Unitary Balance Ring Rib Structure for Washer Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience vibrations during spin cycles due to imbalances caused by uneven distribution of laundry items, leading to strain on components, noise, and potential damage, which existing balance rings do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A unitary balance ring with a tubular body featuring a first plurality of ribs positioned at the bottom surface and a second plurality of ribs spaced apart from the bottom surface, designed to regulate fluid flow and counteract imbalances by redistributing fluid within the ring during spinning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a balance ring with fluid is used to counteract out of balance load, then vibration reduction is improved, but fluid flow regulation is insufficient leading to inadequate balance correction
Solution Approach 1:
The balance ring is segmented into multiple compartments by vertical ribs, which divide the fluid into separate flow paths. This segmentation allows for better control and regulation of fluid movement, enabling more effective balance correction while maintaining vibration reduction capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to fluid flow control by positioning ribs at different heights within the balance ring. The first ribs extend from the bottom surface to a first height, while second ribs extend from the bottom surface to a second height, creating multi-level flow regulation that improves balance correction effectiveness
2Device complexity
If traditional balance rings are used, then structure is simple, but fluid flow regulation is inadequate leading to component strain
Solution Approach 1:
The balance ring structure is segmented with vertical ribs that create multiple compartments. This segmentation provides fluid flow regulation without requiring complex external mechanisms, achieving strain reduction while maintaining relatively simple integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are integrally formed with the balance ring body as a unitary structure, combining the structural support function with the fluid flow regulation function in a single component, thereby reducing component strain without significantly increasing overall complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If balance rings without internal ribs are used, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid redistribution is insufficient causing noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical ribs segment the fluid into controlled flow paths, ensuring adequate fluid redistribution during operation. This segmentation effectively reduces noise and vibration while maintaining manufacturability through integral formation with the balance ring body
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs are positioned at specific locations and heights within the balance ring to create localized flow regulation zones. This local quality approach ensures effective fluid redistribution for noise and vibration reduction without requiring complex manufacturing processes
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 unitary balance ring effectively reduces vibrations and noise, enhances durability by minimizing component strain, and prevents damage to the washing machine by providing improved balance and fluid flow regulation.
Implementation Method 1
During operation, the ring will act as a counterweight to the out of balance load of clothes because the fluid and/or solid balls will move to a position within the ring that counters imbalance created by the articles in the wash basket so as to balance the overall mass of wash basket and articles within the wash basket. Thus, for balance rings that incorporate a fluid, during spinning of the wash basket the fluid must be able to redistribute so to act as a counterweight
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary balance ring for a washing machine appliance includes a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs positioned within a tubular body of the unitary balance ring. Each rib of the first plurality of ribs has a bottom edge that is positioned at a bottom surface of the interior volume, and each rib of the second plurality of ribs has a bottom edge that is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the interior volume.