Laundry appliance and drain pump housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry appliances face issues with large, complex, and prone-to-leakage pump components, which increase weight and complexity, affecting the efficiency and reliability of fluid drainage in washing machines.
Innovation Solution
A drain pump housing made of a unitary, monolithic synthetic rubber material with a spiral interior wall and plenum design, integrated with an impeller and driveshaft, providing efficient fluid flow and sealing without additional seals or complex assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional pump components are used, then fluid drainage function is achieved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pump housing and impeller into a single integrated component made from a single piece of elastomeric material. The impeller is formed as an integral part of the housing, eliminating the need for separate pump housing and impeller components, thereby reducing overall complexity and weight while maintaining drainage function
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric pump component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the pump housing, the impeller, and the sealing element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing both complexity and weight
2Reliability
If traditional pump components with multiple parts are used, then fluid drainage is achieved, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the housing and impeller into a single elastomeric component, the patent eliminates multiple interfaces and joints where leaks could occur. The integral design ensures continuous material without seams or connections, thereby improving sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a single elastomeric material for both the housing and impeller creates a homogeneous structure with uniform material properties throughout. This homogeneity ensures consistent sealing characteristics and eliminates material interfaces that could become leakage points
3Productivity
If spiral interior wall design is implemented, then fluid flow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent elasticity and moldability of elastomeric materials to create complex spiral internal geometries that would be difficult to manufacture with traditional rigid materials. The material properties enable the formation of efficient spiral flow paths through molding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastomeric material provides a combination of properties including flexibility, elasticity, and moldability that allows the integration of complex spiral internal structures. These material characteristics enable the manufacturing of efficient fluid flow paths while maintaining ease of production through molding
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 enhances fluid drainage efficiency, reduces weight and complexity, and improves sealing, minimizing leakage and assembly requirements, thereby optimizing the pump system's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The pump assembly includes an impeller rotatably coupled to a driveshaft. The impeller and driveshaft are rotatable relative to a centerline axis.
Implementation Method 2
The interior wall extends in spiral arrangement relative to the centerline axis around the impeller positioned in the plenum.
Implementation Method 3
The housing has a unitary, monolithic structure including an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a drain pump housing positioned in fluid communication with a tub mounted within an interior of a cabinet. The housing has a unitary, monolithic structure including a synthetic rubber material. The housing has a first opening, a second opening, and an interior wall forming a plenum positioned fluidly between the first opening and the second opening. The interior wall extends in spiral arrangement relative to a centerline axis around an impeller positioned in the plenum. A pump assembly includes the impeller rotatably coupled to a driveshaft. The impeller and driveshaft are rotatable relative to the centerline axis.