EP3492646A1

EP3492646A1 - Motor cooling system for a washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP3492646A1
Application number: EP17204350.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf AK; Nevzat YALIN
Original assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2017-11-29
Filing date: 2017-11-29
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: TR201721500A2

Abstract

A motor cooling system (1) for washing machine comprising a motor (2) adapted to perform a washing operation of the washing machine, and a first pipe (3) wound around an outer surface (4) of the motor, the first pipe (3) is adapted to flow a coolant (5) through it, the first pipe (3) is in heat transfer coupling with the motor (2), such that when the motor (2) is heated due to performance of the washing operation, the motor (2) transfers heat to the coolant (5) flowing through the first pipe (3).

Description

This invention refers to a motor cooling system for washing machine according to claim 1.

Background of the Invention

A common washing machine is a machine that performs function like water intake, washing, heating, water discharging, squeezing systems, etc. by means of a program or manually. These functions are performed using various parts of the washing machine, like water inlet fans, speed control unit, flushing motor, thermostat, heating housing, etc. To drive various functions of the washing machine, a motor is provided. This motor specifically helps during washing and rinsing operations. As a result of operating of the motor, heat is generated. This heating of the engine is a common problem in the washing machine. Such heating may lead to decreased efficient of the motor, overloading issues and even a breakdown of the motor.
European Patent Publication No. EP 1996757 B1 discloses a washer/dryer wherein its drum is rotated by means of a belt driven via the electric motor and overheating is prevented by blowing air over the electric motor by making use of the movement of the idler pulley pressing on the belt.
Chinese Patent Publication No. CN105019201 A discloses a washing machine, especially to a zinc-alloy dry cleaning machine with a squirrel-cage type motor and union spring buffers. The zinc-alloy dry cleaning machine comprises a casing and a washing cylinder, and further comprises a heat pump drying system and a solvent recovery system. As an improvement, an inner buffer assembly comprises four pulling union spring buffers and two supporting union spring buffers. A squirrel-cage type water cooling motor assembly comprises a motor housing, a front motor cover plate, a rear motor cover plate, a motor shaft, a terminal pin base, a stator and a rotor. A two-stage shock-absorbing structure of an inner shock-absorbing assembly ensures the stable operation of the zinc-alloy dry cleaning machine regardless of the inner rotation speed and unbalance shaking of the washing cylinder. The squirrel-cage type water cooling motor assembly employs a casted spiral cooling pipe pre-embedded on the cylinder of the motor housing, and the two ends of the spiral cooling pipe are respectively communicated with a water outlet boss and a water inlet boss. Assembly after separate processing is allowed, which is especially convenient and fast.
However, none of the above disclosed methodology provides an efficient mechanism for cooling down of the motor of the washing machine.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention is to provide an efficient and fast mechanism to cool down the motor of the washing machine.

