Integrated Laundry Layout for Continuous Wash-Dry-Iron Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laundry treatment processes require separate spaces for pre-washing, main washing, drying, and ironing, leading to inefficiencies and increased time due to the need to move laundry between these distinct areas.

Innovation Solution

A combined laundry treatment apparatus that integrates a pre-washer, main washer, dryer, and ironing part in a sequential layout, allowing for continuous processing of laundry with a unified interface and minimized lifting, utilizing a pre-washer with a water stream generator for pre-washing, a main washer with balancing units for efficient washing, and a dryer with a blower fan for drying, all connected through a control system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If pre-washing, main washing, drying, and ironing are performed in separate spaces, then each function can be optimized independently, but the laundry must be moved between spaces which increases time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent optimization of each washing functionVSAvoidTime for moving laundry between separate spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pre-washing, main washing, drying, and ironing functions into a single integrated laundry treatment apparatus. The pre-washer and main washer are positioned adjacent to each other within the same apparatus, allowing laundry to be transferred without leaving the apparatus. The dryer and ironing part are also integrated into the same structure, creating a unified system that eliminates the need to move laundry between separate spaces while maintaining independent optimization of each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical stacking and horizontal arrangement within a compact footprint to integrate multiple washing functions. The pre-washer and main washer are arranged in a space-efficient configuration, and the dryer and ironing part are positioned to allow continuous processing without requiring additional floor space, effectively solving the time-loss problem through spatial reorganization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If pre-washing, main washing, drying, and ironing are performed in separate spaces, then each process can be independently controlled, but the overall processing time increases due to sequential operations across multiple locations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of each washing processVSAvoidOverall laundry processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated apparatus enables continuous processing by eliminating interruptions between washing stages. Laundry can be transferred directly from the pre-washer to the main washer, and then to the dryer and ironing part without removing it from the apparatus. This continuous flow maintains independent control of each process while significantly reducing overall processing time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If a unified laundry treatment system is created, then time and effort are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTime for moving laundry between spacesVSAvoidComplexity of integrated laundry system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the integrated laundry treatment apparatus into distinct modular sections: pre-washer, main washer, dryer, and ironing part. Each module can be independently controlled and maintained, which manages the complexity of the overall system. The segmentation allows for standardized components and simplified assembly while achieving the benefit of a unified system that eliminates the need to move laundry between separate spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Streamlines the laundry treatment process by reducing time and effort, enabling sequential and efficient processing of laundry from pre-washing to ironing within a single integrated system, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-washer (100) with a water stream generator for pre-washing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater stream generation:

Implementation Method 2

a dryer with a blower fan for drying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS10774461B2Laundry treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is a laundry treatment apparatus which may sequentially perform pre-washing, main washing, drying, and ironing in one place. The laundry treatment apparatus includes: a pre-washer with an accommodation space which accommodates the laundry and has a sink bowl having an open top portion; a main washer which is provided beside the pre-washer; a dryer which is provided beside the main washer; an ironing part which is provided beside the dryer, and has a flat top surface to iron the laundry; a first upper panel which is provided on a top portion of the main washer and the dryer and has a flat top surface; a second upper panel which forms the top surface of the ironing part; and a lid which is provided on a top portion of the pre-washer to open and close the accommodation space.