling. Conventionally, the filter body is contaminated to some extent with the collected fluff. Furthermore, by providing the at least one handle element, the user is encouraged to grip the filter unit at the element, and the user's attention to gripping the filter at e.g. a filter web, which may be damaged by the gripping force. Furthermore, the filter orientation and the filter insertion front for inserting the filter unit into the filter unit seat are easily identified when holding the filter unit at the at least one handle element. All these advantages contribute solely to user comfort.

According to an embodiment, in the rest position, the at least one handle element is located in a flush position (e.g. in which the handle element or the handle element is flush with the surrounding surface of the filter unit) and/or in a retracted position and/or in an inserted position and/or in a non-protruding position and/or in a flat position. These positions describe an idle position with respect to the main body or outer surface contour of the filter unit and/or with respect to the operating position of the at least one handle element. In the rest position, the at least one handle element preferably does not extend from the main outer configuration or contour of the filter unit, and therefore the handle element does not interfere with the operation of the dryer and/or the opening and/or closing of the door. Here, the "outer surface contour" is the outer contour that the filter unit assumes when it is inserted in or at the air channel, in its operating position allowing the filter unit to effectively filter fluff from drying air. The idle position prevents or reduces the risk of laundry being caught by the handle elements and/or fluff being deposited at the handle elements.

According to an embodiment, in the operating position, the at least one handle element is located-relative to the main outer configuration of the body of the filter unit or the outer surface contour of the filter unit and/or relative to the rest position-in the retracted position and/or in the extended position and/or in the protruding position and/or in the raised position. The operating position facilitates the (manual) handling of the filter unit by a user. When the at least one handle element is moved to the operating position, gripping is an easier and/or "pull-out" handle element avoiding the need for the user to grip a portion of the filter unit that may be contaminated by collected fluff.

Preferably, the grip portion further comprises a receiving portion adapted to receive the at least one handle element when the handle element is in the rest position. The receiving portion may be or may include a recess. The receptacle for receiving the handle element in its rest position helps to avoid contamination of the handle element with fluff and/or helps to pull the handle element from the exposed position back to lie below or flush with the outer contour of the filter unit. Preferably, the handle element, when in the rest position in the housing, is in said one or more positions as mentioned above in relation to the rest position.

According to an embodiment, the grip portion further comprises a pivotally supporting portion for said at least one handle element, which pivotally supporting portion is adapted to pivotally support said at least one handle such that said at least one handle is pivotable at least between an idle position and an operating position. Preferably, the rest position and/or the operating position define an end angular range for the swiveling movement of the handle element. Preferably, the rest position is a first end position and the operating position is a second end position. Thus, this end position relationship or these end position relationships for the movement end positions and/or the movement range of the rest position and the operating position or the movement range between the rest position and the operating position also apply to the other movement types listed above. That is, the rest/operating position defines an end point for linear movement, telescoping/extraction movement, and the like.

Preferably, the gripping portion is arranged at a surface portion of the filter unit exposed to the loading opening and/or at an upper or outer surface of the filter unit when the filter unit is received in the filter seat. An "upper" and/or "outer" surface is a surface relative to the exact operational orientation of the device and/or relative to the air channel (e.g., the outer surface is outside of the channel) in the case where the filter is at least partially received in the air channel. Preferably, the exposed surface of the filter unit is an inlet surface for passing drying air to be filtered from the space within the drum towards the air channel.

According to an embodiment, the entirety comprising the filter unit seat, the filter unit, the filling opening and the door is designed and arranged with respect to each other such that: when the filter unit is received in the filter unit seat and the door closes the filling opening, the door prevents the at least one handle element from being moved from its rest position or from its rest position to the operating position. Preferably, the door has an inwardly projecting portion which is positioned at least partially above the grip portion, in particular above the handle element, when the door closes the filling opening. Preferably, in the closed position, the door abuts against the at least one handle element or leaves only a small gap, so that the handle element can be moved from the rest position towards the operating position over only a short or very short movement path. This arrangement prevents the laundry from moving or lifting the grip element during rotation of the drum and/or drying of the laundry.

In an embodiment, the at least one handle element is pivotably mounted at the grip portion by means of or at the pivotally supporting portion, wherein each handle element comprises a base portion and a grip portion, wherein the base portion is located in the vicinity of the pivotally supporting portion and the grip portion is located remote from the pivotally supporting portion. Preferably, when the filter unit is inserted in the filter unit seat and the at least one handle element is in its rest position, either a) the base is arranged close to the drum and the catch is arranged away from the drum, or b) the base is arranged away from the drum and the catch is arranged close to the drum. In case a), the grip of the grip element is close to the front of the laundry drying appliance and the base of the grip element is close to the drum interior (relative to each other). In case b), the base of the grip element is close to the front of the laundry drying appliance and the grip of the grip element is close to the drum interior (relative to each other). Preferably, in case a), the grip of the handle element is further from the laundry (and it is customary that the gap between the grip and the door is preferably narrower than the gap between the base and the door) so that the risk of lifting the handle element by the laundry is reduced. Preferably, in case b) the closing of the door causes the handle element to pivot to or towards the rest position and prevents the handle element from being damaged by closing the door when the handle is in or close to the operating position.

In an embodiment, the grip portion comprises a resilient element adapted to provide a biasing force on the at least one handle element, wherein the biasing force is adapted to move the at least one handle element from the operational position to the rest position or from the operational position towards the rest position. Preferably, the resilient element moves the grip element "automatically" (i.e. driven by such bias) or by itself to the rest position when the user removes the grip or fingers from the grip element. Preferably, the biasing force is provided at least when the grip element is in the operating position, more preferably, the biasing force of the resilient element is provided over all or a part of the movement path of the grip element.

