Drying apparatus and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying methods, such as towel drying, are inefficient and resource-intensive, leading to inadequate drying, particularly in areas like gyms and hotels, and contribute to high water consumption and energy use.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus comprising a primary and secondary drying module with movable air outlets that direct airflow from different positions around the body to a common longitudinal axis, reducing reliance on towels and optimizing drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If towel drying is used, then drying of the body can be achieved, but water consumption and energy use increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of towels (manual drying) with an automated air drying system that uses airflow generators to direct high-velocity air streams across the user's body, eliminating the need for physical towel contact and significantly reducing water consumption associated with laundering towels
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service drying where the user positions themselves in front of the apparatus and the automated airflow system performs the drying function without requiring manual intervention with towels, making the process more efficient and resource-conserving
2Loss of time
If towel drying is used, then drying can be performed, but time consumption increases particularly for hair and feet
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into multiple airflow generators positioned at different locations to target specific body areas simultaneously - with specialized attention to problem areas like feet and hair, enabling comprehensive drying of the entire body in parallel rather than sequential towel drying
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or continuous high-velocity air streams that accelerate the evaporation process, creating sustained drying action that is more effective and faster than intermittent towel rubbing, ensuring complete drying even in difficult-to-reach areas
3Reliability
If multiple towels are used frequently, then drying effectiveness improves, but environmental impact increases due to laundry loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the entire towel-based mechanical drying system with an automated pneumatic drying system that uses controlled air flow to remove moisture, eliminating the need for multiple towels and the energy-intensive laundry process associated with washing and drying towels
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the drying process by using high-velocity air flow instead of contact-based towel absorption, fundamentally altering how moisture is removed from the body and eliminating the resource consumption associated with textile-based drying
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 apparatus effectively and efficiently dries the body, reducing bacterial and fungal growth risks while minimizing water and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow generator to receive inlet air from the first air inlet and generate a primary airflow wherein the primary airflow is exhausted from the bar air outlet
Implementation Method 2
a second flow generator to receive inlet air from the second air inlet and generate a secondary airflow; and a second air outlet in the housing for exhausting the secondary airflow from the second flow generator
Implementation Method 3
Given the right environment, such moisture may evaporate away on its own
Data Source
AI summary
A drying arrangement includes a primary drying module having: a body, a bar movable relative to the body, the bar having an air outlet for exhausting an airflow in a first airflow direction; and a secondary drying module having a housing, the housing having an air outlet for exhausting an airflow in a second airflow direction; wherein the first airflow direction and the second airflow direction differ from one another.