Iron Base Storage Cavity With Magnetic Handle Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household ironing appliances face challenges in ensuring both secure support and easy placement/removal of the iron from the storage cavity, with current designs either compromising stability or ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A household ironing appliance with a cantilevered handle and a storage cavity featuring a peripheral wall that partially envelops the iron, using magnetic means to hold the rear end of the handle in position, ensuring secure support and easy placement/removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the storage cavity has a shape adjusted to the shape of the iron to ensure good support, then support stability is improved, but placement and removal of the iron becomes more difficult and requires increased user attention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidplacement and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is segmented into two independent parts: the peripheral wall provides shape-based support stability, while the magnetic means attached to the handle provide automatic positioning and securing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic means act as an intermediary between the user and the iron placement process. The magnetic field automatically guides and secures the iron in the storage cavity without requiring precise manual alignment, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring stable support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the storage cavity has a looser shape to allow easy placement or removal of the iron, then placement and removal ease is improved, but the iron is not properly held in the storage cavity during transport, creating risk of damage or falling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement and removal easeVSAvoidholding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The holding function is divided into two independent components: the looser peripheral wall shape that facilitates easy placement and removal, and the magnetic means that provide secure holding during transport. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic means replace the need for a tight mechanical fit between the storage cavity and the iron. Instead of relying on mechanical constraints for both placement ease and holding stability, the magnetic field provides the holding function while the looser mechanical structure maintains ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If magnetic means are strong enough to securely hold the iron during transport, then holding stability is improved, but the magnetic means may cause the base to lift when the user pulls on the handle during normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidoperation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic means are localized to specific positions on the handle and/or base, creating a focused magnetic field that provides secure holding during transport. The local quality of the magnetic attachment points allows the system to maintain strong holding force while minimizing the overall magnetic interaction that could cause lifting during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic means provide more than sufficient holding force for normal operation (partial action), but this excessive magnetic force is localized and directed in such a way that it only becomes significant when the iron is in the storage cavity during transport, not when the user is manipulating the handle during ironing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 design provides simple and effective holding of the iron during transport, allowing easy insertion and extraction while maintaining stability, and offers ergonomic flexibility with two stable positions for the base.

Implementation Method 1

the rear end being held by magnetic means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4273316B1Household appliance comprising an iron and a base connected to the iron by a cord
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SEB SA
  • EP4273316B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4273316B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4273316B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A household ironing appliance comprising an iron (1) and a base (2) connected to said iron (1) by a cord (3), the iron (1) comprising a soleplate (10) surmounted by a body (11) on which is arranged a gripping handle (12), said base (2) comprising a storage cavity (25) for placing said iron (1) and a carrying handle (23) for moving the appliance, characterized in that the handle (12) of the iron (1) is cantilevered in relation to the soleplate (10) and in that the storage cavity (25) has a peripheral wall (25B) which at least partially envelops the body (11) of the iron (1) when the latter rests in the storage cavity (25), said handle (12) having a rear end which is held in position in the storage cavity (25) by magnetic means.