Cordless Iron Stand Layout for a Pointed Rear Soleplate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cordless irons face challenges in preventing return creases and maintaining thermal capacity due to a non-pointed rear end portion, which reduces ironing efficiency and makes it inconvenient to move the iron back.

Innovation Solution

A cordless iron design with a pointed rear end portion and a stand configuration that allows for easy electrical connection and heat dissipation, ensuring the rear end is visible and usable, while maintaining a sufficient thermal capacity through a concave power receiving portion and electrodes positioned ahead of the rear end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If the rear end portion of the pressing surface is made pointed to prevent return creases, then return creases are reduced, but the thermal capacity of the pressing surface decreases causing rapid temperature drop during ironing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn creasesVSAvoidtemperature maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing surface is designed with different geometries at different locations: the front end portion has a large area for high thermal capacity and effective ironing, while the rear end portion has a small pointed area for preventing return creases. This local differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing surface is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a large front pressing area for ironing and a small pointed rear area for crease prevention. The power supply terminals are also segmented and positioned specifically at the rear portion to provide localized heating support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the rear end portion of the pressing surface is made pointed to prevent return creases, then return creases are reduced, but the rear end portion becomes invisible when moving the iron back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn creasesVSAvoidvisibility when moving back

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rear end portion of the pressing surface is provided with a reflective portion that reflects light to make the otherwise hard-to-see pointed rear end visible to the user. This allows the user to easily recognize the rear end position and direction when moving the iron backward, improving ease of operation while maintaining the pointed geometry needed for crease prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Temperature

If the area of the pressing surface is increased to maintain thermal capacity, then temperature stability is improved, but the rear end portion becomes less pointed reducing its effectiveness in preventing return creases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidreturn creases

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the iron body is designed as cordless to facilitate ironing, then ease of operation is improved, but the thermal capacity must be carefully managed to prevent rapid temperature drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ironingVSAvoidtemperature maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply terminals are positioned at the rear portion of the grip, allowing the iron body to be preliminarily heated on the stand before use. The large front pressing surface area provides sufficient thermal capacity to maintain temperature during ironing, while the pointed rear end prevents return creases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design effectively prevents return creases and maintains thermal capacity, allowing for efficient ironing with improved usability when moving the iron back, as the pointed rear end portion ensures consistent heat distribution and visibility.

Implementation Method 1

the iron body equipped with a heater for heating the pressing surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the temperature of pressing surface 101 rapidly decreases during ironing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

drop in temperature is increased by vaporization heat of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9157181B2Cordless iron

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

Iron body 1 includes pressing surface 6 having pointed front end portion 6a and rear end portion 6b and a concave power receiving portion 14 having power receiving terminals 15. Stand 16 includes seat 17 here iron body 1 is placed with the front inclined upward, convex power supply portion 18 having electrodes 20, and receiving portion 24. In a cordless iron with iron body 1 placed on stand 16, rear end portion 6b is received in receiving portion 24, power receiving portion 14 and power supply portion 18 are fitted, and power receiving terminals 15 and electrodes 20 are electrically connected. The joint of power receiving terminals 15 and electrodes 20 are positioned ahead of rear end portion 6b. Therefore, since the area of pressing surface 6 is ensured and thermal capacity is ensured, it is possible to make rear end portion 6b pointed. Further, it is possible to see rear end portion 6b.