Description of the Invention

The before mentioned object is solved by a motor cooling system for washing machine according to claim 1.
According to the invention a motor cooling system for washing machine comprises a motor adapted to perform a washing operation of the washing machine, and a first pipe wound around an outer surface of the motor, the first pipe is adapted to flow a coolant through it, the first pipe is in heat transfer coupling with the motor, such that when the motor is heated due to performance of the washing operation, the motor transfers heat to the coolant flowing through the first tube.
This embodiment is helpful, as it provides an efficient mechanism for cooling down the motor. The first pipe is directly in touch with the outer surface of the motor, which provides for faster cooling. And also use of coolant, which has high heat exchange coefficient, inside the first pipe helps to achieve faster cooling.
Further preferred embodiments of the invention are subject-matter of dependent claims and/or of the following specification parts.
According to a preferred embodiment of the motor cooling system, the first pipe is wound onto the outer surface in a helical fashion.
This is beneficial as it helps to cover the maximum area of the outer surface of the motor with the first pipe, thus resulting in faster heat transfer from the motor to the coolant, which results in faster cooling of the motor.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the motor cooling system comprising a cooling pump connected to the first pipe at both end of the first pipe, the cooling pump is adapted to regulate circulation of the coolant through the first pipe.
This embodiment is helpful, as it provides a mechanism to fasten or slowing down of flowing of the coolant through the first pipe, thus providing the heat transfer at a desired rate from the motor. In cases, where the motor is less heated, then the flow of the coolant shall be required at a lower speed, and when the motor is heated more, the rate of circulation required shall be faster. Such circulation of the coolant can be managed through the cooling pump.
According to another embodiment of the motor cooling system, the cooling pump is adapted to be driven by rotation energy from the motor of the washing machine.
This embodiment is helpful, as it eliminates the need for additional energy source or external energy source to power the functioning of the cooling pump.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first pipe is made of copper.
This embodiment is helpful, as cooper has high heat conductivity, and shall elevate transfer of heat from the motor to the coolant running in the first pipe made of coopper.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the motor cooling system comprises a second pipe wrapped around the first pipe, the second pipe is adapted to flow a fluid through it and is adapted to be in heat transfer coupling with the first pipe, so that the fluid receives heat from the coolant flowing through the first pipe.
This embodiment is beneficial, as it provides a mechanism to cool down the coolant, so that the efforts are not required at all or less efforts are required to be made to cool down the coolant.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the motor cooling system, the second pipe is wound onto the first pipe in a helical fashion.
This embodiment is beneficial as it helps to cover the maximum area of the first pipe by the second pipe, thus resulting in faster heat transfer from the coolant to the fluid flowing through the second piper, result in faster cooling of the coolant.
According to another embodiment of the motor cooling system, the second pipe is made of aluminum.
This embodiment is helpful, as aluminium has high heat conductivity, as well as radiance, which shall elevate transfer of heat from the coolant to the fluid running in the second pipe and also enables radiance of the heat to external environment for facilitating faster cooling of the coolant.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the motor cooling system, the fluid is water.
The embodiment is beneficial, as water is a good conductor of heat, which can facilitate cooling of the coolant at a good rate. Also, this heated water can be used in various application of household use too.
According to a further embodiment of the motor cooling system, the second pipe is connected to a water inlet of the washing machine at a first end of the second pipe, and the second pipe is connected to a hot water section of the washing machine at its second end, wherein water flows from the first end to the second, and the hot water section is an area of the washing machine from where the hot water is taken further for washing the clothe.
This embodiment is especially helpful, as it provides for a self-sufficient heating of the water required during washing operation inside the washing machine.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the motor cooling system comprises a fluid pump connected to the second pipe and adapted to regulate circulation of the fluid through the second pipe.
This embodiment is helpful, as it provides mechanism to fasten or slowing down of flowing of the fluid through the second pipe, thus providing the heat transfer at a desired rate from the coolant. Also, in cases, where the coolant is less heated, the flow of the fluid shall be required at a lower speed, while the coolant is heated more, the rate of circulation of fluid required shall be faster. Such circulation of the fluid can be managed through the fluid pump.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the motor cooling system, the fluid pump is adapted to be driven by rotation energy from the motor of the washing machine.
This embodiment is helpful, as it eliminates need for an additional energy source or an external energy source to power the functioning of the fluid pump.
