Movable Laundry Presser Mounting for Wrinkle Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses are limited by fixed pressers, high energy consumption, and damage to laundry from frequent washing, making them inefficient for immediate use and requiring additional tools for wrinkle removal.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treatment apparatus with a removably mounted presser that can be moved within the device, using steam or hot air for washing, drying, and deodorization, and featuring a presser-fixing structure that allows for adjustable positioning and reduced thickness for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a presser is fixedly mounted to a door, then the presser can apply pressure to laundry to remove wrinkles, but the position of the presser cannot be moved and users require additional pressers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresser position flexibilityVSAvoidpresser positioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The presser is designed with a movable mounting structure that allows it to be repositioned along the door surface. The door includes multiple mounting positions with corresponding mounting holes and detachable mounting mechanisms, enabling the presser to dynamically change its position rather than being fixed at a single location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a rotary drum is used for washing, then washing can be performed, but energy consumption is high due to motor operation and laundry cannot be worn immediately due to wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry treatment efficiencyVSAvoidmotor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary drum is completely removed from the washing machine. Instead of using mechanical rotation for washing, the invention uses a steam injection system where steam is directly injected into the laundry to achieve washing, drying, and wrinkle removal functions without the energy-consuming rotary motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical rotary drum system is replaced with a steam-based treatment system. The washing and drying functions are achieved through thermal and moisture effects of steam rather than mechanical agitation and rotation, significantly reducing energy consumption.

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

3Productivity

If frequent washing using wash water is performed, then laundry can be cleaned, but damage to the laundry occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing frequencyVSAvoidlaundry damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water-based washing system is replaced with a steam-based system. Steam provides cleaning and sanitizing effects through thermal energy and moisture without the mechanical agitation and water saturation that cause fabric wear and damage associated with traditional washing methods.

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

4Ease of operation

If a presser with large thickness is used, then wrinkle removal can be achieved, but the position of the presser cannot be efficiently moved in the inner space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepresser mobilityVSAvoidpresser structure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The presser adopts a thin-film结构设计 that reduces its thickness while maintaining the pressure application capability for wrinkle removal. This streamlined design allows the presser to be easily moved and repositioned within the limited internal space of the washing machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3660206B1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3660206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660206B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3660206B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet (1) having an accommodation space (31) formed therein to accommodate laundry, a door (11) hingedly connected to the cabinet (1) to open or close the accommodation space, a presser for applying pressure to laundry to remove wrinkles from laundry, and a presser-fixing structure (200) for mounting the presser to the inner surface of the accommodation space (31) or the door (11). The presser-fixing structure (200) includes a support holder (220) protruding from the inner surface of the accommodation space (31) or the door (11) and a presser-fixing recess formed concavely in the rear surface of the presser (9) so as to allow the support holder (220) to be inserted thereinto.