Drum washing machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drum washing machines face issues with the door not opening completely due to large size and abrasion/deformation caused by the weight and friction of the door, affecting the hinge assembly's strength and workability.

Innovation Solution

A drum washing machine with an improved coupling structure featuring a reinforcement member that supports the hinge assembly, rotatably connected to the hinge shaft and fixed on the cabinet, enhancing the strength and installability of the hinge assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the door size is increased, then the door coverage area is improved, but the door cannot open completely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor coverage areaVSAvoiddoor opening completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is repositioned from the side of the door to the rear surface of the cabinet, changing the spatial dimension of the hinge installation. This dimensional change allows the door to rotate in a different plane, enabling complete opening even when the door size is large, thus resolving the contradiction between door coverage area and door opening completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the door weight is increased, then the door strength is improved, but abrasion and deformation occur due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor strengthVSAvoidhinge assembly durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A reinforcement member is introduced as an intermediary component between the hinge shaft and the cabinet. This reinforcement member has a rotatable connection with the hinge shaft and is fixed to the cabinet, serving as a mediator that supports the door weight and reduces friction-induced abrasion and deformation, thereby improving hinge assembly durability while maintaining door strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction characteristics of the hinge assembly are modified by changing the contact parameters through the reinforcement member. The reinforcement member alters the distribution of contact forces and reduces sliding friction, thereby reducing abrasion and deformation while maintaining the necessary door strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the hinge assembly structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the installation workability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge assembly complexityVSAvoidinstallation workability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the hinge shaft, the reinforcement member, and the connection to the cabinet. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and installed separately, improving installation workability while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10450691B2Drum washing machine

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are provided a drum washing machine having an improved coupling structure of a door and a cabinet.A drum washing machine comprising: a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the drum washing machine, and having an opening into which laundry is put; a door configured to open and close the opening of the cabinet; a hinge assembly including a hinge shaft to support the door such that the door is rotatable with respect to the cabinet; and an reinforcement member configured to support the cabinet and the hinge assembly, and rotatably connected to the hinge shaft.