Patent ID: 6647575
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
A method of reducing displacement of a wash basket that is rotatable about an axis of rotation within a washing machine, the washing machine having a drive motor for rotating the wash basket, the method comprising:mounting a balancing ring to the wash basket in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the balancing ring having a balancing mass that is movable relative to the balancing ring; supporting the wash basket by a suspension structure to the washing machine; determining two resonant critical frequencies for two transnational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure that are generally in the plane of the balancing ring; determining three resonant rotational frequencies for three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure; tuning the suspension structure so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below the critical first motor speed, and so that the three frequencies of rotation occur at or above a second motor speed that is above the first motor speed.