Pump Heater Cover Layout for Fast Thermal Fuse Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal pump designs for household appliances face challenges in effectively controlling the temperature of operating fluids and managing abnormal or failure situations due to the slowness 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 distinct support elements for the thermostat and thermal fuse, allowing for optimal thermal separation and positioning, enabling prompt intervention in abnormal conditions without thermal bridges, and incorporating additional tabs for enhanced temperature monitoring and management.
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 separate support elements: a first support element for the thermostat and a second support element for the thermal fuse. This segmentation eliminates the thermal bridge effect that would otherwise slow down the thermal fuse's response time, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cover as an intermediary component that provides distinct mounting locations for the thermostat and thermal fuse. The cover acts as a mediator that separates the thermal paths while integrating both safety devices into the heater assembly, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and thermal response speed.
2Temperature
If a single support with two distinct zones is provided, then different temperatures can be achieved for thermostat and thermal fuse, but a thermal bridge still exists between the zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fully segments the support structure into two separate support elements rather than providing a single support with distinct zones. This complete separation eliminates the thermal bridge effect that would persist even with zoned supports, while still achieving the necessary temperature differentiation for optimal thermostat and thermal fuse operation.
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 timely intervention of safety devices, reducing the risk of damage and requiring less maintenance, as the thermostat and thermal fuse can operate independently with optimized thermal contact and distance.
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, normally consisting of a resistance thermometer
Data Source
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).