Variable-Amplitude Hanger Bar Motion for Clothes Care

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothes treatment apparatuses face limitations in adjusting the amplitude and period of hanger bars for effective dust removal, wrinkle removal, and moisture content management, leading to inefficient operation and potential product damage due to unnecessary vibration and noise.

Innovation Solution

A clothes treatment apparatus with a hanger bar that can change its amplitude and period by using a driver with a motor, vibrating body, and motion converter, allowing the hanger bar to reciprocate at different frequencies and amplitudes for various clothes management functions, minimizing unnecessary vibration and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the rotation speed of the driver changes to vary the period or frequency of the hanger bar, then the clothes treatment effectiveness is improved, but the amplitude of the hanger bar cannot be adjusted due to physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation speed of driverVSAvoidadjustability of amplitude
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the amplitude of the hanger bar adjustable through a variable amplitude driver mechanism. The driver includes an eccentricity adjustment mechanism that allows the amplitude to be changed dynamically during operation, enabling adaptation to different clothes treatment requirements while maintaining effective treatment through speed variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the hanger bar reciprocates with constant amplitude, then the mechanical structure is simple, but unnecessary vibration and noise occur that can damage the product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical structureVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing variable amplitude reciprocating motion of the hanger bar. The driver mechanism allows the amplitude to be adjusted periodically or continuously, enabling the system to reduce amplitude during certain phases of operation to minimize unnecessary vibration and noise while maintaining effective treatment during active phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the hanger bar operates at high frequency for effective dust removal, then the dust removal efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust removal efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by enabling dynamic adjustment of both frequency and amplitude parameters of the hanger bar reciprocating motion. The system can operate at high frequency with optimized amplitude to achieve effective dust removal while managing energy consumption, and can switch to lower frequency modes when high-speed treatment is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the hanger bar amplitude is increased for better wrinkle removal, then the wrinkle removal effectiveness is improved, but the risk of product damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle removal effectivenessVSAvoidproduct durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a variable amplitude driver that allows the hanger bar to operate at high amplitude when wrinkle removal is needed, while providing the capability to reduce amplitude to prevent product damage. The control system can dynamically adjust the amplitude based on the treatment requirements and fabric sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution improves the performance of clothes management functions by optimizing the amplitude and period of the hanger bar for each function, reducing product damage and enhancing user satisfaction through improved durability and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to generate torque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a vibrating body configured to support the motor and vibrate alternately in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by rotation of the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Implementation Method 3

at least one elastic member that exerts an elastic force on the vibration module when the vibration module vibrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3964641B1Clothes treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3964641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964641B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2(b)
  • EP3964641B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus comprising a cabinet (10) including an inlet (11) on a front side thereof; a first chamber (100) positioned inside the cabinet (10) and defining a space for accommodating clothes through the inlet (11); a second chamber (200) positioned under the first chamber (100) and defining a space separated from the first chamber (100); a hanger bar (693) positioned in the first chamber (100) and configured to hold the clothes accommodated in the first chamber (100); and a driver (610), the driver (610) comprising a motor (620) configured to generate torque; a vibrating body (630) configured to support the motor (620) and vibrate alternately in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by rotation of the motor (620); and a motion converter (680) configured to rotate together with the vibrating body (630) and convert the vibration of the vibrating body (630) in connection with the hanger bar (693) such that the hanger bar (693) reciprocates along a predetermined movement direction, wherein the driver (610) is configured to reciprocate the hanger bar (693) with different amplitudes and periods depending on a number of times that the motor (620) rotates.