Inclined Washer Door Damper for Self-Weight Rotation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment apparatuses experience automatic door rotation due to self-load or self-weight, causing inconvenience and risk of damage from external shocks when the door is tilted for laundry introduction and removal.
Innovation Solution
A damper module with an elastic member and guide member is integrated between the front panel and door to apply torque opposite to the door's rotating direction, preventing unwanted opening or closing due to self-load or self-weight by restricting rotation within specific angle ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is mounted to the inclined front surface to facilitate laundry introduction, then ease of operation is improved, but the door automatically rotates due to self-weight causing inconvenience and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The damper module generates a counter-torque that opposes the gravitational torque caused by the door's self-weight. This counter-torque acts in the opposite direction to the automatic rotation, effectively balancing the door's tendency to move due to gravity and maintaining door stability without affecting the inclined mounting configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper module applies a preliminary counter-torque to the door before automatic rotation can occur. By continuously exerting this opposing force, the system prevents the harmful automatic rotation from happening in the first place, rather than correcting it after the fact.
2Reliability
If the door is rotated beyond a prescribed angle to avoid automatic closing, then door stability is improved, but the door is at risk of damage from external shock
Solution Approach 1:
The damper module continuously applies a counter-torque that balances the gravitational effect on the door, allowing the door to be positioned at any angle within the operational range without automatic closing. This eliminates the need to rotate the door beyond the prescribed angle, thereby maintaining stability while avoiding the risk of external shock damage.
3Reliability
If a damper module is added to prevent door rotation, then door stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper module acts as an intermediary component between the door and the front surface. It provides the necessary counter-torque through a compact mechanism that includes a support arm, elastic element, and damping element, effectively managing the door's interaction with gravitational forces without requiring complex control systems or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper module is designed to automatically generate and apply the counter-torque without external control or intervention. The elastic element and damping element work together in a self-regulating manner, adjusting to the door's position and weight automatically, which simplifies the overall system despite adding a functional component.
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 damper module effectively prevents door rotation due to self-load or self-weight, ensuring the door remains stable and reducing the risk of damage from external shocks, allowing for safe and convenient laundry handling.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member including a coil portion to rotate in the same direction as a rotating direction of the door when torque of the door is applied to the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
the elastic member may be a torsion spring
Implementation Method 3
a guide member to generate torsional stress of the coil portion in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the door by restricting rotation of the coil portion
Implementation Method 4
a damper module between the front panel and the door to apply torque to the door in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the door when the door is rotated due to self-load (or self-weight) of the door
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus including a front panel with an inclined front surface and an opening for the introduction and removal of laundry located on the inclined surface, a door rotatably mounted to the inclined front surface to open or close the opening, and a damper module between the front panel and the door to apply torque to the door in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the door when the door is rotated due to self-load (or self-weight) of the door. The damper module applies torque to the door in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the door when an angle between the front panel and the door is within a range of a prescribed angle, preventing the door from being open or closed due to self-load (or self-weight) of the door, enhancing user convenience.