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US20110048081A1 - Balance ring system on two planes for a spin rotary machine - Google Patents

Balance ring system on two planes for a spin rotary machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110048081A1
US20110048081A1 US12/712,331 US71233110A US2011048081A1 US 20110048081 A1 US20110048081 A1 US 20110048081A1 US 71233110 A US71233110 A US 71233110A US 2011048081 A1 US2011048081 A1 US 2011048081A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
basket
base
blades
balance ring
washing machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US12/712,331
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English (en)
Inventor
Leonardo Urbiola Soto
Alfonso Thompson Salinas
Martin Ortega Berta
Claudio Cesar Zenteno Sanchez
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Mabe SA de CV
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Individual
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Publication date
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Assigned to MABE, S.A. DE C.V. reassignment MABE, S.A. DE C.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ORTEGA BRENA, MARTIN, THOMPSON SALINAS, ALFONSO, URBIOLA SOTO, LEONARDO, ZENTENO SANCHEZ, CLAUDIO CESAR
Publication of US20110048081A1 publication Critical patent/US20110048081A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
    • D06F37/24—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis
    • D06F37/245—Damping vibrations by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/12—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F23/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry 
    • D06F23/04—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry  and rotating or oscillating about a vertical axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to washing machines, and more specifically, to washing machines that balance the load in a rotating centrifuge basket, where the balance system comprises balance rings in two planes.
  • balance rings which are hollow rings that are placed at the top of the washing basket; can be used as counterweight for the load of clothes because the interior part of the ring or toroid contains some liquid, solid balls or elements that contribute with mass.
  • These elements can be made of steel slag or ceramics, and they adopt a position contrary to the centrifuge forces created by the position adopted by the objects to be washed, and so balancing the washtub.
  • the document Hayashi's U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,026 et al describes a balance ring placed at the top of a washing basket, which contains liquid solution in its interior, as well as a series of partitions that keep the liquid in chambers once the process of dehydration of objects to be washed by centrifugal action has initialized.
  • the fact of having rotating blades in the partitions, where the liquid is kept separately while the washing basket is spinning in centrifugal mode, has the disadvantage of an undesired vibration during the system's transitional stage. Plus it does not allow the use of high velocity centrifuge, which is important when it comes to dehydrating more and consuming less time.
  • one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a system of balance rings in two planes, that do not require the use of an expensive fluid, that are easy to construct, that allow the reduction of the vibration generated in the transitional stage, a system that operates at high speeds, being it possible to adapt it to different types of wash baskets in washing machines with a vertical axis preferably, without having to exclude those with a horizontal axis, with a reduced number of parts, easy to assemble and manufacture, at low maintenance costs and reliable, among other characteristics.
  • the present invention relates to the field of washing machines, preferably automatic washing machines with a vertical or horizontal axis and machines that have in common that they have a basket with drilled holes, that spins around a rotation axis, propelled usually by an electric motor that can be coupled directly or using some mechanism for energy transmission, the most common being bands and pulleys, gear boxes, etc.
  • the mentioned washing machines whether with horizontal or vertical axis undergo imbalance, caused to a large extent by the arrangement of the deposited objects within the washing basket or drum, objects which at their dehydrating stage have to spin at high velocities in order to force the water or washing liquor contained in the objects that are in the basket, to go towards the walls of the basket that have drilled holes, by action of the centrifugal force to which the mentioned objects are submitted, and so the washing liquor is then collected in the exterior tub so that it can be extracted with a pump towards the drainage.
  • the baskets are crowned with balance rings at only one of the extremes, which functioned correctly in the past, when the energy consumption requirements were not so strict, and when it was not necessary for the objects in the washing basket to spin at high velocities when at the stage of dehydration.
  • the washing machines are manufactured at present with materials that are lighter, together with the technological advances in engineering, which leads to no longer requiring security factors as broad in order to make the pieces sturdy, hence heavy. And so, being the washing machines lighter, the vibration caused by imbalance becomes a major issue to deal with when considering the performance of the machine. To wit that, if the imbalance force is such, the washing machine will tend to “walk” or “dance”, which are undesirable conditions for the machine's adequate performance.
