Washing Machine Rotary Knob Assembly for Shake-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine control panel assemblies experience issues with rotary knob shaking and interference with surrounding parts, leading to an unpleasant user experience and noise due to friction.
Innovation Solution
A control panel assembly with a knob guide and rotary knob design that includes a boss insertion part with an inclined extension to restrict the rotary knob's movement, reducing shaking and friction by engaging hooks and varying the boss insertion hole diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the through hole size is reduced to prevent rotary knob shaking, then the shaking is minimized, but the rotary knob interferes with the decoration window and cannot rotate smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple components: a support plate with through hole, a decoration window with recessed portion, and a rotary knob. The decoration window's recessed portion acts as a separate support element that prevents shaking without requiring the through hole to be small, thus maintaining rotation smoothness while achieving stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the through hole is made small to restrict the rotary knob, then shaking is prevented, but friction noise occurs and the rotary knob interferes with surrounding parts
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration window with its recessed portion serves as an intermediary support structure between the rotary knob and the main support plate. This intermediary provides additional support to prevent shaking and reduces friction noise without requiring the through hole to be small, thus avoiding interference with surrounding parts.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rotary knob is tightly restricted to prevent shaking, then stability is improved, but the complexity of the support structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration window serves multiple functions: it provides aesthetic appearance, supports the rotary knob to prevent shaking, and guides the rotary knob's rotation. By making the decoration window multi-functional, the support structure complexity is minimized while achieving stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel, a knob guide installed on the control panel, and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein.