Drain Pump Air Venting Through the Drain Line in Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face issues with air accumulation in the drain pump compartment, leading to performance degradation and abnormal noise due to inefficient air discharge, which affects the drain pump's efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an air passage system with an air outlet port positioned at the upper side of the drain pump compartment, connected to a drain hose with an air inlet port, allows for effective air removal by leveraging pressure differences created during the washing water discharge process, enhancing air discharge efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air outlet port is provided to discharge air from the drain pump compartment, then air discharge function is improved, but the position adjustment and discharge efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a separate air discharge path that branches from the drain line, creating a new spatial dimension for air removal. Instead of relying solely on the traditional air outlet port connected through a hose to the tub, the air passage provides a direct route from the drain pump compartment through the drain line to the external environment, enabling more efficient air discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain line serves as an intermediary component that dual-functions: it transports washing water from the drain pump compartment while simultaneously serving as a conduit for air discharge through the integrated air passage. This mediator approach allows air to be discharged through the existing drain line infrastructure, improving efficiency without requiring completely separate discharge mechanisms.
2Reliability
If air is discharged to the tub side through the air outlet port and hose, then air discharge is achieved, but discharge efficiency is reduced due to position constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the air discharge function from the water discharge function by providing a separate air passage that branches from the drain line. This segmentation allows air to be discharged independently through a dedicated path, improving discharge efficiency by eliminating the constraints of the traditional hose-based system that relies on specific positional relationships with the tub.
3Reliability
If the air outlet port position is adjusted to discharge air, then air discharge is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain line is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a water discharge conduit and as an air passage. By integrating the air discharge function into the existing drain line infrastructure through a branching air passage, the invention eliminates the need for separate air outlet ports and hoses, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining air discharge capability.
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 ensures efficient air discharge from the drain pump, reducing vibration and noise while improving the overall efficiency of the drain pump operation.
Implementation Method 1
allows for effective air removal by leveraging pressure differences created during the washing water discharge process
Data Source
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AI summary
A drain pump (100a) capable of easily discharging air in the drain pump, and a washing machine (1) having the same. The drain pump (100a) includes a washing water inlet compartment (111), a drain pump compartment (120) configured to pump washing water contained in the washing water inlet compartment (111) to an outside, a suction port (123) provided between the washing water inlet compartment (111) and the drain pump compartment (120)to move the washing water from the washing water inlet compartment to the drain pump compartment, a drain line (124, 60a) to connect the drain pump compartment to an outside to discharge the washing water, and an air outlet port (160) provided on the drain pump compartment to discharge air contained in the drain pump compartment to an outside, wherein the air outlet port is connected to the drain line.