Portable Textile Iron with Angled Image Sensor and Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current garment care devices require manual adjustment of settings, such as temperature, for different textiles, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage, especially with the loss of care labels over time, and existing solutions like image sensors and smartphone apps are not universally convenient or effective.
Innovation Solution
A portable textile treatment device with a heatable soleplate and integrated image sensor that captures images of the textile at an angled orientation, using thermal insulation to prevent overheating, and executes an algorithm to classify the fabric type or delicateness level, automatically adjusting operating parameters like temperature and steam application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the maximum temperature of the ironing device is reduced to omit manual control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates because ironing of tougher materials requires more time
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses an image sensor to automatically detect fabric type and characteristics, then the control unit autonomously adjusts temperature and other parameters without user intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual control while maintaining optimal temperature for different fabrics, thus preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fabric characteristics through the image sensor and provides feedback to the control unit, which dynamically adjusts operating parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to different fabric types, maintaining both ease of operation and productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of temperature settings is required for different textiles, then the manufacturing precision of treatment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of temperature settings with an automated optical detection system (image sensor) and electronic control. The image sensor captures fabric characteristics, and the control unit automatically determines optimal parameters, substituting manual operation with automated sensing and control while maintaining treatment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-adjustment of temperature settings by automatically detecting fabric type through image analysis. The control unit autonomously configures optimal parameters based on detected fabric characteristics, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment while preserving precise treatment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an image sensor is integrated into the ironing device to detect fabric type, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image sensor, control unit, and ironing functions into a single integrated device. By combining these components, the system achieves high adaptability for detecting various fabric types while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate standalone systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ironing device incorporates multiple functions: heating/ironing, image capture, fabric analysis, and automatic parameter adjustment. This multi-functional universal device achieves high adaptability across different fabric types while consolidating components to manage overall system complexity.
4Measurement precision
If the image sensor is positioned close to the heatable soleplate for effective image capture, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to heat damage to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image sensor from direct contact with the heatable soleplate by positioning it in proximity but thermally isolated. The sensor captures images of the fabric through the soleplate opening from a distance, separating the sensing function from the heating function to protect the sensor while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal insulation as an intermediary between the heatable soleplate and the image sensor. This insulation layer allows the sensor to be positioned close enough for effective image capture through the soleplate opening while blocking heat transfer that would otherwise damage the sensor, thus maintaining both precision and reliability.
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 device provides efficient and safe textile treatment by automatically adjusting parameters based on fabric classification, reducing the risk of damage and eliminating the need for manual settings, even when care labels are lost.
Implementation Method 1
The device further comprises thermal insulation means arranged in-between said heatable soleplate and said module for insulating said module from heat dissipated by said heatable soleplate
Implementation Method 2
a heatable soleplate intended to be in contact with a textile for treating the textile
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable textile treatment device comprising a heatable soleplate (4) intended to be in contact with a textile (TXT) for treating the textile. The heatable soleplate (4) comprises a soleplate opening (H). The device comprises a module (MD) comprising an image sensor (5) for taking an image of the textile to be treated through the soleplate opening (H), and a control unit (8) configured for a) executing an algorithm stored in said portable textile treatment device, using the taken image as an input of the algorithm, to obtain a classification of the textile, and for b) controlling, based on the classification, at least one operating parameter of the portable textile treatment device. The module (MD) and the control unit (8) are integrated within the portable textile treatment device. The image sensor comprises an active surface sensitive to light which is oriented with respect to the surface of the heatable soleplate (4), with an absolute value of an orientation angle being in the range from 15 to 70 degrees. The portable textile treatment device further comprises thermal insulation means arranged in-between the heatable soleplate (4) and the module (MD) for insulating the module (MD) from heat dissipated by the heatable soleplate (4).