Washing Machine Sub-Door Sealing Assembly for Mid-Cycle Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines restrict the ability to add laundry or detergent during a washing cycle, as the door must remain locked until the cycle is complete or the water is drained, limiting flexibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a door assembly with a sub-door that can be opened arbitrarily during a cycle, combined with a sealing assembly using a guide duct, sealing rubber, and sealing cap to maintain sealing efficiency, allowing for the addition of laundry or detergent while maintaining effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is locked during the washing cycle to maintain sealing, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the ability to add laundry or detergent during the cycle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into a main door and a sub-door. The main door remains locked during the washing cycle to maintain sealing efficiency, while the sub-door can be opened independently to allow addition of laundry or detergent. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing separate access paths for maintaining sealing and adding materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-door acts as an intermediary element between the user and the washing drum. It provides a controlled access point that allows addition of laundry or detergent without requiring full door opening, thus maintaining overall sealing efficiency while enabling operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sub-door is opened during the washing cycle to add laundry or detergent, then operational flexibility is improved, but sealing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple sealing assemblies: a first sealing assembly at the main door, a second sealing assembly at the sub-door, and a third sealing assembly at the guide duct. This segmentation allows the sub-door to open independently while other sealing assemblies maintain the overall seal, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and sealing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The sealing assemblies can adapt to the open/closed state of the sub-door, maintaining effective sealing during both operating conditions. The sealing cap and sealing rubber can adjust to accommodate sub-door movement while preserving the seal.
3Reliability
If a sealing assembly is added to the guide duct to maintain sealing during sub-door operation, then sealing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly uses a sealing rubber (flexible element) that can deform and adapt to the guide duct opening. This flexible sealing mechanism provides effective sealing without requiring complex rigid structures, resolving the contradiction between sealing efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing cap can rotate to different positions (e.g., covering or exposing the guide duct opening) depending on whether the sub-door is open or closed. This parameter change (rotational position) allows a single component to serve multiple sealing functions without increasing structural complexity.
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 user to freely input laundry or detergent at any time during the wash cycle without compromising the sealing of the washing machine, enhancing operational flexibility and sealing effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing rubber having elasticity and configured to cover a gap formed between the guide duct and the glass opening
Implementation Method 2
a sealing cap configured to press the sealing rubber toward the gap
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a washing machine, which includes a cabinet having a first opening and a washing space therein and a door assembly configured to open or close the first opening. The door assembly includes a door unit including a guide duct having one side forming a second opening and the other side connected to the washing space, and configured to be rotatable with respect to the cabinet, a sub-door configured to open or close the second opening and a sealing assembly configured to seal the other side of the guide duct. With this configuration, it is possible to effectively seal the inside of the washing machine.