Washing Machine Drum Seam Structure to Prevent Laundry Snagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laundry washing or washing-drying machines, the seam area where the drum's cylindrical body and circular lids connect can cause laundry to get stuck and be damaged due to metal burrs formed during the manufacturing process, leading to potential tearing during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A drum design where the overlapping peripheries of the body and lids are connected with seams formed by circumferential bending and folding outward, with a circular set extending inward to cover the connecting line, preventing laundry from getting stuck and formed metal burrs are crushed by a pressure apparatus to smooth the seam and create the set, eliminating the gap where laundry can be caught.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the peripheries of the lids and cylindrical body are bent and connected to form seams, then the seam strength is increased against centrifugal forces, but a circumferential connecting line is formed with metal burrs that can damage laundry
Solution Approach 1:
A circular set is introduced as an intermediary element between the connecting line and the laundry. This set extends from the drum's inner surface toward the connecting line, covering the harmful metal burrs and preventing direct contact with laundry items during drum rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing apparatus that creates the set also smooths the connecting line area, converting the potentially harmful metal burrs into a flattened, less dangerous surface. The same force that creates the protective set also reduces the sharpness of the burrs.
2Strength
If the peripheries are bent outward to form seams, then the seam structure is strengthened, but a narrow gap is created in front of the connecting line where laundry can get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The circular set acts as a mediator that fills the narrow gap formed by the outward bending of peripheries. By extending into this gap space, the set prevents laundry from entering and getting stuck while maintaining the structural integrity of the seam.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional production steps are added to cover the connecting line and smooth burrs, then laundry protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing apparatus combines multiple functions into a single operation: it smooths the connecting line area, creates the circular set that covers the gap and burrs, and strengthens the seam structure. This merging of functions avoids the need for separate production steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing apparatus serves multiple purposes: it acts as a smoothing tool for the connecting line, a forming tool for creating the protective circular set, and a strengthening element for the seam structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized equipment or process steps.
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 drum design effectively prevents laundry from getting stuck or torn by the seam area, ensuring safe operation during washing and spin-drying cycles without additional production steps or costs, as the smoothing process simultaneously forms the protective set.
Implementation Method 1
the set around the drum is shaped as an impression that is formed by inwardly denting the cylindrical outer surface of the drum body by circumferentially applying pressure from the outer side by means of a pressure apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the smoothing process simultaneously forms the protective set
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drum (1) suitable for using in laundry washing or washing-drying machines, comprising a cylindrical body (2), two circular lids (3, 103) which are mounted to the front and rear sides of the body (2), two circular seams (4) which are produced by circumferentially bending and folding outwards the overlapping peripheries of the body (2) and the lids (3, 103), and two circumferential connecting lines (5) which are located at the inner area surrounded by the body (2) and the lids (3, 103), behind the seam (4) and which are formed by the circumferential narrow gap (G) between the body (2) and lid (3, 103) peripheries bending outwards.