Basket for a laundry treating appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating appliances require significant water for wash cycles due to their design, leading to higher water usage and increased material costs for construction, particularly in the basket components.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance with a basket featuring a lower base portion defined by a central hub, rim, and radial ribs with gaps, which reduces material usage and allows air pockets to form, thereby minimizing water requirements and structural support through I-shaped spokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the basket uses a solid lower base portion with full material coverage, then structural strength is improved, but material cost and water usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lower base portion is segmented into discrete radial ribs spaced apart from each other, rather than using continuous solid material. This segmentation maintains structural strength through the rib framework while reducing material consumption and allowing water/air flow through the gaps between ribs.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial ribs are positioned strategically to provide localized structural support where needed, rather than distributing material uniformly across the entire base. This local quality approach concentrates material in functional areas while leaving gaps in non-critical areas, reducing overall material usage while maintaining necessary strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the basket uses a solid lower base portion, then structural stability is improved, but water usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid base is segmented into spaced radial ribs, creating gaps that allow water and air to pass through. This segmentation maintains structural stability through the rib framework while enabling water/air flow paths, reducing the quantity of water needed for effective washing.
Solution Approach 2:
Material is extracted from the solid base portion, removing continuous material coverage and replacing it with discrete radial ribs. This extraction creates openings that allow water and air flow while retaining essential structural support functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the basket uses I-shaped spokes with reduced material, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but structural rigidity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The I-shaped spoke cross-section concentrates material locally at the flanges where bending stresses occur, rather than distributing material uniformly. This local quality provides optimal structural rigidity for the given material amount, maintaining strength while reducing overall material usage and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoke cross-section is changed from a solid circular or rectangular shape to an I-shape, optimizing the distribution of material. This parameter change in cross-sectional geometry provides higher moment of inertia and structural rigidity for less material, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining required strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance includes a tub defining a tub interior and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub interior. The basket can include an upper basket portion defining a basket interior, as well as a lower base portion coupled to the upper basket portion and including at least one spoke.