Modular Frame Design for Double-Drum Washing Machine Support Strength
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine frames, especially those with integral structures, face challenges in providing sufficient support strength for double-drum washing machines, leading to inadequate mounting support for upper and lower drums.
Innovation Solution
A frame design featuring a lower frame with a square base and vertical beams connected by middle reinforcing members, combined with an upper frame with L-shaped cross-section vertical beams and flanges, provides enhanced support for two clothing treating drums arranged longitudinally, along with a heat pump system and cooling fan placement that optimizes ventilation and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an integral structure is used for the washing machine case, then the strength and rigidity are improved, but the processing cost increases and material property requirements become higher
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple modular components including vertical beams, horizontal beams, corner connectors, and reinforcing members. These segmented parts can be manufactured separately using standard gauge steel sheets and assembled through welding, reducing processing costs while maintaining overall frame strength through proper connection design at the joints.
2Ease of manufacture
If a structure assembled by plural sheets is used, then the processing cost is reduced, but the manufacturing difficulty increases and the connection strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Corner connectors are pre-welded to vertical and horizontal beams to form rigid corner joints before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the connection strength is established at critical joints during manufacturing, allowing the use of standard gauge sheets while maintaining sufficient connection strength for supporting the drum weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional frame structure is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the support strength for double-drum washing machine is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing members are strategically positioned at specific locations where the drum weight and operational forces are concentrated, such as at the corners and along the vertical beams. This local reinforcement approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by only adding material where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire frame, while significantly improving support strength for the double-drum configuration.
4Ease of repair
If modular components are used for the frame, then the ease of repair and replacement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with clearly defined modular segments including vertical beams, horizontal beams, corner connectors, and reinforcing members that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables easy replacement of damaged components without requiring complete frame replacement, while the complexity is managed through standardized connection methods and consistent use of standard gauge steel sheets across all components.
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing treating device comprises first and second clothing treating drums which are arranged in longitudinal order. A frame comprises a lower frame configured to place the second clothing treating drum. An upper frame is mounted on a top of the lower frame, and is configured to mount the first clothing treating drum. By setting the upper frame and lower frame independent from each other, an objective of replacing and repairing parts of the frame may be achieved. The first clothing treating drum and the second clothing treating drum are respectively mounted in corresponding parts of the frame in order to realize a modular management of the device, and a device with only the second clothing treating drum and a device with both the first and second clothing treating drums may be produced on the same production line, thereby improving modularity of the device and reducing production cost.