Spring device for the elastic mounting of a functional unit of an electrical appliance and method for influencing such a spring device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring devices in washing machines face challenges with vibrations and mechanical stress due to temperature changes affecting gas pressure springs and uneven laundry distribution, leading to resonance issues and noise.
Innovation Solution
A spring device with temperature-dependent spring means and coupling means that can adjust spring constant and coupling effect through heating, allowing for dynamic changes in resonant frequency to mitigate vibrations and stress, using materials with memory effects and air springs for adaptable mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas pressure springs are used for mounting the washing drum, then the drum can be resiliently mounted, but temperature changes cause gas volume changes that alter spring length and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the spring means to alter the spring constant dynamically. The control unit detects resonance conditions and activates heating elements to change the temperature and physical properties of the spring means, thereby adjusting the resonant frequency of the drum mounting system to avoid problematic frequencies during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions through shape memory alloys that change their mechanical properties at specific temperatures. When heated to a transformation temperature, the shape memory alloy undergoes a phase transition that alters its spring constant, allowing dynamic adjustment of the mounting system's resonant frequency to mitigate vibrations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring constant is increased to reduce vibrations, then vibration damping improves, but the system becomes less adaptable to changing laundry conditions and speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the spring constant variable rather than fixed. The control unit continuously monitors drum speed and vibration levels, dynamically adjusting the spring constant through heating or shape memory alloy activation to optimize vibration reduction at each operating speed while maintaining adaptability to changing laundry conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spring constant parameter in real-time based on detected operating conditions. By controlling the temperature or phase state of the spring means, the system adjusts the spring constant to match optimal values for different drum speeds and laundry distributions, thereby reducing vibrations across the entire operating range.
3Device complexity
If conventional springs and dampers are used for drum mounting, then the structure is simple, but resonance issues and noise occur at high speeds due to fixed spring properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-damper system with a thermally-active system. Heating elements or shape memory alloys are integrated into the spring means, substituting passive mechanical components with active materials that can dynamically adjust their properties through thermal energy input, thereby eliminating resonance issues without significantly increasing 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
Effectively reduces vibrations and mechanical stress by dynamically adjusting spring properties and coupling effects, quickly responding to temperature changes and laundry conditions to prevent resonance, thus enhancing operational stability and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
the spring means have spring properties which are temperature-dependent and which can be changed when the spring means are exposed to temperature
Implementation Method 2
the coupling means are designed to be temperature-dependent in such a way that they change their coupling effect of the spring means to the spring device as a result of the effect of temperature
Implementation Method 3
From JP S58155285 A a shape memory alloy is known with a device that could serve as a spring device. Depending on whether a temperature is below or above a certain temperature, the component made of the shape memory alloy assumes a first shape or a second shape.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spring assembly for the resilient mounting of a washing machine drum comprises at least one spring element and coupling means for coupling the spring element to the spring assembly. The spring element has a spring constant or spring properties that are temperature-dependent and can be changed by the application of temperature to the spring element. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling means are designed to be temperature-dependent such that they change their coupling effect between the spring element and the spring assembly when exposed to temperature. Heating means are provided for the spring element or for the coupling means to heat them and thus change their spring properties or their coupling effect. In this way, the resilient mounting of the washing drum can be changed thermally and therefore quickly and easily.