Sinusoidal Bellows Assembly for Laundry Appliance Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry appliances face challenges in minimizing surface wear of the bellows assembly due to self-contact and contact with the tub and cabinet, and lack an effective method for maintaining cleanliness and reducing friction during operation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sinusoidal bellows assembly with increased gaps between folds and the tub, and a bellows wash assembly that dispenses water along the interior surface to clear laundry materials, while a sealing assembly with interlocking seals provides a watertight seal and reduces friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bellows assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but surface wear occurs due to self-contact and contact with tub and cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows assembly is designed with a sinusoidal configuration featuring curved folds instead of straight or angular shapes. This curvature allows the bellows to flex and move while maintaining gaps between the folds and surrounding components (tub and cabinet), eliminating surface wear caused by contact. The sinusoidal shape enables smooth motion paths that prevent self-contact between adjacent folds during operation.
2Ease of operation
If bellows assembly operates without cleaning mechanism, then device complexity is low, but laundry materials accumulate on interior surface increasing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows assembly incorporates an integrated wash assembly that enables the bellows to clean itself during the washing cycle. Water is directed through the wash assembly onto the interior surface of the bellows, automatically removing accumulated laundry materials without requiring separate manual cleaning operations. This self-cleaning capability maintains low friction surfaces while avoiding the complexity of external cleaning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If gaps between bellows folds and tub are increased, then surface wear is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows assembly is designed with dynamic spacing characteristics where the gaps between folds and surrounding components vary during operation rather than remaining fixed. The sinusoidal configuration allows the bellows to expand and contract while maintaining non-contact conditions. This dynamic design accommodates manufacturing tolerances better than fixed-gap designs, as the motion envelope naturally maintains clearance without requiring extremely precise gap control at all positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.