Dryer Load Member With Anti-Slip Tension for Wrinkle Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clothes dryers fail to completely smooth out wrinkles, especially in clothes that are difficult to iron, and existing accessories for wrinkle smoothing are complex, prone to damage, and costly.

Innovation Solution

A clothes dryer accessory featuring a load member with anti-slip members and a centroid member that applies tension to clothes, ensuring effective wrinkle smoothing and pleating, with a simple and durable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a moisture ejection unit is used to smooth wrinkles, then wrinkle smoothing effect is improved, but it is impossible to completely smooth out wrinkles in the clothes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle smoothing effectVSAvoidcomplete wrinkle removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a load member as an intermediary mechanical element that physically inserts into clothes to apply direct tension force, working in conjunction with the moisture ejection unit. This mechanical intermediary provides the additional pulling force needed to completely smooth out wrinkles that moisture alone cannot eliminate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The load member changes the physical state of the clothes by applying mechanical tension force, transforming the clothes from a relaxed state with wrinkles to a stretched state where wrinkles are smoothed. This parameter change in force application complements the thermal/moisture parameter changes from the moisture ejection unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If existing accessories for wrinkle smoothing are used, then wrinkle smoothing function is provided, but the accessories are complex and prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle smoothing functionVSAvoidaccessory structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential functional element needed for wrinkle smoothing - a simple load member with anti-slip members - removing all unnecessary complex mechanisms from existing accessories. This extracted simple structure maintains the wrinkle smoothing function while eliminating complexity and damage susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanisms to achieve wrinkle smoothing, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple weighted load member that relies on gravity and friction (anti-slip members) to provide the smoothing function, thereby simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If existing accessories for wrinkle smoothing are used, then wrinkle smoothing function is provided, but manufacturing costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle smoothing functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The load member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The use of basic materials and simple structure makes it a cost-effective solution compared to complex existing accessories, aligning with the principle of using cheap, simple objects for the function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The load member uses uniform, simple materials and structure throughout its design, avoiding expensive heterogeneous components. This homogeneous design simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces costs while maintaining the wrinkle smoothing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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 accessory efficiently smooths wrinkles and pleats clothes, offering superior durability and low manufacturing costs, with an intuitive use method that enhances practicality.

Implementation Method 1

a load member which is inserted into a predetermined portion of clothes in a state in which the cloths are accommodated in the clothes dryer and which serves to downwardly apply tension to the clothes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

at least one anti-slip member configured to prevent the load member from being separated from the clothes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9068289B2Accessory for clothes dryer
Publication Date: 2015.06.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US9068289B2 patent drawing
  • US9068289B2 patent drawing
  • US9068289B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An accessory for a clothes dryer is disclosed. The accessory for the clothes dryer is installed to clothes that will be dried in the clothes dryer, and serves not only to smooth out wrinkles in the clothes, but also to pleat the clothes. The accessory for the clothes dryer includes a load member, which is inserted into a predetermined portion of clothes in a state in which the cloths are accommodated in the clothes dryer and which serves to downwardly apply tension to the clothes, and an anti-slip member configured to prevent the load member from being separated from the clothes.