U.S. patent application number 14/726701 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-24 for vibration damping system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin Herreman, Donald Hill, Phillip J. Johnson, Anthony Lee Rockwell.
Application Number | 20150368852 14/726701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54869145 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150368852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rockwell; Anthony Lee ; et
al. |
December 24, 2015 |
VIBRATION DAMPING SYSTEM
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.
Inventors: |
Rockwell; Anthony Lee;
(Pickerington, OH) ; Hill; Donald; (Newark,
OH) ; Herreman; Kevin; (Newark, OH) ; Johnson;
Phillip J.; (Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC |
Toledo |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54869145 |
Appl. No.: |
14/726701 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62013615 |
Jun 18, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/602 ;
34/603 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/04 20130101;
D06F 58/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 58/04 20060101
D06F058/04 |
Claims
1. A clothes dryer comprising: a cabinet; a rotatable drum mounted
within the cabinet; a plurality of baffles mounted inside the
rotatable drum; a plurality of vibration dampers mounted between
the baffles and the rotatable drum.
2. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the baffles are secured to
the drum with fasteners and the vibration dampers are also secured
to the drum with said fasteners.
3. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the vibration dampers are
constrained layer vibration dampers.
4. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the vibration dampers
include at least one acoustic shifting feature.
5. The clothes dryer of claim 4 wherein the acoustic shifting
feature is configured to shift acoustic energy generated at the
front of the drum toward the rear of the drum.
6. A clothes dryer comprising: a cabinet; a rotatable drum mounted
within the cabinet; a plurality of baffles mounted inside the
rotatable drum; a plurality of vibration dampers attached to the
rotatable drum such that a largest dimension of the vibration
dampers extends in a direction of a length of the rotatable
drum.
7. The clothes dryer of claim 6 wherein the vibration dampers are
attached between the baffles and the rotatable drum.
8. The clothes dryer of claim 6 wherein the vibration dampers are
mounted to an outside surface of the rotatable drum.
9. The clothes dryer of claim 6 wherein the baffles are secured to
the drum with fasteners and the vibration dampers are also secured
to the drum with said fasteners.
10. The clothes dryer of claim 6 wherein the vibration dampers are
constrained layer vibration dampers.
11. The clothes dryer of claim 6 wherein the vibration dampers
include at least one acoustic shifting feature.
12. The clothes dryer of claim 11 wherein the acoustic shifting
feature is configured to shift acoustic energy generated at the
front of the drum toward the rear of the drum.
13. A clothes dryer comprising: a cabinet; a rotatable drum mounted
within the cabinet; a plurality of vibration dampers mounted to the
rotatable drum; wherein the vibration dampers include acoustic
shifting features configured to shift acoustic energy generated at
the front of the drum toward the rear of the drum.
14. The clothes dryer of claim 13 wherein the vibration dampers are
mounted between the baffles and the rotatable drum.
15. The clothes dryer of claim 13 wherein the vibration dampers are
mounted to an outside surface of the rotatable drum.
16. The clothes dryer of claim 13 wherein the baffles are secured
to the drum with fasteners and the vibration dampers are also
secured to the drum with said fasteners.
17. The clothes dryer of claim 13 wherein the vibration dampers are
constrained layer vibration dampers.
18. The clothes dryer of claim 13 wherein the vibration dampers
include at least one acoustic shifting feature.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application No. 62/013,615 filed on Jun. 18, 2014, titled
"Vibration Damping System" which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present relates to a method and apparatus for vibration
(e.g., sound) damping.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The damping of vibration of mechanical systems is of
increasing importance to industry in that vibration can have a
number of undesirable effects. For instance, consumers are becoming
increasingly sensitive to the undesirability of sound created by
vibrating systems. Automobile manufacturers have recognized the
importance in the purchasing decision of many buyers of a solid
thump sound when an automobile door is closed. Likewise, the
quality of an appliance is sometimes gauged in part by the
perception of the solidity of its construction.
[0006] It has become important for the manufacturers of appliances
such as clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators, microwave ovens,
ovens, stoves, dishwashers, etc. to provide vibration damping on
the large, flat sheet material sides of the appliances so that a
consumer in making his or her purchasing decision can appreciate
the quality of the product by the low frequency sound generated
when the side of the appliances is hit. Also, provision of such
systems can be important to reduce the noise levels produced by the
appliance when such sides vibrate. This is especially true today
because of the increase in homes that locate such appliances on the
main living floor thereof.
[0007] Sound damping systems generally operate by converting
vibration energy into thermal energy. For instance, the vibration
energy may be converted into thermal energy by interfacial
friction, which makes it exhibit a vibration damping property.
Alternatively or in addition, shear deformation may be produced
within an elastic material having a small elastic modulus when it
is located between a source of vibration energy and another surface
or constraining layer.
