Washing Machine Gasket Rib Structure for Vibration and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine gaskets face issues with vibration absorption and strength, leading to deformation, self-touch, abrasion, and water leakage during washing and spin-dry cycles due to inadequate reinforcement and vibration reduction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A gasket with reinforcing ribs and a thermoplastic elastomer composition, including hydrogenated styrene block copolymer and polyolefin, is designed to connect the tub to the cabinet, featuring a body with a hollow part, peripheral part, and connection part with protruding ribs to enhance strength and vibration absorption, while preventing water leakage through a lip and connection rib configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gasket is made flexible to absorb vibration, then vibration reduction performance is improved, but the gasket deforms severely and comes upon self-touch causing abrasion and perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is constructed as a composite structure combining a flexible base material (thermoplastic elastomer) with rigid reinforcing ribs. This composite design allows the flexible portions to absorb vibration while the reinforcing ribs prevent excessive deformation and self-touch, thereby maintaining both vibration reduction performance and structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is segmented into different functional regions: flexible body portions for vibration absorption and rigid reinforcing rib portions for structural support. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other
2Strength
If the gasket is reinforced to maintain strength, then structural integrity is improved, but vibration absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket applies local quality by providing reinforcement only in specific locations where structural strength is needed (through the reinforcing ribs), while leaving other areas flexible for vibration absorption. This localized reinforcement maintains overall strength without compromising vibration absorption capability
3Loss of energy
If the gasket deforms to absorb vibration, then vibration energy is absorbed, but the gasket undergoes abrasion and perforation due to self-touch
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs are positioned beforehand to prevent the gasket from deforming to the point of self-touch during vibration. This prior structural support cushions against excessive deformation, allowing vibration energy absorption while preventing the harmful self-touch that causes abrasion and perforation
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 reduces vibration transmission, maintains strength, and prevents water leakage by absorbing vibration energy and distributing stress, thereby extending its lifespan and improving washing machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket with reinforcing ribs and a thermoplastic elastomer composition... connect the tub to the cabinet... effectively reduces vibration transmission, maintains strength, and prevents water leakage by absorbing vibration energy
Implementation Method 2
a body with a hollow part, peripheral part, and connection part with protruding ribs to enhance strength and vibration absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
A washing machine (1) comprising a gasket (100) capable of reinforcing the strength thereof while improving the vibration reducing performance of the gasket, the gasket (100) connecting a tub (20) to the front surface frame (10a) of the casing (10), wherein the gasket includes a body (110) having a hollowness part (112) configured to accommodate a portion of the door (50) and a peripheral part (114, 116) configured to surround the hollowness part (112), and a reinforcing rib (180) formed by protruding at least one portion of the peripheral part so as to reinforce a strength of the gasket, and wherein the reinforcing rib has a rear surface (182) further concaved than an inner surface (116b) of the peripheral part that is adjacent to the rear surface. The gasket further comprise a connection lip (140, 190) that contacts the closed door (50), such that the connection lip has a connection rib having a greater thickness in the lower portion (192) of the lip than the upper portion (191) of the lip.