Active Balancer Gear Design for Washing Machine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing apparatuses experience significant vibration and noise during the dry-spinning cycle due to the passive movement of balancing balls, which takes a long time to balance the drum and may not achieve precise positioning, leading to interference between the driving gear and the balancer housing gear.
Innovation Solution
The washing apparatus incorporates a balancing unit with a driving gear that engages with inclined gear teeth in the balancer housing, allowing for active control of the balancing unit's movement, minimizing interference and ensuring secure positioning at various drum rotation speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive balancing balls are used, then the structure is simple, but the balancing time is long and positioning precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from passive balancing balls to an active balancing system with a driving gear that can dynamically adjust the position of balancing weights. The driving gear is rotatably driven by a driving force generator to actively move the balancing unit to predetermined positions, enabling rapid and precise balancing control rather than relying on passive gravitational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical passive ball balancing system with an electromechanical active control system. A driving force generator (motor) is introduced to provide rotational force to the driving gear, substituting the passive gravitational mechanism with an active electromagnetic actuation system for faster and more precise positioning.
2Device complexity
If passive balancing balls are used, then the device is simple, but the positioning precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic positioning of balancing weights through active control. The driving gear can be rotated to any predetermined position based on real-time vibration feedback, allowing precise positioning of balancing masses to counteract specific vibration frequencies and modes, rather than relying on passive settlement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates vibration detection means that detect vibration of the drum and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this vibration information and controls the driving force generator to position the balancing unit optimally, creating a closed-loop feedback system that continuously adjusts balancing based on actual vibration conditions.
3Productivity
If active control is implemented, then balancing speed and precision improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it detects vibration characteristics, calculates optimal balancing positions, controls the driving force generator, and coordinates the positioning of balancing units. This multi-functional control architecture reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity despite the advanced control capabilities.
4Volume of stationary object
If driving gear and gear teeth are arranged closely, then space is saved, but interference occurs during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates inclined portions on the gear teeth before assembly occurs. These inclined surfaces are pre-formed on the gear teeth that engage with corresponding inclined portions on the driving gear, creating a self-aligning mechanism that guides the components into proper engagement during assembly, preventing interference and facilitating easier installation.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5(a)~5(b)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and, more specifically, to a washing apparatus comprising: a tub provided inside cabinet; a drum provided inside the tub so as to be rotatable; a balancer housing installed on the front or rear side of the drum; and a balancing unit that includes a drive motor and a drive gear that receives power from the drive motor, and is formed so as to be movable in the balancer housing to reduce the eccentricity of the drum, wherein gear teeth are formed along the inner peripheral surface of the balancer housing, and the balancing unit is disposed in the balancer housing such that the drive gear exposed to the outside of the body of the balancing unit is engaged with the gear teeth. Further, each of the plurality of gear teeth has at least one inclined portion formed thereon to prevent interference between the drive gear and the gear teeth when the balancing unit is disposed in the balancer housing.