JP2023514022A - Washing machine and method for improving balance of washing machine drum - Google Patents

Abstract

A cabinet (4), a drum (2) receiving laundry from its open end and rotatable within the cabinet (4) about its longitudinal axis (8); A balancer (5) including a mass channel (3) and a balance weight (6), the mass channel (3) extending at least from the side of the drum (2) toward the inside of the drum (2) and receiving the balance weight (6), the balance weight (6) extending from the mass channel (3). a balancer 5 displaceable within the mass channel 3 along the direction of extension. The present invention is also a method of improving the balance of a drum 2 rotating along a longitudinal axis 8 within a washing machine 1, comprising the steps of determining an unbalanced load of laundry received by the drum 2; and moving the balance weight 5 in a direction between the side of the and the longitudinal axis 8. [Selection drawing] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drum for receiving laundry and a method for balancing the drum of a washing machine.

A conventional washing machine typically includes a cabinet containing a fixed tub for containing wash and rinse water. A laundry basket, also called a drum, may be rotatably mounted in a cabinet, in particular in a washing tub. A drive assembly and a brake assembly are positioned relative to the wash tub to allow washing of laundry placed in the drum. For example, during a wash or spin cycle, water is typically extracted from the laundry by rotating a drum containing the laundry at a high rotational speed. Centrifugal force draws most of the water out of the laundry and through the perforations of the rotating drum. A pump assembly can be used to rinse the withdrawn water and drain it into the drainage system.

The rotating drum is typically supported by a suspension system designed to damp translational motion caused by imbalances within the rotating drum. During normal washing, the high speed rotation to extract the water puts a lot of stress on the drum, drive system, and suspension system, which can throw the machine out of balance. The distribution of the laundry creates a force proportional to the product of the mass of the laundry, the distance to the center of rotation of the drum, and the square of the speed of the drum. Slightly different masses of the laundry at different locations can very easily generate large forces, which can be unbalanced as a result of high rotational speeds. Excessive vibration and noise can occur when the laundry is out of balance. Also, if the laundry is out of balance, the washing machine may be damaged.

Known washing machines can employ various sensing techniques to determine if the washing machine is operating with an unbalanced laundry distribution. Some techniques are current and load sensing, imbalance detection in motor control, target-to-current velocity difference, 2D and 3D motion sensors, and the like. If an unbalanced load is detected during the expression rotation, the machine is stopped and a signal is generated to inform the user of the unbalanced load. Sensing techniques, including current and load sensing in motor control, can be inaccurate due to additional loads on the motor other than those caused by unbalanced loads due to laundry distribution.

The cause of the vibration is the unbalanced weight of the laundry in the drum. Therefore, to reduce or eliminate vibration, it is necessary to remove the unbalanced weight within the drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of compensating for unbalanced loads caused by an unbalanced distribution of laundry within the drum of the washing machine.

According to the present invention, a new method is used to reduce or eliminate vibrations in the spinning process of washing machines. The present invention is based on the finding of creating a balanced opposite side of the unbalanced load in order to reduce the centrifugal force of the unbalanced load.

In a first aspect, the invention provides:
- a cabinet;
- a drum, which receives laundry from its open end and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis within said cabinet;
- a balancer comprising a mass channel and a balance weight, said mass channel extending at least from the lateral surface of said drum inwardly of said drum and receiving said balance weight, said balance weight extending from said mass channel; a balancer movable within the mass channel along a direction;
propose a washing machine with
Cabinet denotes a casing in which the drum of the washing machine is rotatably mounted. The cabinet has an opening at the front for loading laundry into the drum. The opening of the cabinet is provided with a door for closing the cabinet during washing. In addition, below, the laundry is also called clothes. The washing machine further comprises a drum. The drum has an open end for receiving laundry. The open end is aligned with the cabinet opening. The drum is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the drum is thus the axis of rotation of the drum. A drum is rotatably mounted to the cabinet and the drum can be driven by a motor within the washing machine.

According to the invention, the washing machine further comprises a balancer. Preferably, a plurality of balancers are provided. A balancer includes a mass channel and a balance weight.

