Dynamic Drum Balancer Assembly for Washer Spin Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, experience undesirable vibrations and movements during high-speed spin phases due to load imbalances in the wash basket, which can lead to inefficient water extraction and appliance instability.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic balancer device is mounted to the rotatable drum, featuring an enclosed annular housing with radial walls, floatable internal baffles, and locking tabs, along with a fluid in the annular race that moves between coupled and floating positions based on rotation speed, optimizing buoyancy forces to balance the wash basket and mitigate vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wash basket is rotated at high speeds during spin phase, then water extraction efficiency is improved, but vibrations and movements increase due to load imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and position of the balancer weight relative to the wash basket rotation. The balancer rotates at a different speed and phase angle than the wash basket, transforming the static imbalance problem into a dynamic compensation solution where the counterweight position varies continuously to offset load variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated counterweight mechanism (balancer assembly with eccentric weight) that generates opposing centrifugal force to neutralize the harmful vibrations caused by load imbalance in the wash basket, directly applying the counterweight principle to eliminate the harmful effect
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dynamic balancer is added to the wash basket, then vibrations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the balancer mechanism with the existing wash basket assembly by integrating the balancer weight onto the inner periphery of the wash basket and coupling the rotation systems. This combination approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent balancing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The wash basket assembly serves multiple functions: it contains and rotates the laundry load while simultaneously housing the dynamic balancer mechanism. The single structural component performs both washing and balancing functions, reducing the need for additional separate structures
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 dynamic balancer effectively reduces vibrations and movements during high-speed rotation by coupling with the wash basket at critical speeds, ensuring stable operation and efficient water extraction by aligning with unbalances and preventing fluid sloshing, thereby enhancing the appliance's performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid disposed in the annular race and movable therein... optimizing buoyancy forces to balance the wash basket and mitigate vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance. The dynamic balancer device comprises an enclosed annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, a plurality of internal baffles in the enclosed annular housing and a fluid disposed in the annular race and movable therein.