Top-Loading Washer Hub-Filter Gap Design to Reduce Lint Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Top loading type washing machines face issues with lint accumulation due to the direct contact between the pulsator and laundry, leading to ineffective lint filtration and potential rigidity loss in filters.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gap forming element between the filter and hub, which extends radially around the drive shaft, forming a gap that allows wash water to flow through and minimizes interference, ensuring easy separation of lint and maintaining filter rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pulsator directly contacts the laundry to implement washing, then washing action is achieved, but lint is generated in great amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the pulsator component from the washing machine, replacing it with a drum-only washing mechanism. This eliminates the source of lint generation while preserving the washing function through drum rotation and water flow patterns.
2Reliability
If a filter is placed close to the hub to filter lint, then lint filtration is improved, but the filter may lose rigidity and accumulate lint
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different structural qualities to different parts of the filter assembly. The filter is positioned at a specific distance from the hub with optimized dimensions and material properties to maintain local rigidity where needed while allowing effective lint filtration in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is pre-positioned at an optimized distance from the hub during assembly, establishing the correct gap before operation begins. This preliminary positioning prevents lint accumulation and maintains rigidity throughout the washing cycle.
3Reliability
If the filter is positioned close to the hub for effective filtering, then lint filtration efficiency is improved, but wash water flow may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the filter-hub gap in the radial dimension while maintaining adequate wash water flow paths in the axial and tangential dimensions. This multi-dimensional approach allows effective filtration without restricting overall water flow through the drum.
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 effectively reduces lint accumulation by creating a flow path for wash water, minimizing resistance, and maintaining a minimal gap even under pressure, allowing for efficient lint separation and filter stability during washing cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the gap forming element being configured to form a gap between the filter and the hub... through which wash water flows in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
A top loading type washing machine including a drum, a hub coupled to the drum, the hub having a hub opening, through which wash water flows in a vertical direction, a filter secured to the hub, the filter having a filter opening, through which the wash water flows in the vertical direction, and a gap forming element formed on at least one of the filter and the hub so as to protrude the other one of the filter and the hub, the gap forming element being configured to form a gap between the filter and the hub. The washing machine provides the flow path of wash water, through which wash water flows in the transverse direction, owing to a gap between the hub and the filter via the gap forming element, and minimizes interference between the wash water and the gap forming element, thus minimizing accumulation of lint on the gap forming element.