Clothing Care Machine Closure Assembly for Stable Quiet Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing closure mechanisms for clothing care machines, such as press-type locking structures, often result in instability and noise due to lack of positioning support, making maintenance inconvenient and noisy during operation.

Innovation Solution

A closure assembly with an elastic positioning portion that provides stable support to the cover body when locked, using a rotating shaft and a door lock mechanism, allowing for easy one-handed operation and reduced noise by distributing the required displacement distance for pressing the door lock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a press-type locking structure is used on the closure, then the locking operation becomes easier and faster, but the cover body becomes unstable and prone to shaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking operationVSAvoidcover body stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic positioning portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the cover body and the engaging member. This elastic positioning portion provides temporary support during the locking operation and then positions the cover body stably after locking, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a press-type locking structure is used on the closure, then the locking speed increases, but noise is generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking speedVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic positioning portion acts as a noise-reducing intermediary by providing smooth positioning support during the locking process. This eliminates impact noises and rubbing sounds that would otherwise occur during high-speed locking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the closure is fixed on the machine body with a fastener, then the connection is strong, but maintenance becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmaintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The closure assembly is segmented into separable components (cover body, engaging member, elastic positioning portion) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This maintains strong connection strength during operation while enabling convenient maintenance through simple assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The elastic positioning portion ensures the cover body remains stable and prevents shaking, facilitating quick and quiet operation of the clothing care machine, reducing maintenance complexity and noise generation.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic positioning portion is pushed and deformed to provide a displacement distance required by the buckle for pressing the door lock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the cover body is locked, the elastic positioning portion abuts against the other one of the engaging member and the cover body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic support force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3926087B1Clothing care machine
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3926087B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3926087B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a clothing care machine. The clothing care machine includes a machine body and a closure assembly disposed on the machine body. The closure assembly includes: an engaging member fixedly connected to the machine body; a cover body connected to the engaging member through a rotating shaft, where a buckle is disposed on the cover body, a door lock engaged with the buckle is disposed on the engaging member, and the door lock is configured to lock or unlock the cover body through pressing of the buckle; and an elastic positioning portion, where the elastic positioning portion is disposed on at least one of the engaging member and the cover body. The elastic positioning portion is used to provide a displacement distance required by the door lock when the cover body is pressed; and when the cover body is locked, the elastic positioning portion abuts against the other one of the engaging member and the cover body, to prevent the closure assembly from shaking.