U.S. patent application number 11/993706 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for method for operating an active ironing board.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.. Invention is credited to Chandra Mohan Janakiraman, Derrick Wai Thong Loke, Kok Wah Ma, Choon Hwee Tan, Mong Hua Tan, Swee Loon Michael Tang, Mohankumar Valiyambath Krishnan.
Application Number | 20100043260 11/993706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37398420 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Janakiraman; Chandra Mohan ;
et al. |
February 25, 2010 |
METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ACTIVE IRONING BOARD
Abstract
An ironing board (1) comprises a fan (20) for generating an
airflow and a controlling unit (40) for controlling a mode in which
the fan (20) is driven during operation of the ironing board (1).
When there is a need for obtaining an airflow through an item to be
ironed, the controlling unit (40) puts the fan (20) to a mode in
which it is driven at a normal operating speed. However, when there
is no such need, the controlling unit (40) puts the fan (20) to a
mode in which it is driven at a speed which is lower than a normal
operating speed. In this way, it is achieved that the fan (20) is
continuously driven during operation of the ironing board (1), also
in case an ironing process performed with the help of the ironing
board (1) does not require an operation of the fan (20). As an
advantageous result, condensation of steam inside the ironing board
(1) is prevented.
Inventors: |
Janakiraman; Chandra Mohan;
(Singapore, SG) ; Valiyambath Krishnan; Mohankumar;
(Singapore, SG) ; Tan; Mong Hua; (Singapore,
SG) ; Tang; Swee Loon Michael; (Singapore, SG)
; Tan; Choon Hwee; (Singapore, SG) ; Ma; Kok
Wah; (Singapore, SG) ; Loke; Derrick Wai Thong;
(Singapore, SG) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
PO BOX 3001
BRIARCLIFF MANOR
NY
10510-8001
US
|
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
N.V.
EINDHOVEN
NL
|
Family ID: |
37398420 |
Appl. No.: |
11/993706 |
Filed: |
July 4, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 4, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2006/052238 |
371 Date: |
December 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
38/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 81/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
38/104 |
International
Class: |
D06F 81/00 20060101
D06F081/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2005 |
EP |
05106215.6 |
Claims
1. Method for operating an ironing board having air displacing
means comprising at least one air displacing device such as a fan
for generating an airflow, wherein the air displacing means are
continuously kept in an activated state during the operation of the
ironing board, wherein, in case there is a need for an airflow
capable of acting on an item to be ironed when such item is placed
on the ironing board the ironing board is put to a normal operating
condition in which the air displacing means are operated for the
purpose of generating an airflow at a normal flow rate, and
wherein, in case there is no such need, the ironing board is put to
a ventilating condition in which the air displacing means operated
for the purpose of generating an airflow at a flow rate which is
reduced with respect to the normal flow rate.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the reduced flow rate is
close to the lowest possible flow rate for effective removal of
steam and/or condensed steam from the ironing boarding.
3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the reduced flow rate is
practically the lowest possible flow rate for effective removal of
steam and/or condensed steam from the ironing board.
4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the air displacing means
comprise one air displacing device, wherein, when the ironing board
is put to the normal operating condition, the air displacing device
is driven at a normal operating speed for the purpose of generating
an airflow at the normal flow rate, and wherein, when the ironing
board is put to the ventilating condition, the air displacing
device is driven at a ventilating speed for the purpose of
generating an airflow at the reduced flow rate, the ventilating
speed being lower than the normal operating speed.
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the speed at which the
air-displacing device is driven is controlled on the basis of at
least one characteristic of a voltage supplied to the
air-displacing device.
6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the speed at which the air
displacing device is driven is controlled on the basis of
pulse-width modulation of a voltage supplied to the air displacing
device.
7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the air displacing means
comprise two air displacing devices, wherein, when the ironing
board is put to the normal operating condition, both air displacing
devices are operated, and wherein, when the ironing board is put to
the ventilating condition, only one of the air displacing devices
is operated.
8. Method according to claim 7, wherein one of the air displacing
devices is continuously driven at a substantially constant
speed.
9. Method according to claim 1, wherein, in the ventilating
condition of the ironing boarding the air displacing device is
driven in a rotational direction associated with a sucking action
of the device, i.e. a rotational direction in which the air
displacing device is capable of generating an airflow which is
directed from a top side of the ironing board which is adapted to
supporting items to be ironed, to a bottom side of the ironing
board.
