Washing Machine Heater External Support to Reduce Sump Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face challenges with heater maintenance and clogging due to the accumulation of limestone and fluff, which complicates the removal and reinstallation of the supporting element inside the sump, potentially damaging the heater and requiring laborious or impossible repairs.
Innovation Solution
A cantilever-mounted heater configuration with a supporting element connected to the external surface of the tub, providing two support locations to prevent tilting and minimize contact with the tub, thus avoiding entanglement and clogging, and allowing easier maintenance by eliminating the need for internal supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support element is placed inside the sump to support the heater, then the heater positioning is improved and contact with tub walls is prevented, but the support element accumulates limestone and fluff causing clogging and making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is extracted from the interior of the sump and repositioned to the exterior surface of the tub. The support element now includes an external mounting portion that attaches to the outside of the tub, a connecting portion that passes through the tub wall, and an internal support portion that supports the heater inside the sump. This extraction resolves the clogging problem by removing the support element from the water-filled sump environment while maintaining its heater-supporting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion of the support element acts as an intermediary that transmits the supporting function from the external mounting portion to the internal support portion. This mediator allows the support element to be anchored outside the sump while still providing support inside, enabling the heater to be supported without having the entire support structure immersed in water where it would accumulate limestone and fluff.
2Ease of repair
If the heater is removed for maintenance, then the accumulated limestone and fluff between the support and heater can be addressed, but the heater may stick to the support causing damage or accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the support element from the sump interior and mounting it externally, the interface between the support and heater is repositioned. The connecting portion that passes through the tub wall provides a clearance zone where limestone and fluff accumulation is minimized. This extraction reduces the harmful accumulation effect while maintaining the support function, making heater removal safer and easier for maintenance.
3Reliability
If fluff and foreign objects from laundry entangle with the internal support, then the sump can get clogged and the heater can be damaged, but placing the support externally eliminates this entanglement risk
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is taken out from the sump interior and mounted externally on the tub surface. This extraction removes the support structure from the environment where fluff and foreign objects from laundry can entangle with it. The connecting portion that passes through the tub wall provides a transition zone that minimizes entanglement risk while maintaining the necessary support function inside the sump.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is segmented into three functional portions: an external mounting portion that attaches to the tub exterior, a connecting portion that passes through the tub wall, and an internal support portion that supports the heater. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function - the external portion avoids entanglement with laundry debris, the connecting portion provides structural transition, and the internal portion provides heater support without being fully immersed in the water-filled sump.
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 solution reduces the risk of heater damage, simplifies maintenance, and minimizes the chances of clogging, while also allowing for a smaller sump section design, enhancing overall operational efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (14) arranged inside the sump section (9) and passing through the lateral wall (32) of the sump section, with a first part (14a) located inside the sump section and a second part (14b) located outside the washing tub (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising: - a treatment container (3) including a boundary wall (5) and a sump section (9), said sump section (9) having a bottom wall (31) and a lateral wall (32), - a heater (14) passing through the lateral wall (32) of the sump section (9), so that the heater (14) is divided by the lateral wall (32) in a heater sump part (14a) housed within the treatment container (3) and in a heater external part (14b) placed outside the treatment container (3), wherein: a. the heater sump part (14a) is adapted to heat water inside the sump section (9) and it is cantilever-mounted, so that the heater sump part (14a) is supported only at the lateral wall (32) without touching directly or indirectly the bottom wall (31) of the sump section (9); b. the heater external part (14b) comprises a first and a second electrical pin (51, 52) and it is supported at the lateral wall (32) and at a second location; - a supporting element (60, 70, 80, 90) located outside the treatment container (3), connected to the boundary wall (5) of the treatment container (3) and to the second location of the heater external part (14b), to support the heater (14).