Shoe Care Apparatus Automatic Duct Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shoe care apparatuses face challenges in preventing foreign substances from entering the blow duct and in providing increased usability, especially when caring for complexly structured shoes like limited-edition models.

Innovation Solution

A shoe care apparatus that automatically opens and closes a blow duct based on the presence or absence of a supporter, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the duct and enhancing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blow duct is kept open for continuous operation, then the shoe care apparatus can maintain operational readiness, but foreign substances may enter the blow duct causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidforeign substance contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supply door is opened in advance before the shoe care operation begins, allowing the blow duct to be ready for immediate operation. The door remains open during the care process to maintain airflow, and is closed after operation completes to prevent contamination. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring operational readiness while minimizing contamination risk through timed opening/closing sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The supply door transitions from a static open/closed state to a dynamic state that automatically adjusts based on operational needs. The door opens when a shoe care apparatus is placed on the supporter and closes when removed, creating a responsive system that maintains operational readiness only when needed, thereby preventing foreign substance entry during idle periods while ensuring availability during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the blow duct is kept closed to prevent foreign substance entry, then contamination is avoided, but the apparatus cannot respond quickly when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance preventionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The supply door is opened in advance before the shoe care operation begins, allowing the blow duct to be ready for immediate operation. The door remains open during the care process to maintain airflow, and is closed after operation completes to prevent contamination. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring operational readiness while minimizing contamination risk through timed opening/closing sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects when a shoe care apparatus is placed on the supporter and autonomously opens the supply door, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The door closes automatically when the apparatus is removed. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing immediate response to operational needs while maintaining contamination prevention through automated timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual control of the blow duct is used, then the structure can be simple, but the usability and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism simplicityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when a shoe care apparatus is placed on the supporter and autonomously opens the supply door, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The door closes automatically when the apparatus is removed. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing immediate response to operational needs while maintaining contamination prevention through automated timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The supply door serves multiple functions: it controls airflow to the blow duct, prevents foreign substance entry, and automatically responds to operational status changes. By integrating these functions into a single automated mechanism, the system maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving ease of operation and user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4173545B1Shoe care apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

This shoe care apparatus comprises: a cabinet forming a care chamber and including a supply port; a supply duct provided to supply air to the care chamber via the supply port; a supporter located in the care chamber and provided so as to communicate with the supply duct; and a supporter rail disposed in the supply port, the supporter rail being provided to open the supply port when the supporter is being mounted to the supporter rail and close the supply port when the supporter is being separated from the supporter rail.