CN106536814A - Vibration damping system - Google Patents

Abstract

Clothes driers include a cabinet, a rotatable drum mounted inside the cabinet, and one or more vibration dumpers mounted to the rotatable drum. The vibration dampers may be mounted inside the drum, between baffles and the drum. The vibration dampers may be attached to the rotatable drum, such that a largest dimension of the vibration dampers extends in a direction of length of the rotatable drum. The vibration dumpers may be configured to shift acoustic energy generated at the front of the drum toward the rear of the drum.

Description

Vibration Damping System

related application

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 62/013,615, filed June 18, 2014, entitled "Vibration Damping System," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates to a method and a device for vibration (eg sound) damping.

Background technique

Vibration damping of mechanical systems is increasingly important for industries where vibrations can have many undesired effects. For example, consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to undesired sounds produced by vibration systems. Automakers have recognized the importance of the firm slam when a door closes in many buyers' purchasing decisions. Likewise, the quality of equipment is sometimes judged in part by the perception of its structural solidity.

For manufacturers of appliances such as washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, ranges, dishwashers, etc., vibration dampening is provided on the large flat sheet material sides of the appliance to allow the consumer to make his/her Being able to perceive the quality of the product by the low frequency sound produced when hitting the side of the device has become important in her purchasing decisions. Likewise, it may be important to provide these systems with reduced noise levels produced by the equipment when vibrating at these sides. This is especially the case today, as more and more homes place these devices on the main living floor.

Sound damping systems generally operate by converting vibration energy into heat energy. For example, vibrational energy can be converted into thermal energy through interfacial friction, which exhibits vibrational damping properties. Alternatively or additionally, when an elastic material having a small modulus of elasticity is positioned between the source of vibrational energy and another surface or constraining layer, shear deformation can be induced within the elastic material.

Pre Finish Metals Inc. offers a product called Polycore.RTM. which includes a metal outer skin surrounding a thin viscoelastic core material. The inner core converts the mechanical energy of the vibration into heat, which is then dissipated. This combination is said to reduce noise generated by vibrations at the source. Similarly, the 3M Company offers products under the designation "Scotchdamp.TM. vibration control systems" in which any of a variety of adhesive layers couples the confinement layer to a vibratory sound source. The shear modulus and sound loss coefficient of these products depend on frequency, temperature, and other factors.

In addition to adhesives, magnetic materials can also bond the constraining layer to the vibroacoustic source. For example, in US Pat. No. 5,300,355, the disclosed vibration damping material includes a magnetic composite damping material constructed by bonding a bonded elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a constraining plate such as a metal plate. In this system, it is reported that because the damping material is not only attracted to the vibration source by magnetic force, but also provided with surface adhesiveness to exhibit vibration damping characteristics over a wider temperature range.

Home clothes dryers typically include a rotary steel dryer drum in which the clothes are tumbled as hot air is circulated through the dryer drum, drying the clothes. As an item of clothing tumbles within the dryer drum, the item falls into contact with the drum wall. Heavier objects, metal buckles and loose coins have a tendency to impact the dryer drum and create noise.

US Patent No. 5,901,465 discloses a clothes dryer with a drum that reduces noise. Steel rods or belts are fastened around the periphery of the cylindrical wall of the dryer drum to absorb the noise produced by items tumbling within the dryer drum during operation. The adhesive material is laminated to the tape or strip by applying pressure such that the tape adheres to the outer wall of the dryer drum. The baffle mounting screws that go through the dryer drum also secure the ends and middle of the strap to the dryer drum.

Contents of the invention

The present application discloses an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer. A clothes dryer includes a cabinet, a rotary drum installed inside the cabinet, and one or more vibration dampers mounted to the rotary drum. Vibration dampers can have a variety of different configurations. Vibration dampers can be installed inside the drum, between the baffle and the drum. The vibration damper may be attached to the rotating drum such that the largest dimension of the vibration damper extends in the length direction of the rotating drum. The vibration damper may be configured to divert sound energy generated at the front of the drum towards the rear of the drum.

