Laundry treating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses with mesh-type filter units are prone to damage from laundry collisions, allow re-introduction of foreign substances, and lack the ability to effectively spray washing water onto laundry, limiting washing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with filter units that filter water and spray it onto laundry, featuring a body with an inflow part, filter, and discharge parts, integrated with the drum's material, such as stainless steel, to provide both filtration and water distribution functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then water filtration is achieved, but the filter units are damaged due to collision with laundry during washing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter unit durabilityVSAvoidfilter unit resistance to collision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the filter unit from mesh-type to a more durable material that can withstand collision with laundry during washing, thereby improving reliability while maintaining filtration capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is constructed using composite materials that combine filtration properties with high strength and collision resistance, allowing it to both filter water effectively and withstand mechanical stress from laundry collision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then foreign substances are removed from washing water, but foreign substances may be re-introduced into the drum if the filter unit is torn

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance removalVSAvoidre-introduction of foreign substances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material strength parameter of the filter unit to prevent tearing, ensuring that once foreign substances are filtered out, they cannot be re-introduced into the drum, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of re-contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If mesh-type filter units are used to filter water, then water filtration is achieved, but the filter units cannot spray washing water to laundry, thereby causing a difficulty in increasing washing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater filtrationVSAvoidwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the filter unit to perform multiple functions: it filters water to remove foreign substances and simultaneously sprays the filtered washing water onto laundry. This multi-functionality increases washing efficiency while maintaining effective filtration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is segmented into functional zones that enable both filtration and spray distribution, allowing water to be filtered and then redistributed onto laundry to enhance washing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If filter units with different material than drum are used, then filtration function is achieved, but design unity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoiddesign unity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the same material for both the drum and filter unit, creating visual homogeneity and design unity while ensuring the filter unit has the necessary filtration properties. This material consistency achieves both aesthetic unity and functional reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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

The apparatus effectively filters water, prevents backflow, and enhances washing efficiency by spraying water onto laundry, while maintaining design unity and durability through shared material components.

Implementation Method 1

filter units to filter water moving along the flow path units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

discharge parts provided on the body to discharge water containing foreign substances in the tangential direction of a rotating trajectory of the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3524726B1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3524726B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3524726B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3524726B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus (100) including a tub (3), a drum (5) provided within the tub (3) to accommodate laundry, flow path units (8) provided in the drum (5) to provide moving paths of water, an agitation unit (57) provided within the drum (5) so as to be rotatable and moving at least a part of water within the drum (5) to the flow path units (8) during rotation, and filter units (9) located on an inner circumferential surface of the drum (5) to filter water moving along the flow path units (8), wherein a cover (945) is formed of the same material as the material of the drum (5), coupled to the surface of the filter units (9) and facing the inside of the drum (5).