What it does
This detachable multi - functional hanger solves the problems of space - consuming clothing care tools and tedious processes. It integrates intelligent drying, UV sterilization
Your inspiration
The inspiration came from observing the cumbersome process of clothing care in daily life. Separately using a drying rack, a sterilizer, and an iron not only takes up a lot of space but also wastes time. I thought: why not integrate these functions into one product? In daily life, rainy days make drying clothes difficult, and concerns about bacteria on clothes and the hassle of ironing wrinkled garments are common pain points. I drew on the concept of multi - functional integration in industrial design, combined with smart technology such as intelligent drying and ultraviolet sterilization, and added a detachable design.
How it works
When used as a hanger, the intelligent drying function is powered by a built - in PTC heating element. It rapidly generates heat, forming a circulating hot - air flow inside the hanger structure. This accelerates moisture evaporation from clothes, with a temperature control system keeping the temperature between 40 - 60℃ to avoid damaging fabrics. The UV sterilization uses UV - C LEDs, emitting 253.7nm ultraviolet rays to destroy bacteria and DNA. When disassembled into an iron, the thermostat system relies on a negative temperature coefficient thermistor. It monitors temperature in real - time, adjusting heating power to maintain a stable temperature (e.g., 120℃ for cotton, 80℃ for silk). The detachable structure uses a quick - release buckle, enabling seamless switching between hanger and iron modes, integrating three functions to optimize clothing care efficiency.
Design process
Design Process 1. Conceptualization (Weeks 1 - 2) Identified pain points in clothing care: space - consuming tools, tedious processes. Brainstormed multi - functional integration, combining drying, sterilization, and ironing. Researched user needs via surveys (200+ responses), confirming demand for space - saving, all - in - one solutions. 2. Initial Design (Weeks 3 - 4) Sketching phase: Drafted 10+ concepts, focusing on detachable structure. Selected a design with modular parts: hanger body (housing heating/UV components) and detachable iron head. Created paper prototypes to test size, detachment logic. 3. Prototyping (Weeks 5 - 7) First physical prototype: Used 3D - printed ABS for the frame, integrated PTC heater and UV - C LEDs. Tested drying efficiency (took 60 mins for damp clothes, target: 30 mins) and UV coverage (uneven on thick fabrics). 4. Iteration (Weeks 8 - 9) Redesigned air - flow channels in the hanger to improve heat distribution, cutting drying time to 35 mins. Added reflective layers inside the sterilization zone for uniform UV exposure. Modified the iron head’s thermostat (originally ±5℃ variance) to ±1℃ using a new thermistor. 5. Finalization (Week 10) Conducted user tests with 30 participants: 92% found detachment intuitive.
How it is different
This detachable multi - functional hanger stands out in three key ways. First, it integrates three core clothing care functions – drying, UV sterilization, and ironing – into one compact device. Unlike traditional hangers that only serve for hanging, or single - function appliances, it streamlines the entire care process. Second, the seamless transformation from hanger to portable iron via a quick - release structure is unique. Most multi - function products compromise on usability during mode switching, but here, the transition is instant and intuitive. Third, smart tech optimization: the drying uses circulating hot air for efficiency, UV - C targets deep sterilization, and the iron’s thermostat adapts to fabrics precisely. It redefines clothing care by solving space and process pain points in one innovative design.
Future plans
Future plans for this hanger include three key steps. First, conduct large - scale user testing (500+ users) to collect diverse feedback, focusing on improving durability and simplifying operations for elderly users. Second, integrate IoT technology: enable app control for remote drying/sterilization start and real - time status monitoring. Third, explore sustainable materials, replacing current plastics with biodegradable alternatives. Aim to launch a market - ready version in 12 months, partnering with home appliance brands for wider distribution, and eventually enter global markets, redefining smart clothing care solutions.
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