Cordless Steam Iron Water Shutter for Battery-Saving Steam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cordless ironing appliances fail to provide both high steam flow and adequate battery life during active ironing phases, and require tethered mode for significant steam usage, compromising the benefits of cordless operation.
Innovation Solution
A cordless iron with a vaporization chamber and a charging base that includes a movable shutter mechanism controlled by a steam control button, allowing for adjustable steam production and energy conservation by interrupting water supply when not in use, along with a heavy aluminum heating body for efficient energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the iron operates in cordless mode with continuous steam production, then steam flow is maintained, but battery autonomy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic steam production by introducing a shutter mechanism controlled by a trigger button that opens only during active ironing phases and closes during inactive phases. This allows the iron to produce steam intermittently rather than continuously, conserving battery energy while maintaining steam flow when needed. The shutter is actuated by a spring-return mechanism that automatically closes it when the trigger is released, creating a periodic on-demand steam delivery system.
2Loss of energy
If the iron is placed on the charging base during inactive phases, then energy is conserved, but steam production is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the iron and maintaining it at operating temperature on the charging base between active phases. The thermal mass of the iron body retains heat, and the shutter mechanism ensures no additional energy is consumed for steam production during storage. When needed, the pre-heated iron can immediately resume steam production without waiting for reheating, thus conserving energy during inactive phases while maintaining productivity readiness.
3Loss of energy
If the shutter mechanism is added to control water supply, then energy savings are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water supply control function from the main iron body by implementing a separate shutter mechanism within the water reservoir system. The shutter is a simple mechanical component that can be opened or closed to control water flow to the vaporization chamber. This extracted control mechanism is actuated by a trigger button with a spring-return system, creating a dedicated energy-saving subsystem that adds minimal complexity while achieving significant energy savings during inactive phases.
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
The solution enhances autonomy and ironing quality by conserving energy through controlled steam production and maintaining a sufficient operating temperature, achieving a 15% energy savings compared to continuous steam production, while allowing for high steam flow rates and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
a heavy aluminum heating body for efficient energy storage
Implementation Method 2
a vaporization chamber for the production of steam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an ironing appliance comprising a cordless clothes iron (1) and a recharging base on which the iron (1) is to be arranged during inactive ironing periods so as to enable an exchange of power between the recharging base and the clothes iron (1), said clothes iron (1) comprising a water tank (13) and a heating body (3) provided with a vaporization chamber (32) for producing steam, the tank (13) communicating with the vaporization chamber (32) via a supply circuit, characterized in that said supply circuit comprises a sealing means (6) that is movable between a closed position, in which said sealing means (6) interrupts the circulation of water through the supply circuit, and an open position, in which said sealing means (6) allows water to pass through the supply circuit, and in that the sealing means (6) is moved into the open position by means of the actuation of button (60) for controlling the steam that is supported by the clothes iron (1), and the sealing means is automatically returned to the closed position by return means (64) when the user releases the button (60) for controlling the steam.