Rear Balancer Support Structure for Drum Washer Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing balancer systems in drum type washing machines are prone to failure due to prolonged use, where the ball accommodated in the balancer housing is subject to centrifugal force, leading to repeated collisions and weakening of the connection between the first and second balancer housings, causing the ball to move out of the race.
Innovation Solution
A drum type washing machine design where the rear balancer is supported by a shaft flange and a rear cover, with an annular groove to secure the balancer in place, preventing the ball from moving out even if the connection between the balancer housings is broken, and the balancer is installed on the shaft flange with arm sections to distribute the rotational force uniformly.
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 weakens over time due to repeated collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a buffer member between the ball and the balancer housing. This buffer member absorbs the impact force when the ball collides with the housing during spin tub rotation, preventing the force from reaching the welded connection part. The cushioning action occurs before the impact can weaken the connection, thereby maintaining both vibration reduction capability and connection strength over extended periods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the first and second balancer housings are coupled through fusion welding, then structural integrity is improved, but the connection becomes vulnerable to separation under prolonged impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer member between the ball and the balancer housing connection. This buffer member acts as a mediator that absorbs and dissipates the impact energy from the ball, preventing direct transmission of collision forces to the welded connection between the first and second housings. The intermediary protects the structural integrity while maintaining reliability under prolonged operational conditions.
3Reliability
If the ball moves out of the race due to housing separation, then balancer function is lost, but preventing this requires additional protective structures
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member serves as a protective structure that prevents housing separation before it can occur. By cushioning the ball's impact on the housing, the buffer member eliminates the root cause of housing separation, thereby preventing ball ejection from the race without requiring complex additional containment mechanisms. This maintains ball containment reliability while adding minimal structural complexity.
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 stabilizes the balancer system, preventing ball displacement and maintaining vibration reduction capabilities even after long-term use, simplifying assembly by aligning the balancer's rotational center with the rotating shaft without precision matching.
Implementation Method 1
the ball accommodated in the balancer housing is subject to centrifugal force during the rotation of spin tub
Implementation Method 2
a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub... capable of rapidly reducing vibration of the 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.