Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine hubs suffer from insufficient strength, sanitation issues due to impurity buildup, and environmental pollution from electrodeposition coating processes, while requiring optimization of water flow rates and filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine hub design with a smooth underside, increased opening area for improved water flow, and a circulating water jet device with a filter to collect lint, using high corrosion-resistant six ALDC type materials to eliminate the need for electrodeposition coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If recesses are formed on the underside of spokes to provide strength, then the hub achieves sufficient structural strength, but impurities such as lint or dirt build up in the recesses causing sanitation problems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming recesses (concave features) to provide strength, the patent inverts the approach by forming protrusions (convex features) on the underside of the spokes. The protrusions extend downward from the smooth upper surface of the spoke, providing structural reinforcement while maintaining a generally smooth surface that prevents impurity accumulation. This inversion of the conventional recess design resolves the contradiction between strength and sanitation.
2Reliability
If electrodeposition coating is applied to improve corrosion resistance, then the hub achieves sufficient corrosion protection, but the total number of process steps increases and environmental pollution problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electrodeposition coating process from the manufacturing sequence. By selecting aluminum alloy materials with inherently high corrosion resistance (specifically alloys containing copper and silicon in controlled proportions), the hub achieves sufficient corrosion protection without requiring any additional coating processes. This removes the complex multi-step electrodeposition process and eliminates associated environmental pollution, while maintaining the required reliability for corrosion resistance.
3Productivity
If the opening area in the hub is increased to improve water flow rate, then the flow rate of water entering the inner tub increases, but the structural strength of the hub may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning and dimensioning the openings in the hub. Rather than uniformly distributing or maximizing opening area, the design places openings in specific locations where they provide adequate water flow for the circulating water jet device while maintaining structural integrity in critical load-bearing regions. The openings are sized and shaped to provide sufficient flow rate without compromising the overall strength of the hub structure.
4Weight of moving object
If the hub weight is reduced to improve energy efficiency, then the weight decreases, but the rigidity of the hub may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material strategy by selecting a specific aluminum alloy composition (containing copper and silicon in controlled proportions) that provides enhanced strength-to-weight ratio. This alloy formulation allows the hub to achieve reduced weight compared to conventional materials while maintaining or improving rigidity. The composite approach at the material level enables weight reduction without sacrificing the structural stability required for hub operation.
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
Prevents impurity buildup, enhances water flow rate, maintains hub stiffness with reduced weight, and eliminates the need for electrodeposition coating, improving sanitation and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a filter for collecting lint floating in the stream of water
Implementation Method 2
a circulating water jet device for directing a centrifugal stream of water generated within the inner tub upward through a duct
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine comprises: an outer tub containing water; an inner tub rotating on a vertical axis within the outer tub and having a first opening at the bottom; a motor providing torque; a dewatering shaft rotating by the motor; and a hub supporting the inner tub from the bottom, wherein the hub comprises: a connecting boss whose center is connected to the dewatering shaft; a plurality of spokes extending outward radially from the connecting boss and having second openings overlapping the first opening; and a circular flange connecting the outer edges of the spokes and attached to the bottom of the inner tub, wherein the spokes comprise at least one first spoke whose underside faces the bottom of the outer tub and is entirely smooth.