Top-Load Drum Washer Spoke-Based Locking to Reduce Belt Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing top load drum washing machines suffer from belt wear and potential cutting due to sharp edges in the groove corresponding to the locking tongue, reducing the service life and increasing failure rates.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device for a top load drum washing machine is introduced, featuring a locking structure on a pulley spoke and a rocker-type locking tongue, which avoids direct contact with the belt and allows for compact design, with a detecting device using a magnet and Hall element for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the groove corresponding to the locking tongue is disposed on a rim of the pulley, then the locking function is achieved, but the edge of the groove causes belt wear and potential cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is extracted from the rim of the pulley and relocated to the spoke. This removes the harmful interaction between the groove edge and the belt, eliminating the source of belt wear while preserving the locking function through the new spoke-based configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoke acts as an intermediary element that carries the locking structure away from the belt path. By positioning the groove on the spoke rather than the rim, the belt no longer contacts the groove edge directly, preventing wear while allowing the locking tongue to engage with the groove for securing the pulley.
2Reliability
If the locking structure is disposed on the rim of the pulley, then the locking engagement is achieved, but the device occupies more space and reduces design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is moved from the radial dimension (rim) to the axial dimension (spoke). This dimensional relocation allows the locking engagement to occur within the existing radial space of the pulley, reducing overall device footprint while maintaining effective locking engagement between the locking tongue and groove.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure on the spoke utilizes the existing structural space within the pulley assembly. By nesting the locking groove into the spoke rather than extending it to the rim, the design achieves locking functionality with more compact space occupation and greater design flexibility.
3Reliability
If a conventional locking device is used, then the drum can be locked, but the sharp edges of the groove reduce service life and increase failure rate
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts the potential harm of groove edges contacting the belt into a beneficial configuration where the groove is positioned on the spoke, completely away from the belt path. This eliminates the harmful wear mechanism while maintaining the drum locking function, thereby extending service life without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful interaction between the groove edge and belt is extracted by relocating the groove to the spoke. This separation removes the source of wear and failure, allowing the drum locking function to persist without the detrimental effects that would otherwise reduce service life.
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
The solution prevents belt wear, increases the service life of the belt, and allows for a more compact and flexible positioning of the locking device, enhancing the operational reliability and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting device using a magnet and Hall element for precise positioning
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A top load drum washing machine and a positioning device thereof, which relate to the field of laundry washing equipment and which aim to solve the problems in the existing technology wherein a belt is easily worn out by the edge of a groove, which is located on a pulley and which corresponds to a latch bolt of a drum locking device, and wherein the positional arrangement of the locking device is not flexible enough. For this purpose, the positioning device for use with a top load drum washing machine comprises: a locking position which is provided on a spoke (21) of a pulley (2); a locking device (1) which is provided on an outer cylinder, the locking device (1) being provided with a latch bolt (12); the position of the locking device (1) corresponds to the rotational path of the locking position such that the latch bolt (12) may form a locking fit with the locking position when a drum stops rotating. By means of said structure, the present solution may prevent a belt on the pulley (2) from contacting a port of the locking position, thereby preventing the belt from being worn out and extending the service life of the belt, while the position of the locking device (1) may be selected with great flexibility.