Stabilizer for a rotatable drum

Solution Overview

Problem

Rotatable drums in clothes laundering and similar applications experience unstable rotation due to unevenly distributed loads, leading to potential mechanical component failure, which is mitigated by operating at low speeds, but this limits efficiency, particularly during high-speed spin-dry cycles.

Innovation Solution

A stabilization assembly comprising floating and fixed rings, rollers, and tension springs is coupled between an outer and inner drum, allowing for uniform stabilization and high-speed operation by compensating for load shifts through a system of rollers and springs that apply stabilization forces to the inner drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotatable drums operate at high rotational speed, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but stability deteriorates due to unevenly distributed loads causing unstable rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin-dry efficiencyVSAvoiddrum rotation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization assembly uses counterweights that can move radially to balance unevenly distributed loads in the drum. When clothes are unevenly distributed, the counterweights shift to offset the imbalance, allowing the drum to rotate stably at high speeds without excessive vibration or stress on mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization assembly employs movable components including radial arms that can pivot and counterweights that can shift position dynamically. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing load distributions during operation, maintaining stability throughout the spin-dry cycle rather than being fixed in a single configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rotatable drums operate at low rotational speed, then stability is maintained, but productivity decreases during spin-dry cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrum rotation stabilityVSAvoidspin-dry efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization assembly uses counterweights that can move radially to balance unevenly distributed loads in the drum. When clothes are unevenly distributed, the counterweights shift to offset the imbalance, allowing the drum to rotate stably at high speeds without excessive vibration or stress on mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization assembly employs movable components including radial arms that can pivot and counterweights that can shift position dynamically. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing load distributions during operation, maintaining stability throughout the spin-dry cycle rather than being fixed in a single configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If stabilization assembly is added to the drum, then rotation stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrum rotation stabilityVSAvoidstabilization mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization assembly is nested within the existing drum structure. The radial arms are positioned inside the drum cavity, and the counterweights are contained within the drum's internal space. This nesting approach allows the stabilization function to be added without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall structural complexity of the washing machine drum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization assembly serves multiple functions: it balances unevenly distributed loads, reduces vibration during high-speed rotation, and protects mechanical components from excessive stress. By consolidating these stabilization functions into a single integrated assembly rather than multiple separate systems, the design achieves improved stability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables rotatable drums to operate at high speeds while maintaining stability, preventing mechanical component failure and enhancing efficiency during wash and spin-dry cycles by uniformly distributing forces across the inner drum.

Implementation Method 1

A stabilization assembly comprising floating and fixed rings, rollers, and tension springs is coupled between an outer and inner drum, allowing for uniform stabilization and high-speed operation by compensating for load shifts through a system of rollers and springs that apply stabilization forces to the inner drum.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11846057B2Stabilizer for a rotatable drum

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 CHAPMAN WADE

AI summary

The invention is directed to a rotatable drum for a washing machine or similar equipment. Embodiments of the invention include an outer drum, a rotatable inner drum, and a stabilization assembly coupled to the outer drum and the rotatable inner drum.