WO2015035485A1 - Improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines - Google Patents

Improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015035485A1
WO2015035485A1 PCT/BR2014/000318 BR2014000318W WO2015035485A1 WO 2015035485 A1 WO2015035485 A1 WO 2015035485A1 BR 2014000318 W BR2014000318 W BR 2014000318W WO 2015035485 A1 WO2015035485 A1 WO 2015035485A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
damping
stage
piston
washing machines
suspensions
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR2014/000318
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Oscar Luiz MADALENA
Original Assignee
Electrolux Do Brasil S.A.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. filed Critical Electrolux Do Brasil S.A.
Publication of WO2015035485A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015035485A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
    • F16F7/08—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers with friction surfaces rectilinearly movable along each other
    • F16F7/09—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers with friction surfaces rectilinearly movable along each other in dampers of the cylinder-and-piston type

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines, more particularly of the type with vertical axis or top loading, known as "top load".
  • the cited damper is a two stage damper since it has two distinct and independent damping phases, a first damping stage for loads having low unbalance and therefore requiring a lower amplitude of the suspension system, and a second damping stage for actuation upon loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
  • laundry washing machines comprise several parts which, together, can wash and centrifuge clothes.
  • the present description includes the suspension, which comprises a set of at least four suspensions, duly distributed and fixed between the tank and the careen of the machine designed to dampen the rocking and vibrating movement effected by the basket which, associated with the shaker, agitates the clothes with water to wash them and centrifuges to remove the excess of water.
  • the suspension is a piece used to dampen vibration of the washing basket of various types of machines, either of top load or agitation or of front load or tumble machines, more precisely, avoiding unwanted shake the whole machine and possible failures in other components and parts.
  • each suspension comprises a metallic rod which, at one end, has fastening means on the tank or housing, while at the other end a roller is provided, such as a plastic cup, coil springs, retainers, washers and, depending on the brand and type, other components can be included, such as electrical devices, sensors etc.
  • a conventional damper design is that including a piston located at the end of the rod; said piston being housed inside the cylinder and having at least two retaining rings made of a special rubber or foam, which, by being attached directly to the piston, wear similarly either on low or high vibrational amplitude.
  • the major problem associated with suspensions is to develop a damper or suspension acting on the high and low amplitude ranges of vibration.
  • the same damper must be sized to operate at low amplitude, i.e., during washing or centrifugation of loads producing low unbalance and should also operate at high amplitude, where the load of laundry promotes excessive vibration of the washing basket during washing or centrifugation due to the accumulation / clustering of some pieces of clothing inside the basket, leading to an increased vibration of the basket during movement of the basket and shaker, and therefore, if the vibration is not suitably damped, the same is transmitted to the careen, causing noise and even displacement of the machine on the floor.
  • the moveable damping member is installed around an outer peripheral surface of the piston in an axially movable manner so as to come into frictional contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder according to a relative axial movement of the piston and the cylinder. That is, it uses a ring and a member of friction with the piston in the form of a cylinder and piston, however its geometry and positioning limits the actuation thereof, distinguishing it from the present invention.
  • the present patent is directed to the provision of a two stage damper, that is, having two distinct and independent damping phases to be used in suspension systems of vertical axis, top load washing machines.
  • the innovation of the present invention is the addition of a ring set including a foam ring, comprising a separate and independent piece of the piston, which ring assembly only operates at high vibration amplitudes, thereby wearing less than conventional solutions, while achieving very satisfactory results as to the damping at high vibrational amplitude.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a laundry machine where the cabinet is shown in dashed lines so as to illustrate the innovated suspension assembly disposed between the cabinet and the tank;
  • Figure 2 shows an enlarged and longitudinal detailed view of the suspension
  • Figure 3 depicts the piston in an exploded perspective with respect to the rod of the suspension
  • Figure 4 shows a cutout view of the suspension, thereby disclosing the first damping stage (EAl), which is designed to actuate on loads having low unbalance and, therefore, it requires a lower amplitude of the suspension system; and
  • Figure 5 also shows a cutout view of the suspension, illustrating the second damping stage (EA2), which is designed to actuate on loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
  • EA2 the second damping stage
  • the present invention is directed to "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", more particularly, the suspension (1) is of the type applied to vertical axis or top load laundry machines (M)".
  • Said suspension (1) comprises a rod (2) which superior end (2a) is connected to the cabinet (G) of the washing machine (M), and the inferior end (2b) is connected to the socket (Ml) of the tank (T); the end (2b) is covered by the damping set, (CI) which includes a cylinder (3) and a piston (4), which is housed inside the cylinder through a piston cap (5), and it is also maintained tensioned in the rod (2) by a spring (6).
  • CI damping set
  • the piston (4) comprises a commonly cylindrical part containing a central tubular area (4a) with axial hole (4b), and a concentric tubular area, (4c) which external wall contains a "C” housing (4d) for a foam, rubber or other material friction ring (7), and a tubular recess area (4e) limited between the superior side of the "C” housing and the piston cap (5), resulting in an area with a length (w) for the displacement of the mobile ring (8) equipped with the respective friction ring (9) ⁇
  • the assembly formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) represents a separate and independent part of the piston (4), which can only act when high vibration amplitudes occur.
  • the damping set (CI) has a two stage damping, since it has two distinct and independent damping phases.
  • the first damping stage (EA1) (figure 4) is intended to act upon loads of low unbalance and therefore they require a lower amplitude of the suspension system.
  • the second damping stage (EA2) (figure 5) is designed to actuate on loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
  • the spring oscillation (6) caused by the rod (2) causes the piston (4) to move, thereby making the friction ring (7) to attrite against the cylinder (3). Since it refers to low amplitudes, the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) is not displaced by the piston (4), since the displacement amplitude it not higher than the length (w) delimited by the "C" housing (4d) and piston (4) cap (5).
  • the second damping stage (EA2) is implemented when the loads have a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
  • oscillation of the spring (6) caused by the rod (2) causes the piston (4) to move at higher amplitude, accordingly not only the friction ring (7) but also the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) attrite against the inner surface of the cylinder (3).
  • the piston (4) by having a motion larger than the length (w) delimited thereby and the cap (5) thereof, drags the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the f iction ring (9) and damping is added to the system.

