Heatable pump housing part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heatable pump housing designs for appliances like washing machines and dishwashers face challenges in effectively coupling thermosensitive circuit elements for temperature control and monitoring, particularly in preventing overheating and ensuring efficient thermal conductivity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a tubular heating element thermally coupled to separate carrier parts, with a first thermosensitive circuit element connected to both the heating element and the housing for fluid temperature monitoring and a second element only connected to the heating element for rapid overheating shutdown, utilizing soldering and air gaps for differential thermal coupling, and fastening means like rivets or bends for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If thermosensitive circuit elements are directly attached to the housing part, then mechanical connection is simplified, but thermal coupling between circuit elements cannot be differentiated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical connection complexityVSAvoidthermal coupling differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the thermal coupling system into separate carrier parts (first carrier part and second carrier part) that are thermally isolated from each other. Each carrier part independently couples to the heating element, enabling differentiated thermal responses for the temperature controller and temperature fuse without requiring complex mechanical attachment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces carrier parts as intermediary components between the housing part and the thermosensitive circuit elements. These carrier parts mediate the thermal coupling, allowing the temperature controller to have dual thermal paths (direct to heating element and indirect via housing) while the temperature fuse has a single thermal path (direct to heating element only).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the temperature controller is thermally coupled to both the heating element and housing part, then fluid temperature monitoring is improved, but thermal response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid temperature monitoring accuracyVSAvoidthermal response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different thermal coupling configurations to different circuit elements based on their specific functions. The temperature controller is given dual thermal coupling (to heating element and housing part) for accurate fluid temperature monitoring, while the temperature fuse is given single thermal coupling (to heating element only) for rapid thermal response. Each element's thermal characteristics are locally optimized for its function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If the temperature fuse is thermally coupled only to the heating element, then rapid overheating detection is achieved, but thermal stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheating detection speedVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thermal coupling configuration of the temperature fuse by coupling it only to the heating element through the second carrier part. This provides rapid overheating detection speed while the housing part's thermal mass nearby provides passive thermal stability without direct thermal coupling that would slow response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances temperature control and monitoring by allowing for precise switching based on fluid temperature while ensuring quick overheating protection, reducing thermal coupling and mechanical connections, and eliminating the need for additional fastening components.

Implementation Method 1

a first thermosensitive circuit element is arranged on a first carrier part thermally conductively coupled to the tubular heating element and a second thermosensitive circuit element is arranged on a second carrier part thermally conductively coupled to the tubular heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A good thermally conductive coupling can be achieved by soldering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 3

contact with the housing part on which the tubular heating element is arranged is prevented by an air gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3441620B1Heatable pump housing part
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 FRITZ EICHENAUER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3441620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3441620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3441620B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A heated pump housing part (1) is described, comprising a tubular heating element (2) which is thermally coupled to the housing part (1), in particular soldered onto the housing part (1), and a thermosensitive circuit element (7a) which is attached to a carrier part (6a) that is thermally coupled to the tubular heating element (2), wherein the carrier part (6a) bears against the tubular heating element (2) and against the housing part (1) to which the tubular heating element (2) is connected. According to the invention, a second thermosensitive circuit element (7b) is attached to a second carrier part (6b) that is thermally coupled to the tubular heating element (2).