Preferably, the resilient element is or comprises at least one or more of: a resilient split or stud or a resiliently supported split or stud, a spring, a leaf spring, and/or a helical spring. Additionally or alternatively, a cam or protrusion is arranged at the at least one handle element or at the resilient element, which cam or protrusion is adapted to interact with the at least one handle element, or an element arranged at the filter unit body, or a housing of the filter unit body, respectively, to accumulate a biasing force when the at least one handle element is moved towards the operating position.

In an embodiment, ribs, cams or protrusions are arranged at the filter unit or at the at least one handle element. The rib/cam/protrusion is adapted to interact with the at least one handle element or to interact with the body of the filter unit (or at least one of the shells forming the filter unit and/or a wall of the filter unit adjacent to the position where the at least one handle element is movably supported). This interaction causes the rib/cam/projection to act as a stop element limiting the range of motion of the handle element such that the at least one handle element is stopped in a skewed or inclined orientation when the filter unit is inserted in the filter unit seat. Preferably, "skew" relates to the vertical orientation and the skewed orientation of the grip element in the operating position (end-of-range position). For example, "skew" means that the range of movement or rotation of the handle element ends at a small angle (α in the figure) before the position where the handle element will be in a vertical orientation (the filter unit is inserted into the seat). Due to the skewed orientation of the handle elements, the at least one handle element (e.g., when no other force is applied to the at least one grip element) moves to the rest position by gravity. When the handle element is tilted or inclined in an operating position, which is the end position of the range of motion due to the cam/rib/protrusion, and when the user withdraws the grip from the handle element, the handle element occupies the rest position of the handle element without further action of the user, and the door can be closed without interfering with the door/handle element.

In an embodiment, a cam/rib/protrusion is arranged at the resilient element or at said at least one handle element adapted to interact with the spring element. And/or the rib/cam/protrusion may arrange itself as a resilient element to cooperate with the handle element or may be arranged at the handle element to cooperate with the resilient element.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter unit comprises a filter body which is formed by or comprises two body shells. The two body shells are adapted to be connected and/or closed for inserting the filter unit into its operational position in the filter unit seat. Furthermore, the two body shells are adapted to be opened and/or at least partially disconnected from each other for filter cleaning. Preferably, one or both of the shells each provide a mechanical support structure for supporting one or more filter elements. The filter element may be a mesh or a grid or screen structure. Preferably, in the closed position of the body shells, the body shells are not movable relative to each other and form a rigid structure to be stably inserted in the seat. Preferably, in the open position, i.e. when the two shells are oriented to expose their (filtered) interior, the body shells are movably connected to each other. For example, a pivot bearing is provided to allow the body shells to pivot relative to each other. Alternatively or additionally, the two body shells may be separated from each other by disconnecting the connection between the shells and/or by disconnecting the movable connection. The movable connection may be a pivot connection and/or a slide connection and/or a clamp connection. Completely separating the body shells from each other facilitates filter cleaning.

In an embodiment, the filter unit and/or the grip portion of the filter unit comprises a receptacle or receptacles adapted to receive the at least one handle element at least partially in a rest position. Furthermore, the filter unit (or the grip portion of the filter unit) comprises a handle support adapted to support the at least one handle element along a movement path (see e.g. the above examples). Preferably, the accommodating part and the handle support are arranged at a first one of the body housings. Alternatively, the first portion of the receiving portion is disposed at a first one of the body shells, and the handle support and the second portion of the receiving portion are disposed at a second one of the body shells. Further, alternatively, the accommodation is arranged or substantially arranged at a first one of the body shells and the handle support is arranged at a second body shell. Here, "disposed in/at …" may be referred to as "formed in/at …". As mentioned above, the handle support is, for example, a pivotally supporting portion for pivotally supporting the at least one handle element or a linear supporting portion for slidably supporting the at least one handle element.

Preferably, the filter unit further comprises a locking element adapted to releasably connect the body shells to each other in the connected or closed state. Preferably, the filter unit further comprises a user operable actuation element adapted to unlock the locked state of the locking element. The actuating element may be arranged in a surface region of the receptacle adapted to receive the at least one handle element in its rest position. Alternatively, the actuation element is arranged outside a surface area of the receptacle adapted to receive the at least one handle element.

In an embodiment, the at least one handle element is rotatably arranged at a first body shell of the two body shells, and a user-operable actuation element adapted to unlock the locked state of the locking element or the user-operable actuation element is arranged at the first body shell. Furthermore, the user operable actuation element is arranged at a distance from the rotational axis of the at least one grip element. The freedom for the at least one handle element to rotate when the filter unit is held by a user at the at least one handle element is such that: upon application of a pressing force to the user operable actuation element, the handle is caused to rotate relative to the first body shell. In this embodiment, when the filter unit is freely held by the user (from outside the seat) and the user presses the actuation element, the handle element can freely rotate relative to the first body shell (preferably towards the rest position). This means that: when the housing is closed and the user presses on the actuating element (e.g. with the thumb) while holding the grip element with the other fingers of the hand, the pressing force is less likely to unlock the locking element, but the filter swings sideways to some extent due to the reaction. The user operable actuation element may also be referred to as an on button. This embodiment is intended for opening the filter unit with two hands (separating the two shells) and for preventing accidental opening during transport of the filter unit.

In another embodiment (an alternative form of the last paragraph), the at least one handle element is rotatably arranged at a first of the two body shells, and a user-operable actuation element adapted to unlock the locked state of the locking element is arranged at the first body shell. The user operable actuation element (e.g. an opening button) is arranged at a distance from the rotational axis of the at least one handle element. When the filter unit is held at the at least one handle element, the degree of freedom for rotation of the at least one handle element is such that: the handle is hindered from rotating relative to the first body shell when a pressing force is simultaneously applied to the user operable actuation element. In this embodiment, when the user holds the filter unit freely (from outside the seat) and presses the actuating element (e.g. with the thumb of the same hand), the grip element, the rotational freedom of which is blocked at the operating position, cannot rotate in response to a torque applied between the grip element and the actuating element. For example, the grip element is completely in its operating position (e.g. against a stop element — see e.g. the above cam) and cannot be rotated further. The pressing force acting on the actuating element results in an actuation of the actuating element for opening the locking element and for opening the two shells. Thus, this embodiment preferably opens the filter unit (opens the body shell) with one hand for removing fluff.