According to a further embodiment of the motor cooling system, the first pipe is connected to an earth connection of the washing machine, so as to allow any current flowing through the first pipe to be discharged through the earth connection.
This embodiment is helpful, as it cares of a situation when a high current passes through the first pipe, so that current should not flow through the motor, and saving the motor from any kind of circuit based damages.
According to another embodiment of the motor cooling system, the coolant is selected from the group R401A, R507, or R12 or a combination thereof.
This embodiment is helpful, as it provides refrigerant level coolants and shall help to cool down the motor at the faster pace..
Further benefits, goals and features of the present invention will be described by the following specification of the attached figures, in which components of the invention are exemplarily illustrated. Components of the devices and method according to the inventions, which match at least essentially with respect to their function, can be marked with the same reference sign, wherein such components do not have to be marked or described in all figures.
The invention is just exemplarily described with respect to the attached figure in the following.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a motor cooling system for a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a pipe structure of the first pipe and the second pipe wound onto a motor of the washing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the pipe structure of the first pipe and the second pipe wound onto the motor of the washing machine, according to another embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart depicting function of a motor cooling system for a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The present invention focuses on cooling down motor of a washing machine, which heats up due to the washing and rinsing function being performed. The heating may lead to unnecessary overloading of the motor, which reduces the efficiency of performance of the motor, and may further leads to damage of the motor. For cooling down the motor, heat exchange occurs directly occur from the motor to a coolant via conduction, so the cooling down should be performed faster. For the coolant to be better performing its heat exchange functionality, another heat exchange mechanism is provided between the coolant and fluid, in one embodiment of the invention. The heated fluid within the washing machine, wherein the fluid provided is water, is utilized whenever heated water is required for the washing functionality of the washing machine.
Fig. 1 shows a motor cooling system 1 for a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention. The motor cooling system 1 includes a motor 2, which drives washing and rinsing functionalities of the washing machine. Due to performance of these operations, the motor gets heated up. Prolonged usage of the washing machine, without proper heat dissipation or cooling of the motor 2 can be harmful for motor 2. To facilitate the heat transfer from the motor 2, a pipe structure 15 is provided which is in a physical coupling 16 with the motor 2. The physical coupling 6 is provided by winding the pipe structure 15 onto the motor 2.
The pipe structure includes a first pipe 3 and a second pipe 7. The second pipe 7 is wound onto the first pipe 3 in a helical fashion, and this pipe structure 15 of the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 7 is further wound over the motor 2. The second pipe 7 can be wound in any other fashion onto the first pipe 3, such that it covers maximum surface area onto the first pipe 3.
The first pipe 3 flows a coolant 5 through it, so that to allow heat transfer from the motor 2 to the coolant 5. The first pipe 3 can be made of any material having high thermal conductivity, so as to transfer heat faster from the motor 2 to the coolant 5. In one embodiment, the first pipe 3 is made of copper, which has one of the highest thermal conductivity among metals
The second pipe 7 flows a fluid 8 through it, which is conductive. The fluid 8 receives heat from the coolant 5, so as to cool the coolant 5 to the maximum. The second pipe 3 can be made of any material having high thermal conductivity, so as to transfer heat faster from the coolant 5 to the fluid 8. In one embodiment, the second pipe 7 is made of aluminum, which has one of the highest thermal conductivity among metals and also have good radiation efficiency. This will allow the excess heat which cannot be transferred to the fluid 8, to also be radiated to an atmosphere where the second pipe 7 is kept, so as to cool the coolant 5 fast.
In one embodiment, the second pipe 7 is not required, rather only the first pipe 3 is provided, and the coolant 5 is cooled using a cooling mechanism to be provided with the washing machine.
The motor cooling system 1 is also provided with a cooling pump 6, which regulates flow of the coolant 5 through the first pipe 3. The cooling pump is driven by the rotational energy of the motor 2, hence no more additional power source shall be required to drive the cooling pump 6. In one embodiment, a separate power source can be provided to drive the cooling pump 6 which can be either switched on and off manually by a user of the washing machine, or can be automatically switched on when the washing machine is switched on. There can also be automatic mechanism and elements like heat sensors be provided which can either sense heat from the coolant 5 or the motor 2, so as to control the cooling pump 6 for regulating flow of the coolant 5. In one embodiment, the cooling pump 6 is not provided, rather the movement of the coolant 5 occurs because of pressure difference creates due to different temperature regions, around the motor 2 and other areas of the first pipe 3 which are away from the motor 2.
