Dryer Drive Train Bracket for Coaxial Motor-Drum Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dryers without washing functions face challenges in implementing a direct connection-type power transmission mechanism due to the lack of a tub for motor fixation, leading to inefficiencies in power transmission, increased volume, and vibration issues.

Innovation Solution

A dryer design featuring a driving unit with a rotor rotation speed reducer, where the rotor's rotation center is coaxial with the drum's, incorporating a power transmitter with interlocking gears to decelerate rotational force, and an improved fixing structure for the motor and power transmitter to minimize volume and vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a belt type power transmission mechanism is used, then the motor can be mounted separately from the drum, but power loss occurs and more space is required inside the case

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of motor mountingVSAvoidpower loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The motor and drum are merged into a direct connection structure where the motor's rotation axis is coaxial with the drum's rotation axis, eliminating the need for intermediate power transmission components like belts. This reduces power loss while maintaining ease of manufacture through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If a belt type power transmission mechanism is used, then the motor can be mounted separately from the drum, but a separate space is required inside the case for the power transmitter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of motor mountingVSAvoidcase volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is directly integrated with the drum in a coaxial arrangement, eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces for belts and power transmission components. This direct connection structure reduces the overall case volume while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a direct connection type is used in a washing machine, then drum RPM and torque can be controlled, but it is not easy to implement in a pure dryer without a tub

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum control capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The direct connection structure originally designed for washing machines with tubs is adapted for use in pure dryers without tubs. The motor is directly coupled to the drum through a coaxial connection, enabling the same drum control capabilities (RPM and torque control) in both washing machines and dryers, while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the tub component.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If a power transmitter is used to transfer motor power to the drum, then the rotation axes can be different, but vibrations are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxis alignment flexibilityVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The motor and drum are merged into a direct connection structure with coaxial rotation axes, eliminating intermediate power transmission components that cause vibrations. This direct coupling reduces harmful vibrations while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different axis requirements through precise coaxial alignment.

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 design reduces power loss, minimizes the driving unit's volume, enhances air flow efficiency, and provides effective cooling and vibration reduction, enabling more efficient and compact dryer operation.

Implementation Method 1

an interlocking gear configured to decelerate a rotational force of the first shaft and transmit the decelerated rotational force to the second shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear deceleration: Gear

Implementation Method 2

a motor including a stator mounted in the through hole and a rotor rotating by the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3964631A1Dryer comprising a drive train bracket
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3964631A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964631A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964631A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dryer includes a drum (20) including a drum body (21) providing a space for storing clothes, a front cover (22) forming a front surface of the drum body (21), a rear cover (23) forming a rear surface of the drum body (21), and a drum inlet (221) penetrating through the front cover (22) and communicating with the inside of the drum body (21), a fixing panel (15) disposed apart from the rear cover (23) and having a through hole (155) formed thereon, a motor (5) including a stator (51) mounted in the through hole (155), and a rotor (52) rotating by the stator (51), a power transmitter (6) including a housing (60a, 60b) fixed to the fixing panel (15), the housing (60a, 60b) including a first shaft (63a, 63b) coupled to the rotor (52), a second shaft (652a, 652b) coupled to the rear cover (23), and an interlocking gear (64a, 64b) configured to transmit a rotational force of the first shaft (63a, 63b) to the second shaft (652a, 652b) by decelerating the rotational force, and a driving unit bracket (4) mounted in the through hole (155).