Pump Motor Socket Sealing to Prevent Moisture-Induced Short-Circuiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pump motors in household appliances that use water, such as washing machines, are prone to moisture ingress, leading to short-circuiting and tracking phenomena that can result in fires due to electrical connections being compromised by moisture.

Innovation Solution

A pump motor design featuring a case with a socket part and a detachable cover part, including a moisture blocking member that blocks gaps between the case and cover, and barriers to isolate terminals, along with drain holes to discharge moisture, preventing moisture from entering and reducing the risk of electrical failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pump motor is provided inside the household appliance using water, then the appliance can discharge used water effectively, but moisture may be introduced into the terminal part causing short-circuiting or tracking phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge capabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The socket part is divided into a body part and a cover part that can be detached. The terminal part is housed within the socket part, separating the electrical components from the external environment. This segmentation allows the terminal part to be protected from moisture while maintaining the pump motor's water discharge function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A moisture blocking member is introduced as an intermediary element between the case and the cover part. This moisture blocking member blocks the gap between the case and cover part, preventing moisture from reaching the terminal part while allowing the socket part to remain accessible for electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the terminal part is exposed for electrical connections, then power supply is facilitated, but moisture can electrically connect multiple terminals causing short-circuiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection accessibilityVSAvoidmoisture ingress to terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture blocking member is pre-installed on the socket part before the cover part is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the gap between the case and cover part is already blocked against moisture before the assembly is completed, preventing moisture from reaching the terminal part during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture blocking member functions as a flexible barrier element that blocks the gap between the case and cover part. This thin film-like structure effectively prevents moisture ingress while maintaining the compact design of the socket part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the socket part is permanently sealed, then moisture blocking is improved, but accessibility for electrical connections is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidterminal access for wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cover part is designed to be detachably coupled to the case, transforming the socket part from a static sealed structure to a dynamic accessible one. This allows the socket part to be opened for electrical connections and closed for moisture protection, adapting to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11814776B2Pump motor and washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A pump motor is disclosed. The pump motor includes a case; a socket part disposed in a portion of the case and provided with a terminal part thereinside; and a cover part detachably coupled to the case and configured to open and close the socket part, wherein the socket part includes a moisture blocking member configured to block a gap between the case and the cover part.