Washer Rotary Control Interface to Reduce User Interface Complexity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines have complex and spread-out user interfaces, making it difficult to add new features and options, requiring excessive space, memory, and increasing costs, while being inconvenient for users due to the need for extensive prior knowledge and exposure to multiple, often unnecessary selection units.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine with a concentrated user interface featuring a rotatable manipulation unit and display unit that allows for easy selection of washing courses and options through a circular display zone, reducing the number of input units and text on the control panel, and enabling intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional spread-out control panel with multiple buttons and display units is used, then various washing courses and options can be selected, but the user interface becomes complex and requires excessive space, memory, and prior user knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control elements (course selection, option selection, start/pause) into a single rotary knob interface. The rotary knob integrates course selection, option selection, and execution commands into one unified mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple separate buttons and display units. This consolidation reduces the number of input units from multiple scattered buttons to a single rotary knob with contextual functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob serves multiple functions depending on the operational context: it selects washing courses when in course selection mode, selects options when in option selection mode, and inputs start/pause commands when in execution mode. This multi-functional design allows one element to replace multiple specialized buttons, reducing overall interface complexity while maintaining full functionality.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate input units and display units are provided for course and option selection, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the control panel requires excessive space and increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates course selection buttons, option selection buttons, and display units into a single rotary knob and one display screen. The rotary knob replaces numerous physical buttons, and the display dynamically shows contextual information based on the current selection mode, eliminating the need for permanent physical labels and multiple display elements scattered across the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional spread-out button layout to a rotary dimensional interface where selection occurs through rotation. Instead of moving the user's hand across a large panel to reach different buttons, the rotary knob brings all selection options to a single location through rotational movement, effectively adding a rotational dimension to the selection process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous buttons and display units are exposed on the control panel, then various functions are accessible, but users requiring prior knowledge find the interface inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display that changes content based on the current operational mode. The display screen shows different information (course options, option details, execution status) depending on what the user is currently doing, and the rotary knob's function changes contextually. This dynamic behavior guides users through the interface without requiring them to know all functions in advance, as the interface adapts to their current needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary knob interface provides self-guiding functionality where the display automatically shows relevant options and information based on the current selection state. Users are presented with only the necessary options at each step, and the interface itself guides them through the selection process without requiring external knowledge or complex manual references.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer, and the washer provides a plurality of washer settings and is formed so as to enable the changing of at least one option involved in a specific washer setting when the specific washer setting is selected from the plurality of washer settings, and comprises: an operation part formed to be rotatable so as to select the specific washer setting and the at least one option involved in the specific washer setting; a display part formed to selectively display, on the radial inner side of the operation part, input items including at least one of washer setting icons for the plurality of washer settings, option icons for the at least one option respectively involved in the plurality of washer settings, and a start icon; one command input part provided on the front surface of the operation part, and formed to input the washer setting selected by the operation part, change the at least one option, and input a signal for executing and stopping the selected washer setting; and a control part for controlling the display part such that preset information is displayed on the display part on the basis of the signals from the operation part and the command input part.