Laundry Appliance Lid Hinge With V-Shaped Shroud Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 featuring a v-shaped mouth and a bracket that slides into apertures on the shroud, allowing for easy installation and reduced fastener usage, enabling secure engagement with the appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hinges are used for laundry treating appliances, then the lid can be securely attached to the appliance, but the hinge design becomes complex and requires multiple fasteners making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hinge components into a single integrated hinge assembly that includes the hinge body, mounting bracket, and fastening mechanism as one unified unit. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate fasteners and simplifies the overall hinge structure while maintaining secure attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component structure: it provides the pivot mechanism for lid movement, includes integrated mounting features for attachment to the appliance, and incorporates self-aligning elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed while ensuring reliable installation.
2Reliability
If traditional hinges with multiple fasteners are used, then secure engagement is achieved, but the number of components increases making the hinge more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mounting bracket and hinge body into a single molded component rather than using separate parts. This consolidation reduces the total component count while maintaining all necessary engagement features for secure attachment to both the lid and appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly includes self-aligning features and snap-fit mounting mechanisms that automatically position and secure the hinge during installation without requiring multiple separate fasteners. The design enables the hinge to self-install while ensuring secure engagement, reducing both component quantity and installation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a simplified hinge design with fewer fasteners is used, then installation becomes easier and component count reduces, but the secure attachment capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly includes pre-formed mounting features, pre-positioned fastening elements, and pre-configured alignment guides that are built into the molded structure. These preliminary actions are built into the design to ensure secure attachment is achieved automatically during installation without requiring complex assembly steps or multiple fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is constructed from durable molded material that provides inherent structural strength and rigidity, eliminating the need for additional metal fasteners. The composite construction maintains secure attachment capability while simplifying the overall design and reducing component count.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of securing a lid comprising a hinge to a laundry treating appliance. The laundry treating appliance has a shroud with an access opening. The hinge has a housing that defines a channel and the housing has a first end comprising a v-shaped mouth. The hinge further comprises a bracket that has a first end connected to the lid and a second end fastened within the channel. The method comprises receiving the channel and the bracket into an aperture in the shroud and sliding the housing relative to the shroud to enable the v-shaped mouth to mate with the shroud.