  • the present invention suggests crowning both extremes of the basket with balance rings, placing at the opened extreme of the basket a balance ring with blades or chambers that works mainly with a fluid that can be calcium chloride or sodium chloride among others, same case as described in the application MX/a/2007/016516 for a hydrodynamic balance ring for a centrifugal rotation machine, from Ortega Bre ⁇ a et al.
  • a balance ring with spheres made preferably of steel, of which weight, size and amount have been carefully selected, helping to simplify their manufacture, reducing the number of parts required and hence making it less costly and more reliable.
  • the spheres run submerged in a fluid that has a specific viscosity; the fluid's specific function is to slither the spheres in transitional state so that they don't slip within the track and they reach the position contrary to the imbalanced load in a quicker manner.
  • This also helps to mitigate the noise generated by the spheres by not allowing them to get to a standstill or “stop dead”; besides which the mentioned fluid absorbs the energy generated by the pile-up collision, plus the same fluid also has a weight that contributes to balance the magnitude of the vector resulting from forces.
  • Balancing correctly and opportunely the objects distributed in a non uniform manner in the basket, which causes a considerable magnitude vector of imbalance, is desirable. To wit that, otherwise, some kind of mass or burden would have to be placed in the washing machine or the existing ones would have to be heavier, in order to avoid the “walking” or “dancing” phenomenon of the washing machine.
  • the balance ring containing balls placed at the exterior part of the disk or bottom of the basket has been thought to be completely adaptable to it, to wit that the track through which the spheres will be running is part belonging to the basket itself.
  • the design has been such that the placing of the track at the exterior face of the bottom or disk of the washing baskets has a very good rigidity, giving flexibility in the assembly line, this is, the same basket, bottom or disk of basket can be used in washing machine designs for which due to factors concerning the company's decisions, costs or other marketing issues, they choose not to place a balance ring with spheres at the bottom or disk of the washing basket.
  • FIG. 1 is a front cross-section of a washing machine.
  • FIG. 2 is a representative sketch of the imbalance phenomenon of the basket.
  • FIG. 3 is a second representative sketch of the imbalance phenomenon of the basket.
  • FIG. 4 is a third representative sketch of the imbalance phenomenon of the basket.
  • FIG. 5 is a front cross-section of a sub-washing machine in a representative sketch of imbalance forces of the basket.
  • FIG. 6 is an upper view of a balance ring containing liquid.
  • FIG. 7 is an upper view of a balance ring containing spheres.
  • FIG. 8 is a conventional exploded perspective view of a balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a balance ring in the prior art.
  • FIG. 10 is a phantom conventional perspective of the internal geometry of a positive curved blade.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-section of a balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the parts of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-section phantom view of the balance ring in this invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a cross-section phantom view of the balance ring in this invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-section conventional perspective in phantom view of the parts of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-section conventional perspective in phantom view of part of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 17 is a cross-section of the front phantom view of part of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 is a cross-section of the upper view of part of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is a cross-section of the upper view of part of the balance ring in the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is a Bode plot comparing the basket's angular velocity in RPM versus the peak-to-peak vibration in the washing machine's cabinet.
  • FIG. 21 is a second Bode plot comparing the basket's angular velocity in RPM versus the peak-to-peak vibration in the washing machine's cabinet.
  • FIG. 22 is a front view of the basket in the present invention with the balance rings placed in the different planes.
  • FIG. 23 is an exploded conventional perspective view of the bottom of the basket.
  • FIG. 24 is an upper view of the spheres.
  • FIG. 25 is a conventional perspective of an upper view of the bottom of the basket.
  • FIG. 26 is a bottom conventional perspective view of the bottom of the basket.
  • FIG. 27 is a conventional perspective view of the lid of the inferior balance ring.
  • FIG. 28 is an upper view of the lid of the inferior balance ring.
  • FIG. 29 is a conventional perspective view of the bottom of the basket.
