Washer Drum Support Star Flow Gap to Protect Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience bearing damage due to water ingress and abrasive particles, which are transported by the rotating drum and support star, leading to rust and encrustation issues.
Innovation Solution
A star-shaped support with radially extending arms is designed to have a continuous flow gap between the arms and the rear wall, oriented at a specific angle to prevent water and particles from reaching the bearing, using a geometrically shaped wall to direct fluid flow and minimize splashing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support arms are in direct contact with the rear wall, then the structural support is improved, but water and particles are transported to the bearing and sealing system causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is segmented into a first section and a second section with a flow gap between them. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain support function while creating a barrier that prevents water and particles from reaching the bearing and sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow gap acts as an intermediary element between the support arm and the rear wall. It allows the water film to pass through while blocking the transport of particles and preventing direct water ingress to the bearing, thus mediating between structural support and protection requirements.
2Productivity
If the drum rotates with the support star, then the washing function is improved, but water splashing and gush water form that reach the bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into sections with a flow gap, which segments the water flow path. This allows the drum to rotate effectively for washing while the flow gap prevents the formation and transport of splashing water and gush water to the bearing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow gap converts the harmful water splashing and gush water into a beneficial controlled water film flow. The water that would otherwise damage the bearing is redirected through the flow gap, maintaining the washing function while preventing bearing damage.
3Productivity
If particles are transported to the rear wall and drum system, then the washing process is maintained, but encrustations form that have an abrasive effect on the sealing system
Solution Approach 1:
The flow gap serves as an intermediary barrier that allows water to pass through while blocking particles from reaching the sealing system. This maintains the washing process by allowing water circulation while protecting the sealing system from particle-induced encrustations and abrasion.
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
Significantly reduces the occurrence of bearing damage by preventing water and particles from reaching the sealing system, ensuring the drum shaft, tub rear wall, and sealing system remain free of splashing water and encrustations.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous flow gap is formed between a support arm and the rear wall of the drum... the through-flow gap, which is thus oriented in the direction of rotation around the axis, forms a channel, through which the liquid medium taken up from a tub when the drum and the star-shaped support rotate is conveyed further in the direction of rotation
Implementation Method 2
This first wall section is at least partially oriented at a first angle of between 20° and 70° to a plane that is perpendicular to the axis about which the spider and the drum rotate. As a result of the invention, the through-flow gap... forms a channel, through which the liquid medium... is conveyed further in the direction of rotation, without it reaching the star-shaped support and in particular colliding with the support arms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) for washing laundry items, comprising a drum (4) for receiving the laundry items, said drum being mounted in a rotatable manner about a horizontal axis (A), and a support star (13) which is arranged behind a rear wall (14) of the drum (4) when seen in the direction of the axis (A) and which is connected to the drum (4) and has a plurality of radially extending support arms (15). A respective spacing (d) is formed between each of the support arms (15) and the rear wall (14) in the axial direction such that a continuous flow gap (16) is formed between each support arm (15) and the rear wall (14) when seen in the circumferential direction about the axis (A), and the flow gap (16) is delimited on the support arm side by a wall (17) which has a first wall section (18) that is oriented at a first angle (α) between 20° and 70° relative to a plane (E) extending perpendicularly to the axis (A).