Dual-Wall Washer Basket With Adaptive Liquid Balance Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional balance rings in laundry treating appliances are not adaptive to imbalance conditions occurring at variable frequencies or with varying degrees of imbalance, often exacerbating imbalances at rotational speeds below the critical frequency and failing to restore balance effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dual-wall basket system with an annular chamber and perforations, where liquid flows through the perforations into the annular chamber to provide a restoring force during imbalances, adapting to the degree of imbalance and automatically draining when balance is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional balance ring with predetermined liquid is used, then balance can be restored at a predetermined rotational frequency, but the balance ring creates imbalance conditions at different rotational frequencies and is not adaptive to variable frequencies or varying degrees of imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The balance ring is transformed from a static, pre-filled structure into a dynamic system where liquid can freely flow between the treating chamber and annular chamber. This dynamic configuration allows the liquid distribution to automatically adjust based on real-time rotational frequency and imbalance conditions, enabling effective balance restoration across variable operating speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing liquid flow between chambers to generate balancing forces. The liquid acts as a dynamic counterweight that redistributes itself under centrifugal force during rotation, creating restoring moments that counteract imbalance conditions at various rotational frequencies
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-filled balance ring is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying degrees of imbalance and may exacerbate imbalances below critical frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The balance ring structure is merged with the basket assembly, forming an integrated dual-wall structure where the annular chamber is positioned between the inner and outer walls. This integration eliminates the need for separate balance ring components while achieving adaptive balancing through liquid flow between the treating chamber and annular chamber
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid is confined in a pre-filled balance ring, then the device is compact, but the liquid cannot dynamically redistribute to correct imbalances at variable speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid in the annular chamber serves a dual function: it acts as both the balancing medium and the operational fluid for the treating process. The liquid automatically redistributes itself under centrifugal force during rotation, requiring no external control systems or additional substances to achieve dynamic balance adaptation
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 system effectively corrects imbalances at various frequencies and degrees, preventing machine instability and damage by dynamically adjusting the liquid distribution to maintain balance, even below critical rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
liquid within the basket is moved radially by centrifugal force through the perforations into a space defined between the outer wall and the inner wrapper
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the centrifugal force. The method further comprising restoring balance to the laundry treating appliance utilizing a restoring force provided by the liquid within the annular chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and an annular balance rings defining an annular chamber within, coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. The basket can further comprise a pair of walls comprising a perforated inner wrapper and an outer wall defining a space therebetween. The space fluidly couples to the annular chamber, permitting liquid to flow from the treating chamber, into the space and into the annular chamber to provide a restoring force to the system. The annular balance ring can further comprise a plurality of passages, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the annular chamber.