Steam Iron Soleplate Temperature Control to Prevent Spitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam ironing devices often suffer from issues such as water droplets reaching the ironing material, leading to discoloration and uneven ironing results due to condensate accumulation and pressure peaks, which can cause 'spitting' and explosive noises.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature sensor in the hand-held device to ensure the soleplate is at a suitable temperature before steam is supplied, and using a control device to manage steam output based on pressure and user input patterns, preventing steam release if conditions are not met, thus avoiding contamination and uneven smoothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam is supplied at high pressure to increase steam output, then steam supply quantity is improved, but water droplets and condensate are entrained causing spitting and staining
Solution Approach 1:
The control device checks the soleplate temperature before allowing steam supply. This preliminary action ensures the soleplate is hot enough to evaporate water droplets, preventing spitting and staining while allowing high-pressure steam supply for adequate steam output.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors soleplate temperature and uses this feedback to control valve activation. Steam supply is only permitted when temperature exceeds the threshold, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents water droplet contamination while maintaining high steam output capability.
2Productivity
If steam supply is activated after a long break, then steam output is restored, but pressure peaks cause condensate ejection and explosive noises
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts valve activation based on real-time temperature conditions. After long breaks, the system waits for the soleplate to reach adequate temperature before permitting steam supply, adapting the steam delivery timing to current thermal conditions to avoid pressure-induced spitting.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature feedback from the soleplate controls valve activation timing. The control device monitors temperature continuously and only activates the valve when temperature conditions are suitable, preventing pressure peaks from ejecting condensate even after long operational breaks.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the soleplate temperature is low, then energy consumption is reduced, but water droplets cannot evaporate leading to uneven ironing
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses temperature feedback to gate steam supply. Steam is only permitted when soleplate temperature exceeds the threshold, ensuring water droplets evaporate properly for uniform ironing. This feedback control prevents energy waste from steam supply to cold surfaces while guaranteeing ironing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (valve activation) based on temperature conditions. When temperature is below threshold, valve activation is blocked; when above threshold, activation is permitted. This parameter change ensures energy efficiency while maintaining ironing uniformity through conditional steam supply.
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 solution significantly improves steam quality, prevents unwanted staining and explosive noises, ensuring even vaporization and smoothing results by ensuring steam is only released when the soleplate is at the correct temperature and pressure is controlled.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for evaporating the water held in the boiler
Implementation Method 2
a heating element for heating the soleplate
Implementation Method 3
the hand-held device also includes a temperature sensor in order to record the temperature of the sole
Implementation Method 4
the control device being set up or programmed to activate and close the valve depending on the input means and the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor deactivate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an ironing device (1), comprising - a steam generator (6), comprising a water tank (5), a boiler (7) for holding water and a heating element (8) for evaporating water held in the boiler (7), wherein the boiler (7) comprises a valve (22) as a steam outlet for connecting a steam line (12a) for supplying the steam to a hand-held device (21) connected to the line (12a), - a hand-held device (21), with - a soleplate (9), - a heating element (13) for heating the soleplate (9), - a handle (14) and an input means (17b) for activating and deactivating the valve (22) for dispensing steam from the boiler (7). In order to easily supply steam of consistently high quality to the item to be ironed, the hand-held device (21) also has a temperature sensor (20) to record the temperature of the soleplate (9) and to transmit it to the control device (18) via a signal connection (12b). transmit, wherein the control device (18) is set up or programmed to activate and deactivate the valve (22) depending on the input means (17b) and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (20).