Clothes treating system and control method therefor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining the appropriate course and settings for their clothes treating devices based on external environments, such as season or weather, and in understanding the functions and effects of different courses, leading to inconvenience and improper use of laundry detergents.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating system and control method that utilizes an external terminal to communicate with the clothes treating device, providing real-time information on recommended courses, washing timing, and detergent amounts based on environmental conditions and user history, with NFC communication and Wi-Fi connectivity for data exchange, allowing users to select optimal settings and courses through a smartphone-like interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple courses are provided in the course selection unit, then the versatility of the clothes treating device is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users have difficulty determining which course and setup factors are appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate course and setup factors based on external environment data (humidity, temperature, dust concentration) without requiring users to manually select from multiple options. The clothes treating device self-adjusts settings based on environmental conditions, eliminating the complexity of course selection while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system receives real-time environmental data from external terminals and uses this feedback to automatically adjust course selection and setup factors. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt to changing environmental conditions while simplifying user interaction, as users only need to provide environmental information rather than manually configure multiple parameters.
2Loss of information
If manual text is provided to describe functions and effects, then the information completeness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users must read the manual text whenever using each course
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical manual texts with an electronic information display system connected to external terminals. Users can access course function descriptions and effect information through digital displays that show real-time environmental data and recommended settings, eliminating the need to physically read and interpret manual texts while maintaining complete information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes environmental data and automatically generates appropriate course recommendations with detailed function descriptions and setup factor explanations before the user needs them. This preliminary preparation of information allows users to directly view and understand the rationale behind recommended settings without needing to consult separate manuals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drying function is included, then the versatility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users have difficulty determining which drying mode is preferably required
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects the appropriate drying mode (indoor drying, outdoor drying, or drying function usage) based on real-time environmental data such as humidity, temperature, and weather conditions. Users simply need to input environmental information, and the system self-determines the optimal drying approach, eliminating the complexity of mode selection while maintaining versatile drying capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If communication with external terminal is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved by providing real-time information, but the device complexity increases due to NFC and Wi-Fi communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an external terminal (such as a smartphone) as an intermediary device that handles complex communication functions including NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity. The clothes treating device communicates with this external terminal, which then processes and displays information to the user. This intermediary approach provides real-time environmental data and course recommendations without significantly increasing the complexity of the core clothes treating device.
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 users to easily select proper courses and settings based on environmental conditions, ensures proper washing and drying modes, and determines the required detergent amount, improving user convenience by providing real-time guidance and eliminating the need for manual texts.
Implementation Method 1
described with reference to NFC communication between a clothes treating device and an external terminal
Implementation Method 2
described with reference to Wi-Fi communication between a clothes treating device and an external terminal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a clothes treating system and a control method therefore and, more particularly, to a clothes treating system comprising an external terminal and a clothes treating device formed to be able to communicate with the external terminal, wherein the clothes treating device comprises a power input unit, a course selection unit formed for selecting a course among preconfigured courses, and an execution input unit for driving the clothes treating device according to the selected course; and the external terminal is formed to display information on an external environment and one or more recommended courses preconfigured on the basis of the information on the external environment, after power is input to the clothes treating device and before an execution command is input through the execution input unit.