This product moves a towel while drying to keep it from stiffening.
A pressure sensor or load-cell may detect when a towel has been replaced on the rack. Then, at certain times, the rod is moved, imparting motion to the towel.
For the S-curve design, it is simply rotated -- one rotation in each direction so as not to dump the towel on the floor. This imparts a good variety of motions.
For the U-curve design, it imparts a kick, which should propagate down the towel. The motion is length-wise. If unidirection motion is insufficient, the rigidty of the rod may be loosened, and each end may kick at different times.
The design trade-offs have to do with power consumption and noise.
Research is needed to determine the optimal strategy during the drying cycle.
For a non-electronic version, one may put a key on the end. Then the user may wind it up, and let it go continuously until the spring runs out.
Voting
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ABOUT THE ENTRANT
- Name:Jeff Kaylin
- Type of entry:individual
- Profession:
- Number of times previously entering contest:1
- Jeff's favorite design and analysis tools:Altera Max+II
Xilinx Design Manager 4.1i - Jeff's hobbies and activities:19th Century Literature. Choir.
- Jeff belongs to these online communities:none
- Jeff is inspired by:inconvenience -- the Mother of Invention.
- Software used for this entry:Visual Basic, Paint
- Patent status:none