Laundry Rinsing Siphon With Dual Overflows for Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry care appliances face issues with unintentional wetting of laundry due to vibrations and pressure fluctuations, which cause liquid from the steam seal to enter the tub, and the complex production of flush-in arrangements with siphons, particularly when designed as injection molded parts.

Innovation Solution

A flush-in arrangement with a siphon having two overflow levels, where the second overflow level is lower than the first, and an overflow channel with a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet connection, allowing liquid to escape via the second overflow during vibrations, preventing unwanted wetting and simplifying production by using a detachable partition wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the steam seal is filled with water up to overflow at the outlet connection, then the vapor seal function is achieved, but vibrations and pressure fluctuations cause water to unintentionally enter the tub and wet the laundry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor seal functionVSAvoidunintentional wetting of laundry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The siphon is divided into two separate overflow paths: a first overflow (normal operation) and a second overflow (safety overflow). This segmentation allows the system to handle different operational conditions separately, directing excess water through different paths to prevent harmful effects while maintaining the vapor seal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second overflow acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the siphon and the tub. When vibrations or pressure fluctuations cause water level to rise above the first overflow level, the second overflow provides a controlled escape path for the excess water, preventing it from reaching the tub and wetting the laundry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the siphon has only one overflow to the outlet nozzle, then the structure is simple, but liquid cannot escape safely during vibrations or pressure fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesiphon structureVSAvoidliquid containment during vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single overflow is segmented into two distinct overflow paths with different overflow levels. The first overflow handles normal operation, while the second overflow provides a safety mechanism activated only during abnormal conditions such as vibrations or pressure fluctuations, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second overflow is designed as a pre-prepared safety path that activates before water can accidentally enter the tub during vibrations or pressure fluctuations. This beforehand cushioning ensures that excess water is safely diverted through the second overflow before it can cause harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the dividing wall is formed in one piece with the lower part, then the vapor seal is formed, but the production of components becomes very complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor seal formationVSAvoidcomponent production complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dividing wall is separated from the lower part into a distinct, detachable component. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately using simpler processes, while still forming the complete vapor seal when assembled together, thereby improving ease of manufacture without compromising the vapor seal function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable dividing wall introduces flexibility to the assembly process. Instead of a fixed, complex one-piece structure, the modular design allows for easier assembly, disassembly, and manufacturing adjustments, making production more adaptable and less complex while maintaining the integrity of the vapor seal when properly assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively prevents unintentional wetting of laundry during vibrations and pressure fluctuations and simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing for a compact, aeration-based design and easier assembly of the siphon component.

Implementation Method 1

a siphon is formed between the outlet nozzle and a water intake space formed in the lower part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP2906745B1Rinsing arrangement for a household appliance for the care of laundry items, and household appliance for the care of laundry items
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2906745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2906745B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2906745B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a flushing-in arrangement (8) for a household laundry care appliance (1), with a flushing-in bowl (8a), which has an upper part (8b) and a lower part (8c) that can be connected to the upper part, wherein, in the lower part (8c), a water delivery device (8d) with a water-receiving recess, an outlet spout (8e, 8f) on the lower part (8c), which outlet spout opens into the water-receiving recess, a siphon (8n) between the outlet spout (8e, 8f) and a water-receiving chamber (8j) formed in the lower part (8c) are formed, wherein the siphon (8n) has a first overflow to the outlet spout (8f) and a second overflow to a further outlet, particularly a second outlet spout (8e), wherein the overflow level (35) of the first overflow is arranged higher than the overflow level (34) of the second overflow.