Continuous-type umbrella dryer

Abstract

To provide a continuous umbrella dryer that can remove rainwater remaining on umbrellas. [Solution] A continuous umbrella dryer is provided, comprising a main body, a first water absorption module, a second water absorption module, and a track frame. The main body has a first side wall and a second side wall, with a first recess and a second recess formed inside, and a passage and a storage space communicating with each other. The first water absorption module is located inside the first recess and includes a plurality of first water absorption components, an interlocking assembly, and a drive component. The second water absorption module is located inside the second recess and includes a plurality of positioning seats and a plurality of second water absorption components. The track frame has a closed end and an open end, the open end extends downward and is connected to both side walls, and a sliding section is provided between the open end and the closed end. When in use, an umbrella is inserted into the passage from the open end and hung on the track frame, and the rotational drive of the first water absorption module absorbs rainwater from the umbrella surface by the first and second water absorption components, and finally the umbrella slides to the closed end to complete the drying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of umbrella water droplet prevention, and particularly relates to a continuous umbrella dryer that can be continuously operated, has a high processing speed, and is applicable to public places with a large number of people coming and going.

Background Art

[0002] An ordinary daily necessity like an umbrella has a delicate contradiction between convenience and environmental protection. On the one hand, an umbrella provides us with shelter and convenience during rainy days, but on the other hand, the post-use treatment has become a problem.

[0003] As a conventional method for storing umbrellas, dedicated containers and umbrella stands are common, but they are accompanied by many inconveniences. First, it is difficult to cope with places where people are concentrated in such a method, the umbrella stands are crowded, and there is a risk of umbrella loss. In addition, in an open umbrella stand, it is impossible to prevent rainwater from dripping, and there is a drawback that it wets the floor.

[0004] To solve such problems, disposable plastic umbrella bags have emerged. However, this seemingly convenient solution has also created new problems. The tip of the umbrella easily pierces through the plastic bag, and rainwater leaks out, so the effect of preventing the floor from slipping is insufficient, and as a result, the risk of falling is increased. Furthermore, used plastic umbrella bags generate a large amount of waste, which has become a serious cause of environmental pollution. Although there are places where recycling devices are installed, it takes a long time to decompose plastic waste, and the impact on the ecosystem cannot be ignored.

[0005] What is even more noteworthy is that the manufacturing process of plastic umbrella bags itself consumes a large amount of energy and resources. Each process from crude oil extraction to the molding of plastic products has an adverse impact on the environment. Therefore, plastic umbrella bags are contrary to the concept of environmental protection not only during use but also at the manufacturing stage.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In comparison, traditional umbrella storage methods and disposable plastic umbrella bags each have their drawbacks. The former is unsuitable for storing large numbers of umbrellas, while the latter causes serious environmental pollution. This dilemma demonstrates that we must not neglect environmental protection while pursuing convenience. Finding an umbrella disposal method that satisfies people's convenience while reducing the burden on the environment is an urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

[0007] To address these shortcomings, several innovative technologies have been proposed. For example, the applicant's proposed "Umbrella Dryer" in Republic of China Patent Application No. 112205869 and "Improved Structure of Umbrella Dryer and Method of Application Thereof" in Patent No. 113129207. The umbrella dryers disclosed in these patents can effectively remove moisture from the surface of umbrellas, reducing slip-and-fall accidents on floors and environmental pollution. However, these technologies are designed for single umbrellas and have the challenge of not being able to process multiple umbrellas simultaneously. Especially in public places or during crowded times, the single-umbrella processing structure reduces the efficiency of the equipment and fails to meet the need to quickly process multiple umbrellas.

[0008] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional technology described above, the inventor conducted extensive research and improvement studies, ultimately completing the present invention.

[0009] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a continuous umbrella dryer that can automatically remove rainwater remaining on an umbrella.

[0010] A second object of the present invention is to provide a continuous umbrella dryer that can operate continuously and process at high speed.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous umbrella dryer applicable to public places with high foot traffic. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objectives and effects, the technical means employed in the present invention is a continuous umbrella dryer characterized by comprising a main body, a first water absorption module, a second water absorption module, and a track frame.

[0013] The main body has a first side wall and a second side wall, with a first recess and a second recess provided inside the first and second side walls, respectively, a passage formed between the first and second recesses, and a storage space communicating with the passage provided at the bottom.

[0014] The first water absorption module comprises a plurality of first water absorption components whose ends are pivotally supported at the upper and lower parts of the first recess, an interlocking assembly connected to the plurality of first water absorption components, and a drive component connected to the interlocking assembly, and is provided inside the first recess.

[0015] The second water absorption module has a plurality of positioning seats connected to the upper and lower parts of the second recess, and a plurality of second water absorption components whose ends are pivotally supported by the plurality of positioning seats, and is provided inside the second recess.

[0016] The track frame has a closed end and an open end, with a sliding section between the open end and the closed end, the open end extending downward and connected to the first side wall and the second side wall, and the positions of the open end and the sliding section facing the passage.

