Clothing treatment device

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing twin-tub washing machines are bulky, inconvenient to use, and costly due to separate washing and drying systems in each tub.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treatment apparatus with at least two parallel containers sharing a single drying device, which dehumidifies and recirculates air to dry laundry efficiently, reducing the overall size and cost of the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If independent washing systems and drying systems are used respectively in the upper layer washing region and the lower layer washing region, then the washing machine can provide separate washing and drying functions for different containers, but the washing machine becomes too high in height, too large in volume, inconvenient for user operations and high in cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate washing and drying functionsVSAvoidoverall size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drying systems into a single shared drying device that serves both the upper and lower containers. The drying device includes a drying chamber that can receive laundry from either container, and a dehumidification system that processes air for drying. This merging of previously separate drying systems reduces the overall volume and height of the washing machine while maintaining the capability to dry laundry from both containers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drying device is designed as a universal system that can handle laundry from multiple containers through a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism allows the drying device to be alternatively communicated with different containers, enabling one drying system to perform the function of what would traditionally require separate drying systems for each container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If independent washing systems and drying systems are used respectively in the upper layer washing region and the lower layer washing region, then the washing machine can provide separate washing and drying functions for different containers, but the washing machine becomes too high in height, too large in volume, inconvenient for user operations and high in cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate washing and drying functionsVSAvoidheight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drying systems into a single shared drying device that serves both the upper and lower containers. The drying device includes a drying chamber that can receive laundry from either container, and a dehumidification system that processes air for drying. This merging of previously separate drying systems reduces the overall volume and height of the washing machine while maintaining the capability to dry laundry from both containers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of separate washing and drying systems to a horizontal sharing arrangement where a single drying device serves multiple containers. The switching mechanism and alternative communication paths enable the drying function to be distributed across different containers without requiring vertical stacking, thereby reducing the height of the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent washing systems and drying systems are used respectively in the upper layer washing region and the lower layer washing region, then the washing machine can provide separate washing and drying functions for different containers, but the washing machine becomes too high in height, too large in volume, inconvenient for user operations and high in cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate washing and drying functionsVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drying systems into a single shared drying device that serves both the upper and lower containers. The drying device includes a drying chamber that can receive laundry from either container, and a dehumidification system that processes air for drying. This merging of previously separate drying systems reduces the overall volume and height of the washing machine while maintaining the capability to dry laundry from both containers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching mechanism acts as an intermediary that manages the connection between the single drying device and multiple containers. It alternatively communicates the drying device with different containers, enabling one drying system to serve multiple containers without requiring complex independent systems for each container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If independent washing systems and drying systems are used respectively in the upper layer washing region and the lower layer washing region, then the washing machine can provide separate washing and drying functions for different containers, but the washing machine becomes too high in height, too large in volume, inconvenient for user operations and high in cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate washing and drying functionsVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drying systems into a single shared drying device that serves both the upper and lower containers. The drying device includes a drying chamber that can receive laundry from either container, and a dehumidification system that processes air for drying. This merging of previously separate drying systems reduces the overall volume and height of the washing machine while maintaining the capability to dry laundry from both containers independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drying device is designed as a universal system that can handle laundry from multiple containers through a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism allows the drying device to be alternatively communicated with different containers, enabling one drying system to perform the function of what would traditionally require separate drying systems for each container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simplifies the structure, reduces the height and volume of the apparatus, and achieves efficient, time-saving, and energy-saving laundry drying operations.

Implementation Method 1

a dehumidification module, located downstream or upstream of the circulation module and communicated with the container, where the dehumidification module is used for adsorbing moisture from the humid airflow in the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a regeneration module, communicated with the dehumidification module and used for outputting a dry regenerated airflow to the dehumidification module to desorb the moisture from at least part of the dehumidification module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250027263A1Clothing treatment device

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 NANJING ROBOROCK INNOVATION TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A laundry treatment apparatus, including: at least two containers arranged in parallel, wherein a container is used for accommodating laundry; and a drying device, alternatively communicated with the container to form a circulation path, wherein the drying device is used for dehumidifying a humid airflow from the container into a dry airflow, and the dry airflow enters the container to dry the laundry.