Pump-Speed Two-Way Valve Control in Water-Channelling Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing domestic appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, lack a simple and efficient mechanism for pumping liquid back into the treatment area, requiring complex electronics for separate control of reversing devices.
Innovation Solution
A water-carrying domestic appliance with a non-mechanical two-way valve and a pump system that allows liquid to be guided between a drain line and a return line, where the flow is controlled by the pump speed, enabling pumping out and pumping back without a reversing device, using a venturi pump design to manage liquid flow between the lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical two-way valve with reversing device is used to switch between pumping out and pumping over, then the appliance can perform both functions, but the electronics complexity increases due to separate control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical two-way valve with a non-mechanical flow division system that uses a pump with variable speed control. The pump directs liquid flow to either the drain line or return line through electronic speed variation rather than mechanical switching, thereby eliminating the need for complex reversing devices and reducing electronics complexity while maintaining dual pumping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the pump from fixed speed to variable speed. By controlling the pump speed within a specific range, the system can redirect liquid flow between the drain line and return line without mechanical switching components. This parameter-based control simplifies the overall device structure while preserving adaptability for both pumping out and pumping over operations.
2Device complexity
If a pump system with fixed flow rate is used, then the system is simple to control, but it cannot efficiently switch between pumping out and pumping back functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pump system with variable speed control that adapts the flow rate based on operational requirements. The controller adjusts the pump speed to direct liquid flow preferentially to the drain line during pumping out operations and to the return line during pumping back operations. This dynamic adjustment enhances pumping efficiency for both functions while maintaining relatively simple electronic control architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid flow is partially divided between drain line and return line, then some liquid can be pumped back, but complete pumping out or pumping back cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes variable pump speed as a control parameter to achieve complete diversion of liquid flow to either the drain line or return line. By adjusting the pump speed within specific ranges, the system can direct substantially all liquid flow to the desired line, enabling complete pumping out or complete pumping back operations. This parameter-based control provides both flow distribution flexibility and reliable complete pumping capability.
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
Enables efficient and complete pumping out or pumping back of liquid into the treatment area, reducing electronics complexity and allowing for targeted division of liquid flow, enhancing the appliance's functionality for washing and drying applications.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (5), via which the liquid from the treatment area (2) can be guided as a liquid flow to the non-mechanical two-way valve (6)
Implementation Method 2
the non-mechanical two-way valve (6) is designed in such a way that, depending on a flow rate of the liquid flow to the non-mechanical two-way valve (6) that can be influenced by the speed of the pump (5), the liquid flow is divided between the one the first line (10) and on the other the second line (11) is changeable
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A water-channelling domestic appliance 1 which, in particular as an appliance for washing and/or drying laundry or for washing dishes, has a treatment region 2, in which liquid can be introduced, a non-mechanical two-way valve 6 and a pump 5. The pump 5 can be used to channel the liquid out of the treatment region 2, as a liquid stream, to the non-mechanical two-way valve 6. The pump 5 here is connected, on the one hand, to an outflow line 10 and, on the other hand, to a return line 11 via the non-mechanical two-way valve 6. The non-mechanical two-way valve 6 is configured such that, in dependence on a flow speed of the liquid stream to the non-mechanical two-way valve 6, it being possible for this flow speed to be influenced via a rotational speed of the pump 5, it is possible to modify the way in which the liquid stream is divided up between, on the one hand, the outflow line 10 and, on the other hand, the return line 11.