Abstract

Improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines", the present invention is directed to improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines (M), more particularly, of vertical axis or top load machines". The suspension (1) includes a two stage damping set (CI) since it has two distinct and independent damping phases, the first damping stage (EA1) for loads having low unbalance and therefore requiring a lower amplitude of the suspension system, and a second damping stage (EA2) for actuation upon loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES".
Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines, more particularly of the type with vertical axis or top loading, known as "top load". The cited damper is a two stage damper since it has two distinct and independent damping phases, a first damping stage for loads having low unbalance and therefore requiring a lower amplitude of the suspension system, and a second damping stage for actuation upon loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
History of the Invention
As is known to the skilled person, laundry washing machines comprise several parts which, together, can wash and centrifuge clothes. Inside the mentioned parts, the present description includes the suspension, which comprises a set of at least four suspensions, duly distributed and fixed between the tank and the careen of the machine designed to dampen the rocking and vibrating movement effected by the basket which, associated with the shaker, agitates the clothes with water to wash them and centrifuges to remove the excess of water.
Thus, the suspension is a piece used to dampen vibration of the washing basket of various types of machines, either of top load or agitation or of front load or tumble machines, more precisely, avoiding unwanted shake the whole machine and possible failures in other components and parts.
In general, each suspension comprises a metallic rod which, at one end, has fastening means on the tank or housing, while at the other end a roller is provided, such as a plastic cup, coil springs, retainers, washers and, depending on the brand and type, other components can be included, such as electrical devices, sensors etc.
A conventional damper design is that including a piston located at the end of the rod; said piston being housed inside the cylinder and having at least two retaining rings made of a special rubber or foam, which, by being attached directly to the piston, wear similarly either on low or high vibrational amplitude.
Namely, the major problem associated with suspensions is to develop a damper or suspension acting on the high and low amplitude ranges of vibration. In general, the same damper must be sized to operate at low amplitude, i.e., during washing or centrifugation of loads producing low unbalance and should also operate at high amplitude, where the load of laundry promotes excessive vibration of the washing basket during washing or centrifugation due to the accumulation / clustering of some pieces of clothing inside the basket, leading to an increased vibration of the basket during movement of the basket and shaker, and therefore, if the vibration is not suitably damped, the same is transmitted to the careen, causing noise and even displacement of the machine on the floor. Thus, there is a need for manufacturers to invest in means to dampen vibration at low or high amplitude, so as to isolate vibration from all other components of the machine and especially keeping the transmission to the careen at a low vibration, thereby reducing noise during the wash and centrifugation operations.
Analysis of the State of the Art
Suspension systems are found in several patent documents, such as, for example, the North American patent document US2005000765 (LG Elect.) which discloses a damper for use in a drum type washing machine, which can support a tub of the washing machine and absorb vibration of the tub. The damper comprises a cylinder, a piston partially inserted inside the cylinder, and a fixed damping member and movement prevention means, which are installed around an inserted portion of the piston inside the cylinder so that they are spaced apart from each other, and adapted to allow the piston to be stably supported inside the cylinder. The moveable damping member is installed around an outer peripheral surface of the piston in an axially movable manner so as to come into frictional contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder according to a relative axial movement of the piston and the cylinder. That is, it uses a ring and a member of friction with the piston in the form of a cylinder and piston, however its geometry and positioning limits the actuation thereof, distinguishing it from the present invention.
Document EP0407755 (Mielle) discloses that in the interspace of the spring elements on the friction piston is a spacer sleeve carrying a friction covering, which is in f ictional connection with the housing inner wall. The frictional force between the housing inner wall and friction covering is so high that, at low amplitudes, only a relative movement between the friction piston and spacer sleeve takes place, when the compressed spring member promotes movement of the piston rod or of the friction piston between the stop and spacers, and where required at higher amplitudes, the damping effect increases by the friction covering made by the spacer sleeve. In this case, there is a need for dimensioning pressure of accessory members to increase or reduce friction, which distinguishes the subject matter of the present invention.