[0008] Pre Finish Metals Inc. provides a product called
Polycore.RTM. which consists of metal outer skins surrounding a
thin, viscoelastic core material. This inner core converts the
mechanical energy of vibration into heat and then dissipates the
heat. This combination is purported to reduce vibration generated
noise at the source. Similarly, 3M provides products under the name
"Scotchdamp.TM. vibration control systems" in which any one of a
variety of adhesive layers join a constraining layer to a source of
vibrating sound. The shear modulus and sound loss factors of these
products depend on frequency and temperature, as well as on other
factors.
[0009] In addition to adhesives, magnetic materials may join a
constraining layer to a source of vibratory sound. For instance, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,355, the disclosed vibration damping material
includes a magnetic composite type damping material constructed by
bonding an adhesive elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a
constraining plate such as a metal plate. In this system, it is
reported that since not only is the damping material attracted by a
magnetic force against a vibration source, it is also provided with
a superficial adhesiveness to develop vibration damping properties
over a wide range of temperatures.
[0010] Domestic clothes drying machines typically comprise a
rotating steel dryer drum in which clothes are tumbled as warm air
is circulated through the dryer drum drying the clothes. As the
articles of clothing tumble within the dryer drum, the articles
fall into contact with the drum wall. Heavier articles, metal
buttons and loose coins have a tendency to impact the dryer drum
and create noise.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,465 discloses a clothes dryer with a
reduced noise drum. Steel bands or straps are fastened about the
outside periphery of the cylindrical wall of the dryer drum to
absorb noise created by articles tumbling within the dryer drum
during operation. An adhesive material is laminated to the strap or
band which sticks the band to the outside wall of the dryer drum by
applying pressure. Baffle mounting screws passing through the dryer
drum also secure ends and intermediate parts of the band to the
dryer drum.
SUMMARY
[0012] The present application discloses exemplary embodiments of
clothes driers. The clothes driers include a cabinet, a rotatable
drum mounted inside the cabinet, and one or more vibration dampers
mounted to the rotatable drum. The vibration dumpers may have a
variety of different configurations. 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.
[0013] Various objects and advantages will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
invention, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. It is
to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for
illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as defining the
limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes dryer;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a clothes dryer drum with a
baffle and dampener separated from the drum;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a sectional view showing attachment of the baffle
and dampener shown in FIG. 2A to the drum;
[0017] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0018] FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 3B-3B in FIG. 3A;
[0019] FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 3C-3C in FIG. 3B;
[0020] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 4B-4B in FIG. 4A;
[0022] FIG. 4C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 4C-4C in FIG. 4B;
[0023] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 5B-5B in FIG. 5A;
[0025] FIG. 5C is a sectional view showing attachment of the sound
dampening system shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B;
[0026] FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0027] FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 6B-6B in FIG. 6A;
[0028] FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0029] FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 7B-7B in FIG. 7A;
[0030] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0031] FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 8B-8B in FIG. 8A;
[0032] FIG. 9A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0033] FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 8B-8B in FIG. 8A;
[0034] FIG. 10A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0035] FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 10B-10B in FIG. 10A;
[0036] FIG. 11A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0037] FIG. 11B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 11B-11B in FIG. 11A;
[0038] FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0039] FIG. 12B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 12B-12B in FIG. 12A;
[0040] FIG. 13A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0041] FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 13B-13B in FIG. 13A;
[0042] FIG. 13C is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated
by lines 13C-13C in FIG. 13B;
[0043] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a vibration damper;
[0044] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a vibration damper;
[0045] FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a vibration damper;
[0046] FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a vibration damper;
[0047] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
a stiffened vibration damper;
[0048] FIG. 17 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a
stiffened vibration damper;
[0049] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system;
[0050] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system; and
[0051] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes
dryer drum having an exemplary embodiment of a sound dampening
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0052] The present invention will now be described with occasional
reference to the 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.
[0053] Unless otherwise defined, 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
invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0054] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
quantities of dimensions such as length, width, height, and so
forth as used in the specification and claims are to be understood
as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical properties
set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that
may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained
in embodiments of the present 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 values, however, inherently contain certain errors
necessarily resulting from error found in their respective
measurements.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 1 a clothes dryer 10 is illustrated to
show some of the basic details of the construction. The dryer 10
may be heated by gas or electricity. The dryer 10 includes a
cabinet or housing 12 that includes a control panel 14. A rotating
drum 16, motor 18 and blower 20 are housed within the cabinet 12.
The cabinet 12 has front wall 25 with a door 21 to give the user
access to the drum 16 through an access opening 23. The drum 16 is
mounted in the cabinet 12 for rotation about its central axis. The
motor 18 is arranged to drive the drum by means of belt 22. Heated
air is forced into the drum by the blower 20 through a vent 29 to
extract moisture from clothes that tumble in the drum 16. The
illustrated vent 29 and drum 16 configuration is one of many
possible configurations and is not intended to limit the present
application in any way.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment, the drum 16
is provided with a set of baffles 24. The baffles 24 can be
provided in a wide variety of different configurations. In the
illustrated embodiments, the baffles 24 extend substantially the
entire length L.sub.DRUM of the drum. In other exemplary
embodiments, the baffles 24 may extend about 1/2 the length
L.sub.DRUM of the drum 16. For example, separate, shorter baffles
may be provided on each side of the groove 21. In one exemplary
embodiment, four baffles having about 1/2 the length L.sub.DRUM of
the drum can be provided, with two diametrically offset in the
front and two diametrically offset in the back. These front and
rear "1/2 baffles" can be offset from one another by 90 degrees.
