Garment Steamer Ironing Surface Thermal Buffer Against Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment steaming devices often cause undesired consequences such as shine or deformation due to overheating, and condensation issues due to inadequate temperature control of the ironing surface.
Innovation Solution
A garment steaming device with an intermediate section that regulates heat transfer from the steam generator to the ironing surface, maintaining a temperature between 90°C and 155°C, using thermal transmittance to control heat transfer and prevent overheating or condensation, and incorporating a sensor and controller to adjust the steam generator temperature based on movement conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ironing surface is heated to a high temperature to enhance steam generation, then the steam flow rate is improved, but the fabric may be overheated causing shine or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate section between the steam generator and the ironing surface. This intermediate section acts as a thermal mediator that allows controlled heat transfer to maintain the ironing surface temperature within a safe range (90°C to 155°C) while the steam generator operates at higher temperatures to ensure adequate steam flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise temperature parameters for the ironing surface (maintaining between 90°C and 155°C) and controls the thermal transmittance of the intermediate section. By changing and controlling the temperature parameters and thermal transmittance, the system achieves both sufficient steam generation and prevention of fabric damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ironing surface temperature is maintained low to prevent fabric damage, then fabric safety is improved, but condensation may form on the fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the ironing surface temperature within a specific parameter range (90°C to 155°C). This temperature range is carefully selected to be low enough to prevent fabric damage but high enough to prevent condensation formation, thus resolving the contradiction between fabric safety and condensation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a sensor to detect the operating condition of the garment steaming device and a controller that adjusts the steam generator temperature based on the detected condition. This feedback mechanism ensures the ironing surface maintains the appropriate temperature to prevent both fabric damage and condensation.
3Productivity
If the steam generator temperature is increased to maintain steam flow rate, then steam generation is improved, but heat transfer to the ironing surface increases causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate section serves as a thermal buffer between the high-temperature steam generator and the ironing surface. It allows the steam generator to operate at higher temperatures for sufficient steam flow while limiting the heat transfer to the ironing surface, thereby preventing overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the thermal transmittance parameter of the intermediate section to regulate heat transfer. By adjusting and specifying the thermal transmittance, the system decouples the steam generator temperature from the ironing surface temperature, allowing independent optimization of both parameters.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal transmittance is reduced to prevent ironing surface overheating, then fabric safety is improved, but heat transfer efficiency decreases affecting steam flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thermal transmittance parameter of the intermediate section to achieve a balance. The thermal transmittance is controlled to be sufficient to prevent ironing surface overheating and fabric damage, while simultaneously maintaining adequate heat transfer efficiency to ensure sufficient steam flow rate from the steam generator.
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 effectively prevents fabric damage from overheating while ensuring a consistent steam flow rate, minimizing spitting and condensation, and maintaining the ironing surface within safe temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate section configured to have a thermal transmittance and disposed between the steam generator and the ironing surface to transfer heat from the steam generator to the ironing surface
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator having a heater
Implementation Method 3
water is fed from the water receiving chamber to the steam generator and converted into steam
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A garment steaming device The present application relates to a garment steaming device. The garment steaming device comprises a steam generator (20) having a heater (22) and an ironing surface (32) against which a fabric of a garment is locatable. An intermediate section (50) is disposed between the steam generator and the ironing surface to transfer heat from the steam generator to the ironing surface so that the ironing surface is indirectly heated by the steam generator via the intermediate section. The operating temperature of the ironing surface is not user selectable during use. Furthermore, the intermediate section is configured to have a thermal transmittance so that, during use, heat transfer from the steam generator to the ironing surface is controlled and the temperature of the ironing surface is maintained between 90°C and 5°C when the ironing surface is located against a fabric in each of a stationary condition and a moving condition. The present application also relates to a steam iron,a cold water system iron or a garment steamer, and a method of operating a garment steaming device.