Laundry machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines experience inefficiencies in preventing wash water leakage and foreign substances from being stuck between the tub and drum, due to direct vibration transmission and lack of effective sealing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine design featuring a tub with a flexible gasket having multiple ribs arranged radially, which separates the vibration of the drum from the tub, and a suspension assembly that supports the drum independently, while a flexible material connects the tub to the driving part to prevent water leakage and allow relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid bearing housing is used to support the drum shaft, then the drum can be stably supported, but vibration is directly transmitted to the tub
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the rigid bearing housing and the tub. This coupling includes elastic elements that decouple the vibration source from the tub, allowing the drum to be stably supported while preventing vibration transmission to the tub structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupling incorporates elastic elements and flexible membranes that can deform under vibration, absorbing shock and preventing rigid transmission of vibrations from the rotating drum through the bearing housing to the tub. These flexible components maintain structural support while isolating vibrations.
2Reliability
If a flexible gasket is installed at the tub opening, then wash water leakage is prevented, but foreign substances may still be drawn between the tub and drum
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is segmented into multiple radial ribs or lobes instead of a continuous ring. This segmentation creates multiple sealing zones that work together to block both water leakage and foreign substance intrusion. The gaps between ribs allow the gasket to flex while maintaining sealing effectiveness across multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gasket have different properties - the radial ribs provide rigid sealing contact to block foreign substances, while the flexible material between ribs allows movement and maintains sealing under varying pressure conditions. This local differentiation of properties enables simultaneous protection against both water leakage and foreign substance intrusion.
3Strength
If the tub is rigidly connected to the driving part, then structural stability is improved, but relative movement is restricted causing wear and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the tub and driving part is made dynamic rather than static. A flexible coupling device allows relative movement and positional adjustment while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic connection accommodates vibrations and misalignments during operation, preventing wear and leakage while preserving overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device changes its physical parameters (flexibility, stiffness) based on operational conditions. It provides rigid support when needed for structural stability but becomes more compliant to allow relative movement during vibration or misalignment, effectively adapting its mechanical properties to resolve the contradiction between strength and operational flexibility.
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 design effectively prevents wash water leakage and foreign substances from being drawn between the tub and drum, reducing vibration transmission and enhancing the rigidity of the tub's support while allowing for efficient water supply and drainage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic cuff with the loading and unloading opening
Implementation Method 2
a suspension assembly that supports the drum independently
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A laundry machine is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a tub comprising a front surface part (112) having an opening formed in a center thereof to introduce laundry therein, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, the drum having an opening formed therein to load the laundry therein, and a gasket (200) provided between an inner surface of the front surface of the tub and a front end of the opening of the drum. The gasket (200) comprises a plurality of ribs (205a,205b,205c) arranged along a radial direction.