Suspension array and clothes treating apparatus including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treating apparatuses face challenges in effectively damping vibrations in both transient and steady states, and in managing condensate and frictional heat generated during the vibration damping process, leading to performance deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A suspension array design that includes first holes on the housing for condensate discharge and second holes on the cap for air ventilation, allowing for the external discharge of condensate and heat while maintaining structural rigidity and preventing external water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suspension performs vibration damping by using elastic force of spring and viscous force of fluid, then vibration damping is achieved, but condensate and frictional heat are generated which may deteriorate suspension performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful factors (condensate and frictional heat) generated during vibration damping. The housing includes a condensate discharge hole that actively removes accumulated condensate from the inner space, preventing performance deterioration. The cap includes an air hole that enables frictional heat to dissipate to the external environment, preventing heat accumulation that would otherwise degrade the friction member and lubricant.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension array discards harmful condensate through the discharge hole in the housing and recovers by maintaining optimal operating conditions. Frictional heat is discarded through the air hole in the cap to the external environment, allowing the suspension to recover and maintain performance by preventing thermal degradation of components.
2Reliability
If air holes are formed in the suspension for utilizing air pressure to reduce vibration, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the configuration does not treat condensate and frictional heat generated in the vibration damping process
Solution Approach 1:
The air hole in the cap serves multiple functions: it allows air pressure to act on the friction member for vibration reduction, enables frictional heat to dissipate to the external environment, and prevents condensate accumulation by facilitating air circulation. This multi-functional design addresses both vibration reduction and harmful factor management simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the functions of vibration damping and harmful factor management into distinct structural elements: the friction member and support rod handle vibration damping through friction, while the condensate discharge hole in the housing handles condensate removal, and the air hole in the cap handles frictional heat dissipation and air pressure utilization. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If holes are formed in the housing and cap for discharging condensate and ventilating air, then condensate and heat are discharged effectively, but structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and cap are designed with localized hole placements that minimize structural impact. The condensate discharge hole is positioned in the housing where it can effectively drain condensate while maintaining overall structural integrity. The air hole in the cap is sized and positioned to allow sufficient air circulation and heat dissipation without creating weak points that would compromise rigidity. The friction member and support rod dimensions are optimized to maintain strength while accommodating the friction-based vibration damping function.
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
Prevents performance deterioration by efficiently discharging condensate and frictional heat, maintaining vibration damping effectiveness and structural integrity, and ensuring uniform heat dissipation without water entry.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension has a structure that damps vibrations of the outer tub by using elastic/restoring force of a spring
Implementation Method 2
a friction unit configured to exert a friction force on the support rod
Implementation Method 3
a configuration to reduce vibration of the base fan using air pressure inside the casing in which an air hole is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension array includes a support rod, an elastic member wound around the support rod, a housing supported by the elastic member and including a compartment surrounding the support rod, the support rod being coupled to the housing while penetrating the housing in the longitudinal direction, a friction member installed inside the housing to cause friction with the support rod when the friction member in the compartment is displaced, and a cap penetrated in the longitudinal direction by the support rod and coupled with the housing to cover the compartment, wherein the support rod penetrates the cap along the longitudinal direction and wherein the housing includes one or more first holes configured to discharge, to the outside, condensate generated in an inner space defined by the coupling between the cap and the housing.