Lid Hinge with Nested Bracket Channel to Reduce Fastener Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hinges for laundry treating appliances are complex and require multiple fasteners, making them difficult to install and use more components than necessary.
Innovation Solution
A simplified hinge design with a housing that defines a channel and is received by an aperture in the shroud, featuring a bracket with one end connected to the lid and the other end fastened within the channel, allowing for easy installation and reduced fastener usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional hinges are used for laundry treating appliances, then the hinge provides sufficient structural strength and stability, but the hinge requires multiple fasteners and complex installation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hinge components into a single integrated housing structure that defines internal channels. The bracket is received within this channel and secured with minimal fasteners, merging what would traditionally be separate hinge elements into one unified component that maintains structural integrity while simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is nested within the channel defined by the housing, with the bracket received inside the channel space. This nesting arrangement allows the bracket to be secured within the housing using fewer fasteners, as the channel structure provides inherent positioning and support, reducing the need for additional external fastening elements.
2Reliability
If traditional hinges with multiple fasteners are used, then the hinge provides robust connection to the shroud, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-configured with an internal channel that is designed to receive and position the bracket in the correct location before final assembly. This preliminary structuring of the housing channel ensures that when the bracket is inserted, it is already properly positioned and aligned, requiring minimal adjustment and fewer fasteners to secure the connection, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If a simplified hinge design is used, then the installation process is simplified and fewer fasteners are needed, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing channel is designed with specific local structural characteristics at critical connection points. The channel geometry provides localized reinforcement where the bracket interfaces with the housing, ensuring that structural strength is maintained at these key locations even though the overall design uses fewer fasteners. The local quality of the channel structure compensates for the reduced number of fastening elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance that has a shroud having an access opening, a lid for opening and closing the access opening, and a hinge mounted to the shroud. The hinge can have a housing that defines a channel and is received by an aperture in the shroud. The hinge can also have a bracket with a first end connected to the lid and a second end fastened within the channel and the bracket can be received in the aperture in the shroud.