Laundry Support Motion and Sensing for Wrinkle Removal Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treating apparatuses lack the ability to sense and indicate the state of laundry, such as odor and dust levels, during processes like wrinkle removal and deodorization, and fail to notify users about changes in contamination levels or the need for additional washing steps.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a support module for unfolding laundry, sensors to measure dust and odor concentrations, and a control method that adjusts treatment times and displays contamination levels in real-time, recommending additional washing if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If laundry is treated by rubbing with a rotating drum, then drying efficiency is improved, but wrinkle removal capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidwrinkle removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support module is configured to reciprocate between a first position (laundry folded state) and a second position (laundry unfolded state), dynamically changing the laundry's spatial configuration during the treating process. This dynamic positioning enables the laundry to be alternately folded and unfolded, facilitating both efficient drying contact with the drum and effective wrinkle removal through unfolding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The treating process is segmented into distinct phases by the reciprocating support module: a folded state phase for efficient drying and an unfolded state phase for wrinkle removal. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different functions at different times, achieving both high drying efficiency and good wrinkle removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If sensors are added to sense laundry state, then user information feedback is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser information feedbackVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor module is introduced as an intermediary component between the laundry treating process and the user interface. The sensor module senses laundry state information (such as contamination level) and converts it into signals that can be processed and displayed, thereby providing user feedback without requiring direct complex interaction between the treating mechanism and the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection of laundry state with automated sensing technology. Instead of requiring users to physically check laundry conditions, electronic sensors automatically detect and communicate laundry state, substituting mechanical inspection with electronic detection and information display systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If real-time contamination sensing is implemented, then process monitoring capability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module provides real-time feedback on laundry contamination levels during the treating process. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring and allows the system to adjust treatment parameters or notify users of treatment progress based on actual measured contamination levels, improving process reliability through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3848500B1Clothes treatment apparatus and method for controlling clothes treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3848500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3848500B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3848500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a clothes treatment apparatus that comprises: a first chamber in which clothes are accommodated; a support part which is provided in the first chamber and in which the clothes are held; a driving unit for making the support part reciprocate along the width direction of the first chamber; a circulation duct for drawing air out from inside the first chamber and then resupplying the air into the first chamber; a heat exchange part for sequentially dehumidifying and heating the air that has flowed into the circulation duct; a fan provided inside the circulation duct; a moisture supply unit for supplying moisture into the first chamber; a sensing unit for measuring at least one among the concentration of dust and the concentration of odor particles contained in the air in the first chamber; and a display unit on which information is displayed.