Washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry machines have complex and spread-out user interfaces, making it difficult to add new functions, requiring excessive memory and increasing costs, and are not intuitive, which complicates user interaction and adaptation to new interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine with a rotatable manipulation unit and a circular display unit that concentrates user interface elements, allowing for easy selection of washing courses and options through a radial interface, 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 conventional spread-out control panel layout is used, then user interface elements are easily accessible, but device complexity increases and new functions cannot be easily added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions (course selection, option selection, display) into a single integrated rotary manipulation unit. The display unit is positioned at the center of the rotary knob, combining selection and feedback functions in one location. This consolidation allows new functions to be added through software updates without adding physical components, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple input units and display elements are provided, then user interface functionality is comprehensive, but manufacturing cost increases due to excessive memory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary manipulation unit serves multiple functions: selecting washing courses, selecting options, navigating menus, and receiving user input. The single display unit provides comprehensive feedback for all functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized input units and large memory capacity, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive user interface functionality.
3Ease of operation
If conventional button and display layout is used, then user interface is functional, but user interface intuitiveness decreases and user adaptation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circular/rotary interface design where washing course icons are arranged radially around the display unit. Users rotate the knob to select courses, and the display updates accordingly. This curved, radial layout is more intuitive than linear button arrangements, as it provides natural rotational movement for course selection and keeps all information within a single visual field, improving user interface intuitiveness without increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer and, particularly, to a washer providing a plurality of washer settings and 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, the washer comprising: 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 a plurality of washer setting icons, option icons, which are respectively involved in the plurality of washer setting icons, for the at least one option, and a start icon; at least one command input part provided at the radial outer side of the display part and the radial inner side 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.