Washing Machine Balancer With Movable Masses for Spin Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience unbalanced drum rotation during high-speed spin-drying cycles due to unevenly distributed laundry, leading to vibration and potential damage to components.
Innovation Solution
A balancer system with a housing and movable masses, controlled by a motor and magnets, performs a ball distributing cycle to counterbalance the drum load by seating masses in a groove during the spin-drying cycle, ensuring balanced rotation and reducing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum rotates at high speed during spin-drying cycle, then water separation efficiency is improved, but drum vibration and noise increase due to unbalanced load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by using movable masses within the balancer assembly that automatically shift position to counterbalance the unbalanced laundry load in the drum. The masses move along inclined surfaces under gravitational force to generate counterbalancing force that offsets the centrifugal force from unbalanced laundry distribution, thereby reducing drum vibration and noise during high-speed rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics principle by designing a balancer system where masses can dynamically adjust their position during drum rotation. The movable masses respond to changing load conditions by shifting along inclined surfaces, allowing the counterbalancing mechanism to adapt continuously to varying laundry distribution patterns throughout the spin-drying cycle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a balancer system is added to counterbalance unbalanced load, then drum stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service principle by designing a balancer system that operates automatically without external control. The movable masses self-adjust their position based on gravitational force and the distribution of laundry load, eliminating the need for sensors, motors, or control systems. The system serves itself by using the physical principles of gravity and centrifugal force to maintain drum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with simple passive mechanical elements. Instead of using active control mechanisms with motors and sensors, the invention uses passive movable masses that respond purely to gravitational and centrifugal forces, significantly simplifying the mechanical system while maintaining effective drum stabilization.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the balancer masses are allowed to move freely, then counterbalancing effectiveness is improved, but risk of mass ejection and component damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry principle by designing asymmetric retention structures including inclined surfaces and asymmetric grooves that guide mass movement while preventing ejection. The asymmetric geometry ensures masses move along controlled paths during normal operation but are retained by the asymmetric structural features when subjected to high centrifugal forces, balancing freedom of movement with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing retention structures such as asymmetric grooves and inclined surfaces that are designed in advance to prevent mass ejection. These structural features are built into the balancer assembly beforehand to ensure masses remain contained even under extreme centrifugal forces during high-speed rotation.
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 the drum rotation, reducing vibration and noise, and preventing potential damage by evenly distributing masses to counteract unbalanced loads during spin-drying.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet mounted to the balancer housing to restrict the mass
Implementation Method 2
the magnet is positioned at a position where a magnetic force applied by the magnet counteracts a centrifugal force applied to the mass when the drum rotates at a specific rotational speed or more
Implementation Method 3
when the rotational speed of the drum exceeds a specific rotational speed, the mass escapes from the inclined surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a washing machine with a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of a drum and a control method thereof. The washing machine having a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of the drum seats a mass in a groove in the balancer before rotation of the drum possibly producing unbalance as in the spin-drying cycle begins, thereby efficiently maintaining balance of the drum. Accordingly, vibration in the drum may be reduced and product liability incident due to touch of the frame may be prevented.