Rotatable Hook Clothes Hanger to Reduce Mechanism Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clothes hangers with complex clamping mechanisms are prone to failure, difficult to manufacture, and pose safety risks, making them unsuitable for travel due to metal detection issues and increased volume, necessitating a structurally simple and space-efficient solution.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional clothes hanger with a lightweight design featuring a hanger unit and a hook element where the clamping element is a bar connected to the bracket unit via a simple connecting element, allowing for easy production and compact storage, with a rotary hook mechanism that tolerates deformations and eliminates the need for multiple components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex clamping mechanism with wire linkage and pivot joints is used, then the hanger can securely hold garments, but the device becomes prone to failure and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holdingVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hanger is divided into distinct functional segments: a simple bar-shaped clamping element and a separate hook element that rotates independently. This segmentation eliminates complex linkages and pivot joints while maintaining secure holding capability through the independent rotation of the hook element relative to the clamping element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex wire linkage and pivot joint mechanisms are completely removed from the design. The invention extracts only the essential function of securing garments through a simple bar clamping element combined with a rotatable hook, eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity that caused failure and manufacturing difficulties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If metal wire is used for the linkage, then the hanger can withstand stress, but it triggers metal detectors and may be classified as a weapon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress resistanceVSAvoidmetal detection
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter is fundamentally changed from metal wire to non-metallic materials such as plastic or wood. This parameter change maintains the structural strength needed to withstand stress while eliminating the harmful effect of triggering metal detectors and potential weapon classification, allowing travel with the hanger in hand luggage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a rotatable hook element protruding beyond the bracket unit is used, then the clamping element can be fixed in position, but the hanger volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping position fixationVSAvoidhanger volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hook element is designed to nest within or alongside the clamping element when not in use, minimizing the overall volume of the hanger. The rotatable hook element can be positioned within the space occupied by the clamping bar, allowing the clamping element to be fixed in its clamping position while keeping the hanger compact for storage and travel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual components are used, then the hanger can perform multiple functions, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemultifunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element and hook element are merged into a single integrated component or closely coupled assembly, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts. This merging maintains the multifunctional capability of the hanger while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost through fewer components requiring assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 durable, easy-to-use, and space-saving clothes hanger suitable for travel, reducing the risk of metal detection and injury, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture with fewer components.

Implementation Method 1

The clamping element (25) can be pressed against a surface of the bracket unit (2) by means of the clamping bracket (35) when the hook element (3) is in the use position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3677154B1Clothing hanger
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 RIEGELHOF DIETER
  • EP3677154B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3677154B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3677154B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A clothes hanger (1) comprises a hanger unit (2) and a hook element (3), wherein the hanger unit (2) includes a clamping element (25) for securing a garment, the hook element (3) being rotatably attached to the hanger unit (2). The hook element (3) has a clamping bracket (35), wherein the clamping element (25) can be pressed against the surface of the hanger unit (2) by means of the clamping bracket (35) when the hook element (3) is in the operating position.