Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines face challenges in preventing excessive vibrations of the tub from being transferred to the cabinet, particularly during the dehydration course when the washing drum rotates at high speed, leading to potential collisions due to asymmetrical laundry distribution, which current methods like increasing the tub's distance from the cabinet or using cushion members are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design incorporating a position guide apparatus that connects the tub to the cabinet via a suspension apparatus, featuring a cylinder with a stopper and absorption members to limit the tub's movement range and reduce vibrations, thereby preventing tub-cabinet collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between the tub and the cabinet is increased to prevent tub-cabinet collision, then the reliability is improved, but the washing machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
A position guide apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between the tub and the cabinet. This apparatus includes a guide member connected to the tub and a guide groove formed on the cabinet, which together constrain the tub's movement range and prevent collision with the cabinet while maintaining a compact washing machine structure.
2Reliability
If cushion members such as sponge are attached on the inner surface of the cabinet to prevent vibrations, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position guide apparatus serves as a mechanical intermediary that guides and constrains tub movement through the guide groove, preventing excessive vibrations and collision without requiring additional cushioning materials, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cushion members are attached on the inner wall of the cabinet to reduce vibrations, then the object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position guide apparatus with its guide member and guide groove provides a simple mechanical constraint system that effectively reduces vibrations and harmful movements of the tub without adding complex cushioning layers or multiple components, thereby reducing both device complexity and manufacturing complexity.
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
The position guide apparatus effectively reduces the tub's movement distance by 24.3% and minimizes vibrations transferred to the cabinet, enhancing operational stability and reducing noise, without increasing the machine's size or requiring additional materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suspension apparatus configured to reduce vibrations of the tub
Implementation Method 2
a position guide apparatus having one end connected to the at least one suspension apparatus, and the other end connected to the tub, and configured to limit a movement range in horizontal direction of the tub
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a cabinet; a tub disposed in the inside of the cabinet; at least one suspension apparatus configured to reduce vibrations of the tub, and to connect the tub to the cabinet such that the tub is supported on the cabinet; and a position guide apparatus having one end connected to the at least one suspension apparatus, and the other end connected to the tub, and configured to limit a movement range in horizontal direction of the tub.