Multi-Tier Drying Rack with Independent Ventilation Control per Tier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ventilated drying racks with multiple tiers face inefficiencies in air flow distribution, where lower tiers obstruct hot air from reaching upper tiers, leading to reduced drying effectiveness and the need for separate drying steps for different fabric types.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a drying rack with independent ventilation for each tier, utilizing pipes to direct heated air flow directly to each tier and adjustable limiting means to control airflow, ensuring each tier is partially ventilated with fresh air and allowing for customizable ventilation and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fan generates hot air flow directed from support feet towards upper tiers, then energy consumption is reduced and structure is simplified, but lower tiers obstruct the air flow preventing it from reaching upper tiers effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single ventilation system into multiple independent fan units, each serving a specific tier. This segmentation allows each fan to directly supply air to its corresponding tier without obstruction from lower tiers, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective drying by distributing ventilation functions across multiple independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical distribution of air flow sources by placing fans at different heights corresponding to different tiers. This dimensional arrangement allows air to be supplied from multiple levels simultaneously, overcoming the obstruction problem where lower tiers blocked air flow to upper tiers in single-source systems.
2Device complexity
If air flow is directed from lower tiers towards upper tiers, then device structure is simplified, but the air flow becomes increasingly humid as it reaches higher tiers reducing drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air supply function by providing dedicated fans for each tier, ensuring that each tier receives fresh air directly from its own fan rather than receiving already-humidified air from lower tiers. This segmentation maintains drying effectiveness across all tiers while keeping the overall system conceptually simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces individual fan units as intermediaries between the air source and each tier, ensuring that fresh air is delivered directly to each tier without passing through humidifying clothes on lower tiers. These intermediary fans prevent cross-contamination of air flows between tiers.
3Device complexity
If only one fan is used for the entire drying rack, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot provide independent ventilation for different tiers or fabric types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ventilation system into multiple independent fan units, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation enables different ventilation modes for different tiers, allowing users to adapt the system to various fabric types and drying requirements while maintaining relatively simple individual fan components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ventilation system dynamic by allowing independent control of each fan unit. Users can activate or deactivate specific fans based on the fabric type and drying needs of clothes on different tiers, providing adaptability and versatility that a single static fan system cannot achieve.
4Adaptability or versatility
If clothes are hung in two separate steps (one with fan on, one with fan off) to accommodate different fabric delicacy, then ventilation adaptability is achieved, but drying time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fan control by tier, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple fans at different power levels or on/off states. This enables delicate fabrics on upper tiers to receive gentle ventilation while robust fabrics on lower tiers receive strong ventilation, all at the same time, eliminating the need for sequential drying steps and reducing total drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control where each fan can be independently adjusted based on the specific requirements of clothes on each tier. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to handle mixed fabric types simultaneously, avoiding the time loss associated with sequential drying operations while maintaining fabric care requirements.
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
This solution allows for autonomous and efficient ventilation of all tiers, ensuring that clothes on each level are dried effectively without humidification, enabling simultaneous drying of all clothes with customizable airflow and heat settings.
Implementation Method 1
a fan close to the support feet, by means of which fan, when activated, it is possible to generate an air flow directed towards the upper part of the drying rack
Implementation Method 2
The fan may be equipped with an electrical resistance heatable by Joule effect and arranged so as to intercept the air flow exiting the fan. Said air flow is thus heatable by forced convection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a drying rack (1) of the ventilated type comprising four hanging tiers (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) placed, two by two, on top of each other, a fan (10) for generating an air flow and a pair of pipes (11, 12) by means of which said air flow may be conveyed towards each of the hanging tiers. The drying rack (1) further comprises an electrical resistance (19) heatable by Joule effect, interposed between the fan (10) and the aforesaid pipes (11, 12). The resistance (19) intercepts the air flow generated by the fan (10) and, if fed, heats said air flow by forced convection. The pipes (11, 12) comprise, for each hanging tier, a mouth (14, 15, 17, 18) at which the air flow, exiting the pipe (11, 12), may be directed towards the tier. In particular, the exit of the air flow from the pipe (11, 12) occurs by means of a plurality of windows (22) which may be at least partially blocked by means of doors (23) which are shiftable in a controlled manner by a user of the drying rack (1). Said doors (23) allow to ventilate the hanging tiers (2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) autonomously from one another.