Body Drying Apparatus with Airflow Steering to Replace Towel Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying methods, such as towel drying, are inefficient and resource-intensive, leading to inadequate drying, particularly in areas like gyms and hotels, and contribute to high water consumption and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus that uses a body with air inlets, flow generators, and an outlet airflow steering mechanism to direct forced airflows for efficient drying, reducing reliance on towels and minimizing water and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If towel drying is used, then drying can be performed, but water consumption and energy usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical towel-drying system with a pneumatic air drying system. Flow generators create controlled airflows that pass through permeable barriers to dry the user's body, eliminating the need for physical towels and their associated washing and drying cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by generating controlled airflows through flow generators. These airflows are directed through permeable barriers to contact and dry the user's body, providing an efficient alternative to towel drying that reduces water and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If towels are used frequently, then drying is achieved, but environmental impact increases due to laundry loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical towel-drying system with a pneumatic air drying system. Flow generators create controlled airflows that pass through permeable barriers to dry the user's body, eliminating the need for physical towels and their associated washing and drying cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of drying from contact-based (towels) to fluid-based (airflow). By controlling airflow parameters such as velocity, direction, and duration, the system achieves reliable drying without the energy-intensive towel laundry cycle.
3Device complexity
If air outlet is fixed, then structure is simple, but drying coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed air outlet to a dynamic, movable air outlet that can be positioned along the user's body. This movable outlet maintains relatively simple structural components while significantly increasing the drying coverage area through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the dimension of movement to the air outlet, allowing it to traverse along the user's body length. This transforms the drying process from a static, localized operation to a dynamic, full-body coverage system without substantially increasing structural complexity.
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
The apparatus provides effective and efficient drying of individuals, improving hygiene and reducing environmental impact by minimizing water and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a flow generator (110) to receive inlet air and generate an airflow
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (120) arranged within the body (100) to heat the airflow
Implementation Method 3
an outlet airflow steering mechanism operable to control a lateral extent of the airflow from the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A drying apparatus includes a body, an air inlet, a flow generator to receive inlet air from the air inlet and generate an airflow, an air outlet at the body for exhausting the airflow from the flow generator, the air outlet extending along a vertical height of the body, and an outlet airflow steering mechanism operable to control a lateral extent of the airflow from the air outlet. A controller is configured to operate the outlet airflow steering mechanism to control the lateral extents of the airflow from the air outlet.