Washer Door Gasket Mounting for Leak-Proof Transparent Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer and dryer door designs face challenges in mounting gaskets effectively between the inner and transparent doors, leading to potential leaks and steam formation, which complicates assembly and requires additional elements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of multiple pins on the inner door and corresponding holes on the gasket, along with a base, extension, tongue, and rib configuration, allows for easy and secure mounting of the gasket without additional elements, ensuring leak-proofing between the inner and transparent doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gaskets are placed between the inner door and transparent door to prevent leaks, then leak-proofing is improved, but mounting difficulty and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and hole mounting system integrates the gasket directly with the inner door structure. The pins are formed as integral parts of the inner door (via injection molding), and the holes are pre-formed in the gasket, creating a unified assembly that eliminates separate mounting operations and reduces the need for additional fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is divided into functional segments: the base portion that interfaces with the inner door, the extension that seals against the hub, and the tongue that provides additional sealing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall mounting process through the pin-hole system.
2Reliability
If multiple elements are used to secure the gasket, then leak-proofing is improved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner door and pins are merged into a single integrated component through injection molding. The pins are formed directly as part of the inner door structure, eliminating the need for separate pin mounting operations and reducing the total component count while maintaining secure gasket attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket's own structure (with pre-formed holes) serves the dual purpose of both sealing and mounting. The holes in the gasket are designed to fit over the pins, allowing the gasket to self-position and self-secure without requiring additional fasteners or mounting hardware.
3Reliability
If additional mounting elements are used, then gasket security is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pin mounting system is integrated into the inner door manufacturing process through injection molding. The pins are formed as integral features of the inner door, eliminating separate manufacturing steps for pin production and installation, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring secure gasket attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holes are pre-formed in the gasket during gasket manufacturing, and the pins are pre-formed in the inner door during injection molding. This preliminary preparation of mounting features eliminates the need for additional drilling, punching, or fastening operations during final assembly, reducing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer and/or dryer (1) comprising a body (2) and a door (3) that provides access into the body (2) and that has a ring shaped inner door (4) forming the portion thereof facing the inside of the body (2), a ring shaped outer door (5) that forms the portion thereof facing the outside of the body (2) and that is fixed onto the inner door (4) so that their inner faces face each other, a skirt (6) that is squeezed between the inner door (4) and the outer door (5), a transparent door (8) having a hub (7) extending towards the inside of the body (2) and a circular gasket (9) that is all around squeezed between the transparent door (8) and the inner door (4) and that provides leak-proofing against the humid air forming inside the body (2).