Laundry care machine with a thermal insulation part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry care machines with high-temperature units face challenges in thermal insulation due to poor thermal resistance, requiring complex installation processes for thermal insulation pads, which often result in incorrect placement and increased operational steps.

Innovation Solution

A thermal insulation system comprising two adjacently disposed pads connected by a girder, allowing for simple alignment and installation by pushing the pads into a gap, with elastic properties to facilitate easy matching and reduced tolerance requirements, and made from integrally formed plastic components with coaxial holes for secure fixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two independent thermal insulation pads are used, then thermal insulation coverage is improved, but installation complexity increases due to multiple separate operations and difficult alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation coverageVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate thermal insulation pads into a single integrated assembly with a common base. The first and second thermal insulation pads are mounted on the same base structure, allowing them to be installed as one unit rather than two separate components, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining complete thermal insulation coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal insulation assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones with the first thermal insulation pad covering one area and the second thermal insulation pad covering another area, while both are integrated on a common base. This segmentation allows targeted insulation where needed while maintaining a unified installation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If connection parts such as bolts are used to fix thermal insulation pads, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but installation time and operational steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection parts are integrated into the base structure itself rather than being separate components. The base includes built-in positioning features and connection elements that automatically align and secure both thermal insulation pads during a single installation operation, eliminating the need for separate bolting steps for each pad.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base structure incorporates self-aligning and self-securing features that automatically position the thermal insulation pads correctly during installation. The integrated design allows the assembly to self-align with the heating unit and secure itself in one operation without requiring multiple manual positioning and fastening steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If thermal insulation pads are incorrectly located, then installation reliability deteriorates, but correction becomes difficult due to fixed connection parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidease of correction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation assembly incorporates flexible or adjustable connection mechanisms that allow for minor position adjustments after initial installation. The integrated base design enables the entire assembly to be repositioned as a unit if misalignment is detected, rather than being permanently fixed in an incorrect position by rigid separate fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Since both thermal insulation pads are integrated on a common base, any positioning error affects the entire assembly uniformly. This allows the installer to detect and correct misalignment by adjusting the whole unit together before final securing, rather than dealing with independently fixed pads where correction of one would require removing others.

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

Enables efficient and straightforward installation of thermal insulation pads, reducing material usage and enhancing air thermal performance while maintaining effective heat insulation between high-temperature components and components with poor thermal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the girder has elasticity, so that the first thermal insulation pad and the second thermal insulation pad can relatively open along a second side opposite to the first side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a thermal insulation unit is always required to prevent a heating unit from directly touching the component whose thermal resistance is relatively poor, and to insulate heat transfer, thereby avoiding heat loss

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3296451B1Laundry care machine with a thermal insulation part
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3296451B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A thermal insulation part (10) configured for a laundry care machine is provided, including: a first thermal insulation pad (11), a second thermal insulation pad (12), and a girder (13) connecting the first thermal insulation pad (11) to the second thermal insulation pad (12), where the first thermal insulation pad (11) is disposed opposite to the second thermal insulation pad (12), and the first thermal insulation pad (11) and the second thermal insulation pad (12) have a gap (14) that can accommodate at least a part of a thermal insulated part. A laundry care machine is provided, including: a first thermal insulated part and a second thermal insulated part that are adjacently disposed, where a thermal insulation part (10) is installed on the first thermal insulated part, and the second thermal insulation pad (12) separates the first thermal insulated part from the second thermal insulated part.