Washing Machine Lifting Linkage for Easy Moving and Stable Grounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines are difficult to move due to time and labor consumption, and existing mobile devices often result in deformed or damaged casters and noisy hydraulic/pneumatic systems, complicating the structure and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device with a connector, cylindrical pins, and levers connected to a driving device, including an electric motor and speed reducer, allows for vertical movement of support feet, enabling easy raising and lowering of the washing machine, using universal wheels for mobility and reducing structural complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If casters are installed on the bottom support plate to facilitate movement, then the washing machine can be moved more easily, but the wheel bodies are easily deformed and damaged during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoidcaster durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the casters from direct contact with the ground by introducing a lifting device that raises the washing machine body. The casters are extracted from their traditional ground-contact function and repositioned to roll on a support plate that is elevated above the ground, thereby protecting them from deformation and damage while maintaining mobility functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a support plate as an intermediary element between the casters and the ground. This support plate is lifted above the ground surface, creating a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the casters and rough ground conditions, thus reducing deformation and damage while still enabling movement through the casters rolling on the elevated plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If hydraulic and pneumatic devices are installed to raise and lower the washing machine, then the casters are protected from direct ground contact, but the structure becomes complicated and causes noises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaster protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hydraulic or pneumatic lifting systems with a simpler mechanical linkage system. The lifting device uses a support plate connected to the washing machine body through mechanical linkages that can be manually operated to raise and lower the machine, eliminating the need for noisy and complex fluid-based systems while achieving the same protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting device is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The mechanical linkages allow the user to directly raise and lower the washing machine body, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the complexity of powered hydraulic or pneumatic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual lifting is used to move the washing machine, then the structure remains simple, but it consumes time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidtime and labor consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a crank mechanism that converts rotational motion into vertical lifting motion, similar to how a hand-cranked device operates. This mechanical copying of motion transformation allows the user to efficiently raise and lower the washing machine with minimal effort, reducing time and labor consumption while maintaining structural simplicity through pure mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 lifting device simplifies the movement of washing machines, reduces the risk of caster damage, and enhances user experience by allowing easy pushing and secure grounding, while avoiding interference with other components.

Implementation Method 1

including an electric motor and speed reducer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a first lever and a second lever, the second end of the first lever being pivotally connected to the first support foot, and the second end of the second lever being pivotally connected to the second support foot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3733948B1Lifting device and washing machine having same
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO LTD
  • EP3733948B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3733948B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a lifting device and a washing machine having same, aiming to solve the problems of having difficulty in moving an existing washing machine and an existing moving device having a complex structure. The lifting device comprises a driving device, a connection rod (410), a first lever (44), a second lever (45) and support legs, wherein the driving device is arranged on the bottom of a washing machine body (1); the support legs are movably arranged at the bottom of the washing machine body (1) in a vertical direction; the driving device is respectively connected to a first end of the first lever (44) and to a first end of the second lever (45) in a driving manner, by means of the connection rod (410); a second end of the first lever (44) is pivotally connected to one of the support legs, and a pivoting end of the first lever (44) is pivotally connected to the washing machine body (1); and a second end of the second lever (45) is pivotally connected to one of the support legs, and a pivoting end of the second lever (45) is pivotally connected to the washing machine body. Therefore, by means of the driving device, the washing machine can drive the first lever (44) and the second lever (45) so that the support legs can move in the vertical direction, thereby the machine body (1) being raised or lowered.