Embossed Appliance Wall Layout for Vibration and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations in cabinet-shaped household appliances, such as washing machines, lead to increased noise and stress on the housing due to the formation of resonant frequencies from embossed surfaces, which existing reinforcements fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A novel arrangement of embossings on the side walls, comprising a central ring-shaped first embossing, a concentric ring-shaped second embossing, and strip-type third embossings, which are curved and strategically positioned to minimize vibration transmission and noise amplification, using a plastic-coated steel plate with specific dimensions and shapes to optimize stiffness and resonant frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If embossings are arranged in congruent surface sections, then the wall structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but each surface section acts as a membrane with resonant frequency leading to noise amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing embossings with different geometrical shapes (circular, rectangular, triangular, irregular) and varying surface areas. This prevents the formation of congruent surface sections with identical resonant frequencies, thereby avoiding noise amplification while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized embossing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by strategically positioning embossings of different types and sizes in specific locations on the wall surface. The arrangement ensures that no two embossings create identical membrane sections, distributing vibrational energy differently across the wall to prevent resonant frequency amplification.
2Ease of manufacture
If flat wall surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is reduced, but vibrations occur leading to increased noise and strain on the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by incorporating embossed elements with curved surfaces (circular embossings, rounded rectangular shapes) into the wall structure. These curved embossed sections increase local stiffness and reduce vibration amplitude without requiring complex three-dimensional structural modifications, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while effectively reducing noise.
3Strength
If reinforcements are added to side walls, then structural strength is improved, but vibrations of flat surfaces remain too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wall surface into multiple zones with different embossed patterns. This segmentation creates varying stiffness distributions across the wall, preventing large-area resonant vibrations while maintaining overall structural strength. The embossed elements act as localized reinforcement without requiring additional structural components.
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 arrangement significantly reduces vibrations and noise in household appliances by preventing resonance amplification, enhancing the rigidity and aesthetic appeal of the appliance, while maintaining stability and reducing noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
causes each individual surface section to act as a membrane capable of vibration with its own resonant frequency. A number of identical surface sections with the same resonant frequency lead to an amplification of the noises generated by the vibration exciter at precisely this frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance includes a cabinet-shaped housing comprised of a plurality of walls. At least one of the walls has an arrangement of embossings. The arrangement of embossings includes a first embossing arranged centered in relation to a center of the at least one wall and configured in the shape of a ring when viewed from above. A second embossing is arranged outside the first embossing in substantial concentric relationship to the first embossing and configured in the shape of a ring when viewed from above. At least one third embossing is arranged outside the second embossing and has a strip-shaped configuration. The presence of embossings in the at least one wall is able to reduce vibrations and thereby significantly reduce the amount of unwanted noise.