Movable Induction Coil Ironing Board for Cordless Iron Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cordless induction-type clothes irons require powerful induction coils for effective heating, leading to high costs and a heavy ironing board, making them difficult to fold and store, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage energy usage or user convenience.
Innovation Solution
An ironing board with a movably supported induction coil that adjusts position based on the cordless clothes iron's location, using sensors and control units to optimize energy efficiency and reliability, allowing a single coil to effectively heat the sole plate at any point on the table, with features like load monitoring, temperature control, and wireless communication for precise temperature maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If powerful induction coils are installed under the ironing board for effective heating, then the heating performance is improved, but the ironing board becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The induction coil is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned only when needed. The coil can be moved to different locations under the table to follow the position of the clothes iron, enabling effective heating with a single lighter coil instead of multiple fixed powerful coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is segmented in time and space - the induction coil operates intermittently and moves to different positions rather than continuously heating the entire table surface. This allows using a single coil with reduced power requirements compared to multiple simultaneous heating zones.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple induction coils are installed under the ironing board for inductive heating, then the heating coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single induction coil is made dynamically movable to provide heating coverage across different areas of the table. The coil follows the position of the clothes iron, ensuring the heated area matches the actual need rather than heating the entire table surface simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The single movable induction coil serves multiple positions and functions that would otherwise require multiple fixed coils. It can heat any location on the table as needed, providing universal heating coverage with a single device.
3Weight of stationary object
If a single induction coil is used with movable support, then the ironing board weight is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to position sensing and coil displacement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the clothes iron itself as the reference object for position sensing. The sensing unit detects the position of the iron, and the control unit automatically moves the induction coil to follow it, eliminating the need for complex manual control or multiple sensors throughout the table.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously senses the position of the clothes iron and uses this feedback to control the movement of the induction coil. The control unit adjusts the coil position based on real-time position information, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains optimal heating alignment.
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 enables efficient and reliable inductive power transmission for cordless clothes irons, reducing energy consumption, improving user convenience, and allowing for easier handling and storage of the ironing board by using a single induction coil that adapts to the clothes iron's position and temperature needs.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil (4) for generating a time-varying electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The induction coil which are installed under the ironing board, generate an electromagnetic field which induces electric currents in the sole plate. Thereby, the sole plate is inductively heated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an ironing board (1) suitable for use with a cordless clothes iron (2), comprising a table (3) for ironing clothes thereon, an induction coil (4) for generating a time-varying electromagnetic field and a first control unit (5) for controlling operation of the induction coil (4) and a support unit configured to movably support the induction coil (4) along the table. The present invention further relates to an ironing system (12) comprising the ironing board (1) and the cordless clothes iron (2), wherein the cordless clothes iron (2) has a sole plate (13) made from a material suitable for induction heating.