Rotary Damping Linkage With Variable Friction for Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping devices for household appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, face challenges in providing variable damping coefficients efficiently, leading to increased complexity, costs, and maintenance issues, while also being bulky and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A rotary damping device with a lever arm and support arm articulated between each other, incorporating a rotational damper and a secondary body with a mechanical pulling connection, allowing for adjustable damping coefficients through varying arm angles and secondary body positions, reducing wear and enabling modular design without electronic controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If damping devices with variable damping are incorporated, then damping performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by making the damping coefficient variable through mechanical adjustment. The damping device allows changing the position of the secondary body along the arm to modify the damping coefficient according to different operational phases, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls while achieving adaptive damping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements Parameter changes by varying the damping coefficient through mechanical means. The secondary body can be positioned at different locations on the arm, and the arm angle can be adjusted, which changes the effective damping parameter. This mechanical parameter adjustment provides variable damping without electronic complexity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If free stroke damping devices are used, then damping force is reduced during low amplitude oscillations, but axial length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial/linear damping to rotary/dimensional damping. Instead of moving parts along the axial direction, the invention uses rotational movement of arms and positioning of secondary bodies in a radial plane. This dimensional change allows achieving variable damping without increasing axial length, as the damping mechanism operates in a different spatial dimension.
3Reliability
If rotational dampers are incorporated in articulations, then damping moment is generated, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Self-service principle through the mechanical pulling connection that engages and disengages based on operational conditions. The secondary body is pulled into position by the arm's movement itself, and the mechanical connection automatically engages only when needed. This self-regulating mechanism reduces unnecessary friction and wear while maintaining damping capability when required.
4Measurement precision
If electronic controls are used for variable damping, then damping precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical solution. The variable damping is achieved through mechanical positioning of the secondary body and mechanical pulling connections that engage based on arm movement. This mechanical substitution eliminates electronics, sensors, and control circuits, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient damping precision through mechanical geometry.
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 rotary damping device provides a continuously variable damping coefficient, reducing wear and costs, and simplifying construction, while offering improved reliability and adaptability to different operational phases of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
these rotary damping devices incorporate a rotational friction damper. These damping devices are described, for example, in the publication WO 2011/070092 A1. In contrast to axial damping devices, in rotary damping devices the damping is exerted through a damping moment generated in the corresponding articulation, in particular a friction moment
Data Source
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AI summary
Rotary damping device for electrical household appliance, such as a washing machine 1 or a dryer, where the device 18 comprises an arm 20, 21 articulated according to a principal articulation axis 23, 26, 28, optionally by means of at least one principal rotational damper 40, particularly a friction damper. The device 18 is characterized in that it comprises at least one secondary body 30 articulated with respect to an secondary axis of articulation by means of a secondary rotational damper 41, particularly a friction damper, and being connected, in particular mechanically, to an arm 20, 21 of the device 18.