Washing Machine Door Curvature for Crosswise Laundry Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading washing machines lack an effective mechanism to enhance the washing action, as existing doors do not adequately facilitate a more vigorous twisting motion of laundry during the wash cycle, which can lead to incomplete cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A porthole-type door with a glass inner part featuring a convex central section and adjacent concave sections, designed to create a double involute shape that allows for a crosswise rotary movement of laundry, complementing the drum's rotation and enhancing washing effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional flat door is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the washing action is insufficient and laundry cleaning is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The door incorporates a convex section and concave sections with curved surfaces instead of a flat plane. The convex section has a radius of curvature between 15-30cm and the concave sections have radii between 5-15cm, creating a porthole-like shape that generates rotational washing motion when the drum rotates, thereby enhancing washing effectiveness without adding complex mechanical components
2Productivity
If a convex-concave door design is implemented, then the washing action is enhanced through rotary motion, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door applies local quality by creating specific convex and concave regions with defined radii of curvature in particular areas of the door surface. The convex section is positioned centrally with radius 15-30cm, while concave sections are positioned peripherally with radii 5-15cm, allowing the door to generate rotational washing motion locally where needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A door is described for front-loading washing machine comprising a unit (1) with front panel (9) having an opening (2) for loading laundry to be washed with the door (3) suitable for closing the opening. The door has a frame (31) and an inner part (32); the inner part comprises a circular peripheral part (35) and is shaped so that the horizontal section passing through the centre (C) of the door comprises a central convex part (33) and two concave parts (34) which are adjacent and connect up to the convex part and with the circular peripheral part (35) of the door.