Washing Machine Auxiliary Door Hinge with Integrated Wire Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drum type washing machines, the location of the inlet and door on the front surface prevents the door from being opened after wash water is supplied, restricting the ability to add laundry or detergent during a washing cycle.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary door is introduced, allowing independent opening and closing during the washing cycle, with a locking mechanism to prevent unintended opening and a hinge structure that buffers the impact of opening and closing, providing additional washing space separated from the main space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inlet and door are provided on the front surface of the cabinet, then the door structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the door cannot be opened after wash water is supplied to the tub
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a main door (70) and an auxiliary door (52). The main door provides the primary sealing function, while the auxiliary door independently provides access to the auxiliary washing space (51) without requiring opening the main door. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of the main door structure while adding operational flexibility through the auxiliary door.
2Device complexity
If a single washing space is provided in the drum, then the device structure is simple, but laundry of different types cannot be separated and washed
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into two independent washing spaces: a main washing space (50) in the drum and an auxiliary washing space (51) accessible through the auxiliary door (52). This allows separation of different types of laundry (e.g., delicate items in the auxiliary space, regular laundry in the main space) while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary washing space (51) is nested within the overall door assembly structure, specifically within the door holder (151) and door cover (141) assembly. This nested configuration allows the auxiliary washing functionality to be integrated into the existing door structure without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the auxiliary door is made freely openable during washing, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended opening may occur causing water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary door system incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that adapts to different operational states. The locking device (190) can be in a locked state during normal washing to prevent unintended opening, and can be unlocked when the user needs to access the auxiliary washing space. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit (100) receives feedback about the washing cycle state and door status, and automatically controls the locking device (190) accordingly. For example, the locking device is activated during washing cycles to prevent unintended opening, and deactivated when the cycle is complete or paused, allowing user access. This feedback-based control resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to operational conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the auxiliary door hinge structure is rigid, then the door is stable when closed, but impact is generated when opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge unit (400) incorporates a shock absorber (410) with a buffer spring (440) that is pre-configured to absorb impact forces during door opening and closing operations. This beforehand cushioning mechanism maintains the stability of the door when closed while reducing harmful impact forces during operation, resolving the contradiction between stability and impact reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to freely add laundry and detergent at any time, reduces damage to laundry by allowing separate washing of delicate items, and improves usability and sensitivity through buffered door operation.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer spring (440) connected to the rotating shaft (430) and the fixed shaft (420) to apply an elastic force to the rotating shaft (430)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A washing machine (1) comprising a cabinet (110) having an inlet port (112) at a front side thereof; a drum (130) disposed inside the cabinet (110); a door (140) configured to open and close the inlet port (112); a hinge member (170) configured to pivotably couple the door (140) to the cabinet (110); and an electric wire (118) extending from an inside of the cabinet (110) to the door (140), wherein the hinge member (170) comprises a cabinet coupling portion (171) coupled to the cabinet (110), a hinge arm (172) coupled to the cabinet coupling portion (171), a hinge shaft (173) protruding from the hinge arm (172) to form a rotating axis of the door (140), a wire passage (174) configured to accommodate the electric wire (118) along the hinge shaft (173) and the hinge arm (172), and a wire cover (175) covering the wire passage (174) to prevent the electric wire (118) accommodated in the wire passage (174) from being exposed.