Rotary clothes drier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotary clothes dryers require users to bend down to operate the lift device due to the low positioning of the hoisting line, and they are prone to dirt, moisture, or small animals entering the standpipe when open, leading to functional restrictions and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A sliding element is positioned above the sliding joint during the opening movement, allowing a higher deflection point for the lifting line and covering the openings in the standpipe wall when the dryer is open, thus reducing the need for users to bend and preventing contaminants from entering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hoisting line is attached directly to the sliding joint, then the structure is simple, but the user must bend down to operate it which reduces ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating height of hoisting lineVSAvoidstructure of lifting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sliding element is introduced as an intermediary component between the standpipe and the sliding joint. This sliding element carries the hoisting line attachment point at a higher position, allowing users to operate the dryer without bending down, while the sliding element itself moves synchronously with the sliding joint to maintain functional simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the standpipe has openings for functional mechanisms, then the mechanism can access external components, but dirt and moisture can enter the standpipe interior causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to external componentsVSAvoiddirt and moisture penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element acts as a flexible barrier that covers the openings in the standpipe wall during operation. As the sliding element moves up and down with the sliding joint, it dynamically seals the openings, preventing dirt and moisture from entering the standpipe interior while still allowing the functional mechanisms to access external components when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elevates the hoisting line's end to a more comfortable gripping height, enhancing user convenience and reducing the risk of dirt, moisture, or small animals entering the standpipe, thereby improving the operational ease and longevity of the dryer.

Implementation Method 1

a sliding element which precedes the sliding joint during at least part of the opening movement is arranged above the sliding joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

allowing a higher deflection point for the lifting line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical redirection: Pulley

Data Source

PatentEP2522770B1Rotary clothes drier
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 LEIFHEIT
  • EP2522770B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2522770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2522770B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The dryer (1) has a slip joint (3) displaceably mounted along a stand pipe (2) for opening the dryer. Support arms (4) of the dryer are hinged at the slip joint. The slip joint is transferred from a lower position into an upper position by actuating a lifting device i.e. lifting cord. The dryer is closed in the lower position and opened in the upper position. A sliding element is arranged above the slip joint and runs ahead of the slip joint by a part of an opening movement. Openings are formed in a region of an upper end of the pipe. The sliding element is formed by a slip joint projection.