Preferably, in particular in the embodiment described in the preceding paragraph, the locking element comprises or is adapted to unlock a locked state of the locking element. Preferably, the locking element is arranged at a first side of the filter unit and the or a pivotally bearing portion which pivotably connects the two body shells is arranged at a second side of the filter unit opposite the first side. Furthermore, the centre of mass of the filter unit closed at the filter unit and the bearing point or bearing line of the at least one handle element span a plane parallel to the pivot axis of the pivotal bearing between the two body shells. Furthermore, when the filter unit is freely supported by holding the filter unit outside the cabinet at the at least one handle element, the center of mass of the second body housing is located outside the plane at the side where the second body housing is arranged. In this embodiment, the center of mass of the second housing causes the second housing to swing open upon itself with gravity assistance when the actuation element is actuated. Thus, opening of the filter unit by a user with one hand is facilitated.

In another embodiment, which alternatively or additionally relates to the two-handed opening operation described above, the locking element comprises or is adapted to unlock a locked state of the locking element, wherein the locking element is arranged at the first side of the filter unit. Furthermore, the pivotally supporting portion or the pivotally supporting portion which pivotally connects the two body cases is arranged at a second side portion of the filter unit opposite to the first side portion. Subsequently, when the filter unit is freely supported by holding the filter unit outside the cabinet at the at least one handle element, the actuating element is positioned from the support point or support line of the at least one handle element towards the centre of mass of the second body shell. In this embodiment, when the actuating element is pressed, the filter unit is rotated about the bearing point or bearing line, so that the self-opening of the filter unit is prevented.

In an embodiment, the filter unit further comprises one or more inner filter frames or first and second inner body shells arranged in an interior space of the filter unit disposed between an inner side of the first body shell and an inner side of the second body shell when the first and second body shells are in their closed state. The inner filter frame supports additional filter elements (filter mesh, grid, etc.) and thereby provides an increased filtration area. Thus, the flow resistance of the filter to the passing air slowly increases due to the uninterrupted collection of fluff.

Preferably, when the filter unit is located outside the chassis and is freely retained at the at least one handle element, an upper or exposed surface of the filter unit (see above the inlet surface) is formed by the combined surface portions of the first and second body shells, wherein a joint is formed at the upper surface between the surface portions of the first and second body shells. The course of the joint is preferably arranged at the upper surface such that one or more of the following arrangements are applicable: a) the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and the bearing point or bearing line of the at least one handle element is arranged close to a side wall of the first body shell having an edge with a surface portion and located opposite the joint; b) the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and the surface portion of the second body shell is larger than the surface portion of the first shell; and c) a receptacle for receiving the at least one handle element in the rest position or arranged or substantially arranged in a surface portion of the second body shell. In this embodiment, opening of the filter by using one hand is facilitated or may be facilitated.

In another embodiment of the last paragraph, the upper surface of the filter unit is formed by a combined surface portion of the first body shell and the second body shell, when the filter unit is located outside the cabinet and is freely retained at the at least one handle element, wherein the joint is formed at the upper surface between the surface portion of the first body shell and the surface portion of the second body shell. Preferably, the filter is characterized by one or more of the following routes of the joint: a) the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and the bearing point or bearing line of the at least one handle element is arranged close to the joint; b) the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and a surface portion of the first body shell is larger than a surface portion of the second body shell; and c) a receptacle for receiving the at least one handle element in the rest position or arranged or substantially arranged in a surface portion of the first body shell. In this embodiment, it may be helpful or possible to facilitate opening of the filter by using two hands (preventing accidental opening by one hand).

The above embodiments and/or features may be combined in any combination or sub-combination, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the above embodiments and/or features may be combined with any of the features or elements below or the elements of the claims or details in the detailed embodiments, for example by combining any element or sub-combination of elements or group of elements with the claims and any feature or sub-group of features described above, without any limitation.

A method for removing a filter unit from a drying apparatus, in particular from a condensation dryer or a ventilation dryer, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: opening a door arranged at a cabinet of a laundry drying apparatus, thereby providing access to a loading opening arranged at the cabinet, moving at least one handle element movably arranged at a grip portion of the filter unit from an idle position to an operating position, gripping the at least one handle element, lifting the filter unit at the at least one handle element in the operating position, and thereby pulling the filter unit out of or away from a filter unit seat arranged at, upstream of, or in an air passage of the apparatus.

The drying apparatus in or at which the method is carried out preferably has one or more or any subcombination of the features of the drying apparatus as described above or as described below (representative examples of dryers apply to all dryers as above). The method steps as described below are suitable for use in the method either individually or in any subcombination.

