Twin Laundry Apparatus Assembly Design for Compact Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in manufacturing and assembly due to space constraints, particularly in creating a compact twin laundry treating apparatus with separate washing and drying functions, where components must be efficiently arranged and assembled in a limited space.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a top cover with a detergent box and a flexible connection pipe that can be easily accessed from outside the housing, allowing for simplified assembly and configuration by mounting the detergent box and tub before the top cover, and using a flexible bellows tube for the connection pipe to ensure smooth detergent and water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a twin laundry treating apparatus is designed with separate washing and drying functions in one cabinet, then the apparatus provides simultaneous and separate washing capability, but the limited space makes it difficult to arrange and assemble various components
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into two independent laundry treating portions (washing machine and dryer) that can operate separately or simultaneously. Each portion has its own tub, drum, and control systems, allowing independent functionality while sharing the same cabinet space. This segmentation enables the complex twin-function capability while organizing components into manageable modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space arrangement by placing the washing machine and dryer in different vertical levels within the cabinet. The washing machine is positioned at the lower level while the dryer is positioned at the upper level, effectively using the third dimension (height) to accommodate both functions without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus solving the space constraint problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary washing machine is made smaller to fit in one cabinet with the main washing machine, then the twin washing machine configuration is achieved, but it becomes difficult to manufacture due to space constraints for various components
Solution Approach 1:
Each laundry treating portion is designed as a modular unit with standardized components that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. The detergent supply units, water supply pipes, and control systems are segmented into discrete modules that simplify the manufacturing process while maintaining the compact twin configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal components and standardized interfaces for both the washing machine and dryer portions. Common elements such as the cabinet structure, control systems, and connection interfaces are designed to be interchangeable and multi-functional, reducing the variety of unique parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby easing the manufacturing process.
3Volume of moving object
If components are arranged in a limited space of the small scaled apparatus, then the compact twin laundry treating apparatus is achieved, but the assembly process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is assembled by first installing segmented modules (washing machine portion and dryer portion) independently in their respective positions, then connecting them through standardized interfaces. This modular segmentation allows workers to assemble each portion separately before final integration, making the overall assembly process more manageable despite the compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
Components such as the detergent supply pipes and water connections are pre-assembled and pre-positioned within each module before the modules are installed in the final configuration. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of on-site assembly by ensuring that complex connections are already prepared and aligned, facilitating easier final assembly of the compact twin apparatus.
Data Source
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AI summary
laundry treating apparatus (100) is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus (100) includes a housing (21), a tub (4) provided inside the housing (21), for storing washing water therein, a drum (6) rotatably provided inside the tub, for storing laundry therein, and a top cover (25) provided above the housing (21) to cover upper portions of the tub (4) and the drum (6). The housing (21) includes front and rear and left and right sidewalls to define a space therein, and an extending portion (21f) formed to have a front and rear spacing and an up and down spacing from the top cover (25) above the front sidewall so that an entrance space is formed from the front upper portion of the front sidewall to the inside of the housing.