Interface and laundry treating apparatus having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses have inconvenient control panels that require users to repeatedly rotate knobs to select desired courses and options, leading to inefficiencies and increased user input requirements.
Innovation Solution
A rotary knob control panel that allows users to set specific courses and options by rotating the knob in a specific direction, with a strict procedure for remote control release to prioritize user intentions and prevent collisions, featuring a display interface that guides users through the procedure with QR codes and videos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dispersed interface devices (display, knobs, buttons) are arranged separately, then each device can perform its specific function, but a great space is required for installation and the interface becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate interface devices (display, knobs, buttons) into a single integrated control panel. The control panel includes a display unit and multiple input units (first and second knobs, first and second buttons) arranged in a compact configuration, allowing users to perform various operations (course selection, option selection, execution) without requiring dispersed spatial arrangement of separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If conventional knobs require repeated rotation to select desired course and option, then the control mechanism is simple, but the user input requirements increase and operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions into distinct input units with specialized purposes. The first knob is dedicated to course selection, the second knob to option selection, the first button for executing selected courses, and the second button for executing selected options. This segmentation allows users to directly select desired courses and options without repeated rotations, reducing operation time and improving ease of use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interface devices are distributed along height direction, then each device can be accessed, but the overall device height increases and space requirements grow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical distribution of interface devices along the height direction to a horizontal arrangement on a two-dimensional control panel surface. The control panel integrates display and multiple input units in a compact planar layout, allowing diverse interface functionality to be accessed without increasing the overall device height, thus accommodating space-constrained installations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus that prevents a collision between a user of a remote control and a user who directly manipulates the laundry treating apparatus by enabling the remote control to be released only by following a strict procedure once the remote control is set.