Various components and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention, when read with the accompanying drawings. It should be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as limiting the limits of the invention.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clothes dryer;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of a clothes dryer drum with the baffle and damper separated from the drum;

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment of the baffle and damper shown in Figure 2A to the drum;

Figure 3A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system;

Figure 3B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 3B-3B of Figure 3A;

Figure 3C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 3C-3C of Figure 3B;

Figure 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 4B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 4B-4B of Figure 4A;

Figure 4C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 4C-4C of Figure 4B;

Figure 5A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system;

Figure 5B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 5B-5B of Figure 5A;

Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment of the sound damping system shown in Figures 5A and 5B;

Figure 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system;

Figure 6B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 6B-6B of Figure 6A;

Figure 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 7B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 7B-7B of Figure 7A;

Figure 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 8B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 8B-8B of Figure 8A;

Figure 9A shows an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 9B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 8B-8B of Figure 8A;

Figure 10A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 10B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 10B-10B of Figure 10A;

FIG. 11A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system;

Figure 11B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 11B-11B of Figure 11A;

Figure 12A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 12B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 12B-12B of Figure 12A;

Figure 13A shows an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system;

Figure 13B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 13B-13B of Figure 13A;

Figure 13C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by the line 13C-13C of Figure 13B;

14A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a vibration damper;

14B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a vibration damper;

15A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a vibration damper;

15B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a vibration damper;

16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a reinforced vibration damper;

17 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a reinforced vibration damper;

Figure 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system;

Figure 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound damping system; and

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes dryer drum with an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening system.

detailed description

The invention will now be described, at times, with reference to specific embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the present invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "the" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all values expressing dimensional quantities, such as length, width, height, etc. used in the specification and claims, are to be understood in all instances as modified by the term "about". Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained in embodiments of the invention. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from error found in their respective measurements.

Referring to Figure 1, a clothes dryer 10 is shown showing some basic details of construction. The clothes dryer 10 may be heated by gas or electricity. The clothes dryer 10 includes a cabinet or housing 12 that includes a control panel 14 . The rotating drum 16 , motor 18 and blower 20 are housed within the housing 12 . The tank 12 has a front wall 25 with a door 21 to allow a user to access the drum 16 through an access opening 23 . Drum 16 is mounted within housing 12 for rotation about its central axis. A motor 18 is arranged to drive the drum via a belt 22 . Heated air is forced by blower 20 into drum 16 through vents 29 to draw moisture from the clothes tumbled in drum 16 . The illustrated configuration of the vent 29 and drum 16 is one of many possible configurations and is not intended to limit the application in any way.

Referring to FIG. 2 , in the exemplary embodiment, drum 16 is provided with a series of baffles 24 . The baffle 24 may be provided in a variety of different configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffles 24 extend substantially the entire length L _DRUM of the drum. In other exemplary embodiments, baffle 24 may extend approximately 1/2 the length L _DRUM of drum 16 . For example, separate, shorter baffles may be provided on each side of the groove 21 . In an exemplary embodiment, four baffles having a drum length L _DRUM of about 1/2 may be provided, two diametrically offset at the front and two diametrically offset at the rear. These front and rear "1/2 fenders" can be offset 90 degrees from each other. The damper 100 disclosed herein is equally applicable to "1/2 baffles" just as the damper is applied to the full length baffles shown.

Baffle 24 may take a variety of different forms. In one exemplary embodiment, each baffle 24 is substantially hollow and molded from plastic. A variety of different plastics can be used. Any plastic that can withstand the temperature inside the drum 16 and the effects of the clothes and other items inside the drum 16 during operation of the dryer 10 can be used to construct the baffle 24 . Examples of plastic materials for baffle 24 include, but are not limited to, vinyl, polypropylene, and NORYL (trademark of the General Electric Company). The baffle 24 can have a variety of different shapes and sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, three or more circumferentially equally spaced baffles may be provided. In another exemplary embodiment, the baffle is omitted or substantially omitted. In one exemplary embodiment, the baffles are slightly curved to encourage the garments to tumble towards the center of the drum 16 during the drying operation. Baffle 24 may be mounted to drum 16 in a variety of different ways. In one exemplary embodiment, the baffle 24 is mounted to the inner surface 26 of the cylindrical drum sidewall 28 by bolts or screws 200 .

Drum 16 can be driven in a variety of different ways. In an exemplary embodiment, a drive belt 22 is disposed about the drum 16 . The drive belt 22 is driven by the motor 18 to rotate the drum 16 within the tank 12 . The drive belt 22 can be arranged in a variety of different ways around the drum. In an exemplary embodiment, optional groove 21 receives a drive belt. The optional belt receiving groove can take a variety of different forms. For example, a circumferential depression may be formed in the cylindrical drum side wall 28 to define the groove 21 (see FIG. 4A ). In another exemplary embodiment, struts or webs may be provided on the cylindrical drum side wall 28 to define the belt receiving groove 21 .

In the exemplary embodiment, an appliance (eg, clothes dryer 10 shown in FIG. 1 ) is provided with one or more vibration dampeners 100 . Vibration dampers can take a variety of different forms and can be applied to equipment in a variety of different ways. For example, the vibration damper 100 may be a friction type damper, a free layer type damper, or a constrained layer type damper. Friction-type dampers can be cushions made of foam or fibers.

