Washer and dryer combination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget to transfer wet clothes from the washer to the dryer after a wash cycle is completed, leading to damp, moldy, and wrinkled clothes, which requires additional energy and can damage delicate items.
Innovation Solution
A side-by-side washer and dryer configuration with a tilting washer floor powered by hydraulic arms and a chute connecting the two units, along with a vacuum motor in the dryer, allows automatic transfer of clothes without human intervention, and a mobile app for notifications on cycle completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a user manually transfers clothes from washer to dryer, then the transfer process requires user attention and time, but the system complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The washer drum floor is segmented into a movable portion that can be tilted independently from the stationary portion. This segmentation allows the wet clothes to be gravity-fed into the dryer through the chute without requiring the entire drum to move, achieving automatic transfer with controlled mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A chute is introduced as an intermediary structure connecting the washer and dryer interiors. The chute receives clothes from the movable washer floor and directs them into the dryer, serving as a mechanical mediator that enables automatic transfer while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through simple gravity-assisted flow
2Loss of energy
If wet clothes are left in the washer after a wash cycle, then energy consumption and time are saved by not running another cycle, but the clothes become damp, moldy, and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically transferring wet clothes from the washer to the dryer immediately after the wash cycle completes. The movable floor mechanism is activated automatically, tilting the drum to feed clothes into the dryer before the user can forget, thereby preventing mold and damage while avoiding unnecessary re-washing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the wash cycle completion signal to trigger the automatic transfer mechanism. When the washer detects that a wash cycle has finished, it activates the movable floor mechanism to transfer clothes to the dryer, creating a closed-loop system that prevents clothes from sitting too long without requiring user intervention
3Ease of operation
If a user sets a reminder or alarm on their cell phone to transfer clothes, then manual transfer is prompted, but the reminder may be missed or the user may not have time to act on it
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically performing the clothes transfer function without requiring user action. The movable floor mechanism and chute system operate autonomously based on wash cycle completion, making the system reliable and convenient by eliminating the need for users to remember or act on reminders
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
Eliminates the need for users to manually transfer clothes, preventing mold, wrinkles, and additional wash cycles by ensuring seamless transfer and providing remote control and notification features.
Implementation Method 1
a tilting floor powered by a plurality of hydraulic arms within the washer portion
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum motor within the dryer unit
Implementation Method 3
allows wet clothes to be transferred from the washer into the dryer cabinet... any clothes within the washers can fall into a chute
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved washer and dryer combination. The washer and dryer are in a side by side configuration that has the ability to transfer washed clothes from the washer to the dryer. The washer has a movable platform that can be tilted via hydraulic arms such that any clothes within the washers can slide down a chute that connects the interior spaces of the washer and dryer to one another. When clothes are not being transferred from the washer to dryer, the chute is covered by sliding doors. In addition, the device may use a mobile application that notifies a user of the various stages of the washing, drying, and transfer process have been completed.