Iron comprising a steam chamber provided with two separate evaporation areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irons with vaporization chambers are bulky and inefficient when used in compact forms, and water injected vertically often escapes through steam outlet holes without proper evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A compact iron design with a vaporization chamber featuring a separating wall and side wall that directs water to distinct evaporation zones, ensuring efficient evaporation regardless of orientation, and incorporating U-shaped electric heating resistors for enhanced heat transfer and a thermostatic device for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple injection orifices are used to distribute water over distinct vaporization zones, then water distribution and evaporation are improved, but the vaporization chamber becomes bulky and cannot be used on compact irons
Solution Approach 1:
The vaporization chamber is segmented into two distinct vaporization zones by a partition wall, with each zone receiving water through dedicated injection orifices. This segmentation allows efficient water distribution without requiring a large chamber volume, as each zone is compact and focused.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall extends vertically from the bottom wall to the closure cover, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate vaporization zones. This vertical segmentation allows the chamber to maintain a compact horizontal footprint while still providing distinct evaporation areas for improved water distribution efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the iron is held vertically, then maneuverability is improved, but water injected through orifices escapes directly through passage openings without being steamed
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is positioned to extend above the injection orifices, creating a preliminary barrier that intercepts water before it can reach the passage openings. This preliminary action ensures water is contained within the vaporization zones and properly evaporated regardless of iron orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the injection orifices and the passage openings. It mediates water flow by directing it through the vaporization zones for evaporation before allowing steam to pass through the passage openings, preventing direct water escape when the iron is vertical.
3Ease of operation
If a compact vaporization chamber design is used, then the iron becomes more maneuverable, but water distribution and evaporation efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each vaporization zone is designed with localized optimization - the bottom wall areas receive direct water injection for efficient evaporation, while the partition wall provides vertical evaporation surfaces. This local quality optimization allows the compact chamber to maintain high evaporation efficiency despite its small overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The water distribution system is designed to dynamically adapt to iron orientation. When horizontal, water distributes across bottom wall vaporization zones; when vertical, the partition wall captures and redirects water onto its vertical surface for evaporation, ensuring consistent efficiency across different operating positions.
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 effective water evaporation and steam distribution, maintaining performance whether the iron is used horizontally or vertically, with a compact and maneuverable form that maintains high reactivity to temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
the heating body comprises at least one electric heating resistance and preferably two electric heating resistances
Implementation Method 2
a vaporization chamber which ensures perfect evaporation of the water injected into the vaporization chamber
Implementation Method 3
perfect evaporation of the water injected into the vaporization chamber
Implementation Method 4
a heating body comprising a lower face in thermal contact with the soleplate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An iron (1) comprising a flat ironing soleplate (2), a heating body (4) comprising a lower face in thermal contact with the soleplate (2) and an upper face at which a vaporisation chamber (6) is provided, and means for injecting water into the vaporisation chamber (6) comprising at least two injection openings (51, 52) that simultaneously inject water onto two separate evaporation areas (61, 62) of a bottom wall (60) of the vaporisation chamber (6) when the soleplate (2) of the iron (1) is arranged horizontally, said vaporisation chamber (6) being bordered laterally by a side wall (43) extending from the bottom wall (60) to a closing cover (5) attached to the heating body (4), said side wall (43) comprising at least one passage (63) establishing communication between the vaporisation chamber (6) and a steam distribution circuit leading to at least one steam outlet opening (20) provided in the soleplate (2), characterised in that said passage (63) is provided at one longitudinal end of the vaporisation chamber (6) and in that the vaporisation chamber (6) comprises a separation wall (42) extending from the two evaporation areas (61, 62) to the passage (63) so as to provide a partition between the two evaporation areas (61, 62).