Magnetically Levitated Washer Drum Coupling for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses are limited in reducing vibration and noise due to the transfer of drum rotation vibrations to the tub and cabinet, especially when the drum is in an unbalanced state, which affects the dynamic balance and increases noise and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus that levitates the drum within the tub using a repulsive force generated between magnetic units, allowing the drum's rotation center to be eccentric with respect to the motor shaft, thereby preventing vibration transfer and maximizing tub volume in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum is fixedly coupled to the motor shaft, then the drum can be rotated effectively, but the vibration generated by the drum is transferred to the tub and cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the motor shaft and drum. The motor shaft rotates a magnetic rotor that generates a rotating magnetic field, which couples magnetically to the drum without direct mechanical contact. This magnetic field mediator transmits rotational force while isolating vibration, preventing mechanical vibration transfer to the tub and cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional direct mechanical coupling (shaft connected to drum via bearings) with a magnetic coupling system. The motor shaft rotates a magnetic rotor that creates a rotating magnetic field, which induces rotation in the drum through magnetic attraction/repulsion. This substitutes mechanical contact with magnetic field interaction, eliminating mechanical vibration transmission while maintaining effective drum rotation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the drum is levitated using magnetic repulsive force, then vibration transfer is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor function with the levitation function into a single integrated system. The motor shaft and magnetic rotor serve dual purposes: generating rotational force to drive the drum while simultaneously providing the magnetic repulsive force for levitation. This combination eliminates the need for separate levitation mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced magnetic coupling technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits rotational torque from the motor to the drum, provides contactless bearing support for the drum, and enables vibration isolation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, offsetting the complexity of the magnetic levitation mechanism through functional consolidation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drum rotation center is eccentric with respect to the motor shaft, then vibration is reduced by preventing transfer, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic magnetic coupling where the magnetic rotor on the motor shaft rotates independently and generates a rotating magnetic field that dynamically couples to the drum. This dynamic system allows the drum's rotation center to be naturally offset from the motor shaft center without requiring precise static alignment, as the magnetic field continuously adjusts to maintain coupling. The eccentric positioning is accommodated dynamically rather than requiring static precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling strength and characteristics can be adjusted by changing parameters such as magnetic field strength, air gap distance, and rotor geometry. These parameter adjustments allow the system to tolerate eccentric positioning while maintaining effective torque transmission and vibration isolation, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements compared to rigid mechanical coupling.
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 solution effectively reduces vibration and noise by decoupling the drum's rotation from the motor shaft, maintaining a stable levitated state and preventing vibration transfer to the tub and cabinet, while maximizing tub volume in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
a drum supporting unit configured to levitate the drum within the tub, using a repulsive force generated between magnetic units having the same magnetic pole
Implementation Method 2
a coupler configured to connect the drum and the shaft with each other so as to rotate the drum and to make a rotation center of the drum be movable with respect to a rotation center of the shaft in a predetermined distance range
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a laundry treating apparatus (100) including a cabinet (1) comprising an opening (11) through which laundry is introduced, a tub (2) provided in the cabinet (1), the tub (2) comprising a tub opening (21) in communication with the opening (11), a drum (3) provided in the tub (2) to store the laundry therein, the drum (3) comprising a drum opening (31) in communication with the tub opening (21), a drum supporting unit (L, H) configured to levitate the drum (3) within the tub (2), using a repulsive force generated between magnetic units (51, 52, 53, 54) having the same magnetic pole, a motor (61) mounted to an outer portion of the tub (2), the motor (61) comprising a shaft (615), and a coupler (63) configured to connect the drum (3) and the shaft (615) with each other so as to rotate the drum (3) and to make a rotation center of the drum (3) be movable with respect to a rotation center of the shaft (615) in a predetermined distance range, similar to an Oldham coupling.