Dryer Drain Pump Shaft Shield for Lint Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In clothes dryers, lint accumulation on the lint filter assembly can lead to air flow obstruction, increased power consumption, and potential fire hazards, while the drain pump clogs due to foreign substances, causing operational issues and damage.
Innovation Solution
A lint filter cleaner system with a drain pump design that includes a cleaning water supply unit and a drain pump assembly with a specific impeller shape and shaft shield to minimize clogging, using a blower and exhaust duct system to filter and remove lint with cleaning water, preventing foreign substances from blocking the drain pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is sprayed through nozzles to remove lint from the lint filter assembly, then lint removal effectiveness is improved, but foreign substances may block the suction hole or be wound around the impeller, causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A screen is introduced as an intermediary component between the suction hole and the impeller. The screen captures foreign substances before they can reach the impeller, preventing clogging while allowing water and lint to be effectively removed. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by filtering harmful particles without impeding the overall drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pump structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a suction hole for water intake, a screen for foreign substance filtration, and an impeller for water propulsion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the screen handles particle separation while the impeller focuses on fluid movement, preventing interference between these functions.
2Productivity
If the drain pump operates continuously to remove lint and water, then lint removal efficiency is improved, but the load on the drain pump increases, potentially damaging the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The screen acts as a protective intermediary that prevents foreign substances from reaching and damaging the impeller. By filtering out lint and other particles before they can cause mechanical damage, the screen extends the pump's operational life while allowing continuous high-efficiency operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen provides beforehand protection by capturing foreign substances before they can cause damage to the impeller. This preventive measure cushions the impeller against potential harm, allowing the pump to operate continuously at high efficiency without compromising durability.
3Ease of operation
If lint accumulates on the lint filter assembly, then the lint filter needs frequent cleaning, but frequent disassembly and reassembly increases time consumption and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning by using water spray to automatically remove lint from the filter assembly. The drain pump then automatically drains the dirty water and discharges it outside, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and reassembly. This automation reduces both time consumption and operational complexity while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
Water spray and hydraulic drainage are used to automate the cleaning process. The water spray removes lint from the filter, and the drain pump hydraulically transports and discharges the dirty water. This hydraulic system replaces manual cleaning operations, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 system effectively prevents lint and foreign substance clogging in the drain pump, reducing power consumption and preventing damage, while ensuring efficient lint removal and maintaining dryer performance.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller including a hub, an impeller shaft extending from a center of the hub and connected to a rotational shaft of the pump motor, and a blade extending from an outer circumferential surface of the impeller shaft
Implementation Method 2
a pump case coupled to a bottom surface of the housing. The pump case may have a suction hole to suction in cleaning water
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pump and a clothes dryer having a drain pump are provided. The drain pump may include a pump motor; an impeller including a hub, an impeller shaft that extends from a center of the hub and is connected to a rotational shaft of the pump motor, and at least one blade that extends from an outer circumferential surface of the impeller shaft; a housing including an impeller hole, through which the impeller may pass, and a space in which the pump motor may be accommodated; and a pump case coupled to a bottom surface of the housing. The pump case may have a suction hole to suction in cleaning water. The suction hole may be defined at a position corresponding to the impeller, and the pump case may include a shaft shield that extends from an edge of the suction hole in a central direction of the suction hole or toward a central portion of the suction hole to cover a lower end of the impeller shaft.