Laundry Treating Apparatus Pairing Control for Multi-Device Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in improving user convenience, especially when multiple apparatuses are used, and in efficiently controlling and communicating with each other to provide optimal treatment courses.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating apparatus that activates a pairing mode for information exchange with external devices, allowing direct control of external devices through a manipulation unit on the cabinet, and providing screen information to enhance user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple laundry treating apparatuses are used and stacked to increase space efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but the manipulation unit becomes positioned too high for users to directly manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary that enables remote control of the stacked laundry treating apparatus. The lower apparatus can send control signals to the upper apparatus through this communication interface, allowing users to manipulate the upper apparatus without directly accessing its physically inaccessible manipulation unit. This resolves the contradiction by mediating between the user's physical limitations and the apparatus's control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower laundry treating apparatus is designed to serve dual functions: it performs its own laundry treatment operations while simultaneously acting as a remote control interface for the upper apparatus. The manipulation unit of the lower apparatus can control both devices, making the system more versatile and accessible while maintaining space efficiency through stacking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate laundry treating apparatuses are positioned spaced apart depending on usage environment, then installation flexibility is improved, but user convenience in manipulating multiple apparatuses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation unit of the lower laundry treating apparatus is designed to control both the lower apparatus itself and the upper apparatus. This multi-functional control capability allows users to operate both devices from a single, accessible location, maintaining user convenience even when the apparatuses are installed in flexible configurations suitable for different usage environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module establishes a feedback loop between the two apparatuses, allowing the lower apparatus to receive status information from and send control commands to the upper apparatus. This bidirectional communication ensures that users can conveniently monitor and control both devices from one location, regardless of their physical separation or stacking arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet; a drum which is rotatably provided inside the cabinet and which accommodates laundry; a control unit which is provided in the cabinet and which performs a treatment course for treating the laundry; an input unit which is provided at the cabinet, and into which a command is input by a user; and an output unit which is provided at the cabinet, and which outputs a screen for providing information to the user, wherein the control unit performs a pairing control mode for controlling an external device positioned outside the cabinet so that an external treatment course for treating the laundry is performed, and the output unit outputs, simultaneously with the other output unit provided at the external device, a course selection screen on which the external treatment course is set through the input unit in the pairing control mode.