Washer Bellows Lip Structure to Prevent Laundry Slipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry machines face issues with laundry items slipping between the tub and drum due to manufacturing tolerances and increased loading capacity, leading to mechanical stress and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design features a bellows with a vertical annular lip that maintains a constant distance from the drum even when fully loaded, incorporating a horizontal rib to prevent slipping by intercepting and pushing back any escaping laundry items, thus ensuring the drum does not slide and maintaining a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the drum capacity is increased to meet market demand, then the rated capacity is improved, but the likelihood of laundry slipping between tub and drum increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a horizontal dimension to the bellows structure by introducing a horizontal rib that projects radially inward. This transforms the traditional vertical-only bellows into a three-dimensional structure with both vertical and horizontal elements, creating a new geometric configuration that simultaneously maintains sealing and prevents laundry escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal rib acts as an intermediary element between the bellows and the drum. It provides a mechanical barrier that intercepts laundry items before they can slip between the tub and drum, while also serving as a structural reinforcement that maintains the bellows' positioning without interfering with drum rotation.
2Reliability
If the vertical annular lip is positioned close to the drum to prevent slipping, then the prevention of laundry slipping is improved, but manufacturing tolerances and drum tilt cause the drum to slide on the lip
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure is segmented into multiple functional elements: the vertical annular lip for sealing, the horizontal rib for preventing laundry escape, and the reinforced bottom portion for structural support. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, with the horizontal rib providing anti-sliding functionality without compromising the vertical lip's sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the horizontal rib that projects radially inward, the invention creates a multi-dimensional constraint system. The horizontal element works perpendicular to the vertical lip, providing stabilization in the radial direction while the lip maintains the vertical seal, thus preventing drum sliding without compromising sealing.
3Quantity of substance
If the bellows is flexed due to heavy laundry loading, then the rated capacity is improved, but the vertical annular lip rotates forwards widening the gap between lip and drum
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal rib is pre-positioned to project radially inward before any loading occurs. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that when laundry is loaded and the bellows flexes, the horizontal rib is already in place to prevent the vertical lip from rotating forward, thus maintaining seal integrity throughout the loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows structure incorporates curved and flexible elements that allow controlled deformation under load. The bottom portion is designed with increased rigidity and the horizontal rib provides a curved barrier that maintains its geometric relationship with the drum even when the bellows flexes vertically, preventing excessive rotation of the vertical lip.
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 design enhances the machine's capacity to hold more laundry without increasing dimensions, preventing slipping and mechanical stress, while being cost-effective and easy to produce.
Implementation Method 1
an annular elastic watertight bellows (15) which connects a front end (12a) of the tub (12) to a circular fixed frame (14) of the hinged door (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A laundry machine (1) having: a casing (2) having a hinged front door (7); a revolving perforated drum (5) rotating about a rotation axis (6); a tub (12) enclosing the drum (5); and an elastic annular bellows (15) having a back end (16) connected to a front end of the tub (12), a front end (17) connected to the casing (2), around the door (7), and a vertical annular lip (18) located close to a front end (19) of the drum (5). At least a bottom portion of the vertical annular lip (18) of said bellows (15) has an inner edge (20) larger in diameter than the open front end (19) of the drum (5), and which is substantially coplanar with the open front end (19) of the drum (5) so as to surround the open front end (19) of the drum (5) radially.