10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the ironing board is
heated.
11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the airflow which is
generated by the air displacing means is heated.
12. Ironing board having air displacing means comprising at least
one air displacing device such as a fan for generating an airflow,
and a controlling unit adapted to carrying out the method according
to claim 1.
13. Ironing board according to claim 12, comprising one air
displacing device, wherein the controlling means are adapted to
driving the air displacing device at a normal operating speed when
there is a need for an airflow capable of acting on an item to be
ironed when such item is placed on the ironing board, and to
driving the air displacing device at a ventilating speed when there
is no such need, the ventilating speed being lower than the normal
operating speed.
14. Ironing board according to claim 13, wherein the controlling
means are adapted to controlling the speed at which the air
displacing device is driven on the basis of at least one
characteristic of a voltage supplied to the air displacing device
during operation of the ironing board.
15. Ironing board according to claim 12, comprising two air
displacing devices, wherein the controlling means adapted to
operating both air displacing devices when there is a need for an
airflow capable of acting on an item to be ironed when such item is
placed on the ironing board, and to operating only one of the air
displacing devices when there is no such need.
16. Ironing board according to claim 15, wherein the controlling
means are adapted to continuously driving one of the air displacing
devices at a substantially constant speed.
17. Ironing board according to claim 12, wherein the air displacing
device is drivable in two rotational directions.
18. Ironing board according to claim 12, comprising at least one
heating element for heating the ironing board.
19. Ironing board according to claim 12, comprising at least one
heater for heating the airflow which is generated by the air
displacing means during operation of the ironing board.
20. Ironing board according to claim 12, wherein at least a top
side of the ironing board, which is adapted to supporting items to
be ironed, comprises at least one element manufactured from a
plastic material that is resistant to the relatively high
temperatures prevailing during operation of the ironing board.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating an
ironing board having air-displacing means comprising at least one
air-displacing device such as a fan for generating airflow.
[0002] Such an ironing board is known, for example from U.S. Pat.
No. 6,655,055, and is also referred to as active ironing board. In
general, an active ironing board is suitable to be applied in a
steam ironing process that is aimed at treating items such as
garments with steam for the purpose of removing wrinkles from these
items. In many cases, the items are also heated during the steam
ironing processes, for example by means of a hot soleplate of a
steam iron that is applied during the steam ironing process.
[0003] An important function of the active ironing board is
supporting items to be ironed. For that purpose, the active ironing
board comprises a supporting panel, which is preferably perforated,
such as to be capable of letting through air and steam. In many
cases, the supporting panel is made of flat metal, and a cover of
flannel or the like is placed over this panel to offer more
comfortable ironing. Furthermore, the active ironing board
comprises a ventilating unit for sucking in and blowing out air and
steam through the cover.
[0004] When the active ironing board is applied in a steam ironing
process, steam passes through the cover and the supporting panel,
and eventually gets inside the ironing board. When the steam
touches colder surfaces of elements arranged inside the ironing
board, the steam will condense on these surfaces. In order to avoid
problems such as corrosion of metal elements and fungus growth, it
is important that measures are taken to keep the active ironing
board dry. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,055, the ventilating
unit of the active ironing board should preferably function
continuously during a steam ironing session, and, if needed, for a
certain period of time after the ironing session is over, in order
to ensure that the ironing board is completely dry.
[0005] A disadvantage of the active ironing board known from U.S.
Pat. No. 6,655,055 is that the operation of the ventilation unit is
exclusively controlled by a user of the ironing board. In case the
user decides not to operate the ventilating unit continuously
during a steam ironing session, the moisture problems will occur
anyway. In other words, it is dependent on the actions taken by the
user whether the active ironing board will remain completely dry,
or not. This is a disadvantageous situation, given the fact that
the ventilating unit produces noise, and there is a considerable
chance that the user will choose not to operate the ventilating
unit continuously during a steam ironing process. Furthermore, a
user may be aware of the fact that the operation of the ventilating
unit involves power consumption, and may be inclined to switch off
the ventilating unit now and then during a steam ironing session,
in order to save energy and money.
[0006] In case the user of the active ironing board chooses to
operate the ventilating unit continuously during the steam ironing
session, the ironing board remains dry, but another problem occurs,
namely the problem of the user getting annoyed and irritated by the
noise produced by the ventilating unit.
