Inner Tub Balancer Assembly for Washing Machine Unbalance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines with balancers mounted on the outer surface of the inner tub are complex and costly to manufacture, and do not directly improve washing performance, as they require a separate metal front surface part and do not effectively address unbalance and noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design where the balancer is directly mounted on the inner tub without a separate front surface part, using a cylindrical body with a balancer housing that includes a ring-shaped flow space and mass bodies to reduce unbalance, and is connected directly to the inner diameter part, with blades to enhance washing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate metal front surface part is used to mount the balancer, then the balancer can be securely mounted, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalancer mounting stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balancer housing is merged with the front surface part of the inner tub, forming an integrated structure. The balancer mounting plate is directly formed on the front surface of the cylindrical drum body, eliminating the need for a separate front surface part. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining secure balancer mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The front surface part of the cylindrical drum body serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural front closure of the drum and as the mounting base for the balancer. The mounting plate formed on this surface provides both structural reinforcement and balancer attachment functionality, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces overall component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate metal front surface part is used to mount the balancer, then the balancer can be securely mounted, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalancer mounting stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the balancer is mounted on the outer surface of the front surface part, then unbalance can be reduced, but washing performance is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunbalance reductionVSAvoidwashing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The balancer structure is designed to serve dual functions: it maintains its unbalance compensation function while also acting as a washing element. Blades are provided on the balancer housing that contact the laundry during rotation, generating water currents that enhance washing performance. This multi-functionality allows the balancer to contribute to both balance control and washing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The balancer structure provides washing assistance through its own rotation and movement during the washing cycle. The blades on the balancer housing automatically generate water currents that act on the laundry, making the balancer self-sufficient in contributing to washing performance without requiring separate washing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and improves washing performance by directly addressing unbalance and deformation issues during rotation, while enhancing the washing capacity by contacting laundry and generating a water current.

Implementation Method 1

a balancer housing to which a front surface part of the inner tub is connected directly, and a plurality of balls moving within a flow space formed in the balancer housing, thereby rapidly coping with an unbalance force generated due to disposition of mass of laundry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUnbalance force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS8984918B2Washing machine, inner tub of washing machine and balancer connection and assembly method thereof

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a washing machine in which a balancer is directly mounted on a body of an inner tub without a front surface part of the inner tub. The washing machine includes an outer tub to store water, a body formed in a cylindrical shape provided with an opening at one surface thereof and provided in the outer tub, and a balancer connected to an inner diameter part at the opening of the body to reduce unbalance of the body generated during rotation of the body and to reinforce the body.