Friction type damping boom and pulsator washing machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a friction type damping boom and pulsator washing machine. The friction type damping boom includes metal pole, elastic element, support seat, piston, damping sheet and support cap. Support seat and support cap are connected and form installation cavity between both, and piston and damping sheet are installed in installation cavity, and metal pole passes through installation cavity and contacts with damping sheet, and metal pole can slide with piston and damping sheet to produce friction damping force between. Support seat and support cap are equipped with stop portion to resist damping sheet when piston and damping sheet slide in installation cavity and exceed first set distance, and the end of piston is equipped with elastic buffer portion to elastically collide with support seat or support cap when the slide of piston and damping sheet in installation cavity exceeds second set distance. The friction type damping boom and pulsator washing machine provided by the utility model satisfy multiple working conditions of small displacement to big displacement full damping, and better noise reduction performance is provided at the same time, and the damping performance and user experience are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vibration reduction technology, and in particular to a friction-type vibration-damping hanger and a pulsator washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Top-loading washing machines are widely used in modern homes. In order to isolate the unbalanced vibration and noise generated by the inner drum and clothes during high-speed spin-drying, washing machines are usually equipped with vibration damping rods. One end of these rods is connected to the washing machine body, and the other end is connected to the outer drum to suspend the inner and outer drums.

[0003] In existing technology, a widely used vibration damping rod typically includes a metal rod, a damping element sleeved on the metal rod, a support base or housing accommodating the damping element, and a spring providing restoring force. During washing machine operation, the vibration of the outer tub causes the metal rod to slide relative to the damping element. The sliding friction between the damping element and the metal rod constitutes the damping force, consuming vibration energy and thus achieving a vibration reduction effect. To cope with the small-amplitude, high-frequency vibrations of the inner tub during high-speed rotation to achieve self-balancing in the washing machine's spin cycle, these vibration damping rods are usually designed with free travel. The principle is to leave a certain gap between the damping element and the support structure. When the vibration amplitude of the metal rod is less than this gap, there is no relative movement or only slight movement between the damping element and the metal rod, thus generating little or no damping force, avoiding interference with the washing machine's self-balancing process and reducing noise.

[0004] However, in actual use, the working state of a washing machine is complex and variable, and its operation can be roughly divided into three states: a large displacement state during low-speed start-up or shutdown; a medium displacement state during acceleration and deceleration; and a small displacement state after high-speed rotation and stabilization. For existing free-travel vibration damping rods, the free-travel mechanism functions well in the small displacement state after high-speed rotation and stabilization. However, in the large displacement state during low-speed start-up or shutdown and the medium displacement state during acceleration and deceleration, the vibration displacement exceeds the free-travel clearance, causing direct and rigid collisions between the support base and the supporting structure on the shell and the limiting structure. This collision brings two main problems: First, the collision generates a huge impact force, causing a sudden change in the damping force value, which not only affects the stability of the overall machine vibration but may also produce unpleasant impact noise, seriously affecting the user experience. Second, frequent rigid collisions may also lead to premature wear or damage to components such as the supporting structure and limiting structure, affecting the product's service life and reliability.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention provides a friction-type vibration damping rod and a pulsator washing machine, which can meet various working conditions with sufficient damping from small displacement to large displacement, while also providing better noise reduction performance, improving vibration damping performance and user experience.

[0007] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a friction-type vibration damping rod, comprising a metal rod, an elastic element, a support base, a piston, a damping plate, and a support cap. The support base and the support cap are connected, forming an installation cavity between them. The piston and the damping plate are installed in the installation cavity. The metal rod passes through the installation cavity and contacts the damping plate. The metal rod can slide relative to the piston and the damping plate to generate frictional damping force. The support base and the support cap are provided with a stop portion to abut against the damping plate when the piston and the damping plate slide beyond a first set distance in the installation cavity. The end of the piston is provided with an elastic buffer portion to elastically collide with the support base or the support cap when the piston and the damping plate slide beyond a second set distance in the installation cavity.

