Tilting Garment Steamer Board With Reversible Steam Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stand garment steamers are difficult to reposition for optimal de-wrinkling, posing a risk to users and requiring manual handling of steam, with treatment boards that are cumbersome and prone to leakage.
Innovation Solution
A stand garment steamer with a reversible steam generator and tilting mechanism, allowing the treatment board to be positioned vertically or horizontally, featuring a fluid pathway integrated within the support to reduce parts and enhance stability, and a flexible hose to prevent tangling and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the treatment board is made fixed and heavy to improve stability, then the steamer provides stable operation, but the treatment board becomes difficult for users to reposition and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment board is made dynamically adjustable through a tilting mechanism that allows it to be repositioned between vertical and horizontal orientations. This dynamic design enables users to adjust the board's position easily while maintaining stability during operation through locking mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the generator is placed on the treatment board to reduce device complexity, then the system becomes more compact, but the treatment board becomes heavier and more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the generator remains in the base unit while the treatment board is kept lightweight and separate. This segmentation allows the treatment board to be easily maneuvered and positioned without the added weight of the generator, while the fluid pathway connects the two components efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If the treatment board is made lightweight and movable to improve ease of operation, then users can easily reposition it, but the steamer loses stability
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment board employs a dynamic design with a tilting mechanism that enables easy repositioning between vertical and horizontal positions. Locking mechanisms are incorporated to ensure the board remains stable and secure during steaming operations, providing both ease of adjustment and operational stability.
4Reliability
If a rigid fluid pathway is used to reduce leakage, then fluid transfer is reliable, but the system becomes more complex and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway utilizes flexible hoses instead of rigid conduits to connect the generator in the base unit to the treatment board. These flexible hoses are resistant to tangling and leakage, providing reliable fluid transfer while maintaining system simplicity and reducing the risk of damage during board repositioning.
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 solution enables safer, more efficient fabric steaming by reducing manual handling risks, improving crease removal, and enhancing the steamer's stability and ease of use, while reducing the complexity and weight of the device.
Implementation Method 1
The reversible generator gives the stand garment steamer a lower centre of gravity and increased stability. The reversible generator located in the base unit makes the treatment board lighter, less cumbersome and easier to support.
Implementation Method 2
air which is drawn through the at least one vent helps to remove steam from the fabric once it has been used to treat the fabric
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a stand garment steamer (1). The stand garment steamer (1) has a base unit (2), a support (19) extending from the base unit (2), and a treatment board (14) with a treatment surface (17) against which fabric is positionable. The treatment board (14) is supported and spaced from the base unit (2) by the support (19).A tilting mechanism (20) connects the support (19) to the treatment board (14), the tilting mechanism (20) being operable to allow the treatment board (14) to be fixed in multiple operating orientations between vertical and horizontal positions.A reversible generator is in the base unit (2), and at least one vent (18) is in the treatment surface (17) through which air and/or steam from the reversible generator is passable. A fluid pathway (47) fluidly connects the reversible generator and the at least one vent (18) irrespective of the operating orientation of the treatment board. This stand garment steamer improves ironing experience of users.