Stack-type laundry treating apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stack-type laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in securely stacking and aligning drying apparatuses on top of washing apparatuses, leading to instability and cumbersome installation processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of aligning legs that slide into the upper base panel of the drying apparatus and are guided by the lower cabinet's side panels, allowing for precise alignment and support, thereby stabilizing the vertical stacking of the upper and lower treating apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate mounting part is used to stack the drying apparatus on the washing apparatus, then the stacking is possible, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and the positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking capabilityVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part is integrated into the lower cabinet structure rather than being a separate component. The mounting part includes a mounting plate fixed to the lower cabinet and mounting legs that extend from the mounting plate, forming an integrated structure that simplifies installation while maintaining stacking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting part is pre-fixed to the lower cabinet before the drying apparatus is installed. The mounting plate is secured to the lower cabinet, and the mounting legs are positioned in advance, allowing the drying apparatus to be simply placed onto the prepared mounting structure without complex assembly during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the drying apparatus is placed on the washing apparatus without proper alignment mechanisms, then the installation is simple, but the positioning precision and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical alignment mechanisms are replaced with a simplified mounting structure that uses the lower cabinet's side panels as natural alignment guides. The mounting legs are positioned to align with features on the lower cabinet, providing automatic alignment when the drying apparatus is placed on the washing apparatus.

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

3Ease of operation

If the mounting structure is simplified without support mechanisms, then the installation is easier, but the stacking stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidstacking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is divided into distinct functional components: a mounting plate for attachment to the lower cabinet, mounting legs for supporting the upper cabinet, and alignment features for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3872248A1Stack-type laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3872248A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872248A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872248A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stack-type laundry treating apparatus includes an upper treating apparatus including: an upper cabinet (110) including an upper side panel (117) and an upper base panel (120); a drying drum (150); an upper driver (140, 230); and an air flow path (130); a lower treating apparatus including: a lower cabinet (210) including a lower side panel (214), wherein a top of the lower cabinet (210) is covered with the upper base panel (120); a tub (220); a washing drum (240) and a lower driver (140, 230); and aligning legs (300) inserted into the upper base panel (120) in a direction in which the upper treating apparatus is supported, wherein the aligning legs (300) slide inwardly the upper base panel (120), and support the upper cabinet (110) with respect to the lower cabinet (210).