Washing Machine Basket Structure for Stability and Lye Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-volume washing machine baskets face issues with structural rigidity, instability due to high rotational speeds, and inefficient lye distribution, leading to increased energy consumption and noise from traditional blade orientations.
Innovation Solution
A basket design featuring a cylindrical or truncated cone-shaped side wall with approximately plane interruption areas allows flexible blade orientation and placement, reducing snap-through instability and optimizing lye volume utilization by shifting the basket's center of gravity closer to the support point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the basket volume is increased to improve washing performance, then the washing capacity is improved, but the basket becomes more prone to oscillations and impacts against the tank wall
Solution Approach 1:
The basket employs an asymmetric design where the front wall is positioned closer to the rotation axis than the rear wall, creating an offset center of gravity. This asymmetric configuration counterbalances the oscillatory forces generated during high-speed rotation, reducing the amplitude of basket oscillations and preventing violent impacts against the tank wall while maintaining large basket volume for improved washing performance.
2Device complexity
If traditional rectilinear dragging blades are used in large diameter baskets, then the blade structure is simple, but the laundry impacts against the blades causing instability and buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The dragging blades are oriented at an angle relative to the rotation axis rather than extending rectilinearly parallel to it. This angular orientation in a different dimensional configuration reduces the tangent speed of laundry at the blades, preventing impact-induced buckling and instability of the side wall while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a safety distance is provided between the basket and tank wall to avoid impacts, then the basket stability is improved, but the lye volume available for washing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric basket positioning with offset center of gravity reduces oscillation amplitude, allowing the basket to operate at minimal safe distance from the tank wall without experiencing violent impacts. This maximizes the available lye volume for washing purposes while maintaining sufficient stability.
4Productivity
If the basket rotates at high speeds to improve washing performance, then the washing efficiency is improved, but the centrifugal forces cause basket deformations and oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration with offset center of gravity creates a counterbalancing effect that reduces oscillatory deformations during high-speed rotation, maintaining basket structural integrity and preventing violent impacts while enabling high-speed operation for improved washing efficiency.
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 design enhances structural rigidity, reduces oscillations, and improves lye distribution, enabling efficient washing and drying performance while minimizing energy consumption and noise.
Implementation Method 1
the laundry is agitated and caused to spin in the lye, and the lye is carried upwards by the rotating basket
Implementation Method 2
the lye is carried upwards by the rotating basket, from where it falls on the laundry
Data Source
AI summary
A loading basket for a washing machine includes a rear wall (8), a front wall (9) and a side wall (7) extending about a longitudinal axis (X), and one or more dragging blades (12) that are arranged on the side wall (7) and projecting to the inside of the basket. The side wall (7) includes a substantially cylindrical and/or truncated cone-shaped wall portion (13) with one or more approximately plane interruption areas (14) extending from a rear area of the side wall (7) close to the rear wall (8) to the vicinity of the front wall (9). The dragging blades (12) are connected to the interruption areas (14).