Clothes treating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treating systems face challenges in efficiently coupling multiple apparatuses, such as washing machines and dryers, due to complex installation processes and increased height requirements, which affect usability and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating system design featuring a sliding guide portion on the upper surface of one apparatus and a leg seating portion on the other, allowing for easy coupling by sliding the leg along the guide and using a stopper for secure seating, reducing the need for additional structures and lowering the overall height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple clothes treating apparatuses are coupled vertically, then space utilization is improved, but the overall height increases and installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement to vertical stacking by introducing a coupling mechanism that connects apparatuses in the vertical dimension. The sliding guide portion and leg seating portion enable the second apparatus to be positioned above the first apparatus, utilizing vertical space to improve overall space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism allows one apparatus to be nested upon another in a vertical arrangement. The leg of the second apparatus fits into the sliding guide portion and seats on the leg seating portion of the first apparatus, creating a compact stacked configuration similar to nested dolls.
2Reliability
If a coupling mechanism is added to connect multiple apparatuses, then the apparatuses can be securely connected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates a sliding guide portion that allows dynamic adjustment and easy insertion of the leg. The leg can slide along the guide portion and be securely seated on the leg seating portion, providing both ease of installation and secure connection without requiring complex fastening procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide portion and leg seating portion act as intermediary elements that facilitate the coupling between two apparatuses. These components mediate the connection process, allowing the leg to be easily inserted and secured without requiring direct complex interlocking between the apparatus housings.
3Length of stationary object
If the leg is positioned below the upper surface of the first housing, then the overall height is reduced, but the coupling stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The leg seating portion is designed with specific local characteristics including a protruding portion and stopper that provide enhanced stability at the coupling point. The stopper prevents the leg from sliding off, ensuring coupling stability even though the leg is positioned below the upper surface of the first housing, thereby maintaining low overall height.
Data Source
AI summary
A clothes treating system including a first clothes treating apparatus including a first housing, and the first housing including a sliding guide portion on an upper surface of the first housing, and a leg seating portion at an end of the sliding guide portion; and a second clothes treating apparatus including a second housing, and the second housing including a leg on a rear side of a lower surface of the second housing. The first clothes treating apparatus and the second clothes treating apparatus are configured so that the leg is slidable along the sliding guide portion to seat the leg on the leg seating portion with a lower surface of the leg being below the upper surface of the first housing, to couple the second clothes treating apparatus to the first clothes treating apparatus with the second clothes treating apparatus above the first clothes treating apparatus.