A mass channel is provided on the side of the drum. Side shows the wall of the drum that extends around the circumference of the drum and runs along the length of the drum. The sides thus enclose the interior of the drum. According to the invention, the mass channel extends at least from the side of the drum towards the interior of the drum. In particular, the mass channel may extend inside the drum in the direction of the secant of the circular cross-section of the side surface. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the mass channels extend radially, ie in the direction between the side surfaces and the longitudinal axis of the drum. In another embodiment, the mass channel extends inside the drum in a secant direction that is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drum. The mass channels may, for example, extend inside the drum in parallel offset directions relative to the radial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the mass channel extends in a direction between the sides and the longitudinal axis of the drum.

The mass channel may extend in a direction opposite to the direction towards the inside of the drum from the side. In this case, the mass channel may not only extend inwardly from the side, but also outwardly from the side.

The balance weight is movable within the mass channel in the direction of extension of the mass channel. The balance weight is preferably oblong. In this case the balance weight is movable in the longitudinal direction of the mass channel. If the mass channels extend radially, the balance weights can move radially of the drum. The mass channel serves as a guide for the balance weights. A balance weight is movably retained within the mass channel. Preferably, the balance weight is retained in the mass channel so that the balance weight cannot move out of the mass channel. The mass channel may have at least one open end. Alternatively, the mass channel may be closed at both ends. A balance weight is a component suitable for movement within the mass channel. The balance weight may be an oblong component. In this case, the balance weights can also be called pins or rods. However, according to the invention, the balance weights may be balls or discs. At least one balance weight is provided in the mass channel. Where multiple balance weights are provided, the multiple balance weights are preferably arranged adjacent to each other along the length of the mass channel. The outer dimensions, eg the outer diameter, of the balance weight are preferably selected to correspond to the inner dimensions of the mass channel, in particular its inner diameter.

The washing machine may further comprise sensing circuitry for determining an unbalanced load of laundry contained within the drum. The sensing circuit may be provided in the washing machine's control unit, including the control of the motor for rotating the drum. However, the sensing circuit may be another processing unit. The sensing circuit preferably functions to determine the location of the unbalanced load of laundry within the drum. In particular, the location of the unbalanced load can be a first section along the side of the drum, the weight of the laundry lying in that section being diametrically opposite the first section of the side of the drum. greater or less than the weight of the laundry in the second section. The sensing circuit may also function to determine the drum balance value. A high balance value indicates no or slight imbalance, which means that there is no or little unbalanced load distribution around the circumference of the drum.

By providing the drum of the washing machine with at least one balancer, each part of the drum can be loaded. In particular, the load can be adapted by moving at least one balance weight in the mass channel towards or away from the longitudinal axis of the drum. In one embodiment, the balance is moved radially. The closer the balance weight is to the longitudinal axis of the drum, the less effect it has on the centrifugal force. The farther the balance weight is from the longitudinal axis of the drum, the greater the effect on the centrifugal force. By varying the centrifugal force in the area of the balancer, an unbalanced distribution of laundry in the drum can be corrected. Thereby, imbalances during rotation of the drum and thus vibrations during rotation, in particular vibrations during rotation, can be avoided.

According to one embodiment, the washing machine changes the position of the balance weight in the mass channel from a first distance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum in response to the determination of the unbalanced load by the sensing circuit. A positioner is provided to change to a second distance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Positioners are sometimes called actuators or movement units. A positioner is for changing the position of the balance weight. In particular, the position of the center of gravity of the balance weight is changed by the positioner. Preferably, the positioner changes the position of the balance weight within the mass channel from a first radial distance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum to a second radial distance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drum. The positioner preferably acts on the balance weights contactlessly. In particular, the positioner moves the balance weight without physically contacting the balance weight. The positioner preferably activates the balance weights in response to unbalanced loads detected by the sensing circuitry. Therefore, depending on the unbalanced load determined, the positioner can be operated or stopped, or the influence on the balance weight can be changed. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reliably correct the unbalanced load of the drum as intended.

