Flexible Washer Tub Structure for Capacity and Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances face limitations in capacity and vibration transmission due to the dual functional requirements of liquid containment and structural support, leading to increased noise and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A vertical axis laundry treating appliance with a tub structure comprising a lower and upper tub portion connected by a flexible intermediate portion, which allows for increased capacity and vibration isolation through reduced vibration transmission to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the tub capacity is increased, then the laundry treating capacity is improved, but the vibration transmitted to the cabinet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tub is divided into three distinct segments: a lower rigid tub portion, a flexible intermediate portion, and an upper rigid tub portion. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural support while the flexible portion isolates vibrations, thereby increasing tub capacity without proportionally increasing vibration transmission to the cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate portion acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower tub portions. It serves as a vibration isolation medium that connects the two rigid portions while preventing direct vibration transmission, thus enabling increased tub capacity with reduced harmful vibration effects.
2Volume of stationary object
If the tub capacity is increased, then the laundry treating capacity is improved, but the noise generated increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tub structure into rigid and flexible portions, the patent enables increased capacity while the flexible intermediate portion acts as a noise dampening element, reducing the noise generated during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible intermediate portion serves as a mediator that reduces noise transmission from the upper tub portion to the lower tub portion and cabinet, allowing larger tub capacity without proportional noise increase.
3Strength
If a rigid tub structure is used, then the structural support is improved, but the vibration transmission to the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tub structure is segmented into rigid portions for structural support and a flexible intermediate portion for vibration isolation. This allows the rigid portions to provide necessary strength while the flexible portion prevents vibration transmission to the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tub have different mechanical properties - the upper and lower portions are rigid for structural support, while the intermediate portion is flexible for vibration isolation. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between strength and vibration transmission.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the tub is made flexible, then the vibration isolation is improved, but the structural support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tub is segmented so that rigid portions provide structural support while the flexible intermediate portion provides vibration isolation. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The tub structure employs local quality differentiation where rigid sections provide structural support and the flexible intermediate section provides vibration isolation, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for vibration isolation and rigidity for structural support.
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 flexible intermediate portion enables a larger tub capacity while minimizing noise and vibration, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the tub comprises a lower tub portion, an upper tub portion, and a flexible intermediate portion sealingly connecting the lower tub portion to the upper tub portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical axis laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining a chassis interior, a tub disposed within the chassis interior and defining a tub interior, and a perforated wash basket disposed for rotation within the tub interior, wherein the tub includes a lower tub portion, an upper tub portion, and a flexible intermediate portion.