Drum Connector Segmentation for Self-Cleaning in Laundry Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in preventing particles from remaining in the connector and cleaning it, which affects the transfer of rotation power and weight minimization.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a rotary shaft, first and second body arms, and connecting portions that maintain a spaced-apart configuration to allow water passage, enhancing the transfer of rotation power and minimizing weight, while preventing particle accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is fixed to the rear surface of the drum, then the rotation power transfer is stable, but it becomes difficult to check and clean particles remaining in the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple segments including a first body, second body, and connecting portion, allowing water to pass through the spaces between them. This segmentation enables cleaning functionality while maintaining structural integrity for power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary cleaning agent that flows through the spaces between connector components, automatically removing particles without requiring manual disassembly or intervention
2Ease of manufacture
If the connector structure is simplified to improve manufacturing, then manufacturing cost decreases, but particle accumulation becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple segments including a first body, second body, and connecting portion, allowing water to pass through the spaces between them. This segmentation enables cleaning functionality while maintaining structural integrity for power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure enables self-cleaning through water flow, where the rotating drum naturally directs water through the connector spaces to remove particles, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms
3Weight of moving object
If the connector components are positioned closer together to reduce weight, then weight minimization is achieved, but water passage paths may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The connector utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement where the first and second bodies are positioned at different radial distances from the rotation axis, creating water passage paths through the radial and axial dimensions while minimizing overall weight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus (100) comprises a tub (2) providing a space (A2, A3, A4) in which water is stored; a drum (3) rotatably provided inside the tub (2) in a cylindrical shape, providing a space (A2, A3, A4) in which laundry is stored, and having a first surface (33, 35) provided with a drum inlet (331) allowing laundry to be loaded or taken out therethrough, a second surface (33, 35) provided to face the first surface (33, 35), and a circumferential surface (32) connecting (L2, L3, L4) the first surface (33, 35) with the second surface (33, 35); a first body (71, 73, 73) having a first body hub (711, 731, 731) fixed to the second surface (33, 35) and located in the center of rotation of the drum (3), and a first body (71, 73, 73) arm (62, 63, 64, 713, 714, 715, 733, 734, 735) extended from the first body hub (711, 731, 731) to a rim of the second surface (33, 35); a second body (71, 73, 73) having a second body hub (711, 731, 731) located in the tub (2), to which a rotary shaft (2) of the drum (3) is fixed, and a second body (71, 73, 73) arm (62, 63, 64, 713, 714, 715, 733, 734, 735) extended from the second body hub (711, 731, 731) along the same direction as the direction where the first body (71, 73, 73) arm (62, 63, 64, 713, 714, 715, 733, 734, 735) is extended from the first body hub (711, 731, 731); and a connecting portion (74) provided to connect the first body (71, 73, 73) with the second body (71, 73, 73) so as to maintain the state that the first body (71, 73, 73) is spaced apart from the second body (71, 73, 73), forming a path (77) between the first body (71, 73, 73) and the second body (71, 73, 73) to allow water to pass therethrough.