Composite Washer Door Frame for Strength and Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum type washing machines have a plastic door frame that lacks strength and luxurious appearance, making it difficult to support enlarged door glass and failing to meet marketability standards due to its non-metallic material.
Innovation Solution
A door for drum type washing machines featuring a front member with reflective and nonreflective patterns or embossed and depressed structures, alternately arranged, attached to the door frame to enhance strength and appearance, formed by etching on a metal plating layer or directly on the door frame, with a protective film for glare prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plastic door frame is used, then the door frame is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but the strength and luxurious appearance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a plastic door frame with a metal plate. The metal plate is attached to the front surface of the plastic door frame, creating a composite structure that leverages the lightweight and easy manufacturing properties of plastic while adding the strength and luxurious appearance of metal. This resolves the contradiction between maintaining simplicity and achieving high strength.
2Area of stationary object
If the door glass size is enlarged, then the viewing area is increased, but the door frame strength requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of plastic door frame with attached metal plate provides the enhanced strength needed to support enlarged door glass. The metal plate reinforces the door frame at critical locations, allowing larger door glass areas without compromising structural integrity.
3Strength
If a metallic door frame is used, then the strength and luxurious appearance are improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines lightweight plastic with thin metal plates, achieving the strength and luxurious appearance of metallic doors while keeping the overall weight much lower than solid metal door frames. The plastic provides the bulk structure and light weight, while the metal plates add strength and aesthetic appeal.
4Shape
If a metal plating layer is applied, then the luxurious appearance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying metal plating layers to plastic (which would require complex surface preparation and plating processes), the patent uses pre-fabricated metal plates that are mechanically attached to the plastic door frame. This approach achieves the luxurious metallic appearance while maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity through standard attachment processes.
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 increases the door frame's strength without using metallic materials, stabilizes the door glass, improves the door's appearance, and prevents glare, enhancing the marketability of the washing machine by providing a luxurious look.
Implementation Method 1
formed by etching on a metal plating layer or directly on the door frame
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a door for drum type washing machines and a method of manufacturing such a door. A front member is attached to the front surface of a door frame. Consequently, the overall strength of the door frame is increased. Especially, a decorative part, which consists of alternating reflective/nonreflective or embossed/depressed patterns, is formed either at the door frame or at the front member. Consequently, the overall appearance of the door is improved, and glare is effectively prevented.