14A and 15A illustrate exemplary embodiments of free-layer dampers. The free layer type damper includes a layer 1413 of viscoelastic material on the surface of the part whose vibration is to be damped (the clothes dryer drum 16 in FIGS. 14A and 15A ). The layer of damping material 1413 is bonded to the surface of the structure (eg, clothes dryer drum 16). When the base structure (in the example, the clothes dryer drum 16 ) flexes during vibration, energy is dissipated due to the extension and compression of the layer of damping material 1413 . The damping depends on the composition of the damping material of a free-layer damper and increases with the thickness of the damping layer. The viscoelastic material therein may be a bituminous material, such as a pressure sensitive bituminous adhesive, a magnetic material, and/or a butyl material, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive butyl material and a pressure sensitive non-adhesive butyl material. The viscoelastic material may be sprayed onto the structure (eg, drum 16), or the viscoelastic material may be pre-formed and applied to the structure.

14B and 15B illustrate exemplary embodiments of constrained layer dampers. The constrained layer type damper includes a layer of viscoelastic material 1413 on the surface of the part whose vibration is to be damped (the dryer drum 16 in FIGS. 14B and 15B ), and a constrained layer 1412. The layer is on the viscoelastic material. A layer of damping material 1413 is attached to the surface of the structure, such as the clothes dryer drum 16 . By laminating a damping layer between a structure (such as the clothes dryer drum 16 ) and a constraining layer, a "sandwich structure" is formed. When the system flexes during vibration, shear strain develops in the damping layer and energy is lost through shear deformation of the viscoelastic material layer 1413 . The varying layer thickness ratio allows optimization of the system loss factors for various temperatures without changing the composition of the viscoelastic material layer 1413 . Examples of constrained layer dampers include, but are not limited to, compliant constrained layer (CCL) dampers, sheet constrained layer dampers, and aluminum lined butyl constrained layer dampers.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C , in an exemplary embodiment, a vibration damper 100 is disposed between each baffle 24 and the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 . Referring to Figures 3B and 3C, in an exemplary embodiment, the size and shape of the boundary 300 of the vibration damper 100 is designed to match the size and shape of the boundary 302 of the base 304 of the baffle. In this way, a smooth transition is provided from the vibrating inner surface 26 to the boundary 300 of the vibration damper 100 to the boundary 302 of the base 304 of the baffle 24 . This smooth transition prevents any scratching of the garment on the vibration damper 100 or on the base 304 of the baffle 24 . In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 . For example, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 may be curved across its width W (see FIG. 3B ) to match the curvature of the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 .

Any of the vibration dampers 100 and baffles 24 disclosed herein may be secured to the drum 24 in a variety of different ways. In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIGS. 2A and 2B , vibration damper 100 is secured to drum 16 by the same fasteners 200 that secure baffle 24 to drum 24 . For example, each vibration damper 100 is placed between the baffle 24 and the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 during assembly. Referring to FIG. 2B , the vibration damper 100 is aligned with the baffle 24 and the aperture 42 in the vibration damper 100 is aligned with the aperture 43 through the drum 16 . A set screw 200 extends through the opening 43 of the drum 16, through the opening 42 in the vibration damper 100, and into the mounting portion 52 of the baffle 24 to secure both the baffle 24 and the vibration damper 100 to drum 16.

4A-4C illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which the drum 16 includes an optional groove 21 for a belt 26 . Referring to Figures 4B and 4C, in an exemplary embodiment, the size and shape of the boundary 300 of the vibration damper 100 is designed to match the size and shape of the boundary 302 of the base 304 of the baffle. In this embodiment, the length L _D of the vibration damper 100 matches or substantially matches the length L _B of the baffle 24 , even though the drum 16 includes grooves. A smooth transition is provided from the inner surface 26 to the boundary 300 of the vibration damper 100 to the boundary 302 of the base 304 of the baffle 24 . This smooth transition prevents any scratching of the garment on the vibration damper 100 or on the base 304 of the baffle 24 . In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 . For example, the bottom surface 306 includes a groove 400 that matches the contour of the annular protrusion 402 on the inner surface 26 of the drum, created by molding the groove 21 into the outer surface 32 of the drum. Annular protrusion. The damper 100 may also optionally be curved across its width W to match the curvature of the inner surface 26 of the drum 16 .

5A-5C illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which a damper 100 extending along the length L _DRUM of the drum 16 is secured to the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 . In one exemplary embodiment, a vibration damper 100 is provided on the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 behind each baffle. In the example shown by FIGS. 5A and 5B , the damper is positioned on the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 between the entry opening 23 and the belt groove 21 .

