Permeable Ironing Board Surface for Uniform Airflow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic vacuum ironing boards suffer from uneven airflow rates, with higher airflow at the region adjacent the fan and reduced airflow at the frequently used regions, leading to unsatisfactory performance.
Innovation Solution
An ironing board with a permeable surface and a body that modifies fluid flow through selected regions by using a fan or vacuum pump to increase airflow in frequently used areas, featuring a hollow chamber divided into regions with varying cross-sectional areas to direct fluid flow more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fan is used to provide suction for the entire ironing board surface, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the airflow rate becomes uneven across the surface with reduced performance in frequently used regions
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing board surface is divided into multiple zones with different hole densities. The first region (frequently used area) has a higher density of holes while the second region (less frequently used area) has a lower density of holes. This segmentation allows each region to receive appropriate airflow independently, resolving the contradiction between simple fan configuration and uniform airflow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ironing board are given different local properties through varying hole densities. The first region has increased permeability with more holes to compensate for its distance from the fan, while the second region has fewer holes. This local quality adjustment ensures uniform airflow distribution across the entire surface without requiring multiple fans.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fan is mounted at the widest end of the board, then the device structure is simplified, but the airflow rate is greatest at the region adjacent the fan which is least used for ironing
Solution Approach 1:
The solution maintains the simple fan mounting position at the widest end but compensates for the uneven airflow by creating local quality differences in the surface structure. The first region (remote from fan) has higher hole density to increase airflow, while the second region (adjacent to fan) has lower hole density. This resolves the contradiction between easy manufacturing and ironing efficiency.
3Reliability
If low capacity fans are used in domestic versions, then cost and noise are reduced, but the airflow rate is insufficient especially in regions remote from the fan
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing board surface uses a porous structure with variable hole density. The first region has a higher density of holes to increase airflow through low-capacity fans, while the second region has fewer holes. This porous material approach allows adequate airflow distribution without requiring high-power fans, thus maintaining low noise and cost while improving airflow adequacy.
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
This design ensures higher airflow rates in frequently used regions, improving ironing performance by reducing ironing time and enhancing the finish, while maintaining a low overall fluid flow rate.
Implementation Method 1
a suction or blowing means... to drive fluid through one or more ports
Implementation Method 2
uses suction to draw steam and air through the ironing surface
Data Source
AI summary
An ironing board 1 having a permeable ironing surface 5 mounted on a body 3. The body 3 has one or more ports 54 through which fluid may be driven to cause the fluid to flow through the permeable surface 5. The body 3 also has a means for modifying the flow of fluid through selected regions of the surface 5. The means for modifying the flow of fluid may be one or more fans which are capable of sucking fluid from the body interior or blowing fluid into the body interior. The permeable surface may be a steel mesh surface with holes of different cross-sectional area.