Washer Drum Balancer Power Connection for Unbalance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in actively resolving drum unbalance, particularly during transient vibrations, and suffer from durability issues due to structural deformation of balancing unit brushes and unsafe electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with independently movable balancing units, a connector system for safe and easy power supply, and a brush design that reduces deformation, featuring a balancer with two balancing units and a connector receptor to accommodate power lines, ensuring stable operation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball balancer or fluid balancer is used to control unbalance, then vibration control in steady state is improved, but active resolution of unbalance during transient vibration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple balancing units with different characteristics (ball balancer for steady-state passive balancing and electromagnetic balancer for transient active balancing) that can dynamically adapt to different operational phases. The electromagnetic balancer provides active control during transient vibrations while the ball balancer maintains steady-state balance, resolving the contradiction between steady-state reliability and transient productivity.
2Ease of operation
If a brush is used to supply power to the balancing unit, then electrical connection is achieved, but structural deformation and durability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brush contact system with a magnetic coupling system where the electromagnetic balancer receives power wirelessly through magnetic induction. This eliminates the mechanical wear and structural deformation problems associated with brushes while maintaining reliable power supply to the balancing unit.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a balancer is connected by wire for power supply, then electrical power can be delivered, but safety problems occur due to water introduction into the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired electrical connection with wireless magnetic coupling for power transmission to the balancer. This eliminates the physical wire that could be compromised by water, providing safe and reliable power delivery while preventing water-related safety hazards.
4Ease of manufacture
If soldering is used to connect brush to motor power cable, then electrical connection is established, but deterioration of durability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the soldered brush connection entirely by using wireless magnetic coupling for power transmission. This removes the durability issues associated with soldered joints that are subject to mechanical stress and vibration, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized magnetic coupling components.
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 apparatus effectively addresses unbalanced rotation, enhances durability by preventing brush deformation, and ensures safe electrical connections, improving operational stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first connecting line disposed in the shaft through-hole and connected to a power source, a second connecting line connected to the housing power line, and a connector for coupling the first connecting line to the second connecting line
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet forming an appearance of the apparatus, a drum disposed in the cabinet and having a laundry space therein to for accommodate laundry, a rotating shaft for rotatably supporting the drum in the cabinet, a balancer including a housing fixed to the drum, an accommodation space defined in the housing, a balancing unit movably provided in the accommodation space, and a housing power line provided in the accommodation space to supply electric power to the balancing unit, a shaft through-hole formed through the rotating shaft, a first connecting line disposed in the shaft through-hole and connected to a power source, a second connecting line connected to the housing power line, and a connector for coupling the first connecting line to the second connecting line is disclosed.