Collapsible Dryer Rack With Airflow Channels for Delicate Laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drying racks for laundry dryers do not promote air movement around delicate or bulky items, leading to limited drying effectiveness and potential damage, and are bulky and difficult to store when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible drying rack with multiple perforated sections that form an airflow channel, allowing air to circulate around items and featuring connectors like hinges or telescopic designs for easy assembly and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional drying rack is used, then it can hold delicate or bulky items, but it does not promote air movement around the items leading to limited drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The drying rack is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently configured. Each section has walls with openings that allow air to pass through, creating multiple airflow paths simultaneously. This segmentation enables the rack to promote air movement around items while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The walls of the drying rack sections are designed with multiple openings throughout their surfaces, creating a porous structure that allows air to penetrate through the walls. This enables air to flow through and around the items placed on the rack, significantly enhancing drying effectiveness compared to solid traditional racks.
2Productivity
If a drying rack is designed with airflow channels, then drying effectiveness improves, but the rack becomes bulky and difficult to store when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The drying rack is divided into multiple separable sections that can be configured in different arrangements. When not in use, the sections can be disassembled and stored separately or nested together, dramatically reducing the storage volume compared to a single solid rack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying rack incorporates movable and reconfigurable elements, including sections that can be positioned in different orientations and connected via adjustable joints. This dynamic design allows the rack to transform from an extended airflow-promoting structure during use to a compact configuration for storage.
3Speed
If sections are disposed adjacent to each other to form channels, then air flow is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying rack consists of multiple standardized sections that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. Each section has identical wall structures with openings, making assembly straightforward. The sections connect through simple joints that maintain the airflow channel continuity while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each section of the drying rack is designed as a universal module that can function independently or be combined with other identical sections. The standardized design with consistent wall openings and connection mechanisms allows any section to be positioned in any location, simplifying assembly while maintaining effective airflow channels throughout the structure.
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 collapsible design enhances air flow, resulting in faster drying times, such as over six times faster for flat items like sweaters, while allowing for convenient storage when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
Each section has a plurality of walls defining a cavity, the cavity comprising a portion of a channel for air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A drying apparatus for use with a laundry dryer includes a first section and a second section. Each section has a plurality of walls defining a cavity, the cavity comprising a portion of a channel for air flow. A first wall among the plurality of walls has a substantially flat exterior surface and a plurality of openings extending through the first wall from the exterior surface to the portion of the channel. The first section and the second section are configured to be disposed substantially adjacent to each other to form the channel. The first section comprises an air outlet cover at a first end, the air outlet cover configured to substantially cover an air outlet of the laundry dryer.