Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in integrating a door with a touch screen and control unit, where mechanical fastening structures are difficult for glass materials, alignment is tricky, adhesives can leak causing appearance deterioration, and moisture can enter electronic elements, compromising reliability.
Innovation Solution
A door structure with a door frame and cover that uses a hinge unit for dual rotation, incorporates a touch screen with a transparent display module, and employs a sealant to secure the door cover to the frame, ensuring moisture protection and aesthetic integration.
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 with glass material door covers
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 material door covers that cannot accommodate mechanical fasteners.
2Shape
If the adhesive is coated at an inner side of the door frame far away from the edge portion to prevent leakage, then the appearance quality is improved, but the 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.
3Shape
If a circular-shaped door cover is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but it becomes difficult to align the correct installation position for the door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric features (protrusion and groove) into the otherwise circular door cover and door frame. The protrusion on the door frame fits into a corresponding groove on the door cover, creating a unique alignment position. This asymmetric element breaks the rotational symmetry of the circular shape, enabling precise alignment while preserving the overall aesthetic circular appearance.
4Shape
If the adhesive is coated away from the edge to prevent leakage, then adhesive leakage is prevented, but foreign substances can easily infiltrate through the gap between door cover and door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the protrusion structure to create a sealed adhesive zone. The adhesive is applied between the protrusion and the door cover edge, forming a continuous bonding layer that eliminates gaps. This segmented approach allows the adhesive to extend to the edge for sealing without leaking outward, as the protrusion contains the adhesive within the bonding zone.
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.