Laundry Appliance Lift System for Multi-Position Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry appliance systems lack the ability to efficiently adjust their height to accommodate user preferences and provide convenient access to features, often requiring manual operation or limited positional adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A laundry appliance system with a lift assembly on both sides of the cabinet, operated by a user-interface and controller, allowing the cabinet to move between a lowered and multiple raised positions, with a lift system integrated into the storage unit to transition between docked and use positions, enhancing accessibility and user customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lifting device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect user approach and automatically activates the lift mechanism, allowing the appliance to service itself without manual operation. The control system autonomously determines when lifting is needed and executes the movement sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical lifting operation is replaced with an automated electromechanical system that uses motors, sensors, and control circuits to perform the lifting function automatically in response to detected user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed height position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust to different user heights
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed height configuration to a dynamically adjustable height system that can change positions based on real-time sensor input detecting user characteristics such as height and approach speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor user approach and characteristics, providing feedback to the control system which adjusts the appliance height in real-time to optimize accessibility for different users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If appliance is always visible, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetics deteriorate due to visual clutter when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes its visual presence by lowering into the storage unit when not in use and rising when needed, adapting its state based on operational requirements rather than remaining in a fixed visible position.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance can be nested within the storage unit when not in use, with the lift mechanism allowing it to be stored compactly and retrieved vertically when needed, optimizing space utilization.
Data Source
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Figure 5A~5G
AI summary
A laundry appliance system (10) includes a cabinet (14) operable between a docked position (18) and a plurality of use positions (22) raised above the docked position (18). A lift system (86) is operably coupled to the appliance (66) and configured to move the cabinet (14) between the docked position (18) and the plurality of use positions (22). A user-interface assembly (42) is operably coupled to the cabinet (14). The user-interface assembly (42) is configured to receive a user input corresponding with a selected use position (22) of the plurality of use positions (22). A controller (46) is configured to operate the lift system (86) to move the cabinet (14) to the selected use position (22) in response to the user input.