Water-guiding household device with a pump with a valve function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing household appliances, such as dishwashers, have complex structures in their drain pump systems, which complicate the controlled opening and closing of valves, leading to inefficient drainage and potential flow issues.
Innovation Solution
A simplified drain pump system with an axially movable valve body integrated with the impeller, operated by a motor that changes direction to control valve opening and closing, eliminating the need for venting and allowing for efficient drainage without additional mechanical aids, using brushless DC or AC motors for sensorless speed detection and quick rotation direction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate valve assembly and venting system are added to the drain pump, then the valve function and flow control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve body with the impeller into a single integrated component. The valve body is formed as an extension of the impeller structure, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies and reducing the number of parts. This merging of functions allows the impeller to serve dual purposes: pumping fluid and controlling valve operation through its axial displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the pumping element and the valve body. By integrating the valve function into the impeller structure, a single component achieves what previously required multiple separate parts, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining reliable valve operation.
2Reliability
If spring means or electromagnets are used as actuators for valve displacement, then the valve function is achieved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the motor's bidirectional rotation capability to directly control the valve position without requiring additional actuators like springs or electromagnets. The motor serves itself by utilizing its existing rotational motion in reverse directions to drive the threaded spindle, which in turn controls the valve body's axial displacement. This eliminates the need for separate energy-consuming actuating mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If a threaded spindle transmission is used to convert rotary motion to linear valve displacement, then the valve control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded spindle is integrated into the motor shaft structure, forming a unified assembly. This merging of the transmission element with the motor eliminates the need for separate transmission components and reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the precision of linear valve displacement control through the threaded mechanism.
4Device complexity
If the valve body is integrated with the impeller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of independent valve operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve body-impeller assembly is designed to move axially independently along the motor axis while maintaining its structural integration. This dynamic capability allows the valve to open and close independently of the impeller's rotational pumping action, ensuring reliable valve operation even though the components are structurally merged. The axial displacement is controlled through the bidirectional motor rotation acting on the threaded spindle.
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 solution enables controlled and efficient drainage with reduced complexity, energy savings, and increased installation space, while maintaining reliable operation and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The pump (2) has an impeller (14) which is connected to a motor (18) for driving
Implementation Method 2
The transmission (8) has a threaded spindle, which is designed in such a way that the valve body (20) is moved from an open to the closed position depending on a direction of rotation
Implementation Method 3
The pump with a valve can be a drain pump, which is used at the end of a washing process to pump dirty washing liquor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has a pump (2) connected with a pipeline system of the device, where the pump stands in connection with a motor (18) e.g. brushless direct current motor. A valve (4) has an axially movable valve body (20) that is attached at an impeller of the pump, and the motor is operable in two directions. The valve opens or closes in dependent of the directions of rotation of the motor, where the motor stands in effective connection with the valve. The valve body is coaxially movable along a shaft (6) connecting the motor and the pump.