Washing machine having circulation nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing washing machine designs with nozzles for spraying circulating water into a drum face challenges in assembling and manufacturing due to complex nozzle and port receiving pipe configurations, requiring intricate mold movements and fabricating processes.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design where the distribution pipe is easily installable in the gasket, allowing for parallel alignment of port receiving pipes, simplifying the assembly process by using a gasket body divided into areas with strategically positioned nozzles and outlet ports, and incorporating press-fitting protrusions for secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outlet ports protrude from the annular flow path in different directions, then water can be supplied to multiple nozzles, but the assembly process becomes complicated and cannot be easily manufactured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple outlet ports into a single integrated distribution pipe structure. Instead of having separate ports protruding in different directions from the annular flow path, the distribution pipe consolidates water supply functions, allowing all outlet ports to be inserted into port receiving pipes in the same radial direction, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the capability to supply water to multiple nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution pipe serves multiple functions: it guides water from the pump, distributes water to multiple nozzles through multiple outlet ports, and provides a unified insertion direction for all outlet ports. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile water supply while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Manufacturing precision
If the gasket is molded with port receiving pipes extending in the radial direction, then nozzles can be positioned correctly, but the mold structure becomes more complex requiring movement in multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all port receiving pipes into a unified gasket structure where all pipes extend in the same radial direction. This eliminates the need for complex multi-directional mold movements, as the mold can now produce all port receiving pipes in a single radial orientation, thereby reducing mold complexity while maintaining precise nozzle positioning
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlet ports are inserted into port receiving pipes in different directions, then water distribution is achieved, but simultaneous insertion is not possible requiring separate assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution pipe is designed with multiple outlet ports that all protrude in the same radial direction, enabling all ports to be simultaneously inserted into their corresponding port receiving pipes in a single assembly operation. This maintains versatile water distribution capability while dramatically improving assembly productivity by eliminating sequential insertion steps
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a gasket including a gasket body that connects a casing to a tub, and a plurality of nozzles spraying water into a drum. The gasket body has a first area and a second area corresponding to bilateral areas. The nozzles include a first nozzle and a second nozzle disposed in the first area sequentially in a bottom-to-top direction. The washing machine includes a distribution pipe for distribution circulating water to the nozzles, and the distribution pipe includes a first outlet port and a second outlet port for supplying water to first and second nozzles, and a third outlet port and a fourth outlet port for supplying water to third and fourth nozzles. The first and second outlet ports extend parallel to each other, and the third and fourth outlet ports extend parallel to each other.