Laundry Dryer with Integrated Heat-Shielded Storage Reception Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry drying apparatuses lack a dedicated space for storing items required for washing/drying operations or extraneous substances separated from clothes, leading to inconvenience and potential safety hazards due to the need for separate storage outside the appliance.

Innovation Solution

A laundry drying apparatus with an integrated reception unit on its upper surface, featuring a sliding door and reception bracket that provides a dedicated storage space, shielded from heat generated during operations to prevent damage and ensure safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If laundry drying apparatuses use separate external storage for washing/drying items and extraneous substances, then storage functionality is provided, but safety hazards and inconvenience increase due to proximity to heat sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat damage risk to stored itemsVSAvoidconvenience of storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface of the cabinet is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a reception unit with reception space for storing items, and a drying drum area for heat-generating operations. This spatial segmentation allows storage of heat-sensitive items away from the heat source while maintaining easy access on the upper surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shielding plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the drying drum (heat source) and the reception unit (storage area). This shielding plate blocks heat transfer from the drying drum to the reception space, protecting stored items from heat damage while allowing the storage function to remain conveniently located on the upper surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If laundry drying apparatuses provide integrated storage space on the upper surface, then convenience and neatness are improved, but heat damage to stored items may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of storageVSAvoidheat damage risk to stored items
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface is divided into a reception unit for storage and a drying drum area for heat-generating operations. This segmentation allows the storage function to be integrated on the upper surface for convenience while physically separating it from the heat source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shielding plate is positioned between the drying drum and the reception unit to block heat transfer. This intermediary component protects stored items from heat damage while allowing the reception unit to remain integrated on the upper surface for convenient access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If extraneous substances are stored outside the appliance, then storage is provided, but safety hazards increase due to proximity to high-temperature operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity for extraneous substancesVSAvoidsafety of stored substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet structure is segmented to include a reception unit with reception space on the upper surface, physically separated from the high-temperature drying operations. This segmentation provides dedicated storage capacity for extraneous substances away from the heat source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shielding plate serves as a thermal barrier between the drying drum (heat source) and the reception unit (storage area). This intermediary protects stored extraneous substances from heat exposure, improving safety while maintaining storage capacity on the appliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3040471B1Laundry drying apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3040471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3040471B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3040471B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A laundry drying apparatus (100) is disclosed. The laundry drying apparatus (100) includes a cabinet (110) including an upper cover (112), a drying drum (120) disposed in the cabinet (110), an air supply unit (140) for supplying air to the drying drum (120) and recovering the air from the drying drum (120), and a reception unit (200), which defines an upper surface of the cabinet (110), together with the upper cover (112), and which has therein a reception space. The laundry drying apparatus (100) offers an effect of separately storing items required for washing/drying operations or extraneous substances that have been separated from clothes.