Dryer Drum Shaft Bracket Assembly for Hidden Fastening and Rust Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dryers have complex assembly structures that can damage laundry and are prone to rust, with issues related to the coupling between the drum and the rotating shaft, including low fastening force and ease of assembly problems.

Innovation Solution

The laundry treatment apparatus uses a nut-shaped coupling member with a screw-locking agent and hot-rolled galvanized sheet iron for the shaft bracket, along with a protective cover to prevent damage and improve assembly efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional coupling structure with studs and bolts is used to connect the drum, shaft bracket, and rotating shaft, then the assembly can be completed, but the structure becomes complicated and visible to users, deteriorating the appearance of the dryer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly structure complexityVSAvoidappearance quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the visible coupling members (studs, bolts, nuts) from the final assembly by designing a integrated coupling structure where these elements are hidden within the shaft bracket or drum structure, leaving only a smooth external surface visible to users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate coupling components into a unified integrated structure where the shaft bracket, drum, and rotating shaft form a combined assembly with hidden fastening mechanisms, eliminating the need for visible external coupling members

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional coupling members (studs, bolts, nuts) are used to connect the drum and rotating shaft, then the assembly can be completed, but these components may cause damage to laundry and become scratched and rusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidlaundry damage and component corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful coupling members from contact with laundry by positioning all fastening components (studs, bolts, nuts) on the external periphery of the drum, away from the internal laundry treatment space, eliminating the risk of these components damaging laundry or becoming scratched and rusted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the shaft bracket as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between the drum and rotating shaft, allowing the coupling members to be positioned externally while still transmitting rotational force effectively to the drum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a screw-type stud is used to couple the rotating shaft, shaft bracket, and rear cover, then the components can be connected, but the alignment requirements reduce ease of assembly and lower the fastening force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening forceVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coupling function into separate components: the shaft bracket provides structural support and positioning, while dedicated coupling members (bolts and nuts) provide fastening, allowing each component to be optimized independently and assembled more easily

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft bracket acts as an intermediary that provides a stable mounting structure for the coupling members, enabling easier alignment and assembly while maintaining high fastening forces through the distributed coupling structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4039869A1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4039869A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039869A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039869A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a drive unit (10) including a rotating shaft (65, 865, 965); a drum (20) configured to be rotated by the rotating shaft (65, 865, 965) and receive laundry and including a cylindrical drum body (21) and a rear cover (23), the rear cover (23) defining a rear surface of the drum body (21) and including a rear cover through hole (231) in an axial direction of the rotating shaft (65, 865, 965); and a shaft bracket (27, 87, 97) that (i) is coupled to the rear cover (23) and the rotating shaft (65, 865, 965), (ii) covers the rear cover through hole (231), (iii) is configured to transmit rotational force of the rotating shaft (65, 865, 965) to the drum (20), and (iv) defines a shaft-coupling hole (271, 871, 971) in the axial direction, wherein the rotating shaft (65, 865, 965) is inserted into the shaft-coupling hole (271, 871, 971), projected into an inside of the drum (20), and coupled to the shaft bracket (27, 87, 97) by a rotating-shaft-fastening member.