The motor cooling system 1 is also provided with a fluid pump 13, which regulates flow of the fluid 8 through the second pipe 7. The fluid pump 13 is driven by the rotational energy of the motor 2, hence no more additional power source shall be required to drive the fluid pump 13. In one embodiment, a separate power source can be provided to drive the fluid pump 13 which can be either switched on and off manually by a user of the washing machine, or can be automatically switched on when the washing machine is switched on. There can also be automatic mechanism and elements like heat sensors be provided which can either sense heat from the coolant 5 or the fluid 5, so as to control the fluid pump 13 for regulating flow of the fluid 8. In one embodiment, the fluid pump 13 is not provided, rather the movement of the fluid 8 occurs because of pressure difference creates due to different temperature regions, around the motor 2 and other areas of the second pipe 7 which are away from the motor 2.
In the present embodiment, the fluid 8 is water. The second pipe 7 has two ends, a first end 11 and a second end 12. The second pipe 7 is connected to a water inlet 9 of the washing machine, which is receiving water from any external water source, at the first end 11, and connected to a hot water section 10 of the washing machine at the second end 12. The hot water from the hot water section 10 is further utilized by the washing machine for its washing function or any other operations for which hot water is required. In this way, the water should not be heated using external power consumption, rather it provides a self-sufficient system for water heating with energy efficiency. In one embodiment, the second pipe 7 can directly be connected from an external water source in spite of water inlet 9 of the washing machine. In yet another embodiment, the second pipe 7 can drain off water after heating to water outlet of the washing machine, or directly to a sink outside of the washing machine. In an alternate embodiment, any other fluid 8 can be used in spite of water, which has good thermal conductivity.
The first pipe 3 is connected to an earth connection 14 of the washing machine. This helps to allow any current accidentally flowing through the first pipe 3 to be discharged through the earth connection 14. In an alternate embodiment, first pipe 3 is not required to be connected to the earth connection, by applying any measures to ensure that no current flows through the first pipe 3. In one embodiment, the second pipe 7 can also be connected to the earth connection 14 as a safety measure, so that, in case any current passes through the second pipe 7 can also be grounded through the earth connection 14.
Fig. 2 shows the pipe structure 15 of the first pipe and the second pipe being wounded onto an outer surface 4 of the motor 2. It is to be noted that the pipe structure 15 is wounded in helical fashion to provide maximum coverage onto the outer surface 4 of the motor 2. Maximum surface area coverage ensures higher rate of heat transfer from the outer surface 4 to the coolant inside the first pipe. With the current pipe structure 15, some part of the second pipe may also touch the outer surface 4, which also ensures the heat transfer from the outer surface 4 to the fluid flowing in second pipe too.
The coolant 5 can be selected from the group R401A, R507, or R12, or combination of one or more of these coolants. The coolant can be any refrigerant or any other cooling material, which can provide fast heat transfer from the motor 2.
Fig 3 shows a sectional view of the pipe structure 15 being wounded onto the outer surface 4 of the motor 2. In this case, the outer surface 4 is completely encapsulated onto the first pipe 3, and the second pipe 7 encapsulates the first pipe 3. This arrangement of pipe structure 15 provides another way to provide efficient heat transfer between the outer surface and coolant 5, and between the coolant 5 and the fluid 8. As almost complete surface area of the outer surface 4 is physically coupled to the first pipe 3, the heat transfer from the outer surface 4 is maximum with respect to the coolant used and the material of the first pipe 3. Also, as almost complete surface area of the first pipe 3, not in coupling to the outer surface 4, is physically coupled to the second pipe 7, the heat transfer from the coolant 5 is maximum with respect to the coolant 5 and fluid 8 used, and the material of the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 7.
Fig. 4 describes a flow chart depicting function of a motor cooling system for a washing machine. In step 101, the washing machine is turned-one. In step 102, due to driving for the washing and rinsing functions of the washing machine, the motor starts getting heated. Due to the heating of the motor, in step 103, the cooling pump and the fluid pump are started, so as to start circulating the coolant and the water. In step 104, as the coolant starts circulating through the first pipe, it starts receiving heat from the outer surface of the motor, due to the heat exchange coupling between the outer surface of the motor and the first pipe. In the step 105, the water also starts receiving the heat from the coolant which has already started heating up due to receiving of heat from the outer surface of the motor. In step 106, the heated water is further taken to the hot water section of the washing machine, form where the hot water can be further utilized for various functions of washing machine, where hot water is required. In step 107, once the washing is done, the washing machine is turned off, and with this motor stops heating up, and the cooling pump and the fluid pump stops.
Thus, the present invention provides for a motor cooling system 1 for washing machine comprising a motor 2 which performs a washing operation of the washing machine, and a first pipe 3 wound around an outer surface 4 of the motor, the first pipe 3 enables flow of a coolant 5 through it, the first pipe 3 is in heat transfer coupling with the motor 2, such that when the motor 2 is heated due to performance of the washing operation, the motor 2 transfers heat to the coolant 5 flowing through the first pipe 3.

