Bearing component for flow sensor, flow measuring unit, and domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow sensors in domestic appliances, particularly those with fiber-reinforced plastic housings, experience high abrasion and reduced service life due to exposure to poor-quality water, especially with high chloride content.
Innovation Solution
A bearing component is introduced for the flow sensor, featuring elastic arms with spaced second bearings that securely hold the impeller, allowing it to be mounted independently of the appliance housing, using materials like polyketone to resist abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the flow sensor is mounted directly in the housing made of fiber-reinforced plastic, then the assembly is simple and direct, but the flow sensor experiences high abrasion and reduced service life due to poor-quality water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bearing component as an intermediary element between the flow sensor and the housing. This bearing component has a bearing shell that receives the flow sensor and is mounted in the housing, thereby preventing direct contact between the flow sensor and the abrasive housing material. The bearing component acts as a mediator that protects the flow sensor from abrasion while maintaining the structural connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the mounting structure into separate functional components: the housing, the bearing component (with bearing shell), and the flow sensor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the housing provides structural support, the bearing component provides low-friction support and protection, and the flow sensor performs measurement without direct contact with abrasive surfaces.
2Strength
If fiber-reinforced plastic is used for the housing to obtain material advantages, then the housing has good mechanical properties, but the fibers are dislodged by poor-quality water causing high abrasion of the flow sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing component serves as an intermediary that prevents the flow sensor from contacting the fiber-reinforced plastic housing directly. The bearing shell, made of abrasion-resistant material, interfaces with the flow sensor while the bearing component as a whole is mounted in the housing, thus isolating the flow sensor from the harmful dislodged fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing component can be designed as a sacrificial element that protects the more valuable flow sensor. While the bearing component may experience wear, it is easier to replace than the flow sensor and protects the sensor from direct exposure to abrasive conditions caused by dislodged fibers.
3Ease of operation
If the bearing component uses elastic arms to allow insertion of the flow sensor, then assembly is simplified, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing component incorporates elastic arms that can dynamically change their configuration - they can be flexed outward to increase the distance between bearings for easy insertion of the flow sensor, and then return to their original position to securely hold the sensor. This dynamic behavior simplifies assembly while the elastic property itself is a single integrated feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms allow the distance between the two bearings to be changed - increased during insertion to accommodate the flow sensor, and then reduced to the normal operating distance for secure mounting. This parameter change is achieved through the elastic deformation of the arms, providing ease of assembly without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 bearing component enhances the durability and longevity of the flow sensor by preventing direct contact with the housing, reducing abrasion, and simplifying assembly, while maintaining reliable support and rotation functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one arm of the bearing component being elastic, such that a distance between the second bearings can be increased in order to insert the flow sensor between the second bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing component of a flow sensor of a domestic appliance has a rotary axle which, in the installed state, is oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to a flow direction of a fluid channel of the domestic appliance. The flow sensor has a first bearing at each of the opposing ends of the rotary axle, two opposing second bearings being contained in the bearing component. The two second bearings are spaced apart from one another in such a way that, in one state of the bearing component, they are engaged with the first bearings of the flow sensor, at least one arm of the bearing component being elastic, so that a distance between the second bearings can be increased in order to insert the flow sensor between the second bearings.