Low-Height Cleaning Diffuser for Even Lint Rinsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diffusers for cleaning fluff-laden components in household appliances, such as heat exchangers, are inefficient in terms of space usage due to their height, which affects their ability to effectively distribute rinsing liquid and remove fluff from the components.

Innovation Solution

A diffuser design with two parallel inflow channels that converge into a spatial cross-connection, creating a dynamic pressure through a constriction in the transverse space, allowing for a low overall height while maintaining effective rinsing liquid distribution and fluff removal, featuring a small-width outlet opening for efficient jet formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the diffuser uses a conventional design with internal structure for generating dynamic pressure, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the overall height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical height-based pressure generation to horizontal width-based pressure generation. The diffuser body is designed with a constricted width section that generates dynamic pressure through horizontal constriction rather than vertical stacking, allowing the same cleaning effectiveness with reduced overall height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the diffuser body, specifically reducing the height parameter while adjusting the width and length parameters. The constricted width section and extended length compensate for the reduced height, maintaining the necessary flow dynamics for effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If the diffuser reduces overall height, then space utilization is improved, but the dynamic pressure generation capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall heightVSAvoiddynamic pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for reduced vertical height by utilizing horizontal dimensions. The constricted width section and extended length create the necessary flow path for dynamic pressure generation, shifting the pressure generation mechanism from vertical to horizontal orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts multiple geometric parameters simultaneously: reducing height while optimizing width constriction and length extension. These parameter changes work together to maintain the flow velocity and pressure dynamics necessary for effective cleaning despite the compact height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 diffuser achieves a favorable cleaning result by generating a dynamic pressure that promotes even distribution and high exit speed of the rinsing liquid, effectively removing fluff with a reduced overall height, suitable for components like heat exchangers in household appliances.

Implementation Method 1

with a dynamic pressure of the rinsing liquid being built up in the diffuser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the constriction provided in this embodiment to build up the dynamic pressure of the liquid is not obtained by a spatial design that affects the overall height of the diffuser, but by a constriction in the transverse space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through constriction: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2593600B1Nozzle for cleaning a component loaded with lint
Publication Date: 2014.03.26 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2593600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2593600B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2593600B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning diffuser (2) for a fluff-laden component (1), in particular in a domestic appliance for caring for articles of laundry, the diffuser (2) being a substantial component of a rinsing arrangement by means of which rinsing fluid (5) can be fed to the component (1) in order to remove the fluff, the diffuser (2) being disposed above the component (1) and in particular being suitable for distributing the rinsing fluid (5) evenly over the blades of the component (1) in order to detach the fluff and carry it away, dynamic pressure building up in the rinsing fluid (5) in the diffuser (2). The diffuser (2) is designed such that, when the rinsing fluid (5) has entered the diffuser (2), it is divided between two feed ducts (9a, 9b) which are at a distance from one another, are substantially parallel and terminate, on the one hand, at the end of the diffuser in a pocket-like wall (10a, 10b) but which, on the other hand, relative to their entire duct length, have a narrow, three-dimensional transverse mutual connection in the form of a transverse chamber (11). At least one narrow outlet opening (14) for distributing the rinsing fluid (5) as required to the fluff-laden component (1) is provided in the direction from the three-dimensional transverse connection to the lower side of the diffuser (2).