Laundry treating apparatus and system having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating systems lack a method to actively utilize the communication environment between laundry washing and drying apparatuses, where only the washing apparatus transmits information to the drying apparatus without receiving or utilizing feedback, and there is no scheme to display states of both apparatuses, especially when they are spaced apart or have limited control interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A system where one laundry treating apparatus can identify and display the state of another, allowing users to select and control options of a connected laundry drying apparatus, including receiving information and directly manipulating its settings through a communication module and user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the laundry washing apparatus and laundry drying apparatus are spaced apart from each other, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the user convenience deteriorates due to having to access both apparatuses separately to identify their states
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry washing apparatus displays a copy of the laundry drying apparatus's state information on its own display portion. This allows users to view the state of the drying apparatus (which is spaced apart) on the washing apparatus, eliminating the need to physically access both devices separately while maintaining installation flexibility
2Device complexity
If the control panel is constructed as a rotary knob without a large display screen, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information display capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display portion of the laundry washing apparatus serves multiple functions: it displays the state of the washing apparatus itself and also displays the state of the connected laundry drying apparatus. This multi-functionality compensates for the limited display capabilities of the simple rotary knob control panel, allowing comprehensive information display without increasing device complexity
3Device complexity
If only the laundry washing apparatus transmits information to the laundry drying apparatus, then the communication system simplicity is improved, but the system functionality deteriorates due to lack of feedback utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements bidirectional communication where the laundry drying apparatus transmits state information back to the laundry washing apparatus, which then displays this feedback information. This feedback mechanism enables the washing apparatus to provide useful information about drying status, course selection, and operation state without complicating the communication system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet; a drum; a driver rotating the drum; a control panel including a manipulation portion receiving a selection command for selecting a course or an option triggering an operation of the driver, a display portion displaying state information including at least one of a name, a selected state, or an executed state of the course or the option, and a setting portion disposed at an outside of the manipulation portion and the display portion and receiving a change command to change the option; a communication module communicating with a home appliance; and a switch disposed at the cabinet and receiving a connection command that causes the communication module to communicate with the home appliance, where the setting portion is deactivated, based on the switch receiving an input, to thereby restrict at least a part of the setting portion from receiving the change command.