Clothes iron

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clothes irons are not ergonomic for all users, particularly those with arthritis, due to the requirement for ulnar deviation and strain on the wrist, and they often have inflexible steam hoses that restrict maneuverability and require manual refilling with a multi-step process.

Innovation Solution

A clothes iron with a transversely extending aperture for improved hand accommodation, a valve system for easy fluid connection and disconnection, and a docking station for cordless and automatic fluid and electrical recharge, reducing user input and strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a longitudinal handle is provided for gripping, then the iron can be held and controlled, but it requires ulnar deviation and causes strain on the wrist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip comfortVSAvoidwrist strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is segmented into a longitudinal portion for basic control and a transverse aperture portion for ergonomic hand accommodation. The aperture allows the hand to pass through and grip from multiple directions, reducing the need for ulnar deviation while maintaining control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip interface is extended from a single longitudinal dimension to include a transverse aperture dimension. This allows the hand to engage the handle in multiple spatial orientations, providing ergonomic alternatives that reduce wrist strain while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a manually refillable reservoir is provided, then the iron can store water, but it requires a multi-step operation of filling, opening stopper, and pouring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater storageVSAvoidrefilling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is merged with the steam generator to form an integrated water storage and steam production system. This integration eliminates separate filling operations and allows for simplified refilling procedures while maintaining adequate water storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The water reservoir is designed to serve multiple functions: storing water for steam generation, providing a refill interface, and integrating with the steam generator. This multi-functionality reduces the complexity of the refilling process while maintaining water storage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11346044B2Clothes iron

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 SUAVESY LTD

AI summary

A clothes iron including some or all of: a soleplate that narrows in a longitudinal direction and an at least partially enclosed aperture that extends in at least a transverse direction, for receiving at least a portion of a hand when in use; an interface configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from a fluid outlet external to the iron and a valve for enabling transfer of fluid from the fluid outlet to the iron via the interface while the interface is connected to the fluid outlet, and for inhibiting loss of fluid from the iron via the interface while the interface is disconnected from the fluid outlet; an aligning portion and an external aligning portion and one or more outlets to which the iron is connectable, wherein at least one of the outlets is configured to transfer fluid or electrical energy to the iron.