Pivotal Projection Panel for Apparel Drying
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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 decor, lacking convenience and aesthetic appeal while being inefficient in drying footwear and handwear.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted panel with retractable, pivotally mounted projections that emit a flow of heated air to dry apparel, allowing for efficient drying and aesthetic integration by retracting into the panel when not in use, featuring a design inspired by the 'Piano Coat Rack'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wall-mounted racks with rigidly mounted extensions are used for distributing air, then drying function is provided, but the device becomes cumbersome and does not blend with decor
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is pivotally mounted to the panel, allowing it to rotate between an extended position (when apparel is hung) and a retracted position (when not in use). This dynamic mechanism enables the device to adapt its structure based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between providing drying function and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying device is segmented into a fixed panel and a movable projection that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the projection to be extended only when needed for drying, while the main panel remains a clean, decorative surface, thus reducing overall device complexity in its inactive state.
2Productivity
If projections are extended to receive apparel, then drying efficiency is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projection's ability to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states allows the system to optimize for either drying efficiency or aesthetic appearance depending on the operational context. When apparel needs drying, the projection extends; when not in use, it retracts to maintain aesthetic appearance.
3Shape
If retractable projections are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal mounting mechanism provides a relatively simple dynamic solution compared to more complex retractable mechanisms. The projection can be rotated on a pivot point, which is mechanically straightforward while still achieving the desired aesthetic effect of having a clean panel surface when not in use.
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 projections that emit heated air, addressing the inefficiencies and bulkiness of prior solutions while maintaining a decorative appearance.
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
Implementation Method 2
contact and at least partially dry the apparel received by the projection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Assemblies (10) and methods for drying apparel, for example, footwear or gloves, are provided. The assemblies (10) include a panel (12); projections or pegs (14, 16) pivotally mounted to the panel, the projections each having an inlet (53), an outlet (37), an internal passage (17) communicating the inlet to the outlet, and the projections (14, 16) can be oriented in a position adapted to receive the apparel; and a source of air (64) having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlets (53) of the projections (14, 16). The air, for example, from a fan, passes into the inlets (53) of the projections (14, 16), through the internal passages (17), and out of the outlets (37) to contact and dry the apparel mounted on the projections (14, 16). The methods may include heating the air to enhance the drying. Projection modules (22) that can be pivotally mounted to extend and retract into the panel (12) are also disclosed. The retracted projection may be flush with the panel when not in use.