List of reference numbers

1: motor cooling system
2: motor
3: first pipe
4: outer surface of the motor
5: coolant
6: cooling pump
7: second pipe
8: fluid
9: water inlet
10: hot water section
11: first end of the second pipe
12: second end of the second pipe
13: fluid pump
14: earth connection of the washing machine
15: pipe structure
16: physical coupling between the motor and the pipe structure
101: Step of turning on of washing machine
102: Step of heating up of the motor
103: Step of activating cooling pump and fluid pump
104: Step of heat transfer between the coolant and the motor
105: Step of heat transfer between water and coolant
106: Step of circulating the heated fluid to the hot water section
107: Step of turning off the washing machine

Claims

A motor cooling system (1) for a washing machine comprising:
- a motor (2) adapted to perform a washing operation of the washing machine; and

- a first pipe (3) wound around an outer surface (4) of the motor, the first pipe (3) is adapted to flow a coolant (5) through it, the first pipe (3) is in heat transfer coupling with the motor (2), such that when the motor (2) is heated due to performance of the washing operation, the motor (2) transfers heat to the coolant (5) flowing through the first pipe (3).
The motor cooling system (1) according to the claim 1, wherein the first pipe (3) is wound onto the outer surface (4) in a helical fashion.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 1 or 2 comprising:
- a cooling pump (6) connected to the first pipe (3), and adapted to regulate circulation of the coolant (5) through the first pipe (3).
The motor cooling system (1) according to the claim 3, wherein the cooling pump (6) is adapted to be driven by rotation energy from the motor (2) of the washing machine.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the first pipe (3) is made of copper.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 5 comprising:
- a second pipe (7) wrapped around the first pipe (3), the second pipe (7) is adapted to flow a fluid (8) through it and is adapted to be in heat transfer coupling with the first pipe (3), so that the fluid (8) receives heat from the coolant (5) flowing through the first pipe (3).
The motor cooling system (1) according to the claim 6, wherein the second pipe (7) is wound onto the first pipe (3) in a helical fashion.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 6 or 7, wherein the second pipe (7) is made of aluminum.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 6 to 8, wherein the fluid (8) is water.
The motor cooling system (1) according to the claim 9, wherein the second pipe (7) is connected to a water inlet (9) of the washing machine at a first end (11) of the second pipe (7), and the second pipe (7) is connected to a hot water section (10) of the washing machine at its second end (12), wherein water (8) flows from the first end (11) to the second end (12), and the hot water section (10) is an area of the washing machine from where hot water (8) is taken further for washing the clothes.
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 6 or 10 comprising:
- a fluid pump (13) connected to the second pipe (7) and adapted to regulate circulation of the fluid (8) through the second pipe (7).
The motor cooling system (1) according to the claim 11, wherein the fluid pump (8) is adapted to be driven by rotation energy from the motor (2) of the washing machine.
The motor cooling system according to any of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the first pipe (3) is connected to an earth connection (14) of the washing machine, so as to allow any current flowing through the first pipe (3) to be discharged through the earth connection (14).
The motor cooling system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the coolant (5) is selected from the group R401 A, R507, or R12, or combination thereof.