[0007] It is an objective of the present invention to provide
another method for operating an active ironing board, which is
suitable to be used for keeping the ironing board dry under all
circumstances, without requiring action of a user of the ironing
board, and without annoying the user. This objective is achieved by
means of a method for operating an ironing board having air
displacing means comprising at least one air displacing device such
as a fan for generating an airflow, i.e. an active ironing board,
wherein the air displacing means are continuously kept in an
activated state during the operation of the ironing board, wherein,
in case there is a need for an airflow capable of acting on an item
to be ironed when such item is placed on the ironing board, the
ironing board is put to a normal operating condition in which the
air displacing means are operated for the purpose of generating an
airflow at a normal flow rate, and wherein, in case there is no
such need, the ironing board is put to a ventilating condition in
which the air displacing means are operated for the purpose of
generating an airflow at a flow rate which is reduced with respect
to the normal flow rate.
[0008] According to the present invention, the air displacing means
of the ironing board, which comprise at least one air-displacing
device such as a fan, for example, are continuously kept in an
activated state during the operation of the ironing board. However,
the air displacing means are not continuously operated such as to
generate an airflow at a normal flow rate, in which the air
displacing means are capable of sucking in air for drying an item
to be ironed and for keeping it in place on the ironing board, or
blowing air for inflating an item to be ironed and for avoiding
incorrect creases, depending on the direction in which the at least
one air displacing device of the air displacing means is operated.
In stead, when it is not necessary to have the air displacing means
generating an airflow at the normal flow rate, the ironing board is
put to a ventilating condition, in which the air displacing means
are operated such as to generate an airflow at a flow rate which is
reduced with respect to the normal flow rate.
[0009] Thus, when the method according to the present invention is
applied, the air displacing means are continuously operated during
a steam ironing process. As a result, steam and/or condensed steam
are continuously removed from the ironing board. In situations in
which a steam ironing process does not require the operation of the
air displacing means, the air displacing means are not switched
off, but are operated for the purpose of generating airflow at a
reduced flow rate. In this way, it is possible to realize a
continuous removal of steam and/or condensed steam from the ironing
board, while a user of the ironing board is not unnecessarily
confronted with the noise associated with the normal operating
condition of the ironing board. The noise level associated with the
ventilating condition of the ironing board may even be such that
the user will hardly notice the operation of the air displacing
means in this condition of the ironing board. Another advantage of
the application of the method according to the present invention is
that the ironing board is operated in an energy-saving fashion, as
operating the air displacing means for the purpose of generating an
airflow at a reduced flow rate requires less power than operating
the air displacing means for the purpose of generating an airflow
at a normal flow rate.
[0010] In a preferred way of carrying out the method according to
the present invention, the reduced flow rate is close to the lowest
possible flow rate for effective removal of steam and/or condensed
steam from the ironing board, so that the level of the noise
produced by the air displacing means when the ironing board is in
the ventilating condition may be relatively low. In an even more
preferred way of carrying out the method according to the present
invention, the reduced flow rate is practically the lowest possible
flow rate for effective removal of steam and/or condensed steam
from the ironing board, so that the level of the noise produced by
the air displacing means when the ironing board is in the
ventilating condition is practically the lowest possible level.
Given the fact that the at least one air displacing device of the
air displacing means is arranged inside the ironing board, the
noise associated with the ventilating condition of the ironing
board may even be virtually non-perceptible.
[0011] In another preferred way of carrying out the method
according to the present invention, in which the method is suitable
to be used for the purpose of operating air displacing means
comprising one air displacing device, the ironing board is driven
at a normal operating speed for the purpose of generating an
airflow at the normal flow rate when the ironing board is put to
the normal operating condition, and the air displacing device is
driven at a ventilating speed for the purpose of generating an
airflow at the reduced flow rate when the ironing board is put to
the ventilating condition, the ventilating speed being lower than
the normal operating speed. Preferably, the speed at which the air
displacing device is driven is controlled on the basis of at least
one characteristic of a voltage supplied to the air displacing
device, for example on the basis of pulse-width modulation of such
voltage. This way of controlling the speed at which the
air-displacing device is driven is accurate, and the implementation
of this way of controlling the speed at which the air displacing
device is relatively simple.
[0012] In another preferred way of carrying out the method
according to the present invention, in which the method is suitable
to be used for the purpose of operating air displacing means
comprising two air displacing devices, both air displacing devices
are operated when the ironing board is put to the normal operating
condition, and only one of the air displacing devices is operated
when the ironing board is put to the ventilating condition.
