Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in aligning and attaching a circular front glass to a door frame in laundry treating apparatuses, where the glass material prevents the formation of mechanical guides for precise positioning, and existing adhesive application methods are inconsistent and difficult to control.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus design featuring a door frame with a mounting guide and adhesive filling groove, along with a method using a robot arm for precise adhesive application and a compression jig for attaching the front glass, which includes a transparent align mark to guide positioning and an opaque adhesive to conceal the align mark externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical guide (pin, hook) is used to guide precise attachment position, then positioning precision is improved, but it cannot be formed on glass material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical guides (pins, hooks) with an optical alignment system. A transparent align mark is formed on the front glass, and a mounting guide with a guide mark is provided on the door frame. The transparent nature of the align mark allows visual alignment through the glass, eliminating the need for mechanical attachments on the glass surface while achieving precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual alignment system consisting of transparent align marks on the glass and corresponding mounting guides on the frame. This intermediary optical reference system mediates between the glass material constraints and the requirement for precise mechanical attachment, enabling accurate positioning without direct mechanical contact on the glass.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive application method is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adhesive amount and hardening time become variable and uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating adhesive application system where the adhesive is contained in a reservoir with a controlled release mechanism. The adhesive automatically flows to the mounting guide in a controlled manner, eliminating the need for manual application while maintaining precise control over adhesive amount and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual adhesive application with an automated controlled release system. The adhesive reservoir with its controlled release mechanism substitutes human operator control, providing consistent and repeatable adhesive application while maintaining ease of manufacture through automation.
3Manufacturing precision
If align structure is added to guide front glass attachment, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing specific alignment features only where needed. The transparent align mark is formed only on the front glass surface at the attachment location, and the mounting guide with guide mark is provided only on the door frame at the corresponding position. This localized approach provides necessary alignment functionality without adding complex structures throughout the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple geometric copying for alignment. The mounting guide on the door frame is designed as a simplified copy or template of the align mark position on the glass. This copying approach provides precise alignment through simple geometric correspondence rather than complex mechanical or optical systems.
4Strength
If adhesive is applied to attach front glass, then attachment strength is improved, but adhesive visibility degrades appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the mounting guide structure as an intermediary element that serves dual purposes. It provides mechanical guidance for precise alignment during attachment and simultaneously acts as a visual barrier to conceal the adhesive from external view. The mounting guide structure mediates between the functional requirement for strong attachment and the aesthetic requirement for clean appearance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus, comprising: a body having a laundry introduction opening; and a door configured to open and close the laundry introduction opening, wherein the door includes: a door frame rotatably coupled to the body, and having an opening which faces the laundry introduction opening in a closed state of the door; and a front glass attached to the door frame to thus form a front appearance of the door, and wherein the front glass includes: a transparent region corresponding to the opening; an opaque region formed to enclose the transparent region; and an align mark configured to guide an attachment position of the front glass to the door frame.