Many other patent documents EP0544633 (SEBAC), EP 0702165 and EP 1243685 (Grusan), US2004148976 (LG Elect.) are also related to the present object, but the constructions and technical solutions thereof are distant from the subject matter of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Invention
The present patent is directed to the provision of a two stage damper, that is, having two distinct and independent damping phases to be used in suspension systems of vertical axis, top load washing machines.
Unlike traditional systems that only use damping foams attached directly to the piston, the innovation of the present invention is the addition of a ring set including a foam ring, comprising a separate and independent piece of the piston, which ring assembly only operates at high vibration amplitudes, thereby wearing less than conventional solutions, while achieving very satisfactory results as to the damping at high vibrational amplitude.
Brief Description of the Drawings
To complement the present description so as to obtain a better understanding of the features of the present invention and according to a practical preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached to the description where, as an example, although not limitative, represents the following:
Figure 1 illustrates a laundry machine where the cabinet is shown in dashed lines so as to illustrate the innovated suspension assembly disposed between the cabinet and the tank;
Figure 2 shows an enlarged and longitudinal detailed view of the suspension;
Figure 3 depicts the piston in an exploded perspective with respect to the rod of the suspension;
Figure 4 shows a cutout view of the suspension, thereby disclosing the first damping stage (EAl), which is designed to actuate on loads having low unbalance and, therefore, it requires a lower amplitude of the suspension system; and
Figure 5 also shows a cutout view of the suspension, illustrating the second damping stage (EA2), which is designed to actuate on loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
Detailed Description of the Invention
With regard to the drawings, the present invention is directed to "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", more particularly, the suspension (1) is of the type applied to vertical axis or top load laundry machines (M)". Said suspension (1) comprises a rod (2) which superior end (2a) is connected to the cabinet (G) of the washing machine (M), and the inferior end (2b) is connected to the socket (Ml) of the tank (T); the end (2b) is covered by the damping set, (CI) which includes a cylinder (3) and a piston (4), which is housed inside the cylinder through a piston cap (5), and it is also maintained tensioned in the rod (2) by a spring (6).
According to the present invention, the piston (4) comprises a commonly cylindrical part containing a central tubular area (4a) with axial hole (4b), and a concentric tubular area, (4c) which external wall contains a "C" housing (4d) for a foam, rubber or other material friction ring (7), and a tubular recess area (4e) limited between the superior side of the "C" housing and the piston cap (5), resulting in an area with a length (w) for the displacement of the mobile ring (8) equipped with the respective friction ring (9)·
Therefore, the assembly formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) represents a separate and independent part of the piston (4), which can only act when high vibration amplitudes occur.
The damping set (CI) has a two stage damping, since it has two distinct and independent damping phases. The first damping stage (EA1) (figure 4) is intended to act upon loads of low unbalance and therefore they require a lower amplitude of the suspension system. The second damping stage (EA2) (figure 5) is designed to actuate on loads having a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required.
Namely, the first damping stage (EA1), where loads have low unbalance and, therefore, require a lower amplitude of the suspension system, the spring oscillation (6), caused by the rod (2) causes the piston (4) to move, thereby making the friction ring (7) to attrite against the cylinder (3). Since it refers to low amplitudes, the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) is not displaced by the piston (4), since the displacement amplitude it not higher than the length (w) delimited by the "C" housing (4d) and piston (4) cap (5).
The second damping stage (EA2) is implemented when the loads have a high degree of unbalance, where a higher amplitude of the suspension system is required. In this case, oscillation of the spring (6) caused by the rod (2) causes the piston (4) to move at higher amplitude, accordingly not only the friction ring (7) but also the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the friction ring (9) attrite against the inner surface of the cylinder (3). In this instance, the piston (4), by having a motion larger than the length (w) delimited thereby and the cap (5) thereof, drags the set formed by the moveable ring (8) and the f iction ring (9) and damping is added to the system.
When practicing the present invention, modifications can be introduced to certain details of the construction and shape, without departing from the basic principles of the set of claims, it being understood that the terminology used is not intended to be limitative.