The dampers 100 disclosed herein are equally applicable to the "1/2
baffles" as they are to the illustrated full length baffles.
[0057] The baffles 24 can take a wide variety of different forms.
In one exemplary embodiment, the baffles 24 are each a
substantially hollow and are molded from plastic. A wide variety of
different plastics can be used. Any plastic that can withstand the
temperatures inside the drum 16 during operation of the dryer 10
and can withstand impact by clothes and other articles inside the
drum 16 can be used to construct the baffles 24. Examples of
plastic materials for the baffle 24 include, but are not limited
to, vinyl, polypropylene, and NORYL, trademark of General Electric
Company. The baffle 24 may have a variety of different shapes and
sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, three or more equally
circumferentially spaced baffles are provided. In another exemplary
embodiment, baffles are omitted or are substantially omitted. In
one exemplary embodiment, the baffle is slightly curved so as to
encourage the clothes to tumble toward the center of the drum 16
during a drying operation. The baffle 24 may be mounted to the drum
16 in a wide variety of different ways. In one exemplary
embodiment, the baffle 24 is mounted by bolts or screws 200 to an
inside surface 26 of a cylindrical drum sidewall 28.
[0058] The drum 16 can be driven in a wide variety of different
ways. In one exemplary embodiment, the drive belt 22 is disposed
around the drum 16. The drive belt 22 is driven by the motor 18 to
rotate the drum 16 inside the cabinet 12. The drive belt 22 may be
disposed around the drum in a wide variety of different ways. In
one exemplary embodiment, an optional groove 21 receives the belt.
The optional belt receiving groove can take a wide variety of
different forms. For example, a circumferential indentation may be
formed in the cylindrical drum sidewall 28 to define the groove 21
(see FIG. 4A). In another exemplary embodiment, struts or webs may
be provided on an outside surface 32 of the cylindrical sidewall 28
of the drum to define a belt receiving groove 21.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, an appliance, such as the dryer
10 illustrated by FIG. 1 is provided with one or more vibration
dampers 100. The vibration damper can take a wide variety of
different forms and can be applied to the appliance in a wide
variety of different ways. For example, the vibration damper 100
may be a frictional type damper, a free layer type damper, or a
constrained layer type damper. A frictional type damper may be an
underlayment made of foam or fibers.
[0060] FIGS. 14A and 15A illustrate exemplary embodiments of free
layer type damper. The free layer type damper includes a layer 1413
of viscoelastic material on the surface of the component with
vibration that is being damped (the dryer drum 16 in FIGS. 14A and
15A). The layer 1413 of damping material is adhered to the surface
of a structure, such as the dryer drum 16. Energy is dissipated as
a result of extension and compression of the damping material layer
1413 when the base structure (dryer drum 16 in the example) is
flexing during vibration. The damping is dependent on the
composition of a damping material of the free layer damper and
increases with damping layer thickness. The viscoelastic material
of the may be asphaltic, such as pressure sensitive asphaltic
adhesive, magnetic, and/or Butyl, such as pressure sensitive
adhesive and non-adhesive butyl. The viscoelastic material may be
sprayed on the structure, such as the drum 16 or the viscoelastic
material may be pre-formed and applied to the structure.
[0061] FIGS. 14B and 15B illustrate exemplary embodiments of
constrained layer type damper. The constrained layer type damper
includes a layer 1413 of viscoelastic material on the surface of
the component with vibration that is being damped (the dryer drum
16 in FIGS. 14B and 15B) and a constraining layer 1412 on the
viscoelastic material. The layer 1413 of damping material is
affixed to the surface of a structure, such as the dryer drum 16. A
"sandwich" is formed by laminating a damping layer in between the
structure, such as the dryer drum, and the constraining layer. When
the system flexes during vibration, shear strains develop in the
damping layer and energy is lost through shear deformation of the
layer 1413 of viscoelastic material. Varying layer thickness ratios
permits optimizing system loss factors for various temperatures
without changing the layer 1413 of viscoelastic material
composition. Examples of constrained layer dampers include, but are
not limited to, conformable constrained layer (CCL) dampers, patch
constrained layer dampers, and aluminum backed butyl constrained
layer dampers.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, in one exemplary embodiment,
a vibration damper 100 is provided between each baffle 24 and the
inside surface 26 of the drum 16. Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, in
an exemplary embodiment a perimeter 300 of the vibration damper 100
is sized and shaped to match a size and shape of a perimeter 302 of
a base 304 of the baffle. As such, a smooth transition is provided
from the inside surface 26 to the perimeter 300 of the vibration
damper 100 to the perimeter 302 of the base 304 of the baffle 24.
This smooth transition prevents any snagging of clothes on the
vibration damper 100 or the base 304 of the baffle 24. In one
exemplary embodiment, a bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is
contoured to match the contour of the inside 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 inside surface 26 of the drum 16.
