Water-conducting domestic appliance and pump device for a water-conducting domestic appliance, method for operating such a pump device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, face challenges in achieving precise dosing of additives and analysis substances during operation, with existing technologies struggling to accurately measure and distribute these substances effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modular pump device with a pump chamber having multiple inlets and outlets, equipped with actuators and sensors, allows for precise control and analysis of liquid properties, enabling the addition and mixing of additives or analysis substances, and features a peristaltic pumping mechanism using electroactive polymers for efficient and compact operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate dosing device is used to add additives to the washing process, then the functionality to add substances is achieved, but precise dosing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dosing function with the pump device by integrating a reservoir chamber and dosing mechanism into the existing pump structure. The pump chamber serves dual purposes: pumping water and dosing additives. This merging eliminates the need for a completely separate dosing device while achieving precise dosing through controlled injection timing and dosage adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a water pump and an additive dosing device. The same pump chamber and actuator system are used for both pumping water from the drum and injecting additives into the washing process. This universal design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precise dosing capability through integrated control.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and actuators are added to the pump chamber for precise control and analysis, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: a pumping region for water circulation and a reservoir chamber for additive storage and dosing. Sensors and actuators are strategically placed in specific segments - sensors monitor liquid properties in the pump chamber while actuators control additive injection from the reservoir. This segmentation allows precise control and analysis without requiring all components to be present simultaneously, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump chamber acts as an intermediary space where water from the drum mixes with additives from the reservoir chamber. Sensors in the pump chamber detect liquid properties (contamination, composition) and provide feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts actuator positioning to control additive injection. This intermediary role of the pump chamber enables precise measurement and control while keeping the sensor and actuator systems relatively simple.
3Device complexity
If a peristaltic pumping mechanism using electroactive polymers is used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the pumping action must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pumping mechanisms (motors, drives, gears) with a peristaltic pumping mechanism using electroactive polymers. These polymers change shape in response to electrical signals, creating a squeezing action that moves liquid through the pump chamber. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical transmission components, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable pumping action through direct electrical-to-mechanical conversion at the polymer level.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymers change their physical parameters (shape, volume, stiffness) in response to applied electrical voltage. By controlling the voltage parameters, the pump can reliably adjust its pumping action, flow rate, and direction. This parameter-based control provides reliable pumping performance while keeping the mechanical structure simple, as the polymers themselves perform the mechanical work through their electro-mechanical transformation.
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
Enables precise dosing and analysis of additives or contaminants in the liquid, improving the efficiency and accuracy of treatment processes in household appliances, reducing mechanical complexity and enhancing reliability by eliminating the need for additional motors or drives.
Implementation Method 1
The pump device has at least one actuator (22) arranged on the pump chamber (16) to enable the pump device (14) to pump liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pump device (14, 114, 214) for a water-bearing household appliance such as a washing machine (11) or a dishwasher has a pump chamber (16, 116, 216) with at least two inlets (17, 18, 117, 118, 217, 218). and a plurality of actuators (22a, 22b) on or in the pump chamber for pumping liquid in at least one direction. At least one sensor (28) is provided on or in the pump chamber for determining the contents and/or properties of the liquid in the pump chamber. A storage chamber (16, 116, 216) is connected to an inlet of the pump chamber and contains additives and/or analysis substances for the liquid.