Drain Pump Air Discharge Layout for Quieter Washing Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine drain pumps experience noise and performance issues due to air introduction during water pumping, which can deteriorate the impeller and cause malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A drain pump design with a partition between the wash water inlet and drain pump chambers, featuring an air discharge path located higher than the wash water suction port, and a wash water outlet port positioned close to the air discharge path to directly discharge air, minimizing its presence in the drain pump chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If air is introduced into the drain pump during wash water pumping, then the pump can handle air-containing wash water, but the impeller performance deteriorates and abnormal noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is segmented into distinct chambers: a wash water inlet chamber, a drain pump chamber, and an air discharge chamber separated by a partition. This segmentation allows air and wash water to be handled in separate zones, preventing air from directly contacting the impeller while maintaining the ability to pump air-containing wash water.
Solution Approach 2:
Air is extracted from the wash water stream before it reaches the impeller. The air discharge path provides a separate extraction route that removes air from the air discharge chamber, preventing it from entering the drain pump chamber and contacting the impeller, thus protecting impeller performance while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If a separate air discharge pipe is added to discharge air from the drain pump, then air can be discharged effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge function is merged with the existing pump housing structure. The partition and air discharge path utilize the existing pump case geometry, combining air discharge capability with the pump housing without requiring a separate air discharge pipe or additional external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as the structural enclosure and as the air discharge system. The partition and air discharge path enable the housing to perform both containment and air evacuation functions, eliminating the need for dedicated separate air discharge piping.
3Reliability
If the air discharge path is located higher than the wash water suction port, then air can be discharged more effectively, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air discharge path is positioned at a higher elevation than the wash water suction port, utilizing gravitational potential difference to facilitate natural air discharge. This elevation-based design creates equipotential conditions where air, being less dense, naturally rises and discharges through the higher air discharge path without requiring additional mechanical assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge problem is solved by transitioning from a horizontal to a vertical dimension. By positioning the air discharge path at a higher vertical level than the wash water suction port, the design exploits the vertical dimension and gravitational field to achieve effective air discharge while integrating smoothly into the partition structure.
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
This configuration reduces noise generation and prevents air from affecting the impeller, enhancing the drain pump's performance and reliability by ensuring efficient air discharge without additional components like separate air discharge pipes.
Implementation Method 1
the wash water suction port and the air discharge path may be formed at the partition... allow the wash water of the wash water inlet chamber to be introduced into the drain pump chamber by suction force of the impeller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a drain pump of a washing machine to reduce generation of noise. The drain pump includes a pump case in which a wash water inlet chamber and a drain pump chamber are defined, a wash water inlet port formed at the pump case, to allow wash water to be introduced into the wash water inlet chamber, a wash water outlet port formed at the pump case, to allow the wash water to be discharged from the drain pump chamber, a wash water suction port arranged between the wash water inlet chamber and the drain pump chamber, and an air discharge path arranged at a distance from the wash water suction port between the wash water inlet chamber and the drain pump chamber to allow air inside the wash water inlet chamber to be discharged through the wash water outlet port.