[0008] As a further improved technical solution, the elastic buffer is an integrally formed spring arm structure on the piston.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution, the elastic buffer is a flexible pad fixed on the piston.

[0010] As a further improved technical solution, the second set distance is greater than the first set distance.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution, there is a gap between the damping plate and the stop portion of the support seat and / or the support cap to form a free stroke section, in which the piston and the damping plate are relatively stationary with respect to the metal rod.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution, the stop portion is one or more of a boss, rib, or step structure.

[0013] As a further improved technical solution, the friction-type vibration damping rod also includes a base, the base is provided with a first limiting protrusion, the support seat is provided with a second limiting protrusion, the elastic element is a spring, the spring is sleeved on the metal rod, and its two ends respectively abut against the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution, the piston has an installation groove on its inner side, and the damping plate is fixedly installed in the installation groove.

[0015] As a further improved technical solution, lubricating grease is provided between the damping plate and the metal rod.

[0016] This utility model is also achieved through the following technical solution: a pulsator washing machine, including a tub and a cabinet, the pulsator washing machine further including a plurality of friction-type vibration damping rods as described above, the friction-type vibration damping rods being connected between the tub and the cabinet.

[0017] The friction-type vibration damping rod provided by this utility model has a support base and a support cap with a stop portion to abut the damping plate when the piston and damping plate slide beyond a first set distance in the mounting cavity. The end of the piston is provided with an elastic buffer portion to elastically collide with the support base or support cap when the piston and damping plate slide beyond a second set distance in the mounting cavity. Through this design, the vibration damping requirements under various working conditions from small displacement to large displacement can be met, while providing good noise reduction performance, thus improving vibration damping performance and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only schematic representations of some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view along the axial direction of an embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the support cap in one embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the support base in one embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the piston in one embodiment of the friction-type vibration damping rod of this utility model.

[0025] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Metal rod; 2. Base; 3. Elastic element; 4. Support seat; 41. Stop part one; 5. Piston; 51. Elastic buffer part; 6. Damping plate; 7. Support cap; 71. Stop part two; 8. Hanging rod seat. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, the specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] Please see Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model provides a friction-type vibration damping rod, including a metal rod 1, an elastic element 3, a support base 4, a piston 5, a damping plate 6, and a support cap 7. The support base 4 and the support cap 7 are connected, forming a mounting cavity between them, and the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 are mounted in the mounting cavity. The metal rod 1 passes through the mounting cavity and contacts the damping plate 6, and the metal rod 1 can slide relative to the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 to generate frictional damping force. The support base 4 and the support cap 7 are provided with a stop portion to abut against the damping plate 6 when the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a first predetermined distance in the mounting cavity. The end of the piston 5 is provided with an elastic buffer portion 51 to elastically collide with the support base 4 or the support cap 7 when the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a second predetermined distance in the mounting cavity.

[0029] The friction-type vibration damping rod provided by this utility model has a support base 4 and a support cap 7 with a stop portion, which abuts against the damping plate 6 when the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a first set distance in the mounting cavity. The end of the piston 5 is provided with an elastic buffer portion 51, which elastically collides with the support base 4 or the support cap 7 when the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a second set distance in the mounting cavity. Through this design, two-stage buffering is achieved, which solves the problem of abnormal noise and impact caused by the rigid collision of the piston 5 under medium and large displacement conditions. It can meet the vibration reduction requirements under various working conditions from small displacement to large displacement while providing good noise reduction performance, thus improving vibration reduction performance and user experience.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 One embodiment of this utility model provides a friction-type vibration damping rod. The vibration damping rod includes a metal rod 1, a base 2, an elastic element 3, a support seat 4, a piston 5, a damping plate 6, a support cap 7, and a rod seat 8.