Preferably, this one of the air displacing devices is continuously
driven at a substantially constant speed. According to this way of
carrying out the method according to the present invention, an
appropriate condition of the ironing board is obtained in a
relatively simple manner, namely by using a main air displacing
device, which is continuously driven at a substantially constant
speed, and an auxiliary air displacing device, which is activated
in the normal operating condition, and which is switched off in the
ventilating condition.
[0013] In yet another preferred way of carrying out the method
according to the present invention, in the ventilating condition of
the ironing board, the air displacing device is driven in a
rotational direction associated with a sucking action of the
device, i.e. a rotational direction in which the air displacing
device is capable of generating an airflow which is directed from a
top side of the ironing board, which is adapted to supporting items
to be ironed, to a bottom side of the ironing board. In this way,
it is achieved that the steam is directed away from the user of the
ironing board.
[0014] In yet another preferred way of carrying out the method
according to the present invention, the ironing board is heated, as
the higher the temperature, the lower the risk that the steam
condenses. For the purpose of heating the ironing board, the
ironing board may be equipped with at least one heating
element.
[0015] In yet another preferred way of carrying out the method
according to the present invention, the airflow which is generated
by the air displacing means is heated. In general, a drying process
is more effective when hot air is used instead of cold air.
Therefore, heating the airflow helps to improve and/or to speed up
drying of the ironing board.
[0016] The present invention also relates to an ironing board
having air-displacing means comprising at least one air-displacing
device such as a fan for generating airflow, and a controlling unit
adapted to carrying out the operating method according to the
present invention. According to a feasible possibility, the
controlling means are adapted to putting the ironing board in the
ventilating condition as a default. The ironing board is only put
to a normal operating condition when the controlling means receive
a signal representing a need for doing so. Such a signal may be
provided by the user, but may also be provided by a sensor, for
example, which is arranged such as to detect the presence of an
item to be ironed on the ironing board. In order to enable the user
to provide a signal to the controlling means, these means may
comprise push buttons, a handle which is arranged such as to be put
in one of a predefined number of positions, or any other
arrangement for providing input to the controlling means.
Preferably, such arrangement is incorporated in a steam iron which
is used in combination with the ironing board. In this way, it is
achieved that the arrangement is always within convenient reach of
the user.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the ironing board comprises one
air displacing device, wherein the controlling means are adapted to
driving the air displacing device at a normal operating speed when
there is a need for an airflow capable of acting on an item to be
ironed when such item is placed on the ironing board, and to
driving the air displacing device at a ventilating speed when there
is no such need, the ventilating speed being lower than the normal
operating speed. Furthermore, preferably, the controlling means are
adapted to controlling the speed at which the air displacing device
is driven on the basis of at least one characteristic of a voltage
supplied to the air displacing device during operation of the
ironing board, for example on the basis of pulse-width modulation
of such voltage.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the ironing board comprises
two air displacing devices, wherein the controlling means are
adapted to operating both air displacing devices when there is a
need for an airflow capable of acting on an item to be ironed when
such item is placed on the ironing board, and to operating only one
of the air displacing devices when there is no such need.
Furthermore, preferably, the controlling means are adapted to
continuously driving one of the air displacing devices at a
substantially constant speed.
[0019] Advantageously, the at least one air displacing device of
the air displacing means of the ironing board is drivable in two
rotational directions. In that case, the user may choose to use the
air-displacing device to perform a sucking action, in case it is
desired to have the steam removed or to keep an item to be ironed
in place on the ironing board, or to perform a blowing action, in
case it is desired to inflate an item to be ironed.
[0020] For the purpose of achieving a more effective drying process
of the ironing board, the ironing board may be equipped with at
least one element for heating the ironing board and/or at least one
heater for heating the airflow which is generated by the air
displacing means during operation of the ironing board.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the ironing board, at least a
topside of the ironing board, which is adapted to supporting items
to be ironed, comprises at least one element manufactured from a
plastic material that is resistant to the relatively high
temperatures prevailing during operation of the ironing board. An
advantage of the use of a plastic material in the ironing board
with respect to the use of a metal material is related to the fact
that a plastic material has better resistance against the influence
of steam and condensed steam than a metal material. Furthermore,
condensation of steam is less likely to occur on a plastic surface
than on a metal surface, under the same circumstances.
