Pump Baffles Reduce Fluid Rotation for Laundry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pumps for laundry treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies due to rotational components in fluids, which increase swirl and reduce lift head, particularly when using an annular wall surface for bubble separation.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a housing with a suction chamber, discharge chamber, and partition wall with baffles of varying lengths that guide fluid from the suction nozzle to a communication hole, reducing rotational force by forming a convex curved surface and extending upward to guide fluid smoothly into the discharge chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an annular wall surface is installed for bubble separation, then gas separation capability is improved, but rotational component of fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas separation capabilityVSAvoidrotational speed component

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The annular wall surface is divided into multiple segmented structures (first annular wall surface and second annular wall surface) that are spaced apart. This segmentation allows the fluid to pass through multiple separation stages, reducing rotational components while maintaining effective gas separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mesh structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the annular wall surfaces. The mesh structure further breaks down and reduces the rotational component of the fluid while allowing gas bubbles to be separated, serving as a mediator that addresses both the separation and rotational speed issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If mesh structure is installed for reducing rotational component, then rotational speed component is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational speed componentVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh structure is merged with the annular wall surfaces to form an integrated assembly. The mesh is positioned between the first and second annular wall surfaces, combining multiple functions (rotational reduction and gas separation) into a single integrated structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reduces the rotational component of the fluid, provides additional gas separation capability, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively reduces the rotational component of fluids, allowing for smoother flow and increased efficiency by minimizing rotational force, thus enhancing the pump's ability to move fluid from the suction to the discharge chamber.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of baffles which are disposed inside the suction chamber, and guide fluid introduced through the suction nozzle to the communication hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid guidance through geometric structure:

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of baffles forms a convex curved surface in the direction in which the fluid introduced into the suction nozzle flows, thereby reducing the rotational force of the fluid introduced from the suction nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational force reduction through curved surface geometry:

Data Source

PatentUS11661953B2Pump

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A pump includes a housing which forms a suction chamber and a discharge chamber therein; a suction nozzle which is disposed in one side of the housing, and communicates with the suction chamber; a discharge nozzle which is disposed in the other side of the housing, and communicates with the discharge chamber; a partition wall which partitions the suction chamber and the discharge chamber, and has a communication hole, which communicates the suction chamber and the discharge chamber, that is formed at a central portion; and a plurality of baffles which are disposed inside the suction chamber, and guide fluid introduced through the suction nozzle to the communication hole, wherein the plurality of baffles have different lengths and are separated apart from each other in a circumferential direction in an upper side of the partition wall.