Magnetic Drum Balancer for Washing Machine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience vibration and noise due to unbalanced drum rotation during spin-drying when laundry is not uniformly distributed, potentially leading to damage to parts like the drum or motor.
Innovation Solution
A balancer system with a balancer housing having an annular channel and movable masses, restrained by magnets, which offset centrifugal forces through a combination of magnetic and supporting forces to stabilize drum rotation, preventing unbalanced loads and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a balancer with movable masses is used to offset unbalanced load, then drum rotation stability is improved, but vibration and noise occur at low speeds due to insufficient magnetic restraint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters by using multiple magnets with different strengths positioned at different locations in the balancer housing. This creates variable magnetic restraint forces that adapt to different rotational speeds, preventing vibration at low speeds while allowing proper balancing function at high speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the magnetic restraint force varies with rotational speed. At low speeds, the magnetic field provides sufficient restraint to prevent vibration. As speed increases, centrifugal force overcomes the magnetic restraint, allowing masses to move freely for balancing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnet strength is increased to restrain masses at low speed, then vibration is reduced, but masses cannot move freely to balance at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic restraint system into multiple segments - multiple magnets with different strengths positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows different portions of the balancer to provide different levels of restraint, enabling both vibration control and mass movement capability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different magnetic field strengths at different locations within the balancer housing. Local areas with stronger magnets provide restraint where needed, while areas with weaker magnets allow mass movement, creating localized quality variations that resolve the contradiction
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple magnets with different strengths are used, then vibration and noise are prevented across all speeds, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the magnetic field as an intermediary force that mediates between the conflicting requirements of mass restraint and mass movement. The magnetic field automatically adjusts its effective strength based on rotational speed, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control mechanisms
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 balancer effectively stabilizes drum rotation, preventing vibration and noise, and ensuring the longevity of machine components by dynamically adjusting to maintain balance during varying rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet circumferentially mounted to the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of the drum is within a predetermined range
Implementation Method 2
A washing machine is a machine that washes clothes using electric power... a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated during rotation of a drum
Data Source
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AI summary
A balancer (100) for a washing machine includes a balancer housing (110) having an annular channel (110a) defined therein, at least one mass (141) movably disposed in the channel (110a), and at least one magnet (160) coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of a drum of the washing machine is within a predetermined range. The magnet (160) includes a plurality of unit magnets (162) arranged in a circumferential direction of the balancer housing.