Iron with Spreader Rollers to Reduce Operator Effort and Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irons are inefficient in smoothing fabrics due to their large mass and high energy consumption, requiring repeated pressure and steam application to achieve flatness, which wastes time and energy.
Innovation Solution
The iron incorporates rotating spreader rollers with inclined grooves or bristles that move the fabric away from the central axis, combined with motorized control and steam channeling, to enhance smoothing efficiency and reduce operator effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the mass of the iron is increased to improve smoothing efficiency, then the smoothing and persistence of flatness improve, but the operator effort and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pressing system (relying on iron mass and operator pressure) with a thermal system using steam injection and heating elements. The steam and heat directly作用于 the fabric to relax wrinkles, eliminating the need for heavy mass to achieve smoothing效果
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the ironing process by controlling steam temperature, injection pressure, and heating temperature independently of iron mass. This allows efficient smoothing with lighter iron weight by optimizing thermal parameters rather than mechanical pressure
2Productivity
If steam is increased to improve smoothing and persistence of flatness, then the ironing efficiency improves, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating to the fabric through the heated soleplate before steam injection. This pre-heating softens the fabric fibers, making them more responsive to steam treatment and reducing the amount of steam energy required to achieve the desired smoothing effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous contact between the heated soleplate and fabric during the ironing process, ensuring continuous heat transfer. This continuous thermal action works synergistically with steam injection, reducing total energy consumption compared to intermittent steam bursts
3Manufacturing precision
If repeated pressure and steam application are used to achieve flatness, then the smoothing quality improves, but the time consumption and energy waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ironing process into distinct functional zones: a heating zone with heated soleplate elements, a steam injection zone with targeted steam nozzles, and a pressing zone. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its function optimally in a single pass, eliminating the need for repeated applications
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 solution significantly increases ironing efficiency by allowing for more effective fabric movement and steam distribution, reducing the need for repeated pressure and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heating soleplate having a generally flat lower surface... the soleplate having one or more housings or orifices adapted to receive in them, and to let protrude partially, one or more rollers mounted in the iron in such a way that their length is substantially parallel to the underside of the soleplate
Implementation Method 2
steam being produced either inside the iron by resistors or other electrical devices, or externally, in a steam station flexibly connected to the iron
Implementation Method 3
steam being produced either inside the iron by resistors or other electrical devices
Implementation Method 4
each roller being capable of rotating... an action tending to move the fabric or cloth to be ironed in a direction going away from the longitudinal central axis of the sole
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
The sole (2) of the iron (1) exhibits one or more housings or orifices able to accept within them, and allowed to protrude partially, one or more boulders (5) which are mounted in the iron (1) in such a way that their length is substantially parallel to the underside (2a) of the sole (2) of the iron, each roller (5) being able to turn. According to the invention, at least one of said rollers (5) is configured so that as it turns corresponding to a forward movement of the iron during an ironing action, it produces an action that tends to move the fabric or material that is to be ironed in a direction away from the longitudinal median axis of the sole (2).