A positioner can be attached to the drum. Alternatively, the positioner is separate from the drum. In this case the positioner either rotates around the drum or the positioner is stationary. If the positioner is separate from the drum but rotates around the drum, the positioner can rotate at the same speed as the drum. If the positioner is stationary, it can be fixedly mounted, for example, in a washing machine cabinet. If the positioner is attached to the drum, or if it is separate from the drum but moves at the same speed as the drum, the positioner's position on or off the circumference of the drum will align with the position of the balance weights. . If the positioner is fixed, it will act on the balance weight only when it passes the positioner while the drum is rotating.

According to a preferred embodiment, the balance weight consists of a ferrimagnetic material and the positioner consists of a magnet for changing the position of the balance weight within the mass channel. In this embodiment, the positioner acts on the balance weight by magnetic force. In particular, depending on the magnet or the orientation of the magnet, the balance weight can be attracted towards or repelled by the magnet.

If the positioner consists of a magnet, it preferably includes means for switching the magnet, in particular means for changing the orientation of the pole of the magnet with respect to the drum.

According to one embodiment, the positioner comprises means for rotating the magnet to change the position of the balance weight within the mass channel. Specifically, the magnet is rotated about an axis that is perpendicular to the radius of the drum and is a line of passage through the circular cross-section of the drum. In this embodiment, the magnets may be permanent magnets. By rotating the magnet, the pole of the magnet facing the drum and thus the balancer can be changed. This causes the balance weight to be attracted towards the magnet at the position where one pole faces the drum and thus the balance weight, and at the opposite position where the other pole faces the drum, the balance weight repels the magnet and the magnet. move away from Alternatively, the magnet may be a switchable magnet using a permanent magnet.

By providing a positioner to rotate the magnet, the position of the balance weight in the mass channel can be easily changed.

According to one embodiment, the magnet of the positioner is an electromagnet. This embodiment is advantageous because the magnetic field of the electromagnet can be adjusted and the magnet can be turned on and off. This makes it possible to adjust the direction and strength of the force applied to the balance weight.

According to one embodiment, the sensing circuit makes a first balance measurement when the balance weight is at a first distance from the longitudinal axis of the drum and the balance weight is at a second distance from the longitudinal axis of the drum. Arranged to take a second balance measurement at a certain time. The first distance and the second distance are preferably radial distances. By taking at least these two balance measurements, it is possible to determine the distance, preferably the radial distance, of the balance weight having the highest balance measurement, and for subsequent rotation of the drum, this distance from the longitudinal axis of the drum. You can operate the machine with a balance weight on the distance.

Therefore, according to one embodiment, the positioner is preferably configured to move the balance weights a distance from the longitudinal axis of the drum at which the determined balance measurement is higher.

According to a preferred embodiment, the washing machine comprises a plurality of said balancers. Each balancer includes a mass channel and a balance weight. This embodiment is advantageous because the distribution of the laundry load in the drum can be corrected more accurately. The balancers can be distributed evenly around the circumference or along the length of the drum. However, it is also possible to arrange the balancers unevenly. In particular, two or more balancers can be placed close to each other. In this embodiment, adjacent balancers may be called a balancer group.

According to one embodiment, the at least two balancers or balancer groups are arranged at two different distances along the longitudinal axis from the open end of the drum. This embodiment can account for differences in the distribution of the laundry load over the length of the drum, i.e. in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and compensates for unbalanced distributions at different locations along the length of the drum. It is advantageous because it can

According to one embodiment, the balancers are arranged such that two balancers or groups of balancers are diametrically opposed. This embodiment is advantageous because the imbalance can be affected and corrected from two locations.

According to one embodiment, the balancers are arranged such that the angular distances between the balancers or balancer groups with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drum are equal. That is, the balancers or balancer groups are evenly distributed around the circumference of the drum. By arranging the balancers in this way, the imbalance can be reliably corrected. When a plurality of balancers, for example three balancers, are arranged adjacent to each other in a group and a plurality of groups are provided, the balancer groups are arranged such that the angular distances between the center points of the balancer groups with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drum are equal. can be placed.

