Stacked Laundry Cabinet Layout for Space and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges in reducing their volume, leading to space inefficiency when multiple units are required, as they need to be designed to handle a minimum laundry load, resulting in the need for side-by-side installation and increased vibration and noise.
Innovation Solution
A stacked laundry treatment apparatus design where multiple treatment devices, such as washing and drying machines, are vertically aligned, with one device absorbing vibration from another, and equipped with remote control capabilities to operate features like drawers and doors, allowing for efficient space utilization and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laundry treatment devices are installed side by side to provide washing and drying functions, then laundry treatment functionality is improved, but space utilization deteriorates and vibration noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal side-by-side installation to vertical stacked installation. The washing machine and dryer are arranged one above the other, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide multiple laundry treatment functions while reducing the horizontal floor space occupied by the appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple laundry treatment devices (washing machine and dryer) into a single integrated stacked system. The devices share common structural elements including the cabinet frame, control systems, and vibration absorption mechanisms, merging their functions into one compact unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laundry treatment devices are installed side by side to provide washing and drying functions, then laundry treatment functionality is improved, but vibration and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration absorption mechanism as an intermediary element between the upper and lower laundry treatment devices. This mechanism includes vibration absorption members that capture and dissipate vibrations generated during operation, preventing vibration transmission between stacked devices and reducing overall noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful vibrations generated by the laundry treatment devices into a beneficial damping effect. The vibration absorption members utilize the kinetic energy of vibrations to activate damping mechanisms that dissipate energy, transforming the harmful oscillatory motion into heat and other non-disruptive forms of energy.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional laundry treatment apparatuses are designed to handle minimum laundry load, then treatment capacity is maintained, but device volume cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device volume by exploiting the vertical dimension for stacking arrangements. By placing the washing machine and dryer vertically one above the other rather than horizontally side by side, the overall footprint is minimized while maintaining the required laundry treatment capacity of each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the upper laundry treatment device is positioned within the vertical space above the lower device. Both devices share the same cabinet structure and support framework, with the upper device effectively nested within the vertical envelope defined by the lower device's cabinet height.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus including a first cabinet, a first drum provided inside the first cabinet for receiving laundry therein, a first drive unit for rotating the first drum, a first controller for controlling the first drive unit, a second cabinet located under the first cabinet and having an introduction/discharge opening, a drawer provided so as to be discharged from the second cabinet through the introduction/discharge opening, a second drum provided inside the drawer for receiving laundry therein, a second drive unit for rotating the second drum, a second controller for controlling the second drive unit, and a remote controller for transmitting a control signal to the second controller via wireless communication.