Method and apparatus with inner blocking mesh for drying wetsuits within a car

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for drying wet items in a car fail to prevent parts of the item from falling into the door seal, causing improper door closure and moisture retention, and require removal before exiting the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A casing with a waterproof front sheet and mesh back sheet, a drain sleeve, and an inner blocking mesh to prevent item parts from entering the door seal while allowing moisture to exit, combined with a hanger system for easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a drain sleeve is used to allow moisture to exit, then drying efficiency is improved, but parts of the wet item fall into the sleeve causing door closure problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoiddoor closure reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drain sleeve is segmented into an outer sleeve and an inner blocking mesh, creating distinct functional zones: the outer sleeve provides the drainage passage while the inner mesh prevents item parts from entering, thus resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and door closure reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner blocking mesh acts as an intermediary element between the wet item and the drain sleeve passage. It allows moisture to pass through while blocking solid particles, enabling both efficient drying and proper door closure without requiring removal of the apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the apparatus is hung on the ceiling handle, then drying function is provided, but passenger access is blocked when exiting the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying functionVSAvoidpassenger access
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus transitions from a static ceiling-mounted position to a dynamic door-integrated position. The lower rod with hanging hooks allows the apparatus to be moved and secured in the door's vertical niche, enabling passenger access while maintaining the drying function through the mesh back sheet and drain sleeve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the mesh back sheet allows air passage for drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but water may penetrate to the passenger compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidwater penetration to passenger compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back sheet has differentiated local qualities: the upper portion is waterproof to prevent water penetration to the passenger compartment, while the lower mesh portion allows air passage for drying. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between drying efficiency and water protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures proper door closure and efficient moisture evacuation, allowing drying within the vehicle without interfering with passenger access.

Implementation Method 1

The goal is to enable the passage of air into the casing and outside of the casing, in order to help the wet water suit hanged inside the casing to dry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The drain sleeve is connected to the bottom portion (11) of the casing and is terminates in a bottom drain opening (61) through which the water and moisture can exit from the drain sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4699496A1Method and apparatus with inner blocking mesh for drying wetsuits within a car
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LIVING IN SUNSHINE LLC
  • EP4699496A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699496A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4699496A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A method and apparatus for drying a water suit within a passenger cabin of a car that includes a casing, a drain sleeve, and an inner blocking mesh. The casing includes a front waterproof sheet and a back mesh sheet and accommodates a hanger for the water suit. The casing is suspended by a hanging strip. The drain sleeve is configured to be positioned between the passenger door and the chassis to enable water and moisture to pass from the sleeve to outside the car. The inner blocking mesh is attached to the casing or to the drain sleeve to prevent parts of the suit from falling into the drain sleeve to eliminate possibility of the passenger door failing to closed properly and to ensure unimpeded passage of water and moisture through the drain sleeve to the outside of the car.