According to one embodiment, the balancers or balancer groups are arranged such that the angular distance between the balancers or balancer groups to the longitudinal axis of the drum is 90°. In this case, the balancers or balancer groups are provided at four positions on the circumference of the drum, two sets of which are diametrically opposed. In the case of a group of balancers, in this embodiment it is possible to arrange the group of balancers such that the angular distance between the center points of the group of balancers relative to the longitudinal axis of the drum is 90°.

According to one embodiment, the mass channel extends into the drum perpendicular to the direction between the longitudinal axis and the side of the drum. That is, the mass channels extend radially. If multiple balancers and thus multiple mass channels are provided in adjacent groups, the mass channels of the groups may be parallel to each other. In this case, at least one intermediate mass channel of the balancer group may extend radially.

In addition to extending inside the drum, or alternatively, the mass channel may extend outward from the circumference of the drum. In this case too, the mass channel or at least one intermediate mass channel of the balancer group extends radially outwards.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of improving the balance of a drum rotating along its longitudinal axis in a washing machine, said method comprising the step of determining the unbalanced load of the laundry received by the drum. and,
- moving the balance weights in a direction between the sides of the drum and the longitudinal axis;
including.

The features and advantages described with respect to the washing machine according to the invention are also valid - so far as applicable - for the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

Preferably, the step of determining the unbalanced load of the laundry received by the drum is the step of determining the location of the unbalanced load of the laundry. Additionally or alternatively, determining an unbalanced load of the laundry may include measuring a balance value.

Determining the load imbalance of the laundry can determine the direction and/or amount of movement required to correct the imbalance. Determining the unbalanced load preferably includes determining the position of the unbalanced load, thus allowing the choice of balancer to be used. In particular, a balancer at or near the position where the load is biased can be selected to correct the imbalance.

According to the invention, the method includes moving a balance weight in a direction between the side of the drum and the longitudinal axis. Moving the balance weights can be used both to determine unbalanced loads and to correct the determined unbalanced loads. Movement of the balance weight is preferably radial movement. This movement may be toward or away from the longitudinal axis.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the steps of determining the location of the unbalanced load on the laundry include taking a first balance measurement when the balance weight is at a first distance; making a second balance measurement when at a distance of two; and comparing the first balance measurement and the second balance measurement. The first distance and the second distance are preferably radial distances from the longitudinal axis. By varying the distance of the balance weight from the drum longitudinal axis and comparing the respective balance measurements, the impact of the balance answer on imbalance due to the varying position of the balance weight can be determined. Thereby the position of the imbalance can be determined. Further, from this comparison, the preferred distance of the balance weight from the longitudinal axis of the drum for that balancer can be determined and used for subsequent rotations of the drum.

If multiple balancers are provided, the settings of one or more balancers, in particular the distance of the balance weights from the longitudinal axis of the drum, can be changed simultaneously or subsequently. It is also possible to change the settings of the two balancers that determine the unbalanced load and not change the settings of the additional balancer. In this case, preferably the setting of the opposite balancer is changed.

Preferably, the method includes moving the balance weight in a direction between the side of the drum and the longitudinal axis to a location where the balance measurement is higher. Movement of the balance weight is preferably radial movement.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laundered washing machine at a certain point in time. Figure 2a is a schematic diagram showing the drum of an embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention in one of four different positions during drum rotation. Figure 2b is a schematic diagram showing the drum of an embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention in one of four different positions during drum rotation. Figure 2c is a schematic diagram showing the drum of an embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention in one of four different positions during drum rotation. Figure 2d is a schematic diagram showing the drum of an embodiment of a washing machine according to the invention in one of four different positions during drum rotation. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the drum of the embodiment of the washing machine according to Figure 2 with a positioner; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the balancer. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the balancer.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar components are denoted with the same reference numerals and their repeated description may be omitted to avoid redundancy.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that these embodiments and features in FIG. 1 merely illustrate a number of possibilities. Therefore, the embodiments shown herein should not be understood as limiting these features and configurations. Any possible combination and configuration of the described features can be selected in accordance with the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of washing machine 1 . The washing machine 1 has a cabinet 4 with a front opening. A drum 2 is housed inside the cabinet 4 . Drum 2 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis 8 . The drum 2 has an open end facing the opening of the cabinet 4 . In FIG. 1 , laundry is schematically shown inside the drum 2 . Laundry is shown in two locations. In particular, a portion L1 of laundry is at the bottom inside drum 2 and another portion L2 is at the top inside drum 2 . Such a distribution of laundry can occur during rotation of the drum 2, especially during high speed rotation.