5B and 5C, in the exemplary embodiment, the size and shape of the boundary 300 of the vibration damper 100 on the outer surface 32 need not match the size and shape of the boundary 302 of the base 304 of the baffle. The shape and size of the vibration damper 100 may be adjusted or adjusted to provide an appropriate amount of vibration at a selected location on the drum 16 . In the example shown by FIGS. 5B and 5C , the width of the vibration damper 100 is greater than the width of the base 304 of the baffle 24 . In other exemplary embodiments, the width of the vibration damper 100 may match the width of the base 304 of the baffle, or the width of the vibration damper 100 may be smaller than the width of the base 304 of the baffle. Furthermore, the dimensions of the vibration damper 100 may vary along the length of the drum. For example, the vibration damper 100 may have a wider portion towards the inlet opening 23 and a narrower portion away from the inlet opening 23 where it is easier to emit sound. This provides more damping where the most damping is needed (near the front of the dryer 10 ), and less damping where not as much damping is needed (toward the rear of the dryer). In some exemplary embodiments, the length (in the direction of the length L _DRUM ) of the damper 100 is greater than the width W of the damper 100 . In other exemplary embodiments, the length (in the direction of the length L _DRUM ) of the damper 100 is smaller than the width W of the damper 100 . The damper 100 can also have different shapes and sizes to further tune the vibration damping.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 . For example, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 may be curved across its width W to match the curvature of the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 5C , vibration damper 100 is secured to drum 16 by the same fasteners 200 that secure baffle 24 to drum 16 . Any of the vibration dampers 100 and baffles disclosed in this application may be secured to the drum 24 in this manner. For example, during assembly, each vibration damper 100 is placed against the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 and the baffle 24 is placed against the inner surface 26 of the drum. The aperture 42 in the vibration damper 100 is aligned with the aperture 43 through the drum 16 . A set screw 46 extends through the opening 42 in the vibration damper 100, through the opening 43 of the drum 16, and into the mounting portion 52 of the baffle 24 to secure both the baffle 24 and the vibration damper 100 to drum 16.

6A and 6B show an exemplary embodiment that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. and the rear end 600 of the drum 16.

Figures 7A and 7B show an exemplary embodiment similar to that shown in Figures 5A-5C, except that the damper 100 is positioned between the entry opening 23 and the belt groove 21 and between These two locations are between the groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 . The dampers can be positioned in a variety of different configurations and can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In the example shown by FIGS. 7A and 7B , the damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 is of a different size than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21. . For example, the damper 100 between the groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may be smaller, larger and/or have a different shape than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the groove 21. shape.

8A and 8B show an exemplary embodiment that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C except that two dampers 100 are positioned behind and the belt groove 21 , and two dampers 100 are positioned behind the two baffles 24 and between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 . The dampers can be positioned in a variety of different configurations and can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In the example shown by FIGS. 8A and 8B , the damper 100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21 are diametrically opposed. The damper 100 between the grooved 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 is also diametrically opposed and offset 180 degrees from the damper 100 between the entry opening 23 and the grooved 21 . The damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may have different dimensions than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 . For example, the damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may be smaller, larger and/or have a different shape than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 .

9A and 9B illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which a damper 100 extending along the length L _DRUM of the drum 16 is secured to the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 . In an exemplary embodiment, vibration dampers 100 are disposed on the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 and are offset from the baffles. In the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , the damper 100 is positioned on the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 between the entry opening 23 and the belt groove 21 .

In an exemplary embodiment, boundary 300 of vibration damper 100 on outer surface 32 may have various configurations. The shape and size of the vibration damper 100 may be adjusted or adjusted to provide an appropriate amount of vibration at a selected location on the drum 16 . In the example shown by FIG. 9B , the width of the vibration damper 100 is greater than the width of the base 304 of the baffle 24 . In other exemplary embodiments, the width of the vibration damper 100 may match the width of the base 304 of the baffle, or the width of the vibration damper 100 may be smaller than the width of the base 304 of the baffle. Furthermore, the dimensions of the vibration damper 100 may vary along the length of the drum. For example, the vibration damper 100 may have a wider portion towards the inlet opening 23 and a narrower portion away from the inlet opening 23 where it is easier to emit sound. This provides more damping where the most damping is needed (near the front of the dryer 10 ), and less damping where not as much damping is needed (toward the rear of the dryer). The damper 100 can also have different shapes and sizes to further tune the vibration damping.

In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIG. 9B , the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 . For example, the bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 may be curved across its width W to match the curvature of the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 . In other exemplary embodiments, bottom surface 306 is not so contoured. In the exemplary embodiment shown by FIGS. 9A and 9B , the vibration damper 100 may be secured to the drum 16 by means of fasteners, adhesive, welding, or the like.