[0022] The present invention will now be explained in greater
detail with reference to the figures, in which similar parts are
indicated by the same reference signs, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an ironing board according to
a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows an ironing board according to
a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an ironing board 1 according
to first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Two main
functions of the ironing board 1 are supporting items to be ironed
in a steam ironing process and removing steam from an area where
the steam ironing process is performed on the items, i.e. an area
located at a topside of the ironing board 1.
[0026] Underneath the ironing board 1, any suitable type of support
may be arranged, so that the ironing board 1 may be positioned at a
level at which it is convenient for a user of the ironing board 1
to apply the ironing board 1 in a process of putting items on the
ironing board 1, subjecting the items to a steam ironing process
with the help of a steam iron or the like, and removing the items
from the ironing board 1.
[0027] For the purpose of supporting items to be ironed, the
ironing board 1 comprises a supporting panel 10. Preferably, the
supporting panel 10 is manufactured from a plastic material that is
resistant to the relatively high temperatures prevailing during the
steam ironing process. However, the supporting panel 10 may also be
manufactured from another suitable material, for example from a
metal material. An advantage of an application of a plastic
material is that this material is very durable, and is practically
insensitive to the influence of steam and/or condensed steam.
Moreover, steam is less likely to condense on a plastic surface
than on a metal surface, for example, under the same circumstances.
In any case, it is important that the supporting panel 10 is
permeable to steam. According to a feasible possibility, the
supporting panel 10 is provided with a plurality of holes 11 for
letting through the steam.
[0028] Normally, the supporting panel 10 is covered by a cover
manufactured from flannel or the like, in order to enhance the
level of comfort during the steam ironing process. For sake of
clarity, such a cover is not shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] At a position underneath the supporting panel 10, a fan 20
is arranged. The ironing board 1 comprises a more or less closed
space 12 underneath the supporting panel 10, which is accessible
through the holes 11 arranged in the supporting panel 10, and the
fan 20 is arranged in this space 12, i.e. inside the ironing board
1.
[0030] In the shown example, the fan 20 is drivable in two
directions. When the fan 20 is driven in one direction, it
generates an airflow which is directed toward the supporting panel
10, wherein air is blown out, through the supporting panel 10.
Contrariwise, when the fan 20 is driven in an opposite direction,
it generates an airflow which is directed away from the supporting
panel 10, wherein air is sucked in, through the supporting panel
10. In the following, a mode in which the fan 20 is driven such as
to blow air out of the ironing board 1, through the supporting
panel 10, is referred to as blowing mode, and a mode in which the
fan 20 is driven in an opposite rotational direction is referred to
as suction mode. In FIG. 1, a flow of air and steam through the
ironing board 1 associated with an operation of the fan 20 in the
suction mode is diagrammatically indicated by means of dashed
arrows. In the blowing mode, steam and air are blown out of the
ironing board 1, via the holes 11 in the supporting panel 10,
whereas, in the suction mode, steam and air are sucked in, also via
the holes 11, and are released from the ironing board 1 through
outlet holes 13 arranged in another panel positioned underneath the
fan 20.
[0031] When the user of the ironing board 1 has placed an item on
the ironing board 1 and desires to inflate this item, the fan 20
may very well be applied for doing so, provided that the fan 20 is
operated in the blowing mode. When there is no need for inflating
the item, but it is desired to dry the item and/or to remove steam
from the area where the item is located, the fan 20 may also very
well be applied. However, in that case, it is appropriate to
operate the fan 20 in the suction mode. For the purpose of enabling
the user to control the operation of the fan 20 in a convenient
manner, the ironing board 1 comprises a controlling unit 40. In the
shown example, the controlling unit 40 comprises two push buttons
41, 42 for receiving input from the user, such that when the user
depresses one of the push buttons 41, 42, which will hereinafter be
referred to as blowing mode button 41, the controlling unit 40 puts
the fan 20 to the blowing mode, and when the user depresses another
of the push buttons 41, 42, which will hereinafter be referred to
as suction mode button 42, the controlling unit 40 puts the fan 20
to the suction mode. Each of the push buttons 41, 42 may be
arranged such that the user is enabled to put the push button 41,
42 from a default position, in which the push button 41, 42 is not
depressed, to a depressed position by depressing the push button
41, 42, and that the user is enabled to put the push button 41, 42
to the default position again by depressing the push button 41, 42
once again. It will be understood that other suitable means than
the described push buttons may be applied for the purpose of
providing the controlling unit 40 with input from the user.
