Steam Iron Soleplate With Permeable Steam Cavity for Uniform Moistening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam irons have limitations in effective crease removal due to high-temperature sole plates that overheat garments, causing shine or deformation, and uneven steam distribution, leading to less effective moistening of fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A steam iron design featuring a sole portion with a steam cavity and a permeable element that allows uniform steam distribution across the fabric contact surface, minimizing direct heat contact and enhancing moisture penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the sole plate is heated to a high temperature, then the fabric is heated up, but the effective moistening of the fabric is reduced and the garment may be overheated causing shine or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The sole plate is segmented into a heated zone and a non-heated zone. The heated zone contains the steam cavity for steam generation, while the non-heated zone (outer rim with fabric contact surface) remains cool to prevent fabric damage. This segmentation allows the fabric to be exposed to steam moisture without direct contact with the hot surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam acts as an intermediary between the heated zone and the fabric. The steam cavity generates steam that contacts the fabric, transferring moisture and heat indirectly through the steam medium rather than through direct contact with the hot sole plate surface.
2Device complexity
If only a limited number of vent holes are formed through the sole plate, then the structure is simple, but moistening of the fabric occurs mainly in the area of vent holes and other areas become drier
Solution Approach 1:
The sole plate incorporates a porous or permeable material in the heated zone that allows steam to escape through numerous small pores distributed across the surface. This creates uniform steam distribution across the entire fabric contact area rather than through limited discrete holes, while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 design achieves more effective crease removal and wrinkle reduction by distributing steam evenly and reducing heat stress on the fabric, allowing for lower transition temperatures and improved fabric moistening.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable element disposed in the steam cavity such that steam supplied into the steam cavity from the steam generating unit passes through the permeable element and is supplied to a fabric to be pressed
Implementation Method 2
The steam is used to heat up and momentarily moisten the fabric of the garment in an attempt to obtain effective removal of creases from the fabric
Data Source
AI summary
Steam irons are known which provide steam to a fabric of a garment to be pressed through holes in a sole plate. The present invention relates to a steam iron comprising a main body (2), a steam generating unit (6) and a sole portion (4). The sole portion (4) comprises a steam cavity (20) and an outer rim (19) extending around the steam cavity (20), the outer rim (19) having a fabric contact surface (22) and the steam cavity (20) having a permeable element (42) disposed therein. Therefore, steam supplied into the steam cavity (20) from the steam generating unit (6) is supplied to a fabric to be pressed when the fabric contact surface (22) is located against said fabric.