Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses lack the ability to switch between rotational axes of the door efficiently, leading to limitations in opening and closing the introduction port in various directions, and fail to prevent accidental switching during door operation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a dual-lock mechanism with a first lock and a second lock, each with a transfer unit and fastening units that allow the door to rotate about two different axes, enabling user-controlled axis switching and preventing accidental axis changes by using elastic support units and position fixing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a door is configured to rotate about a single vertical axis, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the door cannot be opened in diverse directions and limits user flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The door rotation mechanism transitions from a fixed single-axis system to a dynamic multi-axis system. The door can rotate about a first rotational axis (vertical axis) for normal operation and switch to a second rotational axis (horizontal axis) for alternative opening directions, allowing the system to adapt its rotation behavior based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational axis switching mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a first lock that restricts rotation to the vertical axis, and a second lock that enables switching between vertical and horizontal axes. This segmentation allows independent control of each locking function and simplifies the overall design
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotational axis switching mechanism is provided, then the door can be opened in diverse directions, but accidental switching during door operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The first lock is configured to restrict door rotation to the vertical axis before any switching operation occurs. This preliminary restriction prevents accidental switching during normal door operation, and the user must deliberately activate the second lock to enable axis switching, ensuring intentional and controlled transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The second lock acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and the rotational axes. It selectively connects the door to either the first rotational axis or the second rotational axis based on operational requirements, providing controlled access to multi-directional rotation while preventing unintended axis changes
3Reliability
If locks are provided to fix the door to rotational axes, then accidental switching is prevented, but the door cannot be opened when locked
Solution Approach 1:
Before the door rotation is restricted by the first lock, the second lock is activated to connect the door to the horizontal rotational axis. This preliminary action enables the door to be opened in alternative directions without being constrained by the vertical axis locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through the coordinated operation of the first and second locks. When the second lock is activated, it dynamically changes the rotational constraints, allowing the door to rotate about the horizontal axis while the first lock remains engaged
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the door to be rotated in different directions to open the introduction port effectively, allows user-controlled axis switching, and prevents accidental switching, enhancing operational flexibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a lock support unit configured to connect the lock body to the door and to elastically support the lock body
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus (100) is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus (100) includes a door (3) configured to open and close an introduction port (111), a first rotational axis (X) forming a rotation center of the door (3), a second rotational axis (Y) forming another rotation center of the door (3), the second rotational axis (Y) being provided to rotate the door (3) in a direction different from a direction in which the door (3) is rotated about the first rotational axis (X), a first switching unit (61) configured to connect the door to the first rotational axis (X), a second switching unit (63) configured to connect the door to the second rotational axis (Y) when the first switching unit (61) is moved in a direction in which the door (3) is separated from the first rotational axis (X), a manipulation unit (4) configured to move the first switching unit (61) in the direction in which the door (3) is separated from the first rotational axis (X), a first lock (7) configured to fix the position of the first switching unit (61) when the door opens the introduction port (111), and a second lock (8) configured to fix the position of the second switching unit (63) when the door opens the introduction port (111).