Drawings

Embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

figure 1 is a front perspective view of a laundry dryer,

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pile filter in an open state according to the first embodiment, in which the inside of the pile filter is shown,

fig. 3 is the filter of fig. 2 in an open state, viewed from the outside, wherein a filter mesh is depicted,

fig. 4 is the filter of fig. 2 in a closed state, and wherein the handle is in an operating position,

fig. 5 is the filter of fig. 2, with the handle in a resting or collapsed position,

fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the filter of fig. 2 through one of the handle-side legs, wherein the section is perpendicular to the main longitudinal extension of the filter,

figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from the circle of figure 6,

figure 7a is a schematic indicator view of the position of the handle relative to the vertical axis when the filter of figure 2 is inserted into the filter seating of the dryer shown in figure 1,

fig. 7b is a cross-sectional view as shown in fig. 7, wherein an indication of the torque action when the user presses on the locking actuator is shown,

fig. 8 is the filter of fig. 2 in an open state, wherein the filter mesh is not shown,

fig. 9 is a front perspective view of the filter of fig. 2 in a closed state, with the handle in an operating position,

fig. 10 is the same view as in fig. 9, with the handle in the rest position,

figure 11 is the dryer of figure 1 with a filter according to another embodiment (see figure 12) inserted in the filter seating,

fig. 12 is a front perspective view of a filter according to a second embodiment, wherein the filter is closed and the handle is in the operating position,

fig. 13 is the filter of fig. 12, wherein the handle is in a rest position,

fig. 14 is the filter of fig. 12 in an open state, in which the inside of the filter is shown,

figure 15 is the filter of figure 12 in an open state shown from the outside and comprising a filter net,

figure 16 is a schematic illustration of the lever and torque action when a user holding the filter of figure 12 presses on the lock actuator,

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the filter of FIG. 12 in a closed state with the handle in the operating position, an

FIG. 18 is the filter shown in FIG. 17 with the handle in the rest position.

Detailed Description

The figures are not drawn to scale, however, the mechanical details are depicted appropriately to enable the skilled person to make a good conclusion and support of the technical elements. In this context, relative terms like "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", etc. relate to the conventional positional orientation in the dryer, wherein the front side is the front side where the user operates the dryer, "side" is the side of the dryer (such as side wall 8), "top" or upper side is at the top of the dryer (such as top panel 6), and "rear side" is the rear side of the dryer (not shown in fig. 1). This relative orientation may be reversed for the filters 24, 24' when the filters are inserted into the seat 22 of the dryer 2, so that relative terms with respect to the dryer 2 may be transferred to the filters in terms of filter insertion status.

Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a tumble dryer 2 with a filter 24 according to a first embodiment inserted therein. The dryer 2 may be a vented dryer (vented dryer), a condensing dryer, or any other type of dryer. The condensing dryer may be a heat pump tumble dryer or may have a drying air/ambient cooling air heat exchanger for cooling the drying air. Preferably, the dryer is a tumble dryer having a drum which rotates about a horizontal axis or about an axis which is inclined (e.g. less than 50 °) to the horizontal axis.

The dryer in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 has a housing 4, which housing 4 is formed by a ceiling 6, side walls 8 (only one shown), a front wall 10, a rear wall (not shown) and a bottom (not shown). The front wall 10 has a loading opening 12 for loading laundry into an interior 16 of a drum (not shown) and for taking laundry out of the interior 16 of the drum. The filling opening 12 is closed by a door 14, which door 14 in the closed state extends from the front side of the dryer partly through a front frame 20 surrounding the filling opening 12. A filter seating portion 22 is provided at the lower portion of the front frame 20 between the front wall 10 and the front edge of the drum at the inlet of the air passage. An inlet portion of an air channel (not shown) is arranged between the front wall 10 and the front edge of the drum and receives drying air leaving the drum. The air passage directs the air exiting the drum to a heat exchanger or to an exhaust opening for exhausting the drying air out of the casing 4 or cabinet of the dryer 2.

The lint filter 24 of the first embodiment is inserted into the air passage through the bottom side thereof (see the passage portion 82 in fig. 10) until the seating line 80 (see fig. 10) is seated on the filter seating portion 22. When placed in the seat 22, the filter 24 is aligned with the front frame 20 so as to assume its correct operating position during the drying operation of the dryer. In the case of the operating position of the filter 24 in its filter seat 22, the inlet portion 84 (fig. 10) extends outside the air passage. On the upper surface of the filter 24, the inlet portion 84 has an exposed or top surface 26, the surface 26 having a plurality of air inlets 44 distributed thereon (see FIG. 3). The drying air leaving the drum enters the interior of the fluff filter 24 through the air inlet 44. The drying air then passes from the interior of the filter 24 through filter meshes 36, 38, 40 (fig. 3) and is filtered by the filter meshes. The filtered air that has passed through the filter mesh then continues to pass in the air passage. Preferably, the channel portion 82 of the filter 24 is wedge-shaped to provide uniform air flow through the filter mesh from the filter interior to the filter exterior in the air channel.

Fig. 2 shows a top rear perspective view of the fluff filter 24 in an open state, so that the interior of the filter can be partially seen. The user can remove the filter 24 from the front frame 20 by lifting the handle 30 and then pulling hard on the handle to move the filter up out of the air passage to pull the filter 24 out of the filter seat 22 and air passage. The filter comprises a first shell 32 and a second shell 34, wherein the filter can be opened by turning the

shells

32, 34 over with respect to each other when the filter is located outside the filter seat 22.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the filter 24 (as in fig. 2) in an open state, wherein the outside of the first and

second shells

32, 34 is shown. The

shells

32, 34 provide a support frame with wide openings for supporting the filter meshes 36, 38, 40. The filter screen 36 of the first housing, as shown by the grid in fig. 3, is glued or otherwise secured to the inside of the first housing 32. The second side filter mesh 38 is supported on the inner frame structure of the second shell 34 and the first portion 40 of the bottom filter mesh and the second bottom filter mesh 40 are arranged inside the bottom frame structure of the first shell 32 and the second shell 34, respectively. The two shells are pivotably connected by a shell hinge 42 arranged at the bottom end of the filter 24 and at the lateral end of the longitudinal main extension of the filter 24. In filter embodiments, the housings may be releasably connected by a hinge 24, or alternatively, the filters (24, 24') may be connected by a clip, such that when the locking means (see below) is released, the two

filter housings

32, 34; 32', 34' are separated from each other.

