Drying apparatus and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying methods, such as towel drying, are inefficient and resource-intensive, leading to inadequate drying, especially in areas prone to bacterial and fungal growth, and contribute to water consumption and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus comprising a body with a movable bar and airflow generation system that uses air inlets, flow generators, and thermoelectric devices to provide controlled airflow for efficient drying, reducing reliance on towels and minimizing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If towel drying is used, then drying can be performed, but time consumption increases and drying effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of towel drying with an automated air blowing system. A flow generator creates airflow that is directed through a movable bar with air outlets to the user's body, eliminating the need for manual towel wiping and significantly reducing time consumption while improving drying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying apparatus enables self-service drying by automatically generating and directing airflow to the user. The system includes sensors that detect the user's presence and automatically activate the drying process, allowing the user to simply stand in the apparatus while it performs the drying function without requiring active participation.
2Reliability
If towels are used frequently, then drying function is provided, but water consumption and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resource-intensive towel drying process with an electrically-powered air flow system. The flow generator uses electricity to create airflow that achieves drying without requiring water for rinsing towels or energy-intensive washing and drying cycles for the towels themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the drying process by using controlled airflow temperature and velocity instead of mechanical towel friction. The flow generator can adjust air flow parameters to optimize drying effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption, and the movable bar adjusts its position to deliver air precisely where needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If towels are used for drying, then moisture removal is achieved, but bacterial and fungal growth risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based towel drying with non-contact air drying, eliminating the transfer of bacteria and fungi between the towel and user's skin. The airflow system removes moisture without physical contact, breaking the transmission pathway for microorganisms and reducing the risk of bacterial and fungal growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful stagnant moisture that promotes bacterial growth into beneficial moving airflow. By continuously directing fresh air across the user's body and expelling moist air, the system prevents the formation of stagnant, humid environments where bacteria and fungi thrive, while still achieving effective moisture removal.
4Ease of operation
If the drying apparatus operates in wet environments, then drying function is available, but health hazards may occur from stagnant dirty water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air intake function from the wet environment by positioning air inlets away from areas where water accumulates. The flow generator draws air from cleaner sources and directs it through the movable bar to the user, separating the drying function from contact with stagnant dirty water and eliminating the associated health hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces clean air as an intermediary between the wet environment and the user's body. The flow generator creates a controlled airflow that acts as a barrier, delivering dry air to the user without allowing contact with stagnant water, and the movable bar positions the air outlets to maintain this protective intermediary layer during the drying process.
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 effectively dries individuals quickly and hygienically, reducing bacterial and fungal growth risks while conserving water and energy, and can be operated in wet environments without causing health hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a flow generator to receive inlet air from the air inlet and generate an airflow
Implementation Method 2
a thermoelectric device to cool or heat the airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A drying apparatus includes a body, a bar movable relative to the body; an air inlet, a flow generator to receive inlet air from the air inlet and generate an airflow, and a bar air outlet at the bar for exhausting the airflow from the flow generator. A bar orientation mechanism is operable to control an orientation of the bar.