Steam ironing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable steam smoothing apparatuses tend to spatter water when tilted, leading to inefficient steam distribution and reduced performance due to uneven temperature and steam production.
Innovation Solution
A steam smoothing apparatus with a steaming chamber having a bottom wall forming an angle of 45° to 90° and two separate nozzles for injecting liquid into distinct steaming areas, ensuring homogeneous temperature distribution and controlled steam production, along with a retention system to prevent water droplets from escaping through the steam outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single nozzle is used to spray liquid into the steaming chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven and steam production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steaming chamber is divided into multiple steaming zones, each served by a separate nozzle. This segmentation allows liquid to be distributed across different areas simultaneously, creating more uniform temperature distribution and enhancing overall steam production efficiency without requiring a single complex high-capacity nozzle
2Ease of operation
If the bottom wall is tilted to improve ergonomics or reach different areas, then ease of operation is improved, but water droplets escape through the steam outlet orifice causing spattering
Solution Approach 1:
The retention wall is positioned and dimensioned to preemptively counteract the harmful effect of tilting. By creating a potential barrier before tilting occurs, the design prevents water droplets from reaching the steam outlet orifice even when the apparatus is tilted during operation, thus eliminating spattering while maintaining operational flexibility
3Ease of manufacture
If the bottom wall forms a 90° angle with the treatment surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but steam distribution efficiency is reduced compared to optimized angles
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the steaming chamber are optimized for different functions: the bottom wall angle is optimized (45°-60°) for steam distribution efficiency in the steaming areas, while the retention wall geometry is optimized for water containment. This local optimization allows each region to perform its specific function at peak efficiency without compromising overall manufacturability
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 apparatus achieves a high steam flow with reduced water spattering, maintaining efficient steam production and distribution across various positions, ensuring effective garment smoothing without water leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a heating body (6) comprising a steaming chamber (60)... promotes steam production
Implementation Method 2
faster steaming of the liquid in the steaming chamber
Implementation Method 3
means for injecting liquid into the steaming chamber... at least two nozzles injecting liquid onto two separate steaming areas
Implementation Method 4
the heating body includes an electrical resistor, the power to which is controlled by means of a thermostat
Data Source
AI summary
A steam ironing apparatus including a handle connected to a steam-emitting head including a treatment surface intended for being placed vertically opposite a garment to be ironed and including at least one steam outlet opening, the steam-emitting head including a heating body including a steaming chamber including a bottom wall forming an angle of 45° to 90° with the treatment surface and including an injection system to inject liquid into the steaming chamber, wherein the injection system to inject liquid includes at least two nozzles injecting liquid onto two separate steaming areas of the steaming chamber.