Dual-Capacity Laundry Machine Design for Small-Load Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating machines are inefficient in handling small laundry loads, requiring large-capacity machines that consume excess energy and lack flexibility in adding drying functions, making them inconvenient and costly, especially when trying to dry items like shoes or hats.
Innovation Solution
A multiple laundry treating machine is designed with a main device and an auxiliary device that can be coupled, allowing for efficient washing or drying of small loads without using a large-capacity machine, utilizing an auxiliary space like a pedestal for additional functions, and enabling easy integration of drying capabilities into washing machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-capacity laundry treating machine is used to handle small laundry loads, then the machine can process various sizes of laundry, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry treating system is divided into a main laundry treating device and an auxiliary laundry treating device. The auxiliary device handles small laundry loads with lower energy consumption, while the main device handles larger loads. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different laundry sizes without wasting energy on oversized operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If a washing machine is purchased without a drying function, then the initial cost is lower, but a separate drying machine must be purchased additionally
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary laundry treating device is designed to perform multiple functions - it can serve as a drying device for the main washing machine, and independently as a small-capacity washing or drying machine. This multi-functionality allows users to add drying capability to their washing machine setup without purchasing a completely separate drying machine, reducing overall system cost while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a drum type drying machine is used, then drying function is provided, but it is difficult to dry shoes or clothes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary laundry treating device provides a localized drying environment that can be optimized for specific items like shoes and clothes. Unlike a large drum dryer designed for bulk laundry, the auxiliary device can accommodate various items and provide targeted drying conditions, making it easier to dry diverse items effectively.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a rack is installed in the drum to dry shoes, then drying capability is added, but the rack must be frequently installed and separated
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe drying function is extracted from the main drum dryer and implemented in the separate auxiliary laundry treating device. This eliminates the need to install and remove racks from the drum, as the auxiliary device is specifically designed to accommodate shoes and other items without requiring frequent structural modifications. The drying function is permanently available in the auxiliary device.
5Device complexity
If a large-capacity washing machine is used for small laundry amounts, then one machine suffices for all needs, but washing time and water consumption increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry treating capacity is segmented into two devices: a main large-capacity washing machine and an auxiliary small-capacity device. When small amounts of laundry need to be washed, the auxiliary device is used, significantly reducing washing time and water consumption compared to running the large machine. This segmentation maintains the benefit of having adequate capacity for large loads while eliminating the time and resource waste associated with using oversized equipment for small tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple laundry treating machine, in which an auxiliary laundry treating device is coupled to a general laundry treating device, is disclosed. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a main laundry treating device for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the main laundry treating device, an auxiliary laundry treating device arranged at one side of the main laundry treating device, the auxiliary laundry treating device having a volume and a height respectively smaller than a volume and a height of the main laundry treating device, and having a laundry container formed in an interior of the auxiliary laundry treating device, and a connecting unit for connecting the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices, to enable communication or control operations between the main and auxiliary laundry treating devices. In accordance with the multiple laundry treating machine, it is possible to achieve a convenience in use and to save energy because a small amount of clothes or shoes can be dried by the auxiliary laundry treating device, without driving a laundry treating device having a relatively-large capacity.