Washer Door Hinge Structure for Load Sharing and Safe Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drum washing machines face challenges in assembling and supporting doors with increased size or weight, leading to hinge deformation and potential breakage due to uneven load distribution and collision with the housing.
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, along with opening restriction units to prevent excessive opening and collision, allowing for easier assembly and reduced load on the first hinge unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hinge member is used to support the door, then the structure is simple, but the hinge member deforms and breaks under increased door weight
Solution Approach 1:
The single hinge member is divided into two separate hinge members. The first hinge member is connected to the upper end of the door, and the second hinge member is connected to the lower end of the door. This segmentation distributes the door weight and operational loads across two separate structural elements, preventing any single hinge from being overloaded and deformed, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and load-bearing strength.
2Area of moving object
If the door size or weight is increased, then the door provides better coverage and appearance, but the hinge member becomes difficult to assemble and may break
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the door support function into two separate hinge members positioned at different locations (upper and lower ends of the door), the assembly process becomes more manageable. Each hinge member can be independently positioned and secured to the housing, reducing the complexity of assembling a single large hinge structure and facilitating easier installation of larger, heavier doors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge member is positioned at the central portion of the door, then it provides balanced support, but the hinge member is twisted by door load and deforms
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single central hinge member that must resist all torsional forces alone, the support function is segmented into two hinge members positioned at the upper and lower ends of the door. This distribution of support points creates a more stable triangular support structure with the door hinges, reducing the torsional stress on each individual hinge member and preventing deformation.
4Ease of operation
If the door opening angle is not restricted, then the door can open freely, but the door collides with the housing and may break
Solution Approach 1:
The opening restriction members are pre-positioned on the hinge members at specific distances from the hinge axes. These restriction members protrude in the door opening direction and are designed to contact the housing before the door can collide with it. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful collision by establishing a mechanical stop that limits the maximum opening angle, thereby protecting the door and housing from damage while still allowing free opening within the safe angular range.
Data Source
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 provided with an opening through which laundry is put into the washing machine; a door connected to the housing to open and close the opening; a first hinge unit rotatably connecting the door to the housing; and a second hinge unit 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.