Washing Machine Balancer Structure for Deformation and Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with ball balancers face issues of reduced lifespan due to deformation under centrifugal force, assembly challenges, and vibration/noise caused by fusion scraps, which affect the dynamic balance and durability of the spin tub during high-speed spinning.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a balancer design with fused first and second housings that form pockets to collect fusion scraps, include protruding fusion ridges and grooves for secure fusion, and feature supports to enhance mechanical strength and guide the balancer's installation, ensuring the balls can move smoothly without deformation and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ball balancers are used with upper and lower plates fused together, then the balancer structure is simplified, but fusion scraps fall down inwardly and outwardly causing vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful fusion scraps into a beneficial sealing element by designing a groove that collects the scraps. The groove transforms the harmful falling scraps into a sealing ring that prevents external contaminants from entering the balancer interior, thus converting a manufacturing defect into a functional advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful fusion scraps from the operational space by providing a dedicated groove that collects and isolates them. This separates the scraps from the ball movement path, eliminating their harmful effects while maintaining the simplified fused structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic plates are fused together to form balancer housing, then manufacturing is easier, but the structure deforms under centrifugal force during high-speed spinning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by fusing multiple plastic plates together with reinforcing ribs. This composite construction maintains the ease of plastic manufacturing while significantly improving the strength and rigidity to resist centrifugal forces during high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancer housing is divided into multiple segmented plates (upper and lower plates) that are fused together. This segmentation allows each plate to be manufactured separately with optimized thickness and reinforcement, then joined to create a stronger overall structure that resists deformation.
3Device complexity
If ball balancers are installed without installation guidance, then the design is simpler, but assembly takes more time and is less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer design includes self-aligning features such as protrusions that fit into corresponding recesses on the spin tub. This self-service mechanism guides the balancer into the correct position during assembly, eliminating the need for complex external alignment tools or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary guiding elements (protrusions and recesses) that mediate between the balancer and spin tub during assembly. These elements act as mechanical guides that automatically align the components, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining design simplicity.
4Device complexity
If fusion scraps are not collected, then the structure is simpler, but scraps prevent ball motion and generate vibration and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion scraps are converted from harmful obstacles into a beneficial sealing ring by collecting them in a dedicated groove. This transforms the manufacturing byproduct into a functional element that seals the balancer interior while allowing smooth ball motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fusion scraps from the ball motion path by providing a collection groove. This removes the scraps' harmful interference with ball movement while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This design enhances the durability and lifespan of the balancer by preventing deformation and noise, allowing for rapid and precise assembly, and maintaining dynamic balance during high-speed spinning, thus reducing vibration and noise.
Implementation Method 1
a first housing and a second housing which are fused to the first housing, and the first and second housings are fused together to form at least one pocket between the first housing and the second housing
Implementation Method 2
include protruding fusion ridges and grooves for secure fusion
Implementation Method 3
the ball balancers are continuously supplied with centrifugal force that is generated when the steel balls make a circular motion, and thus are deformed at walls thereof
Implementation Method 4
the steel balls compensate for this imbalance, and thus the spin tub can maintain the dynamic balance
Data Source
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AI summary
A washing machine is provided that has at least one balancer (20,30) that increases durability by reinforcing the strength of the balancer (20,30) and is installed on a rotating spin tub (10) in a rapid and convenient way. The 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, and the first housing (22,32) including at least one support (24,34) for reinforcing the strength of the balancer (20,30). A 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 of the first housing (22), or are disposed parallel to the opposite walls of the first housing (32) at regular intervals.