Garment Drying Rack with Automated Moisture Sensing and Notification

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience in determining the dryness level of garments on a drying rack, as they need to continually check for dampness, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A drying system that includes a controller, smart garments with position and moisture sensors, and a virtual map interface, which registers garment locations and monitors dryness levels, sending notifications when a predetermined dryness threshold is reached, allowing users to track dryness without constant checking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users continually check garments for dampness to determine dryness level, then they can ensure garments are fully dry, but it is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedryness determination accuracyVSAvoidtime for checking dryness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The garment itself performs the detection function through an integrated moisture sensor that automatically monitors its own dryness level without requiring user intervention. The sensor continuously measures moisture content and communicates with a controller to determine when the garment is dry, eliminating the need for manual checking while ensuring reliable dryness determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback through moisture sensors embedded in the garment that continuously monitor dryness levels and communicate with a controller. The controller receives real-time moisture data, compares it against predetermined thresholds, and provides feedback to the user when the garment reaches the desired dryness level, eliminating manual checking while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If users place garments on a drying rack for natural drying, then energy consumption is reduced compared to using a dryer, but users cannot easily track dryness progress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption for dryingVSAvoiddryness status information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback through moisture sensors embedded in the garment that continuously monitor dryness levels and communicate with a controller. The controller receives real-time moisture data, compares it against predetermined thresholds, and provides feedback to the user when the garment reaches the desired dryness level, eliminating manual checking while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical checking of garment dryness with electronic moisture sensors and automated control systems. The sensors electronically detect moisture content and transmit data to a controller, which automatically determines dryness status and notifies the user, substituting the mechanical action of touching and feeling the garment with electronic detection methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If a drying system with sensors and controllers is implemented, then automated dryness monitoring is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated dryness monitoringVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The garment itself performs the detection function through an integrated moisture sensor that automatically monitors its own dryness level without requiring user intervention. The sensor continuously measures moisture content and communicates with a controller to determine when the garment is dry, eliminating the need for manual checking while ensuring reliable dryness determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that receives moisture sensor data from the garment, processes the information against predetermined thresholds, and generates notifications to the user. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic and separating the sensing function from the notification function, making the system more manageable despite the added automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system automates the monitoring of garment dryness, reducing user effort by providing timely notifications and estimated drying times, enabling users to manage drying cycles more efficiently and effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The processor may receive dryness data for the one or more garments from a moisture sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoisture sensing: Hygrometer

Data Source

PatentUS11754339B2Cognitive dryness determination of garments

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Provided is a method, computer program product, and drying system for determining a dryness level of a garment. A processor of a controller may receive location data from a position sensor. The location data indicates a position of one or more garments on a drying rack. The processor may register the location of the one or more garments on a virtual map of the drying rack displayed on a user interface of the controller. The processor may receive dryness data for the one or more garments from a moisture sensor. The processor may compare the dryness data to a dryness threshold. In response to the dryness data meeting the dryness threshold, the processor may push a notification to a user.