Detergent Insert Door Rotation Control to Prevent Floor Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drum washing machines face issues with detergent supply, including difficulty in dispensing large amounts of detergent, aesthetic concerns due to upper detergent inlets, and potential damage or noise from detergent insert doors located at lower portions which can collide with the floor when opened.
Innovation Solution
A detergent insert door design that rotates up to a predetermined angle, separated from the floor by a distance, featuring a hinge mechanism with a shaft damper to control rotation speed and an elastic member to prevent further rotation, ensuring safe and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detergent insert door is located at a lower portion of the body, then it is easy to access and operate, but it may collide with the floor when opened causing damage, noise, and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a limited rotation mechanism (including a stopper or cushioning structure) that prevents the detergent insert door from rotating too far and colliding with the floor. This anticipates and counteracts the harmful collision before it occurs, allowing the door to be positioned at an easily accessible lower location without the risk of floor damage or noise.
2Ease of operation
If the detergent insert door is located at a lower portion of the body, then it improves accessibility, but it generates noise when bumped against the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a cushioning structure (such as a damper or elastic element) in the rotation mechanism of the detergent insert door. This cushioning element absorbs the impact energy before the door can collide with the floor, thereby preventing noise generation while maintaining the door's accessible lower position.
3Ease of operation
If the detergent insert door is located at a lower portion of the body, then it is convenient for users, but it may be stepped on by the user's foot causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a limited rotation mechanism with a stopper that prevents the detergent insert door from rotating beyond a safe angle. This ensures the door remains at an accessible lower position for user convenience while preventing it from being stepped on, thereby protecting its durability and reliability.
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 solution prevents damage and noise from floor collisions, enhances user safety, and maintains an aesthetically pleasing design by allowing the detergent insert door to open and close efficiently without contacting the floor.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft damper coupled to a hinge shaft at one side of the bracket to limit a rotation speed of the cover up to a set angle
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member supported by the bracket and the cover to provide an elastic force in an opposite direction of rotation when the cover rotates above a set angle based on the bracket
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, including a detergent container receiving portion (18) provided at a lower portion of a body (11), and provided with a front opening portion to insert a detergent container; and a detergent insert door rotatably provided on a front surface of the detergent container receiving portion (18) to open or close the detergent container receiving portion, wherein the detergent insert door includes a bracket (110) coupled to the front opening portion to allow a detergent inlet (13) formed on a front surface thereof to communicate with the front opening portion, and provided with a hinge receiving portion at a lower portion thereof; a cover (120) inserted into the hinge receiving portion and coupled to the bracket to open or close the detergent inlet; a shaft damper (130) coupled to a hinge shaft (124) at one side of the bracket to limit a rotation speed of the cover up to a set angle; and an elastic member (140) supported by the bracket and the cover to provide an elastic force in an opposite direction of rotation when the cover rotates above a set angle based on the bracket.