Composite Washing Machine Drum Structure for Burn Safety and Rigidity

Solution Overview

Problem

Drum washing machines face safety accidents due to the front surface being made of synthetic resin, which has low strength and can deform during high-speed rotation, and is prone to burns when users interact with the heated drum.

Innovation Solution

A drum washing machine design that includes a stainless steel drum body with a detachably connected synthetic resin balance ring, featuring a curling and neck part for reinforcement, and a screw-connection structure to enhance rigidity and prevent deformation during high-speed rotation, while allowing for easy replacement of the balance ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the front surface portion of the drum is made of synthetic resin to prevent burns, then safety is improved, but the strength and rigidity deteriorate causing deformation during high-speed rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburn preventionVSAvoiddrum strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The drum is constructed as a composite structure combining stainless steel (for strength and rigidity) and synthetic resin (for burn prevention and safety). The stainless steel drum body provides the necessary mechanical strength to withstand high-speed rotation, while the synthetic resin front surface portion provides thermal insulation to prevent burns. This composite approach allows both materials to contribute their advantageous properties to the overall drum structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the drum is made entirely of stainless steel to maintain strength during high-speed rotation, then structural integrity is improved, but safety accidents due to burns occur when users contact the heated drum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrum strengthVSAvoidburn hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drum is constructed as a composite structure combining stainless steel (for strength and rigidity) and synthetic resin (for burn prevention and safety). The stainless steel drum body provides the necessary mechanical strength to withstand high-speed rotation, while the synthetic resin front surface portion provides thermal insulation to prevent burns. This composite approach allows both materials to contribute their advantageous properties to the overall drum structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of repair

If the balance ring is detachably connected to the drum body with screw-connection structure, then ease of replacement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalance ring replacementVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balance ring is designed as a separate, detachable component from the drum body, allowing it to be removed and replaced independently. The screw-connection structure enables the balance ring to be securely attached during operation yet easily detached when maintenance or replacement is needed. This segmentation principle improves ease of repair while the standardized screw-connection minimizes the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9091013B2Drum and drum washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The drum includes a drum body provided with at least one opening, and a balance ring passing through the at least one opening and detachably connected to the drum body.