[0031] The metal rod 1 is the core load-bearing component of the hanging rod, and it is typically made of a rigid metal material, such as stainless steel. The upper end of the metal rod 1 is connected to a hanging rod seat 8, which connects to the washing machine's casing (not shown in the figure) during use. The base 2 is fixed to the lower end of the metal rod 1 and is used to connect to the washing machine's outer water tub (not shown in the figure). In this embodiment, both the upper and lower ends of the metal rod 1 are provided with rounded structures to enhance the reliability of the connection with the hanging rod seat 8 and the base 2; however, in other embodiments, it is not limited to rounded structures, and can be other integrated or assembled connection structures. When the washing machine is operating, the vibration of the outer tub is transmitted to the metal rod 1 through the base 2, causing the metal rod 1 to reciprocate axially relative to other components of the hanging rod.

[0032] Please continue reading. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the elastic element 3 is a helical spring, sleeved on the metal rod 1. The lower end of the elastic element 3 abuts against a first limiting protrusion on the base 2, and the upper end abuts against a second limiting protrusion on the support 4. In this embodiment, the base 2 is roughly convex in shape, with the lower half of the convex shape forming the first limiting protrusion. One end of the elastic element 3 is sleeved on the upper half of the convex shape and abuts against the lower half of the convex shape. The support 4 is stepped columnar in shape, and the other end of the elastic element 3 is sleeved on the smaller diameter section of the stepped columnar shape and abuts against the stepped surface of the stepped columnar shape. The main function of the elastic element 3 is to provide restoring force for the entire vibration damping rod. When the metal rod 1 is subjected to a downward force, that is, during the compression stroke, the elastic element 3 is compressed and stores energy. When the force disappears or decreases, the elastic element 3 releases energy, pushing the component to reset, so that the metal rod 1 returns to its initial or equilibrium position.

[0033] Please refer to this carefully. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the support base 4 and support cap 7 are sleeved on the metal rod 1, forming a mounting cavity for the piston 5 and damping plate 6 to be installed. The support base 4 and support cap 7 are connected to each other by means of, but not limited to, snaps, threads, or interference fits, forming a hollow mounting cavity. The upper part of the support cap 7 has a through hole for the metal rod 1 to pass through. The support base 4 and the support cap 7 have opposing stop portions, that is, the support base 4 has a first stop portion 41, and the support cap 7 has a second stop portion 71. In this embodiment, the first stop portion 41 is integrally formed with the support base, and the second stop portion 71 is integrally formed with the support cap 7. These stop portions can be bosses, ribs, annular steps, etc., and are convex relative to the end face of the support base 4 or support cap 7. The function of the first stop portion 41 and the second stop portion 71 is to limit the axial sliding stroke of the piston 5 and damping plate 6 assembly within the mounting cavity.

[0034] Please refer to this carefully. Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the piston 5 and damping plate 6 are the core components for generating frictional damping. The piston 5 is a generally cylindrical component with a mounting groove on its inner side, in which the damping plate 6 is fixedly installed. The piston 5 is made of a relatively hard, rigid material to ensure the stability of its structure. The damping plate 6 is installed in the mounting groove and is press-fitted against the outer surface of the metal rod 1 to ensure sufficient frictional force when the two slide relative to each other. To ensure smooth sliding and reduce wear, in some embodiments, lubricating grease is provided between the damping plate 6 and the metal rod 1, that is, by filling the gap between the damping plate 6 and the metal rod 1 with lubricating grease, the smoothness of movement is improved. The piston 5 and damping plate 6 are slidably disposed within the mounting cavity formed by the support base 4 and the support cap 7. In other words, there is a gap between the damping plate 6 and the stop portion of the support base 4 and / or the support cap 7 to form a free stroke section in which the piston 5 and damping plate 6 are relatively stationary with respect to the metal rod 1. Preferably, in the balanced position, there are gaps between both ends of the damping plate 6 and the first stop part 41 and the second stop part 71. These two gaps can be equal or unequal, as long as they can accommodate small displacements in the high-speed self-balancing motion state of the washing machine.

