Washing Machine Drum Door Locking Using Centrifugal Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum type washing machines face the challenge of unintentional opening of the drum door during rotation, which can lead to safety issues and inefficiencies in the washing process.
Innovation Solution
A laundry processing apparatus that utilizes a locking device employing centrifugal force to automatically couple the drum door with the drum, ensuring secure engagement and preventing unintentional opening, while allowing selective coupling and release based on angular velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is not provided, then the drum door can be easily opened during rotation, but safety issues and unintentional opening occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device automatically locks and unlocks based on centrifugal force generated during drum rotation. The mass member moves outward during high-speed rotation to engage the coupling portion, and returns during low-speed rotation to disengage, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes changes in rotational speed (angular velocity) as the triggering parameter. When the drum rotates above a predetermined angular velocity, centrifugal force activates the locking mechanism; when rotation slows below the threshold, the locking mechanism automatically releases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking device is provided to prevent unintentional opening, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device operates autonomously using the centrifugal force generated by the rotating drum itself. The mass member's automatic movement during rotation engages or disengages the coupling portion without requiring external control systems, actuators, or additional safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal force, which could potentially cause the drum door to open unintentionally during rotation, is instead utilized as the activating mechanism for the locking device. The same rotational motion that poses a risk becomes the force that secures the drum door.
3Productivity
If automatic coupling based on angular velocity is implemented, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to respond to changes in rotational speed (angular velocity) rather than requiring precise positional alignment. The centrifugal force generated by mass member 311 activates the locking mechanism when the drum rotates above a predetermined angular velocity, eliminating the need for complex alignment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static positioning system to a dynamic speed-based system. The coupling portion 330 and mass member 311 are designed to automatically engage or disengage based on the drum's rotational speed, allowing the system to adapt to different washing conditions without requiring precise mechanical alignment.
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 solution effectively prevents drum door opening during rotation, enhances safety, and supports centrifugal forces acting on laundry, improving the washing process efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (30) for automatically coupling a drum door (20) and a drum (10) to each other by use of a centrifugal force generated by a mass of the locking device (30) while the drum (10) and the drum door (20) are rotated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A laundry processing apparatus comprising a drum (10), a circumferential surface of the drum defining a drum opening (11) that accommodates entrance and exit of laundry into an interior of the drum; a drum door (20) configured and positioned to enable or prevent access to the interior of the drum through the drum opening; and a locking device (30), configured to move relative to the drum and the drum door when the drum is fixed relative to the drum door, to automatically couple or release the drum and the drum door to each other while the drum and the drum door are rotated.