Drum Washer Planetary Gear Switching for Multi-Mode Washing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drum washing machines have limitations in washing modes, leading to suboptimal washing effects and reduced service life due to high load on planetary gear mechanisms, which affects power transmission and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A drum washing machine design incorporating a planetary gear assembly that switches between two states to allow the agitator and drum to rotate in the same or opposite directions, combined with a brake system for mode control, reducing the load on the gear assembly and enhancing stability and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the planetary gear mechanism is used to drive the drum and impeller, then the washing machine can operate, but the load on the planetary gear mechanism is relatively large, affecting power transmission and service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of planetary gear mechanismVSAvoidload on planetary gear mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the direct driving function from the planetary gear mechanism by introducing a motor that directly drives the drum. This removes the heavy load of drum driving from the planetary gear mechanism, leaving it to only provide rotational direction switching and speed adjustment, thereby significantly reducing the load and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a motor as an intermediary device between the power source and the drum. The motor directly couples to the drum, serving as a mediator that handles the high-load driving task, while the planetary gear mechanism only performs low-load directional control, thus protecting the planetary gear from excessive load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the drum is directly driven by the motor through planetary gear transmission, then power is transmitted, but the structure becomes complex and control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol easeVSAvoidtransmission structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex multi-stage planetary gear transmission structure and replaces it with direct motor-to-drum coupling. This simplifies the transmission structure significantly while maintaining the ability to control drum rotation, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using the planetary gear mechanism to transmit power from motor to drum (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by having the motor directly drive the drum and using the planetary gear mechanism only for directional switching. This inversion simplifies the overall control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a single washing mode is used, then the structure is simple, but the washing effect is affected and washing time cannot satisfy quick washing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing speedVSAvoidwashing mode complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities by enabling the planetary gear mechanism to switch between different operational states (different rotational directions and speed ratios). This allows the washing machine to adapt between different washing modes (standard wash and quick wash) based on needs, improving productivity without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (rotational direction, speed ratio) of the planetary gear mechanism to achieve different washing modes. By adjusting these parameters, the system can switch between standard washing and quick washing modes, thereby improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables various washing modes, improves washing efficiency, extends the service life of the machine by reducing the load on the planetary gear assembly, and simplifies control mechanisms, resulting in stable and effective operation.

Implementation Method 1

the brake pawl holds the brake disk tightly to brake the brake disk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3739103B1Drum washing machine
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3739103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739103B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3739103B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A drum washing machine (100) includes a tub (1); a drum (2) rotatably provided in the tub (1); an agitator (4) rotatably provided in the drum (2) and having a water spray hole; a driver in transmission connection with the drum (2) via a main shaft (31), and the main shaft (31) transmitting a torque of the driver to the drum (2); a planetary gear assembly (6) in transmission connection with the main shaft (31) and the agitator (4) respectively, and transmitting the torque of the main shaft (31) to the agitator (4); a brake (7) linked with the planetary gear assembly (6);and a water supply device configured to supply water to the agitator (4).