Motor Damping Ring With Internal Voids for Appliance Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry appliances experience significant vibration and noise due to motor operation, which are not effectively absorbed by existing technologies, leading to undesirable shaking and increased noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A damping ring with defined voids is positioned between the motor and retaining bracket, absorbing operational vibrations through damping apertures, thereby isolating the motor's vibrations from the appliance structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor is coupled to the appliance structure via a retaining bracket, then the motor can be securely mounted and operated, but vibrations generated by the motor are transmitted to the appliance structure causing shaking and noise
Solution Approach 1:
A damping ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the motor and the retaining bracket. This damping ring absorbs and dissipates vibrations generated by the motor, preventing their transmission to the appliance structure while maintaining secure motor mounting. The damping ring acts as a mediator that decouples the vibration transmission path while preserving the mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping ring is constructed from composite materials that combine structural integrity with vibration-damping properties. These composite materials enable the ring to maintain mechanical strength for secure mounting while simultaneously absorbing vibrations, resolving the contradiction between mounting security and vibration isolation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing vibration absorption technologies are used, then some vibration mitigation is achieved, but significant vibration and noise remain unabsorbed leading to undesirable shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The damping ring incorporates porous materials with controlled void structures that enhance vibration absorption capabilities. The porous structure provides multiple interfaces for vibration energy dissipation through friction and material deformation, significantly reducing both vibration transmission and residual shaking compared to solid damping materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping ring's physical parameters such as density, porosity, and material composition are optimized to maximize vibration absorption across the motor's operational frequency range. By adjusting these parameters, the damping ring effectively absorbs vibrations while minimizing residual shaking and noise transmission to the appliance structure.
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 damping ring significantly reduces vibration and noise transmission, improving appliance stability and reducing noise levels by up to 6 decibels across various operational frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric damping ring is positioned about the drive shaft and between the motor and the retaining bracket. Damping apertures are defined within a body of the elastomeric damping ring that form voids that extend through an interior of the body. The voids absorb operational vibrations generated by the motor in an activated state.
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric damping ring is positioned about the drive shaft and between the motor and the retaining bracket
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry appliance (12) includes a cabinet (16). A rotating drum (24) is positioned within the cabinet (16). A blower (26) directs process air through an airflow path (28). The airflow path (28) includes the drum (24). A motor (10) is coupled to the cabinet (16) via a retaining bracket (30). The motor (10) includes a drive shaft (32) operably coupled to one of the drum (24) and the blower (26). A damping ring (20) is positioned about the drive shaft (32) and between the motor (10) and the retaining bracket (30). Damping apertures (36) are defined within a body (38) of the damping ring (20). The damping apertures (36) define respective voids (40) that absorb operational vibrations (18) generated by the motor (10) in an activated state (42).