When the filter 24 (and 24') is inserted in the filter seat, the "top" surfaces 26, 26' face upward and are exposed to the interior of the drum. As further shown in fig. 3, by opening the filter 24, the top surface 26 is divided into a first surface portion 26a formed on the first filter housing 32 and a second surface portion 26b formed on the second housing 34. When the filter is closed, i.e. when the first surface portion 26a and the second surface portion 26b are adjacent to each other, the first surface portion 26a and the second surface portion 26b are separated by a junction line 46 (as shown for example in fig. 5), and the boundary line forms the junction line 46.

Furthermore, with reference to fig. 3, the first surface portion 26a of the top surface 26 has a recess 28 receiving the handle 30 in its rest position I. The rest position I of the handle 30 is shown in fig. 5, in which the "stowed" handle does not protrude beyond the upper edge of the recess 28, so that the handle in the rest position I is "flush" with the surrounding surface, as seen in fig. 1. If the laundry is rotated in the drum during drying, the pieces of laundry or the tail of the laundry have no point of action on the handle, which can lead to the risk of the laundry getting tangled on the handle or getting caught on the handle or damaging the handle by pulling. Fig. 3 shows the handle 30 in its operating position II, in which it has been swung upwards by the user, so that s/he can grip the handle 30 and can pull the filter out of its seat 22.

The handle 30 includes a cross member 50, the cross member 50 forming a gripping portion of the handle. In the present embodiment, side leg portions 52 are provided at both edges of the cross member 50, respectively, and the side leg portions 52 are connected at their lower ends (operation positions II) or bases to base cross members 54, respectively. The inner ends of the base cross member 54 are respectively formed with hinges 56, and the hinges 56 are pivotably supported at the bearing members of the first surface portion 26 a/the first case 32/the recess 28.

Fig. 6 shows a cross section through a portion of the first and

second shells

32, 34. The grip 30 is in its operating position II and is thus swung out of the recess 28 in which its rest position I is located. The cross section is taken perpendicular to the main longitudinal extension of the filter 24, which is parallel to the front wall 10. As shown in enlarged detail in fig. 7 (fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional area within the circle shown in fig. 6), the hinge 56 provides an axis of rotation 58 (the axis of rotation 58 in this embodiment also extends parallel to the longitudinal extension and/or parallel to the front wall 10). In the section of fig. 7, the handle 30 has reached its end position of angular movement, which forms the operating position II. The cross-section shows a bottom plane 62 of the recess 28 and a side wall 64 of the recess. Near the axis 58, a cam 60 (or stop) is provided at the lower end of the side leg 52 (compare fig. 10). The cam 60 interacts with the side walls 64 of the recess to define an end angular range in the operating position.

In fig. 7a, the side leg 52 is represented as a simplified line, which also represents the angular orientation in the operative position. Fig. 7a also shows an indication of the vertical axis 66, the angle a between the side leg 52 and the vertical line 66, and the angular orientation of the bottom plane 62. By the stop or abutment action of the cam 60 towards the side wall 64, the handle 30 is inclined by the angle α, and when the user removes his finger (i.e. does not grip the handle), the handle 30 swings by gravity about the axis of rotation 58 and drops, self-actuating, back to its rest position in which the handle is (at least substantially) parallel to the bottom line 62 of the recess 28.

In the rest position I shown in fig. 1 for the first embodiment and in fig. 11 for the second embodiment, the handles 30, 30' are flush with the top or exposed surfaces 26, 26' of the lint filters 24, 24 '. In addition to the above-mentioned advantages that the laundry items do not get tangled or caught on the handle in its rest position, the self-actuated movement of the handle from the operating position II to the rest position I has the further advantage that the flush condition is obtained once the user has removed his hand from the handle. The door 14 of the dryer 2 can then be closed without the risk of damaging the handle due to the closing action. As shown in fig. 1 and 11, the door 14 has a glazing which projects in its middle region from the plane of the door and extends from the front side to the depth of the front frame 20 in the closed position. In the closed position, there is then only a small gap between the top surface of the filter and the lower surface of the projecting portion of the glazing. Thus, the handle 30, 30 'has to be in its rest position flush with the recess 28, 28', so that the door can be closed without interfering with the handle. Furthermore, in the closed position, the lower surface of the protruding portion of the glazing helps to keep the handle in its rest position, so that the handle cannot be lifted from the rest position to the operating position (e.g. by washing the laundry) during operation.

The unlocking and locking operations of the locking element of the filter 24 (respectively 24') for opening and closing the filter will now be described. The locking elements of the first and second embodiments are described below, with the locking elements having a latch or hook 70, 70 'and a retaining groove or notch 72, 72', respectively. However, other embodiments of the locking element may be provided.

Fig. 6 and more particularly fig. 7 show a first embodiment of the hook 70, the hook 70 being disposed on an upper side of the first surface portion 26a of the first shell 32. One end of the hook 70 is connected to the first surface portion 26a and protrudes (laterally) from the first surface portion 26 a. Furthermore, the locking element comprises a limiting groove or recess 72 formed at the second surface portion 26b of the second shell 34, as can be seen for example in fig. 3. The free or freely extending end of the hook 70 has a ramp surface 70a, the ramp surface 70a acting as a sliding surface for receiving the limit groove 72 during the closing movement of the filter. The proximal end of the hook 70 includes a locking portion 70b that follows the ramp shaped end portion 70a and mates with or is adapted to receive or engage a landing 74 of the retention slot 72 (fig. 3) with a landing 74 of the retention slot 72. In the closing movement, the landing portion 74 contacts the upper side of the ramp shaped end portion 70a and depresses the resilient or elastic hook 70 until the landing portion 74 slides up the ramp shaped end portion 70a and reaches the locking portion 70 b. When the landing portion 74 is received in the locking portion 70b, the resilient hook 70 swings back and thus provides a mechanical stop or engagement for the landing portion 74 and thus a lock against opening movement between the first and

second shells

32, 34.

