Spin Dryer Basket Balancing and Braking for Low Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spin dryers face issues with vibration, noise, uneven wear on parts, and safety concerns, particularly during operation, which can be improved for smoother and safer performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a stationary chamber with a spinning basket, a flexible driveshaft, an electronically operated caliper brake, a balance ring for dynamic balancing, and a controller that adjusts speed and direction to minimize vibration and noise, along with features like automatic operation, safety locks, and visual feedback for user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a spin dryer operates at high speed to improve water separation efficiency, then productivity increases, but vibration and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater separation efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A balance ring is mounted on the exterior of the basket to rotate therewith, serving as a counterweight mechanism to offset vibrations generated during high-speed operation, thereby reducing noise and harmful vibrations while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller varies the spinning speed of the basket through a region of increased vibration at a controlled rate, dynamically adjusting operational parameters to minimize vibration and noise while maintaining overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the basket speed is increased to improve drying efficiency, then productivity increases, but uneven wear on interconnected parts worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidwear on interconnected parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements dynamic speed variation, ramping up speed during low-wear regions and slowing through high-vibration regions, which distributes wear more evenly across interconnected parts while maintaining high overall drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller oscillates the spinning direction and varies speed periodically, creating alternating stress patterns that prevent localized wear accumulation on driveshaft and coupling components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a mechanical brake system is used to stop the basket, then reliability of braking is improved, but vibration and noise during operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical brake system is replaced with an electronically operated caliper brake that uses electromagnetic actuation, eliminating mechanical contact vibrations and noise while maintaining reliable braking through electronic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If the driveshaft is made rigid to improve power transmission, then power transmission efficiency increases, but vibration and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible coupling is used to connect the driveshaft to the basket, replacing a rigid connection with a flexible element that transmits power while absorbing vibrations and reducing noise from misalignments and imbalances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhanced design reduces vibration and noise, provides safer operation, and allows for larger capacity baskets with easier maintenance, while ensuring efficient water separation and user-friendly operation.

Implementation Method 1

A balance ring having an annular chamber holding a balance fluid, can be mounted to an outside of the basket to rotate therewith

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDynamic balancing: Balance

Implementation Method 2

This invention relates to a centrifugal separator which uses centrifugal force to separate liquid from solids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10024597B2Centrifugal separator

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 EXTRACTOR CORP

AI summary

A centrifugal separator, such as a spin dryer that separates water from wet clothing includes a stationary chamber. A perforated basket is arranged to spin within the stationary chamber. A DC or AC motor is arranged below the bottom floor fastened to a mechanical floor. A driveshaft can be connected to the motor output shaft via a flexible coupling and passes through the bottom floor and is connected to the basket. A brake disc is operatively fixed to the output shaft, and a brake caliper is fixed to the mechanical floor to stop the brake disc. A balance ring, having an annular chamber holding a balance fluid, is mounted to an outside of the basket. The centrifugal separator can include a cycle controller that can ramp up or down the basket speed and reverse spinning direction of the basket.