Washer Drum Drive With Magnetic Flux Conversion for Quiet Torque Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with noise generation, belt breakage, assembly complexity, motor efficiency deterioration, and magnet heating due to high-speed rotation, which affect vibration damping and transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a dual drive unit system, including a first stator and magnetic flux converter, and a second stator and rotor, utilizing inverter driving circuits to control magnetic flux and rotation speed, allowing for adjustable reduction gear ratio and synchronization of rotational speeds to prevent magnet heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a belt drive reduction mechanism with pulleys is used, then rotational force can be transferred from the motor to the drum, but noise is generated due to belt rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt drive system with a magnetic coupling system. The motor rotor and drum are coupled through magnetic fields generated by magnets arranged on both the motor rotor and drum surfaces, eliminating the need for belts and pulleys. This substitution removes the noise source while maintaining the rotational force transfer function.
2Power
If a belt drive reduction mechanism with pulleys is used, then rotational force can be transferred from the motor to the drum, but the belt may break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt drive system with a magnetic coupling system. The motor rotor and drum are coupled through magnetic fields generated by magnets arranged on both the motor rotor and drum surfaces, eliminating the need for belts and pulleys. This substitution removes the noise source while maintaining the rotational force transfer function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If first and second pulleys with different diameters are provided in the cabinet, then reduction gear ratio can be adjusted, but assembly becomes difficult due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach to adjustment from mechanical (changing pulley diameters) to magnetic (changing magnet arrangements). By adjusting the number, position, or arrangement of magnets on the motor rotor and drum, different reduction gear ratios can be achieved without requiring physical space for multiple pulleys of different sizes, thereby simplifying assembly.
4Power
If the belt is in contact with pulleys rotating at different speeds and torques, then rotational force can be transmitted, but friction is generated deteriorating motor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt drive system with a magnetic coupling system. The motor rotor and drum are coupled through magnetic fields generated by magnets arranged on both the motor rotor and drum surfaces, eliminating the need for belts and pulleys. This substitution removes the noise source while maintaining the rotational force transfer function.
5Speed
If high-speed rotation is achieved in direct-drive type apparatus, then productivity is improved, but magnets are heated due to eddy current generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic flux converter as an intermediary component between the motor rotor and drum. This converter mediates the magnetic field interaction, allowing high-speed rotation while managing the magnetic flux to reduce eddy current generation and subsequent magnet heating.
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 reduces noise, eliminates belt-related defects, simplifies assembly, improves motor efficiency, and prevents magnet heating, enabling high-speed and low-speed rotation modes while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first stator for generating rotating magnetic fields, and a first rotor capable of being rotated by the rotating magnetic fields generated by the first stator
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic flux converter rotatably disposed radially outside the first stator to change magnetic flux of magnetic fields generated by the first stator
Implementation Method 3
a second stator for generating rotating magnetic fields, and a second rotor capable of being rotated by the rotating magnetic fields generated by the second stator
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet (100) defining the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus, a drum (300) rotatably disposed in the cabinet (100), and a drive unit (400) for rotating the drum (300), wherein the drive unit (400) includes a first drive unit (410) for generating rotational force required to rotate the drum (300), and a second drive unit (430) for changing the ratio of rotational force generated by the first drive unit (410) and rotational force transferred to the drum (300), wherein the first drive unit (410) includes a first stator (411) for generating rotating magnetic fields, a magnetic flux converter (413) rotatably disposed radially outside the first stator (411) to change the magnetic flux of the magnetic fields generated by the first stator (411), and a first rotor (415) disposed radially outside the magnetic flux converter (413) and rotatable by the magnetic fields, wherein the magnetic flux converter (413) is configured to rotate with the second drive unit (430).