Direct-Drive Drum Rear Plate With Integrated Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses face inefficiencies due to slipping between belts and drums, restricted rotation speed and direction control, and space constraints when using a belt for power transmission, and air leakage issues with separate ducts for air flow in dryer designs.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a driving part directly connected to the drum, eliminating the need for belts and incorporating a rear plate with an integrated air flow portion to efficiently transmit power and supply air, optimizing space utilization and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a belt is used to transmit power from the driving part to the drum, then the drum can be rotated, but slipping occurs between the belt and the drum due to rotation speed and inertia, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the belt from the power transmission system entirely. The driving part is directly connected to the drum through a driving shaft that aligns with the drum's rotation shaft, eliminating the intermediary belt that caused slipping and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a driving shaft as a direct mechanical intermediary between the driving part and the drum. This shaft is positioned on the same line as the drum's rotation shaft, enabling direct power transmission without belt slipping.
2Ease of operation
If a belt is used for power transmission, then the drum can be rotated, but the rotation speed and direction control is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is removed from the system, simplifying the power transmission mechanism. The direct connection between the driving shaft and drum allows for easier control of rotation speed and direction without the constraints of belt mechanics.
3Volume of moving object
If the driving part is disposed at the lower portion of the cabinet, then space utilization is achieved, but the arrangement of components is constrained and space allocation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The driving part is repositioned from the lower portion to the rear of the cabinet, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the driving shaft to align with the drum's rotation shaft at the rear, enabling direct power transmission while improving component arrangement flexibility.
4Productivity
If a separate duct is used for air flow at the rear of the drum, then air can be supplied into the drum, but air leakage occurs and additional fastening is required
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow portion is integrated directly into the rear plate structure, merging the air supply function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate ducts and reduces air leakage risks while maintaining effective air supply to the drum.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet (100) having a rear plate (110) at a rear surface thereof, a drum (200) having a drum rear surface (210) facing the rear plate (110), and a driving part (400) positioned at the rear of the rear plate (110), the rear plate (110) includes a driving part mounting portion to be coupled with the driving part, and an air flow portion (130) surrounding the driving part mounting portion (120) and providing air to the drum (200), the drum rear surface (210) includes a rear surface central portion (220) facing the driving part mounting portion (120), and an air passage (230) surrounding the rear surface central portion (220) and passing air provided from the air flow portion therethrough to be supplied into the drum (200), the air flow portion (130) includes a flow space (132) allowing air to flow therein and having an open front surface (131), and the air passage (230) protrudes rearward from the drum rear surface (210) and shields the open front surface (131) of the air flow portion (130).