Fabric Warming Rack with Rotating UV Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fabric warming and sterilization devices require enclosed appliances, which are bulky, expensive, and complex, failing to effectively sanitize towels or fabrics without enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A fabric warming rack with a horizontal rod and rotatably coupled light sources, including UV light sources, that evenly distribute light across fabrics without the need for an enclosure, using reflector assemblies to optimize light emission and a mounting system for versatile installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enclosed appliances are used for fabric warming and sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the enclosure from the sterilization system, extracting only the essential sterilization function. UV-C light sources are positioned to directly expose fabrics without requiring an enclosed chamber, thereby eliminating the housing, doors, and associated mechanical components while maintaining sterilization effectiveness through direct light exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical enclosure-based sterilization system with an optical field-based system. UV-C light sources create a sterilization field that penetrates and treats fabrics without requiring physical containment, substituting mechanical structures with electromagnetic radiation for the sterilization function.
2Reliability
If enclosed appliances are used for fabric warming and sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure housing that would contain the sterilization process is completely removed. Only the essential UV-C light sources and fabric support structures remain, dramatically reducing the device's weight while maintaining sterilization capability through direct exposure of fabrics to the UV-C field.
3Device complexity
If UV light sources are positioned parallel to towel bar, then device simplicity is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light sources are oriented perpendicular to the towel bar rather than parallel, changing the spatial dimension of light emission. This perpendicular orientation allows the UV-C light to radiate across the width of hanging fabrics, creating more uniform exposure across the entire fabric surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple UV light sources are strategically positioned at different locations along the fabric support structure, with each source oriented to treat a specific zone. This creates localized optimal exposure in different areas, ensuring uniform overall sterilization coverage across the entire fabric length and width.
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 efficient warming and sanitizing of fabrics in an unenclosed setup, reducing bulk and complexity while ensuring even distribution of light for effective sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
The first light source may include one or more ultraviolet (UV) light sources
Implementation Method 2
one or more ultraviolet (UV) light sources configured to rotate about the rod and emit light across a fabric positioned on the rod
Implementation Method 3
A first reflector assembly may be rotatably coupled to the rod and configured to reflect at least a portion of light emitted by the first light source toward the rod
Implementation Method 4
The first light source may include one or more infrared (IR) light sources configured to rotate about the rod and emit light across a fabric positioned on the rod
Data Source
AI summary
A fabric warming rack comprises a rod extending along a horizontal plane and a first light source rotatably coupled to the rod and configured to rotate about the rod.