Water Pump Column Design to Reduce Flocculent Material Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water pumps are prone to blockage due to flocculent materials like hair and fibers, which can lead to damage and reduce their service life.
Innovation Solution
A water pump design featuring a plurality of columns surrounding the water inlet to wrap and prevent flocculent materials from being sucked in, reducing clogging and facilitating easy cleaning by allowing the materials to be pulled down from the columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional water pump is used to convey liquid, then the pump can effectively move liquid from inlet to outlet, but flocculent materials (hair, fibers) will be sucked in and cause blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces columns as intermediary structures positioned at the water inlet. These columns act as a mediator between the liquid flow and the pump interior, intercepting flocculent materials before they can enter the pump. The columns create a barrier that separates harmful particles from the main liquid flow, allowing clean liquid to pass through to the pump while trapping debris on the column surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The water inlet area is segmented into multiple column structures rather than having a single open inlet. This segmentation divides the inlet flow path into multiple channels around the columns, creating numerous small flow paths that reduce the velocity and suction force at any single point, thereby reducing the ability to inhale flocculent materials while maintaining overall liquid conveyance.
2Reliability
If columns are added to surround the water inlet to prevent blockage, then the water pump reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The columns serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as barriers to intercept flocculent materials, create flow distribution channels, and provide surfaces for debris accumulation that facilitates cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved blockage resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The columns are designed with smooth surfaces that allow flocculent materials to wrap around them rather than adhere strongly. This design enables easy removal of debris by simple rinsing or pulling, maintaining ease of maintenance despite the added structural elements. The columns can be made from simple cylindrical shapes that are easy to manufacture and install.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a water pump, a device for cleaning an air conditioner, a wall-mounted indoor unit, and an air conditioner. The wall-mounted indoor unit includes the device for cleaning the air conditioner. The device for cleaning the air conditioner includes the water pump. The water pump includes a pump body and a plurality of columns. The pump body is defined with a water outlet and a water inlet communicated with the water outlet. The plurality of columns are disposed on the pump body, and surrounding the water inlet.