Washing Machine Door Sealing and Drawer Discharge Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in allowing a drawer to be discharged from a cabinet when the door is opened, interference between the door and introduction aperture, and inadequate sealing, especially with adhesive-based sealing members.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tub body, tub cover, drum, door, hinge, fixing unit, and a sealing unit with a C-shaped cross section to ensure the door can be easily opened and closed, preventing interference and providing effective sealing without adhesives, along with a position sensing unit to notify users of drawer and door states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door is opened in the state in which a drawer is inserted into a cabinet, then the door can be opened to access the introduction aperture, but the door may interfere with the drawer discharge path and prevent the drawer from being discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into a door body and a door cover that can move independently. The door cover is configured to be movable relative to the door body, allowing it to clear the drawer discharge path when the drawer needs to be removed, thus eliminating interference while maintaining door opening functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The door cover is designed with dynamic movement capability relative to the door body through guides and movable connections. This allows the door cover to automatically adjust its position based on whether the drawer is being discharged or not, clearing the path when needed and returning to sealing position when not in use
2Reliability
If a sealing member with adhesive is used to seal the introduction aperture, then sealing can be achieved, but the adhesive surface may cause contamination and the sealing effect may be inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive component is completely removed from the sealing system. Instead of using adhesive-based sealing members, the patent employs a mechanical sealing structure where the door cover and door body form a seal through their geometric configuration and movable connection, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure serves as an intermediary element between the door cover and door body, enabling precise positioning and sealing contact without requiring adhesive. The guide ensures proper alignment and maintains the sealing interface through mechanical constraint
3Stability of the object's composition
If the door is fixed to the tub cover, then the door remains stable during operation, but the door cannot be easily separated for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The door cover is pre-configured with movable connection features and guides that allow for easy assembly and disassembly. The preliminary design of these movable connection mechanisms enables the door to be quickly separated for maintenance or replacement while maintaining stability during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the door cover and door body is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the door cover to move relative to the door body during operation for stability, while enabling easy separation when maintenance or replacement is needed
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 the drawer to be discharged without door interference, maintains effective sealing, and notifies users of door and drawer states, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing unit that is provided to one of the door or the introduction aperture and that is configured to seal the introduction aperture
Implementation Method 2
a hinge that is configured to rotatably couple the door to the tub cover
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub body for receiving water, a tub cover that covers an upper surface of the tub body and that defines an introduction aperture, a drum located inside the tub body for receiving laundry, a door for opening and closing the introduction aperture, a hinge that rotatably couples the door to the tub cover, a fixing unit that releasably couples a portion of the door to the tub cover, and a sealing unit on the door or the introduction aperture that is configured to seal the introduction aperture based on the introduction aperture being closed by the door. A portion of the sealing unit located in a direction in which the fixing unit is provided has a different diameter from a diameter of a portion of the sealing unit that is located in a direction in which the hinge is provided.