Stacked Laundry Drums With Remote Control and Vibration Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in reducing their volume, leading to space inefficiencies when multiple units are required, as they need to accommodate a minimum laundry capacity, resulting in users needing to place them side by side, which worsens space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treatment apparatus design where multiple treatment devices, each capable of washing or drying, are stacked vertically, with a remote control system allowing operation of lower devices from the top unit, including a connector that enables power and control circuit activation only when the top unit is properly seated, ensuring synchronized operation and minimizing vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple laundry treatment devices are placed side by side to provide multiple treatment functions, then the laundry treatment capability is improved, but the space occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry treatment capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal placement (side by side) to vertical stacking (one above another), utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple laundry treatment devices. This dimensional change allows multiple devices to occupy a smaller floor area while maintaining their individual treatment functions, effectively resolving the contradiction between versatility and space occupation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested configuration where one laundry treatment device is positioned inside or integrated with another device vertically. The upper device can be nested within the structural framework of the lower device, allowing both devices to function simultaneously while occupying minimal space, similar to nested dolls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If laundry treatment devices are stacked vertically to reduce space, then the space efficiency is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal remote controller that can operate both the upper and lower laundry treatment devices through a single interface. This multi-functional control system eliminates the need for separate controls for each stacked device, reducing control complexity despite the vertical stacking configuration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The remote controller serves as an intermediary device that mediates between the user and multiple stacked laundry treatment devices. It provides a unified interface for controlling both upper and lower devices, simplifying the control architecture and reducing operational complexity while maintaining vertical stacking for space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If laundry treatment devices are stacked vertically, then the space utilization is improved, but the vibration and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vibration isolation mechanism where the upper laundry treatment device acts as a vibration damper for the lower device. The natural vibrations of the upper device counteract and reduce the vibrations generated by the lower device, converting a potential harmful effect into a beneficial vibration reduction mechanism that mitigates noise and vibration in the stacked configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3112515B1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3112515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3112515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3112515B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus including a first cabinet (11), a first drum (15) provided inside the first cabinet (11) for receiving laundry therein, a first drive unit (17) for rotating the first drum(15), a first controller for controlling the first drive unit (17), a second cabinet (31) located under the first cabinet (11) and having an introduction/discharge opening (311), a drawer (32) provided so as to be discharged from the second cabinet (31) through the introduction/discharge opening (311), a second drum (35) provided inside the drawer (32) for receiving laundry therein, a second drive unit (36) for rotating the second drum (35), a second controller (C2) for controlling the second drive unit (36), and a remote controller (5) for transmitting a control signal to the second controller (C2) via wireless communication.