Auxiliary Laundry Container Using Shared Heated Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large laundry treating machines are inefficient when handling small laundry quantities, requiring additional space and energy, and lack sufficient receiving space for auxiliary operations.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary laundry treating machine with a container for receiving laundry and an air supply unit, including a blowing fan and heater, integrated into the main laundry treating machine to dry or deodorize laundry without operating the main machine, maximizing space and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large-sized main laundry treating machine is used, then it can handle large quantities of laundry, but it consumes excessive energy and occupies unnecessary space when handling small quantities of laundry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The laundry treating system is divided into two independent units: a main laundry treating machine for large quantities and a auxiliary laundry treating machine for small quantities. This segmentation allows each machine to operate independently based on the actual laundry volume, preventing energy waste from running a large machine for small loads while maintaining the capability to handle both small and large quantities of laundry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a large-sized main laundry treating machine is used, then it can handle large quantities of laundry, but it occupies excessive space when handling small quantities of laundry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry capacityVSAvoidmachine footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The laundry treating system is divided into two independent units: a main laundry treating machine for large quantities and a auxiliary laundry treating machine for small quantities. This segmentation allows each machine to operate independently based on the actual laundry volume, preventing space waste from having a large machine occupy space when only small loads need treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the air supply unit is integrated into the auxiliary laundry treating machine, then the auxiliary machine can operate independently, but the auxiliary machine's receiving space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operationVSAvoidlaundry receiving space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply unit, which includes the blowing fan and heater, is merged with the main laundry treating machine rather than being integrated into the auxiliary machine. The main machine's air supply unit supplies air to both the main and auxiliary machines, allowing the auxiliary machine to operate independently for small laundry quantities while maximizing its laundry receiving space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 convenient drying and deodorizing of small laundry quantities with improved energy efficiency and maximized space utilization by using the auxiliary machine independently of the main machine.

Implementation Method 1

a blowing fan for suctioning and blowing air in the main laundry treating machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a heater for heating the air blown by the blowing fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2145039B1Auxiliary laundry treating machine and multiple treating system including the same
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2145039B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2145039B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2145039B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An auxiliary laundry treating machine that is capable of improving energy efficiency and maximally securing a laundry receiving space and a multiple treating system including the same are disclosed. The auxiliary laundry treating machine includes a machine body mounted at one side of a main laundry treating machine that washes or dries laundry, a container for receiving laundry, the oontainer being configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from the machine body, and an air supply unit mounted in the main laundry treating machine for supplying air into the container. The air supply unit includes a blowing fan for suctioning and blowing air in the main laundry treating machine and a heater for heating the air blown by the blowing fan. Also, the miltiple treating system includes a main laundry treating machine for washing or drying laundry and the auxiliary laundry treating machine.