Spring-Damped Door Hinge for Controlled Washer Door Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door hinges for washing machines lack the ability to adjust the closing speed of the door, leading to potential user injury and noise due to abrupt closure.
Innovation Solution
A door hinge design incorporating a spring-loaded mechanism and damping member to control the door's closing speed, utilizing an operation cam member, link, slider, and damping cylinder to regulate the door's closure, ensuring a stable and gentle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional door hinge using only pins is used, then the structure is simple, but the closing speed cannot be controlled leading to abrupt closure and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: operation cam member for speed regulation, link for motion transmission, slider for linear movement, and spring for elastic support. Each component performs a specific function in controlling the door closing process, transforming the simple pin connection into a controlled motion system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge employs dynamic elements including a rotatable operation cam member that changes the closing speed during operation, a slider that moves linearly according to cam rotation, and a spring that provides dynamic elastic support. This allows the system to adapt the closing speed during the closing process rather than maintaining a fixed mechanical connection.
2Productivity
If the door closes quickly, then the operation is efficient, but user safety is compromised and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed and the damping member is positioned to provide resistance before the door completes its closing motion. This preliminary anti-action counterbalances the door's momentum during closing, preventing abrupt closure and reducing both noise and potential injury risks while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member and spring are configured to provide cushioning force before the door fully closes. The damping member absorbs excess energy and the spring provides elastic support during the closing process, cushioning the impact before it occurs and preventing harmful effects from abrupt closure.
3Reliability
If a spring-loaded mechanism with damping member is added, then the closing speed is controlled and safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a compact integrated mechanism. The operation cam member simultaneously controls the link's motion and regulates closing speed, the slider combines linear motion with spring engagement, and the damping member integrates friction-based speed control. This merging reduces the need for separate components for each function, improving reliability while managing complexity.
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 door hinge stabilizes the closing operation by utilizing the tension force of a spring and damping member, preventing abrupt closure and reducing noise, allowing for a more controlled and safe door-closing process.
Implementation Method 1
a spring fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the slider and compressed according to the horizontal movements of the slider to elastically support the closing operation of the door
Implementation Method 2
a damping member mounted inside the fixed board to damp the closing speed of the door
Data Source
AI summary
A door hinge includes: a fixed board fixed to a door frame; a cover housing fitted to the upper end of the fixed board; an operation frame fixed to a door; an operation cam member rotatably disposed inside the cover housing and axially coupled to the operation frame fixed to the door by a shaft, so that the operation cam member rotates around the shaft according to the rotating operation of the operation frame; a link coupled eccentrically to one side of the operation cam member by a second pin and linearly moving according to the rotating operation of the operation cam member; a slider coupled to the link by a first pin and moving horizontally in forward and backward directions according to the linear movements of the link in the state disposed inside the cover housing; and a spring fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the slider to elastically support the closing operation of the door.