Twin-Drum Laundry Machine Layout to Reduce Heat and Vibration Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional twin laundry machines face challenges in reducing vibration transfer, heat interference, and maintaining compact size while accommodating different laundry treating capacities, which affects their reliability and durability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a second washing unit with a smaller capacity positioned above the first, featuring a drum with a diameter larger than its height and an angled shaft, along with a metal plate member to shield heat from the motor and reinforce the tub, and a recess for heating wash water, all within a single cabinet to minimize height and enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the second washing unit is arranged above the first washing unit to reduce overall height, then the compact size is improved, but heat interference and vibration transfer between units worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A metal plate member is introduced as an intermediary component between the second washing unit and the first washing unit. This plate member serves multiple functions: it shields heat from the motor of the second unit from affecting the first unit, and it reduces vibration transfer between the two units. The plate member acts as a thermal and vibrational barrier, allowing the compact stacked configuration to maintain reliability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal structure of the second tub is segmented by creating a recess in its lower surface. This recess accommodates the metal plate member and creates spatial separation between the motor of the second unit and the first unit below. The segmentation allows for better thermal management and vibration isolation while maintaining the compact overall height.
2Productivity
If the drum diameter is made larger than height for the second washing unit, then the laundry treating capacity is improved, but the overall machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second drum is designed with an asymmetric proportion where the diameter is larger than the height, rather than the conventional cylindrical proportion. This asymmetric design allows the drum to accommodate more laundry volume horizontally while maintaining a compact vertical profile, thus improving laundry treating capacity without significantly increasing the overall machine size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the drum height to improve capacity, the design shifts to increasing the drum diameter horizontally. This dimensional change allows the second washing unit to achieve greater laundry treating capacity while maintaining a compact vertical footprint, which is crucial for the stacked configuration.
3Strength
If the metal plate member is affixed to the lower surface of the second tub, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal plate member is integrally formed with the lower surface of the second tub through injection molding, merging two components into one. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment processes such as welding or screwing, thereby improving structural strength while simplifying the manufacturing process. The plate member becomes an inherent part of the tub structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second tub is constructed using composite materials, combining a plastic tub body with an integrated metal plate member. This composite structure provides the necessary structural strength and thermal shielding properties while maintaining manufacturability through integral formation processes.
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 configuration reduces vibration and heat transfer between units, improves durability, and maintains a compact size, enhancing the reliability and convenience of the laundry machine by allowing easier loading and unloading.
Implementation Method 1
A first recess of the second tub may be defined to project downward from a rear portion of a lower surface of the second tub and is configured to heat wash water in the second tub
Implementation Method 2
a metal plate member may be provided on an outside of the lower surface of the second tub and may be configured to reinforce the second tub
Implementation Method 3
a metal plate member to shield heat from the motor and reinforce the tub
Implementation Method 4
a first drive unit configured to drive a rotation of the first drum around a first rotational shaft inside the first tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry machine includes first and second washing units including first and second tubs, respectively. First and second drums are mounted inside the first and second tubs, and first and second drive units drive rotations of the first and second drums around first and second rotational shafts, respectively. The second washing unit is arranged above the first washing unit and has a smaller laundry treating capacity than the first washing unit. The first rotational shaft is not parallel to the second rotational shaft. A first recess projects downward from a rear lower surface of the second tub and is configured to heat wash water in the second tub. A metal plate member is provided on an outside lower surface of the second tub, and partially extends to the rear of the second tub to expose a bottom surface of the first recess.