Garment steamer with two-axis rotatable ironing board

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing garment steamers with vertically attached ironing boards lack flexibility, making it inconvenient to steam garments against the board and requiring more effort and less effective results.

Innovation Solution

A garment steamer with a two-axis pivoting coupling element that allows the ironing board to rotate around two perpendicular axes, enabling it to be tilted between vertical and horizontal orientations, and a locking mechanism to adjust angles, ensuring the steaming surface remains facing the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ironing board is attached vertically to the pole assembly, then the structure is simple and stable, but the flexibility and ease of operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in steaming positionVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ironing board is transformed from a fixed vertical attachment to a dynamic structure capable of rotating around two perpendicular axes through the coupling element, enabling adjustment between vertical and horizontal orientations while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is divided into two independent pivoting couplings (first and second axes) that can be adjusted separately, allowing the ironing board to achieve complex spatial orientations through combination of two simple rotational movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ironing board is fixed in a vertical orientation, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different steaming needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of ironing board orientationVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ironing board orientation is made dynamically adjustable through two pivoting couplings that allow rotation around perpendicular axes, enabling the board to adapt between vertical, horizontal, and intermediate positions according to different steaming requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pole assembly and the ironing board, providing the adjustment functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4069903B1Garment steamer with two-axis rotatable ironing board
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4069903B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4069903B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4069903B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a garment steamer (100) for treating a garment. The garment steamer (100) comprises a base (101), a pole assembly (102) extending from the base (101) along a substantially vertical axis (YY), an ironing board (103) for supporting the garment during treatment, a coupling element (104) for coupling the ironing board (103) and the pole assembly (102). The coupling element (104) is adapted to allow the ironing board (103) to rotate around a first axis (Al) being substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis (YY), and to allow the ironing board (103) to rotate around a second axis (A2) being substantially perpendicular to said first axis (A1). This solution makes possible the treatment of garment with more flexibility on how setting the inclination of the ironing board, with less effort and better expected result.