Dryer stand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dryer stands require manual adjustment of air discharge direction, making it inconvenient to dry objects like infants or pets that move frequently, and lack automatic control over multiple directional changes.

Innovation Solution

A dryer stand with a rotation apparatus, elevation apparatus, and tilting apparatus, powered by motors, which allows for automatic adjustment of air discharge direction based on object position and size, using a sensing apparatus to control the motors and move the receptacle mounted with the dryer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a dryer is mounted on a conventional stand, then hands-free drying is achieved, but the air discharge direction cannot be automatically adjusted to track moving objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free dryingVSAvoidair discharge direction adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the receptacle that holds the dryer rotatable around the vertical stem. The rotation motor drives the receptacle to rotate left and right, enabling the air discharge direction to dynamically track moving objects such as infants or pets. This transforms the static stand into a dynamic system that can adapt its orientation in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through the sensing apparatus (camera or proximity sensor) that automatically detects the position and size of objects to be dried. The controller processes this information and automatically controls the rotation motor to adjust the air discharge direction, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the system to serve itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual adjustment of air discharge direction is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to frequent user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanismVSAvoiddrying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the sensing apparatus that continuously monitors the position and size of objects to be dried. This information is fed back to the controller, which automatically adjusts the rotation motor to optimize the air discharge direction. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. The rotation motor, driven by electrical signals from the controller based on sensing apparatus data, substitutes for manual user intervention. This automation maintains simplicity while significantly improving productivity by eliminating frequent adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic control of air discharge direction is added, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic direction controlVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control system into three independent functional modules: the sensing apparatus for detecting object position and size, the rotation motor for executing directional adjustment, and the controller for processing information and generating control signals. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity while enabling sophisticated automatic direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the controller as an intermediary that bridges the sensing apparatus and the rotation motor. The controller receives data from the sensing apparatus, processes this information to determine the optimal air discharge direction, and generates appropriate control signals for the rotation motor. This intermediary role simplifies the interaction between sensing and actuation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables hands-free drying with automatic adjustment of air discharge direction in multiple axes, improving convenience and efficiency when drying objects of varying sizes and positions.

Implementation Method 1

a rotation apparatus including a rotation motor... the rotation apparatus can control the air discharge direction of the dryer by rotating receptacle left and right in accordance with the forward or backward rotation of the rotation motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a dryer for discharging air for dry... air discharge direction of the dryer... drying an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3626117B1Dryer stand

Publication Date: 2021.04.07 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

Provided is a dryer stand on which a dryer for discharging air for drying is mounted. The dryer stand includes a stem (30), a base (10), a receptacle (20) on which a dryer is mounted, and a rotation apparatus including a rotation motor (63). In this case, the air discharge direction of the dryer can be automatically controlled by controlling the rotation direction and angle of the rotation motor based on the position and size of an object to be dried, which are detected by a sensing apparatus.