Laundry Door Connector Design for Rotatable Control Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment apparatuses with rotatable doors face aesthetic and assembly efficiency issues due to cumbersome connection mechanisms for power and data transmission between the main body and electronic devices installed on the door, particularly when the door is pivotally coupled to the cabinet with a hinge, leading to difficulties in coupling power and communication lines.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that includes a door connector secured to a hinge unit, which is rotatably coupled to the cabinet, and cabinet connectors exposed on the cabinet surface, allowing for easy assembly and varying rotation directions, enabling secure and efficient electrical connection between the control panel on the door and the power supply and information processing devices within the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a control panel and electronic devices are installed on a rotatable door, then design diversity and aesthetic function are improved, but the connection mechanism for power and data transmission becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into two separate connectors: a cabinet connector fixed to the main body and a door connector fixed to the rotatable door. This segmentation allows each connector to be independently positioned and connected, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining design flexibility for the rotatable door configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific connection structure that acts as an intermediary between the cabinet and the rotatable door. This connection mechanism includes positioning protrusions and recesses that guide and secure the connection, making the power and data transmission setup easier despite the rotational movement capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the door is pivotally coupled to the cabinet with a hinge, then rotatable door functionality is achieved, but coupling of power supply and information processing devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet connector and door connector are pre-positioned and fixed to their respective components (cabinet and door) before final assembly. The connectors include pre-formed positioning features such as protrusions and recesses that align automatically during assembly, eliminating the need for complex field adjustments and making the coupling process straightforward
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism employs asymmetric positioning features where the cabinet connector and door connector have complementary but non-identical geometries. This asymmetric design ensures proper orientation and alignment during assembly, making the coupling process intuitive and error-proof while accommodating the pivotal hinge connection
3Reliability
If connectors are installed on a rotatable door, then power and data transmission is enabled, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates due to visible connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is extracted and consolidated into dedicated connector components that are separately positioned on the cabinet and door. These connectors are designed to be compact and can be strategically placed in less visually prominent areas, allowing the main body and door to maintain clean, aesthetically pleasing surfaces while still enabling reliable power and data transmission through the separated connection points
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus may be provided that includes a cabinet having an input opening, a door including a door frame, a hinge unit, and a control panel, a cabinet connector at the cabinet to transmit and receive at least one of power and a control signal and a door connector separably coupled to the cabinet connector to connect the control panel to the cabinet connector.