Flat Water Tank Layout for Easier Steam Ironing Refills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam ironing devices require users to dismantle the unit to fill the water tank, making it difficult to handle and transport due to the bulky design, which prevents easy filling under low-design water taps and poses a risk of spilling or tipping.
Innovation Solution
A steam ironing station with a removable water tank featuring a flat, stepped design allowing one-handed gripping and horizontal filling, equipped with a handle element, valve arrangement for automatic emptying, and a U-shaped indentation for ergonomic handling and secure positioning under a water tap, ensuring comfortable transport and filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the water tank is designed with a large filling volume to enable long ironing time, then the ironing duration is extended, but the tank becomes bulky and difficult to transport and fill under low water taps
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank transitions from a traditional three-dimensional bulky shape to a predominantly two-dimensional flat design. The tank body is flattened while maintaining sufficient water capacity through optimized surface area utilization. This dimensional transformation allows the tank to be easily held horizontally under low water taps and transported in a natural posture without requiring excessive vertical or horizontal space.
2Quantity of substance
If the water tank is designed as a traditional bulky container to maximize filling volume, then the storage capacity is sufficient, but the center of gravity becomes unfavorable causing tipping risk during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank employs an asymmetric flat design where the mass distribution is deliberately optimized to create a favorable center of gravity position. The tank body is flattened with strategic thickness variations and internal structuring that concentrates mass toward the lower and central regions. This asymmetric mass distribution ensures stable transport posture and prevents tipping, while the flat profile allows easy horizontal holding during filling operations.
3Ease of operation
If the water tank is designed with a compact shape to ease handling, then the transportability improves, but the filling volume is reduced limiting ironing time
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank applies local quality optimization by varying the thickness and density distribution within the flat tank body. Specific regions are designed with enhanced capacity while maintaining the overall flat profile. The tank body incorporates strategic thickening in water-storage zones and thinning in handling zones, allowing the flat design to accommodate sufficient water volume without compromising portability or requiring bulky external dimensions.
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
Enables safe and comfortable transport and filling of the water tank in a natural posture, with optimal center of gravity and visible filling levels, reducing the risk of spilling and tipping, and allowing for efficient filling without additional effort.
Implementation Method 1
the valves open so that the water can flow into the boiling station here due to the hydrostatic pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The ironing station (1) has an ironing board (2) with a foldable frame (3), which is arranged on a floor-mounted unit (4) designed as a column with a steam generator for a flat iron. A water tank (5) is inserted in an openly accessible pocket arranged on the column, where the pocket is arranged on the rear wall (7) of the floor-mounted unit. The water tank is made of transparent plastic molding.