  • FIG. 30 is a comparative diagram between the balance forces, taking the number of existing balls into account.
  • FIG. 31 is a diagram of the imbalance forces in view of the number of balls.
  • FIG. 32 is a third Bode plot comparing the angular velocity of the basket in RPM versus the peak-to-peak vibration in the washing machine's basket.
  • the imbalance in a rotor can occur due to various causes, one of them can be due to the rotor's manufacturing method, having set more material in a specific point of the rotor, or on the contrary, due to a lack of uniformity in the density of the material. Sometimes, it may occur that other phenomena can cause the undesired vibrating effects in the washing machines, such as a deficient alignment of its shafts, defective bearings, inadequate lubrication of the bearings or supporting points that cause friction, mechanical looseness, and a deficient alignment of the bands with the pulleys, etc.
  • the most interesting cause for purposes of the present invention is the imbalance due to the internal loads in the rotor. As can be deducted from FIG.
  • a washing basket 12 of a sub-washing machine 17 is set up within a tub 13 .
  • This basket 12 is moved or driven by a shaft 14 which is rigidly coupled with the bottom part of the basket 12 , usually by means of a central part or link called hub 16 .
  • the shaft 14 can be coupled directly with a motor or induced pulley; in the case shown in FIG. 1 aforementioned, the shaft 14 is coupled with a planetary reduction gearbox 53 , which at the same time obtains energy coming from an induced pulley 50 that obtains energy through a tread (not shown) that is energized by an electric motor 54 .
  • the basket 12 is composed in its lower part of a bottom of basket 58 which has a similar geometry to that of a disk, and which contains the hub 16 , in order to spin in unison with it; the basket 12 also has a cylindrical wall that is crowned with the upper balance ring 10 .
  • the tub 13 in its lower part, has some supports that support the shock absorbers 18 , from which rods 19 emanate.
  • the bottom of the basket 58 in its exterior face has a channel or track 57 , which contains some spheres 59 , as well as a drag fluid 60 .
  • a lid 64 that somewhere in its surface has a small hole 70 where the drag fluid 60 is introduced, and such hole 70 is sealed with a stopper 65 .
  • This lid 64 is specially designed to provide structural reinforcement to the bottom of the basket 58 , because it is evident that when integrating the track 57 into the bottom of the basket 58 , the result is a structural weakening of the component due to the interruption of the radial reinforcements 72 , so consequently the design of the lid 64 requires special attention in order to avoid a reduced capacity of the bottom of the basket 58 to support the load of clothes and the efforts induced by the rotation.
  • the lid 64 is designed with such a geometry that its construction comprises a series of radial ribs 71 that give continuity to the radial reinforcements 72 of the bottom of the basket 58 , hence achieving that with the assembly of lid 64 with the bottom of basket 58 a mechanical resistance equal or superior to the one present at the bottom of the basket 58 without the track 57 and with the continuous radial reinforcements 72 is obtained.
  • FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 help us understand the imbalance phenomenon in rotors, considering the basket 12 as a hollow rotor, in which in its interior all kinds of objects are deposited that adopt a random position in the interior of the mentioned hollow rotor.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a rotor or basket 12 which is supported on both extremes by the shaft 14 .
  • the rotor or basket 12 is not spinning, this is useful to exemplify what happens when the rotor or basket 12 undergoes a static imbalance, when putting identical imbalance loads 15 , in the same angular position but in a different plane.
  • FIG. 3 is useful to describe another phenomenon of imbalance, in this case, the loads 15 are placed at the extremes of the rotor or basket 12 but at 180° one from the other and in a different plane, making the center of gravity CG stay in its place, but modifying the principal axis of inertia 62 taking a certain angle with respect to the axis of symmetry 61 of the shaft 14 arrangement in the rotor or basket 12 .
  • This angle will depend on the weight of the imbalance load 15 , supposing that they are the same as well as their position within the rotor or basket 12 .
  • This phenomenon is commonly known as couple imbalance.
