Spin Tub Balancer Structure for Durable Low-Vibration Washing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with ball balancers face issues of reduced lifespan due to deformation under centrifugal force, complex assembly, and internal vibration caused by fusion scraps, leading to noise and vibration during high-speed spinning.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates a balancer design with annular recesses on the spin tub for easy installation, supports to enhance structural strength, and fusion pocket structures to collect and prevent fusion scraps, ensuring smooth ball motion and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ball balancers are used with fused upper and lower plates, then the balancer structure is formed, but the walls deform under centrifugal force reducing lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is divided into an upper plate and a lower plate that are separately formed and then fused together. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized independently and reduces the overall deformation under centrifugal force compared to a single monolithic structure, thereby extending the balancer's lifespan while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower plates are pre-formed with fusion protrusions and fusion grooves before assembly. This preliminary preparation ensures proper alignment and fusion, creating a stronger joint that better resists centrifugal force during operation, thus improving both structural strength and durability.
2Ease of manufacture
If fusion method is used to join plates, then the balancer is manufactured, but fusion scraps fall inward causing vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion scraps, which are normally harmful contaminants, are redirected to fall outward through the designed fusion groove structure rather than inward into the ball chamber. This converts the harmful effect of scrap generation into a benign outcome where scraps are expelled away from the operational area, eliminating vibration and noise while maintaining the ease of fusion manufacturing.
3Reliability
If conventional ball balancer structure is used, then the balancer functions, but assembly time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is segmented into an upper plate and a lower plate that can be manufactured separately and independently quality-checked. This segmentation enables parallel manufacturing processes and simplifies assembly, as the two plates are designed to fit together through standardized fusion protrusions and grooves, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining full functional reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If plates are fused together, then the balancer is formed, but fusion scraps fall outward contaminating the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion groove structure is designed to channel fusion scraps outward in a controlled manner during the fusion process. By intentionally creating a path for scrap ejection, the design prevents uncontrolled scattering of contaminants into the environment, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing environmental pollution from fusion scraps.
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 increases balancer durability, reduces assembly time, and minimizes noise and vibration by maintaining a stable dynamic balance during high-speed spinning, extending the lifespan of the balancer and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the ball balancers are continuously supplied with centrifugal force that is generated when the steel balls make a circular motion
Implementation Method 2
steel balls and viscous oil are disposed within the racers to freely move in the racers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A washing machine is provided that has at least one balancer (20,30) installed on the spin tub (10) in a rapid and convenient way, said at least one balancer (20,30) includes first and second housings (22,23,32,33) that have an annular shape and are fused to form a closed internal space (20a,30a), and the first housing (22,32) including at least one support (24,34) for reinforcing the strength of the balancer (20,30), the spin tub (10) includes an annular recess (15) corresponding to the balancer (20,30) so as to be coupled with the balancer (20,30), the support (24,34) protrudes from the first housing (22,32) and comes into contact with a wall of the recess (15) and guides the balancer (20,30) to be maintained in the recess (15) in place, the supports (24,34) are continuously formed along and perpendicular to the opposite walls (22a,22b,32a,32b) of the first housing (22,32), or are disposed parallel to the opposite walls (22a,22b,32a,32b) of the first housing (22,32) at regular intervals.