Portable steamer with ironing arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clothing steamers are not portable and cannot perform ironing, making them impractical for travel due to the need for a built-in water tank and lack of ironing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A portable steamer design that uses an external water container, such as a typical water bottle, with a steamer housing, steam generator, ironing arrangement, and pumping device, allowing for steam generation and ironing without a built-in tank, featuring a water inlet, steam outlet, and an engagement arrangement for external container use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a built-in water tank is used in conventional steamers, then steam generation function is ensured, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is extracted from the steamer body and replaced by an external container (such as a water bottle). The steamer only retains the steam generation components, which are connected to the external water container through a water inlet. This separation eliminates the weight burden of a built-in tank while ensuring continuous steam generation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional steamer design is used, then steam function is provided, but ironing function is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The ironing function is merged with the steam generation system. An ironing head is integrated into the steamer body, which can be heated to provide ironing function. The ironing head receives both steam from the steam generator and direct heat, combining two functions (steaming and ironing) into a single device without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Weight of moving object
If external water container is used, then portability is improved, but water supply reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A water inlet structure serves as an intermediary between the external water container and the steam generator. This water inlet includes engagement features that securely connect to the water container, ensuring reliable water supply while maintaining portability. The intermediary structure guarantees stable connection and continuous water flow to the steam generation system.
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
Enables a compact, portable steamer that can utilize steam and iron clothing fabric simultaneously, eliminating the need for a built-in water tank and enhancing usability during travel.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator provided in the main body for generating steam of high-temperature
Implementation Method 2
a pumping device provided in the steamer housing for pumping water from the external container to the steam generator
Data Source
AI summary
A portable steamer for use with an external container includes a steamer housing, a steam generator, an ironing arrangement, and engagement arrangement and a pumping device. The ironing arrangement includes an ironing head mounted on the steamer housing. The engagement arrangement is provided on a water inlet of the steamer housing for selectively engaging with the external container. The pumping device is provided in the steamer housing for pumping water from the external container to the steam generator. The steam generator is arranged to deliver steam to a steam outlet of the steamer housing while at the same time the ironing head is arranged to be utilized for flattening fabric.