Household appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and increased manufacturing costs of household laundry treatment appliances arise from the need to connect multiple components for draining and filtering washing liquid in a small spatial region, leading to assembly difficulties and higher failure probabilities.

Innovation Solution

A common assembly housing integrates the connections for draining and filtering, including a pump, filter, air chamber, and drain hose, allowing for easier installation and maintenance, with a filter assembly that includes a floating valve body and grid for retaining fluff and dirt, and a recirculation pump for efficient liquid management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple components (pump, filter, air chamber, drain hose) are connected in a small spatial region, then draining and filtering functionalities are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedraining and filtering functionalitiesVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pump, filter, air chamber, and drain hose connections into a single integrated filter assembly housing. This merging of multiple components into one modular unit reduces the number of separate connections needed in the small spatial region, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining all necessary draining and filtering functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly is designed as a separable modular unit that can be easily detached and reattached. This segmentation allows the entire assembly to be installed as one unit rather than connecting multiple components individually, reducing assembly steps and potential failure points while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple components are connected in a small spatial region, then draining and filtering functionalities are achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedraining and filtering functionalitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the pump, filter, air chamber, and drain hose connections into a single integrated housing, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs through reduced part counts and simplified production processes while maintaining all required functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated filter assembly housing serves multiple functions simultaneously - it houses the pump, contains the filter, provides air chamber connection, and manages drain hose connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while achieving reliable draining and filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integrated solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces complexity, and enhances the reliability of the water liquid circuit, making maintenance easier and assembly more cost-effective while ensuring efficient draining and filtering functionalities.

Implementation Method 1

a filter assembly (80) comprising an assembly housing (86), a tub inlet (102) fluidly connected to the tub outlet (360), an air chamber inlet (130) fluidly connected to the air chamber (136), a drain outlet (120) fluidly connected to the drain hose, a filter (92) and a pump (98)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a pump (98), whereby the assembly housing (86) is configured to receive the filter (92) and to get connected to said pump (98)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

an air chamber (136) which is suitable to be associated to water level sensor for measuring the level of said washing liquid in said tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3258002B1Household appliance

Publication Date: 2020.08.05 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

Household appliance (2), comprising a casing (6) in which a tub (30) is arranged, further comprising a drum (36) rotatable mounted in said tub (30), further comprising a tub outlet through which washing liquid can be drained from said tub (30), further comprising an air chamber (136) which is suitable to be associated to water level sensor for measuring the level of said washing liquid in said tub (30), further comprising a drain hose for draining washing liquid to the outside of said appliance (2), whereby a filter assembly (80) is provided comprising: an assembly housing (86), a tub inlet (102) fluidly connected/connectable to said tub outlet, an air chamber (136) inlet fluidly connected/connectable to said air chamber (136), a drain outlet (120) fluidly connected/connectable to said drain hose, said filter assembly (80) further comprising a filter (92) and a pump (98), whereby said assembly housing is configured to receive said filter (92) and to get connected to said pump (98).