Lead Apron Rack Layout for Airflow and Anti-Tangling Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for hanging and storing x-ray lead aprons often result in tangling, bunching, and inadequate airflow, leading to premature wear, cracking, and reduced effectiveness due to improper storage practices.
Innovation Solution
A novel apron rack system featuring paired rungs angled to accommodate the apron's natural shape, allowing for easy hanging and storage without touching, promoting airflow, and incorporating thyroid shield rungs for dedicated storage, with a stable A-frame design and larger wheels for mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If x-ray lead aprons are hung on conventional pegs or support frames, then storage capacity is maximized within limited width, but the aprons become tangled and bunched together
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are segmented into multiple sections with rungs at different heights and positions, allowing aprons to be stored in separate zones rather than clustered together. This segmentation maintains high storage capacity while preventing tangling by distributing aprons across multiple spatial segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional single-plane peg storage to a three-dimensional structure with rungs at varying heights and depths. Aprons can be hung at different vertical levels and horizontal positions, utilizing multiple dimensions to increase storage capacity without increasing footprint and while maintaining easy accessibility.
2Quantity of substance
If x-ray lead aprons are forced together to maximize storage in limited width, then storage density increases, but wrinkles and cracks develop in the lead layer
Solution Approach 1:
The rungs are positioned to create optimal local spacing between aprons, ensuring each apron has sufficient clearance to prevent wrinkling while maintaining high overall storage density. The varied rung positions allow different local configurations that protect the lead layer integrity while maximizing storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing vertical height and horizontal depth dimensions through multi-level rungs, the system achieves high storage density without forcing aprons into close contact. The three-dimensional arrangement provides adequate spacing in all directions, preventing lead layer damage while maximizing the number of aprons stored.
3Ease of operation
If x-ray lead aprons are draped over chairs or tables for storage, then convenience is improved, but airflow is blocked and drying is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The apron storage system segments the apron body into multiple hanging points along its length via multiple rungs. This segmentation allows airflow to pass through and around different sections of the apron simultaneously, maintaining convenience while enabling comprehensive airflow exposure for efficient drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical arrangement of rungs at different heights creates three-dimensional airflow pathways around the aprons. Air can flow horizontally between aprons and vertically along their surfaces, providing multi-directional airflow exposure that accelerates drying while maintaining easy accessibility for users.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional wall mounted systems with small width are used, then space efficiency is improved, but aprons must be bunched together causing tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The system maximizes vertical space utilization with rungs arranged at multiple heights along the support arms, transforming a two-dimensional wall mounting problem into a three-dimensional storage solution. This allows numerous aprons to be stored in a compact footprint while maintaining proper spacing and preventing tangling through vertical distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple sections with rungs at different positions, creating segmented storage zones that distribute aprons throughout the available three-dimensional space. This segmentation enables high storage capacity in limited footprint while maintaining organized arrangement and preventing bunching.
Data Source
AI summary
An apron rack system includes a support frame, and at least two paired support arms attached to the support frame. The apron rack system includes at least one set of paired rungs projecting toward each other, attached to the at least two paired support arms, and providing an open space between the paired rungs through which a garment is hung from each of the paired rungs.