2a to 2d are diagrams showing the distribution of laundry depending on the rotation state of the drum 2. FIG. In particular, Figure 2b shows the distribution of the laundry portions L1, L2 after the drum 2 has been rotated through 90° from the state of Figure 2a. Figures 2c and 2d show the situation after a further 90° rotation.

In each state shown in FIG. 2, load portion L1 and load portion L2 create pressure inside drum 2, and the resulting centrifugal force is different at different times during drum rotation.

At the time t, a centrifugal force X is generated in the portion L1 having a larger load, for example, having a weight of 4 kg, and a centrifugal force Y is generated in a portion L2 having a smaller load, having a weight of, for example, 3 kg. If there is a difference from X, imbalance occurs.

In FIG. 2 a group 50 of balancers 5 are provided on the drum 2 . In particular, the top and bottom of the drum 2 are each provided with three balancer groups 50 . The sides of the drum 2 are each provided with two groups 50 of balancers 5 . In FIG. 2 only the balance weights of the balancer 5 are shown.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the balance weights of the group 50 of balancers 5 in the absence of laundry are in their initial state. In the embodiment shown, in this initial state, the balance weights are arranged to extend circumferentially the same amount inside and outside the drum.

At the position of the higher load portion L1 the balance weights of the group 50 of balancers 5 are moved inside the drum 2 from this initial state. Thereby, the distance between the longitudinal axis 8 of the drum 2 and the balance weight of each balancer 5 of the group 50 is smaller than in the initial state. The balance weights of the group 50 of the balancer 5 at the position of the portion L2 where the load is larger are moved outside the peripheral surface of the drum 2. - 特許庁Thereby the distance between the longitudinal axis 8 of the drum 2 and the balance weight of each balancer 5 of the group 50 is greater than in the initial state. This increases the centrifugal force generated at the location of the smaller portion L2, while decreasing the centrifugal force generated at the location of the larger portion L1, and the imbalance is reduced and preferably eliminated.

In FIG. 3 the drum 2 of one embodiment of the washing machine of the invention is shown together with the positioner 7 . In this embodiment, four groups 50 of balancers 5 are provided on the circumference of the drum 2 . As in FIG. 2, only the balance weights of the balancer 5 are shown in FIG. 3 as well. Each group 50 of balancers 5 has two balancers 5 . A group 50 of balancers 5 is provided at an angular distance of 90° to the longitudinal axis 8 of the drum 2 . A balance weight of the balancer 5 is a magnetic material. Preferably, the balance weight is made of ferrimagnetic material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, four positioners 7 are provided. The positioner 7 is magnets M1, M2, M3, M4. The magnets M1, M2, M3 and M4 may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. Positioner 7 may be attached to cabinet 4 (see FIG. 1) of washing machine 1 . Positioner 7 may be stationary with respect to drum 2 . In particular, the positioner does not rotate around the longitudinal axis 8 of drum 2 . However, in the illustrated embodiment, the positioner 7 may be rotated about its axis so that different sides of the positioner 7 can face the outside of the drum, ie the balancer 5, at different times. This is shown schematically in FIG. 3 by curved arrows. The movement of the positioner 7, in particular the reversal of the positioner 7, can be controlled by a control unit (not shown), which can be the control unit of the washing machine 1 or another control unit. In particular, the control unit is a micro control unit, MCU.

