Centrifugal Pump Cover Layout for Fast Thermal Fuse Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pump designs for household appliances face challenges in effectively controlling operating fluid temperature and managing abnormal or failure situations due to the slow intervention of thermal fuses, which are often rendered useless by thermal bridges when combined with thermostats on a single support.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal pump design featuring a cover with physically separate support elements for the thermostat and thermal fuse, allowing for optimized shape, size, and distance between them, with distinct tabs for thermal contact, enabling prompt intervention in abnormal conditions without thermal bridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the thermostat and thermal fuse are placed on the same support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal fuse intervention speed deteriorates due to thermal bridge effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support structure into two distinct support elements: a first support element for the thermostat and a second support element for the thermal fuse. This segmentation eliminates the thermal bridge between the two safety devices, allowing the thermal fuse to respond quickly to overheating conditions without being influenced by the thermostat's lower operating temperature zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal insulator (intermediary element) between the first support element and the second support element. This intermediary prevents thermal energy from transferring from the heating element through the thermostat support to the thermal fuse support, thereby eliminating the thermal bridge effect and enabling prompt thermal fuse intervention.
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 controls fluid temperature and manages abnormal situations by ensuring the thermal fuse intervenes promptly, reducing the risk of damage and eliminating the need for frequent replacements, while maintaining efficient normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
said first support element being in thermal contact with said operating fluid, whereby the first safety device is adapted to come in thermal contact with the operating fluid
Implementation Method 2
said second support element being in thermal contact with said heating element, whereby the second safety device is adapted to come in thermal contact with the heating element
Implementation Method 3
a heating element fixed in the annular groove
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A centrifugal pump for household appliances comprising a cover (1) having: - a first face internal to the pump adapted to be in contact with an operating fluid, and a second face external to the pump, opposite to the first face and provided with an annular groove (16) forming a projection inwards of the pump, - a heating element (11) fixed in the annular groove (16), - a first support element (21) arranged on the second face and provided with a first constraint (31) adapted to be fixed to a first safety device (41), said first support element (21) being in thermal contact with said operating fluid, whereby the first safety device (41) is adapted to come in thermal contact with the operating fluid, - a second support element (22) arranged on the second face, distinct from the first support element (21) and provided with a second constraint (32) adapted to be fixed to a second safety device (42), said second support element (22) being in thermal contact with said heating element (11), whereby the second safety device (42) is adapted to come in thermal contact with the heating element (11).