Pump Heating Device Using Electric Foil Heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps in household appliances, such as dishwashers, lack an efficient and cost-effective heating solution for heating liquids, with complex manufacturing processes and susceptibility to breakage in current heating technologies.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a thermally coupled heating device with a wound heating foil on the outer surface of the chamber wall section, which is easily assembled and less prone to damage, using an electric foil heater with an adhesive carrier foil and insulating layer, allowing for adjustable and cost-effective heating conductor tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick-film heater with current-carrying conductor tracks is used, then good heat transfer to the body and fluid is ensured, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the complex thick-film heater and implements it using a simpler heating film with integrated conductor tracks. The heating film is applied as a separate component to the pump housing, eliminating the need for complex layer application and sintering processes while maintaining effective heat transfer to the fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective heating film that can be easily manufactured and applied. The heating film serves as a simpler, more economical alternative to thick-film heaters, using standard adhesive application methods rather than complex ceramic sintering processes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
2Reliability
If conductor tracks are printed on glass-like paste, then good heat transfer is achieved, but the manufacturing process requires layer application and curing or sintering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal sintering process with a mechanical adhesive bonding process. Instead of requiring high-temperature curing or sintering of glass-like paste, the heating film is simply adhered to the pump housing using adhesive, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity and heat transfer capability.
3Reliability
If existing heating devices are used, then heating function is provided, but the devices are prone to breakage and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible heating film that can conform to the pump housing surface without being prone to breakage. The thin-film construction with integrated conductor tracks is more resilient compared to rigid thick-film heaters, reducing susceptibility to cracking and damage during installation and operation.
4Reliability
If heating elements are embedded in filler material, then electrical insulation is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating film itself is constructed as a composite material with electrically insulating substrate and conductive heating tracks integrated into a single layer. This eliminates the need for separate embedding of heating elements in filler material, providing both electrical insulation and heating functionality in one component, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 provides efficient heat transfer, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enhances durability while allowing for precise adjustment of heating patterns, effectively heating liquids in household appliances like dishwashers.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device thermally coupled to the chamber wall section, wherein the heating device is designed as a heating band thermally coupled, in particular connected, to the chamber wall section
Implementation Method 2
the heating device can comprise an electric foil heater
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pump (11) comprising a pump chamber (15), a pump housing (14) with at least one chamber wall section (21) delimiting the pump chamber (15), a rotary impeller (16) arranged within the pump chamber (15), and a heating device (12) thermally coupled to the chamber wall section (21), wherein the heating device (12) is designed as a heating band connected to the chamber wall section (21) and in particular comprises an electric foil heater (25). The invention also relates to a water-bearing household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher (1), which has such a pump (11).