Laundry Machine Connector Support for Independent Cable Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines face challenges in securely fixing electric and signal-transferring cables due to vibrations and water exposure, leading to potential damage and complicating the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
A connector support system with independent fixations, including hinge elements and snap connections, allows for stable and tool-free mounting of cables, protecting them from mechanical and liquid damage while facilitating easy installation and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable is fixedly connected to the wall of the tub or to another component of the laundry machine, then the cable cannot move freely and is secured against vibration, but the mounting process becomes complicated and the cable remains exposed to water in case of leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is divided into separate components: a connector support that can be mounted independently to the tub wall, and a cable fixation mechanism that attaches to the connector support. This segmentation allows the connector support to be pre-mounted on the wall, providing a stable anchor point, while the cable can then be easily attached to the connector support without complex mounting procedures. The cable is secured by clamping elements on the connector support, ensuring reliability while simplifying the overall mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector support acts as an intermediary component between the tub wall and the cable. It is mounted to the wall and provides attachment points for the cable, thereby mediating the connection and isolating the cable from direct contact with the wall. This intermediary structure protects the cable from water exposure while maintaining secure fixation, and simplifies mounting by separating the wall attachment step from the cable attachment step.
2Reliability
If the wire or cable is fixedly connected to the wall of the tub or to another component of the laundry machine, then the wire or cable cannot move freely, but large parts of the wire can still move freely and are exposed to water
Solution Approach 1:
The connector support extends outward from the tub wall into the interior space, creating a three-dimensional structure that positions the cable away from the wall surface. By mounting the connector support on the wall and attaching the cable to it, the cable is elevated to a different spatial dimension, removing it from the water path along the wall while maintaining secure fixation. This dimensional relocation protects the cable from water exposure without compromising its fixed position.
3Ease of operation
If a fixing bracket is used to secure the hall sensor wire to the rear wall of the tub, then the wire is fixed in a short section, but large parts of the wire can still move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The connector support serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting interface to the tub wall, offers attachment points for the cable, and acts as a structural support element. By designing the connector support with integrated clamping elements and mounting features, it simultaneously achieves wall fixation and cable securing in a single component, ensuring both cable stability and ease of operation without requiring separate fixing mechanisms for different sections of the cable.
Data Source
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AI summary
Laundry machine (1) having a tub unit (2) and at least one electric and/or signal-transferring cable (20); at least one connector support (8) is provided for being fixed to a wall of said tub unit (2), wherein said at least one electric and/or signal-transferring cable (20) can be fixed to said connector support (8) independently from the fixation of the connector support (8) to the wall of said tub unit (2).