Tub Ring Structure for Washer Load Balance and Gap Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vertical axis washing machines, load imbalances during operation can lead to inefficiencies and potential user errors due to the exposed balance ring, which may cause laundry to be accidentally placed in the gap between the tub and basket.

Innovation Solution

A tub ring with a circumferential side wall, a radially inward top wall, and radial stiffening ribs is mounted over the balance ring, providing structural support and preventing accidental loading while allowing for inclined edges to complement the balance ring, enhancing stability and spin speed capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a balance ring is mounted to the upper end of the basket to counterbalance load imbalance, then the load balance performance is improved, but the exposed balance ring may cause laundry to be accidentally placed in the gap between the tub and basket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload balance performanceVSAvoidaccidental loading of laundry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A tub ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the tub and the balance ring. This tub ring serves as a protective barrier that prevents laundry from being accidentally placed in the gap between the tub and basket, while allowing the balance ring to maintain its load-balancing function. The tub ring effectively mediates between the safety requirement and the operational requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper end structure is segmented into multiple functional components: the tub ring mounted to the tub, and the balance ring mounted to the basket upper end. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the tub ring provides safety by covering the gap, while the balance ring maintains load balance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a tub ring is added to prevent accidental loading, then safety is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental loading preventionVSAvoidtub ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tub ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents accidental loading by covering the gap, provides structural support through integrated stiffening ribs, and allows for load balancing by accommodating the balance ring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tub ring incorporates stiffening ribs that extend between the side wall and top wall, creating a composite structural design. These ribs provide enhanced structural rigidity and support while maintaining a relatively simple overall form, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to requiring a completely rigid thick-walled structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If stiffening ribs are added to the tub ring to provide structural support, then structural rigidity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetub ring structural rigidityVSAvoidtub ring fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tub ring features a curved, annular structure with stiffening ribs that follow the circular geometry. This curved design provides inherent structural strength and rigidity distributed around the entire circumference, allowing the structure to resist deformation more effectively than flat structures would, while the ribs can be formed using standard curved panel manufacturing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The tub ring structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the circumferential side wall, the top wall extending radially inward, and the stiffening ribs extending between them. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized and manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to forming a completely integrated complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9951457B2Laundry treating appliance with a tub ring

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A tub ring mountable to an upper end of a liquid holding tub in a laundry treating appliance may include a circumferential side wall, a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, and a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending between the top wall and the side wall. The ribs may have a bottom edge with at least a portion inclined relative to horizontal. At least a portion of the bottom edge may also be complementary to a top wall of a balance ring.