Washing Machine Vibration Damper With Variable Friction Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drum type washing machines experience significant steady-state vibration during the dewatering process, causing unpleasant noise and vibration, especially when using weak materials for the washing machine structure, and existing dampers struggle to effectively reduce this vibration to a predetermined amplitude.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damper with a variable gap projection system that adjusts the amplitude of steady-state vibration by using a friction unit and a cap with non-uniformly arranged supporting blocks to minimize vibration transfer, allowing the supporting rod to slide within a regulated gap, reducing friction force during steady-state vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a damper with fixed friction force is used to reduce steady-state vibration, then vibration amplitude can be reduced, but the damper cannot adapt to manufacturing errors and cannot tune the amplitude to a predetermined value
Solution Approach 1:
The friction force in the damper is made variable rather than fixed. The friction member can adjust its position along the supporting rod, changing the normal force and thus the friction force. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the damper to compensate for manufacturing errors and tune the steady-state vibration amplitude to a predetermined value, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper design allows changing the friction force parameter by adjusting the position of the friction member. By varying the normal force applied by the friction member on the supporting rod, the friction force can be tuned to achieve the desired vibration amplitude reduction, enabling adaptation to different manufacturing tolerances and achieving predetermined amplitude control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If friction force is applied to reduce steady-state vibration, then vibration amplitude decreases, but the structure requires stronger materials to withstand the friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The friction force is applied locally at the friction member-s Supporting rod interface rather than throughout the entire supporting structure. This localized application of friction force allows effective vibration reduction while concentrating the structural strength requirements only at the specific contact point, rather than requiring the entire supporting structure to be made of strong materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform supporting blocks are used in the cap, then manufacturing is simpler, but vibration transfer cannot be minimized effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting blocks in the cap are arranged non-uniformly rather than symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement creates varying contact points and friction characteristics that help minimize vibration transfer from the supporting rod to the cap. The non-uniform distribution of supporting blocks allows the system to dissipate vibration energy more effectively, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and vibration reduction performance.
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
Effectively reduces steady-state vibration and noise in drum washing machines by optimizing the amplitude of vibration transfer through the damper, ensuring a more stable operation and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The dampers may employ a vibration reduction method by applying friction force of a friction member to a supporting rod
Implementation Method 2
A vibration damper with a variable gap projection system that adjusts the amplitude of steady-state vibration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A vibration damper (200) and a washing machine including the same are disclosed. The vibration damper (200) includes a tappet (210), a supporting rod (220) slidably coupled to the tappet (210), a friction unit (230) disposed inside the tappet (210) and configured to rub the supporting rod (220), and a cap (240) coupled to one end of the tappet (210) and including a plurality of supporting blocks (243). The plurality of supporting blocks (243) support an outer circumference of the supporting rod (220) with non-uniform bearing power.