Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face issues with the clutch mechanism being too long, requiring additional space for components, leading to vibration, misalignment, and reduced washing capacity due to the coupler and support being outside the clutch cover, which complicates manufacturing and installation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus integrates the coupler and support within the clutch cover, reducing the length of the driver and clutch by accommodating them inside, preventing misalignment and vibration, and allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler is disposed below the housing to connect the driver and housing, then the clutch system can accommodate both the rotating housing and the coupler, but the length of the driver increases and vibration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (below the housing) to a horizontal arrangement (above the support bearing within the clutch cover). This dimensional change allows the coupler to reciprocate in the horizontal direction rather than extending the driver vertically, thereby reducing the overall length of the driver while maintaining the clutch system's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is disposed within the clutch cover, nesting the coupler's reciprocating motion space inside the existing clutch cover structure. This nesting approach eliminates the need for external space below the housing, accommodating the coupler within the available volume of the clutch cover and reducing the driver's external dimensions.
2Reliability
If the driver is extended to accommodate the clutch system, then the clutch can function properly, but the washing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the coupler's reciprocating direction from vertical (extending driver length) to horizontal (within clutch cover), the driver can be shortened in the vertical dimension. This reduction in driver length increases the available space within the washing machine for the drum and washing operations, thereby improving washing capacity while maintaining clutch functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial parameters of the coupler's motion from a vertical displacement (affecting driver length) to a horizontal displacement (contained within clutch cover). This parameter change optimizes the space utilization, allowing for a more compact overall structure that preserves both clutch functionality and washing capacity.
3Device complexity
If the housing is supported at a lower position, then the clutch structure is simplified, but misalignment and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support bearing is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing and the clutch cover. This support bearing provides precise rotational support and alignment for the housing, preventing misalignment and vibration while maintaining a simplified clutch structure. The support bearing acts as a mediator that ensures proper alignment without requiring complex support mechanisms.
4Length of moving object
If the gap between clutch and driver is reduced, then the design becomes more compact, but the coupler movement space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler's reciprocating motion is shifted from the vertical dimension (where it would conflict with reducing the gap between clutch and driver) to the horizontal dimension (within the clutch cover). This dimensional shift allows the gap between the clutch and driver to be minimized for a compact design, while the coupler still has adequate space to reciprocate horizontally within the clutch cover's internal volume.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus capable of installing a coupler that connects a housing (a gearbox) capable of rotating a driver and a drum in a clutch inside the housing.