Washing drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing drums in non-domestic applications face challenges in securely closing the door during rotation under significant centrifugal forces while maintaining easy opening and closing, as existing solutions from domestic applications are insufficiently robust.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical washing drum design with articulately arranged door leaves and a resilient element, such as a helical spring, that applies a spring force to keep the door leaves closed, along with a locking mechanism to ensure secure closure and facilitate easy opening, is implemented. The resilient element is strategically positioned between the door leaf and the drum casing, and the locking mechanism provides a temporary connection to prevent uncontrolled opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient elements are used to apply spring force to keep door leaves closed during rotation, then the door remains securely closed under centrifugal forces, but the door leaves become difficult to open manually
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is pre-loaded to store elastic potential energy in the closed position. When the door is closed, the spring is compressed between the door leaf and the drum casing, storing energy that automatically maintains closure without requiring continuous manual force. This preliminary action of pre-compressing the spring resolves the contradiction by providing automatic holding force while requiring minimal opening effort.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is implemented to prevent uncontrolled opening, then operational safety is improved, but the complexity of the door system increases
Solution Approach 1:
A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the door leaf and the drum casing, providing a simple yet effective connection that prevents uncontrolled opening. The lock engages with basic mechanical elements (such as a latch and strike plate or pin and slot arrangement) to secure the door in the closed position during rotation, while allowing straightforward manual operation. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by adding minimal complexity to achieve the required safety function.
3Force
If the resilient element is positioned between the door leaf and drum casing, then sufficient spring force is achieved to counteract centrifugal forces, but the space available for element placement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is positioned at a specific location between the door leaf and the drum casing where the available space is optimized for spring force generation. The spring is placed in a localized region (such as near the hinge axis or at the center of the door leaf) where it can effectively apply force to the door leaf while fitting within the limited space constraints of the drum structure. This local placement resolves the contradiction by maximizing force output within the available spatial envelope.
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 solution ensures the door remains securely closed during rotation and can be easily opened and closed, even with heavy loads, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in non-domestic applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient element, which in the first position applies to the second door leaf a spring force which drives the second door leaf into the second position
Implementation Method 2
without this door being able to come open, upon rotation of the washing drum, under the influence of the centrifugal forces acting on this door
Data Source
AI summary
A washing drum (1) having an opening (4) in its cylindrical wall (3) and two door leaves (5, 6) which are arranged articulately between a first position, in order to close off the opening (4), and a second position, in order to free up the opening (4), wherein the first door leaf (5) has lugs (10) and the second door leaf (6) has hooks (9), which in the first position hook together, and having at least one resilient element (11), between a lateral side of the second door leaf (6) and the casing (3) laterally adjoining the opening (4), which resilient element (11) in the first position applies to the second door leaf (6) a spring force, towards the second position.