Drum Washing Machine Rear Balancer Structure for Ball Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing balancer system in drum type washing machines is prone to failure due to repeated collisions with the balancer housings under centrifugal force, leading to weakened connections and potential separation of the ball from its race, causing the ball to move out of the balancer.
Innovation Solution
A drum type washing machine design that includes a rear balancer supported by a shaft flange, with an annular groove on the rear cover to secure the balancer, and arm sections extending from the hub section to stabilize the balancer, preventing the ball from moving out even if the connection between balancer housings is weakened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball is allowed to move freely in the annular race under centrifugal force, then the balancer can effectively reduce vibration, but the ball repeatedly collides with the balancer housings causing connection weakening and potential separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a preliminary protective structure (the support plate and retention features) before the damage occurs. The support plate is pre-installed to intercept and prevent ball escape, while the retention features are pre-configured to hold the ball within the race, avoiding the need for corrective action after connection weakening or ball separation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as a beforehand cushioning element by providing a protective barrier that absorbs and distributes the impact forces from ball collisions. This preliminary cushioning structure prevents the full force of ball impacts from reaching and weakening the connection between balancer housings, thereby protecting the structural integrity before damage occurs.
2Reliability
If the ball moves out of the race due to weakened connection, then the balancer structure is compromised, but preventing ball escape requires additional protective structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the existing balancer structure by integrating the support plate and retention features into the overall balancer assembly. The support plate is positioned to work in conjunction with the balancer housings and annular race, combining multiple functions (structural support, ball retention, impact absorption) into a unified structure rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate serves as an intermediary element between the ball and the balancer housings. It mediates the interaction by providing a protective barrier that prevents direct ball-to-housing contact that would cause connection weakening. The retention features act as intermediaries to guide and constrain the ball within the race, preventing escape without requiring fundamental changes to the balancer structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If fusion welding is used to couple balancer housings, then assembly is simplified, but long-period use causes connection weakening and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate provides beforehand cushioning protection to the fusion welded connection by intercepting and distributing ball impact forces. This preliminary protective measure prevents the cumulative damage that would otherwise occur during long-period use, extending the service life of the welded connection while maintaining the simplicity of the fusion welding assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary that protects the fusion welded connection from direct ball impacts. It mediates between the moving ball and the stationary welded joint, distributing and absorbing impact forces to prevent connection weakening over time, thereby extending the duration of action of the welded connection without complicating the assembly process.
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 effectively stabilizes the balancer, preventing the ball from escaping and maintaining vibration reduction capabilities even after long-term use, simplifying assembly by aligning the balancer's rotational center with the shaft's center.
Implementation Method 1
the ball accommodated in the balancer housing is subject to centrifugal force during the rotation of spin tub
Data Source
AI summary
A drum type washing machine includes a housing; a spin tub rotatable by a driving motor through a rotating shaft; a balancer installed at a rear section of the spin tub; a shaft flange including a hub section to fixedly install the rotating shaft and a plurality of arm sections extending radially outward from the hub section and mounted to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub; and a rear cover provided on the rear section of the spin tub. The balancer is disposed adjacent to the rear cover and the shaft flange such that the first annular-shaped member contacts the shaft flange and the second annular-shaped member contacts the rear cover.