Washing Machine Leg Assembly With Over-Unscrew Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience instability and noise due to legs being over-unscrewed or completely separated from the base during height adjustment, leading to vibration and increased installation time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an over-unscrewed prevention member, such as a fixing nut or snap ring, at the bolt unit of each leg to prevent excessive unscrewing by catching at the base when the legs are maximally extended, ensuring stable installation and preventing complete separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the bolt unit length is limited to ensure structural integrity, then the leg cannot be completely separated from the base, but the unscrew height is limited and users cannot adjust the leg height sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is segmented into two parts: the base body with through-hole and the separate base bracket. The base bracket is made of harder material to prevent damage to the through-hole while providing a receiving groove for the prevention member. This segmentation allows the bolt unit to be longer without compromising the integrity of the base's screwing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The over-unscrewed prevention member acts as an intermediary element between the bolt unit and the base bracket. It catches on the base bracket when the leg is unscrewed to the maximum extent, preventing complete separation while allowing sufficient height adjustment. This mediator enables both long bolt units and reliable assembly.
2Ease of operation
If the leg is allowed to be completely unscrewed from the base for maximum height adjustment, then the leg can be fully extended, but the leg becomes completely separated from the base causing instability and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The over-unscrewed prevention member provides preliminary anti-action by catching on the base bracket before the leg can be completely separated. This preventive mechanism stops the unscrewing action at the appropriate limit, maintaining stability while allowing maximum useful height adjustment. The receiving groove guides the prevention member to catch properly.
3Length of moving object
If a longer bolt unit is used to allow greater height adjustment, then the leg can be adjusted to maximum height, but the through-hole in the base may be damaged during assembly or adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The base bracket is made of material with hardness greater than the through-hole material, creating a local quality difference. This harder base bracket serves as a durable receiving structure for the prevention member, protecting the softer through-hole in the base from damage during assembly and adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the through-hole structure from the prevention member receiving structure into two components (base and base bracket), the design allows the bolt unit to be longer without risking damage to the through-hole. The base bracket handles the mechanical stress of the prevention member while the through-hole maintains its original integrity.
4Ease of operation
If the leg is over-unscrewed from the base, then the leg can be extended beyond the intended height, but the leg is unstably disposed at the base causing vibration and noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The over-unscrewed prevention member provides preliminary anti-action by preventing the leg from being over-unscrewed in the first place. By catching on the base bracket at the maximum extension point, it ensures stable disposal of the leg at the base, eliminating vibration and noise during operation while still allowing full height adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine having height adjustable legs is provided. The washing machine may include a base provided at a bottom of the washing machine, a plurality of legs coupled to the base, and an over-unscrewed prevention member provided with each leg. Each leg may include a bolt that is height-adjustably assembled at the base. The over-unscrewed prevention member may be provided at the bolt of each leg and caught by the base when the legs are unscrewed so as to set a maximum unscrew height of the legs.