[0063] Any of the vibration dampers 100 and the baffle 24 disclosed
by the present application can be secured to the drum 24 in a wide
variety of different ways. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated
by FIGS. 2A and 2B, the vibration damper 100 is secured to the drum
16 with the same fasteners 200 that secure the baffle 24 to the
drum 24. For example, during assembly, each vibration damper 100 is
placed between a baffle 24 and the inside surface 26 of the drum
16. Referring to FIG. 2B, the vibration damper 100 is aligned with
the baffle 24 and apertures 42 in the vibration damper 100 are
aligned over apertures 43 through the drum 16. A securing screw 200
extends through the aperture 43 in the drum 16, through the
aperture 42 in the vibration damper 100, and threads into a
mounting portion 52 of the baffle 24 to secure both the baffle 24
and the vibration damper 100 to the drum 16.
[0064] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary embodiment where the
drum 16 includes the optional groove 21 for the belt 26. Referring
to FIGS. 4B and 4C, in an exemplary embodiment a perimeter 300 of
the vibration damper 100 is sized and shaped to match a size and
shape of a perimeter 302 of a base 304 of the baffle. In this
embodiment, the length L.sub.D of the vibration damper 100 matches
or substantially matches the length L.sub.B of the baffle 24, even
though the drum 16 includes the groove. A smooth transition is
provided from the inside surface 26 to the perimeter 300 of the
vibration damper 100 to the perimeter 302 of the base 304 of the
baffle 24. This smooth transition prevents any snagging of clothes
on the vibration damper 100 or the base 304 of the baffle 24. In
one exemplary embodiment, a bottom surface 306 of the damper 100 is
contoured to match the contour of the inside surface 26 of the drum
16. For example the bottom surface 306 includes a groove 400 that
matches the contour of an annular projection 402 on the inside
surface 26 of the drum that is created by forming the groove 21 in
the outside surface 32 of the drum. The damper 100 may also
optionally be curved across its width W to match the curvature of
the inside surface 26 of the drum 16.
[0065] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an exemplary embodiment where dampers
100 that extend along a length L.sub.DRUM of the drum 16 are
secured to the outside surface 32 of the drum 16. In one exemplary
embodiment, a vibration damper 100 is provided on the outside
surface 32 of the drum 16, behind each baffle. In the example
illustrated by FIGS. 5A and 5B, the dampers are positioned on the
outside surface 32 of the drum 16 between the access opening 23 and
the belt groove 21.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, in an exemplary embodiment a
perimeter 300 of the vibration damper 100 on the outside surface 32
need not be sized and shaped to match a size and shape of a
perimeter 302 of a base 304 of the baffle. The shape and size of
the vibration damper 100 can be adjusted or tuned to provide an
appropriate amount of vibration in selected locations of the drum
16. In the example illustrated 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 can match the width of the width of the base
304 of the baffle or the width of the vibration damper 100 can be
less than the width of the base 304 of the baffle. Further, the
size of the vibration damper 100 can vary along the length of the
drum. For example, the vibration damper 100 may have a wider
portion toward the access opening 23, where sound is most likely to
emanate, and a narrower portion that is further away from the
access opening 23. This provides more damping where it is needed
most (near the front of the dryer 10) and less where it may not
needed as much (toward the rear of the dryer). In some exemplary
embodiments, the length of the damper 100 (in the direction of the
length L.sub.DRUM) is greater than the width W of the damper 100.
In other exemplary embodiments, the length of the damper 100 (in
the direction of the length L.sub.DRUM) is less than the width W of
the damper 100. The dampers 100 can also have different shapes and
sizes to further tune the vibration dampening.
[0067] In one exemplary embodiment, a bottom surface 306 of the
damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of the outside 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
outside surface 32 of the drum 16.
[0068] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5C, the
vibration damper 100 is secured to the drum 16 with the same
fasteners 200 that secure the baffle 24 to the drum 16. Any of the
vibration dampers 100 and baffles disclosed by this application can
be secured to the drum 24 in this manner. For example, during
assembly, each vibration damper 100 is placed against the outside
surface 32 of the drum 16 and the baffle 24 is placed against the
inside surface 26 of the drum. The apertures 42 in the vibration
damper 100 are aligned over apertures 43 through the drum 16. A
securing screw 46 extends through the aperture 42 in the vibration
damper 100, through the aperture 43 in the drum 16, and threads
into a mounting portion 52 of the baffle 24 to secure both the
baffle 24 and the vibration damper 100 to the drum 16.
[0069] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that is
similar to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5A-5C, except the
dampers 100 are positioned on the outside surface 32 of the drum 16
between the belt groove 21 and a rear end 600 of the drum 16.
[0070] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that is
similar to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5A-5C, except the
dampers 100 are positioned both between the access opening 23 and
the belt groove 21 and between the belt groove 21 and the rear end
600 of the drum 16. The dampers can be positioned in a wide variety
of different configurations and can have a variety of different
shapes and sizes. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 7A and 7B,
the dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of
the drum 16 can have a different size than the dampers 100 between
the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21. For example, the
dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the
drum 16 can be smaller, larger, and/or have a different shape than
the dampers 100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove
21.
