Washing machine support, washing machine using support, and structural optimization method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional washing machine supports, with a '-shaped or '-shaped cross section, may fracture under ultra-high capacity operation and fail to maintain reliability at high speeds like 1400 rpm due to insufficient design margin.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine support design featuring multiple supporting arms with transition structures at junctions, grooves for uniform material distribution, and a structure optimization method involving finite element analysis and topological optimization to reduce stress concentration and enhance structural strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional -shaped or -shaped cross section support structure is used, then manufacturing is simple and structure is easy to produce, but structural strength is insufficient under ultra-high capacity operation and high speed rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing traditional sharp corner junctions with rounded transition structures at the intersections of supporting plates and connecting plates. This curved design distributes stress more evenly throughout the structure, preventing stress concentration at sharp corners and significantly improving structural strength under ultra-high capacity operation and high speed rotation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by adding transition structures specifically at the junction areas where supporting plates connect to connecting plates, while maintaining the overall simple -shaped or -shaped cross section structure. This localized modification enhances strength precisely where stress concentration occurs most, without unnecessarily complicating the entire support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If traditional support structure is used, then design is simple, but reliability is reduced when operating at 1400 rpm with insufficient design margin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct reliabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The curved transition structures eliminate stress concentration points that would lead to fatigue failures during long-term operation at 1400 rpm. By distributing mechanical stresses more uniformly across the support structure, the design margin is effectively increased, ensuring reliable operation at high speeds without requiring a completely redesigned complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition structures act as preemptive stress-distributing features built into the design before operation begins. These structures预先 (in advance) cushion against the high centrifugal forces and vibrational stresses that occur during 1400 rpm operation, preventing failure before it can occur and ensuring long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If uniform material distribution is achieved through groove design, then structural strength increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidgroove positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves are strategically positioned only in specific areas of the supporting plates where material redistribution is most beneficial for strength, rather than requiring uniform precision throughout the entire structure. This localized approach to groove placement achieves effective material distribution while reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3636822B1Washing machine support, washing machine using support, and structural optimization method
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3636822B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636822B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3636822B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are a washing machine support (100), a washing machine having the support (100), and a structure optimization method. The support (100) comprises at least two supporting arms (110), each supporting arm (110) comprising a first supporting plate (111) and a connecting plate (113), and a first end of the connecting plate (113) being connected to a first surface of the first supporting plate (111), wherein a transition structure (114) is provided at a junction of the first supporting plate (111) and the connecting plate (113). By providing the transition structure (114) at the junction of the first supporting plate (111) and the connecting plate (113), the transition structure (114) decreases a concentration of stresses at the junction of the first supporting plate (111) and the connecting plate (113), improves strength of the supporting arms, and reduces probability of fractures.