Clothing management apparatus and method for controlling thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothing management apparatuses lack user flexibility in choosing management modes based on specific garment needs and user preferences, often consuming excessive time or power.

Innovation Solution

A clothing management apparatus with a processor that determines management necessity and completeness based on garment state, allowing users to select between multiple management modes displayed as expected images, including information on power consumption and time, and classifies garments for efficient management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the apparatus manages garments according to optimal management mode, then management completeness is improved, but power consumption and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts management modes based on real-time garment state analysis. The processor evaluates current garment conditions (wrinkles, stains, fabric type) and selects from multiple management modes (quick refresh, standard care, deep cleaning) rather than applying a fixed optimal mode, allowing users to balance completeness against power consumption and time based on their immediate needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus changes operational parameters by offering multiple management modes with different intensity levels. Each mode adjusts parameters such as steam temperature, water flow rate, and cycle duration. The system presents expected images showing management completeness for each mode, enabling users to select parameters that match their power availability and time constraints while maintaining adequate garment care.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the apparatus manages garments according to optimal management mode, then management completeness is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement completenessVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus applies partial action by offering a quick refresh mode that performs only essential treatments (e.g., light steaming without full washing cycle) for garments with minor issues. The system analyzes garment state and determines that full optimal management is excessive for lightly worn items, providing a time-efficient partial treatment that still improves appearance adequately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus provides multiple management mode choices, then user flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing garment images and pre-evaluating expected management completeness for each available mode. Instead of requiring users to understand complex mode differences, the apparatus generates expected images showing predicted outcomes and presents them intuitively on the display, allowing users to make informed selections without needing to comprehend the underlying complexity of each mode's operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The expected image generation function serves as an intermediary between the complex management modes and the user. The processor creates visual representations showing what each mode will achieve, translating complex operational differences into intuitive visual comparisons. This intermediary layer shields users from complexity while maintaining adaptability across multiple management modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11447905B2Clothing management apparatus and method for controlling thereof

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A clothing management apparatus may include a display and a processor to, based on a state of a garment in an image of the garment, determine a management necessity of the garment, based on the management necessity, determine a management completeness that is expected when the garment is managed according to a management mode among a plurality of management modes, based on the management completeness, generate an expected image of the garment when the garment is managed according to the management mode, and control the display to display the expected image to a user.