Molded Tank Strainer for Ironing Pump Filtration Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household ironing appliances with steam generators are expensive to manufacture due to complex and costly filtration systems, and manual assembly of filters can lead to malfunctions and incorrect assembly risks.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a filtration strainer molded directly into the tank wall during manufacturing, featuring a frustoconical shape with narrow slots for effective filtration, simplifying assembly and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate filter is manually assembled and connected to the pump supply circuit, then filtration of water is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is merged with the tank wall by molding it directly into the suction orifice structure. The filter becomes an integrated part of the tank wall rather than a separate component, eliminating manual assembly steps while maintaining filtration function. This is achieved through co-molding or insert molding techniques during tank manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is pre-formed as an integral part of the tank wall during the molding process. The filtration structure is created in advance as part of the tank manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate filter installation and connection operations during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a separate filter is manually assembled and connected to the pump supply circuit, then filtration of water is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is merged with the tank wall by molding it directly into the suction orifice structure. This integration reduces the total number of parts and eliminates separate filter components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining filtration reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tank wall serves multiple functions: it contains the water reservoir, provides structural support, and incorporates the filtration function through the molded-in filter at the suction orifice. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate filtration components and lowers overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a separate filter is manually assembled and connected to the pump supply circuit, then filtration of water is achieved, but risk of incorrect assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration reliabilityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is merged with the tank wall by molding it directly into the suction orifice structure. This integration eliminates manual assembly operations, thereby completely removing the risk of incorrect assembly while maintaining reliable filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is pre-formed as an integral part of the tank wall during the molding process. This preliminary integration ensures correct positioning and connection of the filtration structure, eliminating assembly errors that could occur with manual installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 provides reliable filtration without manual assembly risks, reduces production costs, and ensures efficient steam generation for effective ironing performance.

Implementation Method 1

the strainer has a body of frustoconical shape comprising slots... the slots have a width of less than 1 mm and preferably of the order of 0.5 mm... Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a sufficiently fine filtration to retain the particles which could damage the pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2937460B1Household ironing appliance comprising a tank and a pump connected to the tank
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 SEB SA
  • EP2937460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2937460B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP2937460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

ironing appliance comprising a reservoir (5) and a pump (6) supplied with liquid by said reservoir (5), said pump (6) being connected by a conduit (61) to a suction port (30) provided in a wall of the reservoir (5), characterized in that said suction port (30) has a filter strainer (32) molded directly with the wall of the reservoir (5).