  • FIG. 4 shows another kind of imbalance, which is a combination of the cases presented in FIGS. 2 and 3 , where the loads 15 are not placed symmetrically, and in fact, in this case they are not even equal; the loads 15 are placed randomly in any place within the cylindrical surface of the rotor or basket 12 . This causes the center of gravity CG to move towards a position out of the axis of symmetry 61 , where such position will depend on the position of the imbalance loads 15 , as well as on their weight.
  • the rotor or basket 12 will tend to spin on the principal axis of inertia 62 , and not on the axis of symmetry 61 , axis on to which the bearings have been coupled, bearings that restrict four of the six degrees of liberty that the rotor or basket 12 could have, then producing an undesired vibration that could be so extensive that it would provoke the breakdown of a part, link or component.
  • FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a sub-washing machine 17 which has a basket 12 where its bottom 58 is coupled with a shaft 14 .
  • the basket 12 is disposed in the interior of a tub 13 , which hangs from the supports 52 to the cabinet by means of rods 19 with shock absorbers 18 .
  • the basket 12 is crowned by an upper balance ring 10 , and a lower balance ring 63 has also been placed; with this we are trying to obtain a balance in two planes.
  • the rotors with a length a bit greater than their diameter are considered large rotors; it is commonly known that these large rotors should preferably be balanced at least in two planes. And so, returning to FIG.
  • the basket 12 is crowned with a balance ring containing liquid in is interior; we can find an example of these rings in document MX/a/2007/016516; these balance rings are of very low cost.
  • the lower balance ring 63 here proposed is a ring based on spheres, made of dense material such as steel, heat stable (thermo-fixed) plastic, thermoplastic rubbers with ceramic components, etc.
  • This combination is advantageous because of low costs and because it is easy to manufacture, and it gives balance to the basket 12 in two planes, crowning it in its free part, precisely where there is greater space, with a balance ring with liquid, and integrally, at the exterior face of the bottom of the basket 58 a channel of circular trajectory is procured, where the spheres 59 will be running immerse in a drag fluid 60 , this channel is covered with a lid 64 .
  • balance rings work together, that is that the imbalance force IF caused by the imbalance mass or load 15 provokes a moment MCG in the center of gravity CG; this moment MCG, as well as the mentioned imbalance load 15 is counteracted by the resulting force FLD from the upper balance ring 10 , which also causes a moment in the center of gravity CG.
  • the lower balance ring 63 also exerts a resulting force FB that also acts on the center of gravity CG.
  • the addition of moments in the center of gravity CG are zero, herewith the equation of moments (1) that is obtained at the point CG and resulting forces (2) is the following:
  • MGC ( FLD*d 1)+( FD*d 2) ⁇ ( FB *( D 2 +D 3)) (1)
  • MGC Moment in the center of gravity
  • Fnet Net force resulting in the rotor or basket 12
  • FLD Force resulting from the upper balance ring 10
  • d 1 Distance from the center of gravity CG to the midpoint of the upper balance ring 10
  • FD Imbalance force caused by the imbalance mass or load 15
  • d 2 Distance from the center of gravity CG to the midpoint of the imbalance mass or load 15
  • FB Force resulting from the lower balance ring 63
  • d 3 Distance between the midpoint of the imbalance mass or load 15 to the midpoint of the lower balance ring 63 .
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a typical balance ring with liquid, which comprises a series of blades 66 in its interior, in order to keep the liquid in small chambers and so to burst its flow within the toroidal chamber of the upper balance ring 10 , causing a great volume of working fluid in the upper balance ring 10 to agglutinate at 180° opposite from the imbalance load 15 .
  • a working fluid mass 67 is always in contact with the rest of the internal face of the external wall in the toroidal chamber of the upper balance ring 10 .
  • This mass of working fluid 67 which is straggled, generates a resulting force in the same direction of the imbalance force IF, increasing the imbalance force, decreasing the efficiency of the upper balance ring 10 , because it has a component that pushes power in favor of the imbalance load or mass 15 .
