Washer Drum Protrusions and Through-Holes for Better Spin Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face limitations in washing efficiency due to the flat inner surface of the drum, which results in reduced friction with laundry, and inefficient water introduction and discharge through-holes.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a drum with inward protrusions of polygonal shape and strategically placed through-holes, arranged in a pattern to enhance frictional force on laundry and prevent water bottlenecks during spin drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner surface of the drum is made flat, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the washing efficiency is limited due to reduced friction with laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming protrusions with rounded outer surfaces on the drum's inner surface. These curved protrusions increase friction with laundry during rotation, thereby improving washing efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through forming operations.
2Productivity
If through-holes are provided for water introduction and discharge, then water circulation is enabled, but water bottlenecks occur during spin drying operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning through-holes in specific regions of the drum rather than uniformly distributing them. The through-holes are located in areas that minimize interference with the spin drying process, allowing water to be introduced during washing while preventing bottlenecks during high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the water bottleneck issue by adding a spatial dimension consideration to through-hole placement. By carefully selecting the radial and axial positions of through-holes relative to the drum rotation, the design ensures that water discharge paths do not create bottlenecks during spin drying operation.
3Productivity
If protrusions are added to the drum inner surface to increase friction, then washing power is enhanced, but the drum structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved protrusions with rounded surfaces that can be formed through standard forming processes. This approach enhances washing power by increasing friction with laundry while avoiding excessive structural complexity, as the curved shapes can be integrated into the drum manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of protrusions such as height, diameter, spacing, and curvature radius to achieve the desired friction increase. By carefully controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the design enhances washing power while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manufacturable.
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 increases washing power and spin dry efficiency by generating frictional force on laundry and ensuring uniform water distribution and discharge, minimizing laundry damage and preventing bottlenecks.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusion may be formed by a plurality of polygons that may each have a polygonal shape... increases washing power and spin dry efficiency by generating frictional force on laundry
Implementation Method 2
The at least one through-hole may be provided between adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions to drain water... ensuring uniform water distribution and discharge
Implementation Method 3
The drum may be rotatably provided at an inner side of the tub to accommodate laundry therein... enhancing the spin dry efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine including a drum capable of improving washing efficiency is provided. The washing machine includes a body (10), a tub (20) provided at an inside the body to store wash water, a drum (30) rotatably provided at an inner side of the tub to accommodate laundry, a driving apparatus (14) to rotate the drum, protrusions (34) that are formed of polygons having polygonal shapes and protruding inward from the drum, and a through-hole (36) provided between adjacent protrusions (34) to drain water. A protrusion having polygons generates frictional force between laundry and the drum, thereby increasing the washing power. The through-holes (36) are uniformly located around the protrusion (34), thereby preventing a spin dry water bottleneck phenomenon that occurs when water from a spin dry is concentrated on a certain through-hole, and thus enhancing the spin dry efficiency.