Washing Machine Suction Slot for Pump Fluid Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines for animal stalls require costly and complex installations, including excavations and ramps, to maintain water recirculation efficacy, which complicates the loading and unloading of racks and increases installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a sealed washing chamber with a walkable floor and integrated suction slot allows for fluid communication between the chamber and transfer pump, eliminating the need for a collection reservoir and enabling installation on raised floors without additional access arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the washing machine is installed with the collection reservoir below the washing chamber floor, then water recirculation efficacy is maintained, but installation complexity and cost increase due to required excavations and ramps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the collection reservoir from the traditional below-floor position and relocates it to an integrated position within the washing chamber structure. The suction slot directly communicates with the transfer pump, eliminating the need for deep excavations while maintaining water recirculation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by positioning the transfer pump horizontally adjacent to the washing chamber rather than vertically below it. The suction slot penetrates the chamber wall to connect with the pump, creating a horizontal fluid communication path that avoids deep vertical excavations.
2Reliability
If the washing machine is installed with the collection reservoir below the washing chamber floor, then water recirculation is enabled, but loading and unloading of racks becomes difficult and potentially dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The invention aligns the washing chamber floor with the external floor level by integrating the collection reservoir within the chamber structure rather than requiring a deep below-floor installation. This creates an equipotential surface that eliminates ramps and facilitates easy rack loading and unloading.
3Reliability
If a deep hole is provided for the collection reservoir, then water recirculation pump operation is ensured, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the collection reservoir from the deep below-floor position and repositions it within the washing chamber structure. The suction slot provides direct access to the transfer pump, eliminating the need for deep excavations and associated high installation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a simplified version of the traditional below-floor reservoir system by using an integrated suction slot and pump arrangement that replicates the water recirculation function without requiring deep structural modifications.
4Stress or pressure
If the collection reservoir is positioned deep below the washing chamber, then water level head for pump operation is maintained, but the machine requires complex access arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a vertical arrangement (deep below-floor reservoir) to a horizontal arrangement (integrated suction slot with adjacent pump). This dimensional change maintains adequate water level head for pump operation while eliminating the need for complex access arrangements like ramps and excavations.
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
Facilitates easy installation on any floor level, simplifies rack handling, and maintains water recirculation efficiency without the need for ramps or excavations, reducing installation costs and ensuring safe and ergonomic operation.
Implementation Method 1
The suction slot places the washing chamber and the transfer pump in fluid communication
Data Source
AI summary
Washing machine for washing objects for animal stalling including a sealed washing chamber defining a containment volume and including a walkable floor and side walls. The walkable floor defines, externally to the washing chamber, a rest surface of the washing machine.A recirculation system includes a recirculation line and a transfer pump positioned between the walkable floor and washing devices of the washing chamber to transport, through the recirculation line, the water present in the washing chamber.The walkable floor defines a collection surface for the waste washing fluid and at least one of the side walls includes a suction slot delimited at the bottom by the walkable floor. The suction slot places the washing chamber and the transfer pump in fluid communication.