Clothes handling apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clothes handling apparatuses require users to remove the front panel to change the door opening direction, making it difficult and inconvenient for users to switch between left-hand and right-hand openings.

Innovation Solution

A clothes handling apparatus with a pair of symmetrical door locking devices installed on both sides of the opening, allowing the door to be locked and changed in direction without removing the front panel, using a first door latch at the right side and a second door latch at the left side, which are connected to a controller for locking and unlocking the door based on its position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front panel is removed to change door opening direction, then the door direction can be changed, but the operation becomes difficult and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening directionVSAvoiddoor direction changing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door locking device is divided into two separate latches: a first door latch on the right side and a second door latch on the left side. This segmentation allows the door to be locked and unlocked from either side, enabling easy direction changes without removing the front panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door locking device is designed with dual functionality to lock the door in both left-hand and right-hand opening configurations. The controller selectively activates the appropriate latch based on the door's installation side, providing universal locking capability regardless of door direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single door latch is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door cannot be locked in both left and right opening directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor locking capabilityVSAvoiddoor locking device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door locking device uses asymmetric placement of latches on opposite sides of the door. The first latch is positioned on the right side while the second latch is positioned on the left side, creating an asymmetric configuration that adapts to different door opening directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The controller automatically determines which latch to activate based on the door's installation position, eliminating the need for manual configuration. The system self-adjusts by detecting the door side and activating the corresponding latch, reducing user burden while maintaining dual-directional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11319660B2Clothes handling apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a clothes handling apparatus that allows a user to easily change a door opening direction. The clothes handling apparatus includes a cabinet having an opening formed in a front surface thereof, a door configured to open or close the opening, and a door lock including a first door latch installed at a right side of the opening and provided to lock the door and a second door latch installed at a left side of the opening and provided to lock the door. The door may be rotatably installed at the left side of the opening or rotatably installed at the right side of the opening, and the first door latch or the second door latch may lock the door depending on whether the door is installed at the left side or the right side of the opening.