Inclined Washer Opening With Under-Cabinet Laundry Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses with integrated drying functions face challenges in providing auxiliary storage space and user-friendly loading mechanisms, often requiring large installation spaces and complex internal structures, which hinder efficient laundry handling and storage.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with a cabinet having an inclined opening and support part that allows for easy loading and unloading of laundry without bending, along with a detachable second treating device providing additional storage or drying space, enhancing usability and flexibility in installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a drying function is integrated into a washing machine, then laundry treating capability is improved, but internal structure complexity increases and auxiliary storage space cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry treating capabilityVSAvoidinternal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laundry treating apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: a first treating device for washing/drying, a support part for structural support and storage, and optionally a second treating device. This segmentation allows each component to have a dedicated function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile laundry treating capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the first treating device, creates auxiliary storage space underneath, and can optionally support a second treating device. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding storage capability without requiring a separate dedicated storage structure.

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

2Quantity of substance

If a drawer is directly provided in the washing machine cabinet, then auxiliary storage space is improved, but installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauxiliary storage spaceVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary storage space is created in the vertical dimension underneath the first treating device rather than horizontally within the cabinet. By utilizing the space below the main washing/drying chamber, the design provides storage capacity without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall installation space requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the front part of the washing machine is perpendicular to the ground, then structural simplicity is improved, but user accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet front surface is designed with an inclined portion that protrudes from the main perpendicular front surface. This asymmetric design creates an angled loading area that improves user accessibility by providing better ergonomics for loading laundry, while the main body of the cabinet remains structurally simple and perpendicular to the ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2586902B1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2586902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2586902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2586902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a laundry treating apparatus including a first treating device (110,210) comprising a cabinet provided with an opening (119,219) to load and unload laundry there through and a first space (122) positioned in the cabinet to treat the laundry loaded via the opening, a support part (111,211) providing a storage space and supporting the first treating device, wherein a surface of the cabinet in which the opening is positioned comprises an inclined part, the inclined part containing the opening, wherein the inclined part is inclined relative to a front surface of the support part such that, in a downward direction of the inclined part, it projects from the front surface of the support part.