Motor assembly for a laundry treating appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vapor compression distillation systems for water reclamation in laundry treating appliances are inefficient, requiring high operating temperatures, significant energy input, and expensive materials, with long start-up times and energy wastage, and produce distillate at unsuitable temperatures for immediate use.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance utilizing a vacuum pump to create negative pressure for flash evaporation, reducing the need for high temperatures and energy input, and incorporating a compressor assembly with a turbo compressor to achieve efficient water reclamation and distillation at or near ambient temperatures, allowing for the use of less expensive materials and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional vapor compression distillation systems are used for water reclamation, then water can be reclaimed and purified, but high operating temperatures and significant energy input are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from traditional high-temperature vapor compression distillation to low-temperature flash evaporation followed by vacuum compression. This parameter change allows water reclamation to occur at or near ambient temperatures while maintaining effective purification, thereby reducing energy input requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions in a two-stage process: first, flash evaporation converts liquid water to vapor at low temperature; second, the vapor is compressed and condensed back to liquid. This phase transition approach enables water reclamation without requiring sustained high operating temperatures
2Productivity
If traditional vapor compression distillation systems are used, then water reclamation can be achieved, but start-up time is long and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-cooling the distillation chamber and components before the actual distillation process begins. This preliminary cooling eliminates the need for heating during start-up, allowing the system to reach operational temperature quickly and reduce start-up time while preventing energy waste from repeated heating cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous water reclamation operation where the flash evaporation and vacuum compression processes run continuously without interruption. This continuity eliminates idle start-up and shutdown cycles, maintaining constant productivity while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding repeated thermal cycling
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional vapor compression distillation is used, then purified water is produced, but distillate temperature is unsuitable for immediate use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling chamber between the flash evaporation chamber and the collection point. This intermediary chamber allows the hot vapor to cool and condense at controlled temperatures, producing distillate at room temperature suitable for immediate use while maintaining high purity through the vacuum compression process
4Productivity
If high temperatures are used for evaporation, then evaporation rate is high, but expensive materials and insulation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the evaporation mechanism from thermal heating to pressure-driven flash evaporation. By reducing pressure in the evaporation chamber, water evaporates rapidly at or near ambient temperatures, maintaining high evaporation rates without requiring expensive high-temperature resistant materials or extensive insulation
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 significantly reduces start-up time, eliminates the need for costly materials and insulation, and produces distillate at room temperature, enabling efficient water reuse and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high evaporation rates.
Implementation Method 1
A laundry treating appliance utilizing a vacuum pump to create negative pressure for flash evaporation
Implementation Method 2
The water vapor is compressed, then moves to a condenser
Implementation Method 3
The water vapor is compressed, then moves to a condenser, where it condenses at a higher temperature than the evaporation temperature
Implementation Method 4
Differing conditions, non-limiting examples of which can include pressure differences and temperature differences, between an area within the treating chamber and an area outside of the treating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A motor assembly for a laundry treating appliance, the motor assembly including an impeller housing, a compressor housing disposed within the impeller housing, a compressor motor disposed within the compressor housing, an impeller mechanically coupled to the compressor motor and disposed within the impeller housing, and a cover for the impeller housing.