Ironing device provided with a support accessory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in accessing and using the support accessory for automatic cleaning of ironing appliances, leading to ineffective cleaning operations and potential damage to the appliance.

Innovation Solution

An ironing appliance with a base that includes a storage cavity for a removably mounted support accessory, which can tilt the ironing soleplate to facilitate scale detachment and features a compact design for easy storage and access, enhancing the automatic cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support accessory is placed in a dedicated location outside the base, then the iron can be properly positioned for automatic cleaning, but the user may lose the accessory or have difficulty accessing it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operation effectivenessVSAvoidaccessibility of support accessory
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support accessory is integrated into the base by placing it within a storage cavity, combining the support function with the base structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate external placement while ensuring the accessory is always accessible and properly positioned for cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support accessory is pre-positioned within the storage cavity of the base, ready for use before cleaning operations begin. This preliminary positioning ensures the accessory is always available and correctly placed, eliminating the need for users to search for or transport it separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If the support accessory is made compact for storage, then it fits in the base cavity, but it must still provide sufficient tilt angle for effective cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space requirementVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support accessory incorporates a pivotable foot that can be extended to create the necessary tilt angle during cleaning operations and folded back into a compact position for storage. This dynamic mechanism allows the accessory to transform between compact storage configuration and functional cleaning configuration, resolving the contradiction between size and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3572579B1Ironing device provided with a support accessory
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 SEB SA
  • EP3572579B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3572579B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3572579B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

This ironing appliance includes an iron and a base (4) connected by a connecting cord to the iron, in which the base (4) has a storage cavity (38) and the ironing appliance further includes a support accessory (37) removably mounted in the storage cavity (38), said support accessory (37) including a platform (39) adapted to receive an ironing soleplate of the iron.