Laundry treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading laundry treatment apparatuses are inconvenient for users due to the need to stoop when loading or unloading laundry, as the introduction port is positioned lower than waist level, and existing solutions do not effectively address the operational limitations of these machines.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a connector unit that only allows operation when an additional laundry treatment apparatus is mounted on its upper surface, using a connector unit to open and close circuits connecting the control unit to the driving unit, and including a display unit to maintain operation information display regardless of circuit status, ensuring the apparatus can perform washing and drying functions safely and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a support platform is added to raise the introduction port height, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support platform function with a second laundry treatment apparatus (washing machine or dryer) into a single integrated unit. The upper cabinet houses both the support structure and the secondary apparatus, eliminating the need for a separate platform while providing additional laundry treatment functionality. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation through height elevation while avoiding increased device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the apparatus is designed to operate without an additional apparatus, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to tipping risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a connector unit that prevents operation of the lower apparatus unless the upper apparatus is properly mounted. The connector unit includes switch bodies that detect the presence of the upper apparatus and control power supply accordingly, preventing the lower apparatus from operating in an unstable configuration. This preliminary anti-action approach blocks potentially harmful operation before it can occur, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
3Reliability
If a connector unit is added to control operation based on apparatus presence, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector unit is designed to automatically detect the presence or absence of the upper apparatus through switch bodies and automatically control power supply without user intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting whether the upper cabinet is properly mounted and enabling or disabling the lower apparatus accordingly. This self-service approach improves reliability through automatic safety control while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using simple presence-detection mechanisms rather than complex control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus (L) is disclosed. The apparatus (L) includes a cabinet (2) having an upper surface (27) on which an object is supported, a drawer (3) adapted to be drawn from the cabinet (2), a drum (5) disposed in the drawer (3) and defining a space for containing laundry, a driving unit (6) for rotating the drum (5), a control unit (C) for controlling the driving unit (6), and a connector unit (9) for allowing the control unit (C) to control operation of the driving unit (6) only when an object is mounted on the upper surface (27) of the cabinet (2).