Laundry treating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face issues with the strength and rigidity of the mounting guide surrounding the front glass, leading to potential breakage and reduced structural integrity due to the weight of the glass and weakening adhesive forces, which compromises the door frame's stability and sealant integrity.
Innovation Solution
A mounting guide that protrudes to cover at least two-thirds of the thickness of the front glass's outer circumferential surface, combined with a hook fastening structure and reinforcing ribs, enhances the structural support and reduces the size of the mounting guide while maintaining sufficient rigidity and preventing sealant leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the protruding length of the rim is increased to cover the outer circumferential surface of the outer window, then the strength of the rim is improved, but the thickness of the rim increases and the size of the door frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting guide changes from a rim protruding in the thickness direction (one dimension) to a guide structure extending in the radial direction from the outer frame (another dimension). This dimensional shift allows the mounting guide to cover the outer circumferential surface of the front glass effectively without increasing the thickness of the outer frame, thus resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and size increase.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mounting guide is inclined downward to facilitate assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the front glass moves along the inclined surface and is released from the door frame causing breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting guide transitions from a static inclined downward structure to a dynamic structure that extends radially outward from the outer frame. This radial extension creates a stable supporting surface that prevents the front glass from sliding down due to gravity, while still facilitating assembly through the protruding structure that guides the glass into position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting guide is segmented into multiple functional portions: a protruding portion that facilitates assembly, a supporting surface that prevents glass movement, and a sealing portion that prevents adhesive leakage. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its specific function without compromising overall reliability.
3Reliability
If sealant coating portions and collecting portions are added to bond the front glass, then the reliability of bonding is improved, but the thickness of the outer frame is reduced and rigidity is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is moved from the thickness direction (sealant coating portions reducing frame thickness) to the radial direction (mounting guide extending outward). The mounting guide's radial extension provides sealing by preventing adhesive leakage without compromising the thickness and rigidity of the outer frame, thus resolving the contradiction between bonding reliability and frame rigidity.
4Length of stationary object
If the mounting guide size is reduced to minimize door frame dimensions, then the compactness is improved, but the supporting force for the front glass is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting guide concentrates its supporting function at the critical location where it contacts the outer circumferential surface of the front glass. By extending radially outward from the outer frame to precisely cover this surface, the mounting guide provides maximum supporting force with minimal overall size, resolving the contradiction between compactness and supporting force.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus may include a main body having a laundry inlet port at a front surface thereof and configured to accommodate laundry loaded through the laundry inlet port, and a door rotatably coupled to a front surface of the main body to open and close the laundry inlet port. The door may include an outer frame provided with an opening and facing an outside of the main body; a front glass coupled to a front surface of the outer frame to cover the opening; an inner frame coupled to a rear surface of the outer frame and facing an inside of the main body; and a mounting guide that protrudes from an outer circumference of the outer frame to surround an outer circumferential surface of the front glass. The outer circumferential surface of the front glass may include a first curved portion provided at a front side thereof in a thickness direction, and a straight portion that extends toward a rear side from the first curved portion. The mounting guide may cover at least a portion of the straight portion.