Twin Laundry Machine Rotor Venting for Motor Cooling and Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional twin laundry machines face issues with vibration and increased power consumption when both washing units operate simultaneously, and the small-sized second washing unit's drive unit struggles with effective heat radiation, leading to potential motor damage due to high-temperature exposure.

Innovation Solution

The twin laundry machine incorporates a control method to synchronize the operation periods of the motors in each washing unit, ensuring they do not overlap, and features an enhanced drive unit with a rotor design that includes an external air supply channel and air inlet structure to efficiently cool the stator and motor components, even in high-temperature environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If both washing units operate simultaneously, then productivity increases, but vibration and power consumption increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control method implements periodic operation cycles where the first and second washing units alternate their motor operations. The controller coordinates the operation periods such that when one motor is operating, the other is in standby, creating a periodic pattern that prevents simultaneous operation while maintaining overall productivity through sequential processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If both washing units operate simultaneously, then productivity increases, but vibration increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing capacityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control method implements periodic operation cycles where the first and second washing units alternate their motor operations. The controller coordinates the operation periods such that when one motor is operating, the other is in standby, creating a periodic pattern that prevents simultaneous operation while maintaining overall productivity through sequential processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the second washing unit is used for sterilizing laundry in boiling water, then sanitation function is improved, but the motor is exposed to high temperature causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesanitation functionVSAvoidhigh temperature exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces air inlet parts and air flow as an intermediary cooling mechanism. Air enters through the air inlet parts located on the rotor, flows across the stator, and carries away heat from the motor components. This air flow acts as a mediator that protects the motor from direct high-temperature exposure while allowing the washing unit to perform hot water sterilization functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If the second washing unit is made smaller to save space, then ease of installation is improved, but heat radiation function deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidheat radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning air inlet parts specifically on the rotor at locations optimized for heat dissipation. The air inlet parts are strategically placed to maximize air flow across the stator and motor components, creating localized cooling zones within the compact structure. This allows effective heat radiation in a small space by concentrating cooling functionality at critical locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution reduces vibration and power consumption, enhances the reliability and durability of both washing units by effectively managing heat radiation and preventing motor damage, thus improving the overall performance and longevity of the twin laundry machine.

Implementation Method 1

an external air supply channel which is projected from an outer bottom surface of the rotor in a circumferential direction to be recessed continuously from the outer surface of the bottom wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3336235B1Laundry machine
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3336235B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3336235B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3336235B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to twin laundry machine comprising: a first washing unit (140) comprising a first tub, a first drum and a first drive unit for driving the first drum; and a second washing unit (150) comprising a second tub, a second drum and a second drive unit for driving the second drum, wherein the second drum has a diameter which is larger than the height, and a rotation axis which intersects a rotation axis of the first drum, wherein the second drive unit comprises: a stator fixed to an outer surface of a bottom wall of the second tub; and a rotor (300) coupled to the drum shaft and rotatably surrounding the stator, wherein the rotor (300) comprises a rotor frame (320), a magnet (360), and a connector for connecting the rotor frame (320) and the drum shaft with each other, the rotor frame (320) comprising, a side wall (330) for seating the magnet (360) therein, a bottom wall (340) horizontally extended from a lower end of the side wall, and a plurality of air inlet parts (341) formed in the bottom wall (340), and the air inlet part (341) comprises: an external air inlet channel (342) projected from the bottom wall (340) toward the stator, and an external air supply channel (360) in communication with the external air inlet channel (342), the external air supply channel (360) being formed in the circumferential direction and projected from the bottom wall (340), the external air supply channel (360) comprising a radial-direction inner wall (363) formed consecutively along the circumferential direction, an external wall (361), an upper wall (362) connecting the inner wall (363) and a top of the external wall (361) with each other; wherein the external wall (361) comprises an inclined wall (361a) having one end of the inclined external wall (361a, 345) being formed outer or inner to the other end in a radial direction, and a circumferential-direction wall (361b, 345), and an opening (343) formed by the inclined external wall (361a), the circumferential-direction wall (361b) and the upper wall (362) and through which external air is sucked into the rotor frame (320).