Stack-Type Laundry Dryer Top Panel Design to Prevent Water Inflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stack-type laundry treating apparatuses face issues with water inflow due to slits in the top panel, which can lead to water entering the interior of the apparatus when stacked vertically, either during single use or when another treating apparatus is placed on top.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features an upper treating apparatus with a drying drum and air flow passage, and a lower treating apparatus with a washing drum, both having improved top structures that include a decoration panel and mounting protrusions to restrict movement and prevent water inflow through the slit in the upper front panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a slit is formed in the top face of the front panel to form front and side faces, then the front panel can be manufactured by press-forming a steel plate, but water flowing from the top of the apparatus may flow into the interior through the slit
Solution Approach 1:
A decoration panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the front panel and the top panel. This decoration panel covers the slit formed in the front panel during press-forming, thereby preventing water from entering through the slit while maintaining the manufacturing efficiency of the front panel. The decoration panel acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between ease of manufacture and water protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper treating apparatus is stacked on the lower treating apparatus to save installation space, then vertical stacking is achieved, but water may flow from the top of the upper apparatus into the interior through the front panel slit
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration panel serves as a protective intermediary that enables vertical stacking by preventing water from entering through the front panel slit. When the upper apparatus is stacked on the lower apparatus, water flowing from the top cannot penetrate through the decoration panel, thus allowing safe vertical stacking without compromising the interior from water damage.
3Ease of operation
If the top panel is made movable for assembly or adjustment purposes, then ease of assembly is improved, but water can more easily flow into the interior through the slit
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration panel acts as a continuous protective barrier that remains in place even when the top panel is moved for assembly or adjustment. This intermediary component ensures that the slit in the front panel is always covered, preventing water from entering regardless of the top panel's position, thus maintaining water protection while allowing operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A stack-type laundry treating apparatus includes upper and lower treating apparatuses. The upper treating apparatus includes an upper cabinet, a drying drum configured to receive an object to be dried, an upper driver for rotating the drying drum, and an air flow path for supplying and discharging air to and from the drying drum. The upper cabinet includes an upper front panel defining a front face of the upper cabinet, upper side panels respectively defining both side faces of the upper cabinet, a decoration panel coupled to a top of the upper front panel, and an upper top panel contacting the decoration panel such that movement of the upper top panel is limited by the decoration panel. The upper top panel is coupled to the upper side panels.