Underframe of a laundry processing apparatus and household appliance comprising an underframe

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing base assemblies for laundry treatment devices with heat pumps face challenges in precisely positioning the diffuser relative to the heat exchangers, leading to alignment issues and potential bypass formation during assembly, especially with varying tolerance chains.

Innovation Solution

A base assembly design where the diffuser is mounted in a floating manner within a recess of the cover using spring-elastic elements, allowing for tolerance compensation in both transverse and longitudinal directions, and can be connected as a one-piece component with the cover, eliminating the need for screwing and ensuring precise alignment of the flushing gap with the heat exchanger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the diffuser is rigidly fixed to the cover, then the assembly structure is simple, but the alignment precision between the diffuser and heat exchanger deteriorates due to tolerance accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diffuser movable relative to the cover through a sliding mechanism. The diffuser can move in the longitudinal direction along guide ribs, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to compensate for tolerance variations during assembly, thereby maintaining alignment precision without requiring complex rigid fixation structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the assembly into modular components: the cover, the diffuser, guide ribs, and holding elements. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, while the sliding mechanism between segments compensates for accumulated tolerances, achieving precise alignment without overly complex individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the diffuser position is fixed during assembly, then the assembly process is fast, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to inability to compensate for positional tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service through the self-aligning sliding mechanism. The diffuser automatically positions itself relative to the heat exchanger by sliding along the guide ribs during assembly, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex positioning procedures. This self-service mechanism maintains positioning accuracy while keeping the assembly process simple and fast.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic sliding capability allows the diffuser to automatically find its correct position during assembly by moving along the guide ribs. This dynamic adjustment happens automatically as components are brought together, providing high positioning accuracy without requiring additional time for manual alignment or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the diffuser is mounted with screw connections, then the connection is stable, but the alignment flexibility is reduced due to fixed positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidalignment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid screw connections with a dynamic sliding mechanism guided by ribs. The diffuser can move longitudinally along the guide ribs to accommodate tolerance variations, providing alignment flexibility. Once positioned, the holding elements engage with the guide ribs to maintain stable connection, thus achieving both stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide ribs act as an intermediary element between the diffuser and the cover. They provide both guidance for precise positioning and a mechanism for stable connection through the holding elements that engage with the ribs. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for direct screw connections while maintaining both stability and alignment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the diffuser is positioned far from the heat exchanger, then assembly is easier, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to increased distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic sliding mechanism allows the diffuser to be positioned close to the heat exchanger during operation for effective cleaning, while still allowing easy assembly through the guided movement. The holding elements engage with the guide ribs to maintain the optimal close positioning during use, ensuring cleaning effectiveness without compromising assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simplifies the assembly process by allowing the diffuser to follow the movement of the heat exchanger, compensates for positional tolerances, and ensures a stable connection, thereby ensuring precise positioning of the scavenging gap relative to the heat exchanger, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the heat exchange process.

Implementation Method 1

the diffuser being mounted in a floating manner in a recess (8) of the cover (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3415679B1Underframe of a laundry processing apparatus and household appliance comprising an underframe
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3415679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor assembly (1) of a tumble dryer for holding a heat pump, comprising a heat source and a heat sink, each of which is designed as a heat exchanger and is at least partially accommodated in a receiving area (2, 3) of the floor assembly (1), which is held by a The cover (5) arranged between the heat source and the heat sink can be covered at least in sections, the cover (5) having at least one diffuser (7) as part of a system for cleaning the heat source and/or the heat sink, which is characterized in that the at least a diffuser (7) is mounted floating in a recess (8) of the cover (5).