Dryer Base Air Channel and Motor Support for Low Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry dryers face issues with vibration and noise due to the deformation of the rear panel, which affects the alignment of the rotation shaft and speed reducer, leading to misalignment and potential damage, and lack a structured channel for air flow and condensate management.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a duct cover and nozzle cover that defines a cleaning water channel, featuring a base with an air circulating channel, heat exchangers, and a pump to manage water and air flow, ensuring even water distribution and preventing leaks, while stabilizing the motor and speed reducer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver is fixed to the rear panel of the cabinet, then the drum can be rotated, but the rear panel deforms or vibrates under load causing misalignment of the rotation shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two independent parts: the rear panel for mounting the driver, and a separate reinforcement bracket that provides additional support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other, preventing deformation and maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement bracket is constructed using composite materials or a combination of materials with different properties (such as metal brackets with high stiffness combined with vibration-damping materials) to simultaneously provide structural support, prevent panel deformation, and reduce vibration, thereby maintaining alignment under operational loads.
2Weight of moving object
If the rear panel is made thin to reduce weight, then the cabinet is lighter, but the rear panel is easily deformed or vibrated by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between the thin rear panel (for mounting) and a separate reinforcement bracket (for structural support). This allows the rear panel to remain thin and lightweight while the bracket provides the necessary strength and stiffness to resist deformation and vibration from the driver and drum loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement bracket acts as an intermediary structural element between the thin rear panel and the heavy driver assembly. It mediates the mechanical loads, transferring forces away from the panel while maintaining the panel's lightweight design, thus preventing deformation without requiring the panel itself to be thicker.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rotation shaft and speed reducer are arranged side by side on the rear panel, then the drum rotates stably, but unnecessary vibration and noise occur due to panel deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement bracket creates a separate, stable mounting platform for the rotation shaft and speed reducer, segmenting them from the flexible rear panel. This isolated platform maintains precise alignment and reduces vibration transmission, allowing stable drum rotation while minimizing harmful vibration and noise generated by panel deformation.
4Device complexity
If no structured channel is provided for air flow, then the internal structure is simpler, but condensate water cannot be effectively collected and managed
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the drum, incorporates an integrated air circulating channel for airflow management, and includes a water collection reservoir for condensate management. This multi-functional design achieves reliable condensate management without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 solution enhances the assembly and production processes, improves drying efficiency by ensuring even water distribution, prevents water leaks, and stabilizes the motor and speed reducer components, reducing noise and vibration, and maintaining the coaxiality of the drive shaft and drum rotation shaft.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger to heat or cool the air
Implementation Method 2
a pump to move water or other fluids
Implementation Method 3
perform a drying cycle to remove moisture contained in the laundry by exposing the hot air to the laundry
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum, the base, and a motor. The base is disposed under the drum to provide a space in which air inside the drum circulates. The motor is disposed in rear of the drum and disposed spaced apart from the base, and provides power to rotate the drum. The base includes an air circulating channel, a heat exchanger, a water collector body, a pump, a cleaning water channel, and a nozzle cover. The cleaning water channel is disposed on a top face of the air circulating channel, and receives water from the pump, and discharges the received water to the first heat exchanger. The nozzle cover is coupled to the top face of the circulating channel so as to shield the cleaning water channel.