Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Patent
1990-02-05
1991-02-12
Coe, Philip R.
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
68 232, 74573F, 210144, D06F 3722
Patent
active
049912470
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention refers to a method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axis.
In washing and spin-drying machines the laundry represents rotating masses which are never exactly balanced with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotating container, such as a drum or the like, in which the laundry is placed. Accordingly, as a rule an essential imbalance, static and dynamic, develops which results in a radial force which rotates about the axis of rotation and a torque which turns with the rotating axis and which is situated in a plane through the said axis. The rotating force and torque, respectively, are causing oscillations and vibrations involving substantial problems in the construction of a washing or a spin-drying machine which has to resist the strain thus developed.
The problems referred to occur as the rotating container is operated at a high spinning speed and also when, during acceleration up to said spinning speed, a speed value is being passed through which is critical for the rotating system and at which the oscillations and vibrations have a maximum amplitude.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,926 there is disclosed a device for equilibration of the imbalance of forces as they occur. In the publication a washing machine is described wherein a rotating drum has been provided with cavities evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and in which water can be introduced to compensate for the imbalance caused by the unevenly distributed laundry. In the washing machine there is required a sensing device for indicating the magnitude and position, respectively, of the imbalance in the rotating drum. Moreover, a device is required which in dependence on information from the sensing device introduces the correct amount of water, in the right cavity. By necessity, the control system used will become complicated and cost demanding.
Primarily, the object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks indicated and to provide a method by which a sensing device for sensing the magnitude and position of the imbalance can be replaced by a simplified device which only has to indicate the instantaneous magnitude of the imbalance.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for equilibration of imbalanced forces resulting in a more rapid correction of an indicated imbalance allowing a substantial increase of the maximum permissible spinning speed.
The objects indicated are achieved by the use of a method having the characteristic measures indicated below. Preferred method steps are also indicated below.
The invention will now be described in detail in connection with an embodiment with reference to the enclosed drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a washing machine drum with a balancing device in a side view.
FIG. 2 is a right hand side view of the drum according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a left hand side view of the drum of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4, finally, is a simple block diagram for a balancing device for carrying out the method of the invention.
In the embodiment to be described below a washing machine drum 10 is journalled for rotation about an essentially horizontal rotation axis 11. The drum, which is to be used in a front-load washing machine, is open at its left side in FIG. 1 for making possible the loading of the laundry. At its opposite side the drum is journalled in a bearing 12 mounted in an end shield 13 which with a tub 14 forms an integral unit. The tub encloses the drum 10 and is only faintly outlined in FIGS. 1-3.
The drum 10 has three containers 15 which are situated at the periphery thereof and to which water can be supplied for equilibration of any drum imbalance that may occur. The containers are evenly distributed along the periphery of the drum, i.e. with a pitch of 120 degrees. For the supply of water to the containers via solenoid valves 17 three water tubes 16, one for each container, are connected to a water supply system. Each of the water tubes 16 opens in front of an open annular ring 18 which rotates with the drum and which via a channel 19 is connect
REFERENCES:
patent: 3066522 (1962-12-01), Steinmuller
patent: 3117926 (1964-01-01), Starr et al.
patent: 4517695 (1985-05-01), Hoffmann et al.
patent: 4688355 (1987-08-01), Menigat et al.
patent: 4905419 (1990-03-01), Makarov et al.
Alkuvaara Pekka O.
Castwall Lennart W.
Poikonen Jorma K.
Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Coe Philip R.
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