Fluid pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical household appliances with pumps, such as dishwashers and washing machines, require separate conveyors for air and water, leading to increased complexity, cost, and space requirements, as well as inefficiencies in heating and drying processes.

Innovation Solution

A pump design that combines water and air conveyance using a single conveyor driven by a speed-controlled motor, with adjustable compressor blades and a heating system that can efficiently heat both air and water, eliminating the need for a separate fan and simplifying the appliance's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate conveyors are used for air and water pumping, then each fluid can be pumped efficiently, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of conveyors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single conveyor that can pump both air and water. The conveyor is configured with a housing that has separate air and water inlets, allowing it to handle different fluids through the same pumping mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate air and water conveyors, reducing device complexity while maintaining pumping capability for both fluids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single conveyor pumps both air and water, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize for each fluid type is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of conveyorsVSAvoidfluid-specific optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the local quality principle by providing different inlet configurations for air and water within the single conveyor housing. The air inlet and water inlet are positioned and configured differently to optimize intake for each specific fluid type, allowing the single conveyor to maintain fluid-specific optimization capabilities while avoiding the need for separate conveyors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If separate air conveyor and water pump are used, then each component can be optimized, but the space requirements and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining the air conveyor and water pump functions into a single integrated conveyor unit. The housing of the conveyor contains both the air inlet and water inlet, and the pumping mechanism serves both functions. This consolidation reduces the overall space requirements compared to having separate air and water pumping components, while maintaining the optimization benefits of dedicated inlet configurations for each fluid type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces component failure risks, lowers costs, and enables a more compact, efficient operation with improved heating and drying capabilities, enhancing the appliance's versatility and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element, which can serve to heat both water and air, extends along the outer circumference of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a pump (12) with a pump housing (13) and a motor (15), in which a conveyor (18) that can convey water and/or air is driven by the drive motor (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2348944B2Fluid pump
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH
  • EP2348944B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2348944B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A pump (12) for a dishwashing machine has a motor (15) and a heater (28) for heating of the fluid upon passage through the pump (12) during conveyance.  The motor drives a conveyor (18).  Pump (12) and conveyor (18) are designed to pump and/or to convey both air and water and also to provide heating, if necessary, for example, of the air for drying of the dishes in the dishwashing machine. Different rated-operating speeds can be used.