[0071] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an exemplary embodiment similar
to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 5A-5C, except two dampers
100 are positioned behind two baffles 24 between the access opening
23 and the belt groove 21 and two dampers 100 are positioned behind
two baffles 24 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of
the drum 16. The dampers can be positioned in a wide variety of
different configurations and can have a variety of different shapes
and sizes. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 8A and 8B, the
dampers 100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21
are diametrically opposed. The dampers 100 between the belt groove
21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 are also diametrically
opposed and are offset by 180 degrees from the dampers 100 between
the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21. The dampers 100
between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 can
have a different size than the dampers 100 between the access
opening 23 and the belt groove 21. For example, the dampers 100
between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of the drum 16 can
be smaller, larger, and/or have a different shape than the dampers
100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21.
[0072] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an exemplary embodiment where
dampers 100 that extend along a length L.sub.DRUM of the drum 16
are secured to the outside surface 32 of the drum 16. In one
exemplary embodiment, the vibration dampers 100 is provided on the
outside surface 32 of the drum 16, offset from the baffles. In the
example illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B, the dampers 100 are
positioned on the outside surface 32 of the drum 16 between the
access opening 23 and the belt groove 21.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment a perimeter 300 of the vibration
damper 100 on the outside surface 32 may have a wide variety of
different configurations. The shape and size of the vibration
damper 100 can be adjusted or tuned to provide an appropriate
amount of vibration in selected locations of the drum 16. In the
example illustrated 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
can match the width of the width of the base 304 of the baffle or
the width of the vibration damper 100 or can be less than the width
of the base 304 of the baffle. Further, the size of the vibration
damper 100 can vary along the length of the drum. For example, the
vibration damper 100 may have a wider portion toward the access
opening 23, where sound is most likely to emanate, and a narrower
portion that is further away from the access opening 23. This
provides more damping where it is needed most (near the front of
the dryer 10) and less where it may not needed as much (toward the
rear of the dryer). The dampers 100 can also have different shapes
and sizes to further tune the vibration dampening.
[0074] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIG. 9B, a bottom
surface 306 of the damper 100 is contoured to match the contour of
the outside 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 outside surface 32 of the drum 16. In
other exemplary embodiments, the bottom surface 306 is not
contoured. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9A and
9B, the vibration dampers 100 may be secured to the drum 16 with
fasteners, adhesive, welding, and the like.
[0075] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that is
similar to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B, except
the dampers 100 are positioned on the outside surface 32 of the
drum 16 between the belt groove 21 and a rear end 600 of the drum
16.
[0076] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an exemplary embodiment that is
similar to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B, except
the dampers 100 are positioned both between the access opening 23
and the belt groove 21 and between the belt groove 21 and the rear
end 600 of the drum 16. The dampers can be positioned in a wide
variety of different configurations and can have a variety of
different shapes and sizes. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 11A
and 11B, the dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear
end 600 of the drum 16 can have a different size than the dampers
100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21. For
example, the dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear
end 600 of the drum 16 can be smaller, larger, and/or have a
different shape than the dampers 100 between the access opening 23
and the belt groove 21.
[0077] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an exemplary embodiment similar
to the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B, except 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 wide variety of different configurations and can
have a variety of different shapes and sizes. In the example
illustrated by FIGS. 12A and 12B, the dampers 100 between the
access opening 23 and the belt groove 21 are diametrically opposed.
The dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the rear end 600 of
the drum 16 are also diametrically opposed and are offset by 180
degrees from the dampers 100 between the access opening 23 and the
belt groove 21. The dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the
rear end 600 of the drum 16 can have a different size than the
dampers 100 between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21.
For example, the dampers 100 between the belt groove 21 and the
rear end 600 of the drum 16 can be smaller, larger, and/or have a
different shape than the dampers 100 between the access opening 23
and the belt groove 21.
[0078] The embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 3A-12B can be combined
in a variety of different ways. For example, dampers 100 may be
placed both inside and outside the drum 16, and/or behind and
offset from the from the baffles 24. Any of the configurations
illustrated by FIGS. 3A-12B can be combined with any of the other
configurations to form additional damper configurations.
[0079] FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate and exemplary embodiment where the
drum 16 is contoured. The drum 16 may be contoured in a in a wide
variety of different ways. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment,
the drum 16 is dimpled. The dimpled drum 1300 includes a pattern of
dimples 1302 or indentations. The dimpled drum may be made from a
wide variety of different materials. For example, the dimpled drum
may be steel, such as stainless steel. The dimples 1302 and dimple
patterns can take a wide variety of different forms. The dimples
1302 and the pattern of dimples can be uniform and/or non-uniform.
