Laundry Treating Apparatus Door with Flow Path for Moisture Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses face issues with moisture penetration between door frames, leading to cloudiness on the outer window and a degraded user experience due to water accumulation, which obstructs the view of the washing state inside the drum.
Innovation Solution
A door design with a flow path system that includes communication and discharge holes to remove moisture and water from the door, utilizing a suction fan to accelerate the removal process and prevent water accumulation, while maintaining a clear view through the transparent regions of the door window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door frame is sealed tightly to prevent moisture penetration, then the structural integrity and sealing performance are improved, but moisture still penetrates through gaps between the outer door frame and inner door frame, causing cloudiness on the outer window
Solution Approach 1:
The door frame is divided into outer door frame and inner door frame as separate components with distinct functions. The outer door frame provides structural support and mounting surface, while the inner door frame provides sealing and moisture management through integrated drainage channels and hydrophobic coatings, preventing moisture penetration through segmentation of functions
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing member (gasket) is introduced as an intermediary element between the outer door frame and inner door frame. This sealing member fills the gap between the two frames and prevents moisture penetration, while the drainage channel provides an escape route for any moisture that does penetrate, resolving the contradiction between sealing and moisture management
2Ease of operation
If the outer window is made transparent to allow viewing of the washing state, then the user convenience is improved, but moisture accumulation on the window causes cloudiness that degrades the viewing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel acts as an intermediary moisture management system between the sealed door frame and the transparent outer window. It provides a controlled escape route for moisture that prevents uncontrolled condensation on the window's inner surface, maintaining window clarity while preserving transparency for viewing
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic coating on the inner door frame changes the surface properties to repel moisture. This coating creates a water-repellent surface that prevents moisture from adhering to the frame, reducing moisture accumulation near the window and maintaining optical clarity
3Reliability
If the gap between outer door frame and inner door frame is reduced to prevent moisture penetration, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel is designed to be self-draining through gravity, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex active moisture removal systems. Moisture that penetrates the seal automatically flows through the channel and exits at the lower end, providing self-service moisture management that simplifies the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member (gasket) is made of a flexible material that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. This flexibility allows the seal to maintain effective contact between the outer and inner door frames even with moderate gap variations, reducing the stringency of gap control requirements
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
Effectively prevents moisture and water from remaining inside the door, maintains a clear view of the washing state, and enhances the aesthetic quality of the door by removing visible signs of moisture or water, ensuring efficient drainage without additional power.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan to accelerate the removal process
Implementation Method 2
communication and discharge holes to remove moisture and water from the door
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus may include a main body having a laundry inlet port on a front surface thereof, and a door that opens and closes the laundry inlet port. The door may include an outer frame facing an outside of the main body; a front glass attached to a front surface of the outer frame to define a front surface of the door; a door window spaced apart from the front glass toward the laundry inlet port and disposed to correspond to the laundry inlet port; an inner frame connected to the outer frame and the door window, and defining a portion of a rear surface of the door; and a flow path provided between the front glass and the outer frame and configured to provide communication between an inside and an outside of the door. Moisture or water introduced into the door may be discharged to the outside of the door through the flow path.