Laundry Pump Flow Path Selection Using Diaphragm Valve to Reduce Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies due to separate motors for circulation and drainage pumps, leading to increased size, flow resistance, and difficulty in shielding flow passages, which affects pump efficiency and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a flow path selection part that uses one motor and impeller to serve as both circulation and drainage pump, featuring a diaphragm that deforms to selectively open and close passages, minimizing size and flow resistance, and facilitating communication between the exterior and interior of the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate motors are used for circulation pump and drain pump, then pump functions are achieved, but installation space is limited and cost efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulation pump and drain pump into a single integrated pump unit with one motor and one impeller. The pump housing includes a flow path selection part that directs water flow to different outlets based on operational mode, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing installation space while maintaining both circulation and drainage functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump unit is designed to perform multiple functions - both circulation and drainage - through a flow path selection mechanism. The pump can switch between circulating water back to the tub or draining water to the exterior, making one pump serve universal purposes that previously required two separate pumps.
2Volume of stationary object
If one motor and impeller are used for both circulation and drainage, then space and cost efficiency improve, but water may flow backwards to unwanted flow channels
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is segmented into distinct flow channels - a circulation flow passage and a drain flow passage - that are physically separated. The flow path selection part includes a valve structure that selectively shields one passage while opening the other, ensuring water flows only to the intended destination and preventing backward flow to unwanted channels.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve structure acts as an intermediary mechanism within the flow path selection part. This valve selectively opens or shields the circulation and drain flow passages based on operational requirements, controlling water flow direction and preventing it from entering unwanted flow channels while maintaining reliable function switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drain flow passage and circulation flow passage are arranged in parallel with discharge pipe, then pump functions are achieved, but overall pump size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation flow passage and drain flow passage are arranged in a nested or integrated configuration within the pump housing rather than as separate parallel external components. The flow path selection part is integrated into the pump housing structure, allowing both flow passages to coexist within the same pump volume, thereby minimizing the overall pump size while maintaining functional versatility.
4Reliability
If valve shields entire drain flow passage and circulation flow passage, then flow direction control is achieved, but flow resistance increases and shielding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large valve to shield entire flow passages, the invention employs a valve structure that selectively shields specific portions or sections of the circulation and drain flow passages. This localized shielding approach reduces flow resistance by maintaining open flow paths where not needed while providing effective direction control, and simplifies the valve structure by reducing its overall size and complexity.
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 solution enables efficient operation by reducing flow resistance, preventing backflow, and minimizing the pump's size, thereby enhancing overall efficiency and space utilization while preventing damage from the drum.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm (60) disposed inside the flow channel body to divide the drain flow passage and the circulation flow passage from each other, wherein the diaphragm (60) closes the drain flow passage or closes the circulation flow passage according to a rotation direction of the impeller (537)
Implementation Method 2
a impeller (537) disposed inside the pump housing (53) to pump the water introduced into the pump housing (53)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a flow path selection part disposed in a pump disposed in a laundry treating apparatus. The flow path selection part includes a flow channel body including a drain flow passage having a drain inlet hole in communication with a first inlet and a drain outlet hole in communication with a first outlet defined therein, and a circulation flow passage having a circulation inlet hole in communication with a second inlet and a circulation outlet hole in communication with a second outlet defined therein, and a diaphragm accommodated inside the flow channel body to divide the drain flow passage and the circulation flow passage from each other, wherein the diaphragm closes the drain flow passage or closes the circulation flow passage based on a rotation direction of an impeller, and a direction from the drain inlet hole to the drain outlet hole is inclined with an extension direction of the first discharge pipe, and a direction from the circulation inlet hole to the circulation outlet hole is inclined with an extension direction of the second discharge pipe. Thus, a size of the pump itself may be minimized. In addition, during installation, contact with other components is prevented, so that damage to the pump and other components may be prevented as much as possible.