Foldable Heated Drying Rack with Segmented Frame for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated clothes racks or stands are bulky, inconvenient for transportation and storage, and require separate delivery to the consumer, violating CE and GS marking requirements due to proximity of heating elements to users.
Innovation Solution
A compact foldable drying apparatus with rotatable and slidable elongate segments that enclose electrical heating elements, allowing for a compact storage state and easy assembly into an operational drying position, with protected electrical conductors to meet safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If heated clothes racks are made collapsible to reduce storage volume, then storage and transportation convenience is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and delivery logistics remain problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is divided into multiple elongate segments that can be collapsed relative to each other, reducing the overall volume of the device for storage and transportation while maintaining structural integrity during use
Solution Approach 2:
The arm assemblies are designed to nest within or alongside the support frame segments when collapsed, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall footprint during storage and shipping
2Use of energy by moving object
If heating elements are placed close to users for effective warming, then heating efficiency is improved, but safety compliance becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Protective barriers or enclosures are introduced as intermediary elements between the heating elements and users, allowing the heating elements to remain positioned for effective warming while preventing direct contact or excessive heat exposure to users
Solution Approach 2:
Heat-resistant protective coatings or thin film barriers are applied to components that may come into contact with users, providing thermal protection while maintaining the heating efficiency of the underlying elements
3Device complexity
If electrical conductors are exposed during folding for simplicity, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to conductor abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible protective sheaths or conduits are used to enclose the electrical conductors along the folding joints, preventing abrasion and damage during repeated folding and unfolding cycles while maintaining electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
Protective coverings are pre-installed on conductors before assembly, providing advance protection against mechanical damage that would occur during normal folding operations
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 convenient transportation and storage, reduces delivery costs, and ensures safety compliance by maintaining electrical conductors away from abrasion during folding, allowing for efficient heating and drying of clothes.
Implementation Method 1
enclosing electrical heating elements therein
Implementation Method 2
for warming/drying clothes, bed linen, towels
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
There is provided embodiments of a compact heated foldable drying apparatus. The drying apparatus has at least first and second arm assemblies each comprising a plurality of spaced apart members enclosing electrical heating elements therein supported by at least first and second support frame members comprising a plurality of elongate segments. At least one set of electrical conductors are supplied by the first and second support frame members to each of the first and second arm assemblies and the electrical heating elements therein. Adjacent elongate segments of each of the support frame members are at least partially rotatably connected by a spanning member and at least one set of electrical conductors therebetween, and wherein the adjacent elongate segments are movable between: a first state in which the longitudinal axis thereof are substantially in alignment; and a second state in which the longitudinal axis thereof are offset from each other.