Claims

1. "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", more particularly, the suspension (1) is the type applied to washing machines (M) with vertical axis or top loading, also known as "top load"; the aforementioned suspension (1) consists of a rod, (2) which superior end (2a) is connected to the cabinet (G) of the washing machine (M), and the inferior end (2b) is connected to the socket (Ml) of the tank (T); the end (2b) is covered by the damping set, (CI) which includes a cylinder (3) and a piston (4), which is housed inside the cylinder through a piston cap (5), and it is also maintained tensioned in the rod (2) by a spring (6); they are characterized by a piston (4) containing a damping set (CI) which is formed by a commonly cylindrical part containing a central tubular area (4a) with axial hole (4b), and a concentric tubular area, (4c) which external wall contains a "C" housing (4d) for a foam, rubber or other material friction ring (7), and a tubular recess area (4e) limited between the superior side of the "C" housing and the piston cap (5), resulting in an area with a length (w) for the displacement of the mobile ring (8) equipped with the respective friction ring (9).
2 "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to claim 1, characterized in that the set formed by a mobile ring (8) and a friction ring (9), setting a separate and independent part of the piston (4).
3. "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the dampmg set (CI) must have a two stage damping, in which the first damping stage (EA1) is related to loads with a low unbalance and a smaller amplitude of the suspension system, whereas the second damping stage (EA2) is related to loads with a high degree of unbalance and a greater amplitude of the suspension system.
4 "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to the previous claims and during the first damping stage (EA1), characterized in that a set formed by a mobile ring (8) and a friction ring (9) must remain still since the displacement amplitude of the piston (4) is inferior to the length (w) set out by the "C" housing (4d) and the piston (4) cap (5).
5 "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to the claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the damping is based on the individual action of the friction ring (7) over the internal surface of the cylinder.
6 "IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to the previous claims and during the second dampmg stage (EA2), characterized in that the set formed by a mobile ring (8) and the friction ring (9) is subject to a displacement together with the piston (4) displacement, since the displacement of the last is bigger than the length (w) delimited by the piston and its cap (5).
7."IMPROVEMENTS FOR TWO STAGE DAMPING SUSPENSIONS IN WASHING MACHINES", according to the claims 1 and 6, characterized in that a damping addition can occur based on the simultaneous action of the mobile ring (7) and friction ring over the internal surface of the cylinder (3).
PCT/BR2014/000318 2013-09-10 2014-09-09 Improvements for two stage damping suspensions in washing machines WO2015035485A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BRBR102013023098-7A BR102013023098A2 (en) 2013-09-10 2013-09-10 Double stage suspension dampening improvements for washing machine
BRBR102013023098-7 2013-09-10

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050224303A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-10-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper in a washing machine and fabricating method of the same
US7428954B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2008-09-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for drum type washing machine
US7472567B2 (en) * 2003-05-13 2009-01-06 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for washing machine
US7549519B2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2009-06-23 Suspa Incorporated Free space damper

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7472567B2 (en) * 2003-05-13 2009-01-06 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for washing machine
US7428954B2 (en) * 2003-06-17 2008-09-30 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper for drum type washing machine
US20050224303A1 (en) * 2003-10-06 2005-10-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Damper in a washing machine and fabricating method of the same
US7549519B2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2009-06-23 Suspa Incorporated Free space damper

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