IOT-ENABLED SMART CLOTH DRYER STAND WITH HOT BLOWER, AUTOMATIC CLOTH IRONING, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand equipped with a hot air blower, automatic ironing mechanism, and an antimicrobial atmosphere generator. The system is designed to efficiently dry, de-wrinkle, and sanitize clothes in a single integrated process. The hot air blower utilizes adjustable airflow to provide uniform drying, while moisture sensors optimize drying time and energy usage. An automatic ironing mechanism applies heat and pressure to remove wrinkles, with adjustable settings for different fabric types and an optional steam function. The antimicrobial atmosphere is created using UV-C light and ionization to neutralize bacteria, fungi, and viruses, ensuring the clothes are hygienically clean. The entire system is controlled remotely via an IoT-connected mobile app, allowing users to customize settings, monitor progress, and receive notifications. The invention is equipped with safety features, including overheat protection, UV shielding, and automatic shut-off. This device offers a comprehensive solution for drying, ironing, and sanitizing clothes, suitable for both domestic and commercial applications.

Specification

Description:[014] The following sections of this article will provide various embodiments of the current invention with references to the accompanying drawings, whereby the reference numbers utilised in the picture correspond to like elements throughout the description. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiment described here and may be embodied in several other ways. Instead, the embodiment is included to ensure that this disclosure is extensive and complete and that individuals of ordinary skill in the art are properly informed of the extent of the invention. Numerical values and ranges are given for many parts of the implementations discussed in the following thorough discussion. These numbers and ranges are merely to be used as examples and are not meant to restrict the claims' applicability. A variety of materials are also recognised as fitting for certain aspects of the implementations. These materials should only be used as examples and are not meant to restrict the application of the innovation.
[015] Referring now to the drawings, these are illustrated in FIG. 1, the IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand with hot blower, automatic cloth ironing, and antimicrobial atmosphere provides a highly efficient and user-friendly solution for drying, ironing, and sanitizing clothes in a single integrated system. The device features a collapsible stand made of durable materials like aluminum or stainless steel, allowing for easy storage and transportation. The adjustable rods on the stand accommodate a wide variety of garments, from delicate items like silk to heavier clothing such as jeans or jackets. These rods are designed to be flexible and can expand or contract based on the load size, ensuring optimal airflow and ironing pressure across all garments.
[016] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the drying system in this invention is driven by a hot air blower, which uses strategically placed air vents to direct warm air through the clothes. The blower's intensity and temperature are controlled by moisture sensors embedded within the system. These sensors constantly monitor the moisture levels in the clothes, allowing the device to adjust the drying time and temperature dynamically. This prevents over-drying and fabric damage, ensuring that clothes are dried efficiently while preserving their quality. The airflow is optimized to ensure even drying throughout, without leaving damp spots or requiring manual repositioning of the garments.
[017] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, once the clothes are dry, the automatic ironing function can be activated. The system includes an ironing roller or press that glides over the garments, applying heat and pressure to remove wrinkles. The ironing mechanism is fully adjustable, with settings for different fabrics to ensure the appropriate amount of heat and pressure is applied, minimizing the risk of damage to delicate fabrics. The roller is designed to cover large surface areas quickly, ensuring that even bulky items like sheets and curtains are wrinkle-free with minimal effort. The system also includes an optional steam function that can be used for additional wrinkle removal, particularly for fabrics that respond well to steam, such as cotton and linen.
[018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, one of the key innovations in this dryer stand is the integration of an antimicrobial atmosphere that ensures clothes are not only dry and wrinkle-free but also sanitized. The antimicrobial atmosphere is generated using a combination of UV-C light and ionization technology. UV-C light is emitted from specially designed diodes installed within the dryer stand, targeting the surfaces of the clothes to eliminate bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Ionization, meanwhile, releases negatively charged ions that neutralize microorganisms in the air and on fabric surfaces, providing a chemical-free method of disinfection. In more demanding environments, the device can also be equipped with an ozone generator, which ensures a deeper level of fabric sanitization by breaking down harmful microorganisms at the molecular level as shown in figure 2.
[019] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the antimicrobial process is carried out during or after the drying and ironing phases, based on the user's preference. For example, in healthcare or hospitality settings, clothes can be sanitized during the drying cycle, offering a thorough, hands-free method of disinfection. The antimicrobial treatment is particularly useful in humid environments where bacteria and fungi can thrive on wet clothes, ensuring the user's clothes are hygienically clean and safe to wear immediately after the cycle is completed.
[020] The entire system is controlled through an IoT-enabled microcontroller, which connects the device to a mobile app, allowing users to operate and monitor the device remotely. The mobile app offers a wide range of functions, from adjusting drying times and ironing pressure to setting the intensity of the antimicrobial treatment. Users can receive real-time notifications on the status of their clothes, including when drying or ironing is complete or if any maintenance is required, such as cleaning the filters or changing UV-C bulbs. Additionally, users can create custom drying and ironing profiles based on their garment types, allowing the system to automatically select the best settings for optimal results. The app also tracks energy usage and provides insights on how to maximize efficiency, making the device both convenient and eco-friendly.
