Ironing Board Stand Guide Mechanism for Uneven Floor Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ironing board stands are unable to be set up easily and safely on uneven ground without wobbling, requiring complex user adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible and height-adjustable stand with pivoting legs connected via a guide device that automatically compensates for surface unevenness, allowing displacement perpendicular to the adjustment plane with a triggering force that stabilizes the stand, which can be adjusted through friction or a locking/spring device, enabling wobble-free setup and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional scissor frame stand is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be set up stably on uneven ground without wobbling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on uneven groundVSAvoidstand structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the stand leg and guide device is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing compensating displacement perpendicular to the adjustment plane. This dynamic connection enables the stand to adapt to uneven ground by permitting controlled movement that compensates for surface irregularities, while maintaining stability during normal operation through the triggering force mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The triggering force parameter is made adjustable to optimize performance for different operating conditions. By varying the magnitude of the triggering force, the stand can be tuned to compensate for different degrees of unevenness while preventing unwanted floating during ironing, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If an eccentric base leveling device is added to counteract wobbling, then stability on uneven ground is improved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on uneven groundVSAvoidsetup process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stand performs self-leveling by automatically compensating for uneven ground through the guided displacement mechanism. When the stand is erected, the connection between the stand leg and guide device automatically adjusts to the surface irregularities by allowing compensating displacement, eliminating the need for manual leveling adjustments by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device is pre-configured with the capability to provide compensating displacement, so that when the stand is set up, the compensation action is already in place and activated simply by the act of erection itself, requiring no additional preliminary adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connection allows free displacement to compensate for unevenness, then adaptability to uneven surfaces is improved, but the ironing table top may float during ironing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation for surface unevennessVSAvoidposition stability during ironing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The triggering force acts as a preliminary counteracting force that prevents the compensating displacement from becoming excessive. By setting the triggering force appropriately, the system pre-establishes a threshold that allows enough displacement to compensate for unevenness but prevents further movement that would cause floating during ironing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic compensating state based on the applied forces. During setup, the dynamic allowance permits compensating displacement for unevenness. During ironing, the triggering force maintains the connection in a stable locked state, preventing floating while preserving the adaptability gained during setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 stand adapts automatically to uneven surfaces, ensuring stability without user complexity, maintaining position during ironing and allowing for adjustable triggering force to prevent floating, effectively addressing the wobbling issue on various ground conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The triggering force can be fixed and/or fixed, for example, by adjusting and/or fixing a friction between the end of the guide leg and the guide device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

In a special embodiment it is provided that the triggering force can be fixed and/or fixed by a—preferably adjustable—locking device and/or a—preferably adjustable—spring device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2256241B1Stand for an ironing board
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 LEIFHEIT
  • EP2256241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2256241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The folded or vertically adjusted stand frame (2) comprises two support legs (3,4) that are connected with each other in a pivoting manner in an adjusted plane. An end portion (5) of each support leg is connected directly or indirectly with a guiding device (6), where the connection of the support leg with the guiding device, provides a balancing movement of the end portion. An independent claim is also included for an ironing table with a guiding device which is integrated in an ironing table board.