Dual-Drum Washer Connection Structure for Vibration and Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing double-drum washing machines face issues with space occupation, vibration noise, and instability due to gaps between drums and the need for additional counterweights, which increase costs and reduce vibration noise effectively.

Innovation Solution

The drums are connected via a protruding connecting part with a boss and reinforcing ribs, allowing for a more integrated structure with fewer auxiliary parts, reducing vibration and noise without additional counterweights, and utilizing mounting through holes at different heights to coordinate displacement changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If two drums are respectively arranged in their respective frame with a gap between them, then the drums are easily assembled and maintained, but the washing machine occupies more space and generates larger vibration noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidvibration noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two drum frames into a single integrated frame structure, with the first and second drums both connected to the same frame. This eliminates the gap between separate frames, reducing vibration noise and space occupation while maintaining assembly ease through modular drum installation points on the integrated frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a regulating and balancing device including a counterweight is added on the outer drum, then vibration and noise are reduced to a certain degree, but the production cost increases and the vibration reduction is not obvious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration noiseVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the balancing function into the integrated frame structure itself, rather than adding separate counterweights. The frame is designed with asymmetric reinforcement and positioning features that inherently balance the dual-drum system, eliminating the need for additional balancing devices while reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated frame structure provides self-balancing through its inherent geometric design and distribution of support points. The frame automatically compensates for vibrations and imbalances without requiring external counterweights or active balancing mechanisms, making the system self-regulating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the element connecting double drums is set separately, then the mounting is flexible, but the mounting is tedious and the connection is unstable due to vibration during long-term operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection elements into the frame structure itself, with integrated mounting points and connection features that are part of the frame's basic geometry. This provides both the flexibility of separate drum installation and the stability of integrated connections, as the drums are secured at multiple predetermined points on the unified frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the connection system into modular mounting points distributed across the integrated frame. Each drum can be independently installed at its designated connection points, maintaining flexibility while the distributed connection points across the unified frame provide enhanced stability and vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3640391B1Dual-drum washing machine
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO LTD
  • EP3640391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3640391B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3640391B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A double-drum washing machine comprises a first outer drum (1) and a second outer drum (2) which are respectively provided with a drum inside, wherein the second outer drum (2) is provided with a connecting part (4) protruding from a surface of the second outer drum (2) and integrally molded, the connecting part (4) extends towards the first outer drum (1) along a radial direction from the surface of the second outer drum (2), and an end part of the connecting part (4) is in detachable connection with the first outer drum (1). Double drums of the double-drum washing machine are connected to be almost integrated, therefore, auxiliary fixed parts are used lessen, and the connection between double drums is more stable and reliable and more compact, and the vibration of the double-drum washing machine is effectively reduced during operation, and the noise pollution of the double-drum washing machine is reduced, and additional counterweight is not required, the production cost is reduced.