Washer-Dryer Front Wall Flap Assembly for Transport Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washers/dryers are prone to damage during transportation due to forces acting on connecting elements and screws, leading to deformations and metal sheet tears, and existing methods do not adequately prevent these damages or simplify assembly.
Innovation Solution
The design features an upper fold on the front wall and side folds with overlapping flaps that provide a high-resistance fixing mechanism, allowing for assembly by screwing, riveting, or welding, with flexible slits and inclined steps to enhance resistance against forces, and varying hole sizes for improved alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screw connections are used to assemble the front wall to side walls, then assembly is relatively simple, but the connection points are vulnerable to deformation and metal sheet tearing during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-plane connection to a multi-layer overlapping flap structure. The front wall includes overlapping flaps that extend toward the side walls, creating a three-dimensional fixing area where multiple surfaces overlap and are fixed together, significantly increasing resistance to transportation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wall is segmented into multiple flaps (upper fold flaps and side fold flaps) that can be independently formed and positioned. These flaps are distributed at different locations to provide multiple connection points, reducing the load at each individual connection point while collectively providing high resistance to transportation forces.
2Reliability
If multiple connection points are used to increase fixing resistance, then reliability improves, but the number of screws and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flaps are merged into a single integrated fixing structure on the front wall. The overlapping flaps from the upper fold and side folds work together as a unified system, providing high fixing resistance through their combined overlapping surfaces while being assembled as one integrated component rather than separate elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping flap structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement, creates multiple connection points, distributes mechanical loads, and offers attachment surfaces for fasteners. This multi-functionality achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing assembly complexity.
3Strength
If precise hole alignment is required for screw passing, then fixing strength is maximized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hole alignment requirement is segmented across multiple overlapping flaps rather than requiring precise alignment through a single thick wall. The distributed holes in the flap structure provide multiple potential connection points, reducing the criticality of exact alignment for any single hole while maintaining overall fixing strength.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) comprising at least two side walls (2) that cover the volume from sides wherein the tub laundry is emplaced therein and other elements are situated, and a front wall (3) that is fixed onto the side walls (2) and that has an upper flange (4) formed on its upper edge by the bending of this edge backwards and an upper fold (5) formed on the free edge of the upper flange (4) by the bending of this edge upwards, a side flange (6) each, formed on its side edges by the bending of these edges backwards and a side fold (7) each, formed on the free edges of the side flanges (6) by the bending of these edges such that they will face each other, and two flaps (8) located at the right and the left of the upper fold (5), extending from the upper fold (5) upwards, used in fixing the front wall (3) to the side wall (2).