Fluid circulation pump adapted to a household appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid circulation pumps integrated with heating devices in household appliances face challenges in compact design, maintenance accessibility, and flexibility in hydraulic characteristics, often resulting in pressure losses and inefficient heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

A fluid circulation pump design featuring a heating device inserted inside the hydraulic body, supported by a ring-shaped projection, with a conducting element in thermal contact, and a modular capsule system that allows modification of hydraulic characteristics and heat transfer surfaces, enabling easy assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the heating device is integrated into the hydraulic body as in prior art, then the pump structure is compact, but the heating device and motor become difficult to maintain separately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump compactnessVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is segmented from the motor body and integrated only into the hydraulic body, allowing the motor and heating device to be maintained separately while keeping the overall pump compact. The heating device can be accessed and replaced without disassembling the motor assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the heating device is fixed to the hydraulic body as in prior art, then the structure is simple, but the hydraulic characteristics cannot be easily modified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidhydraulic characteristics flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic body is designed with a modular structure that allows the heating device to be positioned at different locations and orientations. The ring-shaped projection provides flexible mounting options, enabling the pump to be adapted for different hydraulic requirements without redesigning the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the heating device is placed on the outer surface of the pump housing as in prior art, then assembly is simple, but pressure losses increase and heat transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidpressure losses and heat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is nested inside the hydraulic body, positioned within the water flow path. This internal placement ensures that heated water is directly circulated through the system, minimizing pressure losses and maximizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining simple assembly through the ring-shaped projection mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design achieves a compact pump with minimal pressure losses, allowing for customizable hydraulic performance and improved maintenance accessibility, ensuring efficient water heating and distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a conducting element in thermal contact with the heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2221485B1Fluid circulation pump adapted to a household appliance
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 COPRECI S COOP
  • EP2221485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2221485B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2221485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Fluid circulation pump adapted to a household appliance, comprising a motor (2) that is attached to a motor body (15), a hydraulic body (10) that is fixed to the motor body (15), an impeller (6) operated by the motor (2) and which is housed inside the hydraulic body (10), and a heating device (8) for the incoming water, the heating device (8) comprising at least one heating element (22) and a conducting element (23) in thermal contact with the heating element (22). The heating device (8) is arranged inserted in the inside of the hydraulic body (10). The fluid circulation pump (1) comprises a capsule (12) that is attached to the motor body (15) and which delimits along with the heating device (8), an impeller chamber (13), the impeller (6) being housed in the impeller chamber (13).