At the beginning of the wash or spin cycle, the control unit does not know that the load portion L2 on the inside bottom of the drum 2 is greater than the load portion L4 on the inside top of the drum 2. So the control unit can assume that any point of the drum 2 or the respective weight acting on that point causes an imbalance. The control unit can then operate the positioner 7 at or near the assumed point. Specifically, the magnets M1, M2, M3, and M4 are rotated to attract or repel the balance weight of the balancer 5 . The balance of the drum is measured until the sensing circuit detects the highest balance measurement, ie the lowest unbalance measurement. Instead of assuming that there is a point in the load causing the imbalance, the control unit sequentially changes the position of each balancer or group 5 of balancers to determine the appropriate adjustment of the balance weights to correct the imbalance. may

For example, it is possible to implement a method in which only the balance weight of the balancer 5 where the load portion L1 is gathered is moved in and out by the rotation of the magnet M1, and the other magnets M2, M3 and M4 remain in their initial positions. The control unit in this embodiment measures the unbalance of the drum at the position of the balance weight of the balancer 5 near the magnet M1 that has moved out and the position of the balance weight of the balancer 5 near the magnet M1 that has moved to the drum. Is possible. The setting of magnet M1 that gives the highest balance measurement can then be used for subsequent rotations. Similar measurements can be made for other load portions L2, L3, L4 to determine the respective settings of magnets M2, M3, M4.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. In the initial state, all magnets M1, M2, M3, M4 are arranged with the same side facing the circumference of the drum 2. FIG. For example, all magnets are rotated so that their repelling surfaces face the drum 2 , ie the balancer 5 . The control unit measures the imbalance of the drum 2 in that state. The rotation speed of the drum 2 may be, for example, 60 rpm (rotation per minute). This means that the drum 2 rotates once per second. Four magnets M1, M2, M3, M4 are provided so that the load portions L1, L2, L3, L4 in the drum pass the magnets every 0.25 seconds.

Initially, the control unit assumes, for example, that the load section L3, shown on the right side of drum 2 in FIG. 3, is unbalanced. At that time, the magnets M2 and M4 may remain in a position in which the attracting sides face the drum 2 . Magnet M1 rotates with its repulsive surface facing drum 2 to reduce the centrifugal force of the unbalanced load, and magnet M3 remains in a position with its attracting surface facing drum 2 to reduce the unbalanced centrifugal force. Every 0.25 seconds the unbalanced load changes position and the magnets M1, M2, M3, M4 rotate accordingly. During this time the control unit measures the imbalance.

The control unit repeats the above steps, adjusting the orientation of the magnets M1, M2, M3, M4 accordingly each time it assumes a different portion of the load L1, L2, L3, L4 that causes the imbalance, A control unit measures the imbalance.

After the above steps, the control unit determines which part of the loads L1, L2, L3, L4 causes imbalance. Then, the rotation process is continued while adjusting the magnets M1, M2, M3 and M4 so as to correct the imbalance according to the determination.

4 and 5 show an embodiment of the balancer 5 according to the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 the balancer 5 has a mass channel 3 which is open at both ends. The balance weight 6 has a rectangular shape and may be rod-shaped. The length of balance weight 6 is greater than the length of mass channel 3 . In this embodiment, in order to prevent the balance weight 6 from slipping out of the mass channel 3, the balance weight 6 is enlarged at both longitudinal ends. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 the mass channel 3 is closed at both ends and the balance weight 6 is received within the mass channel 3 . The balance weight 6 has a shorter length than the mass channel 3 so that the balance weight 6 can move within the mass channel 3 .

The position of the balancer 5 can be such that the mass channel 3 extends through the side of the drum 2 (see FIG. 4) or it can be mounted inside the side of the drum 2 (see FIG. 4). See Figure 5).

The principle of the present invention is to create a balanced opposite side of the unbalanced load, absorb the imbalance and reduce the centrifugal force of the unbalanced load.

When the washing machine is spinning, the drum rotates at high speed, and the clothes can generate pressure on the inner surface of the drum due to centrifugal force. This clothing pressure causes imbalance. In the present invention, a force can be generated on the drum on the side opposite to the centrifugal force exerted by the clothes. This force can absorb the force generated by the garment, thus reducing imbalance.