[021] To ensure the most efficient operation, the dryer stand is equipped with a suite of sensors. Moisture sensors detect the exact moisture content in the clothes and adjust the drying time and blower intensity accordingly. Temperature sensors monitor the heat generated by the blower and the ironing mechanism, ensuring that the clothes are exposed to appropriate temperatures, preventing overheating or fabric shrinkage. Fabric-type sensors identify the material composition of the clothes, automatically selecting the optimal ironing pressure and antimicrobial treatment. Furthermore, microbial load sensors measure the number of microorganisms on the garments and adjust the intensity and duration of the antimicrobial atmosphere to ensure thorough disinfection. This automated system relieves the user from having to make manual adjustments while optimizing energy usage and garment care.
[022] Overheat protection ensures that the hot air blower and ironing mechanisms do not exceed a predefined safe temperature, automatically shutting off the system in case of overheating. The UV-C light system is fitted with shields and covers to prevent harmful radiation from escaping the antimicrobial chamber and exposing users to UV light. Additionally, a child lock feature prevents accidental activation, making the device safe for use in households with young children. The auto shut-off function powers down the device after a set period of inactivity, adding an extra layer of safety and conserving energy.
[023] The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand operates using a standard electrical power supply. However, it also offers energy-efficient alternatives such as solar panel compatibility for eco-friendly operation and battery backup to ensure uninterrupted performance during power outages. The system optimizes energy consumption by adjusting the drying, ironing, and antimicrobial processes based on real-time feedback from the sensors, further enhancing its efficiency.
[024] This IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand is highly versatile and can be used in various settings, including homes, hotels, laundromats, healthcare facilities, and commercial laundry services. Its antimicrobial atmosphere feature is particularly valuable in environments where hygiene is a top priority, such as hospitals or hospitality industries. The device simplifies the drying and ironing processes while ensuring that clothes are not only presentable but also free from harmful microorganisms, making it a valuable tool for both individual and commercial users.
[025] The benefits and advantages that the present invention may offer have been discussed above with reference to particular embodiments. These benefits and advantages are not to be interpreted as critical, necessary, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments, nor are they to be read as any elements or constraints that might contribute to their occurring or becoming more evident.
[026] Although specific embodiments have been used to describe the current invention, it should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that the invention is not limited to them. The aforementioned embodiments are open to numerous alterations, additions, and improvements. These adaptations, changes, additions, and enhancements are considered to be within the purview of the invention. , Claims:1. An IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand, comprising:
a collapsible frame with adjustable rods for hanging clothes of various sizes and types;
a hot air blower system integrated into the frame, configured to direct heated air through the clothes for uniform drying, and equipped with adjustable temperature settings;
an automatic ironing mechanism comprising a heatable roller or press, configured to move over the clothes to remove wrinkles, with adjustable pressure and heat settings;
an antimicrobial atmosphere generator, including UV-C light emitters and/or ionizers, configured to disinfect clothes by neutralizing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses;
a suite of sensors, including moisture sensors to detect the moisture content in clothes, temperature sensors to monitor and adjust drying temperature, fabric-type sensors to optimize ironing, and microbial load sensors to control the antimicrobial treatment;
a microcontroller with IoT connectivity, enabling remote operation and monitoring via a mobile application, with features for setting drying, ironing, and antimicrobial cycles, and providing real-time notifications.
2. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot air blower system includes strategically placed air vents positioned along the rods to ensure uniform airflow through the clothes.
3. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic ironing mechanism includes a steam function, providing additional wrinkle removal for fabrics that benefit from steam treatment.
4. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial atmosphere generator includes an ozone generator to provide deeper fabric sanitization by breaking down harmful microorganisms.
5. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mobile application provides a user interface that allows remote monitoring and control of the drying, ironing, and antimicrobial processes, and includes energy usage tracking and cycle completion notifications.
6. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is equipped with a safety feature for overheat protection, configured to automatically shut off the device when a predetermined safe temperature is exceeded.
7. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UV-C light system is enclosed within a protective shield to prevent exposure of harmful UV light to users.
8. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial atmosphere can be applied either during or after the drying and ironing processes, based on user selection through the mobile app.
9. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a child lock feature to prevent accidental activation of the device.
10. The IoT-enabled smart cloth dryer stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is compatible with voice-controlled assistants, allowing users to control the device using voice commands.

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