Folding Washer Door Structure for Detergent Box Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines have inconvenient door mechanisms that interfere with detergent box operations and reduce see-through efficiency due to symmetrical door parts and hinge placement.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design with a door comprising front and rear parts hingedly coupled, where the front door part is shorter than the rear, allowing for easier opening and closing without interfering with the detergent box, and featuring a see-through rear door part for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front door part and rear door part have the same size, then the door structure is simple and symmetrical, but the folding and unfolding actions are large making door operation inconvenient and the front door part interferes with detergent box operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the front door part shorter than the rear door part. Specifically, the front door part has a length of 200-400mm while the rear door part has a length of 400-600mm. This asymmetric design reduces the folding and unfolding actions during door operation, preventing the front door part from interfering with the detergent box while maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is segmented into two distinct parts with different functions and dimensions. The front door part is optimized for user interaction and grip, while the rear door part provides structural support and visibility. This segmentation allows each part to be sized appropriately for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural simplicity.
2Illumination intensity
If hinge members are mounted at the middle part of the door, then the door structure is balanced, but the hinge members interfere with seeing the interior of the housing through the transparent front door part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hinge members from the middle position of the door and relocates them to the rear end of the rear door part. This extraction removes the visual obstruction from the transparent front door part, improving see-through efficiency. The hinge members are still functional but positioned where they no longer interfere with the user's view into the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mounting position is shifted from a horizontal middle position to a rear vertical position. This dimensional change in hinge placement moves the obstruction away from the user's line of sight through the transparent door, allowing clear visibility while maintaining the structural balance and functionality of the door assembly.
3Loss of information
If the front door part is made transparent, then users can see the interior of the housing, but hinge members mounted at the middle part reduce the see-through efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric door design with the front door part being shorter creates a clearer viewing area. The hinge members are positioned at the rear end rather than the middle, maximizing the transparent area of the front door part and improving visibility of the housing interior while maintaining easy door operation through the grip and folding mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine wherein the structure of a door to open and close a laundry inlet hole formed at the upper part of a housing is improved. The door includes front and rear door parts hingedly coupled with each other. The front door part has a front-to-rear length less than that of the rear door part. Consequently, when the door is opened, the front door part is folded to the rear door part and the lower end of the front door part is located at the upper part of the rear door part. The rear door part has a see-through portion, through which the interior of the housing is seen while the door is closed.