Steam iron comprising a heating body provided with a steam chamber and an ironing surface thermally connected to the heating body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam irons with large thermal conduction contacts face design limitations and create hot spots, making it difficult to achieve even heat distribution and mechanical stability while maintaining a high steam chamber temperature for ironing delicate fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A steam iron design with two independently produced components pressed together at multiple points of contact with surface areas less than 2 mm², utilizing protrusions made by stamping for mechanical connection and steam distribution, and an aluminum plate with a stainless steel cap for efficient heat transfer and steam circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large thermal conduction contacts are used to connect the heating body and ironing surface, then mechanical stability is improved, but hot spots are created and heat distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is segmented into multiple discrete contact points rather than a continuous large-area contact. The heating body and ironing surface are connected through several small contact points (each less than 2 mm²), which distributes the thermal conduction paths and prevents concentration of heat flow that would create hot spots, while still providing sufficient mechanical stability.
2Strength
If large thermal conduction contacts are used, then mechanical connection strength is improved, but thermal conduction becomes too high locally
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface has non-uniform thermal conduction properties distributed across multiple locations. Each contact point is designed with specific local characteristics (small area less than 2 mm²) to control thermal conduction at that location, creating a pattern of localized thermal pathways that collectively provide balanced heat distribution while maintaining mechanical strength.
3Productivity
If the steam chamber temperature is maintained high for effective ironing, then ironing performance is improved, but the ironing surface temperature may become too high for delicate fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal conduction path is segmented into multiple small contact points that distribute and diffuse the thermal energy. This segmentation allows the steam chamber to maintain high temperature for effective steam generation while the distributed contact points prevent concentration of heat at any single location on the ironing surface, thereby protecting delicate fabrics from excessive localized heat.
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
This design achieves even heat distribution, mechanical stability, and continuous steam output, ensuring effective ironing of various fabrics without damaging them, while maintaining a high steam chamber temperature and being cost-effective and compact.
Implementation Method 1
the heat produced by the heating body being transferred to the ironing surface by conduction through at least two components of the iron pressed together
Implementation Method 2
the water turns to steam
Implementation Method 3
the heat produced by the heating body being transferred to the ironing surface by conduction
Data Source
AI summary
Steam iron comprising a heating body (3) comprising a steam chamber (32) and an ironing surface (52) connected thermally to the heating body (3), the ironing surface (52) being designed to come into contact with the fabric to be ironed, and being advantageously provided with steam release holes (50), the heat produced by the heating body (3) being transferred to the ironing surface (52) by conduction through at least two components (3, 4) of the iron, pressed together, characterized in that the two components (3, 4) are in direct contact with one another at at least one point of contact (40A) with a contact surface area of less than 2 mm2 and preferably less than 1 mm2.