Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dynamic absorbers in washing machines are limited in effectively absorbing transient oscillations due to low damping ratios, increased viscoelastic member damage, and reduced lifespan, particularly when subjected to shear stress and horizontal oscillations.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic absorber design with a support plate and moving masses that include elastic dampers and sliders, where the moving masses are positioned to absorb both transient and continuous oscillations by adjusting mass ratios and attenuation values to optimize oscillation absorption across different rotational speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a viscoelastic member is disposed on the bottom surface of a moving mass to absorb oscillation, then the oscillation absorption function is provided, but the continuous load from the moving mass causes damage and performance deterioration of the viscoelastic member
Solution Approach 1:
The moving mass is divided into multiple separate masses (first moving mass and second moving mass) that are distributed at different positions on the support plate. This segmentation distributes the load from the moving masses to multiple viscoelastic members, preventing any single viscoelastic member from bearing the full continuous load of a single large moving mass, thereby reducing damage and performance deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different viscoelastic members are positioned at specific locations (first and second positions) corresponding to different oscillation modes (transient and continuous oscillations). Each viscoelastic member is locally optimized to handle specific oscillation types, which distributes the mechanical stress and prevents uniform degradation across all members.
2Reliability
If the moving mass oscillates horizontally using shear stress in the viscoelastic member, then the oscillation is absorbed, but the damping ratio is low and transient oscillation is not effectively absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to dynamically respond to different oscillation frequencies by using multiple moving masses with different mass ratios. The first moving mass (larger) targets continuous oscillations at higher frequencies, while the second moving mass (smaller) targets transient oscillations at lower frequencies. This dynamic configuration allows effective absorption across the full frequency spectrum despite the inherent low damping of viscoelastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the oscillation absorption system by introducing multiple moving masses with different mass ratios (first mass ratio and second mass ratio) and positioning them at different locations. This parameter variation enables the system to effectively absorb transient oscillations with suddenly increasing displacement, overcoming the limitation of low damping ratio in single-mass systems.
3Device complexity
If a single dynamic absorber design is used, then the structure is simple, but the capability to absorb transient oscillation with suddenly increasing oscillation displacement is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic absorber is segmented into multiple independent moving masses (first and second moving masses) with different mass ratios, each targeting specific oscillation frequencies. This segmentation allows the system to handle transient oscillations with suddenly increasing displacement more effectively while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple oscillation absorption functions are merged into a single integrated system using a common support plate with multiple moving masses and viscoelastic members. This combination achieves comprehensive oscillation absorption (both transient and continuous) without requiring separate independent systems, balancing complexity and performance.
4Reliability
If the moving mass is positioned to absorb oscillation, then the oscillation absorption is provided, but the viscoelastic member is bent and the moving mass is tilted, reducing absorption effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple viscoelastic members are positioned at specific locations (first and second positions) to provide localized support to different parts of the moving masses. This local support distribution prevents bending and tilting of the moving masses during oscillation, maintaining their horizontal state and absorption effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic members act as counterbalancing elements that resist the bending and tilting forces experienced by the moving masses during oscillation. By positioning viscoelastic members at strategic locations, the system counteracts the destabilizing forces and maintains the horizontal orientation of moving masses.
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 design effectively reduces oscillation displacement across a wide range of rotational speeds, improving stability and extending the lifespan of the viscoelastic components by distributing loads and minimizing damage.
Implementation Method 1
a viscoelastic member is disposed on a top surface of the frame, and a moving mass for absorbing oscillation is disposed on a top surface of the viscoelastic member
Implementation Method 2
when the moving mass oscillates horizontally, since the viscoelastic member absorbs the oscillation by using shear stress acting in the lateral direction
Implementation Method 3
the elastic damper according to an embodiment may include a side support part and a bottom support part
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of sliders may be mounted on a bottom surface of the moving mass
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus is provided. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet (11), a drum accommodated in the cabinet (11), a tub (16) accommodating the drum, and a dynamic absorber (20) provided to absorb oscillation of the cabinet (11). The dynamic absorber (20) includes a support plate (21) coupled to the cabinet, a first moving mass (23) movably disposed on the support plate (21) to absorb oscillation transmitted to the cabinet (11), and a second moving mass (24) movably disposed on the support plate (21) to absorb oscillation transmitted to the cabinet (11). To absorb the oscillation, a time point at which the second moving mass (24) starts relative motion with respect to the support plate (21) is different from that at which the first moving mass (23) starts relative motion with respect to the support plate (21).