  • the washing basket 12 can be perceived as a large rotor, which is seized only by one of its extremes to the shaft 14 , being this condition a favorable one in order to place at the lower part or bottom of the basket 58 a second balance ring 63 , as shown in FIG.
  • the space between the tub 13 and the basket 12 is minimal, because if it is too wide more water than necessary will have to be used when washing or rinsing, and consequently there will be an inefficient use of this vital liquid; another aspect is that if the distance or gap between the tub 13 and the basket 12 is wider, the washing machine will have to be taller, and on this assumption, a user (person) of short height would have many problems when taking the articles in the machine out, because they end up placed in the interior face at the bottom of the basket 58 . These and other reasons are why the space between the tub 13 and the basket 12 is considered, and why the designer has to consider it so that the distance does not increase, but rather decrease.
  • the solution proposed by the present invention is placing a lower balance ring 63 through which a series of spheres 59 will run, made of a material with high density and very resistant to impact.
  • These spheres 59 are immersed preferably in a liquid fluid known as drag fluid 60 , this way, when the basket 12 spins in a “ ⁇ ” direction, both the drag fluid 60 and the spheres 59 adopt an opposite position from the imbalance load or mass 15 , reducing at a minimum the “e” distance and consequently the principal axis of inertia 62 will be closer to the axis of symmetry 61 , therefore the origin points “O” and “O′” will be very close.
  • FIG. 8 shows an exploded isometric drawing of the balance ring 10 where its basic elements are shown, a base 37 that contains blades 21 , 22 or 23 in whichever of its configurations or combinations.
  • This base is preferably molded by injection of some thermo-fixed polymer and its transversal section is similar to a “U” shape, with its walls configured as follows: an internal wall with a smaller diameter 30 , an internal wall with a greater diameter 31 and an inferior wall 33 .
  • Concerning the internal upper wall 32 it is formed by the cover 26 , which is similar to a ring with uniform thickness and should preferably be made by plastic injection molding.
  • the cover 26 is jointed with the base preferably by process of ultrasound, “spin weld”, heat sealed or similar, or using some kind of sealer or agglutinant substance, to wit that the sealing has to be done very carefully, because the internal cavity of the balance ring 10 will be filled with some kind of working liquid, preferably calcium chloride or sodium chloride, which should not leak from its confinement.
  • the stopper 25 is inserted into the hole provided for the filling of the working fluid in the balance ring 10 , once full, the hole is sealed with the stopper 25 .
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a transversal section of a typical balance ring 10 already existing in the prior art, where we can appreciate the form of a blade 66 in the interior of the chamber in the balance ring 10 , in which we can see the different radius to be considered when calculating the volume of working liquid, which will vary depending on the loads to balance 15 , the geometry of the basket 12 , the capacity of the basket 12 , the kind of suspension 11 , among others, all these being the designer's responsibility and skill at all times.
  • the internal radius “r i ” has to be considered, in the majority of cases it coincides with the radius of the internal wall with a smaller diameter 30 , due to the design requirements, it is somewhat difficult to obtain a chamber with transversal section completely rectangular in the balance ring 10 ; therefore, it is necessary to calculate the imaginary internal radius, called “r iequivalent ” or r ie ; the external radius “r o ” implies no major complications. To wit that because the balance ring 10 is held on by its external wall to the internal upper wall of the basket 12 , the internal wall with a bigger diameter 31 makes it impossible to give a complex geometry to this external wall of the balance ring 10 , what results in few design options.
  • FIG. 10 on its part shows an isometric ghost view of the internal geometry of a positive curved blade 22 .
  • This denomination is taken from the direction of spinning ⁇ of the basket 12 .
  • the positive blades 22 origin from the internal wall with smaller diameter 30 extending and following the curve L ⁇ towards the internal wall with bigger diameter 31 , leaving a vertical space 39 between the positive curved blade 22 and the internal wall with bigger diameter 31 .
