Cored Washing Machine Vane Structure for Hinge Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional agitating device vanes in washing machines experience high stress levels due to increased clothing loads and thinner designs, leading to potential breakage and fabric abrasion, with existing solutions increasing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A vane design featuring a depression on the topside and an indentation on the underside for stress relief, along with a cavity defined by multiple supports, reduces stress concentration at the hinge point while maintaining flexibility for effective wash performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the vane is made thinner to reduce material usage and cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but stress concentration increases leading to potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The vane incorporates a stress relief feature (such as a recess or geometric modification) specifically at the hinge point where stress concentration occurs. This local structural modification allows the vane to remain thin overall while providing targeted reinforcement at the critical stress area, thus maintaining both cost-effectiveness and structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vane is made more flexible to reduce fabric abrasion, then fabric abrasion is reduced, but stress concentration at the hinge point increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stress relief feature is strategically positioned at the hinge point to locally manage stress concentration. This allows the vane to maintain overall flexibility for reduced fabric abrasion while the localized feature prevents excessive stress buildup at the critical attachment point.
3Productivity
If the vane outer tip is extended further away from the center shaft to increase washing effectiveness, then wash performance is improved, but stress on the vane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stress relief feature at the hinge point counteracts the increased stress caused by extending the vane tip. This allows the vane to be longer for improved washing effectiveness while the localized stress modification prevents the increased length from causing excessive stress or breakage.
4Strength
If traditional stiff vanes are used to maintain structural integrity, then vane strength is maintained, but the amount of clothing that can be circulated is limited due to motor overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The vane design uses a stress relief feature at the hinge point that allows controlled flexibility while maintaining overall structural integrity. This enables the vane to flex under heavy loads without breaking, allowing increased clothing circulation capacity while staying within motor torque limits, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design minimizes vane breakage and fabric abrasion while allowing for increased clothing loads, balancing strength and flexibility to enhance wash performance without significant manufacturing complexity or cost.
Implementation Method 1
Stress is concentrated at the hinge point because of the abrupt change in geometry between the base of the vane and tip of the vane. The indentation for stress relief is located on the underside of the vane.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane for a washing machine agitating device is provided. The agitating device includes a skirt and a center shaft extending upwardly from the skirt. The vane extends radially from the center shaft of the agitating device toward an outer perimeter of the skirt. One end of the vane includes at least two supports defining a cavity there between to lower stress experienced by a hinge point of the vane, thereby minimizing vane breakage.