10A and 10B show an exemplary embodiment that is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B except that the damper 100 is positioned on the outer surface 32 of the drum 16 and on the groove 21. and the rear end 600 of the drum 16.

Figures 11A and 11B show an exemplary embodiment that is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 9A and 9B, except that the damper 100 is positioned between the entry opening 23 and the belt groove 21 and between the belt grooves 21 and These two locations are between the groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 . The dampers can be positioned in a variety of different configurations and can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. In the example shown by FIGS. 11A and 11B , the damper 100 between the groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 compared to the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the groove 21 may have different sizes. For example, the damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may be smaller, larger and/or have a different shape than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 .

Figures 12A and 12B show an exemplary embodiment which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 9A and 9B, except that two dampers 100 are positioned between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21, And two dampers 100 are positioned between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 . The dampers can be positioned in a variety of different configurations, and can have a variety of different shapes and sizes. In the example shown by Figures 12A and 12B, the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 are diametrically opposed. The damper 100 between the grooved 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 is also diametrically opposed and offset 180 degrees from the damper 100 between the entry opening 23 and the grooved 21 . The damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may have different dimensions than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 . For example, the damper 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 may be smaller, larger and/or have a different shape than the damper 100 between the inlet opening 23 and the belt groove 21 .

The embodiments illustrated by Figures 3A-12B can be combined in various ways. For example, the damper 100 may be placed both inside and outside the drum 16 , and/or behind and offset from the baffle 24 . Any of the configurations shown by FIGS. 3A-12B may be combined with any other configuration to form additional damper configurations.

Figures 13A-13C illustrate an exemplary embodiment in which the drum 16 is contoured. The drum 16 can be contoured in various ways. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drum 16 is dimpled. Dimpled drum 1300 includes a pattern of dimples 1302 or indentations. Dimpled drums can be constructed from a variety of different materials. For example, the dimpled drum may be made of steel, such as stainless steel. Dimples 1302 and dimple patterns can take a variety of different forms. Dimples 1302 and dimple patterns may be uniform and/or non-uniform. In one exemplary embodiment, the stainless steel drum has a dimple pattern wherein the dimples in the middle of the drum 16 are deeper than the dimples on the front and rear of the drum.

Referring to FIG. 13C , in the exemplary embodiment, the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the drum 16 . For example, the damper 100 shown includes a protrusion 1310 that matches the contour of the pattern of the dimple 1302 . A damper 100 that matches the drum profile may be applied to the drum 16 in any configuration envisioned by FIGS. 3A-12B. The damper 100 can be made to match the contour of the drum 16 with the dimples 1302 in various ways. In an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive layer 1413 may be spray applied to the drum to fill the dimples 1302 to match the contour of the dimpled drum 16 . In another exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 1413 is made of a deformable material, and the constraining layer 1412 is pulled down by the fastener to press the adhesive layer 1413 into the dimple.

Damper 100 may take a variety of different forms. One damper that can be used is Polycore.RTM from Pre Finish Metals Inc. Polycore.RTM consists of a metal outer skin surrounding a thin viscoelastic core material. The inner core converts the vibrational mechanical energy into heat, which is then dissipated. Another damper that can be used is the Scotchdamp.TM Vibration Control System from 3M Company. In the Scotchdamp.TM vibration control system, any of a variety of adhesive layers couples the constraining layer to the vibratory sound source. In addition to adhesives, magnetic materials can also bond the constraining layer to the vibroacoustic source. For example, in US Pat. No. 5,300,355, vibration damping materials disclosed include magnetic composite damping materials constructed by bonding a bonded elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a constraining layer such as a metal plate. US Patent No. 5,300,355 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Patent No. 5,855,353 discloses an example of a damper 100 that may be used in embodiments of the present application. US Patent No. 5,855,353 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Referring to FIGS. 14B and 15B , in an exemplary embodiment, damper 100 includes constraining layer 1412 and adhesive layer 1413 . Referring to Figures 14A and 15A, in some exemplary embodiments, the constraining layer 1412 is omitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 is an elongated metal rod or rectilinear plate, but the constraining layer may also be formed into any desired shape or contour such as circular, oval, square, irregular, etc. Constraint layer 1412 may include a suitable configuration to help strengthen drum 16 . Such stiffening configurations of the constraining layer 1412 may include curved edges 1416 (see FIG. 17 ) extending the length or width of the constraining layer 1412 that is flat, or bends 1414 (see FIG. 16 ) that extend the length of the constraining layer 1412 to constrain The angled surfaces of the cross-section of layer 1412 provide greater stiffness. The bend 1414 may be V-shaped as shown, or other shapes such as arcuate, straight, etc. may be used as desired.

