Upper Plate Damping Member for Quieter Household Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances like washing machines and dryers experience increased noise due to vibrations caused by oscillatory movements of the motor, which are exacerbated by gaps between the upper plate and the body, leading to instability and noise during operation.
Innovation Solution
A damping member is integrated between the upper plate and the body, featuring pins and elastic retainers that secure the upper plate rigidly, eliminating gaps and reducing vibrations through a supportive L-shaped configuration and strengthening elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the upper plate is fixed on the body by being seated on the sides, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but gaps are formed between the upper plate and the body causing increased vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
A damping member is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper plate and the body. This damping member includes a barrier portion that fills gaps and a retainer portion that secures the upper plate, thereby eliminating the harmful gaps while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member is divided into distinct functional segments: a barrier portion for filling gaps and a retainer portion for securing the upper plate. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively while keeping the overall structure simple.
2Device complexity
If the upper plate is mounted without a damping member, then the device complexity is low, but the upper plate vibrates excessively causing noise and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member serves as a mediator that provides both gap-filling and securing functions in a single integrated component, adding minimal complexity while dramatically improving upper plate stability and reducing vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member combines multiple functions (gap filling, vibration damping, and securing) into a single integrated component, reducing the need for multiple separate parts while enhancing stability.
3Ease of operation
If gaps are formed between the upper plate and the body, then the assembly process is simpler, but vibration increases causing objects to overturn
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member acts as an intermediary that is easily assembled between the upper plate and body, providing gap filling and vibration damping without complicating the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier portion of the damping member is designed to be inserted into the gap and automatically expand or lock into place, providing self-service installation that maintains ease of assembly while eliminating gaps.
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 noise and stabilizes the upper plate, preventing objects from overturning by minimizing vibrations and ensuring a secure mounting system, thereby enhancing the operational silence and stability of household appliances.
Implementation Method 1
the retainer is produced from elastic material. Thus, the retainer, when inserted under the pin, stretches and facilitates the fixing of the pin, connected to the upper plate, to the body.
Implementation Method 2
a damping member that is fixed on the body, that forms a barrier between the upper plate and the body and that has at least one retainer that rests against the pin to stay at least partially above the pin when the upper plate is mounted on the body. The pin is connected to the damping member by being inserted under the retainer that extends laterally over the damping member.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), an upper plate (3) that is disposed on the upper part of the body (2) and that protects the body (2), and at least one pin (4) that is disposed on the upper plate (3) and that extends from the upper plate (3) towards the body (2) when the upper plate (3) is mounted on the body (2).