Clothing processing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothes treatment apparatuses experience unnecessary vibrations in directions other than the intended vibration direction when the hanging bar is vibrated, leading to inefficiency and stress on items due to maintained amplitude even with frequency changes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a vibration module with two eccentric portions that rotate at the same angular speed but in opposite directions, allowing for periodic reinforcement and offsetting of centrifugal forces. This configuration minimizes unnecessary vibrations, enhances excitation force in the intended direction, and adjusts to various vibration frequencies and amplitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single eccentric drive weight is used to vibrate the hanger bar, then the device structure is simple, but unnecessary vibrations occur in directions other than the intended vibration direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two eccentric drive weights positioned at opposite sides of the rotation axis. These weights function as counterweights to each other, where the centrifugal force generated by one weight in a particular direction is offset by the opposing weight. This configuration eliminates unnecessary vibrations in directions perpendicular to the intended vibration direction while maintaining the desired vibrational effect on the hanger bar.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration module is segmented into two separate eccentric drive weights instead of using a single weight. Each weight independently generates centrifugal force, and their combined effect produces controlled vibration. This segmentation allows precise control over the vibration direction and intensity, enabling the system to vibrate the hanger bar in the intended direction while canceling out unwanted vibrations in other directions.
2Force
If vibration amplitude is maintained at high levels, then the wrinkle removal effect is strong, but stress on items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable amplitude vibration system where the vibration parameters can be dynamically adjusted based on the type and weight of clothes. The control unit modifies the rotation speed of the eccentric weights to achieve different vibration amplitudes and frequencies, allowing the system to optimize the excitation force for effective wrinkle removal while reducing stress on delicate items through lower amplitude vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the vibration module, specifically the rotation speed of the eccentric weights, to control vibration amplitude and frequency. By adjusting these parameters, the system can deliver high excitation force when needed for tough wrinkles while using lower amplitudes for delicate garments, thereby reducing stress on items without compromising wrinkle removal effectiveness.
3Force
If a single eccentric weight rotates, then the excitation force in one direction is generated, but vibrations in perpendicular directions are not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The two eccentric drive weights are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of the rotation axis. When they rotate, they generate centrifugal forces that reinforce each other in the intended vibration direction (along the hanger bar axis) while canceling each other out in perpendicular directions. This counterweight arrangement ensures stable and controlled vibration along the desired axis while minimizing unwanted vibrations in other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric weights are positioned asymmetrically relative to the hanger bar, with their centrifugal forces oriented to maximize vibration along the bar's longitudinal axis. This asymmetric positioning, combined with the counterbalancing effect, ensures that the excitation force is predominantly applied in the vibration direction needed for wrinkle removal, while perpendicular vibrations are minimized through the opposing weight configuration.
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 unnecessary vibrations, increases the excitation force in the intended direction, and reduces stress on items by allowing the hanging bar to move with adjusted frequencies and amplitudes, resulting in a more stable and efficient vibrating motion.
Implementation Method 1
the centrifugal force F1 of the first eccentric portion and the centrifugal force F2 of the second eccentric portion may reinforce each other and apply an excitation force Fo to the hanger body
Implementation Method 2
when the motor rotates the power converting portion also rotates with an identically rotational direction of the motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A clothes treatment apparatus comprises: a frame; a hanger body configured to move with respect to the frame and provided to hang clothes or clothes hangers; a vibrating body configured to move with respect to the frame; a first eccentric portion that is supported by the vibrating body and rotates around a predetermined first rotational axis in such a way that the weight is off-center; a second eccentric portion that is supported by the vibrating body and rotates around a predetermined second rotational axis, which is the same as or parallel to the first rotational axis, in such a way that the weight is off-center; and a hanger driving unit that connects the vibrating body and the hanger body and transmits the vibration of the vibrating body to the hanger body, wherein the first eccentric portion and the second eccentric portion are configured to rotate at the same angular speed but in opposite directions.