SAFETY ARRANGEMENT FOR AN INTEGRATED HEATER, PUMP, AND MOTOR FOR AN APPLIANCE

• US 20130230416A1
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Verma, Ashish A., Poyner, Dennis A., Olesen, Jerry, Porcaro, Ralph A. II
• Granted Patent: US 9,371,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/321
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4225 Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4285 Water-heater arrangements steam generating arrangements A47L15/4234
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/406 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/5866 Cooling at last part of the working fluid in a heat exchanger
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/5893 heat insulation or conduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49236 Fluid pump or compressor making

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a safety arrangement for an integrated heater, circulation pump, and motor for an appliance are provided. In an example safety arrangement, the circulation pump assembly includes a heater, a pump, and a motor integrated into a single unit. The circulation pump assembly defines a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween. The safety arrangement includes a hub configured to at least partially surround the first end of the circulation pump assembly and a first shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The safety arrangement further includes a second shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions.

Claims

1. A safety arrangement for a circulation pump assembly for an appliance, wherein the circulation pump assembly comprises a heater, a pump, and a motor integrated into a single unit, wherein the circulation pump assembly comprises a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween, the safety arrangement comprising:

a hub configured to at least partially surround the first end of the circulation pump assembly;

a first shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly; and

a second shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly,

wherein the hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions during operation of the appliance.

2. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the one or more hazardous conditions comprise at least one of liquid spillage, ejection of molten particles, fire hazard, shock hazard, or physical damage.

3. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the heater is disposed at the first end and the motor is disposed at the second end, and wherein the first and second shields extend between the first and second ends.

4. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hub, the first shield, and the second shield cooperate with one another to at least partially cover the heater, the pump, and the motor.

5. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a radial outer surface, and wherein the first and second shields cooperate to define a cylindrical member configured to conform to the radial surface.

6. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hub is an annular member having an opening configured to receive an inlet of the pump at the first end.

7. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first shield is configured to surround an upper surface of the housing and the motor, and the second shield is configured to surround a lower surface of the housing and the motor.

8. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an outlet of the circulation pump assembly extends from the housing, and wherein the first and second shields extend around the outlet.

9. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hub defines an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the first shield is configured to cover the upper surface of the hub, and wherein the second shield is configured to cover the lower surface of the hub.

10. The safety arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the first shield has at least one sloped surface configured to shed the water away from the circulation pump assembly.

11. The safety arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the first shield is configured to protect the first end of the circulation pump assembly from liquid ingress caused by water leaking from the appliance.

12. The safety arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the second shield is configured to at least partially prevent ejection of molten particles from the heater of the circulation pump assembly.

13. The safety arrangement of claim 12, wherein the second shield comprises at least one of temperature resistant material or flame retardant material.

14. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the hub is configured to at least partially prevent ejection of molten particles from the heater of the circulation pump assembly.

15. The safety arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the hub comprises at least one of temperature resistant material or flame retardant material.

16. The safety arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first shield is configured to protect the circulation pump assembly from any water leaking from the appliance.

17. The safety arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first shield and second shield are integrally formed.

18. A circulation pump system for an appliance, the assembly comprising:

a circulation pump assembly defining an inlet for receiving water and an outlet, wherein the circulation pump assembly comprises a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween, the circulation pump assembly comprising;

a heater configured to heat water within the circulation pump assembly;

a pump configured to pump water through the outlet; and

a motor configured to drive the pump, wherein the heater, pump, and motor are integrated to define a single unit; and

a safety arrangement comprising;

a hub configured to at least partially surround the first end of the circulation pump assembly;

a first shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly; and

a second shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly, wherein the hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions during operation of the appliance.

19. The circulation pump system according to claim 18, wherein the one or more hazardous conditions comprise at least one of liquid spillage, ejection of molten particles, fire hazard, shock hazard, or physical damage.

20. The circulation pump system according to claim 18, wherein the heater is disposed at the first end and the motor is disposed at the second end, and wherein the first and second shields extend between the first and second ends.

21. The circulation pump system according to claim 18, wherein the hub, the first shield, and the second shield cooperate with one another to at least partially cover the heater, the pump, and the motor.

22. The circulation pump system according to claim 18, wherein the hub defines an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the first shield is configured to cover the upper surface of the hub, and wherein the second shield is configured to cover the lower surface of the hub.

23. A method of assembling a circulation pump system for an appliance, the method comprising:

providing a circulation pump assembly, wherein the circulation pump assembly defines an inlet for receiving water and an outlet, wherein the circulation pump assembly comprises a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween, the circulation pump assembly comprising;

a heater configured to heat water within the circulation pump assembly;

a pump configured to pump water through the outlet; and

a motor configured to drive the pump, wherein the heater, pump, and motor are integrated to define a single unit;

attaching a hub to the circulation pump assembly so as to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly;

attaching a first shield to the circulation pump assembly so as to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly; and

attaching a second shield to the circulation pump assembly so as to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly, wherein the hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions during operation of the appliance.