Tubular Washer Heater Cover Plate Against Lint Entanglement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric resistor heaters in laundry washing machines are prone to entanglement with filamentary material like threads and lint, which can block the outlet and damage the machine, especially in professional washing machines for cleaning mops.

Innovation Solution

A heating device with a tubular heating body and a cover plate that partially embraces the loop portion, allowing filamentary material to slip over the cover plate while maintaining direct contact with the washing liquid, using a material like stainless steel that can withstand corrosive conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a tubular heating body is used for heating washing liquid, then heating efficiency is improved, but filamentary material entanglement and outlet blockage worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidfilamentary material entanglement
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the tubular heating body and the washing liquid. The cover plate has a smooth surface that allows filamentary material to slide off easily, preventing entanglement with the heating element while maintaining effective heat transfer to the washing liquid through its bottom surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the heating element is placed at the bottom of the washing machine, then heating efficiency is improved, but outlet blockage by accumulated filamentary material worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidoutlet blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate acts as a mediator that prevents filamentary material from accumulating around the heating element. Its smooth surface and strategic positioning create a barrier that directs filamentary material away from the outlet area, preventing blockages while the heating element remains positioned at the bottom for efficient heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a cover plate is added to prevent filamentary material entanglement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of entanglement and blockageVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate is designed as a thin, simple plate structure rather than a complex assembly. This minimalist approach provides the necessary protective function while adding minimal structural complexity to the heating device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents filamentary material entanglement, maintains heating efficiency by allowing heat transfer, and protects the heating element. This multi-functionality justifies the addition with a single simple component rather than multiple specialized parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents entanglement of filamentary material with the heating element, ensuring efficient heat transfer and preventing blockages, suitable for professional washing machines without damaging the tubular heating body.

Implementation Method 1

the tubular heating body will be in direct contact with the washing liquid below the cover plate such that the heat of the tubular heating body is directly transferred to the washing liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

electric resistor heating elements, which are flooded by the washing liquid when the washing machine is running

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2092105B1Heating device
Publication Date: 2011.11.09 AB ELECTROLUX
  • EP2092105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2092105B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2092105B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heating device for laundry washing machines, comprising a tubular heating body, and a cover plate. The tubular heating body comprises a loop portion having a breadth, a length and a height. The cover plate comprises a main surface having a longitudinal and transverse delimitation, and two side surfaces located at and along one longitudinal delimitation of the main surface respectively. The cover plate is attached to the tubular heating body, the main surface of the cover plate extends over the breadth of the loop portion and at least along a major length of the loop portion, and the side surfaces of the cover plate extend over the height of the loop portion, whereby the cover plate partially embraces the loop portion of the tubular heating body along the at least major length thereof. The present also relates to a laundry washing machine including such a heating device .