Telescoping Agitation Element for Adaptable Washing Machine Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of vertical axis washing machines face limited flexibility in choosing the type of agitation element for different washing operations, as existing machines are typically equipped with either single-action, dual-action, or impeller agitation elements, which are not easily interchangeable.
Innovation Solution
A retractable agitation element with a telescoping design and resilient fins that can be selectively expanded or collapsed, allowing users to change the agitation type between washing cycles by sliding the upper shaft on the lower shaft along a rotation axis, and attaching the resilient fin to either the upper or lower shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-type agitation element (single-action, dual-action, or impeller) is installed in the washing machine, then the machine can perform specific washing functions, but the user cannot change the agitation type for different washing needs
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation element transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The telescoping shaft allows the agitation element to extend and retract, while the removable fin enables users to configure the agitation type (single-action, dual-action, or impeller) based on different washing needs, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation element is divided into separable components: a telescoping shaft system (lower shaft and upper shaft) and a removable fin. This segmentation allows users to reconfigure the agitation element by attaching or detaching the fin and adjusting the shaft extension, enabling multiple agitation types without requiring multiple separate elements.
2Volume of moving object
If an impeller agitation element is used, then a greater volume of the wash basket is available for bulky items, but users perceive less agitation and turnover of articles
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation element's effectiveness can be dynamically adjusted by extending the telescoping shaft and attaching the fin to create single-action or dual-action modes, providing stronger agitation when needed while maintaining the space efficiency of the impeller configuration when bulky items are being washed.
3Ease of operation
If single-action or dual-action agitation elements are used, then greater agitation and turnover of articles is achieved, but less volume is available for bulky items
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping shaft design allows users to extend the agitation element when strong agitation is needed for small items, and retract it when washing bulky items, dynamically adjusting the balance between agitation effectiveness and available wash basket volume.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different agitation elements are provided for different washing operations, then user flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single agitation element design incorporates multiple functions through the telescoping shaft and removable fin configuration. The same basic structure can operate in impeller mode (retracted, no fin), single-action mode (extended with fin), or dual-action mode (fully extended with fin), eliminating the need for multiple separate agitation elements and reducing overall device complexity.
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
This design provides users with the flexibility to choose the desired agitation type for each wash cycle, accommodating various loads and improving the handling of bulky items by allowing the agitation element to be expanded or contracted as needed.
Implementation Method 1
The upper shaft may be slidably mounted on lower shaft in telescoping cooperation to move axially along the rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
The resilient fin may be selectively compressed with the upper and lower shafts between a vertically collapsed state and a vertically expanded state
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance may include a tub, a basket, and a retractable agitation element. The basket may be rotatably positioned within the tub. The retractable agitation element may be positioned within the basket. The retractable agitation element may define a rotation axis. The retractable agitation element may include a lower shaft, an upper shaft, and a resilient fin. The upper shaft may be slidably mounted on lower shaft in telescoping cooperation to move axially along the rotation axis. The resilient fin may be movably attached to the lower shaft apart from the upper shaft.