Washing Machine Drum Seal Assembly for Calcareous Deposit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for rotating drums in washing machines are unreliable and have short service life due to calcareous deposits forming on radial sealing lips, leading to leakage and increased maintenance needs, and are complicated to access for maintenance or replacement.
Innovation Solution
Integrating radial sealing lips with at least one axial sealing lip to reduce calcareous layer formation and enhance sealing efficiency, ensuring a fluid-tight seal during both rotation and axial movements, while reducing mechanical component wear and extending the seal element's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radial sealing lips are used to seal the aperture, then a fluid-tight seal is achieved, but calcareous deposits form on the sealing lips causing leakage and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an axial sealing lip that operates in a different dimension (axial direction) compared to the traditional radial sealing lips (radial direction). This axial lip prevents calcareous deposits from reaching the radial sealing lips by creating a barrier in the axial dimension, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealing reliability and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial sealing lip acts as an intermediary element between the calcareous deposits and the radial sealing lips. It intercepts the deposits before they can contaminate the radial sealing surfaces, protecting the primary sealing mechanism and extending its service life while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If radial sealing lips slide on the rotating shaft, then sealing is achieved, but the corner of contact becomes worn due to increased pressure from calcareous layer
Solution Approach 1:
The axial sealing lip serves as a protective intermediary that prevents calcareous deposits from accumulating on the radial sealing lips. By intercepting deposits in the axial direction, it reduces the pressure and wear on the contact corners of the radial sealing lips, thereby improving wear resistance while maintaining sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial sealing lip provides beforehand protection by preventing calcareous deposits from reaching the radial sealing lips before they can cause excessive wear. This preventive mechanism cushions the radial sealing lips from the harmful effects of deposit accumulation, extending their operational life.
3Speed
If traditional radial seal elements are used, then sealing during rotation is achieved, but sealing efficiency decreases under axial movements and dynamic oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is designed with both radial sealing lips for rotational sealing and an axial sealing lip for axial movement sealing. This multi-functional configuration allows the same seal assembly to effectively handle both rotational motion and axial movements, as well as dynamic oscillations, thereby improving reliability under varied dynamic conditions while maintaining rotational sealing capability.
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 axial sealing lip significantly reduces calcareous deposit formation, preserves the radial sealing function, and prolongs the overall seal element's life, reducing maintenance needs and production costs by ensuring a reliable, efficient seal even under dynamic conditions and mechanical defects.
Implementation Method 1
The axial sealing lip drastically reduces the formation of the calcareous layer and protects the radial sealing lips so that their sealing function is preserved.
Implementation Method 2
the seal element is provided with a pair of radial sealing lips, which cooperate slidingly with the side surface of the shaft
Implementation Method 3
a seal element must therefore be fitted to seal the aperture and separate the washing chamber from the compartment housing the motor in a fluid-tight manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A seal assembly (1) for a rotating drum (3) of a washing machine comprises: a rotating drum shaft (4), extending along an axis (A) and rotatable about the axis and arranged so as to pass through an aperture (5) in a wall (6) of the washing machine; a support member (10) for supporting the drum, fixed to the drum and integrally connected to the shaft so as to rotate the drum; and a seal element (11) to seal the aperture (5) in a fluid-tight manner; the seal element (11) has a pair of radial sealing lips (21, 22), arranged side by side along the axis (A) and both cooperating slidingly with a cylindrical sealing surface (23) arranged round the shaft (4), and at least one axial sealing lip (24), cooperating with a front sealing surface (25) carried by the support member (10) and substantially orthogonal to the axis (A).