Electromagnet-Driven Clothes Rack for Uniform Fabric Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric treatment machines lack efficiency in treating clothes due to static issues and the inability to move clothes racks effectively, which limits the thoroughness of steam and hot air distribution.

Innovation Solution

A fabric treatment apparatus with a movable clothes rack driven by electromagnets, allowing for reciprocal linear movement within the treatment room, combined with a heating unit that supplies hot air and steam, enhancing the treatment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the clothes rack is made movable to improve treatment efficiency, then the uniformity of steam and hot air distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of electromagnet mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clothes rack is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one by introducing electromagnet mechanisms that enable it to move along guide rails. This dynamic capability allows the rack to be positioned at different locations within the treatment chamber, ensuring uniform distribution of steam and hot air across all clothes regardless of their initial placement, thereby resolving the contradiction between treatment efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical drive systems with electromagnetic actuation. The electromagnets provide precise control over the clothes rack movement without requiring traditional motors, gears, or linkages. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the desired movement functionality for improved treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If electromagnets are used to move the clothes rack, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnet system is designed to be automatically controlled by the fabric treatment apparatus's existing control unit. The clothes rack moves autonomously to optimal positions without requiring manual intervention, and the system self-regulates the timing and positioning of the rack movement. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while the integration with existing control systems minimizes additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the clothes rack can be moved to different positions, then the uniformity of treatment is improved, but the loss of time increases due to movement operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of treatmentVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clothes rack moves periodically between different positions within the treatment chamber during the treatment cycle. The control unit orchestrates these movements to occur during phases when steam and hot air are being supplied, ensuring that clothes at different positions receive uniform treatment. The periodic movement is timed to maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing idle time, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment uniformity and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnet-driven movement of the clothes rack is integrated seamlessly into the continuous steam and hot air treatment process. Rather than interrupting the treatment cycle, the rack movement occurs continuously during treatment phases, ensuring that all clothes receive uniform exposure to the treatment medium without significant time loss. The movement and treatment actions are coordinated to maintain continuous useful action throughout the cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 improves the efficiency of treating clothes by ensuring uniform steam and hot air distribution and simplifies the hanging and moving of clothes racks, offering a more effective and user-friendly treatment experience.

Implementation Method 1

one or more electromagnets to apply attraction and repulsion to the clothes rack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a heating unit adapted to supply at least one of hot air and steam into the treatment room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8621763B2Fabric treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2014.01.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US8621763B2 patent drawing
  • US8621763B2 patent drawing
  • US8621763B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A fabric treatment apparatus is provided. The fabric treatment apparatus includes a treatment room adapted to receive laundry to be treated; a rack disposed in the treatment room, and adapted to support a plurality of hangers to hang the laundry; one or more electromagnets to apply attraction and repulsion to the clothes rack; and a heating unit adapted to supply at least one of hot air and steam into the treatment room.