Water recirculation assembly for a laundry appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry appliances often rely on bellows that wear down over time and require frequent cleaning to maintain functionality and cleanliness, lacking efficient water recirculation systems.
Innovation Solution
A water recirculation assembly comprising a first tube coupled to a pump and a second tube connected to the door, with a gap between them, facilitating the distribution of liquid directly into the drum, eliminating the need for bellows and enhancing liquid distribution and appliance cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bellows are used for water recirculation, then liquid can be circulated, but the bellows wear down over time and require frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bellows component from the system and replaces it with a bellowsless water recirculation assembly. The recirculation system now uses direct tub-to-drum connections without the intermediate bellows structure, eliminating the component that required frequent cleaning and wear maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water recirculation assembly as an intermediary system between the tub and drum. This assembly includes a pump and circulation pathway that moves water directly without requiring the bellows structure, thereby mediating the water transfer function while avoiding the maintenance issues of bellows.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If bellows are used for water distribution, then liquid can be delivered to the drum, but the system requires frequent cleaning to maintain cleanliness
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows component is completely removed from the water distribution system. The new design uses direct water recirculation pathways from the tub through the drum without the bellows structure, eliminating the source of contamination and cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The water recirculation assembly enables the system to maintain its own cleanliness by circulating water through the drum and tub without requiring external cleaning intervention. The continuous circulation prevents stagnation and reduces the need for manual cleaning operations.
3Ease of operation
If a water recirculation assembly with tubes is used, then liquid distribution is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water recirculation assembly performs multiple functions: it circulates water from the tub to the drum, distributes liquid evenly through the manifold apertures, and eliminates the need for separate bellows components. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural elements by consolidating multiple operations into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold tube incorporates apertures that function as a porous distribution structure, allowing water to be delivered through multiple openings along the tube length. This approach improves liquid distribution efficiency by creating numerous flow paths while using a relatively simple tubular component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The water recirculation assembly improves liquid distribution and extends the appliance's useful life by directly dispensing liquid into the drum, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintaining high cleanliness standards.
Implementation Method 1
A water recirculation assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet and the door and is disposed proximate to the tub. The water recirculation assembly includes a first tube that is attached to the cabinet and is operably coupled to the pump
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A laundry appliance (10) includes a cabinet (12) that includes a pump (14). A drum (22) is disposed within the cabinet (12) and a tub (24) is operably coupled to the drum (22) and is disposed proximate to the cabinet (12). A water recirculation assembly (26) is operably coupled to the pump (14). The water recirculation assembly (26) includes a first tube (28) that is operably coupled to the pump (14) within the cabinet (12), a second tube (30) that is fluidly coupled to the first tube (28), and a gap (32) that is defined between the first tube (28) and the second tube (30).