Segmented Laundry Tub Assembly for Cabinet-Limited Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating appliances have limited tub dimensions due to cabinet constraints, which restrict the capacity and ease of loading, leading to inefficient use of space and operational limitations.
Innovation Solution
A tub assembly comprising a front, middle, and rear tub section with alternating positive and negative draft angles, allowing for increased internal diameter and volume, and facilitating easier loading by dividing the tub into multiple sections with drafted side walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tub is made as a single integrated section, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the internal volume and opening diameter are limited by cabinet constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The tub assembly is divided into multiple separate tub sections (front tub section, middle tub section, rear tub section) that are coupled together. Each section has drafted side walls with draft angles, allowing independent formation and assembly. This segmentation enables increased total internal volume and larger opening diameter while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
2Volume of moving object
If the tub sections have vertical side walls, then the internal volume is maximized, but the sections cannot be easily formed using conventional molding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls of the tub sections are formed with draft angles (positive or negative angles relative to vertical) instead of perfectly vertical walls. This parameter change enables the tub sections to be formed using conventional molding or casting processes while still achieving sufficient internal volume. The draft angles facilitate mold removal and section formation without significantly compromising the usable internal space.
3Ease of operation
If the tub opening diameter is increased, then the loading ease is improved, but the cabinet space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the tub into multiple coupled sections, the assembly can achieve a larger effective opening diameter for easier loading while the sections are arranged to fit within the cabinet footprint. The modular configuration allows the tub to extend in the longitudinal direction rather than requiring a single large radial opening, thus improving loading ease without sacrificing cabinet space utilization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If alternating positive and negative draft angles are used on adjacent tub sections, then the assembly flexibility and space utilization are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different tub sections are assigned different draft angle characteristics (positive or negative) based on their local requirements. The front, middle, and rear sections can have different draft angle configurations optimized for their specific functions and assembly needs. This local differentiation improves overall assembly flexibility and space utilization while allowing each section to be manufactured with standard precision tolerances for its specific draft angle requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance for treating a load of laundry according to a cycle of operation comprises a cabinet and a tub assembly housed within the cabinet and comprising a front tub section, a rear tub section and at least one middle tub section provided between the front and rear tub sections.