Washer Support Structure With Adjustable Leg Guides for Fast Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machine supporting devices are inefficient in assembly and do not accommodate washing machines and drying machines with legs of different sizes, requiring complex and labor-intensive installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A supporting device with guide members and fixing members that include reception parts and leg holes of varying sizes to securely attach legs of washing machines and drying machines, allowing for easy adjustment and assembly, featuring position determination pins and reinforcing ribs for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the washing machine main body is laid down and legs are separated for assembly, then the supporting device can be connected to the washing machine main body, but the assembly process becomes complex and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide members are pre-installed on the supporting device main body before the washing machine is placed on it. This preliminary preparation allows the legs to be directly guided into position without requiring the washing machine to be laid down or disassembled, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing labor requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide members act as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between the washing machine legs and the supporting device. These guide members provide a predefined path and positioning mechanism that enables straightforward attachment without complex manipulation or disassembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the supporting device uses fixed-size leg holes, then assembly is simple, but it cannot accommodate washing machines and drying machines with legs of different sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleg size accommodationVSAvoidsupporting device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. Each fixing member can be shifted along the guide member to different positions, allowing the leg holes to accommodate legs of various sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the supporting device to work with different appliance types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, guide leg insertion, enable position adjustment, and allow accommodation of different leg sizes. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated component design rather than requiring separate specialized components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9255356B2Supporting device and washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A supporting device having improved assembly efficiency used to commonly support a washing machine and a drying machine with legs having different sizes, and a washing machine having the same. The supporting device includes a supporting device main body to support a washing machine main body, and supporters installed on the supporting device main body to receive and fix legs connected to the bottom of the washing machine main body, and each supporter includes a guide member to receive each leg, and at least one fixing member to fix each leg.