Washer Drum Lifter Structure for Rolling Motion and Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in maintaining effective friction between lifters and laundry, leading to inefficient laundry operation, deformation of lifters due to external forces, and hygienic issues from trapped foreign substances, especially when the height of the lifters is not optimal.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a lifter design with a frame cover made of metal and a lifter frame made of synthetic resin, featuring a dome-shaped structure with inclined sidewalls and strategically positioned water flow through-holes and discharge holes to ensure consistent friction and rigidity, allowing for efficient laundry operation and improved cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the height of the lifter is increased to lift laundry higher, then the laundry can be raised to a greater height, but the laundry may be excessively lifted and fall directly onto the bottom of the drum instead of rolling
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter's second member is designed to be movable relative to the first member, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the laundry load. This mobility enables the lifter to adapt its lifting height and angle, preventing excessive lifting that would cause laundry to fall directly while maintaining sufficient lift for effective rolling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter structure allows for variable geometric parameters, particularly the angle and height of the second member relative to the first member. By changing these parameters dynamically or through design variations, the lifter can optimize its performance for different laundry loads and drum speeds, maintaining reliable rolling motion across operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the height of the lifter is decreased to prevent excessive lifting, then the laundry can roll more effectively, but the lifter may not be able to lift laundry that has fallen to the lowest point of the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second member enables the lifter to dynamically increase its effective height when needed to lift laundry from the lowest point of the drum, while maintaining a lower average profile for effective rolling. The lifter can extend upward to engage fallen laundry and then retract for optimal rolling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter is divided into two functional segments: the first member that provides stable mounting and the movable second member that performs the lifting action. This segmentation allows the lifting function to be independent and adjustable, enabling the lifter to reach laundry at the lowest point without compromising the overall rolling motion effectiveness.
3Strength
If the second member is made of metal to ensure strength, then the structural integrity is improved, but plastic deformation may occur and the second member may not be restored to its original shape
Solution Approach 1:
The second member is designed as a flexible or elastomeric component that can deform under load and then return to its original shape. This flexible structure provides sufficient strength for lifting while maintaining elasticity to recover from deformation, eliminating the permanent set problem associated with metal plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter uses composite construction with the first member providing rigid structural support and the second member using flexible or elastomeric material for the lifting surface. This composite approach combines the strength benefits of rigid materials with the shape recovery benefits of flexible materials, solving both structural integrity and shape restoration requirements.
4Productivity
If washing water inlet hole and discharge hole are positioned to correspond with each other, then water flow path is shortened, but washing water may stay in the lifter for a relatively short time reducing cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow path is extended by utilizing the vertical dimension within the lifter structure. Instead of a direct horizontal path, water flows downward through the lifter body and then upward through the discharge hole, creating a longer, multi-directional flow path that increases residence time while maintaining efficient discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter design incorporates internal water flow channels and surfaces that promote water circulation and contact with the lifter interior before discharge. This preliminary action ensures thorough wetting and cleaning of the lifter surfaces during the washing cycle, enhancing cleaning effectiveness.
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 frictional action between lifters and laundry, maintains lifter rigidity, and improves cleaning efficiency by ensuring diverse water flow paths, reducing deformation, and preventing the trapping of foreign substances.
Implementation Method 1
The rolling motion may also gently rub the laundry by friction between the laundry and the drum while the laundry rolls
Implementation Method 2
When washing water is introduced into the lifter through a washing water inlet hole formed in the first member, the washing water may be quickly discharged
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus includes a drum and a lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and configured to rotate with the drum. The lifter includes a lifter frame installed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum and a frame cover coupled to the lifter frame. The lifter frame includes: a frame base coupled to the inner circumferential surface; a frame upper plate having a first water flow through-hole; and a frame sidewall that connects the frame upper plate to the frame base and that defines a second water flow through-hole. The frame cover includes: a cover upper plate having a water flow discharge hole configured to discharge, into the drum, washing water having passed through at least one of the first water flow through-hole or the second water flow through-hole; and a cover sidewall that extends from the cover upper plate to the frame base.