Drum Washer Stator Mounting With Integrated Bearing Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional direct-connection type drum washing machines face challenges in fabricating a stator with low weight and simplified assembly, while maintaining sufficient supporting force and concentricity, due to complex fabrication processes and material wastage.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a bearing housing within the tub, with a hub portion and stator seating structure, allows for a simplified and lightweight stator assembly with improved coupling strength and concentricity, eliminating the need for a heavy tub supporter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional dividable stator core with protrusions and coupling bores is used to maintain concentricity and support the stator, then the stator can be firmly coupled to the tub, but the fabrication process becomes complicated and material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestator coupling stabilityVSAvoidstator fabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the protrusion and coupling bore features from the stator core itself and relocates them to a separate tub supporter component. This allows the stator core to be a simple, easily fabricated cylindrical structure while the coupling mechanism resides in the tub supporter, resolving the contradiction between reliable coupling and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the coupling function from the stator core by introducing a separate tub supporter component. The stator core focuses solely on electromagnetic function while the tub supporter handles mechanical coupling and positioning, simplifying stator fabrication while maintaining coupling reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a metallic tub supporter is used to support the stator and maintain concentricity, then the stator can be firmly coupled to the tub, but the overall weight of the motor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestator mounting stabilityVSAvoidmotor weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the tub supporter from heavy metal to lightweight plastic, maintaining structural integrity and coupling functionality while significantly reducing the overall motor weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a plastic tub supporter that integrates multiple functions (support, positioning, coupling) into a single non-metallic component, replacing the conventional metallic structure and achieving weight reduction while maintaining mounting stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If a tub supporter covering the majority of the rear wall is used to maintain concentricity, then the stator can be properly positioned, but the device complexity and number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestator concentricityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tub supporter is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, maintains tub concentricity, positions the stator, and enables coupling - eliminating the need for separate metallic supporter and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple functions (support, positioning, coupling, concentricity maintenance) into a single integrated tub supporter structure, reducing the number of parts while achieving precise stator positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces material waste, simplifies the assembly process, and enhances the stability and reliability of the stator's mounting, leading to improved noise reduction, power efficiency, and washing performance.

Implementation Method 1

The bearing housing is insert-molded in the tub to be integrally formed with the tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInsert-molding:

Implementation Method 2

a friction damper 24 is installed between an inner bottom surface of the cabinet 1 and an outer lower surface of the tub 2, to alleviate vibrations of the tub 2 caused during a dehydrating operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction damping: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2052104B1Drum type laundry machine
Publication Date: 2013.01.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2052104B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2052104B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2052104B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A drum washing machine includes a tub installed in a housing to receive wash water therein, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a rotor having a rotating shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing having at least one bearing for supporting the rotating shaft of the rotor, the bearing housing being located at the tub, and a stator spaced apart from the rotor by a predetermined distance and directly connected to the tub.