Rear Balancer Support Structure to Prevent Ball Ejection in Washers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing balancer system in drum type washing machines is prone to failure due to repeated collisions with the ball under centrifugal force, leading to weakening of the connection between balancer housings and potential ball ejection from the race.
Innovation Solution
The balancer is supported by a shaft flange with an annular groove on the rear cover, securing the balancer housings and preventing ball ejection, even if the connection between housings is weakened over time, through additional support from arm sections and mounting grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball is accommodated in the balancer housing to reduce vibration, then vibration reduction capability is improved, but the connection part between housings is weakened due to repeated collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a rubber buffer between the ball and the balancer housing. This buffer absorbs the impact energy when the ball collides with the housing during spin tub rotation, preventing the harmful effects of repeated collisions from weakening the connection parts between housings while maintaining the vibration reduction function.
2Reliability
If the ball moves freely in the race to compensate for imbalance, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the ball may move out of the race when housing connection is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber buffer provides beforehand cushioning that absorbs collision energy, preventing the housing connection from weakening to the point where the ball could escape. This maintains both the ball's ability to move freely for vibration reduction and the structural integrity needed to keep the ball contained.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber buffer acts as an intermediary element between the ball and the balancer housing. It mediates the interaction by absorbing impact forces, allowing the ball to move freely within the race for vibration compensation while preventing extreme collisions that would cause the ball to escape from the housing.
3Reliability
If the balancer housing is designed to allow ball movement for vibration reduction, then dynamic balancing is improved, but the housing connection becomes vulnerable to separation
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber buffer provides beforehand cushioning that protects the housing connection from the harmful effects of repeated ball collisions. This allows the housing to be designed with the necessary flexibility for ball movement and dynamic balancing, while the buffer prevents the connection from weakening or separating due to impact forces.
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 design stabilizes the balancer, preventing ball ejection and maintaining vibration reduction capabilities even after long-term use, simplifying assembly by aligning the balancer's rotational center with the shaft's center.
Implementation Method 1
the ball accommodated in the balancer housing is subject to centrifugal force during the rotation of spin tub
Data Source
AI summary
A drum type washing machine including a balancer capable of rapidly reducing vibration of a spin tub. The drum type washing machine includes a spin tub which is rotated by receiving rotational force from a driving motor through a rotating shaft, a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub, and a shaft flange provided at a center portion thereof with the rotating shaft and coupled to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub. The rear balancer is supported on a rear surface of a rear cover by the shaft flange. Thus, the balls accommodated in the balancer are prevented from moving out of the balancer, even if the balancer is broken due to long-period use.