  • all the blades 21 , 22 or 23 have the same height as the base 57 of the balance ring 10 , what makes their manufacture easier.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 show a cross section drawing of the balance ring 10 , where it is possible to appreciate how the top (upper) blade 27 is conformed, these blades obstruct the flow of liquid between the lower internal wall 33 towards the upper internal wall 32 , originating from the internal wall with less diameter 31 , following the curve L ⁇ , which in its parametric form is given by:
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of the balance ring 10 in ghost view, and it is possible to appreciate the conformation of a blade 28 , where it is obvious that the blade 28 has the same height as the base 37 of the balance ring 10 .
  • This figure illustrates a blade that originates from the internal wall with a smaller diameter 31 following the form L ⁇ towards the internal wall with a bigger diameter 30 , without touching it, and where there is a space or side 34 between the vertical face of the blade 28 and the internal wall with smaller diameter 31 .
  • FIGS. 14 , 15 , 16 and 17 make it possible to understand the assembly of a base 37 with a cover 26 .
  • a localizer 40 was conceived, and which, in a descriptive but not limitative way for purposes of describing the best way to carry out the invention, comprises a pair of walls in high relief 40 in the internal lower wall 32 , which can be appreciated in FIGS. 14 and 15 .
  • FIGS. 18 and 19 are useful because they identify and show the different kinds of blades 21 , 22 , 23 , to wit that the base 26 can lodge different types of blades. And so the prior art describes arrangements of straight radial blades, that as discussed in the chapter concerning background, as well as in the theoretical statement, these arrangements are not optimal. So there is FIG. 18 that presents the preferred modality of the invention, which comprises an arrangement of positive curved blades 22 with negative curved blades 23 , with their respective clearings 34 and 39 . FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative modality of the invention that provides an arrangement of positive curved blades 22 with straight blades 21 . This is comprehensive because of the spinning direction of the basket 12 , and it is obvious for a technician in the matter that if the basket 12 spins in opposite direction the use of negative curved blades 23 instead of the positive curved blades 22 , could produce better results.
  • the curve “A2” has an arrangement of twelve positive curved blades 22 with twelve straight blades 21 alternated, noticeably diminishing the vibration compared to the base curve “A0”, and proving then that the molecules “P”, thanks to the curvature of the blades 22 , reach faster from their stable state towards the internal wall with larger diameter 31 , and so it is inferable that the transitional state is shorter (considering a constant acceleration), also producing vibrations of lesser magnitude (of 1 mm approximately) and functioning much better between 600 rpm and 850 rpm.
  • the curve “A3” is also noticeable in the graphic of FIG. 20 , describing a behavior similar to that of “A2” and corresponding to a second preferred configuration of the balance ring with twelve positive curved blades 22 and thirteen straight radial blades 21 .
  • FIG. 21 shows another Bode plot, for the left lateral face of the washing machine, for this measurement the walking threshold presents itself at about 1.4 mm of peak-to-peak vibration, as can be observed in the diagram; the three curves “A0”, “A2” and “A3” behave similarly from zero to seven hundred rpm. Above this last angular velocity, the vibration caused by “A0” starts getting higher than “A2” and “A3”, rocketing higher than eight hundred rpm, having a peak higher than 3.5 mm close to the nine hundred rpm, which is about 2 mm higher than “A2” or “A3”.
  • FIG. 22 on its part, illustrates the arrangement of two balance rings 10 and 63 disposed in two different planes corresponding to the extremes of the basket 12 .
  • the upper balance ring 10 is crowned onto the basket 12 in its upper part, set up on the cylindrical wall.
  • the bottom of the basket 58 which is manufactured preferably with some kind of injectable polymer.
  • This one mechanically couples the hub 16 into its center part and is a part of the reinforcement mechanism, manufactured preferably with some metal or light metallic alloy, in order to make it more resistant to the stress transmitted from torque via the shaft 14 to the basket 12 ; the hub in its part transmits the energy towards the bottom of the basket 58 , in order to have them all rotate in unison as a whole.
  • the track or channel 57 is located on the exterior face of this bottom of basket 58 ; in this channel 57 the spheres 59 as well as the drag fluid 60 will be lodged. These together are covered with the lid 64 of the lower balance ring 63 .