In one exemplary embodiment, a stainless steel drum has a dimple
pattern with deeper dimples in the middle of the drum 16 than on
the front and rear portions of the drum.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 13C, in an exemplary embodiment the damper
100 is contoured to match the contour of the drum 16. For example,
the illustrated damper 100 includes projections 1310 that match the
contour of the pattern of dimples 1302. Dampers 100 that match the
contour of the drum can be applied to the drum 16 in any of the
configurations contemplated by FIGS. 3A-12B. The dampers 100 may be
made to match the contour of the drum 16 with dimples 1302 in a
wide variety of different ways. In one exemplary embodiment, an
adhering layer 1413 may be spray applied to the drum to fill in the
dimples 1302 and thereby match the contour of the dimpled drum 16.
In another exemplary embodiment, the layer 1413 is made from a
deformable material and the constraining layer 1412 is drawn down
by the fasteners to press the layer 1413 into the dimples.
[0081] The dampers 100 can take a wide variety of different forms.
One damper that can be used is a Polycore.RTM. from Pre Finish
Metals Inc. Polycore.RTM. consists of metal outer skins surrounding
a thin, viscoelastic core material. This inner core converts the
mechanical energy of vibration into heat and then dissipates the
heat. Another damper that can be used is Scotchdamp.TM. vibration
control systems from 3M. In the Scotchdamp.TM. vibration control
systems any one of a variety of adhesive layers joins a
constraining layer to a source of vibrating sound. In addition to
adhesives, magnetic materials may join a constraining layer to a
source of vibratory sound. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No.
5,300,355, the disclosed vibration damping material includes a
magnetic composite type damping material constructed by bonding an
adhesive elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a constraining
plate such as a metal plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,355 is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0082] U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,353 discloses examples of dampers 100
that can be used in the embodiments of the present application.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,353 is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. Referring to FIGS. 14B and 15B, in an exemplary
embodiment the damper 100 includes a constraining layer 1412 and an
adhering layer 1413. Referring to FIGS. 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 bar or rectilinear plate, but can be shaped as a
circular, ovoid, square, irregular, etc. any shape or contoured as
desired. The constraining layer 1412 can include an appropriate
configuration to assist in stiffening the drum 16. Such a
stiffening configuration of the constraining layer 1412 can
comprise bent edges 1416 running the length or width of a flat
constraining layer 1412 (See FIG. 17) or a bend 1414 running the
length of the constraining layer 1412 (See FIG. 16) to provide
greater rigidity due to the angled surfaces of the cross-section of
the constraining layer 1412. The bend 1414 can be chevron shaped as
shown, or other shapes such as arcuate, rectilinear, etc., shaped
may be used if desired.
[0083] Any suitable material can be used for the constraining layer
1412 provided the material has a large elastic modulus at least in
one direction compared to the surface of the drum 16 to which it is
applied. Stated in other terms, the constraining layer 1412 should
have relatively higher flexural rigidity. In one exemplary
embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 has a flexural rigidity
that is at least eighty percent of the flexural rigidity of the
drum sidewall. In one exemplary embodiment, the constraining layer
1412 has a flexural rigidity that is at as high as the flexural
rigidity of the drum sidewall. In one exemplary embodiment, the
constraining layer 1412 has a flexural rigidity that is higher than
the flexural rigidity of the drum sidewall. In an exemplary
embodiment, the constraining layer 1412 resists flexure of the drum
16 to which it is applied, thereby causing shear forces to develop
in the adhering layer 1413 to thus convert vibration into heat
energy. For instance, the constraining layer 1412 may have a large
elastic modulus such as a plate made of sheet metal, iron,
aluminum, stainless steel, copper, etc., a plastic plate made of
phenol resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, etc., a fiber
reinforced plastic plate fabricated by reinforcing the plastic
plate using fiber such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc., or an
inorganic rigid plate such as slate plate, hydrated calcium
silicate plate, a plaster board, a fiber mixed cement plate, a
ceramic plate, etc., or an organic rigid plate including asphalt,
fiber impregnated with asphalt, wood, etc.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 14B and 15B, the adhering layer 1413 is
interposed between the constraining layer 1412 and the source of
vibration such as the drum 16, such that it acts both to adhere the
constraining layer 1412 to the drum 16 and damp the vibration of
the drum 16. In the example illustrated by FIG. 14B, the adhering
layer 1413 is composed of a viscosity enhancing material 1421 and
an adhesive 1422. The viscosity enhancing material 1421 enhances
the viscosity of the adhesive and thereby creep resistance, but
also reinforces the adhesive and thereby increases the adhesive's
resistance to shock and shearing forces. In the example illustrated
by FIG. 15B, the adhering layer 1413 is composed of an adhesive
1422 and the viscosity enhancing material 1421 is omitted.
[0085] The adhesive 1422 can take a wide variety of different
forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the adhesive 1422 is preferably
a viscoelastic material which converts vibration into heat energy
by shear forces developed within the viscoelastic material. Any
suitable viscoelastic adhesive material can be used if it remains
viscous after curing. For instance, the adhesive can be any one or
more of the following adhesives: a pressure sensitive hot or cold
melt adhesive, an acrylic based adhesive such as acrylic
viscoelastic polymers, pressure sensitive damping polymers,
adhesive epoxy resins, urea resins, melamine resins, phenol resins,
vinyl acetates, cyanoacrylates, urethanes, synthetic rubbers, etc.