In the closed state of the filter, i.e. when the first and

second shells

32, 34 abut each other, the first and

second surface portions

26a, 26b are adjacent so as to form a seam line 46. For the unlocking action, the user may press with the fingertips against the ramp-shaped end portion 70a, whereby the ramp-shaped end portion 70a serves as a user-operable actuation element. By the user's pressure on the upper side of the ramp-shaped end portion 70a, the hook 70 bends downward and the locking portion 70b releases the drop 74, so that the second shell 34 can be moved away from the first shell 32 (in this embodiment by a swinging movement about the hinge 56).

The mechanical design of the locking

elements

70, 72 of the filter 24 of the first embodiment is configured to facilitate opening of the filter by a user with both hands, while somewhat hindering the user from unlocking the locking elements with only one hand. The second embodiment of the strainer 24 'and its locking elements 70', 72 'are described below and are designed to facilitate one-handed unlocking so that the user does not have to use two hands to open the strainer 24'. For the first embodiment, fig. 7b is a reproduction of fig. 7, wherein the torque effect is illustrated by bending arrows a, b and c, which represent the forces applied when a user attempts to unlock the locking element using only one hand. In this case, the filter 24 is removed from its filter seat 22 and is carried freely by one hand of the user by gripping the cross member 50 of the handle 30 with the fingers. The handle 30 is in its operating position II, i.e. the cam 60 abuts against the side wall 64 of the recess 28. Now when the user exerts an actuating or unlocking force on the top side of the ramp-shaped portion 70a of the hook 70 with the same hand holding the handle, a torque a is generated about the axis 58 of the handle (as shown in the counterclockwise direction). In the clockwise direction, a torque b acts on the cross beam 50 relative to the axis 58. As in the present embodiment, the handle 30 is freely rotatable from the operating position II toward the rest position I, the two levers about the axis 58 formed between the cross beam 50 and the inclined surface 70a of the hook 70 exert a swinging amount of rotation in response to the force acting on the ramp-shaped portion 70a, so that the first and

second shells

32 and 34 undergo a momentum about the axis 58 corresponding to a torque momentum (torque momentum) a acting on the hook 70 as shown by the curved arrow c. Described in another way: with this design of the lever and torque momentum, the handle 30 is able to rotate about the axis 58 toward the rest position, and the actuation force applied by the user is more likely to cause rotation of the first and

second shells

32, 34 relative to the handle 30 rather than causing a resilient deflection of the hook portion 70 relative to the first shell 32, which is necessary to release the landing portion 74 from the detent 72. In the present embodiment, therefore, accidental unlocking and opening of the filter 74 are more likely to be prevented. Thus, the fluff collected in the filter does not accidentally fall out.

Overall, the first embodiment offers the main advantages of:

-providing a handle for facilitating manual operation of the filter by a user,

-a self-actuating function providing a movement of the handle towards the rest position of the handle,

-preventing accidental opening by a single-handed operation of the user.

In an embodiment, a single one of these advantages may be provided, or each of these advantages may be combined with one or more of the other advantages.

Fig. 11 to 18 show a second embodiment 24' of a fluff filter to be inserted in the filter seat 22 of the tumble dryer 2. The matter described above in connection with the first embodiment and the claims applies fully to the second embodiment unless otherwise stated. Elements having the same reference number or reference number without an apostrophe above and elements with an apostrophe below perform the same function and are arranged in the same manner unless otherwise stated herein below. The following is intended to describe the differences.

Fig. 12-14, 17 and 18 show the fluff filter 24' without the

filter webs

36, 38, 40 (as described above), while fig. 15 shows the filter webs disposed on the inner frame structure of the first and second shells 32', 34 '. Fig. 12, 13, 17, and 18 show the filter 24' in a closed state, wherein fig. 12 and 13 show a front perspective view, and fig. 17 and 18 show a rear perspective view. In fig. 12, 14, 15 and 17, the handle 30' is in its operating position II, whereas in fig. 13 and 18, the handle 30' is in a stowed, rest position I, in which it is received in the recess 28 '.

As in the first embodiment, if the handle is in the operating position II (e.g., fig. 12), the cam 60 (fig. 13) disposed at the side leg 52 of the handle 30 'abuts against the side wall of the recess 28' (compare with fig. 7 of the first embodiment). The handle 30' does not have a base cross member 54, instead a hinge 56' is disposed at the lower end of the side leg 52 '. Also, in this embodiment, the bond line 46 divides the exposed top surface 26' into a first surface portion 26a ' and a second surface portion 26b '. Although the recess 28 is completely formed in the first case 32 in the first embodiment, only a portion of the recess 28 'around the hinge 56' is formed in the first surface portion 26a 'of the first case 32' in the second embodiment. Most of the recess 28 'is formed in the second surface portion 26b' of the second shell 34', as seen in the top perspective view of fig. 12 and in the bottom view of the recess 28' of fig. 14.

As can be seen from fig. 14, the mechanical fixing line of the hook 70', i.e. the proximal end of the hook or latch 70', is arranged around the hinge 56 'close to the rotation axis 58 of the handle 30', or the fixing base of the hook 70 'at the first shell 32' is slightly displaced with respect to the inclined portion 70a 'of the hook 70' to be located behind the axis 58. The above-described one-handed operation for opening the locking element will now be described with reference to fig. 16.

