Steam Iron Soleplate Recess for Better Steam Diffusion and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam irons with recessed soleplates for improved steam distribution and reduced friction are costly and do not adequately moisten laundry, especially in the recess area, and require more energy for ironing performance.
Innovation Solution
A steam iron with a soleplate featuring a recess of depth 1 mm or greater, surrounded by a gliding surface without steam outlet holes, which forms a steam diffusion cavity for enhanced steam distribution and efficient drying, allowing for improved ironing performance with reduced energy expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a recessed soleplate design is used to improve steam distribution and reduce friction, then ironing performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the recess depth to a specific range (1-5 mm) and controlling the ratio between recess surface area and total soleplate area (20-80%). By adjusting these geometric parameters, the design achieves improved steam diffusion and reduced friction without excessive manufacturing complexity, resolving the contradiction between performance and cost.
2Productivity
If a recessed soleplate is used to create a steam cushion, then steam routing to laundry is improved, but the laundry is not sufficiently moistened in the recess region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed cavity that concentrates steam in a specific region, and by providing steam outlet holes at the bottom of the recess to ensure localized moisture delivery. The recess depth (1-5 mm) and surface area ratio (20-80%) are optimized to ensure sufficient steam moisture in the recess region while maintaining overall steam routing efficiency.
3Productivity
If the recess depth is increased to improve steam diffusion, then steam cushion formation is enhanced, but energy loss by radiation from the recess bottom increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the recess depth parameter within a specific range (1-5 mm). This parameter optimization balances steam diffusion efficiency with radiative energy loss, ensuring that the recess is deep enough to form an effective steam cushion but not so deep that excessive energy is lost through radiation from the recess bottom.
4Ease of operation
If the gliding surface area is reduced to minimize friction, then sliding efficiency is improved, but the ability to dry laundry after steam moistening is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the gliding surface to be positioned specifically at the periphery of the soleplate, surrounding the recess. This peripheral positioning allows the gliding surface to effectively dry the laundry at the edges after steam moistening in the central recess area, thus maintaining both sliding efficiency and drying capability without requiring a large overall gliding surface area.
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 better ironing performance and energy efficiency by ensuring thorough steam penetration and drying, using a soleplate with a recess depth tailored to the material emissivity, resulting in a high-efficiency ironing process with lower steam flow rates and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the recess forms a steam diffusion cavity which is surrounded by the gliding surface when the soleplate is applied against the laundry to be ironed
Implementation Method 2
reduce the energy transmitted by radiation from the bottom of the recess to the surface of the laundry
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The iron has a soleplate (1) comprising a lower face with a sliding surface (11) that is in contact with linen. A recess (10) of the lower face supplies vapor. The recess is bordered on periphery of another recess by the sliding surface such that the recesses form a vapor diffusion cavity for diffusing vapor that is surrounded by sliding surface when the soleplate is applied against the linen to be ironed. Depth of the recess is higher or equal to 1 mm. The recess comprises a base (10A) constituted by a plane surface provided with a vapor exit hole (12).