Active Balancing Module for Washing Machine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine balancers struggle to accurately move to positions that alleviate load unbalance in rotating baskets, leading to vibration and noise issues due to passive movement limitations.
Innovation Solution
A balancing module with a main plate, mass bodies, a drive unit, and a brush system that uses a drive motor and gears to actively move within an annular channel in the balancer housing, ensuring precise positioning to compensate for unbalanced loads, and a position sensor to optimize movement based on rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a passive balancer is used, then the structure is simple, but the balancer cannot accurately move to the position needed to alleviate load unbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is transformed from a passive static structure to an active dynamic system capable of self-positioning. A drive unit with drive wheels, drive motor, and gears is integrated into the balancer, enabling it to actively move along the annular channel according to the rotation speed of the rotating basket, thereby achieving accurate positioning to alleviate load unbalance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely passive mechanical structure with an electromechanical system. The drive motor converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, controlling the balancer's position through electromagnetic actuation rather than relying solely on mechanical passive elements, thus achieving precise positioning control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the balancer cannot accurately position itself, then the structure remains simple, but vibration and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is equipped with self-positioning capability through the drive unit, allowing it to autonomously adjust its position along the annular channel based on the rotation conditions of the rotating basket. This self-service mechanism enables the balancer to actively counterbalance loads and minimize vibration and noise without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a position sensor that detects the rotation speed of the rotating basket and provides feedback to control the drive unit. This feedback mechanism enables the balancer to dynamically adjust its position in response to changing operational conditions, effectively reducing vibration and noise through active control.
3Reliability
If a drive unit with motor and gears is added, then positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is integrated within the balancer housing, merging the motor, gears, and balancer components into a compact unified structure. This integration reduces the overall number of separate components and simplifies the mechanical arrangement while maintaining positioning accuracy and operational stability.
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 solution effectively minimizes vibration and noise by actively adjusting the balancing module's position in response to rotation speed, ensuring stable operation and reducing the risk of component damage.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor configured to generate drive power for driving of drive wheels
Implementation Method 2
a brush configured to transmit electric power supplied from an external power source to the drive unit
Implementation Method 3
at least one mass body provided at the main plate to compensate unbalanced load of the rotating basket
Implementation Method 4
The balancing module may further include bearings mounted at both ends of the main plate
Data Source
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AI summary
Washing machine (1) having a balancer and a rotating basket (30) in which laundry is accommodated, the rotating basket (30) being configured to be rotated upon receiving rotation power from a drive source (40) and comprises at least one balancer housing (110, 401), said balancer housing (110, 401) being provided internally with an annular channel (119, 402), and at least one balancing module (200, 300, 500, 600) movably disposed in said annular channel (119, 402), whereby said balancing module (200, 300, 500, 600) includes a main plate (210, 310, 510), at least one mass body provided at the main plate (210, 310, 510), a drive unit (220, 320, 521) mounted to the main plate (210, 310, 510) to assist the balancing module (200, 300, 500, 600) in moving to a position where it alleviates load unbalance of the rotating basket (30), and a brush (240, 241, 242) configured to transmit electric power supplied from an external power source to said drive unit (220, 320, 521).