External Dryer Attachment for Delicate Garment Airflow Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face challenges in drying delicate or bulky items outside of conventional dryers, as existing solutions like hanging clothes take time or require expensive, space-consuming dryers or cabinets.

Innovation Solution

An external accessory attachment for dryers that redirects airflow through a suction attachment and blocking flange, allowing heated air from the dryer to dry items externally on a rack or hanger, leveraging the dryer's airflow and heat without the mechanical stress of a rotating drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If clothes are hung to dry externally, then no mechanical stress is applied to delicate items, but drying takes a substantial amount of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stress on clothesVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the attachment with housing and airflow channel) that mediates between the dryer's internal heating system and the externally hung clothes. This attachment captures heated air from the dryer and redirects it through the housing to flow over the clothes, enabling effective external drying without mechanical stress while significantly reducing drying time compared to ambient air drying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a standalone dryer or cabinet is used for external drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but space and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the external drying function with the existing dryer by designing an attachment that couples to the dryer's external surfaces. The attachment utilizes the dryer's existing heating elements and airflow system, combining two functions (internal drying and external drying) into one integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate standalone dryers or cabinets, maintaining high drying efficiency while minimizing additional space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a standalone dryer or cabinet is used for external drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment is designed to be universally compatible with various dryer models by coupling to external surfaces without requiring internal modifications. This multi-functional design allows the same attachment to provide external drying capability across different dryer types, leveraging existing dryer components (heating elements, airflow) to achieve high drying efficiency without the need for expensive, specialized standalone equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the attachment redirects airflow through the housing, then external drying capability is provided, but the dryer's internal airflow path is modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal drying capabilityVSAvoidairflow path complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the airflow system into two distinct pathways: the dryer's internal airflow path for primary drying operations, and the attachment's external airflow path for external drying. The attachment captures a portion of the heated air from the dryer's exhaust and redirects it through separate channels within the housing to flow over externally hung clothes. This segmentation allows both internal and external drying functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, maintaining simplicity in both pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficient and space-saving drying for delicate items, using the dryer's airflow and heat, while avoiding damage from mechanical stress, at a lower cost than standalone dryers or cabinets.

Implementation Method 1

A suction attachment extends from the housing and is adapted to fit within a filter slot of the drying appliance. The suction attachment is capable of accepting airflow. A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow redirection:

Implementation Method 3

A blower of the drying appliance is activated to direct air through the drying space and the suction attachment and out the air outlet via the airflow path.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced air movement: Fan

Data Source

PatentUS10100459B2Flexible drying solution for delivering clothing care externally of a drying appliance

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An external accessory attachment for a drying appliance includes a housing defining a drying space. A suction attachment extends from the housing and is adapted to fit within a filter slot of the drying appliance. The suction attachment is capable of accepting airflow. A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.