Planetary gear sub-assembly for drum washing machine and drum washing machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drum washing machines face challenges in achieving effective washing due to a single washing mode, with the planetary gear mechanism experiencing high load and reduced service life due to the larger drum volume and load requirements.

Innovation Solution

A planetary gear assembly is introduced that transmits torque from the main shaft to both the drum and agitator, allowing for various washing modes and reducing the load on the gear assembly by indirectly driving the agitator, thereby stabilizing power transmission and extending the machine's service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the planetary gear mechanism is used to directly drive the drum, then the drum can be driven to rotate, but the load on the planetary gear mechanism is relatively large due to the larger drum volume, affecting the transmission effect and service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidservice life of planetary gear mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power transmission path into two separate paths: one path drives the drum directly, and another path drives the impeller through the planetary gear mechanism. This segmentation reduces the load on the planetary gear mechanism by assigning it to drive only the impeller, rather than the entire drum assembly, thereby improving reliability and service life while maintaining power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the drum volume is increased to accommodate laundry and water, then the washing capacity is improved, but the load on the planetary gear mechanism increases, affecting transmission effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing capacityVSAvoidtransmission effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the driven components into drum and impeller, with the drum handling the washing capacity requirement and the impeller being driven by the planetary gear mechanism. This allows the drum volume to be increased for washing capacity without proportionally increasing the load on the planetary gear mechanism, as the impeller is a smaller component with lower inertial load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single washing mode is used, then the structure is simple, but the washing effect is affected due to limited washing modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidwashing modes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controllable coupling mechanism between the drum and impeller that can dynamically switch between different operational states: independent rotation, coupled rotation in the same direction, or coupled rotation in opposite directions. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt between multiple washing modes without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the coupling mechanism uses standard mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 planetary gear assembly enables diverse washing modes by synchronizing the rotation of the agitator and drum, reducing the load on the gear assembly, which enhances performance stability and extends the service life of the drum washing machine.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of planetary gears rotatably mounted to the planet carrier respectively and configured to be meshed with a main shaft respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3674469B1Planetary gear sub-assembly for drum washing machine and drum washing machine
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3674469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3674469B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3674469B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A planetary gear assembly (6) for a drum washing machine and a washing machine (100) are provided. The planetary gear assembly (6) includes a planetary gear component (61). The planetary gear component (61) includes a planet carrier (611), a plurality of planetary gears (612) rotatably mounted to the planet carrier (611) respectively and configured to be meshed with a main shaft (31) respectively, the main shaft (31) being configured to drive a drum to rotate in a drum washing machine; and a planetary gear outer teeth casing (613) fitted over an outer side of the plurality of planetary gears (612), meshed with the plurality of planetary gears (612) respectively, and configured to be in transmission connection with an agitator (4) in the drum (2).