Narrow-Channel Balancing Ring for High-Speed Drum Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancing devices for rotating elements, such as washing machine drums, are ineffective at high rotation speeds due to the centrifugal force causing the balancing liquid to spread and lose its balancing effect, resulting in unbalanced rotation and significant vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed balancing device features channels in the balancing ring with internal dimensions less than 3 millimeters, allowing the balancing liquid to remain localized through surface tension, effectively balancing the rotary drum at high speeds by maintaining a column of liquid within the channels, even at rotational speeds up to 1500 revolutions per minute.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the balancing liquid is used in channels with larger internal dimensions, then the balancing device is effective at low rotation speeds, but the centrifugal force causes the balancing liquid to spread over the entire channel length at high rotation speeds, losing the balancing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of channel internal dimension to be less than or equal to 3 millimeters. This dimensional parameter change allows surface tension to dominate over centrifugal force effects, enabling the balancing liquid to remain localized and maintain balancing effectiveness across a wide range of rotation speeds including high speeds up to 1500 rpm.
2Reliability
If the channel internal dimension is reduced to less than or equal to 3 millimeters, then surface tension maintains the balancing liquid localized, but the channel cross-sectional area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the channel dimension parameter to a specific range (≤3mm) where surface tension forces become dominant relative to centrifugal forces. This parameter optimization enables the balancing liquid to form a stable column that remains localized throughout the channel, maintaining balancing effectiveness at high rotation speeds while accommodating the reduced cross-sectional area.
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
This solution ensures effective balancing of the rotary drum across a wide range of rotation speeds, significantly reducing vibrations and noise pollution, and is adaptable to varying laundry masses and distribution within the drum.
Implementation Method 1
the surface tension, which is exerted at the level of the free surface of the balancing liquid, tends on the contrary, to reduce the area of this free surface, to maintain the balancing liquid in the form of a column of liquid occupying only one section of said channel
Implementation Method 2
When this balancing ring rotates around its axis, the centrifugal force exerted on the balancing liquid tends to spread it over the entire circumferential length of the corresponding channel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a balancing device for a machine with a rotatable drum. Said device includes at least one balancing ring (20) intended to be coaxially mounted onto the rotatable drum. Said ring has an inner space (51) divided into a plurality of separate channels (52). Said channels (52) extend around the axis of said balancing ring over the entire circumference thereof. According to the invention, at least some of the channels (52) each have, in at least one direction, a non-zero internal dimension (b) less than or equal to 3 millimeters.