Washing Machine Hinge Cam Design for Door Closure Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face issues with door closure speed control, leading to potential safety hazards and noise due to rapid door closure, and existing solutions increase material and manufacturing costs by adding complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine hinge unit featuring a cam member with distinct curved sections and an elastic member to control door opening and closing speeds, simplifying power transmission and reducing the number of parts, using a lever to directly contact the cam member and manage torque profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the door is allowed to close quickly due to gravity, then the closing operation is efficient, but noise and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member features different curved sections (first, second, and third sections) that dynamically adjust the lever's movement characteristics during door closure. The first section provides initial movement, the second section controls intermediate closure speed, and the third section manages final closure, creating a dynamic speed profile that reduces impact noise and safety hazards while maintaining efficient closing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cam member's curved surface to control the door closure speed profile. By carefully designing the curvature and shape of different sections of the cam member, the system transforms the constant gravitational force into a variable speed profile, reducing the door's closing speed during critical phases to minimize noise and safety risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex structures are added to control door closure speed, then safety and noise are improved, but material and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the door closure speed control function directly into the hinge unit by integrating the cam member with the existing lever and elastic member. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate, complex control mechanisms, reducing material costs and simplifying manufacturing while effectively controlling door closure speed to improve safety and reduce noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member's curved surface profile is designed to automatically regulate the door closure speed without requiring external control systems or additional actuators. The geometric shape of the cam member itself provides the speed control function, allowing the hinge unit to self-regulate door movement based on the cam's inherent mechanical characteristics, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Speed
If multiple curved sections are used in the cam member, then door speed control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member's curved surface is segmented into three distinct sections, each responsible for a specific phase of door movement. This segmentation allows precise control of door speed at different stages of opening and closing operations. Despite the segmentation, all sections are integrated into a single cam member component, avoiding the need for multiple separate parts and keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
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
This solution reduces door closure speed, enhances safety by preventing finger entrapment, and lowers manufacturing costs by simplifying the hinge unit configuration while maintaining reliability and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to elastically support the lever
Implementation Method 2
a cam member configured to be rotated by the door and provided with a curved surface comprising a first section, a second section and a third section
Implementation Method 3
the damper may dampen the linear movement of the lever by being in contact with one side of the housing when the lever is sequentially in contact with the third section and the second section
Implementation Method 4
When the door moves downward in a closing operation of the door, the door can be closed quickly due to gravity caused by the self-weight of the door
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine comprises a hinge device including a cam member, a lever, and an elastic member, and the cam member comprises an outer circumference surface including a first section, a second section and a third section disposed between the first section and the second section having a curvature different from each other. The cam member is profiled to be disposed at a first position in which the door is automatically opened, a second position in which the door is automatically closed, and at a third position in which an external resultant force becomes 0 (zero), when the lever is in contact with each section. Therefore, it is possible to control a closing speed of the door and simplify the power transmission method by using the cam, reduce the material cost by reducing the number of parts, and secure the reliability of driving of the washing machine.