Dryer Duct Cover Sealing Layout for Airflow and Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dryers face issues with vibration and noise due to the deformation of the rear panel, which affects the alignment of the rotating shafts and reduces the reliability of the reducer, and lack a structured approach for air flow and water management.

Innovation Solution

The laundry treating apparatus includes a duct cover system with a duct sealing unit and a sealing mount part to prevent air leakage, and a water storage tank for condensed water, allowing for efficient air circulation and easy assembly, while the motor is positioned behind the drum to reduce vibration and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driving unit is fixed to the rear panel of the cabinet, then the drum can be rotated, but the rear panel deforms or vibrates causing misalignment of rotating shafts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotationVSAvoidshaft alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is divided into a rear panel and a separate support structure (cross members and reinforcing ribs). The driving unit is mounted on the support structure rather than directly on the rear panel, segmenting the load-bearing function from the enclosing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cross members are added in the horizontal dimension to create a rigid support framework. The reinforcing ribs extend in the vertical dimension to prevent panel deformation. This multi-dimensional support structure distributes loads effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet weightVSAvoidrear panel stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcing ribs are pre-installed on the rear panel before the driving unit is mounted. This preliminary reinforcement ensures the panel can withstand future loads without deformation, preventing vibration and misalignment issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure combines the thin rear panel with additional structural elements (cross members and reinforcing ribs) to create a composite system that maintains light weight while achieving the required strength and stiffness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the driving unit is disposed parallel to the rotating shaft, then the drum rotates stably, but the assembly process is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotation stabilityVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure serves multiple functions: it mounts the driving unit, supports the drum load, reinforces the rear panel, and provides alignment references. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall assembly process by combining several structural requirements into one integrated component.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4039878A1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4039878A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039878A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4039878A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus comprising a cabinet (100) having an opening (111) formed through a front portion thereof; a drum (200) rotatably provided in the cabinet (100) and having an inlet (211) configured such that laundry enters the drum (200) therethrough; a base (800) provided below the drum (200) adapted to provide a space configured such that air in the drum (200) is circulated therein; and a motor (500) disposed behind the drum (200) and spaced apart from the base (800) configured to provide power to rotate the drum (200), wherein the base (800) comprises: a supply duct (828) configured to communicate with the drum (200) so as to draw in air from the drum (200) and then to resupply the air to the drum (200); a heat exchange unit (900) provided in the supply duct (828) and comprising a first heat exchanger (910) configured to cool the air and a second heat exchanger (920) spaced apart from the first heat exchanger (910) and configured to heat the air cooled by the first heat exchanger (910); a duct cover (830) coupled to an upper portion of the supply duct (828) so as to shield the first heat exchanger (910) and the second heat exchanger (920), and comprising an inflow communication hole (8314) configured such that the supply duct (828) and the drum (200) communicate with each other therethrough; a duct sealing unit (880) disposed between the supply duct (828) and the duct cover (830) and configured to prevent the air in the supply duct (828) from leaking through the duct cover (830); and a sealing mount part (8324) provided on one surface of the duct cover (830) facing the supply duct (828) and configured such that the duct sealing unit (880) is mounted in the sealing mount part (8324), wherein the sealing mount part (8324) comprises: a first sealing mount part (83241) provided to extend along a circumference of the duct cover (830); and a second sealing mount part (83242) provided to surround at least a portion of the inflow communication hole (8314), wherein the first sealing mount part (83241) is configured to communicate with the second sealing mount part (83242) so that the duct sealing unit is integrally mounted in the first sealing mount part (83241) and the second sealing mount part (83242).