Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry treating apparatuses, lifters with metal frames can deform under external forces, leading to imbalance, eccentricity, and hygienic issues due to trapped foreign substances, especially when made of stainless steel, which does not regain its original shape after deformation.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a lifter frame made of synthetic resin coupled with a metal frame cover that includes spacers to maintain a gap and prevent deformation, ensuring structural stability and cleanliness by allowing water flow and preventing foreign substances from being trapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the second member is made of metal such as stainless steel, then strength and durability are improved, but the material cannot be restored to its original shape due to plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter is divided into two distinct members: a first member (mounting portion) that remains fixed and a second member (protruding portion) that is replaceable. This segmentation allows the protruding portion to be replaced when deformed, while the main structure retains its strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The second member (protruding portion) is designed to be replaceable rather than permanent. When it becomes deformed or damaged, it can be discarded and replaced with a new one, while the first member (mounting portion) is recovered and reused, maintaining overall system strength.
2Volume of moving object
If the vertex of the dome shape is spaced apart from the base in a radial direction, then lifting space is improved, but the vertex is not supported by the first member and may be depressed when pressed by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter is segmented into a first member (mounting portion) and a second member (protruding portion with dome shape). The first member provides structural support and mounting functionality, while the second member provides the lifting space and contact surface, allowing each to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The first member is pre-configured with a mounting structure that supports the second member at its base. This preliminary support structure ensures that when the second member is installed, the vertex is properly positioned and supported, preventing depression during operation.
3Volume of moving object
If a gap between the outer surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member decreases due to deformation, then structural compactness is improved, but foreign substances may be trapped in the gap causing hygienic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter is segmented into replaceable portions, allowing the second member to be removed and replaced when contaminated or deformed. This prevents foreign substance accumulation that would occur in fixed, compact designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The second member (protruding portion) can be extracted or removed from the first member when it becomes contaminated with foreign substances. This extraction capability eliminates the hygienic problem of trapped substances in compact designs.
4Strength
If the second member does not be restored to its original shape due to plastic deformation, then material strength is maintained, but the balance between the lifters is broken causing eccentricity and imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter is divided into a permanent first member and a replaceable second member. When the second member deforms and loses balance, only that portion needs replacement, while the first member remains in place, maintaining overall structural integrity and balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformed second member is discarded and replaced with a new one to restore balance, while the first member is recovered and reused. This selective replacement maintains both material strength and balance stability.
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 maintains the balance of lifters, prevents deformation, and ensures a clean state by allowing water to flow and discharge effectively, reducing the risk of drum damage and hygienic issues.
Implementation Method 1
water flows between a lifter frame and a frame cover, such that a clean state of the interior of the frame cover may be maintained
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus includes: a drum and a lifter that is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and that is configured to rotate with the drum. The lifter includes a lifter frame coupled to the drum and a frame cover that covers the lifter frame. The lifter frame includes: a frame base coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum; a frame upper plate spaced apart from the frame base in a direction toward an inside of the drum; a frame sidewall that connects the frame upper plate to the frame base; and a spacer that protrudes from the frame upper plate toward an inner surface of the frame cover and that allows the inner surface of the frame cover to be spaced apart from the frame upper plate.