[0035] The piston 5 has elastic buffer portions 51 at both ends. In some embodiments, the elastic buffer portion 51 is an integrally formed spring arm structure on the piston 5. Specifically, it may be J-shaped, C-shaped, or a hollow O-shaped structure, absorbing impact through its own structure. In other embodiments, the elastic buffer portion 51 is a flexible pad fixed to the piston 5, such as a rubber pad or silicone pad. These flexible pads are manufactured separately from the piston 5 and then fixed to the end of the piston 5 by bonding, snap-fitting, or injection molding. Whether it is a spring arm structure or a flexible pad, it can generate elastic deformation when subjected to impact and compression to reduce impact force and noise. In this embodiment, when the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a first set distance in the mounting cavity, the stop portion abuts against the damping plate 6. When the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 slide beyond a second set distance in the mounting cavity, they elastically collide with the support seat 4 or the support cap 7; wherein the second set distance is greater than the first set distance. That is, when the displacement continues after the free travel ends, the stop part first contacts the damping plate 6, so that the metal rod 1 and the damping plate 6 slide relative to each other to generate damping force. At this time, the piston 5 does not contact the support seat 4 or the support cap 7. When the displacement continues to increase, the elastic buffer part 51 of the piston 5 contacts the support seat 4 or the support cap 7 to reduce the impact.

[0036] This utility model also provides a pulsator washing machine, including a tub and a cabinet. The pulsator washing machine also includes a plurality of friction-type vibration damping rods as described above, which are connected between the tub and the cabinet.

[0037] The working principle and process of this utility model's vibration damping rod are explained below, along with its performance under different working conditions of the washing machine.

[0038] In the small displacement state, the movement of the suspension rod is in the free travel phase. Specifically, when the washing machine is in a high-speed self-balancing state, the vibration amplitude of the metal rod 1 is very small. At this time, since there is a certain gap (i.e., the first set distance) between the piston 5 and the stop part 41 of the support seat 4 and the stop part 71 of the support cap 7, the piston 5 and damping plate 6 assembly have sufficient room to move within the mounting cavity. When the metal rod 1 undergoes a small displacement, the static friction between the metal rod 1 and the damping plate 6 is much greater than the sliding friction between the piston 5 and the inner wall of the mounting cavity. Therefore, the piston 5 and damping plate 6 assembly remain relatively stationary with the metal rod 1, and slide freely within the mounting cavity. In this phase, there is no relative sliding between the damping plate 6 and the metal rod 1, and no sliding friction damping force is generated, or only a very small damping force is generated due to the slight contact between the piston 5 and the cavity wall. This achieves the free travel effect, avoids the damping force interfering with the self-balancing of the washing machine, and ensures the smoothness and low noise of high-speed operation. This free travel distance is the free travel segment.

[0039] In the mid-displacement state, a stage of primary buffering and damping force generation occurs. Specifically, when the washing machine accelerates, decelerates, or experiences significant disturbance, the vibration amplitude of the metal rod 1 increases, exceeding the free travel clearance, i.e., the aforementioned first set distance. Taking the upward extension of the metal rod 1 as an example, when the displacement exceeds the gap between the damping plate 6 and the support cap 7, the piston 5 will drive the damping plate 6 to move until the damping plate 6 contacts the stop part 71 of the support cap 7. At this time, the movement of the piston 5 and the damping plate 6 is restricted by the stop part 71. If the metal rod 1 continues to move upward, since the piston 5 has been limited, the metal rod 1 will be forced to slide relative to the damping plate 6, thereby generating significant sliding friction damping force and consuming vibration energy. The contact area between the damping plate 6 and the stop part 71 can be adjusted by designing the shape of the stop part 71, such as the width and number of ribs. This is equivalent to providing a soft contact transition, which can effectively disperse the impact force and reduce the noise at the moment of impact compared to a rigid collision. Similarly, when the metal rod 1 moves downward beyond its free travel, the damping plate 6 will contact the stop part 41 of the support seat 4 and begin to generate damping force, and buffering is achieved by adjusting the contact area of ​​the stop part 41.

