Washer Suspension Bracket Structure for Tub Vibration Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry machines directly transmit drum vibrations to the tub, leading to inefficient vibration damping and limited capacity due to rigid support structures.

Innovation Solution

A new support structure using a suspension unit with radial and axial brackets to decouple the tub from the drum's vibrations, allowing flexible support and increased tub size without enlarging the cabinet, thereby enhancing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the drum vibration is directly transmitted to the tub via rigid bearing housing support, then the structure is simple and stable, but the vibration damping is inefficient and the tub size is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetub capacityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a suspension unit as an intermediary component between the bearing housing and the tub. This suspension unit includes radial brackets and axial brackets that connect the bearing housing to the tub, acting as a mediator that decouples the direct rigid connection. The suspension unit allows drum vibrations to be absorbed and damped independently, preventing direct transmission to the tub while maintaining structural support, thereby enabling larger tub capacity without compromising vibration control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If rigid bearing housing support is used, then the structure is stable, but the tub diameter cannot be increased without enlarging the cabinet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetub diameterVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent components: radial brackets extending from the bearing housing, axial brackets connecting radial brackets to the tub, and suspension units with damping elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the tub diameter to be increased without requiring a proportional increase in cabinet size, as the segmented support structure can accommodate larger dimensions while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If damping supporting material is connected directly to the tub, then vibration damping is provided, but the tub and drum vibrations are coupled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidtub-drum coupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension unit serves as an intermediary that decouples the tub and drum vibration systems. It includes radial brackets connected to the bearing housing (which is connected to the drum via the shaft), axial brackets connected to the tub, and damping elements positioned between these brackets. This intermediary structure allows vibration damping to be effective while preventing direct coupling between tub and drum vibrations, as the suspension unit absorbs and isolates vibrational energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 decoupling of tub and drum vibrations reduces vibration transmission, allowing for a larger tub diameter and increased capacity within the same external size, improving the laundry machine's efficiency and usability.

Implementation Method 1

a suspension unit to reduce vibration of the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration decoupling: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2387637B1Laundry machine
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2387637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2387637B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2387637B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A laundry machine is disclosed. The bearing housing and the suspensions may be distant from each other with respect to a radial direction as well as an axial direction of the shaft. As a result, the suspension unit may include a radial bracket extended radially or axial bracket extended axially.