Laundry Drum Clutch Mechanism to Protect Driver from External Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with unexpected external forces causing excessive load on drivers, leading to poor durability and inefficient operation, particularly when laundry is caught between the door and lifter, resulting in unpredictable rotation speeds and directions.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a clutch that disconnects the drum from the driver when external forces exceed a predetermined threshold, and a deceleration mechanism that reduces the rotor's rotation 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 rotation speed and direction can be easily controlled, but external force may cause unexpected load on the driver leading to poor durability
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the driver and the drum. The clutch includes a first connection body connected to the drum and a second connection body connected to the driver, with a support element providing elastic deformation to enable selective coupling and decoupling. This mediator allows the system to maintain direct connection for normal operation while providing protection against unexpected loads through automatic disengagement.
2Volume of moving object
If a power transmission unit such as a belt is used to connect the drying drum to the motor, then the driver volume can be reduced, but the rotation speed control becomes less precise and response is slower
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves as a compact intermediary that enables direct connection between the driver and drum without requiring large-volume belt transmission systems. The clutch's compact structure with first and second connection bodies and elastic support elements provides both space savings and precise rotational control by maintaining direct mechanical coupling while enabling quick engagement and disengagement.
3Device complexity
If the drum is directly connected to the driver, then the system structure is simple, but external force causes unexpected load leading to erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is designed with minimal additional complexity, consisting of a first connection body, second connection body, and elastic support element. This simple intermediary structure integrates seamlessly with the existing driver and drum, adding only necessary protective functionality without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism dynamically adapts its connection state based on operational conditions. The elastic support element allows the clutch to automatically engage during normal operation and disengage when unexpected external forces are detected, providing dynamic protection while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 mitigates the impact of external forces, ensuring stable operation by blocking excessive load and adjusting rotation speeds, thereby enhancing the durability and efficiency of the laundry treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
a support configured to be elastically deformed between the second connection body and the second surface, and to provide force by which the second connection body is pressed in a direction in which the first connection body is disposed so that the first connection body is coupled to the fastening body
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes: a housing defining a reception space, a first through-hole in communication with the reception space and defined at a first surface of the housing, a second through-hole in communication with the reception space and defined at a second surface facing the first surface, a driver including (i) a driving shaft rotatably fixed to the second through-hole and defining a concentric shaft and (ii) a motor configured to rotate the driving shaft, a connection shaft fastening portion disposed at the driving shaft, defining a space, and configured to transmit rotational motion of the driving shaft, and a support configured to be elastically deformed between a second connection body and the second surface and configured to press the second connection body toward the first connection body such that the first connection body is coupled to a fastening body.