Fig. 16 shows in a simplified manner the bottom plane 62 of the recess 28', the handle rotation axis 58 being at the same time the connection base of the hook 70' at the first shell 32' or close to the connection base of the hook 70' at the first shell 32 '. The cam 60 that stops the rotation of the handle 50 at the operating position of the handle is indicated by an arrow, and prevents the inclination angle α of the handle lever (the side leg portion 52' of the handle) from becoming smaller than α shown with respect to the vertical line 66. The actuation point at the angled portion 70a ' of the hook 70' is represented by point 70a ' and represents another lever about the fixed base/rotational axis 58 of the hook 70' at the first housing 32 '. When the user applies the torque moment i to the inclined portion 70a', the opening angle β (which is the maximum angle between the rest position and the operating position of the handle 50) does not increase further due to the stopping moment applied by the cam 60. Thus, the opening momentum i applied by the user to the hook 70a 'while holding the beam 50 with the other fingers, results in a bending torque to the hook 70'. Thereby, the hook 70 'is elastically deflected downward, and the locking portion 70b' releases the seating portion 74 'of the catching groove or notch 72'. Thereby, the locking between the first and second shells 32', 34' is unlocked and the second shell 34 'can swing open with respect to the first shell 32' still held by the user at the handle 50. Thus, the design and relative arrangement of the handle and hook 70 'of the second embodiment facilitates opening the filter 24' with only one hand.

In the first and second embodiments and according to the invention, the first shell 32, 32' is preferably made in one piece and/or monolithic, preferably by injection moulding. Preferably, in this one-piece and/or integral and/or monolithic and/or injection-molded construction, one or more of the following elements are formed with the first shell 32, 32':

a portion of one or both shell hinges 42,

a portion of one or both handle hinges 56, 56',

at least a part of the hook 70, 70', and

at least a portion of the recess 28, 28'.

In the first and second embodiments and according to the invention, the second shell 34, 34' is preferably made as a single-piece and/or integral and/or monolithic and/or injection-molded part. Preferably, one or more of the following elements are formed together with the second shell 34, 34' as a single-piece and/or integral and/or monolithic and/or injection-molded part:

a portion of one or both shell hinges 42,

a portion of the retaining groove/indentation 72, 72 'or the entire retaining groove/indentation 72, 72',

the drop portions 74, 74',

at least a portion of the recess 28, 28'.

As previously mentioned, the filters or filter screens 36, 38 and 40 are individually provided on the frame structure around the opening provided by the first shell 32 and/or the second shell 32'.

List of reference numerals:

2 rotary drum type drying machine

4 outer cover

6 Top board

8 side wall

10 front wall

12 filling opening

14 doors

16 inside the drum

18 control panel

20 front frame

22 filter seat at air passage opening/inlet

24. 24' fluff filter

26. 26' exposed/top surface

26a, 26a' first surface portion

26b, 26b' second surface portion

28. 28' recess

30. 30' handle

32. 32' first shell

34. 34' second shell

36 first shell filter mesh

38 second shell filter mesh

40 bottom filter net

42 shell hinge

44 air inlet

46 bonding wire

50. 50' beam/grip

52. 52' side leg

54 base beam

56. 56' hinge

58 axis

60 cam/stop

62 bottom plane of the recess

64 side wall of recess

66 vertical line

70. 70' latch/hook

70a, 70a '

tapered end portions

70b, 70b' locking portions

72. 72' Limit groove/notch

74. 74' landing part

80 sitting line

82 channel part

84 inlet portion

I rest position

II operating position

Angle alpha, beta

a. Torque b, c

k. i torque

Claims

1. Laundry drying apparatus (2) comprising:

a machine shell (4),

a rotatable drum arranged within the cabinet (4) and adapted to accommodate laundry to be dried,

a loading opening (12), the loading opening (12) being used for loading laundry into the drum and for taking laundry out of the drum,

a door (14), the door (14) being arranged at the cabinet (4) and being adapted to close the filling opening (12),

an air passage arranged within the cabinet (4) and adapted to guide drying air exiting the drum within the cabinet (4),

a filter unit (24, 24'),

a filter unit seat (22), said filter unit seat (22) being arranged at, upstream of or in said air passage and being adapted to receive said filter unit (24, 24'), wherein said filter unit is adapted to filter fluff from said drying air leaving said drum when said filter unit is arranged in its operative position in said filter unit seat, and

a grip portion arranged at the filter unit (24, 24'), the grip portion being adapted to remove the filter unit from the filter unit seat (22), and

wherein the gripping portion is arranged at an upper surface (26, 26') of the filter unit exposed to the filling opening (12) when the filter unit (24, 24') is received in the filter unit seat (22),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the grip portion comprises at least one handle element (30, 30'), the at least one handle element (30, 30') being movably arranged at the filter unit (24, 24'), wherein the filter unit (24, 24') is adapted to be manually gripped at the at least one handle element (30, 30'), the at least one handle element (30, 30') being movably connected to the filter unit in relation to the filter unit, and

the at least one handle element (30, 30') being movable between a rest position (I) and an operating position (II),

wherein, in the operating position (II), the at least one handle element (30, 30') is adapted to be grasped by a user to lift the filter unit (24, 24') at the at least one handle element and thereby pull the filter unit (24, 24') out of or away from the filter unit seat (22),

wherein, in the rest position (I), the at least one handle element (30, 30') is in a flush position in which it is flush with the upper surface (26, 26') of the filter unit (24, 24'), the at least one handle element (30, 30') being received in a receptacle (28, 28') formed in an outer surface of the filter unit (24, 24'),

in the operating position (II), the at least one handle element (30, 30') protrudes from the receptacle (28, 28') formed in the outer surface of the filter unit (24, 24'),

wherein the filter unit seat (22), the filter unit (24, 24'), the filling opening (12) and the door (14) are designed and arranged with respect to each other such that: when the filter unit is received in the filter unit seat and the door closes the charging opening, the door prevents the at least one handle element (30, 30') from moving from its rest position (I) or prevents the at least one handle element (30, 30') from moving from its rest position to or towards the operating position (II).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laundry drying apparatus is a condensation dryer or a ventilation dryer.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said grip portion further comprises a housing (28, 28') adapted to receive said at least one handle element (30, 30') when said at least one handle element is in said rest position (I).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion further comprises a pivot support (56) for the at least one handle element (30, 30'), the pivot support (56) being adapted to pivotably support the at least one handle element such that the at least one handle element is pivotable at least between the rest position (I) and the operating position (II).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one handle element (30, 30') is pivotably mounted at the grip portion by the pivot support (56), wherein each of the handle elements comprises a base section located close to the pivot support and a grip section (50) located remote from the pivot support, and wherein, when the filter unit (24, 24') is inserted into the filter unit seat (22) and the at least one handle element is in its rest position (I),

