Foldable drying rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding drying racks require laborious and complicated deployment and folding processes, making them cumbersome for users.
Innovation Solution
A folding drying rack design featuring a groove/notch/stud mechanism for permanent mechanical fastening, allowing the crutch frame to hold the support frame in position through a sliding pin that locks unidirectionally in a notch, simplifying the transition between deployed and folded states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If removable mechanical connection by means of a fork arrangement is used between crutch frame and base frame, then the drying rack can be folded, but the deployment and folding operations become laborious and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex fork arrangement connection and replaces it with a simpler permanent mechanical pivoting connection. The crutch frame is directly pivoted to the base frame without intermediate fork arrangements, eliminating the need for removable connections while maintaining folding capability. This reduces the number of operation steps and simplifies the deployment and folding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the connection functions by using permanent mechanical pivoting connections that serve both as structural support and as folding joints. The articulation points between crutch frame and base frame, and between support frame and crutch frame, are integrated into single pivoting joints rather than separate removable connections, thereby simplifying the overall structure and operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanent mechanical pivoting connection is used between support frame and crutch frame, then the structure is stable, but the joints become complex and operation becomes long and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct permanent pivoting joints at specific locations. Each joint (between support frame and crutch frame, and between crutch frame and base frame) is independently designed as a simple articulation point. This segmentation allows each joint to perform its function with minimal complexity while maintaining overall structural stability through the coordinated action of multiple joints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex articulated parts are used for crutch frame and tie rod element, then the drying rack can be folded, but the joints become complex and operation becomes long and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex articulated parts and tie rod element with fork arrangements. Instead, it uses simple permanent mechanical pivoting connections between the crutch frame and base frame, and between the support frame and crutch frame. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains the folding capability while dramatically simplifying the joint design and operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~5
Figure 6~7B
AI summary
The invention relates to a drying rack (1) comprising a clothes support frame (2) and a support wing (3) which are assembled so as to have hinges (8), (10) spaced apart on a bearing means (9), and arranged such that, in the unfolded state, they engage via a grooved (21)/notched (22)/studded (23) permanent mechanical connection means (20), including a groove (21) having a notch (22) that has a bottom (30) and is divergent and localized, provided on the support frame (2) and a stud (23) provided on the support wing (3), such that the groove (21) is located in the shell of the support frame (2), the stud (23) is mounted in the groove (21) so as to be slidable therein, in the unfolded state, the stud (23) is accommodated and unidirectionally locked in the groove (22), when the drying rack (1) is unfolded, the stud (23) slides in the groove (21) and enters the notch (22) by means of gravity so as to become accommodated therein and unidirectionally locked on the bottom (30) of same, when the drying rack (1) is folded, the stud (23) slides in the groove (21) and moves past the notch (22) without entering same, the sliding path of the stud (23) in the groove (21) corresponding to the pivoting path of the support frame (2) and of the support wing (3) between the folded and unfolded states.