  • FIG. 23 shows an exploded drawing of the bottom of basket 58 with channels. It has a series of radial reinforcements 72 and circumferential or annular reinforcements 73 , that is, that this piece withstands the weight of the wash liquor and the weight of the objects to be washed already introduced into the basket 12 . It is also able to support the vibration, as well as the dynamic loads exerted on it during the washing and centrifuge stages, hence being it another function to lodge the track or channel 57 where the spheres 59 will be spinning. And so, this piece not only has contention functions, but also contributes to the balance of the lower plane of the basket 12 . All the previous information can be observed in FIG. 25 as well.
  • FIG. 26 shows the bottom of basket 58 from an upper view, which has the channel or track 57 at its lower part.
  • FIG. 24 shows a series of spheres 59 , that are manufactured with a high density material, with good resistance to impact, with a high fluidity point, anticorrosive and hardness, among other properties.
  • the material usually recommended is steel, and it can be low carbon steel with heat treatment by cementing or stainless steel, the choice inextricably depends on the drag fluid 60 that will be used, although other materials could be used, like a plastic or thermo-fixed polymer with a kind of specific combination of a ceramic material.
  • the number of spheres 59 to be used respond to: in the first place, the weight or force of the load to be balanced; in the second place, it is preferable not to use more spheres than necessary because it would increase the manufacturing costs; and in the third place, the particular diameter of the spheres 59 , which is related to the radius of the track or channel 57 . And so, experimenting with these variables we can obtain, first of all, the graphic of FIG. 30 , in which we can observe in the vertical axis, the force in Newtons that is exerted by a specific number of spheres 59 all with the same specific diameter, in a track 57 .
  • the number of spheres 59 fluctuates between fifteen and twenty five spheres 59 .
  • This range in the number of spheres 59 guarantees that the basket 12 will not scrape the tub 13 , reason for which the quasi-elliptic trajectory or “pitching” of the basket does not have such magnitude as to cause these pieces to have contact between them, what according to experience is an acceptable parameter of imbalance in a washing machine. So, the only decision left to the designer is that when considering the number of spheres 59 to be used, the cost of the spheres 59 versus the capacity of balancing should also be considered.
  • FIGS. 27 and 28 show the lid 64 of the lower balance ring 63 , this lid can be adhered to or coupled with the bottom of the basket 58 using mechanical methods like “spin weld” or ultrasound, heat sealed, or using some kind of glue or agglutinant substance, what should guarantee at all times that the chamber formed by the track or channel 57 and the lid 64 will be hermetically sealed.
  • the drag fluid 60 to be introduced has a viscosity at 40° C. of between 200 and 300 cSt, with a inflammability temperature higher than 300° C.
  • the acidity in the drag fluid 60 should also be taken care of, namely, that the acidity could age or damage the spheres 59 , or it could ruin the manufacturing material of the bottom 58 .
  • the designer should have in mind that the selection of the drag fluid 60 is a factor that needs to be considered in the compliance of the applicable environment legislation (standards).
  • the design of the bottom of basket 58 is such that it provides flexibility for its manufacture. Namely, that the bottom of basket 58 is convertible: with or without track 57 , what gives it adaptability according to the washing machine model, which, for reasons of business decisions, costs and marketing, among others, the choice could be not to provide it with a balance ring containing spheres 59 at the bottom of basket, as is shown in FIG. 29 , in which case, the lid 64 is not placed and in the injection mold the insertion is changed so that the radial reinforcements 72 are formed in a continuous manner within the space of the track 57 , hence at the bottom of basket 58 there is very good rigidity thanks to an adequate design of the radial and annular reinforcements 72 and 73 .
  • the radial ribs 71 in the lid 64 give enough rigidity and mechanical resistance to support the static washing load, as well as the efforts resulting from rotation and the vibration.
