Non-Circular Dryer Drum Guidance for Larger Laundry Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drying machines face challenges in securing maximum space for their drums due to rotational constraints, which hampers efficient laundry drying and agitation.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a rotatable drum having an open front and rear, featuring non-circular closed cross-section and supported by upper and lower circular guides with rotational centers offset from the drum's center, allowing for smooth agitation and air discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional circular drum is used in a drying machine, then the drum can rotate smoothly, but the space for receiving laundry is not maximized due to rotational constraints and required clearance from the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance mechanism is segmented into multiple independent circular guides (upper circular guide and lower circular guide) that support the drum at different locations. This segmentation allows each guide to be simpler in structure while collectively providing the necessary support and clearance maintenance, thereby increasing drum capacity without proportionally increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Circular guides are introduced as intermediary elements between the drum and the housing. These guides maintain the required clearance between the rotating drum and stationary housing without directly constraining the drum, allowing maximum drum capacity while ensuring smooth rotation through intermediate support structures
2Volume of moving object
If the drum is positioned close to the housing to maximize space, then drum capacity increases, but the drum may collide with the housing during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The circular guides are positioned to pre-establish the correct rotational path of the drum before rotation begins. By providing guidance at predetermined locations (upper and lower circular guides with offset rotational centers), the system prevents potential collisions with the housing during rotation, ensuring reliability while maximizing drum capacity
3Volume of moving object
If a non-circular cross-section drum is used to maximize space, then drum capacity and laundry agitation improve, but sealing between the drum and guide becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing solution applies local quality by using a drum guide that makes contact with the drum at specific localized points (edge of the drum) rather than requiring continuous sealing around the entire non-circular perimeter. This localized sealing approach simplifies the manufacturing of seals for non-circular cross-sections while maintaining drum capacity and agitation performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus that smoothly agitates laundry with as large space as possible for receiving laundry. The laundry treating apparatus includes: a rotatable drum that receives laundry, has open front and rear, and is formed to have a non-circular closed cross-section; a rotatable circular guide that supports a portion having a uniform curvature of the drum; and a drum guide that is disposed on the edge of the drum and seals the portion between the circular guide and the drum.