The adhesive can be, for example, any one of a variety of
commercial adhesives such as the acrylic adhesive A-1115 from
Avery-Dennison, the acrylic adhesive MACtac.TM. XD-3780 from Morgan
Adhesives, the synthetic rubber based hot melt adhesive R-821 from
The Reynolds Co., or the acrylic adhesive V-514 from Venture
Tape.
[0086] The viscosity enhancing material 1421 of the adhering layer
1413 generally reduces the fluidity of the resulting adhesive
layer, thereby generally 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 fiber, asbestos, and inorganic fibers including glass fiber,
steel wool, synthetic fibers, etc.
[0087] The viscosity enhancing material 1421 provides a structure
interposed between the vibration generating source such as the drum
16 of the dryer and the constraining layer 1412. This structure
permits the drum sidewall 28 and the constraining layer 1412 to
move relative to one another within confines, but increases the
viscosity (i.e., resistance to flow) of the adhering layer 1413 so
that permanent shifts between the constraining layer 1412 and the
drum sidewall 28 are reduced. In other words, the constraining
layer 1412 in general does not creep relative to the drum sidewall
28 as much as in an identical damping system that doesn't include
the viscosity enhancing material 1421.
[0088] In one exemplary embodiment, the viscosity enhancing
material 1421 of the adhering layer 1413 is a cellulose material,
the fibers of which are dimensioned and matted to permit
penetration of the adhesive in its liquid state into the cellulose
carrier material, which may be accomplished by soaking the
cellulose material in the adhesive, by pressurized extrusion, by
rolling, or by any other suitable method. The penetration can be
within microns or throughout the cellulose material.
[0089] The adhering layer 1413 is produced by applying an adhesive
1422 in a liquid state to the viscosity enhancing material 1421 and
curing the adhesive 1422 to form an adhesive coated core. A number
of processes can be used to apply the adhesive 1422 to the
viscosity enhancing material 1421 or to carrier materials. For
instance, a roll coat process (metered adhesive liquid is applied
to one or both of two or more opposing rollers between which a
core, e.g., the viscosity enhancing material, passes), spray
coating, brush coating, knife coating, foam (stable bubbles) or
froth (the bubbles of which dissipate to leave a thin coat) coating
in the form of applying mechanically or chemically agitated
adhesives, curtain coating, slot die or extruded coating (with the
carrier or viscosity enhancing material passing through a slot in
which adhesives are injected), or calendaring, for example.
Appropriate release films may be formed or placed on the major
surfaces (top and/or bottom) of the adhesive coated core or
adhering layer 1413 in a known fashion.
[0090] In some exemplary embodiments, the adhering layer 1413 of
the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A, and 15B is
replaced with a non-adhesive material. A wide variety of different
non-adhesive materials can be used. In one exemplary embodiment,
the non-adhesive layer is a viscoelastic material which converts
vibration into heat energy by shear forces developed within the
viscoelastic material or an elastic material. Any suitable
viscoelastic adhesive 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 of polypropylene, nitrile
rubber, and ethylene-styrene interpolymers. Additional examples
include, but are not limited to, acrylics, such as acrylic
viscoelastic polymers, epoxy, ureas, melamines, phenols, vinyl
acetates, cyanoacrylates, urethanes, synthetic rubbers, etc.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, in one exemplary embodiment
the dampers 100 are configured to drive acoustic energy from one
area of the dryer 10 to another area of the dryer. For example, the
dampers 100 can be configured to drive acoustic energy generated at
the front of the drum 16 toward the rear of the drum (See Arrow
1800 in FIGS. 18 and 19). This shifting of the acoustic energy can
be accomplished in a wide variety of different ways. Damper
features that drive acoustic energy from one location to another
location are referred to as "acoustic shifting features" 1900 in
this application. The following are examples of acoustic shifting
features: [0092] Portions of the damper 100 may be stiffer than
other portions of the damper (for example due to bending--See FIGS.
16 and 17); [0093] Portions of the damper may be larger than other
portions of the damper; [0094] Portions of the damper may be
thicker than other portions of the damper;
[0095] Portions of the damper may be denser or heavier than other
portions of the damper and/or;
[0096] Portions of the damper may be made from other materials than
other portions of the damper.
[0097] In the example illustrated by FIG. 18, acoustic shifting
features 1900 are provided on a front portion 1902 of the dampers
100 that is positioned close to the access opening 23 of the drum
16. The acoustic shifting features 1900 force the vibration energy
toward the back end 1904 of the drum 16. In one exemplary
embodiment, the acoustic shifting features 1900 make a front
portion 1912 of the drum stiffer than the back end 1914 of the drum
16. The stiffer front portion 1912 of the drum 16 forces the
vibration energy toward the less stiff back end 1914 of the drum
16.