Any suitable material may be used for the constraining layer 1412 as long as the material has a large modulus of elasticity in at least one direction compared to the surface of the drum 16 to which it is applied. In other terms, the constraining layer 1412 should have a relatively higher flexural stiffness. In an exemplary embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 has a flexural stiffness that is at least eighty percent of the flexural stiffness of the drum sidewall. In an exemplary embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 has a flexural stiffness as high as that of the drum sidewall. In an exemplary embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 has a higher flexural stiffness than the drum sidewall. In the exemplary embodiment, constraining layer 1412 resists deflection of drum 16 to which it is applied, thus causing shear forces to manifest in adhesive layer 1413, thereby converting vibrations into heat energy. For example, the constraining layer 1412 may have a large modulus of elasticity, such as a plate made of sheet metal, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, etc., or a plate made of phenolic resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, etc. or fiber-reinforced plastic panels made by using fiber-reinforced plastic panels such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc., or such as stone panels, hydrated calcium silicate panels, gypsum panels, fiber-mixed cement panels, ceramic panels, etc. Inorganic rigid boards, or organic rigid boards including pitch, pitch impregnated fibers, wood, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B , an adhesive layer 1413 is interposed between the constraining layer 1412 and a source of vibration (such as the drum 16 ), so that the adhesive layer serves both to adhere the constraining layer 1412 to the drum 16. The effect of playing the vibration of damping drum 16 again. In the example shown by FIG. 14B , adhesive layer 1413 is composed of adhesion enhancing material 1421 and adhesive 1422 . The tack-enhancing material 1421 not only enhances the tackiness of the adhesive, thereby enhancing creep resistance, but also strengthens the adhesive, thereby improving the adhesive's impact and shear resistance. In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the adhesive layer 1413 is composed of an adhesive 1422, and the adhesion enhancing material 1421 is omitted.

Adhesive 1422 may take a variety of different forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the adhesive 1422 is preferably a viscoelastic material that converts vibrations into thermal energy through shear forces developed within it. Any suitable viscoelastic adhesive material may be used so long as it remains tacky after curing. For example, the adhesive may be any one or more of the following: pressure sensitive hot or cold melt adhesives, acrylic based adhesives such as acrylic viscoelastic polymers, pressure sensitive damping polymers, Bonds epoxy, urea-formaldehyde, melamine, phenolic, vinyl acetate, cyanoacrylate, polyurethane, elastomeric, and more. The adhesive can be, for example, any of various commercial adhesives, such as Acrylic Adhesive A-1115 from Avery-Dennison Company, Acrylic Adhesive MACtac.TM.XD-3780 from Morgan Adhesives Company, The Reynolds Co.'s elastomer-based hot melt adhesive R-821, or Venture Tape's acrylic adhesive V-514.

The adhesion enhancing material 1421 of the adhesion layer 1413 substantially reduces the fluidity of the resulting bond layer, thereby substantially reducing the amount of both static and dynamic creep exhibited within the vibration damping system. The viscosity enhancing material 1421 may include one or more of the following exemplary materials: organic fibers including cellulose, carbon fibers, asbestos, and inorganic fibers including glass fibers, steel wool, rayon, and the like.

Viscosity enhancing material 1421 provides a structure interposed between a source of vibration generation, such as drum 16 of a clothes dryer, and constraining layer 1412 . This structure allows the drum sidewall 28 and the constraining layer 1412 to move relative to each other within limits, but increases the viscosity (i.e., flow resistance) of the adhesive layer 1413 so that permanent displacement between the constraining layer 1412 and the drum sidewall 28 is reduced. Small. In other words, generally speaking, the constraining layer 1412 does not creep as much relative to the drum sidewall 28 as in the same damping system that does not include the viscosity enhancing material 1421 .

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesion enhancing material 1421 of the adhesive layer 1413 is a cellulosic material whose fibers are sized and entangled to allow penetration of the adhesive in a liquid state into the cellulosic carrier material, which may be achieved by dipping the cellulosic material into the binder, by extrusion under pressure, by rolling, or by any other suitable method. The penetration may be within microns or throughout the cellulosic material.

Adhesive layer 1413 is manufactured by applying adhesive 1422 in a liquid state to adhesion enhancing material 1421 and curing adhesive 1422 to form an adhesive coated core. A number of techniques can be used to apply the adhesive 1422 to the adhesion enhancing material 1421 or to the carrier material. For example, a roll coating process (a metered amount of adhesive liquid is applied to one or both of two or more opposing rolls between which a core (e.g., an adhesion enhancing material) is passed), spraying, Brush, knife, foam (stabilized foam) or foam (which foams and dissipates to leave a thin coating) application in the form of mechanically or chemically agitated adhesive, curtain coating, slot die coating Or extrusion coating (its carrier or viscosity enhancing material passes through the gap in which the adhesive is injected), or calendering. A suitable release film can be formed or placed on the major surfaces (top and/or bottom surfaces) of the adhesive coated core or adhesive layer 1413 in known manner.

