Hinge assembly for washing or laundry machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine door hinges lack effective radial movement limitation, leading to potential misalignment and reduced durability due to uncontrolled pivoting.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a base plate, hinge plate, shaft, stop blocks, and stops that align eyelets to restrict radial movement, ensuring precise pivoting and secure attachment of the door to the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hinge without radial movement limitation is used, then the door can pivot freely, but misalignment occurs and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of radial movement from unlimited to limited by introducing stop blocks and stops. The stop blocks are positioned at specific radial distances from the shaft center, and the stops engage with these blocks to define the maximum radial displacement of the hinge plate, thereby controlling the pivoting range while maintaining durability
Solution Approach 2:
The stop blocks and stops act as intermediary elements between the hinge plate and the base plate. These intermediaries transmit and limit the radial movement force, allowing controlled pivoting while preventing excessive movement that would cause misalignment and reduce durability
2Manufacturing precision
If eyelets are aligned without radial movement limitation, then the hinge assembly is simple, but misalignment occurs reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the alignment precision by changing the parameter of radial movement through the stop mechanism. The stop blocks are positioned at precise radial distances, and when engaged by the stops, they maintain the eyelets in proper alignment during pivoting, ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained throughout operation
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is segmented into functional components: the base plate with stop blocks, the hinge plate with stops, and the shaft. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the stop blocks and stops work together as a separate subsystem to control alignment, while the shaft provides rotation, enabling precise alignment without excessive overall structure
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for an appliance includes a base plate, a hinge plate, a shaft, a stop block, and a stop. The base plate has a first pair of spaced-apart eyelets. The hinge plate has a second pair of spaced-apart eyelets and a central eyelet disposed between the eyelets of the second pair of eyelets. The shaft extends through each eyelet of the first pair of spaced-apart eyelets, second pair of spaced-apart eyelets, and central eyelet. The hinge plate is configured to pivot relative to the base plate via the shaft. The stop block protrudes from a first eyelet of the first pair of spaced-apart eyelets. The stop extends from the central eyelet and is configured to engage the stop block to limit radial movement of the hinge plate relative to the base plate.