The spinning garment expands randomly within the drum. Any location on the drum will collect more clothing than others, and this unbalanced distribution can create pressure on this location, causing clothing to collect on the opposite side of this location. These loads absorb each other if the amount and amount of laundry accumulated on opposite sides of a point are the same. However, if the opposite side is not loaded with the same amount of load, the area with the greater amount of clothing will be under more pressure than the opposite side.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drum of the washing machine is provided with at least one balancer, which can also be called a displacement pin. This balancer can be moved from inside the drum to outside and vice versa. This movement can be controlled by a microcontroller. If one side of the drum is less loaded than the other side, the pin will move to the outside of the drum at the point of less load and the pin will move to the inside of the drum at the opposite side of the less loaded point.

1 washing machine 2 drum 3 mass channel 4 cabinet 5 balancer 6 balance weight 7 positioner 8 longitudinal axis M1 magnet M2 magnet M3 magnet M4 magnet L1 laundry load portion L2 laundry load portion L3 laundry load portion L4 laundry the load part of

Claims (15)

- a cabinet (4);
- a drum (2), which receives laundry from its open end and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis (8) within said cabinet (4);
- a balancer (5) comprising a mass channel (3) and a balance weight (6), said mass channel (3) extending at least from the side of said drum (2) towards the inside of said drum (2); a balancer (5) extending to receive said balance weight (6), said balance weight (6) being movable within said mass channel (3) along the direction of extension of said mass channel (3);
A washing machine (1) comprising: Said washing machine (1) comprises a sensing circuit for determining an unbalanced load of said laundry received in said drum (2);
responsive to determination of said unbalanced load determined by said sensing circuit to position said balance weight (6) within said mass channel (3) relative to said longitudinal axis (8) of said drum (2); a positioner that changes from a first distance perpendicular to a second distance perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (8) of said drum (2);
The washing machine of claim 1, comprising: Said balance weight (6) comprises a ferrimagnetic material and magnets (M1, M2, M3, M4) for said positioner (7) to change the position of said balance weight (6) within said mass channel (3) The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: 4. According to claim 3, wherein the positioner (7) comprises means for rotating the magnets (M1, M2, M3, M4) to change the position of the balance weight (6) within the mass channel (3). Washing machine as described. Washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the magnets (M1, M2, M3, M4) are electromagnets. Said sensing circuit makes a first balance measurement when said balance weight (6) is at said first distance from said longitudinal axis (8) of said drum (2), said balance weight (6) being said A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, arranged to perform a second balance measurement when at said second distance from said longitudinal axis (8) of the drum (2). . 7. Laundry according to claim 6, wherein the positioner (7) displaces the balance weight (6) from the longitudinal axis (8) of the drum (2) a distance such that the resulting balance measurement is higher. machine. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said washing machine (1) comprises a plurality of said balancers (5). 9. Washing machine according to claim 8, wherein at least two balancers (5) are arranged at two different distances along the longitudinal axis (8) from the open end of the drum (2). 10. Laundry according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the balancers (5) are arranged such that the angular distances between them with respect to the longitudinal axis (8) of the drum (2) are equal. machine. 11. According to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the balancers (5) are arranged such that the angular distance between them with respect to the longitudinal axis (8) of the drum (2) is 90[deg.]. Washing machine as described. 12. Any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the mass channel (3) extends into the drum (2) perpendicularly in a direction between the side surface and the longitudinal axis (8) of the drum (2). or the washing machine according to item 1. A method for improving the balance of a drum (2) rotating along a longitudinal axis (8) in a washing machine (1), comprising:
determining an unbalanced load of laundry received by said drum (2);
moving a balance weight (5) in a direction between the side of said drum (2) and said longitudinal axis (8);
Methods for improving drum balance, including: determining the position of the unbalanced load of the laundry received in the drum (2),
taking a first balance measurement when said balance weight (6) is at a first distance from said longitudinal axis (8) of said drum (2);
taking a second balance measurement when said balance weight (6) is at a second distance from said longitudinal axis (8) of said drum (2);
comparing the first balance measurement and the second balance measurement;
14. The method of improving drum balance of claim 13, comprising: 14. A drum according to claim 13, comprising moving the balance weight (6) in the direction between the side surface of the drum (2) and the longitudinal axis (8) to a location where the balance measurement is high. How to improve your balance.

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