Hinged Ironing Board for Compact Garment Treatment Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand steamers lack a firm treatment support surface, making them ineffective for achieving neat creases in formal attire and are less effective on thicker fabrics, and they require manual stretching, risking accidental scorching from hot steam.
Innovation Solution
A garment treatment device with a pivotable ironing board that can transition between horizontal, vertical, and inclined positions, featuring a telescopic mechanism for adjustable height and a hinged design for compact storage, along with a steam generator and hand-held steamer head for versatile garment treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stand steamer is used without an ironing board, then the device structure is simple and storage space is reduced, but the garment treatment effectiveness is poor and no firm support surface is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing board is divided into two sections that can be hinged relative to each other, allowing the board to be folded into a compact configuration for storage while providing a full-size flat surface when extended for garment treatment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling the board to transition between a compact state (reducing storage space requirements) and a functional state (providing firm support surface).
Solution Approach 2:
The ironing board is made dynamically adjustable through a hinge mechanism that allows it to pivot between a folded position and an extended flat position. This dynamic capability enables the board to adapt between storage and operational states, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and treatment effectiveness by providing firm support only when needed.
2Reliability
If a separate ironing board is added to a stand steamer, then garment treatment effectiveness is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing board is merged with the stand steamer structure, becoming an integrated component rather than a separate piece of equipment. The board is attached to the support structure and can be folded against it, combining the functions of steaming and ironing in a single device. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing garment treatment effectiveness while minimizing storage space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The ironing board is designed to nest against the support structure when not in use, with the board folding into a compact configuration that fits within the overall device footprint. This nesting arrangement resolves the contradiction by providing a full-size ironing surface during operation while requiring minimal additional storage space.
3Device complexity
If manual stretching of garment is required, then device structure is simple, but user safety is compromised due to risk of steam burns
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing board acts as an intermediary between the user and the hot steam, providing a firm support surface that allows the garment to be held taut without manual stretching. This intermediary device resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for users to reach into the steam path, thereby reducing steam burn risk while maintaining simple device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a garment treatment device comprising a base, a support structure extending upwardly from the base, and an ironing board connected to the support structure. The ironing board is pivotable relative to the support structure and positionable into a first operative position in which the ironing board is horizontal, and a second operative position in which the ironing board is vertical. The ironing board comprises a first section and a second section hingedly coupled together and pivotable relative to each other between an operative position in which they extend co-planar to each other and a storage position in which they are pivoted away from a co-planar orientation. The first and second ironing board sections (4a,4b) and the hinge mechanism (18) are configured such that the first and second ironing board sections (4a,4b) pivot away from each other from said operative position towards said storage position. The garment treatment device thereby advantageously enables garment it treatment in a variety of orientations, such as flat ironing or vertical steaming, with the ironing board providing garment support in all operative positions. Also, the garment treatment device advantageously allows for a compact configuration in the storage position for efficiency of storage space.