Revolutionary idea to replace concrete

[ozzie908]

Counter balance weights in modern washing machines...

Concrete-free washing machines are lighter to transport, just as good in a spin

As anyone who has ever tried to move one around will know, washing machines can be very heavy. Some of that weight is due to concrete blocks installed inside to help keep the machine stable during spin cycles. News out of Nottingham Trent University could be music to the ears of white goods…

newatlas.com

 

[bradfordwhite]

Great idea.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Counterweight

So the new plastic counterweight has to be much larger to match the weight of a traditional concrete weight - "Have they looked in an average washer / washer dryer to see how much space there is with these large drums ?

 

[combo52]

Water Filled Ballast Weights On Washing Machines

My brother Jeff and I talked about this 25 years ago, on our design the cold water would fill through the ballast tank so it would fill automatically the first time you started the machine.

 

Of course Whirlpool uses plain water in the ballast rings on their TL washers for over 30 years so there is no concrete to cause extra emissions.

 

The world's best FL washer for home use Speed Queen uses cast iron for its ballast weight, Cast Iron will last much longer without cracking and is fully recyclable when the washer reaches the end of its life.

 

John L.

 

[donprohel]

Old revolution...

The idea is not new at all, although I cannot remember where I saw it (could it be the project of the "Rational" washing machine?).

And there are a few issues:
- it makes more "complex" to install the machine (the counterweight must be filled)
- it makes more dangerous to self-install the machine (the average user may not know that the counterweight has to be filled)
- it may require some additional safety feature (the machine should not start if the counterweight is not full, whether because it has not been filled or because of a leakage)

 

[henene4]

It's also another source of leaking - at least in Europe, modern 0 leak designs with a float switch and additional valves on the faucet side of the hose are pretty wide spread.
If you have 25l of water in the machine that could just spill, getting to the same water proofness is a big challenge.

Also, sloshing is an issue.
You'd have to make sure the compartment is 100% to prevent sloshing.
Fluid dynamics are a thing...

Further, yes, getting carbon neutral is important.
But this design will increase cost, will increase service calls (teaching customers anything new is trouble - some people don't remember removing shipping bolts, no matter what you do, and this would add another level to that issue) amd thus, there is close to no reason for manufacturers to implement the design.

The one big feature that is really marketable is reduced weight.
Having the machine be 20kg lighter, that might be something some manufacturers or even certain large entities that deliver hundreds of these machines per day might be ok to spend a few bucks extra for.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Whats Old Is New

yes indeed it was a key part of the Reason washing machine produced 2005 but never made it into production .

The balaast tank was underneath as well as weight above , the tank filled from mains water then for wash was pumped into the drum so warming the water from cold, then repeat each fill.

 

[mielerod69]

V-Zug Vibration Absorbing System

V-Zug's balancing system uses water to smooth out imbalances during the spin cycle. The water is then drained into the drum to use for the rinse cycles.

 

[ozzie908]

Chestermike

Do you have one of these strange washers yet ? Wonderful idea why was it not carried on?

Trust you are well !

 

[henene4]

V-Zug

Having such a machine, the VAS system is pretty ingenious, but does not replace the weights.

These machines are as heavy as the rest.
VAS just actively reduces the OOB degree - the machine can still spin without the VAS active, which it will if the VAS fails for any reason during a spin.