Cuff for a laundry treatment apparatus, laundry treatment apparatus and method for adjusting a gap dimension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment appliances, particularly front loaders, face challenges in reliably and reproducibly setting a minimum gap between the functional surface of a sleeve and the facing surface of the laundry drum due to dynamic reasons and component tolerances, which affects the tub geometry and drum length.
Innovation Solution
A cuff with at least one inner, partially flexible cavity is designed, allowing for the introduction of a curable material that changes the geometry of the functional surface, enabling precise and permanent setting of the gap size by curing the material, which can be thermally, chemically, or UV-cured, using a UV-curable epoxy-based adhesive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed geometry sleeve is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the gap between the functional surface and laundry drum cannot be reliably adjusted for varying tub geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve structure is made dynamically adjustable through an expansion mechanism. The expansion element can change the radial position of the functional surface relative to the laundry drum, allowing the gap dimension to be adjusted according to different tub geometries and drum lengths. This transforms a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap dimension parameter is made variable through the expansion mechanism. By changing the expansion state of the expansion element, the radial position of the functional surface changes, thereby adjusting the gap dimension. This allows precise control of the gap parameter to accommodate different tub geometries and drum lengths.
2Measurement precision
If the sleeve is made adjustable for different gap sizes, then precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion element utilizes flexible bellows structures that can expand and contract radially. These flexible shells provide the necessary movement for adjusting the functional surface position while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The bellows design allows for controlled deformation to achieve precise gap settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion element is nested within the sleeve structure, with the bellows configuration allowing one component to be contained within another. This nested arrangement minimizes the space required for the adjustment mechanism and reduces overall structural complexity while still providing the necessary adjustment capability.
3Reliability
If a rigid sleeve structure is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate dynamic vibrations and tolerance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion mechanism introduces dynamic capability to the sleeve structure, allowing it to adapt to vibrations and tolerance variations during operation. The ability to adjust the gap dimension dynamically ensures reliable operation even when subjected to mechanical stresses and dimensional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bellows structure in the expansion element can deform to accommodate vibrations and movement. This flexibility allows the sleeve to absorb dynamic stresses while maintaining the liquid-tight sealing function, thereby improving operational reliability without requiring overly complex rigid structures.
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 method allows for easy, precise, and reproducible definition of the gap size between the functional surface and the laundry drum, ensuring reliable operation and preventing damage during loading, even with varying tub geometries and drum lengths.
Implementation Method 1
the curable material is then cured, in particular using a UV-curable epoxy-based adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cuff (25) for a laundry treatment device (1) comprising a housing (4) and a tub (10) therein with a washing drum (13) rotatably arranged therein. The cuff (25) forms a loading channel (24) between a loading opening (2) on the housing side and a through-opening (12) on the tub side and has a cuff area (42) with a functional surface (36) which, in its installed position, is positioned with a gap (40) to a surface (20) of the washing drum front (15) facing it.In order to easily, reliably, and reproducibly adjust a minimum gap between the functional surface and a corresponding, facing surface of a washing drum front (15) during the manufacturing process, as required for dynamic reasons and due to component-related tolerances, the cuff area (42) has at least one internal cavity (45) that extends circumferentially and is at least partially flexible. At least one external access (51) opens into the cavity (45).