Washing Machine Nested Coupler and Reduction Gear to Reduce Height
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face challenges in maintaining a compact height while efficiently performing washing and spin-drying operations, as they require a large motor assembly and additional components like couplers and reduction gear modules, which can increase the machine's height and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates a motor assembly with a reduction gear module and a coupler system that allows the pulsator and drum to rotate at different speeds, using a solenoid and permanent magnet to control the coupler's position and engage/disengage the spin-drying shaft, enabling efficient switching between washing and spin-drying operations without increasing the machine's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large motor assembly and additional components (coupler, reduction gear module) are used to enable washing and spin-drying operations, then operational versatility is improved, but device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reduction gear module is received within the coupler body, creating a nested arrangement where one component (reduction gear module) is placed inside another (coupler). This nesting strategy reduces the overall height of the rotating device by eliminating the need for separate vertical spaces for these components, thereby maintaining compact device dimensions while preserving both washing and spin-drying operational capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions components from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement within the rotating device. The coupler and reduction gear module are arranged radially rather than vertically, utilizing the horizontal space within the drum assembly. This dimensional shift allows the components to be distributed in the radial direction rather than increasing height in the vertical direction, effectively resolving the height-versus-versatility contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If a coupler and reduction gear module are added to control rotation speeds, then operational control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed to perform multiple functions: it couples the rotating device to either the washing shaft or spin-drying shaft, houses the reduction gear module, and provides structural support. The reduction gear module similarly serves dual purposes by reducing rotation speed for washing operations and being compactly integrated into the coupler structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving operational control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the pulsator and drum rotate at different speeds during washing, then washing efficiency is improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating device is segmented into functionally independent components: the pulsator assembly with its own shaft and the drum assembly with its own shaft. The coupler acts as a selective connector that can engage with either the washing shaft (connecting pulsator to motor) or the spin-drying shaft (connecting drum to motor). This segmentation allows independent speed control and functional separation, enabling different rotation speeds for washing operations while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through modular design.
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 configuration allows for efficient operation during both washing and spin-drying, maintaining a compact design by ensuring the washing shaft and spin-drying shaft rotate at optimal speeds, while preventing the machine's height from increasing, thus enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using a solenoid and permanent magnet to control the coupler's position
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a tub, a drum, a pulsator, a motor assembly, including a rotor, to supply a driving force, a reduction gear module couplable to the rotor of the motor assembly so that a portion of the reduction gear module is rotatable at an angular velocity less than an angular velocity at which the rotor is rotated, a washing shaft couplable to the pulsator and the portion of the reduction gear module so that the pulsator is rotatable at an angular velocity less than the angular velocity at which the rotor is rotated, a spin-drying shaft couplable to the drum, and a coupler configured to be couplable to the spin-drying shaft and the rotor so that the spin-drying shaft is rotatable at the angular velocity at which the rotor is rotated, where the coupler includes a coupler body having a receiving space to receive the reduction gear module.