  • the graphic in FIG. 32 illustrates the important reduction of vibration or imbalance when implementing a lower balance ring 63 into a basket 12 , using a balance ring 10 with liquid and blades with involute curve, avoiding the peak generated in the vicinity of seven hundred rpm, showing the angular velocity spectrum of the basket 12 , at all times, a more uniform behavior.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
US12/712,331 2009-02-27 2010-02-25 Balance ring system on two planes for a spin rotary machine Abandoned US20110048081A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MX2009002329A MX2009002329A (es) 2009-02-27 2009-02-27 Sistema de aros de balance en dos planos para maquina rotativa centrifuga.
MXMX/A/2009/002329 2009-02-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110048081A1 true US20110048081A1 (en) 2011-03-03

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Family Applications (1)

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US12/712,331 Abandoned US20110048081A1 (en) 2009-02-27 2010-02-25 Balance ring system on two planes for a spin rotary machine

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US (1) US20110048081A1 (es)
BR (1) BRPI1002211A2 (es)
CA (1) CA2693639A1 (es)
MX (1) MX2009002329A (es)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9518352B2 (en) * 2015-01-07 2016-12-13 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Unitary balance ring for a washing machine appliance
CN106480652A (zh) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-08 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 波轮洗衣机及其平衡环
CN106480656A (zh) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-08 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机
CN106676813A (zh) * 2015-11-09 2017-05-17 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机及其控制方法
CN106884280A (zh) * 2015-12-15 2017-06-23 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机
CN106939491A (zh) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-11 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 波轮洗衣机及其内筒
WO2017186035A1 (zh) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-02 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 波轮及洗衣机
CN107313203A (zh) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-03 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 洗衣机波轮以及包括有该波轮的洗衣机
US20180274158A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance with a tub counterweight
US10358759B2 (en) * 2014-08-20 2019-07-23 Haier Group Corporation Composite balance ring and washing machine
RU2701039C1 (ru) * 2019-01-22 2019-09-24 Владимир Константинович Гаврилов Ротор центрифуги для отжима белья
US10597808B2 (en) 2017-09-22 2020-03-24 Whirlpool Corporation Basket for a laundry treating appliance

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US3610069A (en) * 1969-11-14 1971-10-05 Arundale Mfg Inc Molded one-piece balancing ring
US4044626A (en) * 1975-04-18 1977-08-30 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Balancing ring of centrifugal extractor
US4433592A (en) * 1981-08-26 1984-02-28 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Balancer for use in centrifugal rotary machine
US5345792A (en) * 1992-12-28 1994-09-13 Whirlpool Corporation Balancer for an automatic washer
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Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10358759B2 (en) * 2014-08-20 2019-07-23 Haier Group Corporation Composite balance ring and washing machine
US9518352B2 (en) * 2015-01-07 2016-12-13 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Unitary balance ring for a washing machine appliance
CN106480652A (zh) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-08 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 波轮洗衣机及其平衡环
CN106480656A (zh) * 2015-09-01 2017-03-08 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机
CN106676813A (zh) * 2015-11-09 2017-05-17 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机及其控制方法
CN106884280A (zh) * 2015-12-15 2017-06-23 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 洗衣机
CN106939491A (zh) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-11 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 波轮洗衣机及其内筒
WO2017186035A1 (zh) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-02 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 波轮及洗衣机
CN107313204A (zh) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-03 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种波轮及洗衣机
CN107313203A (zh) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-03 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 洗衣机波轮以及包括有该波轮的洗衣机
US20180274158A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Washing machine appliance with a tub counterweight
US10597808B2 (en) 2017-09-22 2020-03-24 Whirlpool Corporation Basket for a laundry treating appliance
US11326295B2 (en) 2017-09-22 2022-05-10 Whirlpool Corporation Basket for a laundry treating appliance
RU2701039C1 (ru) * 2019-01-22 2019-09-24 Владимир Константинович Гаврилов Ротор центрифуги для отжима белья

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BRPI1002211A2 (pt) 2011-07-05
MX2009002329A (es) 2010-03-23
CA2693639A1 (en) 2010-08-27

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