Double Drum Laundry Machine Design for Heat and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional twin laundry machines face challenges in reducing vibration, heat transfer, and interference between different laundry treating devices, leading to reliability and durability issues, especially when compacted into a single cabinet.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a metal plate member between the motor and the outer surface of the second tub to shield heat and reinforce the tub, with a recess in the tub to heat wash water and a stepped portion for improved strength, while maintaining a compact size and facilitating easier loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If twin laundry treating devices are compacted into a single cabinet, then space utilization is improved, but vibration and heat transfer between devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces separate vibration isolation mechanisms for each laundry treating device, dividing the vibration control function into independent segments. Each device has its own vibration isolation legs or cushions, preventing vibration transmission between devices while maintaining compact cabinet integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibration isolation legs and cushions as intermediary elements between the laundry treating devices and the cabinet base. These intermediaries absorb and isolate vibrations, preventing direct transmission between devices while allowing both to coexist in the same cabinet space.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent extracts the heat generation issue from the device design by incorporating dedicated heat radiation structures (grilles and openings) that channel heat away from the cabinet interior. This separates the thermal management function from the structural integration, allowing compact placement without heat transfer problems.
2Weight of stationary object
If the second tub is made of plastic to reduce weight, then manufacturing cost and weight are improved, but heat shielding and structural strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining plastic material (for weight reduction) with integrated heat radiation structures (for thermal management). The plastic tub body incorporates molded-in grilles and openings that provide heat shielding functionality, creating a multi-functional composite component that achieves both light weight and heat resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the plastic tub body multi-functional by integrating heat radiation structures directly into it. The tub simultaneously serves as a containment vessel, a heat shield, and a structural component, eliminating the need for separate metal shielding while maintaining strength and thermal protection.
3Area of stationary object
If the motor is positioned in the outer lower portion of the second tub, then space utilization is improved, but heat transfer to the tub increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning heat radiation structures specifically at the motor location on the tub's outer lower surface. The heat shield grilles and openings are concentrated where the motor generates heat, providing localized thermal management exactly where needed rather than uniform protection throughout the tub.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the motor into a manageable feature by designing heat radiation structures that channel this heat outward. The motor's heat, which would otherwise damage the plastic tub, is redirected through molded-in grilles to radiate away from the tub body, turning a harmful effect into a controlled thermal management system.
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
This configuration reduces heat transfer and vibration, enhances the durability and reliability of the laundry machine by effectively managing heat and vibrations, and allows for a more compact and user-friendly design.
Implementation Method 1
a metal plate member between the motor and the outer surface of the second tub to shield heat
Implementation Method 2
a first recess more projected downward than the other portion, and configured to heat wash water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A laundry machine (100) includes first and second washing units including first and second tubs (2, 4), respectively. First and second drums (3, 6) are mounted inside the first and second tubs (2, 4), and first and second drive units drive rotations of the first and second drums (3, 6) around first and second rotational shafts (375, 675), respectively. The second washing unit is arranged above the first washing unit and has a smaller laundry treating capacity than the first washing unit. The first rotational shaft (375) is not parallel to the second rotational shaft (675). A first recess (4b) projects downward from a rear lower surface of the second tub (4) and is configured to heat wash water in the second tub. A metal plate member (500) is provided on an outside lower surface of the second tub (4), and partially extends to the rear of the second tub (4) to expose a bottom surface of the first recess (4b).