Dual-Hinge Washer Door Support for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drum washing machines face challenges with door assembly and load endurance due to increased size or weight, leading to hinge deformation and potential breakage, as well as noise issues from vibrations caused by L-like protrusions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual hinge unit system, where a first hinge unit supports the door's upper end and a second hinge unit supports the lower surface, with opening restriction units to prevent excessive opening and collision, allowing for easier assembly and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the door size or weight is increased, then the door can cover a larger opening and improve appearance, but the hinge member becomes overloaded and may deform or break
Solution Approach 1:
The single hinge member is divided into two separate hinge members: a first hinge member connected to the upper end of the door and a second hinge member connected to the lower end of the door. This segmentation distributes the door's weight and operational loads across two separate support points, preventing any single hinge from becoming overloaded and deforming, while still supporting a larger, heavier door that can cover a larger opening.
2Strength
If the hinge member is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then the door can be supported more firmly, but the assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the hinge system into two separate hinge members positioned at different locations (upper and lower door ends), each hinge member can be designed with optimal rigidity for its specific load requirements without requiring excessive overall complexity. The segmented design allows for standardized, pre-fabricated components that are easier to manufacture and assemble compared to a single complex rigid hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure itself acts as an intermediary element between the two hinge members and the housing. The upper and lower attachment points on the door provide stable connection points that distribute forces, allowing the use of simpler, more easily assembled hinge components while still achieving the required overall rigidity and support for the door.
3Ease of operation
If the door is allowed to open freely, then the door can be operated easily, but the door may collide with the housing and break
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism incorporates a built-in stop function that prevents the door from opening beyond a safe angle. This preliminary anti-action mechanism is designed into the hinge structure itself, creating a mechanical barrier that stops the door's rotation before it can collide with the housing, thereby preventing breakage while still allowing easy operation within the permitted range.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a drum washing machine, which improves structures of hinge units to rotatably support a door to easily assemble a door with a housing, and firmly endures a load of the door. The drum washing machine includes a housing (10) provided with an opening (21) through which laundry is put into the washing machine; a door (30) connected to the housing to open and close the opening; a first hinge unit (40,32) rotatably connecting the door to the housing; and a second hinge unit (50,23) separated from the first hinge unit to rotatably support the door together with the first hinge unit. The second hinge unit causes the door to be supported on the housing. Through the above constitution, a worker may easily assemble the door with the housing, thus increasing a working efficiency.