Motor-Driven Heating for Water-Circulating Household Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-circulating household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, require additional heating elements to provide warm washing liquid, which increases costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves driving the electric motor with higher electrical power input than necessary for circulating the washing liquid, causing excess energy to be converted into heat in the motor windings, which is then transferred to the washing liquid through thermal communication, thereby eliminating the need for a separate heating element and reducing water volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate heating element is added to the water-circulating household appliance, then the washing liquid can be heated effectively, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the existing electric motor by creating thermal communication between the motor housing and the washing liquid circuit. The motor housing serves dual purposes: driving the pump and heating the washing liquid through controlled inefficient operation, eliminating the need for a separate heating element.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the pump for water circulation and simultaneously serves as a heating device for the washing liquid. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Temperature
If a separate heating element and heating compartment are added, then the washing liquid can be heated, but the total water volume in the appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is integrated into the existing motor housing space rather than adding a separate heating compartment. The washing liquid circuit is thermally coupled to the motor housing, allowing heating without requiring additional dedicated space or water volume for a separate heating system.
3Temperature
If the electric motor is driven with higher electrical power input causing low efficiency, then excess heat is generated for heating the washing liquid, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by inefficient motor operation into a useful heating function for the washing liquid. By intentionally operating the motor at lower efficiency, the excess electrical energy that would normally be wasted is transformed into thermal energy that heats the washing liquid, eliminating the need for separate heating elements.
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
This approach reduces the cost and energy consumption of the appliance by utilizing motor heat to warm the washing liquid, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective operation without a dedicated heating compartment.
Implementation Method 1
excess electric energy input to the electric motor is transformed to heat in the windings of the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
the heat is transferred to the washing liquid in this portion of the washing liquid circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Herein a method of operating a water-circulating household appliance 2 is disclosed. The water-circulating household appliance 2 comprises an electric motor 4 and a washing liquid circuit 6, the washing liquid circuit comprising a pump 8 for circulating washing liquid through the washing liquid circuit. A portion of the washing liquid circuit is arranged in thermal communication with the electric motor. For heating the washing liquid, the method comprises a step of driving the electric motor, over a time period longer than 1 minute, with a higher electrical power input than required for circulating the washing liquid through the washing liquid circuit with the pump rotating in the primary direction of rotation. Also disclosed is a water-circulating household appliance 2.