Modular Dryer Base Assembly to Reduce Weight and Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing base assemblies for dryers are complex, making assembly and maintenance difficult, and the connection between the air duct shell and the base is intricate, leading to low assembly efficiency and high weight.
Innovation Solution
A modular design for the base assembly with a detachable bottom plate and air duct shell, where the connection members allow for independent formation and replacement of components, enabling easier assembly and maintenance, and allowing different materials for each part to reduce overall weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base assembly is designed as an integrally molded piece, then the structural strength is improved, but the overall weight increases and the assembly and maintenance become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is divided into separate components: a base and an air duct shell that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the base can be made of lighter materials while the air duct shell maintains its structural integrity, thereby reducing overall weight while preserving necessary strength
2Strength
If the base assembly is designed as an integrally molded piece, then the structural strength is improved, but the disassembly and maintenance become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is segmented into a base and an air duct shell connected by detachable connection members. This allows the air duct shell to be easily removed for maintenance or replacement of the heat exchanger, while the base remains intact, thus improving maintenance convenience without compromising overall structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the base and air duct shell is made dynamic through detachable connection members that allow the structure to be assembled and disassembled as needed. This dynamic connection enables easy maintenance and replacement of components while maintaining structural integrity during operation
3Productivity
If the air duct shell and base are designed as separate pieces, then the assembly efficiency is improved, but the connection structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is segmented into a base and an air duct shell that are separately manufactured and then assembled using simple connection members. This segmentation enables independent manufacturing of each component, improving assembly efficiency, while the connection structure is kept simple through the use of straightforward detachable fasteners
4Ease of repair
If the air duct shell and base are designed as separate pieces, then the maintenance convenience is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is segmented into separately manufacturable components (base and air duct shell) that are connected through simple detachable connection members. This segmentation allows easy maintenance by detaching the air duct shell, while the assembly process remains simple due to the straightforward connection design
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable connection members enable the structure to transition between assembled and disassembled states easily. This dynamic design simplifies both assembly and maintenance operations, allowing workers to quickly connect or disconnect the air duct shell from the base without complex procedures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
Disclosed are a base assembly (100) for a clothes dryer, and a clothes dryer having same. The base assembly (100) comprises a bottom plate (3); an air duct housing (1), the air duct housing (1) being arranged on the bottom plate (3) and being provided with a chamber (1a) for mounting a heat exchanger; and at least one connecting member (5), the at least one connecting member (5) being detachably connected to the bottom plate (3) and/or the air duct housing (1) so as to fix the air duct housing (1) on the bottom plate (3).