[0098] In the example illustrated by FIG. 19, acoustic shifting
features 1900 are provided on the dampers 100 that are positioned
between the access opening 23 and the belt groove 21 of the drum
16. In the example illustrated by FIG. 19, the acoustic shifting
features 1900 are patterned to control the shifting of the
vibration energy. The acoustic shifting features 1900 can be
patterned in a wide variety of different ways. In one exemplary
embodiment, the acoustic shifting features are configured to
aggressively drive the vibration energy at the front end 1902 of
the drum 16 rearward and then less aggressively drive the vibration
energy toward the rear of the drum as the distance between the
front of the drum and the rear of the drum increases. This can be
accomplished in a wide variety of different ways. In the
illustrated embodiment, the acoustic shifting features 1900a and
1900b that are closer to one another than the acoustic shifting
features 1900b and 1900c. In one exemplary embodiment, the acoustic
shifting features 1900 make the front end 1902 of the drum 16 most
stiff and then gradually less stiff toward the rear of the drum as
the distance between the front of the drum and the rear of the drum
increases. This gradual change in stiffness can be accomplished in
a wide variety of different ways. For example, more closely spaced
bends closest to the front of the drum and bends spaced farther
apart as the distance from the front of the drum increases, the
width of the damper tapers as the distance from the front of the
drum increases, the thickness of the damper tapers as the distance
from the front of the drum increases, the weight of the damper
declines as the distance from the front of the drum increases, and
portions of the damper that are farther away from the front of the
drum are made from less stiff materials.
[0099] In the examples illustrated by FIGS. 18 and 19 the acoustic
shifting features 1900 are illustrated as extending generally in
the direction of the circumference of the drum 16. FIG. 20
illustrates an exemplary embodiment where the acoustic shifting
features extend along the length L.sub.DRUM of the drum. It should
be appreciated from FIGS. 18-20 that the acoustic shifting features
can extend in any direction and can have any configuration.
[0100] The dampers 100 disclosed by the present application can be
used on any vibrating system which requires damping on any surface.
For instance, the dampers 100 can be used to dampen vibration of
any surface of a cabinet or housing, drum, moving part, etc. of any
machine. Examples of applications for the dampers 100 disclosed by
the present application include, but are not limited to, clothes
washing machines (for example, a tub, basket, motor, or other
moving part and/or a cabinet or housing or other stationary part of
the clothes washing machine), air conditioners (for example, a
compressor, vent, housing, or other part of the compressor and/or a
cabinet, housing, heat exchange coil or other stationary part of
the air conditioner), components of heating ventilation and air
conditioning systems (for example, fans, blowers, ducts, plenums,
and the like), refrigerators (for example, fans, compressors, or
other moving parts and/or a cabinet, housing, heat exchange coil or
other stationary part of the refrigerator), fans, squirrel cages of
fans, small appliances (for example, a motor or other moving part
and/or a cabinet or housing or other stationary part of the
appliance), blenders (for example, a motor or other moving part
and/or a housing or other stationary part of the blender), vacuums
(for example, a motor, brush, impeller or other moving part and/or
a housing or other stationary part of the vacuum), mixers (for
example, a motor or other moving part and/or a housing or other
stationary part of the mixer), white goods (for example, a motor or
other moving part and/or a housing or other stationary part of the
white good), industrial equipment (for example, a motor or other
moving part and/or a housing or other stationary part of the
industrial equipment), generators (for example, a motor or other
moving part and/or a housing or other stationary part of the white
good), light sets, articles with metal that vibrates, mufflers (for
example, the external housing or internal components of the
muffler), engines, such as gasoline and diesel engines, engine
accessories, such as radiators, pumps, intake manifolds, exhaust
manifolds, air conditioners, heaters, heater blowers, and the like,
industrial grade food processing equipment (for example, drums,
mixers and the like), commercial and residential equipment and
devices, panels of automobile doors, trunks, hoods, etc. and
aeronautical applications, and electronic devices. The present
invention can be applied anywhere vibration or sound damping is
appropriate.
[0101] The above description of specific embodiments has been given
by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the
art will not only understand the general inventive concepts and
attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes
and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. For
example, the general inventive concepts are not typically limited
to any particular application or damper configuration. Thus, for
example, use of the inventive concepts on all types of devices
needing vibration and/or sound deadening, are within the spirit and
scope of the general inventive concepts. As another example,
although the embodiments disclosed herein have been primarily
directed to a dryer, the general inventive concepts could be
readily extended to any application which could benefit from the
damper configurations disclosed herein. It is sought, therefore, to
cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit
and scope of the general inventive concepts, as described and
claimed herein, and equivalents thereof.
[0102] Several exemplary embodiments of vents are disclosed by this
application. Vibration dampers and devices with vibration dampers
in accordance with the present invention may include any
combination or subcombination of the features disclosed by the
present application.
[0103] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Still further, while specifically shaped features have been shown
and described herein, other geometries can be used including
elliptical, polygonal (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular,
hexagonal, etc.) and other shapes can also be used. Therefore, the
invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific
details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples
shown and described. Accordingly, departures can be made from such
details without departing from the spirit or scope of the
applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *