Laundry Presser Segmentation for Uniform Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face issues with uneven pressure distribution, unintentional wrinkle formation, and difficulty in mounting laundry due to the presser's sequential pressure application from one side, leading to changes in the laundry's shape and position, and requiring different pivoting directions based on user handedness.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a sliding motion on the pants manager door with a first and second pressurizing plate, allowing uniform pressure application across the entire laundry region, facilitated by a sub-plate with fixing clips and a hinge structure for vertical pivoting, eliminating the need for user-specific pivoting direction adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a presser pressurizes laundry sequentially from one side, then the presser structure is simple, but the pressure distribution on laundry is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresser structureVSAvoidpressure distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The presser is divided into multiple pressurizing portions (first pressurizing portion and second pressurizing portion) that can independently pressurize different regions of the laundry simultaneously, transforming a single sequential pressurization point into multiple parallel pressurization zones to achieve uniform pressure distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressurizing portions are arranged in both horizontal and vertical dimensions on the door inner surface, creating a two-dimensional pressurization network that covers the entire laundry area, transitioning from one-dimensional sequential pressing to two-dimensional simultaneous pressing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a presser pressurizes laundry from one side, then the presser mechanism is simple, but unintentional wrinkles occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresser mechanismVSAvoidunintentional wrinkles
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pressurizing portions are distributed across the door inner surface to pressurize different regions of the laundry simultaneously, preventing the formation of unintentional wrinkles by ensuring uniform pressure across the entire laundry area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each pressurizing portion is positioned to correspond with specific regions of the laundry, providing localized pressure exactly where needed to maintain the intended wrinkle pattern and prevent unwanted wrinkles in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If laundry is pressurized sequentially from one side, then the presser operation is simple, but laundry position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresser operationVSAvoidlaundry position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Laundry is mounted on the door inner surface before the door is closed, and multiple pressurizing portions are pre-positioned to correspond with the laundry regions, so that when the door closes, uniform pressure is automatically applied across all laundry areas simultaneously, preventing position changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The door serves multiple functions: it acts as both the closure for the treating chamber and as the mounting surface for the pressurizing portions, integrating the pressing function into the existing door structure without requiring separate complex positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a single pressurizing point is used, then the device structure is simple, but the pressurized region is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpressurized region
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressurizing function is segmented into multiple independent pressurizing portions distributed across the door inner surface, with each portion responsible for pressurizing a specific region of the laundry, collectively covering the entire laundry area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pressurizing portions are arranged in both horizontal and vertical dimensions on the door, expanding the pressurized region from a single point to a comprehensive two-dimensional coverage area that encompasses the entire laundry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces unintentional wrinkles, uniformly presses laundry, and ensures even pressure distribution without requiring user-specific pivoting direction settings, enhancing the laundry treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

a steamer (250) disposed inside the second chamber (200) to generate steam and supply the generated steam to the first chamber (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam generation and heat transfer: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a first pressurizing plate (530) pivotably coupled to the door inner surface (401) or the base plate (510) through the first shaft (5611) to face the base plate (510), wherein the first pressurizing plate (530) mounts and pressurizes pants (P), and a second pressurizing plate (550) pivotably coupled to the door inner surface (401) or the base plate (510) through the second shaft (5621) to face the first pressurizing plate (530), wherein the second pressurizing plate (550) pressurizes the pants (P)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4324978B1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4324978B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4324978B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP4324978B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(e)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet having a laundry inlet defined in one surface thereof, a first chamber positioned inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein through the laundry inlet, a second chamber positioned underneath the first chamber to define a space separated from a space of the first chamber, a steamer disposed inside the second chamber to generate steam and supply the generated steam to the first chamber, a door pivotably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the laundry inlet, a door inner surface facing the first chamber among both surfaces of the door, a base plate coupled to the door inner surface, a first shaft disposed parallel to a width direction of the door, a second shaft disposed parallel to the first shaft, a first pressurizing plate pivotably coupled to the door inner surface or the base plate through the first shaft and disposed to face the base plate, wherein the first pressurizing plate mounts and pressurizes pants, and a second pressurizing plate pivotably coupled to the door inner surface or the base plate through the second shaft and disposed to face the first pressurizing plate.