Laundry treating appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancer systems in washing machines are inefficient in addressing unbalanced laundry distribution, leading to vibrations, noise, and mechanical stress due to slow and complex balancing processes, especially at low RPMs and during spinning phases.
Innovation Solution
A balancer system with remotely controlled balancing units within a housing ring, utilizing wireless power transfer and actuator means that change friction forces to move balancing units under gravitational and inertial forces, ensuring constant and efficient power transfer during drum rotation, and employing position detection elements to adjust unit positions for effective unbalance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive balancer masses are used in a balancer ring, then the unbalance level is reduced, but the balancing process is very slow and complex taking several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely passive mechanical balancing system with an active electromagnetic system. Electromagnetic actuators positioned around the drum perimeter interact with balancing masses to actively control their positions, enabling rapid balancing responses instead of relying on slow gravitational settling of passive masses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities by using electromagnetic actuators that can actively adjust balancing mass positions in real-time based on detected unbalance conditions. This transforms the static, passive balancing approach into a dynamic, controllable system that can respond quickly to unbalance events.
2Ease of operation
If wireless power transfer is implemented for balancing units, then power can be transmitted during drum rotation, but power transfer is only possible for limited time during rotation in conventional configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the transmitter coil and receiver coils in advance with specific geometric relationships (transmitter coil axis perpendicular to drum axis, receiver coil axes parallel to drum axis) to ensure continuous magnetic coupling. This preliminary configuration ensures power can be transferred at any point during drum rotation without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power transfer system that works at any drum rotation position and speed. The electromagnetic coupling configuration allows the same transmitter-receiver coil arrangement to provide continuous power transfer throughout the entire rotation cycle, making the system universally applicable regardless of drum position.
3Reliability
If bigger and more robust parts are used to compensate for mechanical stress, then appliance reliability is partially compensated, but the design becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stress compensation through oversized structural parts with an active electromagnetic balancing system. By using electromagnetic actuators to actively counteract unbalance forces, the system reduces mechanical vibrations and stresses, allowing for more economical structural design while maintaining or improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-regulating balancing system that automatically detects and corrects unbalance conditions. The control system continuously monitors drum unbalance and activates electromagnetic actuators as needed, allowing the appliance to self-correct mechanical stress issues without requiring oversized structural components for constant protection.
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 system provides rapid and efficient unbalance compensation, reducing noise and mechanical stress, extending maximum drum rotation speed and improving customer satisfaction by minimizing cycle duration and maintaining appliance reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The balancing unit has a receiver coil winding axis perpendicular to the drum axis while the transmitter coil winding is parallel to the drum axis. The winding axis configuration between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil ensures a constant and efficient wireless power transfer during the drum rotation.
Implementation Method 2
The actuator means in the balancing unit act on a friction force element that can change the friction force between the balancing unit and the housing.
Implementation Method 3
The actuator means by changing the balancing unit friction force between the balancing unit and the housing channel can allow or block the balancing unit movements due to the action of the gravitational and/or inertial forces.
Implementation Method 4
The actuator means by changing the balancing unit friction force between the balancing unit and the housing channel can allow or block the balancing unit movements due to the action of the gravitational and/or inertial forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance having a tub, rotatable drum, at least one transmitter coil, at least one ring shaped housing on the drum perimeter and having an annular channel therein and at least one balancing unit disposed in the channel. The balancing unit has a receiver coil configured to receive wireless power from the transmitter coil and an actuator powered by the receiver coil, a sensing element to detect a position of the balancing unit in the housing, a balancing control unit configured to control the positioning of the balancing unit by driving the transmitter coil to send power to the receiver coil to operate the actuator on a friction force element to change the friction between the housing and the balancing unit.