Heated Drying Rack With Sliding Base for Flexible Indoor Drying

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile drying racks face challenges in drying performance due to limited configuration and inability to function effectively in non-laundry drying scenarios, especially in unheated and humid environments.

Innovation Solution

A mobile drying rack with a frame of vertical uprights and horizontal bars incorporating electrical heating elements, a temperature adjustment device, and a pivotable base that can adjust to multiple positions, allowing for efficient drying and auxiliary heating functions, even when not in use for laundry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drying rack has a fixed configuration, then the structure is simple and stable, but the drying performance is limited in varying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drying rack employs adjustable uprights that can be repositioned along the base using sliding joints with locking mechanisms. This dynamic configuration allows the rack to adapt to different drying needs and space constraints, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack is divided into modular components including separate uprights, base sections, and locking joints. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each component, allowing the structure to maintain stability while providing multiple configuration options for optimal drying performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drying rack is used exclusively for drying laundry, then the design is specialized and efficient, but it becomes useless for other purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemultifunctionalityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying rack incorporates heating elements within the base structure, enabling it to function both as a drying rack and as an electric heater. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve different purposes - drying laundry when needed, and providing ambient heating when not in use - without significantly increasing design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the drying rack is folded flat for storage, then it occupies minimal space, but it cannot be used for drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drying rack features collapsible uprights that can be folded parallel to the base for compact storage, yet can be quickly deployed to various angles for drying operations. The sliding joints with locking mechanisms enable easy transition between compact and functional states, maintaining ease of operation throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the uprights are fixed at a single angle, then the structure is stable, but the drying performance varies in different environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying performanceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The uprights are designed with sliding joints that allow continuous angle adjustment while maintaining structural stability at each locked position. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of drying performance for different environmental conditions without requiring complex mechanisms, as the locking joints provide stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack allows modification of geometric parameters (angle of uprights, spacing between them) to adapt to varying environmental conditions. By changing these parameters, the drying surface area and air circulation patterns can be optimized for different humidity and temperature conditions, improving drying performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances drying performance, provides multifunctionality as an electric towel dryer and auxiliary heater, and is space-efficient and easy to use, with adjustable inclination and wall-mounting capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

electrical heating cords integrated in the bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2881513B1Mobile drying rack for drying laundry
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 TEXAS DE FRANCE (SARL)
  • EP2881513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2881513B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2881513B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile drying rack for drying laundry comprising: - a frame which, in use, is formed of uprights (2) which are vertical, or inclined from 1° to 45° with respect to the vertical, and between which are interposed several horizontal bars (3) forming a laundry rack, - electric heating cords integrated in the bars (2), - a temperature adjustment device (4) connected to the electric heating cords, which device is fixed to the frame, - a power supply cable (42) connected to the temperature adjustment device (4), which cable is provided with a mains plug (420) intended to be connected in a removable manner to a power socket, - a base (5) pivotally connected to the frame, which base is movable between a passive position where it is retracted behind the frame and an active position where it is moved away from said frame so as to form with the uprights (2) a easel serving as a support on the ground to the drying rack (1), - the base (5) is formed of two parallel legs (50) between which are interposed drying elements (51), which legs are fixed to the uprights (2) by means of joints (53) ensuring the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position, characterized by the fact that the joints (530) are mounted sliding along the uprights (2), locking means making it possible to lock said joints in position on these amounts.