Laundry treating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry dryers face issues with vibration and noise due to the thin rear panel of the cabinet, which is prone to deformation under the load of the driver and drum, leading to misalignment of the rotation shaft and speed reducer, and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The proposed laundry treating apparatus addresses this by integrating a channel switching valve with the duct cover, reducing the extension length of the channel switching portion, and optimizing the placement of components to minimize vibration and noise, while also improving the pressure of water discharged to the evaporator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver is fixed to the rear panel of the cabinet, then the drum can be rotated, but the thin rear panel deforms or vibrates under the load, causing misalignment of the rotation shaft and speed reducer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotationVSAvoidalignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A rigid support plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the driver and the cabinet rear panel. The support plate has a first fixing portion that couples to the rear panel and a second fixing portion that couples to the driver, serving as a mediator that prevents direct load transmission to the thin rear panel while maintaining structural stability and alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure is segmented into three distinct parts: the rear panel, the support plate, and the driver. This segmentation allows the support plate to bear the mechanical load independently, preventing deformation of the rear panel while maintaining proper alignment of the rotation shaft and speed reducer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the rear panel is made thin to simplify cabinet structure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the panel is easily deformed or vibrated by external force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabinet structure simplicityVSAvoidpanel rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate serves as a structural intermediary that compensates for the thin rear panel's insufficient rigidity. It provides the necessary mechanical strength to support the driver and drum load without requiring the rear panel itself to be thick or rigid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the driver and speed reducer are arranged side by side on the rear panel, then the drum rotates stably, but the rotation shaft may be distorted when the rear panel bends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotation stabilityVSAvoidshaft alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate acts as a stable mounting platform that maintains the precise relative positions of the driver and speed reducer. It prevents the rotation shaft from distorting due to rear panel bending while preserving the stable side-by-side arrangement of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4039875B1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4039875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039875B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~3
  • EP4039875B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum, the base, and a motor. The base is disposed under the drum to provide a space in which air inside the drum circulates. The motor is disposed in rear of the drum and disposed spaced apart from the base, and provides power to rotate the drum. The base includes an air circulating channel, a heat exchanger, a water collector body, a cleaning water channel, a pump, and a channel switching valve. The channel switching valve is connected to the pump and receives water from the pump and delivers the water to the cleaning water channel. The channel switching valve includes a water receiving portion connected to the pump to receive the water from the pump, and a connective portion connected to the water receiving portion and coupled to the air circulating channel to deliver the water to the cleaning water channel. The connective portion is disposed at a side of the air circulating channel. At least a portion of the connective portion is positioned at a lower level than that of a top face of the air circulating channel.