Towel rack with multiple usage modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional folding towel racks have limited adjustable angles and lack safety features, often falling when not in use and occupying excessive space due to fixed rotation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A towel rack with multiple usage modes featuring adjustable large and small skeletons, controlled by buttons that allow for various angle settings through rotation positioning members and return springs, ensuring quick adjustment and locking, enhancing safety and space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the towel rack uses a fixed rotation mechanism with positioning platforms, then the structure is simple, but the adjustable angle is limited and safety is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable angleVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed rotation mechanism into a dynamic adjustable structure. The skeleton components can rotate relative to each other around mounting holes, allowing the towel rack to adapt to different angles (0-90 degrees) while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of existing mounting holes as rotation centers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The towel rack is divided into segmented skeleton components (first skeleton, second skeleton, third skeleton, fourth skeleton) that can independently rotate and adjust relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently, providing versatile angle adjustment while keeping the overall structure simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the towel rack is designed to fold for space saving, then space efficiency improves, but the rack may fall and hit people without proper restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupiedVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing stoppers on the skeleton components that prevent excessive rotation. These stoppers are positioned to limit the folding angle, ensuring the rack cannot fall completely flat and potentially hit people, while still allowing sufficient folding for space saving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates safety features in advance through the positioning platforms and stoppers that are pre-installed on the wall and skeleton components. These features provide automatic protection against falling hazards before any accident can occur, allowing the rack to be folded for space saving without creating safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the towel rack uses positioning platforms to limit rotation, then rotation control is achieved, but the adjustment is not quick and labor-saving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment convenienceVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service adjustment through the gravity-assisted rotation mechanism. When the skeleton components are rotated to different positions, the gravity centers naturally guide the components to stable positions, and the stoppers automatically engage to lock the position. This eliminates the need for manual locking operations, making adjustment quick and labor-saving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler gravity-based positioning system. The positioning platforms and stoppers work passively with gravity to control rotation and maintain position, eliminating the need for screws, clips, or other active locking mechanisms, thereby reducing adjustment time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 towel rack provides multi-angle adjustment, easy assembly, and high safety performance, preventing falls and optimizing space usage with its locking mechanism, allowing for versatile positioning.

Implementation Method 1

a first return spring sheathed on the first connecting screw, one end of the first return spring connecting to the first positioning wheel and the other end connecting to the inner wall of the first connecting rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9888767B1Towel rack with multiple usage modes

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 GUANGZHOU SEAGULL KITCHEN AND BATH PRODUCTS CO LTD

AI summary

A towel rack with multiple usage modes, comprising: first connecting rod; second connecting rod; pair of large skeletons, first upper rod of left side large skeleton and right side large skeleton connecting to first connecting rod by first, second rotation positioning member, respectively, pair of large skeletons and first connecting rod being in relative rotation state or locked state when pressing or releasing first button; pair of small skeletons, second upper rod of left side small skeleton connecting to first lower rod of left side large skeleton, and second upper rod of right side small skeleton connecting to first lower rod of right side large skeleton through third and fourth rotation positioning member, respectively, pair of small skeletons and large skeletons being in relative rotation state when pressing second button.