Washer Door Control Panel Assembly for Easier Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses complicate the manufacturing process and user interaction, and require inconvenient dismantling of the control panel unit for repairs, as the control panel is typically located on the top surface or front cover, separate from the door.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a control panel unit integrated onto the door assembly, featuring a separable control panel cover and a printed circuit board for user input and display, allowing for simplified assembly and repair without dismantling the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control panel unit is provided on the top surface or front cover unit, then the cabinet structure is simplified, but the fabrication process becomes complicated and user manipulation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel unit is merged with the door assembly, integrating the control functions directly into the door structure. This allows the control panel to be positioned on the door rather than requiring separate mounting on the cabinet body, simplifying both the cabinet structure and the fabrication process while improving user accessibility
2Device complexity
If the control panel unit is provided on the top surface or front cover unit, then the cabinet structure is simplified, but user manipulation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel unit is integrated into the door assembly, placing it within easy reach of the user at the front of the appliance. This positioning allows users to easily access and operate the control panel without having to reach to the top surface or disassemble any components, significantly improving ease of operation
3Device complexity
If the control panel unit is provided on the top surface or front cover unit, then the cabinet structure is simplified, but repair becomes inconvenient requiring dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into separable components, with the control panel unit mounted on the door in a way that allows it to be accessed and removed independently. This segmentation enables repair personnel to service the control panel without dismantling the entire cabinet or front cover unit, significantly improving ease of repair
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet (10) defining an external appearance, a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry, and a door assembly pivotably provided at the cabinet to open or close an opening in the drum. The door assembly (130) includes a door body (131, 133) configured to open or close the cabinet, a control panel (150) provided on an inner surface of the door body to receive an input related to operation from a user and to display operation of the laundry treatment apparatus, and a control panel cover (153) separably provided on a rear surface of the control panel to define a rear surface of the door assembly. The control panel includes an input unit (157) configured to receive the input related to operation from the user, a display unit (159) configured to display the input received from the input unit, and a PCB (151) configured to control the control panel.