Washer Pump Unit Layout for Higher Water Circulation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses, particularly drum washing machines, face challenges in optimizing the position of the circulation pump to enhance the flow rate of washing water and securing component installation space for efficient washing operations.
Innovation Solution
The circulation pump is positioned above the pump body, and both the drain pump and circulation pump are coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the pump body, allowing for increased flow rate of washing water circulation and securing space for the automatic injection device installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circulation pump is disposed in a higher position to circulate a larger amount of washing water, then the flow rate of washing water is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulation pump and drain pump into a single integrated pump unit that shares a common pump body and motor housing. This merging approach allows the circulation pump to achieve higher flow rate performance while avoiding the increased device complexity that would result from completely separate pump assemblies, as the shared components reduce overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump is positioned within the pump unit structure in a nested arrangement where the circulation pump components are housed within or adjacent to the drain pump assembly. This nesting allows the circulation pump to be disposed in a higher position for improved flow rate while efficiently utilizing the vertical space within the compact pump unit, avoiding excessive installation space requirements.
2Productivity
If the circulation pump is disposed in a higher position to increase washing water circulation, then the washing efficiency is improved, but the installation space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of pump components to a vertical arrangement, disposing the circulation pump in a higher position within the pump unit. This dimensional change allows the circulation pump to achieve superior washing water circulation performance while the vertical stacking efficiently utilizes the vertical space available in the washing machine, preserving horizontal installation space for other components such as the automatic injection device.
3Productivity
If both drain pump and circulation pump are coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the pump body, then the flow rate is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is designed with a universal pump body structure that serves multiple functions: it houses the motor, contains the impeller mechanisms for both pumps, and provides coupling interfaces for both the drain pump and circulation pump. This multi-functional design allows both pumps to be coupled to the outer circumferential surface with improved flow rate performance while the standardized universal structure prevents excessive device complexity.
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 configuration increases the flow rate of washing water during washing operations and secures space for the automatic injection device, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the laundry treating apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump coupled to the pump body and supplying washing water introduced from the interior of the tub to the pump body to the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a drain pump coupled to the pump body and outwardly draining washing water introduced from the interior of the tub to the pump body
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a laundry treating apparatus in which a position of a circulation pump (34) is optimized. The laundry treating apparatus includes a tub (10) holding washing water, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub (10) and holding laundry, a nozzle (60) jetting the washing water to an interior of the drum, and a pump unit (30) having a pump body (32), a drain pump (36) coupled to the pump body (32) and outwardly draining washing water introduced from the interior of the tub (10) to the pump body (32), and a circulation pump (34) coupled to the pump body (32) and supplying washing water introduced from the interior of the tub (10) to the pump body (32) to the nozzle (60), wherein the circulation pump (34) is disposed above the pump body (32).