Steam iron and methods for preparing a steam iron for shipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam irons often have residual water in the water reservoir after quality control testing, which can lead to consumer complaints and product returns due to the perception that the iron is defective or used, as the existing seals do not allow evaporation during shipment.
Innovation Solution
A blocking member is applied to the steam iron to prevent the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment, allowing residual water to evaporate, comprising an arm extending within the port and a base positioned outside, ensuring the plug cannot create a seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug seals the water inlet port to prevent water leakage during use, then water tightness is improved, but residual water cannot evaporate during shipment causing consumer complaints
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the sealing function into two distinct phases: during quality control testing, the plug seals the water inlet port to test water tightness; during shipment, the blocking member prevents sealing to allow evaporation. This segmentation allows both water tightness verification and evaporation capability without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element that temporarily prevents the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment. This intermediary component mediates between the need for sealed operation during use and the need for open evaporation during transport, allowing residual water to evaporate while maintaining the integrity of the sealing mechanism for actual use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the plug seals the water inlet port during shipment, then water leakage is prevented, but consumer perception of used/defective product increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is applied in advance during the preparation for shipment phase, before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary action ensures that residual water has time to evaporate during transit and storage, so that when the consumer receives the product, the water reservoir is dry and the product appears new and unused, eliminating the perception of defect or prior use.
3Reliability
If quality control testing is performed with water in the reservoir, then product quality is ensured, but residual water remains causing product returns
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member extracts or removes the sealing function during the shipment phase, allowing residual water to evaporate from the water reservoir. This takes out the water-tight sealing that was necessary for quality control testing, enabling the residual water to be removed through evaporation during transit, thus preventing the appearance of used products and reducing returns.
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
Prevents the perception of a used product by allowing residual water to evaporate during shipping, reducing product returns and consumer complaints, and ensuring the steam iron is ready for use upon delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking member may be configured to prevent the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment of the steam iron, thereby enabling any residual water to evaporate during shipping and/or prior to purchase.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a steam iron having a housing, a handle, a soleplate, a water reservoir comprising a water inlet port, a fill door comprising a plug sized to seal the water inlet port, and a blocking member configured to prevent the plug from sealing the water inlet port during shipment of the steam iron. Methods for preparing a steam iron for shipment are also provided.