Washer Drum Lifter Structure for Friction and Shape Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in maintaining effective friction between lifters and laundry, leading to inefficient rubbing and lifting operations, especially when lifter heights are reduced, and suffer from rigidity issues that can result in deformation and imbalance during rotation, as well as hygienic problems due to trapped foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a drum with lifters featuring a lifter frame made of synthetic resin and a metal frame cover with washing protrusions that extend in a ring shape along the circumference, providing enhanced friction and rigidity, even when formed from a thin metal plate, ensuring effective laundry treatment and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the height of the lifter is reduced, then the laundry can roll for a longer time without climbing over the lifter, but the friction between the lifter and laundry becomes insufficient for effective lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter structure is divided into different portions with different functions: the first portion provides a smooth surface for rolling motion, while the second portion provides a rough surface for generating friction. This local differentiation allows the lifter to simultaneously enable long rolling duration and sufficient friction for lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter is constructed as a composite structure combining a first member (base structure) and a second member (protruding portion with rough surface). This composite design integrates the benefits of smooth rolling surface and high-friction lifting surface in a single component.
2Strength
If the second member is made of metal, then strength is improved, but plastic deformation occurs causing the lifter to lose its original shape and creating imbalance during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The material of the second member is changed from metal to synthetic resin, which has different mechanical properties including higher elasticity and resistance to plastic deformation. This parameter change maintains sufficient strength while preventing permanent deformation and ensuring reliable operation over time.
3Device complexity
If the gap between the first member and second member becomes small, then structural compactness is improved, but foreign substances become trapped causing hygienic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The second member is designed with a dome shape having a vertex that curves smoothly. This curved geometry prevents foreign substances from being trapped in sharp corners or crevices, while the overall compact dome structure maintains structural efficiency. The smooth curved surface facilitates easy cleaning and prevents accumulation of debris.
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 solution improves the rubbing action between laundry and lifters, maintains friction at a predetermined level for efficient lifting, and ensures sufficient rigidity to prevent deformation, enhancing the overall washing performance and hygiene by reducing the risk of foreign substance trapping.
Implementation Method 1
The washing protrusion comes into contact with laundry inserted in the drum... improves the rubbing action between the laundry and the lifter... maintains friction at a predetermined level or higher
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a drum configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending in a front-rear direction, and a lifter disposed in the drum. The lifter includes a lifter upper plate portion spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the drum, a lifter sidewall portion having a lower end adjoining the inner circumferential surface of the drum and an upper end connected to the lifter upper plate portion, and at least one washing protrusion protruding from an outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion and extending in a ring shape along a circumference of the outer surface.