Washing Machine Hinge Wire Guide for Concealed Door Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face challenges in aesthetically connecting electrical components inside the door and cabinet without exposing wires externally.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a wire guide portion and cover is used to route electrical connections through the hinge, allowing the wire to pass through while maintaining the machine's exterior aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are used to connect electrical components inside the door and cabinet, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the aesthetic exterior is hindered by exposed wires
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is nested within the hinge assembly structure. The hinge body contains a wire passage that routes the wire from the door to the cabinet, and the wire cover encloses the wire within the hinge assembly. This nesting approach allows the wire to be hidden inside the mechanical structure, maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring electrical connectivity between components in the door and cabinet.
2Reliability
If wires are routed externally to connect electrical components, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but foreign materials can enter the wire path
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is nested within the hinge assembly structure. The hinge body contains a wire passage that routes the wire from the door to the cabinet, and the wire cover encloses the wire within the hinge assembly. This nesting approach allows the wire to be hidden inside the mechanical structure, maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring electrical connectivity between components in the door and cabinet.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire cover acts as an intermediary protective element between the wire and the external environment. It seals the wire passage in the hinge body, preventing foreign materials such as dust, lint, and water from entering the wire path while allowing the wire to pass through. This intermediary structure protects the electrical connection without compromising connectivity.
3Shape
If the hinge assembly includes wire routing features, then wire protection and aesthetics are improved, but the hinge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed with multi-functionality. The hinge body not only provides the mechanical pivot function for the door but also contains integrated wire routing features including a wire passage and wire cover. The wire cover serves both as a protective seal against foreign materials and as an aesthetic element that conceals the wire. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate wire routing components, thereby limiting the increase in overall structural complexity while achieving wire protection and aesthetic goals.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine having an improved wire connection structure for electrically connecting electrical components. The washing machine includes a cabinet which has a first electrical component, forms an exterior, and has an opening through which laundry is inserted; a door provided with a second electrical component, and configured to open and close the opening; a wire which electrically connects the first electrical component and the second electrical component; and a hinge which has a wire guide portion for coupling the door to the cabinet so as to be rotatable about a rotating axis and for guiding the wire.