Modular Agitator Design for Washing Machine Configuration Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machine designs lack flexibility in agitation element configurations, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and costs due to the need for unique agitation elements for each discrete model, limiting configuration options and user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a rotatable impeller base with radially extending fins and a removably attached extended post, allowing for multiple configuration options by enabling easy assembly and removal of agitation elements, including an impeller base with a mating collar and an overmolded bottom bracket for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a unique agitation element is designed for each discrete washing machine model, then the agitation element can be optimized for specific model requirements, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation element is designed with a universal shaft and fin assembly that can be adapted to multiple washing machine models. The shaft includes a standardized mounting interface that accommodates different fin configurations (single-action, dual-action, impeller styles) while maintaining compatibility across various model series, eliminating the need for completely unique agitation elements for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation element is divided into separable components: a universal shaft assembly and detachable fin assemblies. The fins can be removed and reconfigured on the shaft to create different agitation patterns and styles, allowing a single base component to serve multiple model requirements through modular reconfiguration rather than requiring entirely unique designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different agitation element configurations are used for various washing machine models, then user preferences and specific washing needs can be accommodated, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A universal shaft design serves as the foundation for multiple agitation element configurations. The shaft includes standardized mounting features that accept different fin assemblies, enabling the same base component to produce single-action, dual-action, and impeller-style agitation elements through simple fin attachment variations rather than requiring separate manufacturing processes for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation element design allows for dynamic reconfiguration of fin positions and orientations on the shaft. Fins can be attached at different angles and positions to change the agitation pattern from single-action to dual-action modes, providing configuration flexibility without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each variant.
3Reliability
If multiple discrete agitation element designs are maintained for different models, then each model can have optimized performance, but inventory and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft assembly serves as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple fin configurations for different washing machine models. This allows a single shaft design to replace multiple model-specific shaft designs, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize agitation performance for each model through fin configuration selection rather than requiring entirely unique agitation elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance or agitator may include an impeller base and an extended post. The impeller base may define a rotation axis and include one or more impeller fins and a mating collar. The mating collar may be disposed radially inward from the impeller fins and extend along the rotation axis. The extended post may be removably attached to the impeller base to rotate therewith. The extended post may include a base body, an auger fin, an overmolded bottom bracket, and a connector bolt. The base body may extend between a bottom end proximal to the impeller base and a top end distal to the impeller base. The auger fin may extend radially from the base body. The overmolded bottom bracket may be disposed on the base body. The connector bolt may attach the extended post to the impeller base.