Panel heating device for heating water in a washing tub, washing machine and method for producing a panel heating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating devices in washing machines, such as tubular heaters, suffer from inefficiencies like increased water and energy consumption, susceptibility to lime and fluff accumulation leading to local overheating, and difficulties with insulation and fixation, which compromise operational safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surface heating device with a flat support plate and a heating conductor in the form of a conductor track, featuring an intermediate layer with higher thermal conductivity than the carrier plate for uniform heat distribution, and an insulating layer to prevent lateral heat transfer, ensuring reliable and energy-efficient heating while minimizing overheating risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tubular heaters are used for heating suds, then heating function is provided, but water and energy consumption increases and susceptibility to lime and fluff accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional tubular heater to a two-dimensional flat heating element that attaches to the tub wall. This dimensional change eliminates the need for a radiator pocket, reducing dead water volume and energy consumption while maintaining effective heating surface area contact with the suds.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is constructed as a thin flat structure with a flexible or rigid plate design that can be mounted directly on the tub wall surface. This thin-film approach minimizes the volume displacement and reduces the dead water fleet, thereby lowering energy consumption while providing sufficient heating capability.
2Reliability
If tubular heaters are used for heating suds, then heating function is provided, but accumulation of lime and fluff occurs leading to local overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element incorporates a thermally conductive intermediate layer that distributes heat locally across the entire heating surface. This ensures uniform heat distribution and prevents localized overheating spots where lime and fluff accumulation could cause failures, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive intermediate layer is introduced between the heating conductor and the support plate to act as a heat distribution mediator. This intermediate layer evenly disperses the heat generated by the conductor across the heating surface, preventing local overheating and the associated risks of lime and fluff accumulation.
3Shape
If surface heating device with conductor track is used, then planar geometry is achieved, but sensitivity to local overheating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element incorporates a thermally conductive intermediate layer that distributes heat locally across the entire heating surface. This ensures uniform heat distribution and prevents localized overheating spots where lime and fluff accumulation could cause failures, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including a heating conductor, a thermally conductive intermediate layer, and a support plate. This composite design combines the high heat generation capability of the conductor with the heat distribution properties of the intermediate layer, achieving both planar geometry and overheating resistance.
4Loss of energy
If support plate with poor thermal conductivity is used, then heat transfer to tub is minimized, but heat distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element incorporates a thermally conductive intermediate layer that distributes heat locally across the entire heating surface. This ensures uniform heat distribution and prevents localized overheating spots where lime and fluff accumulation could cause failures, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermally conductive intermediate layer is introduced between the heating conductor and the support plate to act as a heat distribution mediator. This intermediate layer evenly disperses the heat generated by the conductor across the heating surface, preventing local overheating and the associated risks of lime and fluff accumulation.
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 achieves reliable and safe heating of suds with reduced energy and water consumption, preventing local overheating and fluff accumulation, and allows for easy mounting and corrosion resistance, resulting in improved operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating conductor (12) designed as a conductor track for generating heat for heating up the lye
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate layer (10) is arranged between the heating conductor (12) and the carrier plate (7) for uniform distribution of the heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel heating device (6) for heating water in a washing tub (4) of a washing machine (1), having a flat carrier plate (7) for attaching to the washing tub (4), and having a heating conductor (12) which is configured as a conductor track (13) for generating heat, where the heat can be output to the water through the carrier plate (7), and wherein an intermediate layer (10) with a greater thermal conductivity than the carrier plate (7) is arranged between the heating conductor (12) and the carrier plate (7), and the intermediate layer (10) is configured for homogeneous distribution of the heat.