[0017] In the structure described above, a water receiving plate is provided at the lower part of the first recess and the second recess, respectively.

[0018] In the structure described above, an automatic drain valve is provided at the lower part of the main body.

[0019] In the structure described above, the open end extends downward and is provided with a fixed seat connected to the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0020] In the above structure, the interlocking assembly includes a plurality of shaft moving parts respectively combined with one ends of the plurality of first water absorption parts, and a plurality of shaft moving parts respectively connected to the plurality of shaft moving parts.

[0021] In the above structure, the shaft moving parts and the interlocking parts are a combination of a plurality of gears and a plurality of racks, a plurality of gears and a plurality of chains, or a plurality of pulleys and a plurality of belts.

[0022] In the above structure, power parts are respectively provided at both ends of the positioning seat.

[0023] In the above structure, the position where the passage and the open end face each other is defined as the inlet, and the position where the passage and the closed end face each other is defined as the outlet.

[0024] <关于上述结构,动力部件分别设置在定位座的两端。 In the above structure, the driving part is further electrically connected to a cutoff sensor, and the cutoff sensor is provided on the first side wall or the second side wall.

[0025] In the above structure, the first water absorption module and the second water absorption module are composed of columnar sodium polyacrylate (SPA), super absorbent polymer (SAP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose sponge, polyurethane foam (PU Foam), silicone sponge or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0026] To understand the above objects, effects and features of the present invention more specifically, the following description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It should be noted that in the translation of the text from line 15, there seems to be some incorrect duplication in the original text. The translation is adjusted according to the correct understanding. If there are any specific requirements for this part, please let me know for further improvement.Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a first exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a second exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a first cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a second cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, it can be seen that the configuration of the present invention mainly consists of a main body 1, a first water absorption module 2, a second water absorption module 3, and a track frame 4. The combination and operation of each component are as follows.

[0033] The main body 1 has a first side wall 11 and a second side wall 12. Inside the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12, a first recess 111 and a second recess 121 are respectively formed. These are connected by a passage 13, forming a space for accommodating an umbrella and performing a water absorption process. A storage space 14 for collecting moisture is provided at the lower part of the main body 1, and the automatically accumulated moisture can be discharged by an automatic drain valve 16. In addition, a water receiving plate 15 is provided at the lower parts of the first recess 111 and the second recess 121 to collect moisture and let it flow into the storage space 14.

[0034] The first water absorption module 2 is located inside the first recess 111 and consists of a plurality of first water absorption components 21, an interlocking assembly 22, and a drive component 23. The first water absorption components 21 are made of columnar water-absorbing materials such as sodium polyacrylate (SPA), super absorbent polymer (SAP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose sponge, polyurethane foam (PU Foam), silicone sponge, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Both ends of the first water absorption components 21 are pivotally supported at the top and bottom of the first recess 111. The interlocking assembly 22 is composed of a plurality of shaft-driven components 221 and interlocking components 222. The shaft-driven components 221 and interlocking components 222 can be a combination of gears and racks, gears and chains, or pulleys and belts. In this embodiment, the shaft-driven components 221 and interlocking components 222 are exemplified as being composed of pulleys and belts, which drives the first water-absorbing component 21 to compress and release, thereby obtaining a better water-absorbing effect. The drive component 23 is connected to the interlocking assembly 22 and electrically connected to a shut-off sensor (not shown). The shut-off sensor is provided on the first side wall 11 or the second side wall 12 and senses when an umbrella is inserted into the passage 13, controlling the operation of the drive component 23.

[0035] The second water absorption module 3 is located inside the second recess 121 and consists of a plurality of positioning seats 31 and a plurality of second water absorption components 32. The second water absorption components 32 are similarly made of columnar water-absorbing materials such as sodium polyacrylate (SPA), super absorbent polymer (SAP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose sponge, polyurethane foam (PU Foam), silicone sponge, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and the second water absorption components 32 are fixed to the positioning seats 31. Power components 33 are provided at both ends of the positioning seats 31 to apply pressure to the second water absorption components 32 and increase the water absorption efficiency.

[0036] The track frame 4 has a closed end 41 and an open end 42, with the open end 42 extending downward and being provided with a fixed seat 44 that connects to the first side wall 11 and the second side wall 12, forming the track. The open end 42 and the sliding section 43 are located opposite the passage 13, facilitating the insertion of an umbrella.

[0037] When a user inserts a wet umbrella through the open end 42 of the track frame 4, the umbrella enters the passage 13 along the sliding section 43. At this time, the blocking sensor detects the umbrella and immediately sends a signal to the drive component 23. When the drive component 23 receives the signal and activates, it drives the interlocking component 22. The interaction between the shaft moving component 221 and the interlocking component 222 in the interlocking component 22 causes the first water absorption component 21 inside the first water absorption module 2 to start rotating.