[0040] During large displacement, a secondary elastic buffering stage occurs. Specifically, when the washing machine starts, stops, or encounters a strong impact, the metal rod 1 may generate a very large amplitude. Based on the aforementioned medium displacement state, if the displacement further increases, exceeding the second set distance (which is greater than the first set distance), the elastic buffer 51 of the piston 5, limited by the stop part, will contact the inner surface of the support seat 4 or support cap 7. At this time, the elastic buffer 51 begins to function. Whether the integrally formed spring arm on the piston 5 undergoes elastic bending or the additional flexible pad undergoes compression deformation, it can effectively absorb and buffer the huge collision energy. This process transforms what would otherwise be a rigid impact into a relatively gentle, longer-lasting elastic impact process, greatly reducing impact noise and the impact force transmitted to the washing machine casing, protecting the overall structure and improving the ability to cope with extreme working conditions.

[0041] In summary, this invention achieves a multi-stage working mode for the vibration-damping hanger by incorporating a support base 4 with a stop and a support cap 7, as well as a piston 5 with an elastic buffer 51. This not only enables the hanger to achieve self-balancing under high-speed, low-amplitude conditions during free travel, but also successfully solves the problems of abnormal noise and impact caused by rigid collisions under medium and large displacement conditions through the primary stop and secondary elastic buffer. This structural design allows the vibration-damping hanger to adapt to the vibration damping requirements of the washing machine under all operating conditions, significantly improving the vibration reduction and noise reduction effect and operational quality of the washing machine.

[0042] This utility model has been described through several specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and equivalent substitutions can be made to this utility model without departing from its scope. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to this utility model for specific situations or circumstances without departing from its scope. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but should include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A friction-type vibration damping rod, comprising a metal rod (1), an elastic element (3), a support base (4), a piston (5), a damping plate (6), and a support cap (7), characterized in that, The support base (4) and the support cap (7) are connected and form an installation cavity between them. The piston (5) and the damping plate (6) are installed in the installation cavity. The metal rod (1) passes through the installation cavity and contacts the damping plate (6). The metal rod (1) can slide relative to the piston (5) and the damping plate (6) to generate frictional damping force. The support base (4) and the support cap (7) are provided with a stop portion to abut against the damping plate (6) when the piston (5) and the damping plate (6) slide beyond a first set distance in the installation cavity. The end of the piston (5) is provided with an elastic buffer portion (51) to elastically collide with the support base (4) or the support cap (7) when the piston (5) and the damping plate (6) slide beyond a second set distance in the installation cavity.

2. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic buffer (51) is an integrally formed spring arm structure on the piston (5).

3. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic buffer (51) is a flexible pad fixed to the piston (5).

4. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second set distance is greater than the first set distance.

5. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, There is a gap between the damping plate (6) and the stop portion of the support seat (4) and / or the support cap (7) to form a free stroke segment in which the piston (5) and the damping plate (6) are stationary relative to the metal rod (1).

6. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The stop portion is one or more of a boss, rib, or step structure.

7. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The friction-type vibration damping rod also includes a base (2), the base (2) is provided with a first limiting protrusion, the support seat (4) is provided with a second limiting protrusion, the elastic element (3) is a spring, the spring is sleeved on the metal rod (1), and its two ends respectively abut against the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion.

8. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piston (5) has an installation groove on its inner side, and the damping plate (6) is fixedly installed in the installation groove.

9. The friction-type vibration damping rod as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Lubricating grease is provided between the damping plate (6) and the metal rod (1).

10. A pulsator washing machine, comprising a tub and a cabinet, characterized in that, The pulsator washing machine also includes a plurality of friction-type vibration damping rods as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the friction-type vibration damping rods are connected between the tub and the housing.

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