In some exemplary embodiments, the adhesive layer 1413 of the embodiments illustrated by Figures 14A, 14B, 15A, and 15B is replaced by a non-adhesive material. A variety of different non-adhesive materials can be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-adhesive layer is a viscoelastic or elastic material that converts vibrations into thermal energy through shear forces developed within the viscoelastic material. Any suitable viscoelastic material can be used. Examples of suitable non-adhesive materials include, but are not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and blends of EVA, and other polymers, including blends of EVA with one or more polypropylenes, nitrile rubber, and Ethylene-styrene interpolymer. Other examples include, but are not limited to, acrylics (eg, acrylic viscoelastic polymers), epoxies, urea, melamine, phenol, vinyl acetate, cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes, elastomers, and the like.

18 and 19, in an exemplary embodiment, damper 100 is configured to drive sound energy from one area of dryer 10 to another area of dryer. For example, damper 100 may be configured to drive sound energy generated at the front of drum 16 toward the rear of the drum (see arrow 1800 in FIGS. 18 and 19 ). This transfer of sound energy can be achieved in various ways. Damper features that drive sound energy from one location to another are referred to as “sound transfer features” 1900 in this application. The following is an example of a voice transfer feature:

Some parts of the damper 100 may be more rigid than other parts of the damper (for example due to bending, see Figures 16 and 17);

Some parts of the damper may be larger than other parts of the damper;

Some parts of the damper may be thicker than other parts of the damper;

Some parts of the damper may be denser or heavier than other parts of the damper; and/or

Some parts of the damper may be made of other materials than other parts of the damper.

In the example shown by FIG. 18 , a sound diverting feature 1900 is provided on the front portion 1902 of the damper 100 , which is positioned proximate the entry opening 23 of the drum 16 . The sound transfer feature 1900 forces the transfer of vibrational energy toward the rear end 1904 of the drum 16 . In one exemplary embodiment, the sound diverting feature 1900 makes the front portion 1912 of the drum stiffer than the rear end 1914 of the drum 16 . The more rigid front portion 1912 of the drum 16 forces vibration energy towards the less rigid rear end 1914 of the drum 16 .

In the example shown by FIG. 19 , a sound diverting feature 1900 is provided on the damper 100 , positioned between the entry opening 23 and the belt groove 21 of the drum 16 . In the example shown by FIG. 19, the sound transfer feature 1900 can be patterned to control the transfer of vibrational energy. The sound diverting feature 1900 can be styled in a variety of different ways. In one exemplary embodiment, the sound transfer feature is configured to actively drive the vibrational energy at the front end 1902 of the drum 16 rearwardly, and then as the distance between the front of the drum and the rear of the drum increases, , and less aggressively drives the vibrational energy towards the rear of the drum. This can be accomplished in a variety of different ways. In the illustrated embodiment, sound diverting features 1900a and 1900b are closer to each other than sound diverting features 1900b and 1900c. In an exemplary embodiment, the sound-transferring feature 1900 is such that the front end 1902 of the drum 16 is the most rigid and then gradually decreases toward the rear of the drum as the distance between the front of the drum and the rear of the drum increases. small. This gradual change in stiffness can be achieved in a variety of different ways. For example, the bends closest to the front of the drum are spaced closer together, and the bends are spaced farther apart as the distance from the front of the drum increases; The width gradually decreases; the thickness of the damper decreases with increasing distance from the front of the drum; the weight of the damper decreases with increasing distance from the front of the drum; and further away from the front of the drum The part of the damper is made of a less rigid material.

In the example shown by FIGS. 18 and 19 , the sound diverting feature 1900 is shown extending generally in the circumferential direction of the drum 16 . Figure 20 shows an exemplary embodiment where the sound diverting features extend along the length L _DRUM of the drum. It should be understood from FIGS. 18-20 that the sound diverting features may extend in any direction and may have any configuration.

