Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines have a complex structure with limited spray nozzle directions, leading to uneven wetting of laundry, complex assembly processes, and potential leaks due to multiple connections, which can interfere with surrounding structures and cause hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a gasket with multiple nozzles on its inner surface and a distribution pipe that connects directly to the pump, allowing for uniform water spraying and simplified assembly, while avoiding interference with other structures by positioning the distribution pipe on the outer surface of the gasket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple spray nozzles are used to improve uniform wetting of laundry, then the wetting uniformity is improved, but the structure complexity and assembly process become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spray nozzles and their individual connections into a single integrated gasket component. The gasket includes multiple nozzles with spray holes arranged in different directions, eliminating the need for separate connectors and spray paths for each nozzle. This integration simplifies the connection structure while maintaining multiple spray directions for uniform wetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sealing component, a water distribution manifold, and a mounting structure for multiple nozzles. The single gasket component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components (connectors, spray paths, nozzles), reducing assembly complexity while achieving uniform wetting through multi-directional spray holes.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple connectors and spray paths are used to connect nozzles to the pump, then multiple nozzles can be supplied, but the assembly process becomes bothersome and leak risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connectors and spray paths into a single integrated gasket structure. The gasket includes multiple connection portions that directly connect to the pump, eliminating the need for separate connectors and spray path components. This reduces the number of assembly steps and potential leak points while maintaining the ability to supply multiple nozzles.
3Manufacturing precision
If spray nozzles are positioned to achieve uniform wetting, then wetting performance is improved, but interference with surrounding structures such as balancer occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket features asymmetrically arranged spray holes with different spray directions (upward, downward, lateral) positioned at different locations. This asymmetric design allows water to be sprayed in multiple directions to achieve uniform wetting while accommodating the spatial constraints and avoiding interference with surrounding structures like the balancer.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple connection portions are used to connect pump, spray paths, connectors, and nozzles, then multiple nozzles can be connected, but wash water is likely to leak and hygiene issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection portions into a single integrated gasket component that provides multiple sealing interfaces. This integration reduces the number of separate connection points where leaks could occur, while the gasket material and design ensure reliable sealing at each connection point. The simplified structure also eliminates dead zones where detergent could solidify or contaminants could accumulate.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine including: a gasket, wherein the gasket includes a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of port receiving pipes communicating with the plurality of nozzles, respectively; and a distribution pipe, wherein the distribution pipe includes a transport conduit and a plurality of outlet ports protruding from the transport conduit toward the gasket body. The transport conduit may include a first portion spaced apart from an outer circumferential surface of the gasket body. Among the plurality of outlet ports, a first lower outlet port protrudes from the first portion, and the first lower outlet port and the first lower port receiving pipe are coupled to each other in a space where the first portion of the transport conduit and the outer circumferential surface of the gasket body are spaced apart, so that the gasket and the distribution pipe are connected tightly.