Laundry Drum Suspension Assembly for Directional Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines face limitations in capacity due to direct transmission of drum vibrations to the tub, which restricts the enlargement of the drum size and thus the laundry volume.
Innovation Solution
The laundry machine employs a suspension assembly to isolate drum vibrations from the tub, providing greater rigidity to the tub while using flexible members to reduce vibration transmission, allowing for a larger drum diameter and increased capacity without enlarging the exterior size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the drum size is enlarged to increase laundry capacity, then the laundry volume increases, but the drum vibration becomes more severe and transmits more strongly to the tub
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into two independent parts: the tub support structure (rigidly connected to cabinet) and the drum support structure (suspension assembly). This segmentation isolates the drum vibration from the tub, allowing the drum to be enlarged without proportionally increasing vibration transmission to the tub.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension assembly acts as an intermediary between the drum and the tub/cabinet. It includes flexible elements (rubber suspensions, springs) that absorb and attenuate vibration while supporting the drum, thereby reducing the transmission of drum vibrations to the tub when the drum is enlarged.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tub is rigidly supported to reduce tub vibration, then the tub stability improves, but the drum vibration transmits directly to the tub
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two independent support paths: one for the tub (rigid support to cabinet) and one for the drum (suspension assembly). This allows the tub to be rigidly stabilized while the drum vibration is handled separately by the suspension system, preventing direct vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension assembly serves as an intermediary that intercepts drum vibrations before they can reach the tub. It includes damping elements that absorb vibration energy, thereby protecting the rigidly supported tub from vibration transmission.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the suspension assembly is used to support the drum, then the drum vibration is buffered, but the drum movement freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension assembly parameters (stiffness, damping coefficients) are optimized to provide sufficient vibration buffering while maintaining adequate drum movement freedom. The rigid support for the tub and flexible support for the drum create a system where the drum can move within acceptable limits while vibrations are effectively dampened.
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
This design effectively increases the laundry machine's capacity by allowing a larger drum volume while maintaining the same exterior dimensions, reducing vibration interference with the cabinet, and enhancing the overall washing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension assembly connected to the driving unit for supportably buffering vibration of the drum
Implementation Method 2
the flexible member may be made to make flexible connection of the tub to the driving unit for preventing leakage from the driving unit and the tub and enabling the driving unit to move relative to the tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry machine is provided, in which a displacement of a drum may be relatively smaller in a left-and-right direction than in other directions. To this end, a suspension assembly may be configured such that a stiffness thereof for the displacement of the drum is greater in the left-and-right direction than in an up-and-down or front-and-rear direction. Thus, a laundry machine having an enlarged capacity is provided.