Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with solenoid-operated clutches face issues such as continuous power requirements, heat generation, and component damage due to abnormal operations, particularly when the coupler needs to maintain a position without continuous solenoid power and accurately adjust its movement.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a coupler that moves upward by gravity when the solenoid is not operating, with a coupler guide that rotates to maintain the coupler's position and prevent backward rotation, using a solenoid module to adjust the coupler's position without continuous power and incorporating stoppers to prevent upward movement and solenoid contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid is used to adjust the coupler configuration, then the coupler can be positioned in different configurations, but continuous power application is required to maintain the higher position, causing heat generation and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid operates intermittently rather than continuously. It is activated only when coupler configuration changes are needed, and deactivates when the coupler needs to return to the lower position under gravity. This periodic operation eliminates continuous power consumption and heat generation while maintaining effective coupler positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gravity as a free resource to automatically return the coupler to the lower position without requiring continuous solenoid power or additional actuators. The coupler's own weight serves the function of resetting its position, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for continuous energy input.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the solenoid continuously operates to maintain coupler position, then the coupler remains in the higher position, but this causes heat generation from the coil and potential damage to the coupler
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously. It activates only when configuration change is needed and deactivates when position maintenance is sufficient, particularly using gravity for automatic return. This reduces thermal accumulation and prevents overheating damage to both the solenoid coil and the coupler.
Solution Approach 2:
Gravity acts as an intermediary force that assists the solenoid in controlling coupler position. By utilizing gravitational force to return the coupler to the lower position, the system reduces reliance on continuous solenoid operation, thereby minimizing heat generation and preventing thermal damage to components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate motor and link structure is used to adjust the coupler, then the coupler configuration can be changed, but the structure becomes complex and occupies narrow space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex motor and link structure from the system, replacing it with a simple solenoid actuator. By removing the unnecessary mechanical complexity while retaining the essential function of coupler configuration adjustment, the design achieves adaptability with a much simpler structure that occupies less space.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical motor and link system is replaced with an electromagnetic solenoid system. This substitution simplifies the mechanical structure significantly while maintaining the ability to adjust coupler configuration, reducing both structural complexity and space occupation.
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
This design reduces power consumption, prevents solenoid-related issues, and enhances the lifespan of components by allowing the coupler to maintain position without continuous solenoid operation, addressing heat generation and component damage concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid module that moves the coupler upward in the lengthwise direction of the dewatering shaft
Implementation Method 2
The coupler moves downward by gravity if there is no force applied to it
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a water tank, a washing tub, a pulsator, a drive motor, a drive shaft, a dewatering shaft that rotates about the same axis of the drive shaft and spins the washing tub, a coupler that is mounted to move up and down along the dewatering shaft and transmits the torque of the drive motor to the dewatering shaft, a solenoid module that moves the coupler upward in a lengthwise direction of the dewatering shaft so as to cut off torque from the drive motor to the dewatering shaft or transmit the torque to the dewatering shaft, when a magnetic field is generated by applying an electric current to a coil, and a coupler guide that rotates itself or fixes the position of the coupler, by coming into contact with the coupler when the coupler moves upward in the lengthwise direction of the dewatering shaft.