Drum Balancer Wired Power Connection for Active Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in actively resolving unbalanced drum rotation, as existing balancers are ineffective during transient vibrations and can suffer from structural deformation and safety issues due to direct electrical connections and soldering.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates independently movable balancing units with a brush design that is removably coupled to a connector, allowing for safe and easy power supply through a wired system, reducing the risk of deformation and improving durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball balancer or fluid balancer is used to control unbalance, then vibration control is effective in steady state, but satisfactory effects cannot be obtained under transient vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs actively movable balancing weights that can dynamically adjust their positions in real-time based on detected unbalance conditions. Unlike passive ball or fluid balancers, these weights are driven by motors to actively counterbalance the drum, enabling immediate response during transient vibrations and maintaining effectiveness across all operating states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates vibration detection means that continuously monitor drum vibration and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect unbalance conditions immediately and adjust the balancing weights accordingly, achieving both rapid response during transient states and effective control during steady state operation.
2Ease of operation
If a brush is directly connected to a power cable through soldering, then electrical connection is established, but durability deteriorates due to structural deformation and soldering issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical connection system into separate modular components: a connector, a power cable, and a contact terminal. This segmentation eliminates the need for soldering by using a plug-and-socket connection system, where the brush contacts the terminal through a mechanical interface. This modular design improves durability by allowing individual components to be replaced independently and avoids the structural weaknesses introduced by soldering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component between the power cable and the brush contact system. This connector provides a robust mechanical and electrical interface that eliminates direct soldering connections, reducing stress concentration points and improving overall system durability while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a balancer is connected by a wire for power supply, then electricity is supplied to the balancer, but safety problems occur due to water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical support and electrical insulation. This connector acts as a barrier between the electrical wiring and the washing environment, preventing water from reaching and compromising the electrical connections while still allowing power to be supplied to the balancing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional soldered electrical connections with a mechanical connector system that inherently provides electrical isolation. This mechanical connection method creates a physical barrier against water exposure while maintaining electrical connectivity, eliminating the safety hazards associated with exposed wires in a wet environment.
4Reliability
If conventional balancing units are used, then unbalance control is provided, but active resolution of unbalance cannot be achieved immediately upon occurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates vibration detection means that continuously monitor drum vibration and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables immediate detection of unbalance conditions and triggers instantaneous adjustment of the actively movable balancing weights, achieving rapid response speed from the moment unbalance occurs while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs actively movable balancing weights that can dynamically adjust their positions in real-time based on detected unbalance conditions. This active dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to respond immediately to unbalance occurrences and continuously adapt to changing load conditions, achieving both high response speed and reliable unbalance control.
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 addresses unbalanced drum rotation by actively compensating for vibrations, enhancing safety, and improving durability through independent balancing units and a secure power connection system.
Implementation Method 1
a brush (700) configured to contact the housing power line (555)
Implementation Method 2
balancers (51, 53) provided at the drum (3) to attenuate unbalance of the drum (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet forming an appearance of the apparatus, a drum disposed in the cabinet and having a laundry space therein to for accommodate laundry, a rotating shaft for rotatably supporting the drum in the cabinet, a balancer including a housing fixed to the drum, an accommodation space defined in the housing, a balancing unit movably provided in the accommodation space, and a housing power line provided in the accommodation space to supply electric power to the balancing unit, a shaft through-hole formed through the rotating shaft, a first connecting line disposed in the shaft through-hole and connected to a power source, a second connecting line connected to the housing power line, and a connector for coupling the first connecting line to the second connecting line is disclosed.