Supplementary Laundry Dryer With Tiltable Rack for Small Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating machines require separate units for washing and drying, leading to increased expenses and energy consumption, especially when handling small loads, and struggle with drying items like shoes and caps due to inefficient drum-type dryers.
Innovation Solution
A supplementary laundry treating machine that can be integrated with existing machines, featuring an air supply unit, steam supply, and a tiltable rack for efficient drying and refresh functions, utilizing unused space like a pedestal for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large-sized laundry treating machine is used to handle small loads, then the machine can process various load sizes, but energy consumption increases and operating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry treating system is divided into two separate machines: a main laundry treating machine for large loads and a supplementary laundry treating machine for small loads. This segmentation allows each machine to operate at optimal capacity, preventing energy waste from running a large machine on small loads while maintaining versatility across different load sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to load size requirements by allowing users to select between the main machine and supplementary machine based on the amount of laundry. The supplementary machine activates only when small loads need treatment, creating a dynamic response to varying operational conditions that optimizes energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a drum-type dryer is used for drying shoes and caps, then the drying function is provided, but mounting and dismounting the rack is cumbersome and drying efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The rack mounting operation is extracted from the complex drum-type dryer system and simplified in the supplementary laundry treating machine. The supplementary machine provides a dedicated, easily accessible rack structure that can be mounted and dismounted without the complexity of integrating with a rotating drum mechanism, significantly improving ease of operation for drying shoes and caps.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the rack adapt to the rotating drum mechanism (which makes mounting cumbersome), the design inverts the approach by providing a stable, stationary rack structure in the supplementary machine that naturally accommodates shoes and caps. This inversion simplifies the mounting process while maintaining the drying function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate washing machine and dryer are provided, then both washing and drying functions are available, but total expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary laundry treating machine combines both washing and drying functions in a single unit, eliminating the need to purchase separate machines for each function. This merging approach provides full washing and drying capabilities while reducing the total number of appliances needed, thereby lowering overall expense.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplementary laundry treating machine is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform both washing and drying operations. This universality allows a single machine to replace what would traditionally require two separate machines, reducing total expense while maintaining adaptability for different laundry needs.
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
Enables convenient and energy-efficient laundry treatment for both large and small loads, including difficult-to-dry items, by providing a compact and versatile solution that integrates drying and refresh functions within the existing machine framework.
Implementation Method 1
a drying function by selective supply of air to the space
Implementation Method 2
drying function... supply of air to the space for holding laundry
Implementation Method 3
a steam supply unit in the body for selective supply of steam to the space for holding laundry
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supplementary laundry treating machine (120), and a composite laundry treating machine (110) having the supplementary laundry treating machine (120). The supplementary laundry treating machine (120) includes a body (121) having a space formed therein for holding laundry, an air supply unit (140) in the body (121) for supplying air to the space for holding laundry, and joining means (135) for securing the body (121) to one side of a laundry treating machine (110) having a volume and a height greater than a volume and a height of the body (121), respectively.