Washing Machine Drum Web Hole Layout for Better Liquid Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine drums with internal bulges and small holes face issues with suboptimal liquid flow and laundry entrainment, leading to reduced mechanical action and potential fiber shedding during washing.
Innovation Solution
The drum features a structure with curvatures formed by individual curved segments and holes placed in the webs, avoiding star points and crossings to prevent material weakening, ensuring improved liquid drainage and laundry movement while maintaining care for the laundry items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If holes are arranged in the corner points of the edge contours of the bulges, then the laundry is treated with care and slides along the curves with very little friction, but the throughflow of the washing liquid and the exchange of suds between the inside of the drum and the suds container does not take place optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different hole arrangements in different regions of the drum shell. Holes are positioned in the webs between bulges rather than at corner points, creating local variations in structure that optimize both laundry care and liquid flow. The curved segments and webs provide different functional zones within the same drum surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum shell is divided into curved segments that form a net-like structure with webs between them. This segmentation allows the drum to maintain structural integrity while creating optimized pathways for liquid flow through the webs, separating the structural support function from the flow function.
2Ease of operation
If the drum has a structure of evenly structured bulges with entrainment ribs distributed over the circumference, then the laundry movement is caused by entrainment ribs, but the entrainment effect of the items of laundry on the drum casing suffers if a film of water forms, resulting in reduced mechanical action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved segments with rounded corner points instead of sharp angles. This curvature allows laundry items to slide smoothly along the drum surface while still maintaining effective entrainment. The curved geometry prevents water film accumulation that would reduce friction, as the curved surfaces promote better water drainage.
3Productivity
If holes are arranged in the areas of star points or crossings of the webs, then the liquid flow paths are maximized, but the material of the drum casing is weakened by the holes in the particularly stressed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions holes specifically in the webs between bulges, avoiding the star points and crossings where stress is concentrated. This local differentiation allows the drum shell to maintain structural strength at critical stress points while still providing adequate liquid drainage through the webs.
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 design enhances laundry movement and water drainage, reducing fiber shedding and mechanical stress, while maintaining gentle treatment and effective liquid exchange during the washing process.
Implementation Method 1
the items of laundry slide along the curves with very little friction
Implementation Method 2
holes for the passage of washing liquid
Implementation Method 3
a film of water forms, as a result of which, the items of laundry slide down too easily
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The drum (3) has a cylinder-shaped casing (19) limited by a front wall (20) and comprising a structure made from bulges aligned towards an inner side of the drum, where the drum is arranged in a water container. The structure has curved segments and rods formed between the segments. Holes are formed between the segments for passing washing liquid, where the bulges are arranged for forming a net-like structure of the rods. The holes are arranged in the rods, such that the rods are formed as star points or junctions. Edges of the segments are rounded with a radius of 2 to 10 mm.