Washer Door Hinge Structure for Adjustable Opening Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses lack the ability to securely maintain a door in a partially open position and adjust the opening angle of the laundry introduction opening, leading to inefficiencies in loading and unloading laundry.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus with a hinge unit that includes multiple pivots and a guide system allowing the door to rotate along different axes, enabling adjustable opening angles and secure fixation at various positions, using a combination of shafts and detaching parts for flexible door movement and adjustable opening degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single shaft door hinge is used, then the door can open and close the laundry introduction opening, but the door cannot be secured in a partially open position
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge unit transitions from a fixed single-shaft design to a dynamic multi-shaft system that allows the door to be positioned at various angles. The first and second shafts enable the door to rotate and be secured at different opening angles, transforming the static door position into a dynamically adjustable configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge unit is divided into multiple independent shaft components (first shaft and second shaft) that work together. This segmentation allows each shaft to contribute to different aspects of door movement and positioning, enabling both partial opening and stable fixation at various angles.
2Productivity
If the door is fixed to close the opening completely, then security is maintained, but access to the laundry introduction opening becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The door system becomes dynamically adjustable, allowing users to open the door to the exact angle needed for efficient laundry loading. The multi-shaft hinge enables partial opening positions that optimize access to the laundry introduction opening while maintaining security when closed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-pivot hinge system is added, then adjustable opening angles and partial opening positions are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hinge functionality is achieved by segmenting it into distinct first and second shaft components. Each shaft handles specific rotational movements, and their combination provides multi-position capability without requiring a completely complex mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge unit serves multiple functions: it allows complete closing, partial opening at various angles, and secure fixation at each position. This multi-functionality is achieved through the coordinated action of the first and second shafts, making the system versatile without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
There may be disclosed a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet configured to define a profile thereof, the cabinet comprising a laundry introduction opening formed therein, a door configured to open and close the laundry introduction opening, a hinge unit comprising a first pivot to rotate the door along a first rotational direction and a second pivot to rotate a second rotational direction that is different from the first rotational direction, a guide part installed in the cabinet, with a guide groove recessed a predetermined depth, and a connection part installed in the door, the connection part comprising a guide projection received in the guide groove of which a moving path is guided, and an opening angle of the opening is variable based on positions of the guide projection.