The damper 100 disclosed in this application can be used on any vibration system requiring damping on any surface. For example, the damper 100 may be used to damp vibrations of any surface of any machine's box or housing, drum, moving parts, and the like. Examples of the application of the damper 100 disclosed in this application include, but are not limited to, washing machines (e.g., the basin, basket, motor or other moving parts of a washing machine, and/or the cabinet or housing or other fixed parts), air conditioners (e.g., compressor, exhaust, housing or other compressor components, and/or housing, housing, heat exchange coils or other stationary components), components of heating ventilation and air conditioning systems (e.g., fans, blowers, ducts, plenum, etc.), refrigerators (for example, refrigerator fans, compressors or other moving parts, and/or cabinets, casings, heat exchange coils or other fixed parts), fans, fan cages, small appliances ( For example, motors or other moving parts of equipment, and/or cabinets, housings, or other stationary parts), mixers (eg, motors or other moving parts of mixers, and/or housings or other stationary parts), vacuum devices ( such as a motor, brush, impeller or other moving part of a vacuum device, and/or a housing or other stationary part), a mixer (for example, a motor or other moving part of a mixer, and/or a housing or other stationary part) , white goods (such as motors or other moving parts of white goods, and/or housings or other fixed parts), industrial equipment (such as motors or other moving parts of industrial equipment, and/or housings or other fixed parts), power generation Engines (such as motors or other moving parts of generators, and/or housings or other stationary parts), lighting equipment, objects with vibrating metal, mufflers (such as the outer casing or internal parts of a muffler), engines (such as gasoline and diesel engines), engine accessories (such as radiators, pumps, intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, air conditioners, heaters, heater blowers, etc.), industrial food processing equipment (such as drums, mixers, etc. etc.), commercial and household appliances and equipment, automotive door panels, trunks, headliners, etc., as well as aerospace applications and electronic equipment. The invention can be used anywhere vibration damping or sound damping is suitable.

The descriptions of specific embodiments above have been given by way of example. From the given disclosure, those skilled in the art will not only appreciate the general inventive concept and resulting advantages, but will also find obvious changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. For example, the general inventive concept is not typically limited to any particular application or damper configuration. Thus, for example, the use of the inventive concept in all types of equipment requiring vibration and/or sound cancellation is within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. As another example, although the embodiments disclosed herein have primarily concerned clothes dryers, the general inventive concept can be readily extended to any application that would benefit from the damper structures disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such changes and modifications and their equivalents that come within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept as described and claimed herein.

Various exemplary embodiments of vents are disclosed herein. Vibration dampers and devices with vibration dampers according to the invention may comprise any combination or sub-combination of features disclosed in this application.

While the invention has been illustrated by the description of its embodiments, and although important details of the embodiments have been described, the applicant does not intend to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to these details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. In addition, although specific shape features have been shown and described herein, other geometric shapes can also be used, including ovals, polygons (e.g., squares, rectangles, triangles, hexagons, etc.), other shapes can also be used . Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit and scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims (18)

1. A clothes dryer, said clothes dryer comprising: box; a rotating drum installed in the box; a plurality of baffles mounted inside the rotating drum; A plurality of vibration dampers installed between the baffle and the rotating drum. 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the baffle is fixed to the rotary drum by fasteners, and the vibration damper is also fixed to the rotary drum by the fasteners. 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein the vibration damper is a constrained layer type vibration damper. 4. The clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein the vibration damper includes at least one sound diverting feature. 5. The clothes dryer of claim 4, wherein the sound diverting feature is configured to divert sound energy generated at the front of the rotating drum toward the rear of the rotating drum. 6. A clothes dryer comprising: box; a rotating drum installed in the box; a plurality of baffles mounted inside the rotating drum; A plurality of vibration dampers are attached to the rotating drum such that the largest dimension of the vibration dampers extends in the length direction of the rotating drum. 7. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the vibration damper is attached between the baffle plate and the rotary drum. 8. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the vibration damper is mounted to an outer surface of the rotary drum. 9. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the baffle is fixed to the rotary drum by fasteners, and the vibration damper is also fixed to the rotary drum by the fasteners. 10. The clothes dryer according to claim 6, wherein the vibration damper is a constrained layer type vibration damper. 11. The clothes dryer of claim 6, wherein the vibration damper includes at least one sound diverting feature. 12. The clothes dryer of claim 11, wherein the sound diverting feature is configured to divert sound energy generated at the front of the rotating drum toward the rear of the rotating drum. 13. A clothes dryer comprising: box; a rotating drum installed in the box; a plurality of vibration dampers mounted to the rotating drum; wherein the vibration dampers include sound diverting features configured to place The resulting sound energy is diverted towards the rear of the rotating drum. [14] The clothes dryer according to claim 13, wherein the vibration damper is installed between the baffle plate and the rotary drum. 15. The clothes dryer according to claim 13, wherein the vibration damper is mounted to an outer surface of the rotary drum. 16. The clothes dryer of claim 13, wherein the baffle is fixed to the rotary drum by fasteners, and the vibration damper is also fixed to the rotary drum by the fasteners. 17. The clothes dryer according to claim 13, wherein the vibration damper is a constrained layer type vibration damper. 18. The clothes dryer of claim 13, wherein the vibration damper includes at least one sound diverting feature.