Motion-Controlled Soleplate Moisturization to Prevent Ironing Wet Spots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam irons are wasteful and inefficient in achieving optimal moisture content for ironing, often leaving behind wet spots due to inadequate water distribution and evaporation during the ironing process.
Innovation Solution
A garment iron with a water reservoir, heatable soleplate, and a control unit that dynamically adjusts the water outflow rate based on motion-dependent variables like direction and speed to ensure optimal moisture content and prevent wet spots, using a water atomization and distribution unit and sensors to manage the water distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If steam is used to moisturize fabric, then moisture content can be increased, but water and energy efficiency deteriorates because most steam passes through without condensing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the state parameter of water from gaseous (steam) to liquid phase for application. Liquid water at controlled temperature provides efficient moisture transfer without the waste inherent in steam, directly resolving the energy efficiency problem while achieving the desired moisture content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water application rate based on iron movement speed and direction. This ensures optimal moisture delivery regardless of user ironing speed, maintaining efficiency while adapting to varying operational conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid water is applied to fabric, then optimal moisture content can be achieved, but wet spots are created that require additional time to evaporate
Solution Approach 1:
The water application rate is dynamically coupled to the iron's movement speed. When the iron moves slowly or pauses, water application is reduced or paused, preventing oversaturation. When moved quickly, water is applied at higher rates, ensuring adequate moisture without creating wet spots that would require prolonged drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses motion sensors to detect iron movement and provides feedback to the water control mechanism. This closed-loop control ensures water application matches actual ironing activity, preventing both under-moisturizing and over-saturation that leads to wet spots.
3Device complexity
If water outlet openings are fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different ironing speeds and directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water outlet system is segmented into multiple independently controllable openings or zones. Each segment can be activated or deactivated based on the iron's movement direction and speed, providing spatial adaptability without requiring a completely complex mechanical water delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
While the physical outlet positions remain fixed, the system dynamically controls which outlets are active and at what flow rates based on motion parameters. This provides adaptability to different ironing patterns without adding mechanical complexity to the outlet structure itself.
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 iron efficiently achieves the desired moisture content of 3-15% by weight in fabrics, ensuring that all deposited water is evaporated during the ironing process, eliminating wet spots and improving ironing results while being energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
water atomization and distribution unit, configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
a heatable soleplate
Implementation Method 3
ensuring that all deposited water is evaporated during the ironing process
Implementation Method 4
at least one sensor configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An iron (1), comprising: - a water reservoir (16), configured to hold liquid water; - a heatable soleplate (20); - at least one water outlet opening (24); - a water atomization and distribution unit (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening; - at least one sensor (40,42), configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron and to generate a reference signal reflecting said variable; - a control unit (50), operatively connected to both the water atomization and distribution unit (30) and the at least one sensor (40, 42), and configured to control a water outflow rate of the at least one water outlet opening (24) by controlling the operation of the water atomization and distribution unit in dependence of the reference signal generated by the at least one sensor.