Heated outdoor storage assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage assemblies for towels and robes do not effectively warm and dry items in cold outdoor environments, particularly near hot tubs, as they lack integrated heating and air circulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly with a housing that includes a heating module, air-permeable shelves, and a blower module to warm and dry items, featuring a hinged door, locking mechanism, and shelves that extend between opposing sides of the housing, with a controller to manage heating and a blower for air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a storage assembly is placed in a cold outdoor environment, then it provides storage functionality, but it cannot effectively warm and dry items stored within it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines storage functionality with heating and drying capabilities by integrating a heating element and air circulation system within the storage assembly housing, transforming a simple storage unit into a multi-functional device that maintains warmth and dries items simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The storage assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: storing items, heating the stored items, circulating air throughout the storage space, and drying moisture from items. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address both storage needs and thermal management requirements in outdoor environments
2Temperature
If a heating module is added to the storage assembly, then it can warm items, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating module, air circulation system, and storage shelves are integrated into a single unified housing structure, eliminating the need for separate standalone devices and reducing overall system complexity despite adding heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support for shelves, acts as an enclosure for the heating element, facilitates air circulation through its design, and protects internal components. This multi-functional housing reduces the need for additional separate components
3Quantity of substance
If shelves are added to the storage assembly, then storage capacity increases, but air circulation may be blocked reducing drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are designed with an open slat configuration that allows air to pass through them freely, maintaining effective air circulation throughout the storage assembly while still providing adequate support for storing items on multiple levels
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 assembly efficiently warms and dries towels and robes by circulating heated air, making them available for use after a hot tub session and ensuring they are dry for storage.
Implementation Method 1
A heating module that is coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space proximate to a bottom of the housing is configured to heat the air to warm and dry the article
Implementation Method 2
A blower module that is coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space proximate to the heating module is configured to circulate the air through the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A heated outdoor storage assembly for warming and drying towels includes a housing that defines an interior space. An aperture that is positioned in a front of the housing is configured to allow access to the interior space. A door that is hingedly coupled to the housing is positioned to be selectively hinged to the housing to close the aperture. A set of shelves, which is selectively couplable to the housing so that each shelf extends between opposing sides of the housing, is configured to stow an article. Each of a set of slots is positioned in a respective shelf so that the set of slots is configured to allow flow of air through the set of shelves. A heating module coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space proximate to a bottom of the housing is configured to heat the air to warm and dry the article.