Drum Washer Steam Generator Housing Ribs for Leak-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steam generators for drum washing machines face deformation issues during the injection molding process, leading to inefficient connection of housings and potential steam leaks due to poor assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating deformation-preventing ribs on the housing surfaces, both externally and internally, in various orientations to stabilize the housing structure and prevent deformation during molding, along with fixation parts for hoses and cables to enhance assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the housing is formed by injection molding process, then the housing can be mass-produced efficiently, but the housing becomes deformed and hardened making connection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple segments or sections with ribs strategically positioned to maintain structural integrity. The ribs act as internal support structures that segment the housing wall into reinforced zones, preventing deformation during injection molding while maintaining mass production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcing ribs are added to specific local areas of the housing where deformation is most likely to occur during injection molding. This localized reinforcement provides structural support exactly where needed without requiring complete redesign of the entire housing structure, thus maintaining manufacturing efficiency while improving precision.
2Strength
If the housing is hardened after injection molding, then the housing gains strength, but the connection between housings becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Connection features such as recesses, protrusions, or alignment guides are incorporated into the housing design during the injection molding process itself, before the housing is fully hardened. This preliminary incorporation of connection structures allows for efficient assembly while the housing material is still in a more workable state, avoiding the need to work with fully hardened material.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible sealing elements or intermediate connection components are introduced between the housing parts to facilitate connection. These intermediaries compensate for minor deformations or dimensional variations that occur during hardening, enabling efficient connection while maintaining the strength benefits of the hardened housing.
3Manufacturing precision
If deformation-preventing ribs are added to the housing, then housing deformation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing ribs are strategically placed only in specific areas of the housing where deformation is most likely to occur during injection molding, rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure. This localized approach provides necessary deformation prevention while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity and maintaining ease of manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator is disclosed, which can prevent deformation of a housing in an injection molding process, so as to improve efficiency on connection of the housing, the steam generator comprising the housing which defines the exterior of the steam generator, and holds washing water therein; and at least one deformation-preventing rib provided in the housing so as to prevent the housing from being deformed in an injection molding process.