Washer Suspension Bracket Layout for Drum 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 limited drum size due to rigid support structures, which restricts the capacity and size of the machine.
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 rigidity in the lateral direction to reduce drum vibrations, enabling a larger drum size within the same external dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tub is rigidly supported to reduce vibration, then vibration damping is improved, but the drum size is limited due to rigid support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple independent suspensions (first suspension, second suspension, third suspension) positioned at different locations. Each suspension independently handles vibration in specific directions, allowing the drum to be larger while maintaining vibration control through distributed support points rather than a single rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from rigid support to dynamic flexible support using suspensions with varying stiffness characteristics. The first suspension has higher stiffness in the vertical direction to handle weight, while the second and third suspensions have higher stiffness in lateral directions to control drum vibration, creating a dynamic support system that adapts to different vibration modes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tub is fixedly supported, then structural stability is improved, but vibration transmission to the cabinet occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The suspensions act as intermediary elements between the drum and the cabinet. These flexible suspensions decouple the drum's vibration from the cabinet structure, allowing the drum to be firmly supported while preventing harmful vibration transmission to the cabinet and surrounding environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stiffness parameters of the support structure by using suspensions with different stiffness characteristics in different directions. The first suspension provides higher vertical stiffness for structural stability, while the second and third suspensions provide higher lateral stiffness for vibration isolation, creating an anisotropic support system that simultaneously achieves both goals.
3Stability of the object's composition
If damping supporting material is connected to the tub, then vibration damping is improved, but the support structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each suspension unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the first suspension supports the drum's weight with vertical stiffness, while the second and third suspensions control lateral vibrations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate damping materials and rigid support structures, simplifying the overall support system while achieving both stability and vibration damping.
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 design effectively reduces drum vibrations, allowing for a significantly larger tub diameter and increased laundry capacity without enlarging the cabinet, enhancing the machine's operational efficiency and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a suspension unit to reduce vibration of the drum
Data Source
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.