Reduction Clutch Positioning for Inner Tub Drainage Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines waste water between the inner and outer tubs, leading to inefficient detergent concentration, contamination issues, and cross-contamination of bacteria, as well as reliability problems with sealing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A reduction clutch system that positions and locks the inner tub, featuring a gear train, input and output shafts, and a clutch shaft sleeve with protrusions and recesses for precise alignment, allowing for controlled drainage through strategically placed drainage holes to prevent water leakage and ensure effective water conservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drainage holes are provided at the center part of the bottom of the inner tub, then drainage efficiency is improved, but the inner tub cannot be positioned correctly during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage hole arrangement is segmented into two distinct patterns: during dewatering, multiple drainage holes are distributed around the periphery for efficient drainage; during washing, the inner tub positioning is ensured by the clutch mechanism. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch shaft sleeve dynamically shifts between two axial positions: upper position for positioning the inner tub during washing, and lower position for enabling drainage during dewatering. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its drainage hole functionality based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between drainage efficiency and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of substance

If a sealed inner tub with no drainage holes is used, then water conservation is improved, but line debris and sediment cannot be completely discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservationVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drainage function from the inner tub wall by providing drainage holes at the bottom, separating the washing function (sealed tub) from the drainage function (bottom holes). This allows the inner tub to remain sealed during washing for water conservation, while enabling complete discharge of debris and sediment through the bottom drainage holes during dewatering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch mechanism performs preliminary positioning of the inner tub before drainage occurs, ensuring that the drainage holes are correctly aligned with the drainage control mechanism. This preliminary action enables complete and efficient discharge of all contaminants, including line debris and sediment, while maintaining water conservation during the washing phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If drainage holes are provided at the side part of the bottom of the inner tub, then drainage control is improved, but the inner tub requires positioning at every end of dewatering process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage controlVSAvoidpositioning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reduction clutch is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a positioning mechanism during washing and as a drainage control mechanism during dewatering. The single axial position of the clutch shaft sleeve simultaneously achieves inner tub positioning and drainage hole alignment, eliminating the need for separate positioning operations at each dewatering phase and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If sealing means is provided between inner and outer tubs, then water leakage is prevented, but the sealing means is easy to leak with long time operation and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak preventionVSAvoidservice life of sealing means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drainage function from the sealing system by providing dedicated drainage holes at the bottom of the inner tub, separated from the sealing interface between inner and outer tubs. This separation allows the sealing means to focus solely on preventing water leakage during washing, while drainage functionality is handled independently, reducing stress and wear on the sealing means and extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10196771B2Reduction clutch capable of positioning inner tub and washing machine

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MASCH CO LTD

AI summary

A reduction clutch for positioning an inner tub has an input shaft connected to an output shaft. An input shaft sleeve is connected to an output shaft sleeve. A clutch shaft sleeve slides axially downward to connect to a driving device and slides upward to connect to a fixed disk at one position in the circumferential direction. The positioning of the input shaft sleeve, the output shaft sleeve and an inner tub in the circumferential direction is achieved by the connecting position. A first water drainage hole is arranged at the bottom of the inner tub. An included angle between a protrusion on the upper portion of the clutch shaft sleeve and the first water drainage hole of the inner tub is equal to an included angle between a recess on the fixed disk fitting with the protrusion and the water drainage control mechanism on the outer tub.