[0038] As the first water-absorbing component 21 rotates, the umbrella placed inside the passage 13 is passively guided into the gap between the first water-absorbing component 21 and the second water-absorbing component 32. Since the first water-absorbing component 21 and the second water-absorbing component 32 are made of a highly absorbent material, when the umbrella comes into sufficient contact with the first water-absorbing component 21 and the second water-absorbing component 32, the moisture on the surface of the umbrella is absorbed quickly and completely.

[0039] Driven by the first water absorption module 2, the umbrella moves continuously inside the passage 13. During this movement, the umbrella comes into contact with new first water absorption components 21 and second water absorption components 32 one after another, and the moisture on the surface of the umbrella is completely removed. By the time the umbrella reaches the end of the passage 13 (near the closed end 41), the moisture on the surface of the umbrella has been almost completely absorbed, and the user can take out the dry umbrella from the closed end 41.

[0040] During the continuous operation of the continuous umbrella dryer, the first water absorption component 21 and the second water absorption component 32 continuously absorb moisture from the umbrella and simultaneously drain it. In order to keep the first water absorption component 21 and the second water absorption component 32 operating at high efficiency at all times and to prevent overflow due to rising water levels in the storage space 14, the automatic drainage operation is performed as follows.

[0041] First, the drive component 33 receives a start signal and begins operation. The drive component 33 is generally a drive device such as an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder, and provides driving force. The drive component 33 causes the positioning seat 31 to move relative to it. The movement of the positioning seat 31 causes the second water absorption component 32 connected to it to move in conjunction. The second water absorption component 32, due to the conjunction with the positioning seat 31, forms a non-parallel angle with the first water absorption component 21 and applies pressure to the first water absorption component 21. This compressive action squeezes out the water held inside the first water absorption component 21 and the second water absorption component 32, and the squeezed-out water flows into the containment space 14.

[0042] As moisture is continuously discharged, the water level in the containment space 14 rises and reaches the operating water level of the automatic drain valve 16. When the water level reaches the set value, the automatic drain valve 16 opens automatically and discharges the excess moisture in the containment space 14 to the outside. The opening and closing of the automatic drain valve 16 may be mechanical, electronic, or hydraulic.

[0043] As is clear from the above description, the continuous umbrella dryer of the present invention is a novel and inventive invention and is worthy of application for an invention patent. However, the above description is merely a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and any changes, modifications, alterations or equivalent substitutions based on the technical means and scope of the present invention shall all be included in the claims of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Main unit 11 First side wall 111 First recess 12 Second side wall 121 Second recess 13 aisles 14 Containment space 15 Water receiving board 16 Automatic drain valve 2. First water absorption module 21 First water absorption component 22 Interlocking Assembly 221 Axle-moving parts 222 Interlocking parts 23 Drive components 3. Second water absorption module 31 Positioning seat 32 Second water absorption part 33 Power Components 4 Orbital Frames 41 Closed end 42 Open end 43 Slide section 44 Fixed seat

Claims

1. A main body having a first side wall and a second side wall, with a first recess and a second recess provided inside the first and second side walls, respectively, with a passage formed between the first and second recesses, and a storage space communicating with the passage provided at the bottom, A first water absorption module is provided inside the first recess, comprising: a plurality of first water absorption components whose ends are pivotally supported at the upper and lower parts of the first recess, a linkage assembly connected to the plurality of first water absorption components, and a drive component connected to the linkage assembly, The second water absorption module is provided inside the second recess and comprises a plurality of positioning seats connected to the upper and lower parts of the second recess, and a plurality of second water absorption components whose ends are pivotally supported by the plurality of positioning seats, respectively. A continuous umbrella dryer, comprising a track frame having a closed end and an open end, a sliding section between the open end and the closed end, the open end extending downward and connected to the first side wall and the second side wall, and the positions of the open end and the sliding section facing the passage.

2. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that a water receiving plate is provided at the lower part of the first recess and the second recess, respectively.

3. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that an automatic drain valve is provided at the lower part of the main body.

4. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the open end extends downward and is provided with a fixed seat connected to the first side wall and the second side wall.

5. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the interlocking assembly includes a plurality of axial moving parts, each of which is combined with one end of the plurality of first water-absorbing parts, and a plurality of interlocking parts, each of which is connected to the plurality of axial moving parts.

6. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 5, characterized in that the axial drive component and the interlocking component are a combination of multiple gears and multiple racks, multiple gears and multiple chains, or multiple pulleys and multiple belts.

7. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that power components are provided at both ends of the positioning seat.

8. A continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the position where the passage and the open end face each other is defined as an entrance, and the position where the passage and the closed end face each other is defined as an exit.

9. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive component is further electrically connected to a shut-off sensor, and the shut-off sensor is provided on the first side wall or the second side wall.

10. The continuous umbrella dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first water absorption module and the second water absorption module are composed of columnar sodium polyacrylate (SPA), super absorbent polymer (SAP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose sponge, polyurethane foam (PU Foam), silicone sponge, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

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