Drum Washing Machine Layout for Larger Capacity in Compact Cabinets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type washing machines face limitations in increasing washing capacity without expanding the overall size of the machine, as the diameter of the drum is restricted by the cabinet dimensions, and the installation of a gasket reduces the length of the drum, making it difficult to enhance capacity and stability during rotation.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates the cabinet and tub to increase the drum's diameter without enlarging the cabinet size, with both side surfaces of the drum supported for stable rotation, and a compact driving motor installation, along with an automatic drum door opening/closing mechanism using a door opening/closing device that includes a suspending rod, actuator, and controlling means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the drum is increased to enhance washing capacity, then the washing capacity is improved, but the size of the cabinet must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet and tub are formed integrally as a single structure, eliminating the need for a separate tub housing. This integration allows the drum to have a larger diameter relative to the cabinet size, as the tub walls themselves form the cabinet structure, maximizing the usable drum volume without increasing the overall machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the vertical space utilization by extending the tub height and positioning the drum to rotate in the vertical direction. This dimensional optimization allows for increased washing capacity through enhanced drum diameter and length configuration without proportionally increasing the horizontal cabinet footprint.
2Reliability
If the gasket is installed to prevent water leakage, then water leakage prevention is improved, but the length of the drum is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is extracted from the traditional position between the cabinet and tub opening, and instead is installed at the bottom end of the tub where it connects to the cabinet base. This repositioning allows the drum to maintain its full length without the gasket occupying space that would otherwise be part of the drum structure, thus preserving drum length while still achieving effective water leakage prevention.
3Quantity of substance
If the drum diameter is increased to improve washing capacity, then the washing capacity is improved, but the drum may contact the cabinet during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cabinet and tub structures, the invention creates a unified support system where the tub walls extend to form the cabinet boundaries. This integration ensures that the drum rotates within the tub structure itself, which is structurally designed to accommodate the drum's rotation path, thereby preventing contact with the cabinet while maximizing drum diameter for washing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum type washing machine comprises: a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the washing machine; a tub fixed inside the cabinet for storing the washing water; a drum disposed in the tub and having both side surfaces supported by the cabinet to be rotatable and an inlet through which laundries come in/go out on a circumferential surface thereof; and a driving motor fixed on one side surface of the drum to rotate the drum. Therefore, washing capacity can be increased as maintaining entire size of the washing machine by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing size of the cabinet, and entire size of the washing machine can be compacted by minimizing installation space of the driving motor.