Drum Balancing Unit Structure for Transient Washer Unbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in actively resolving drum unbalance, particularly during transient vibrations, and suffer from durability issues due to structural deformation of balancing unit brushes and unsafe electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with independently movable balancing units, a brush design that reduces deformation, and a connector system for safe and easy power supply to balancing units, featuring a housing with power lines and a removable brush configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball balancer or fluid balancer is used to control unbalance, then vibration control in steady state is improved, but active resolution of unbalance during transient vibration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple balancing units with different natural frequencies that can be selectively activated. During transient vibration, high-frequency balancing units respond quickly to active resolution, while during steady state, lower-frequency units maintain vibration control. This dynamic selection of balancing units based on operational phase resolves the contradiction between steady-state vibration control and transient unbalance resolution.
2Ease of operation
If a brush is directly connected to power cable through soldering, then electrical connection is established, but durability deteriorates due to structural deformation and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection system into multiple components: balancing units with integrated brushes, connectors with contact terminals, and power cables. This modular design eliminates direct soldering between brushes and power cables, allowing each component to be independently optimized for durability and safety while maintaining ease of electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces connectors with contact terminals as intermediaries between the brushes and power cables. These connectors serve as mediators that establish reliable electrical connections without requiring direct soldering, thereby improving both durability and safety while maintaining ease of connection. The connectors isolate the brush from direct mechanical and electrical stress.
3Productivity
If multiple balancing units are independently movable in housing, then active unbalance resolution capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that selectively activates only the necessary balancing units based on the detected unbalance characteristics. During transient vibration, high-frequency units are activated for rapid response. During steady state, lower-frequency units are used for maintenance. This dynamic activation strategy enables active unbalance resolution capability while avoiding the constant operation of all units, thereby managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different natural frequencies and operational roles to different balancing units based on their local characteristics. High-frequency units are optimized for transient response, while low-frequency units are optimized for steady-state operation. This local optimization allows each unit to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall active resolution capability while keeping the system complexity manageable through specialized design.
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 apparatus effectively addresses unbalanced rotation, enhances durability by preventing brush deformation, and ensures safe electrical connections, improving overall performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a brush contacting the housing power line
Implementation Method 2
a motor for moving the unit body in the accommodation space
Implementation Method 3
a ball or fluid moves toward the lowest point of a rotational orbit of a drum when laundry causing the unbalanced state moves toward the highest point
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet forming an appearance of the apparatus, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet, a housing fixed to the drum, an accommodation space defined within the housing forming a closed loop, a balancing unit movably disposed in the accommodation space, and a housing power line provided at an inner circumferential surface of the housing to supply power to the balancing unit, wherein the balancing unit includes a unit body, a motor for moving the unit body, a brush contacting the housing power line, and a power terminal housing fixed to the unit body and having a space in which the brush is removably installed.