Suspension unit and laundry washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine suspension systems face challenges in stability and structural demands, with hung systems providing self-centering but requiring strong cabinets, while compression systems lack inherent self-centering and may offer less stability.
Innovation Solution
A suspension unit with a strut and spring system where the spring's lateral stiffness resists tilting movements, maintaining equilibrium, and pivot couplings allow for rotational movement, reducing the need for a strong cabinet and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hung suspension systems are used to support the tub and drum assembly, then the system provides inherent self-centering stability, but the cabinet must be structurally strong enough to carry all oscillating suspension forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional hung suspension approach by using compression-based suspension units that push upward from below rather than hanging from above. This allows the cabinet to be isolated from vibration sources while the suspension units themselves provide the necessary stability and self-centering forces through their mechanical design
2Strength
If compression-based suspension units are used to support the tub from below, then the cabinet has less structural demands and can be isolated from vibration sources, but the system does not inherently self-center and provides less stability
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension units incorporate movable and adjustable components including springs, dampers, and friction elements that dynamically adapt to operational conditions. This allows the compression-based system to achieve self-centering stability through controlled mechanical interactions rather than rigid structural constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension units are designed to automatically self-center the tub and drum assembly through inherent mechanical properties of the spring-damper-friction system, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or strong cabinet structures to enforce centering
3Object-generated harmful factors
If pivot couplings with friction damping are used in the suspension assembly, then rotational movement is allowed and vibration is reduced, but the coupling mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the pivot coupling mechanism: rotational movement capability, friction-based vibration damping, and spring-loaded force application all occur within a single integrated coupling assembly, reducing overall system complexity despite the sophisticated functionality
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 provides improved stability and reduced structural demands on the cabinet by utilizing the spring's lateral stiffness to maintain equilibrium and allow for rotational movement, enhancing the dynamic support of the washing machine tub and drum assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed about the strut, a first end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling and a second end of the spring is restrained relative to the strut or the other one of the dynamically suspended assembly and the support structure so that lateral or bending stiffness of the spring resists tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling to return or maintain the coupling to or in an equilibrium position
Implementation Method 2
the first part of the pivot coupling comprises a pivot cup or ball having a first curved surface, and the second part of the pivot coupling comprises a second curved surface providing a seat that supports the first curved surface of the pivot cup or ball to provide pivoting movement between the first part and the second part of the pivot coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension unit assembly comprises a strut having a first end and a second end and a coupling disposed at the first end of the strut. The coupling has a strut part connected to the strut and a mounting part configured to tilt relative to the strut part of the coupling. A spring is disposed about the strut, one end of the spring being restrained relative to the mounting part of the coupling so that tilting movement between the strut part and the mounting part of the coupling causes the spring to deform and provide a return force that acts to return the coupling to an equilibrium position.