a) the base section is arranged close to the drum and the gripping section (50) is arranged remote from the drum, or

b) The base section is arranged away from the drum and the gripping section (50) is arranged close to the drum.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

wherein a rib, cam (60) or projection is arranged at the grip portion or at the at least one handle element, said rib, cam (60) or projection being adapted to act as a stop element at the operating position (II) of the at least one handle element, such that when the filter unit (24, 24') is inserted into the filter unit seat (22) the at least one handle element is stopped in the operating position (II) in an inclined orientation (a), and such that when no further force is exerted on the at least one handle element is moved by gravity to the rest position (I), and/or

Wherein a rib, cam (60) or projection adapted to interact with the at least one handle element (30, 30') is arranged at the grip portion or a rib, cam (60) or projection adapted to interact with the grip portion is arranged at the at least one handle element (30, 30'), and wherein the rib, cam (60) or projection is or is arranged at a resilient element in order to accumulate a biasing force when the at least one handle element is moved towards its operating position (II).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exposed upper surface (26, 26') is exposed to incoming dry air when the filter unit (24, 24') is inserted into the filter unit seat (22).

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit (24, 24') comprises a filter body comprising two body shells (32, 34; 32', 34'), wherein the two body shells are adapted to be connected or closed to each other for inserting the filter unit into its operating position in the filter unit seat (22), and to be opened or at least partly separated from each other for filter cleaning.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filter unit (24, 24') comprises a housing (28, 28') adapted to at least partially receive the at least one handle element (30, 30') in the rest position (I) and a pivot bearing (56, 56') adapted to support the at least one handle element along a movement path between the rest position (I) and the operating position (II), and wherein:

the receiving portion (28) and the pivotally supporting portion are arranged at a first one of the body shells, or

A first part of the receiving portion is arranged at a first body shell of the body shells and the pivotally supporting portion and a second part of the receiving portion are arranged at a second body shell, or

The receiving portion is arranged substantially at a first one of the body shells and the pivotally supporting portion is arranged at a second body shell.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the filter unit (24, 24') further comprises:

a locking element (70, 72; 70', 72'), the locking element (70, 72; 70', 72') being adapted to releasably connect the body shells (32, 34; 32', 34') to each other in a connected or closed state, and

a user-operable actuation element (70a, 70a '), the user-operable actuation element (70a, 70a') being adapted to unlock a locked state of the locking element,

wherein the actuation element is arranged at an area of the receptacle (28, 28') adapted to receive the at least one handle element (30, 30'), or wherein the actuation element is arranged outside the area of the receptacle adapted to receive the at least one handle element.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one grip element is rotatably arranged at the first of the two body shells and the user-operable actuation element is arranged at the first body shell,

wherein the user-operable actuation element is arranged at a distance from an axis of rotation (58) of the at least one handle element, and

wherein, when the filter unit is retained at the at least one handle element, the rotational degree of freedom of the at least one handle element is such as to cause the handle element to rotate relative to the first body shell when pressure acts on the user-operable actuation element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one grip element is rotatably arranged at the first of the two body shells and the user-operable actuation element is arranged at the first body shell,

wherein, when the filter unit (24, 24') is retained at the at least one handle element, the rotational degree of freedom of the at least one handle element is such as to prevent rotation of the handle element relative to the first body shell when pressure acts on the user-operable actuation element.

13. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 9-12, further comprising one or more internal filter frames or first and second internal body shells arranged in an internal space of the filter unit (24, 24'), which internal space is provided between the insides of the first and second body shells (32, 32', 34') when the first and second body shells are in their closed state.

14. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims 9-12, wherein the filter unit is characterized by one or more of the following:

a) a joint (46) is formed between the surface portion of the first body shell and the surface portion of the second body shell at the upper surface, and the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell, and a rotational axis (58) of the at least one handle element is arranged close to a side wall of the first body shell at the surface portion of the first body shell and spaced apart from the joint (46),

b) the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and the surface portion of the first body shell is smaller than the surface portion of the second body shell, an

c) A receptacle for receiving the at least one handle element in the rest position (I) is arranged in or substantially in a surface portion of the second body shell.

15. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims 9-12, wherein the filter unit is characterized by one or more of the following:

a) a joint (46) is formed at the upper surface between the surface portion of the first body shell and the surface portion of the second body shell, and the at least one handle element is arranged at the first body shell and a rotational axis (58) of the at least one handle element is arranged close to the joint (46),

c) A receptacle for receiving the at least one handle element in the rest position (I) is arranged in or substantially in the surface portion of the first body shell.

16. A method for removing a filter unit (24, 24') from a laundry drying appliance according to any of the preceding claims, said method comprising the steps of:

opening a door (14) arranged at a cabinet (4) of the laundry drying appliance, thereby providing access to a loading opening (12) arranged at the cabinet (4),

moving at least one handle element (30, 30') movably arranged at a grip portion of the filter unit (24, 24') from an idle position (I) to an operating position (II),

grasping the at least one handle element (30, 30'),

-lifting the filter unit (24, 24') at the at least one handle element in the operating position (II) and thereby pulling the filter unit out of a filter unit seat (22), wherein the filter unit seat (22) is arranged at, upstream or in the air passage of the apparatus.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the laundry drying appliance is a condensation dryer or a ventilation dryer.