Garment care device with single user actuator for the selection of operating modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for more modes and settings in steam irons results in a high number of buttons and knobs, which is difficult to implement in the limited space of household devices, causing user inconvenience during mode selection.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor connected to a control unit that determines angular orientation, allowing the activation of multiple operating modes using a single user actuator by displaying different modes based on the device's orientation, thereby simplifying implementation and reducing the need for multiple buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a high number of buttons and knobs are equipped on the steam iron, then more operating modes and settings can be selected, but the device complexity increases and the limited space is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
A single user actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different angular orientations. The actuator can cycle through multiple operating modes (steam rate, temperature, steam bursts, rinsing) by detecting sequential angular positions, eliminating the need for separate buttons for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection of operating modes is transitioned from a horizontal dimension (multiple buttons arranged side by side) to an angular dimension (sequential angular orientations of a single actuator). This allows multiple modes to be accessed through rotational movement rather than requiring multiple linear button positions.
2Device complexity
If buttons and knobs are reduced in size to fit limited space, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A single large user actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different angular orientations. The actuator can cycle through multiple operating modes (steam rate, temperature, steam bursts, rinsing) by detecting sequential angular positions, eliminating the need for separate buttons for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are used for mode selection, then more operating modes can be selected, but the manufacturing cost and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate control buttons are merged into a single user actuator with angular orientation detection capability. The control unit integrates the logic to interpret different angular positions as different mode selections, simplifying the physical structure and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single user actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different angular orientations. The actuator can cycle through multiple operating modes (steam rate, temperature, steam bursts, rinsing) by detecting sequential angular positions, eliminating the need for separate buttons for each function.
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 the activation of multiple operating modes with a single user actuator, improving user experience and reducing complexity, while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor connected to a control unit for determining an angular orientation (A) of the device (100) during use
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) adapted to take different angular orientations during use. The device (100) comprises a sensor (101) connected to a control unit (102) for determining an angular orientation of the device (100) during use, a user actuator (103) for generating a trigger signal to said control unit (102) for each actuation of the user actuator (103), and an interface (104) for displaying at least one operating mode of said device (100). The control unit (102) is adapted to: - detect, based on the determined angular orientation, that the device (100) is in a predetermined angular orientation, - trigger the successive display on said interface (104) of a different operating mode taken among said at least one operating mode, for each successive trigger signal generated when the device (100) is in said predetermined angular orientation, and - apply to said device (100), the latest operating mode displayed on said interface (104). This solution allows activating a plurality of different operating modes using only one user actuator.