Laundry Lid Hinge With Viscous Damping for Uniform Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment machines face issues with lid durability and ease of operation due to uneven force distribution from hinges, leading to lid deformation and increased user effort for opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism incorporating a hinge housing filled with viscous fluid, an elastic member, and a pair of cams with height-differing contact surfaces, allowing for uniform force distribution and reduced closing speed through torque generation, enabling easier lid operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical hinge structure with one elastic member and one fluid damper is used, then the lid can be supported during pivoting, but the repulsive forces from both hinges are not uniform causing lid deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Both hinges are designed with identical structures containing an elastic member and a fluid damper, ensuring uniform repulsive forces are applied to both sides of the lid. This symmetry eliminates the deformation problem caused by unbalanced forces while maintaining reliable lid support throughout the pivoting motion.
2Strength
If the lid is made of metallic material or includes glass to form a lid window, then the lid structure is strengthened, but the weight of the lid increases requiring larger force for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member in each hinge generates a repulsive force that acts as a counterweight to the lid's weight. This restoring force assists the user by reducing the effort needed to lift and open the heavy lid, while the fluid damper controls the closing speed to prevent impact.
3Ease of operation
If the lid is closed without damping control, then the closing action is simple, but the lid strongly hits the main body affecting product durability
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid damper is pre-configured in the hinge to provide damping control during the lid closing process. This cushioning mechanism gradually reduces the closing speed and absorbs impact energy before the lid contacts the main body, preventing damage while maintaining simple operation.
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
The solution stabilizes lid pivoting, reduces deformation, and minimizes user effort by providing uniform support and damping forces, enhancing durability and convenience in loading/unloading laundry.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge mechanism incorporating a hinge housing filled with viscous fluid
Implementation Method 2
one of two hinges provides a certain repulsive force or a resistant force to serve as a shock-absorbing member that controls the pivoting speed of the lid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a laundry treatment machine. The laundry treatment machine may include a main body, a lid, and at least one hinge that supports the lid. The hinge may include a hinge housing filled with a fluid having a prescribed viscosity, an elastic member disposed inside the hinge housing, and a pair of cams disposed in the housing to move in linkage with the lid and the elastic member. A piston may be disposed between the moving cam and the elastic member to deform the elastic member according to a displacement of the moving cam. The piston may divide a cavity inside the hinge housing into a first space in which the elastic member is disposed and a second space in which the pair of cams are disposed. The piston may include a passage for the fluid to flow between the first space and the second space.