Elastic Washer Nut Structure for Stable Washing Machine Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fixing devices for washing machine components, such as drive pulleys and counterweights, face issues with torque loss over time, requiring high tightening torque and chamfers, which lead to costly and complex solutions with potential for misalignment and joint failure.
Innovation Solution
An elastic fixing device with a tubular portion having a threaded and tightening section with a substantially polygonal external shape and internal thread, eliminating the need for chamfers and maintaining constant torque, integrated into a single piece made from tempered steel, utilizing a manufacturing method involving stamping, rolling, and heat treating for enhanced mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid nuts with high tightening torque are used, then the torque transmission is reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the elastic washer function and the nut function into a single integrated component. The fixing device has a nut body with an elastic deformation section that provides both the tightening function and the torque maintenance function, eliminating the need for separate elastic washers and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of part of the nut body by creating an elastic deformation section with reduced wall thickness. This localized parameter change allows the rigid nut to exhibit elastic behavior in specific regions, enabling torque maintenance without requiring a completely different component type
2Reliability
If chamfers are added to the shaft to prevent relative rotation, then the fixation reliability improves, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformation section of the fixing device automatically compensates for misalignment and prevents relative rotation between the pulley and shaft. The elastic properties enable self-adjustment during operation, eliminating the need for additional chamfers on the shaft while maintaining fixation stability
3Reliability
If elastic washers are added to maintain torque, then the torque reliability improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the elastic washer's torque maintenance function directly into the nut body through the elastic deformation section. This eliminates the need for separate elastic washers while preserving the torque maintenance capability, reducing both component count and assembly complexity
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for fixation, then the functionality is adequate, but the ease of operation and mounting improve when using a single integrated piece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nut body, elastic washer function, and torque maintenance mechanism into a single integrated fixing device. This reduces the number of parts to be handled during assembly, simplifies the mounting process, and eliminates potential errors from incorrect component assembly while maintaining all necessary fixation functions
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 elastic fixing device provides reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-mount connections that maintain torque throughout the machine's lifetime, reducing the risk of joint failure and misalignment, while being applicable to various components without the need for additional washers or chamfers.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic fixing device, comprising an elastic washer section and a tubular portion projecting from a central area of the washer section
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a manufacturing method involving stamping, rolling, and heat treating for enhanced mechanical properties
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Elastic fixing device comprising a threaded axial passage (2) arranged in a central area of the fixing device, which defines a screw axis, an elastic washer section (1) extending from the axial passage in a radial direction away from the screw axis, and tightening means for facilitating the screwing of the device.