Double-Layer Drying Rack Cover With Spring Roll Wind Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry drying rack cover devices are prone to damage from wind, can leave laundry uncovered, and fail to protect external sides from rain and pollution, with high production costs and limited coverage.

Innovation Solution

A double-layered roll cover system with rigid sticks to maintain cloth tension and positioning, featuring a spring roll mechanism that unwraps to cover both upper and external sides of the drying rack, using magnetic sticks for secure attachment and adjustable tension to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cloth is fixed more firmly to the side bars of the drying rack, then the cloth stability is improved, but the cloth is more susceptible to wind damage and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecloth stabilityVSAvoidwind damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drying rack is divided into multiple horizontal bars, and the cloth is secured to each bar individually using separate fastening elements. This segmentation allows the cloth to be distributed across multiple attachment points, reducing the stress concentration on any single point while maintaining overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses adjustable and removable fasteners that allow the cloth to be dynamically secured at different tension levels. This enables the user to adjust the cloth tension to balance stability with wind resistance, and to quickly remove the cloth during high wind conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cloth is fixed loosely to the side bars of the drying rack, then the wind damage is reduced, but the cloth can wrap around itself or move, leaving the laundry uncovered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind damageVSAvoidcloth coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cloth is pre-tensioned during installation to achieve optimal coverage before wind loads are applied. The fastening system is designed to maintain this pre-tension, ensuring the cloth remains taut and properly positioned during normal use while still allowing for wind flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system allows for adjustment of the cloth tension parameter. Users can optimize the tension level based on weather conditions - tighter for stability during calm periods, looser for wind protection during stormy weather - thus dynamically changing the parameter to balance both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single layer of cloth is used to cover the drying rack, then the device complexity is reduced, but the protection against rain and pollution is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidprotection effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-layer horizontal cover to a two-layer configuration where the first cloth layer covers the top surface and the second cloth layer covers the side/external surfaces. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive multi-directional protection against rain and pollution while maintaining relatively simple implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If a single layer of cloth is used to cover the drying rack, then the production cost is reduced, but the comprehensive protection coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is segmented into two functional layers: a first cloth for top coverage and a second cloth for side coverage. Each layer can be manufactured and installed independently, allowing for cost-effective production while achieving comprehensive coverage of all exposed surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Both cloth layers use the same material and fastening mechanism, making the system universal and easy to manufacture. The dual-layer design provides multi-functional protection (top + side coverage) without requiring different materials or complex assembly procedures, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides comprehensive protection against wind, rain, and pollution, ensuring the laundry is fully covered without risking damage or exposure, while being cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, with the option to expand coverage or use as an awning.

Implementation Method 1

a spring roll is provided, on which a first upper cloth 3 and a second lower cloth 4 are wrapped together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The function of said sticks 6, 7 is not only that of maintaining both cloths 3, 4 stretched out, but also, as will be seen in the following, that of ensuring the correct positioning of the cloths themselves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP1780327B1A double layered roll of cloth which opens out to cover laundry on a drying rack
Publication Date: 2009.12.09 CARBONARA GIOVANNI
  • EP1780327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Device (1) for covering laundry on a drying rack, comprising a first cloth (3) and a second cloth (4), wrapped around at least one spring roll, placed on a support frame, said first cloth (3) can be unwrapped from said spring roll, said spring roll as a consequence rolling and causing the opening of said second cloth (4).