Co-Molded Washing Machine Bushing With Disposable Duct Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular bushings for washing machines face challenges in ensuring effective sealing and material flow during co-molding with tubs, leading to potential damage to bearings and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A tubular bushing design featuring disposable plastic caps to seal the axial communication duct and improve material distribution, using a spacer as a structural element and a plastic containing sleeve with a cap that aids in material flow and can be easily recycled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the axial communication duct is closed by means of baffles located inside the mold, then the co-molding process can be performed, but the duct sealing is not ensured and the process is not simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing disposable closing means (caps) that are pre-installed on the tubular bushing before the co-molding process. These caps seal the axial communication duct in advance, ensuring bearing protection during material injection. After molding, the caps are easily removed, simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliable sealing throughout the critical phase.
2Reliability
If disposable plastic caps are used to seal the axial communication duct, then bearing protection and material flow improvement are achieved, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable plastic caps that are inexpensive and single-use. These caps are attached to the tubular bushing, seal the axial communication duct during the co-molding process to protect bearings and improve material flow, then are discarded after serving their purpose. This approach provides reliable protection without requiring permanent or complex sealing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the tubular bushing is co-molded with the tub, then production time and handling are reduced, but the bearings are exposed to plastic material during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by installing disposable closing means (caps) on the tubular bushing before the co-molding process begins. These caps create a protective barrier that prevents plastic material from entering and damaging the bearings during injection. This preliminary protective measure enables the benefits of co-molding while eliminating the harmful effect of material exposure to sensitive components.
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular bushing that is co-moldable with tubs of washing machines, the tubular bushing is engaged by a drive shaft of the washing machine, that extends along a central axis (A) and is provided with two rolling bearings, arranged at a given distance from each other along the axis (A) to rotatably support the drive shaft of the washing machine with respect to the tub. The tubular bushing further provides a containing sleeve, made of plastic material and co-molded around the two bearings; the sleeve defining an axial communication duct between two sides of the tubular bushing, the duct being closed, at least during co-molding, by a disposable cap, engaged in an annular edge of the containing sleeve.