Transport bolt assembly for a laundry appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport bolt assemblies for laundry appliances do not prevent the appliance from being operated while immobilizing the drum, which can cause damage to internal components and hinder the functioning of suspension features during operation.
Innovation Solution
A new transport bolt assembly design that prevents the power cord from being plugged in until the bolt assembly is removed, featuring a bolt with varying radii, a washer with an appendage, and a hollow cylindrical bushing and spacer to securely immobilize the tub and maintain components as a unit, ensuring the power cord cannot be inserted into an electrical outlet until the assembly is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If transport bolt assemblies are used to immobilize the tub, then the tub is prevented from moving around during transportation, but the user can still plug in the power cord and operate the laundry appliance while the transport bolt assemblies are still in place
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord acts as an intermediary element that physically connects the cabinet to the transport bolt assembly. The cord is routed through the cabinet and engages with the bolt assembly, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents the bolt assembly from being removed while the cord is connected. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the power cord itself becomes part of the prevention system, making it impossible to operate the appliance without first removing the transport bolt assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If transport bolt assemblies are used to immobilize the drum, then the drum is secured during shipping, but the suspension features cannot function correctly during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions the drum support system from a static immobilized state to a dynamic operational state. The transport bolt assembly provides rigid immobilization during shipping, but when removed, the drum is free to move dynamically within the tub, allowing the suspension features (springs and dampers) to absorb vibrations and accommodate the drum's movement during washing operations.
3Ease of operation
If the power cord is made longer to allow removal of transport bolt assembly, then the bolt assembly can be removed, but the power cord can still be plugged in while the assembly is attached
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord serves as a mechanical intermediary that physically blocks removal of the transport bolt assembly when connected. The cord is routed through the cabinet and engages with the bolt assembly, creating a mechanical interlock. This prevents the scenario where a longer cord would allow the bolt assembly to remain attached while still being plugged in, as the cord itself becomes the preventing mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If transport bolt assembly components are designed for easy removal, then the assembly can be quickly taken off, but components may be lost or separated
Solution Approach 1:
The transport bolt assembly components (bolt, washer, bushing, spacer) are designed to be pushed through the cabinet and tub assembly as a single unit during installation. During removal, they are pulled out together as one assembly. This merging approach ensures that all components remain attached to each other throughout the process, eliminating the risk of individual components being lost or separated while maintaining easy removal as a single unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport bolt assembly to immobilize a tub of a laundry appliance comprising: a bolt including a head disposed at a first end, a second end configured to insert into a bolt receiver of a tub of a laundry appliance, and a length between the first end and the second end; and a washer comprising a body, a hole through the body, through which the length of the bolt is disposed, with a first side of the body facing towards the head of the bolt and a second side of the body facing towards the second end of the bolt, and an appendage extending away from the body of the washer at an obtuse angle transitioning to a reflex angle relative to the first side of the body of the washer.