Washer Door Glass Alignment With Divided Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in aligning circular front glasses with door frames due to the lack of physical reference points and the variability in adhesive application, which affects the precision and appearance of the door assembly.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with a front glass having flat front and rear surfaces and a complete circular shape, featuring a mounting guide and adhesive filling groove to facilitate precise alignment and minimize adhesive usage, along with a method for applying adhesive in a divided manner to prolong hardening time and prevent adhesive gun blockage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a mechanical object (pin, hook) is used to guide attachment position, then alignment precision is improved, but it cannot be formed on glass due to glass characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturability on glass
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment objects (pins, hooks) with an optical alignment method using a transparent align mark on the glass that can be seen through the glass from the outside, allowing alignment without mechanical attachments on the glass surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an align mark as an intermediary element that facilitates alignment between the glass and door frame. The align mark serves as a visual mediator that enables precise positioning without requiring mechanical attachments on the glass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If adhesive is applied in large amount, then attachment reliability is improved, but adhesive gun blockage occurs and hardening time is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive application control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the adhesive application process into multiple steps, applying adhesive in portions rather than all at once. This allows control over the total adhesive amount while maintaining attachment reliability and preventing gun blockage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action by applying adhesive in intervals with pressing operations between applications. This rhythmical application-procession-application pattern controls adhesive flow and prevents excessive accumulation that would cause blockage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Manufacturing precision

If adhesive hardening time is prolonged, then attachment quality is improved, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment qualityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions of positioning and alignment using the transparent align mark before adhesive application. This allows the adhesive to be applied in smaller amounts with adequate time for proper bonding, improving quality without significantly impacting overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3660201B1Laundry treating apparatus and method for fabricating a door provided thereat
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3660201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660201B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660201B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a door provided at a laundry treating apparatus, and a corresponding laundry treating apparatus, the method comprising: mounting (S10) a front glass (23) to a front glass mounting jig (1), and mounting a door frame (21) to a door frame mounting jig (2); applying (S20) an adhesive (26) to the door frame (21); lifting (S30) the front glass (23) and then mounting the front glass (23) onto the door frame (21); moving (S40) the door frame mounting jig (2) to a compression jig (3); attaching (S50) the front glass (23) to the door frame (21) by using the compression jig (3); separating (S60) the door frame mounting jig (2) from the compression jig (3); and separating (S70) an assembly of the front glass (23) attached to the door frame (21), from the door frame mounting jig (2), wherein in the applying (S40) of the adhesive (26) to the door frame (21), the adhesive is applied along an adhesive filling groove (21a1) formed to enclose an opening (21') of the door frame (21), plural times in a divided manner.