Pivotal Apparel Drying Projections for Aesthetic Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparel drying solutions, such as wall-mounted racks and boot dryers, are often cumbersome and do not blend well with home or resort décor, lacking convenience and aesthetic appeal while being inefficient in drying footwear and handwear.

Innovation Solution

A wall-mounted apparel drying assembly featuring retractable, pivotally mounted projections with hollow and perforated pegs that emit heated air to dry hung apparel, allowing for aesthetic integration and efficient drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional wall-mounted racks with rigid conduits and tubes are used for drying apparel, then drying function is provided, but the device is cumbersome and does not blend with home or resort décor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidcumbersome structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is made pivotally mounted rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to rotate between an extended drying position and a retracted aesthetic position. This dynamic mounting enables the same component to serve both functional and decorative purposes at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The projection incorporates a hollow interior with internal passages specifically designed to channel drying air, while the exterior surface is shaped to match the decorative panel. This local differentiation allows the projection to fulfill both aerodynamic requirements for drying and aesthetic requirements for décor integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If retractable pegs are used to improve aesthetic appearance, then the device blends better with décor, but the mechanism for retractability adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidpivotal mounting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is made pivotally mounted rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to rotate between an extended drying position and a retracted aesthetic position. This dynamic mounting enables the same component to serve both functional and decorative purposes at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If hollow perforated pegs with internal passages are used to distribute drying air, then drying efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidpeg structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is designed as a hollow structure with internal passages and external perforations, creating a porous-like flow distribution system. This allows drying air to be channeled through the projection and emitted at multiple points, improving drying efficiency while the hollow construction can be achieved through standard manufacturing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Ease of operation

If the projection is extended to receive apparel, then drying function is activated, but the projection protrudes from the panel surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying functionalityVSAvoidpanel surface alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The projection is made pivotally mounted rather than rigidly fixed, allowing it to rotate between an extended drying position and a retracted aesthetic position. This dynamic mounting enables the same component to serve both functional and decorative purposes at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and efficient method for drying footwear and handwear by using retractable pegs that pivotally mount to a panel, directing heated air to dry apparel while maintaining a decorative appearance when not in use.

Implementation Method 1

a source of pressurized air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the projection; wherein the pressurized air passes into the inlet of the projection, through the internal passage, and out of the at least one outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized air flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the pressurized air passes into the inlet of the projection, through the internal passage, and out of the at least one outlet to contact and at least partially dry the apparel received by the projection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10718565B2Methods of drying apparel and apparel drying assemblies

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 HINKEY LAWRENCE A

AI summary

Assemblies and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies include a panel; projections or pegs pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passage communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets of the projections. The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets of the projections, through the internal passages, and out of the outlets to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections. The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.