Triangular Drum Suspension Layout for Washer Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry machines transmit drum vibrations directly to the tub, leading to inefficient vibration damping and potential instability during spinning cycles.

Innovation Solution

A suspension assembly with three suspensions arranged in a triangular configuration around the center of gravity, where two are positioned on the front side and one on the rear side with different spring moduli and initial compression translocations, isolates drum vibrations from the tub and provides additional support to maintain the assembly's stability without additional supporting means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the shaft passes through the tub and the bearing housing supports the shaft, then the drum can rotate during washing and spinning cycles, but the vibration of the drum is transmitted directly to the tub and bearing housing, causing the tub to vibrate together with the drum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum rotation speedVSAvoidvibration transmission to tub
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a suspension assembly as an intermediary component between the drum and the tub. This assembly includes a suspension housing connected to the tub and suspensions (springs) that connect the drum to the suspension housing. The suspensions act as mediators that allow the drum to rotate while isolating the tub from direct vibration transmission. The damping members in the suspension housing further enhance this isolation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the support system into distinct components: the tub, the suspension housing, and the drum, connected by suspensions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the tub for water containment, the suspension housing for vibration damping, and the drum for rotation - while reducing the harmful coupling of vibrations between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a damping supporting material is connected to the tub to reduce vibration, then the vibration can be partially dampened, but the structure remains complex and additional supporting means are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration damping function with the support structure by integrating damping members directly into the suspension housing. The suspension housing serves dual purposes: supporting the drum through the suspensions and dampening vibrations through the integrated damping members. This eliminates the need for separate damping supports connected to the tub, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension assembly is designed to be self-supporting, where the suspensions and damping members work together to support the drum and dampen vibrations simultaneously. The system serves itself by using the same structural elements (suspension housing and dampers) for both support and vibration reduction functions, eliminating the need for additional supporting means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration effectively reduces significant shaking and enhances the stability of the vibration system, allowing the drum and driving unit to stand independently, while minimizing vibration transmission to the tub, thereby improving the overall damping efficiency and reducing abnormal vibrations during operation.

Implementation Method 1

the suspension assembly which buffers the vibration of the drum can include at least three suspensions arranged on a triangle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a damping supporting material is connected to the tub to reduce the vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2435621B1Laundry machine
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2435621B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2435621B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2435621B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The present invention provides a laundry machine in which a structure of a suspension assembly which supportably buffers vibration of a drum is completely different from a related art structure. In the laundry machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suspension assembly which buffers the vibration of the drum can include at least three suspensions arranged on a triangle.