Washing Machine Balancer Ring Baffles for Surge-Induced Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines experience increased vibration and noise during spin-drying due to resonance phenomena caused by unbalanced mass distribution and coincident vibration frequencies, leading to salt water surges between baffles.
Innovation Solution
A balancer with alternately arranged baffles of different heights, where the second baffles are lower than the first, effectively preventing salt water surges and reducing noise and vibration by altering the concentration and distribution of salt water during high-speed spin-drying operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If baffles of the same height are used in the balancer, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but salt water surges between baffles during high-speed rotation causing increased vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring baffles with different heights (first baffles with height H1 and second baffles with height H2 where H1 > H2) arranged alternately in the balancer. This asymmetric configuration prevents salt water from surging between baffles during high-speed rotation, thereby reducing vibration and noise while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Productivity
If the drum rotates at high speed during spin-drying, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but resonance phenomenon occurs causing increased vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful resonance phenomenon into a beneficial effect by using the vibration and noise generated during high-speed rotation to agitate and disperse salt water between the baffles. This prevents salt water accumulation that would otherwise exacerbate resonance, thereby maintaining high moisture removal efficiency while reducing harmful vibrations and noise.
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 balancer design minimizes secondary vibrations and noise by preventing salt water surges and ensuring quick concentration of salt water, thereby reducing resonance-induced vibrations and noise.
Implementation Method 1
As the rotating speed of the drum 18 is increased, a centrifugal force, which is greater than the gravity applied to the salt water, is generated. As a result, the salt water is raised by the rotation of the drum 18, and therefore, the salt water is dispersed in the circumferential direction
Implementation Method 2
When the drum 18 is rotated at low speed, salt water flows through the side gaps 27 between the baffles 25 and the balancer ring 21 as well as the upper gaps 29. As a result, the salt water is gathered at the lower part of the balancer due to gravity
Implementation Method 3
As the rotating speed of the drum 18 is increased during the normal spin-drying operation, the vibration frequency of the drum 18 is coincident with that of the tub 14. At this time, a resonance phenomenon, which causes vibration and noise, is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A balancer of a washing machine is provided. The balancer includes a balancer ring mounted to a drum, the balancer ring having a liquid receiving space for receiving liquid, a plurality of first baffles disposed in the interior of the balancer ring, and a plurality of second baffles disposed between the first baffles such that the first and second baffles are alternately arranged, the second baffles having a height lower than that of the first baffles. When abnormal vibration is generated in the washing machine, the surge of salt water is effectively prevented by the second baffles. Consequently, further noise and vibration due to a resonance phenomenon or other abnormal vibration is minimized.