Foldable Bamboo Drying Rack Design for Stability and Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchenware drying racks face environmental concerns due to material degradation and high production costs, with plastic racks being short-lived and costly to dispose of, and metal racks being expensive to produce and prone to rusting.

Innovation Solution

A foldable kitchenware drying rack made from sustainable materials like bamboo or wood laminations, with corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners and a design that includes pivoting legs and lock members for stability and easy storage, ensuring improved air circulation and preventing mold growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If plastic is used for the drying rack, then convenience is improved, but durability deteriorates and environmental cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconvenienceVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to wood, transforming the drying rack from a non-durable but convenient product to a durable while maintaining convenience through proper wood treatment and design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction by laminating multiple layers of wood together, creating a material that combines the durability of wood with improved structural integrity and resistance to moisture, thereby resolving the contradiction between convenience and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If metal is used for the drying rack, then durability is improved, but production cost increases and rusting occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidrusting

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to wood, eliminating the rusting problem while maintaining durability through proper wood selection and lamination techniques that create a moisture-resistant structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction by laminating multiple layers of wood with adhesive, creating a durable structure that resists moisture and rot, thereby achieving metal-level durability without the harmful rusting effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the drying rack is made non-foldable, then stability is improved, but storage space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the legs foldable while maintaining stability when deployed, allowing the drying rack to transition between a compact storage state and a stable operational state, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and storage space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11717135B1Foldable kitchenware drying rack

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 WOOD ZAK

AI summary

A foldable kitchenware drying rack has a base section, a primary support section with pivoting rear legs pivotally connected to the base section, a secondary support section pivotally connected to pivoting rear legs, and pivoting front legs pivotally connected to the base section. The pivoting rear legs are locked in an unfolded condition by removable rear leg lock members, and the pivoting front legs are stably supported by a front cross member of the base section in an unfolded condition.