Iron With Compact Interlocking Base for Reduced Storage Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irons with separate bases are bulky, making them difficult to carry and store, and often require complex designs that compromise stability.
Innovation Solution
A compact iron design featuring a base with a convex docking portion that interlocks with a concave supporting portion of the iron, including a tank and magnetic means for stability, allowing the soleplate to project over the edge of the base for reduced size and enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the base is designed to accommodate the soleplate, then the base provides stable support, but the base becomes larger and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The iron is designed to rest on its handle rather than its soleplate, changing the dimension of support from the broad soleplate area to the handle area. This dimensional shift allows the base to be smaller while maintaining stability through the interlocking convex-concave geometry between the base docking portion and iron supporting portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The base and iron feature asymmetric convex and concave shapes that interlock together. The convex docking portion of the base fits into the concave supporting portion of the iron, creating a stable connection without requiring the base to be as large as the soleplate.
2Volume of moving object
If the base is made more compact, then carrying and storing becomes easier, but the iron may become unstable and tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric convex docking portion of the base and concave supporting portion of the iron create an interlocking mechanism that provides stability despite the compact size. The complementary shapes ensure proper positioning and prevent tipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic means act as an intermediary force between the base and iron, providing additional stabilization. The magnetic attraction helps prevent the iron from tipping over while allowing the base to remain compact.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is offset relative to the soleplate, then ergonomics are improved, but the overall appliance size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset handle creates a concave supporting portion that allows the iron to rest in a specific orientation on the base. This dimensional arrangement improves ergonomics by positioning the handle away from the soleplate while the compact base design offsets the size increase.
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 achieves a more compact and stable iron that is easier to carry and store, with improved ergonomics and reduced risk of tipping, while maintaining sufficient autonomy through a 300-500 ml tank capacity.
Implementation Method 1
A household laundry appliance according to the invention can also comprise magnetic means that help keep the iron in position on the base when the supporting portion of the iron is seated on the docking portion of the base
Data Source
AI summary
A household laundry appliance includes an iron and a base. The iron includes a head, a soleplate fitted and attached to the head, and a handle extending from the head. The handle is offset relative to the soleplate. The head and the handle form a concave supporting portion and the base forms a convex docking portion configured to accommodate the supporting portion of the iron. The docking portion of the base has an interlocking shape relative to the supporting portion of the iron.