Angled Tub Ring Structure for Washer Drum Ring Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry treating appliances, the traditional planar construction of tub rings leads to increased material requirements for support, higher natural frequencies, and potential contact between balancing and tub rings during rotation, resulting in higher costs and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of angled tub and balancing rings, where the tub ring's first portion extends inwardly and upwardly from the tub's peripheral edge at a specific angle, and the balancing ring's chamfered upper face maintains a gap between the rings, preventing intersection and reducing material usage and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional planar tub rings are used, then structural support is provided, but material usage increases and natural frequencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tub ring is designed with a curved, arc-shaped configuration instead of a traditional planar structure. The first portion extends inwardly and upwardly at a first angle, while the second portion extends inwardly and upwardly at a second angle, creating a curved profile that provides structural support with reduced material usage. This curvature allows the ring to maintain strength while using less material compared to conventional planar designs.
2Strength
If traditional planar tub rings are used, then structural support is provided, but natural frequencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved configuration of the tub ring with angled portions creates a more flexible structure that lowers natural frequencies. The arc-shaped design allows for better vibration absorption and reduced stiffness compared to planar rings, thereby decreasing natural frequencies while maintaining adequate structural support.
3Ease of operation
If traditional tub rings are used, then the balancing ring is hidden and user safety is improved, but contact between tub ring and balancing ring occurs during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The tub ring is designed with asymmetric angled portions where the first portion extends at a first angle and the second portion extends at a second angle. This asymmetric configuration creates clearance between the tub ring and balancing ring during rotation, preventing contact and interference while maintaining the hiding function for user safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The tub ring design incorporates vertical angulation by extending portions upwardly at specific angles rather than purely radially inward. This dimensional change in the vertical direction creates additional clearance space that prevents contact with the balancing ring during drum rotation, eliminating interference issues.
4Productivity
If higher spin speeds are desired, then operational efficiency increases, but contact between rings causes interference
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric angled portions of the tub ring create a clearance pattern that accommodates the centrifugal forces and vibrations at higher spin speeds. The specific angles of the first and second portions are designed to maintain gap separation even under high-speed rotation conditions, preventing contact and interference that would otherwise limit maximum spin speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance having a tub with a tub ring and a drum located within the tub having a balance ring. The tub ring may extend radially inward and be spaced above the balance ring. The tub ring and balance ring may have an angled portion to provide for a generally constant space between the tub ring and balance ring during rotation of the drum within the tub.