Garment Steamer Pivotable Holder for Multi-Orientation Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment steamers with vertically or horizontally orientable ironing boards face challenges in user-friendly and cost-effective docking solutions for the steamer head, as existing solutions are either costly or not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A pivot coupling mechanism is introduced between the ironing board and the holder, allowing the holder to rotate between vertical and horizontal orientations, enabling easy and convenient docking of the steamer head regardless of the ironing board's orientation, while being simple to manufacture and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate docking systems are provided for vertical and horizontal orientations, then the steamer head can be docked in both orientations, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with a universal docking capability that works in both vertical and horizontal orientations through a single pivot coupling mechanism. The pivot coupling allows the holder to rotate and adapt to different board orientations, eliminating the need for separate docking systems for each orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is made dynamic through the pivot coupling mechanism, which allows it to rotate and change its docking angle according to the ironing board's orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables a single holder to effectively dock the steamer head whether the board is vertical or horizontal.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed holder is attached to the ironing board, then the structure is simple, but the holder cannot accommodate both vertical and horizontal orientations effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is made dynamic through the pivot coupling mechanism, which allows it to rotate and change its docking angle according to the ironing board's orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables a single holder to effectively dock the steamer head whether the board is vertical or horizontal.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot coupling introduces a rotational dimension to the holder's attachment, allowing it to pivot around an axis inclined at a specific angle. This adds a degree of freedom that enables the holder to adapt to different board orientations without complicating the overall structure.
3Device complexity
If the pivot coupling axis is perpendicular to the ironing board surface, then the docking mechanism is simple, but the holder cannot effectively hold the steamer head in both vertical and horizontal orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot coupling axis is deliberately designed to be asymmetric relative to the ironing board surface, with its axis inclined at a specific angle rather than being perpendicular. This asymmetric orientation allows the holder to effectively dock the steamer head in both vertical and horizontal board orientations by leveraging the angled rotation path.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a garment steamer comprising a pole assembly, an ironing board (102) defining a surface (SS) and cooperating with the pole assembly to take a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation, a steamer head for releasing steam, a holder (104) for holding the steamer head, and a pivot coupling (105) arranged between the ironing board and the holder. The pivot coupling comprises a first end (E1) attached to the ironing board and a second end (E2) attached to said holder. The holder is fixed relative to the second end. The pivot coupling has a rotation axis (AA) inclined by a first angle (A1) being in the range [+10; +65] degrees compared to the surface (SS) of the ironing board.