Drain Pump Motor Valve Layout for Venturi and Priming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain pumps for home appliances face issues with the Venturi effect and priming problems due to the limitations of traditional anti-return valves, which require additional components like siphon traps and lead to increased motor size and energy consumption when attempting to address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A drain pump design that incorporates actuating means within the motor to block conduits when power is off, using a magnetic field generated by an auxiliary stator to move the impeller and prevent water return, eliminating the need for traditional anti-return valves and siphon traps, and maintaining a compact motor size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional anti-return valve is used to prevent water return, then water return is prevented, but the Venturi effect causes suction of water from the washing chamber and priming problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional anti-return valve from the system entirely. Instead of using a separate valve component, the motor assembly itself performs the anti-return function through its structural design, where the motor housing and mounting arrangement inherently prevent water backflow without requiring additional valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the driving force for the pump while also serving as the anti-return valve. The motor housing and mounting structure are configured to block water return paths, making the motor a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for dedicated anti-return valve hardware.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional elements like siphon traps are used to prevent the Venturi effect, then water suction is prevented, but head loss occurs and air accumulates creating priming problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the siphon trap from the system by implementing the anti-return function directly in the motor assembly. This elimination of the siphon trap prevents the head loss and air accumulation problems that would otherwise occur, as water flow is controlled at the source without requiring downstream trapping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly is designed to prevent water backflow and Venturi effect at the earliest possible point in the system - at the pump inlet. By blocking water return paths right at the motor housing, the invention prevents the conditions that would lead to siphon trap formation and subsequent head loss before they can develop.
3Reliability
If a motor with actuating means to block conduits is used, then anti-return function is achieved, but the motor size increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is designed so that the motor housing and mounting structure serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support and housing for the motor components, while simultaneously functioning as the anti-return valve. This multi-functionality allows the motor to block water return paths without requiring additional actuating means or increasing motor dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the anti-return valve function with the motor assembly structure. The motor housing and mounting arrangement are configured to inherently block water backflow paths, combining what would traditionally be separate components (motor and anti-return valve) into a single integrated assembly that does not increase overall size.
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 effectively prevents water return and priming issues, reducing the need for additional components and maintaining a compact, energy-efficient design by using the motor's actuating means to block conduits and ensure air exit routes, thus addressing the Venturi effect and priming problems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field being generated that keeps said fixed part and said moving part connected or next to each other when there is electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pump for home appliances that includes a motor with a turning shaft, an impeller connected to the turning shaft, and a hydraulic body in which the impeller is housed, the hydraulic body having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The motor includes an actuator to block one of the conduits when the motor is not being powered, the motor itself performing the function of the anti-return valve.