Laundry Drum Clutch Design to Reduce Driver Load from External Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with driver load and durability due to unexpected external forces when laundry is caught between the door and lifter, leading to inefficient operation and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a clutch that disconnects the drum from the driver when external force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a decelerator that reduces the rotor's rotational speed to align the centers of rotation, minimizing driver load and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the washing drum or drying drum is directly connected to the driver through a rotary shaft, then the driver can easily control the rotation speed and direction, but the driver is susceptible to unexpected external forces that cause excessive load and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clutch mechanism as an intermediary component between the driver and the drum. This clutch includes a pressure plate, release bearing, and spring assembly that acts as a mediator to absorb unexpected external forces. When excessive force is applied to the drum, the clutch disengages to protect the driver from damage, while still allowing normal operation when forces are within acceptable ranges.
2Volume of moving object
If the drying drum is connected to the motor through a belt transmission unit, then the driver volume can be reduced, but the rotation speed and direction control becomes less responsive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the belt transmission mechanical system with a direct connection system that includes a clutch mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for belts and pulleys, reducing the driver volume while maintaining direct control over the drum's rotation speed and direction through the clutch's engagement and disengagement mechanisms.
3Power
If the driver is designed with high power output to handle unexpected loads, then the driver can withstand external forces, but the driver volume and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a spring-based cushioning mechanism within the clutch assembly. The spring is pre-loaded to provide a predetermined force that absorbs unexpected external forces before they reach the driver. This beforehand cushioning allows the driver to be designed with lower power output while still protecting the system from load spikes, thereby reducing driver volume and energy consumption.
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 solution effectively reduces driver load and volume while preventing sudden changes in load, enhancing operational efficiency and durability by managing external forces and optimizing rotation speed.
Implementation Method 1
a friction member configured to be in contact with the drum shaft and allow relative movement therebetween in the axial direction, and a clutch member configured to be in contact with the friction member and allow relative movement therebetween in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a decelerator configured to decelerate a rotation speed of the rotor and transmit the decelerated rotation speed to the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes a drum (2) and a housing (4a) comprising a first connection portion (42) comprising a first connection body (421) and a first connection shaft (422), a second connection portion (44) comprising a second connection body (441), a fastening body (445) provided in the second connection body (441) to be detachably coupled to the first connection body (421). Laundry treatment apparatus further includes a drum shaft (25) configured to interconnect the drum (2) and the first connection shaft (421); and a support (45) configured to be elastically deformed and to provide force by which the second connection body (441) is pressed in a direction in which the first connection body (421) is disposed so that the first connection body (421) is coupled to the fastening body (445).