Front-Loading Washer Variable-Height Lifter to Reduce Drying Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading laundry-washing apparatuses face noise issues during the drying process due to collisions between laundry and the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub, which existing noise reduction methods, such as soundproofing and shock-absorbing materials, fail to adequately address without increasing costs or material complexity.
Innovation Solution
A front-loading laundry-washing apparatus with a lifter system that alternates between two heights, where at least one lifter is designed to change height between a first and a second state, with the second height being twice the first height and 20% to 40% of the washing tub's diameter, to increase the likelihood of collision with the lifter rather than the tub's surface, thereby reducing noise through material selection and design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If soundproofing material is covered on the outer circumferential surface of the washing tub, then noise generated in the washing tub is prevented from travelling outward, but the space for installing the soundproofing material is restricted and material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the noise reduction function from the traditional soundproofing material approach and relocates it to the lifter component itself. By making the lifter the noise-reducing element through material selection (plastic instead of metal) and design (variable height), the patent eliminates the need for separate soundproofing materials while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter is designed to serve multiple functions: it lifts laundry during the drying process and simultaneously acts as a noise reduction element. The plastic material and variable height design enable the lifter to reduce collision noise between laundry and the washing tub, making the lifter a multi-functional component that combines mechanical operation with acoustic dampening.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock absorbing material is covered on the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub, then shock of laundry is absorbed, but metallic objects such as zippers may abrade or separate the shock absorbing material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the shock absorbing material from the washing tub surface and transfers this function to the lifter component. The plastic lifter with variable height design absorbs collision shocks during the drying process, eliminating the need for separate shock absorbing materials that would be prone to abrasion from metallic objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic lifter that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than using durable but expensive shock absorbing materials on the washing tub. The plastic material is cost-effective and sufficient for the intended lifespan of the component, aligning with the principle of using simpler, more replaceable parts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lifter height is increased to increase collision likelihood with the lifter rather than the tub surface, then noise is reduced, but the lifter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter is designed with variable height capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during the drying process. The lifter can be raised to increase collision likelihood with laundry (reducing noise) and lowered when not needed, providing dynamic adaptability that optimizes noise reduction while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter operates periodically by being raised during the drying process when noise reduction is needed and lowered during other phases. This periodic action allows the system to achieve noise reduction benefits only when necessary, maintaining structural simplicity while providing dynamic noise control.
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 variable height lifter system effectively reduces noise generated during the drying process by increasing the likelihood of collision with a plastic lifter rather than a metallic tub, minimizing echo and noise propagation, while avoiding the use of additional soundproofing or shock-absorbing materials.
Implementation Method 1
While the washing tub spins, laundry is lifted up by the lifters and falls to the bottom colliding with the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub
Data Source
AI summary
A front-loading laundry-washing apparatus includes: a housing including a door in a front thereof for opening and closing; a washing tub rotatably supported inside the housing and shaped like a cylinder opened toward the door to load laundry therein; and a plurality of lifters arranged at predetermined intervals along a spinning direction of the washing tub on an inner circumferential surface of the washing tub, and including end portions extended toward a spinning center of the washing tub, wherein at least one lifter of the plurality of lifters is provided to alternate between a first state having a first height from the inner circumferential surface in a first section within a spinning section of the washing tub and a second state having a second height higher than the first height from the inner circumferential surface in a second section within the spinning section of the washing tub.