A drum and its production method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drum manufacturing methods for washer-dryers result in a form-fit connection that is prone to opening and tearing under centrifugal force during the spinning process, leading to mechanical weakness and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The drum is produced by bending a rectangular sheet metal into a cylinder with a longitudinal seam and forming beads on the seam using a clinching apparatus, where the beads are inclined relative to the seam plane, enhancing the seam strength without the need for additional welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a form-fit join is used to join the cylindrical drum body, then the manufacturing process is simple and fast, but the seam strength is insufficient under centrifugal force during spinning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the seam by creating inclined beads at a specific angle (5-15 degrees) relative to the seam plane. This parameter change transforms the flat form-fit join into a three-dimensional structure with enhanced mechanical interlocking, thereby increasing seam strength without compromising manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces curved bead profiles along the longitudinal seam instead of a flat join. The beads create a sinusoidal or undulating pattern that provides mechanical interlocking between the drum body halves, converting a simple linear seam into a complex curved structure that resists centrifugal forces
2Strength
If the seam is completely inclined to enhance strength, then the seam strength improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the continuous seam into discrete bead elements spaced at regular intervals along the longitudinal seam. Each bead acts as an independent strengthening element, providing localized mechanical interlocking while maintaining overall seam continuity. This segmentation allows the complex inclined structure to be manufactured through repeated simple clinching operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drum (1) suitable for use in washer/dryers (5), comprising a cylindrical body (2) produced from a rectangular shaped sheet metal, a linear seam (3) formed by superposing and folding on the body (2), of the straight edges which are brought to face each other by bending the sheet forming the body (2) into a cylinder shape, extending along the body (2) in parallel to the rotating axis (E) of the drum (1), and a plurality of beads (4) arranged on the seam (3) in full-length, formed by intermittently crushing the seam (3) by means of a clinching apparatus.