Washer Gasket Tongue Structure for Gentle Laundry Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Front loading laundry washing machines face challenges in sealing the tub from the interior effectively, leading to potential damage of laundry due to contact with the gasket and increased production costs due to the use of solid rubber diverters.
Innovation Solution
A gasket with axially inward and outward surfaces featuring ribs and recesses on the tongue, enhancing flexibility and strength to divert laundry while reducing material and labor costs, and allowing for adjustable resiliency based on fabric type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid rubber diverters are used to withstand the thrust of rotating laundry, then the tongue is sufficiently strong, but material costs and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is segmented into multiple ribs extending radially outward from the drum, creating a structured framework that provides strength while using less material than a solid rubber diverter
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue features ribs with varying heights and thicknesses at different locations, providing localized strength where needed while reducing material usage in areas requiring less support
2Strength
If a solid rubber diverter is used to prevent laundry damage, then the tongue is sufficiently strong, but the contact area with laundry increases causing more rubber traces
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is divided into multiple separated ribs rather than a continuous solid structure, which reduces the total contact area with laundry while maintaining structural strength through the rib framework
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue ribs are designed with flexible rubber material that can deform and adapt to laundry movement, reducing friction and rubber transfer while maintaining the ability to withstand thrust forces
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tongue is made flexible to handle sensitive laundry, then laundry damage is reduced, but the tongue cannot withstand the thrust of rotating laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue consists of multiple rigid ribs that collectively withstand thrust forces, while the spaces between ribs allow flexibility and movement to accommodate sensitive laundry without causing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue combines rigid structural elements (ribs) with flexible rubber material, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides thrust resistance and gentle handling for sensitive laundry
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 gasket effectively diverts laundry without causing damage and reduces material costs by optimizing the use of rubber, improving consumer satisfaction and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the tongue has been rendered, on the one hand, sufficiently strong to withstand the thrust of the laundry which is particularly made from heavy fabric and, on the other one hand, sufficiently flexible against the laundry which is particularly made from easily tearable fabric
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gasket (1) for use in a front loading type laundry washing machine (2) comprising a body (3), a tub (4), a drum, a door (5) which has an opening (6) for accessing the drum. The gasket (1) comprises a flexible annular collar (7) for leak-tightly sealing the region between the tub (4) and the door (5) around the opening (6) and a radially extending tongue (8) for diverting the laundry inside the drum away from the region immediately between the drum and the annular collar (7).