Balancer and washing machine having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience vibration and noise due to unbalanced drum rotation during spin-drying, which can lead to damage, and existing balancers are not effective in stabilizing the drum within a predetermined rotational speed range.
Innovation Solution
A balancer with an annular channel housing and movable masses, restrained by a magnet with multiple unit magnets arranged circumferentially, which includes a magnet receiving groove to control mass movement and offset centrifugal forces within a specific rotational speed range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnet is used to restrain mass movement in a balancer, then stability is improved within a predetermined speed range, but the balancer becomes ineffective at higher rotational speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is divided into two functional sections: a first balancer section with magnets for low-speed stabilization and a second balancer section without magnets for high-speed operation. This segmentation allows each section to optimize performance for its designated speed range, resolving the contradiction between reliability at low speeds and adaptability across all speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancer transitions from a static magnetic restraint system to a dynamic system where masses can move freely in the second section. This dynamic design allows the balancer to adapt to changing operational conditions, providing effective counterbalancing across the entire speed range from low to high rotations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If masses are allowed to move freely in the balancer channel, then high-speed balancing is improved, but vibration and noise increase at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer channel is segmented into a first section with magnetic restraint and a second section without restraint. This segmentation allows masses to be constrained at low speeds to prevent vibration and noise, while allowing free movement at high speeds for effective balancing.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnets act as an intermediary force in the first balancer section, providing controlled restraint on masses during low-speed operation. This intermediary mechanism prevents harmful vibrations and noise while allowing smooth transition to free movement in the second section at higher speeds.
3Force
If magnets are placed close to the masses, then restraining force is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balancer is segmented into two sections with different magnetic field strengths. The first section uses stronger magnets positioned closer to masses for effective restraint, while the second section uses weaker or no magnets. This segmentation allows the system to achieve strong restraining force where needed without requiring high precision across the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the balancer have different magnetic properties: the first section has strong magnetic fields for restraint, while the second section has weak or no magnetic fields for free movement. This local differentiation allows optimal performance in each region without requiring uniform high precision throughout the entire system.
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 balancer effectively stabilizes drum rotation, reduces vibration and noise, and prevents damage by ensuring balanced load distribution during spin-drying cycles, maintaining stability even at high rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnet coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of the drum is within a predetermined range
Implementation Method 2
a balancer to offset unbalanced load generated during rotation of a drum
Data Source
AI summary
A balancer includes a balancer housing having an annular channel defined therein, at least one mass movably disposed in the channel, and at least one magnet coupled to one side of the balancer housing to restrain movement of the mass along the channel when rotational speed of a drum of the washing machine is within a predetermined range. The magnet includes a plurality of unit magnets arranged in a circumferential direction of the balancer housing.