Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in integrating a touch screen on the door, including difficulties in aligning circular door covers, adhesive leakage, and moisture infiltration, which affect the reliability and aesthetic appeal of the device.
Innovation Solution
A door structure with a non-light-transmitting region and light-transmitting regions is used, where the touch sensor is adhered to the rear surface of the door cover, and a sealant filling groove is employed to secure the door cover to the frame, preventing adhesive leakage and enhancing joint strength, while a display module is mounted within the door frame to maintain a circular appearance at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical fastening structure (bracket, hook) is used to couple the door cover to the door frame, then the joint strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to use when the door cover is made of glass material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening structure (bracket, hook) with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive is applied to the inner side of the door frame and bonds the door cover to the door frame through chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking, making it compatible with glass materials that cannot accommodate mechanical fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding mechanism from mechanical (physical interlocking) to chemical (adhesive bonding). This parameter change in the coupling method allows glass door covers to be securely attached without requiring holes, brackets, or hooks that would compromise the glass integrity or aesthetics.
2Shape
If adhesive is coated at an inner side of the door frame located far away from the edge portion to prevent adhesive leakage, then appearance quality is improved, but joint strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the door frame structure by adding a protrusion that creates a distinct adhesive application zone. This protrusion separates the adhesive coating area from the visible outer surface, allowing adhesive to be applied near the edge for maximum bonding strength while preventing it from leaking to the exterior where it would affect appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary structure between the adhesive and the outer surface. It provides a platform for adhesive application close to the edge while serving as a physical barrier that prevents adhesive from reaching the visible exterior, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of bond strength and appearance.
3Shape
If the door cover is formed in a circular shape to provide aesthetic appeal, then appearance quality is improved, but it becomes difficult to align the correct installation position for the door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric features (protrusions and corresponding recesses) on the otherwise circular door cover and door frame. These asymmetric elements break the rotational symmetry of the circular shape, providing unique alignment references that enable precise positioning during installation while maintaining the overall circular aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions and recesses are pre-formed on the door cover and door frame respectively, creating built-in alignment guides before the actual coupling process. This preliminary positioning feature ensures that when the door cover is brought to the door frame, the correct orientation is automatically established without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus includes a body provided with a laundry inlet; and a door configured to open or close the laundry inlet, wherein the door includes a door frame having a first opening portion facing the laundry inlet and a second opening portion corresponding to a display module mounted at an inside in a state that the door is closed; and a door cover coupled to the door frame to form an appearance of the door, the door cover includes a non-light-transmitting region, and a first light transmitting region corresponding to the first opening portion and a second light transmitting region corresponding to the second opening portion within the non-light-transmitting region, and a mounting guide for an alignment between the first opening portion and the first light transmitting region and an alignment between the second opening portion and the second light transmitting region is provided on at least one of the door frame and door cover during mutual coupling.