Laundry treating apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses require significant space due to the separate arrangement of display units, inputters, and manipulators, leading to reduced screen area for information display and increased complexity in button functionality, making it difficult for users to input manipulation signals efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function button on the screen outputter that changes functions based on the screen output, allowing for activation or deactivation as needed, and a rotatable dial for selecting items on the screen, which reduces the number of buttons and enhances screen area utilization, improving user interaction and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If display units, inputters, and manipulators are arranged separately, then each component can be independently designed and manufactured, but the total space required for the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display unit, manipulator, and option unit into a single integrated control panel assembly. The display unit is positioned on the front surface, the manipulator is integrated around the display, and the option unit is combined with the manipulator, creating a compact unified interface that reduces overall installation space while maintaining independent functionality of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator components are nested around the display unit in a circular arrangement, with the dial and buttons positioned in concentric zones. The execution button is positioned at the center, surrounded by option buttons, which are in turn surrounded by the dial, creating a nested layout that maximizes space efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are disposed on the screen outputter, then various manipulation functions can be provided, but the screen area is reduced and button intuitiveness is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator functions are segmented into distinct zones: the dial for navigation, option buttons for selections, and execution button for confirmation. This spatial segmentation allows each component to have a clear, intuitive function while maintaining adequate screen area, as each manipulation element is positioned in a specific zone rather than cluttering the display surface
Solution Approach 2:
The dial acts as an intermediary between the screen display and the option buttons, allowing users to navigate through display options and select items before pressing the option buttons. This intermediary mechanism reduces the need for multiple buttons directly on or near the screen, preserving screen area while providing comprehensive manipulation capabilities
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are provided for various manipulation signals, then all functions can be accessed, but the design becomes complex and users cannot easily identify which button to use
Solution Approach 1:
The dial serves multiple functions: it can be rotated to navigate options, pressed to select items, and combined with option buttons to execute commands. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of buttons needed, simplifying the interface while maintaining comprehensive manipulation capabilities for various signals including course selection, reservation, and settings
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit provides visual feedback that updates in response to dial rotation and button presses, showing users which option is currently selected and what function each button will perform. This feedback mechanism simplifies the interface by dynamically adapting the display to show only relevant information and button functions, reducing cognitive load and making the system easier to use despite multiple manipulation signals
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet; a drum disposed in the cabinet and arranged to be rotatable, laundry being accommodated in the drum; a manipulation unit arranged in the cabinet and manipulated by a user to generate a manipulation signal; and a screen output unit arranged in the cabinet so as to output a screen for providing information to the user, wherein: the screen output unit is arranged to output a screen on which any one of multiple targets is selected on the basis of the manipulation signal; and the manipulation unit comprises a multi-function button unit that is activated only for some of the multiple targets in the screen output unit.