Furthermore, it will be understood that such means do not
necessarily need to be positioned directly on the controlling unit
40 itself, and that it is also possible that such means are
positioned on a steam iron that is used in combination with the
ironing board 1, for example.
[0032] As due to the presence of the fan 20, the ironing board 1 is
capable of actively supplying an airflow, the ironing board 1 is
also referred to as active ironing board 1. Besides a fan 20, the
ironing board 1 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a heating element 30
which is positioned right underneath the supporting panel 10, and
which serves for heating the ironing board 1 and items to be ironed
which may be present on the ironing board 1. In this way, the
heating element 30 plays a role in increasing the effectiveness of
the steam ironing processes which are performed with the help of
the ironing board 1, and in keeping the supporting panel 10 and the
cover of the ironing board 1 dry. Advantageously, the ironing board
1 is equipped with a temperature controlling device for controlling
the temperature of the heating element 30, so that the temperature
of the heating element 30 may be adapted such as to meet specific
requirements related to specific applications of the ironing board
1. For example, when the ironing board 1 is applied in a process of
ironing items containing natural fibres, it is desirable to have a
higher temperature than when the ironing board 1 is applied in a
process of ironing items containing synthetic fibres.
[0033] In order to avoid problems such as corrosion of elements of
the ironing board 1 under the influence of moisture and fungus
growth inside the ironing board 1, it is important that the ironing
board 1 is kept dry. In this respect, the fan 20 plays a key role,
as the fan 20 is used for generating an airflow by means of which
steam and/or condensed steam are removed from the ironing board 1,
both in the blowing mode and the suction mode. An advantageous
feature of the ironing board 1 is that the controlling unit 40 is
adapted to continuously driving the fan 20 when the ironing board 1
is operated. As has been explained in the foregoing, the fan 20 may
be put in one of the blowing mode and the suction mode, depending
on input provided by the user. Additionally, the controlling unit
40 is adapted to keeping the fan 20 in yet another mode as a
default, i.e. in a situation in which the user does not want to put
the fan 20 to one of the blowing mode and the suction mode, and
does not depress one of the push buttons 41, 42.
[0034] According to an important aspect of the present invention, a
speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the default mode is lower
than a speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the blowing mode or
the suction mode. It is noted that a lower speed should be
understood as being a speed closer to zero, irrespective of the
direction of the speed. Furthermore, it is noted that the level of
the speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the blowing mode and the
level of the speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the suction
mode do not necessarily need to be equal. Nevertheless, both speeds
may be considered as normal operational speeds of the fan 20, which
are higher than the speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the
default mode. In the following, the speed at which the fan 20 is
driven in the default mode is referred to as ventilating speed, the
speed at which the fan 20 is driven in the blowing mode is referred
to as positive normal operating speed, and the speed at which the
fan 20 is driven in the suction mode is referred to as negative
normal operating speed.
[0035] On the basis of optimization studies performed on an ironing
board 1 having a heating element 30 which is operable in a power
range of 300 W to 500 W, it has been found that suitable flow rates
of a generated airflow in the default mode are in a range of 0.5
m.sup.3/minute to 0.8 m.sup.3/minute. Furthermore, it has been
found that suitable flow rates of a generated airflow in the
suction mode are in a range of 1.25 m.sup.3/minute to 1.5
m.sup.3/minute.
[0036] Preferably, the rotational direction in which the fan 20 is
driven in the default mode is the same as the rotational direction
in which the fan 20 is driven in the suction mode. In that way, it
is achieved that steam is directed away from the user of the
ironing board 1.
[0037] In view of the above, three operational modes of the ironing
board 1 may be discerned. In the first place, when both push
buttons 41, 42 of the controlling unit 40 are in a default
position, i.e. when none of the push buttons 41, 42 has been
depressed by the user, the fan 20 is driven in the default mode, in
which the fan 20 performs a sucking action through the supporting
panel 10 of the ironing board 1, at the ventilating speed. In the
second place, when the blowing mode button 41 is in a depressed
position, the fan 20 is driven in the blowing mode, in which the
fan 20 performs a blowing action through the supporting panel 10 of
the ironing board 1, at the positive normal operating speed. In the
third place, when the suction mode button 42 is in a depressed
position, the fan 20 is driven in the suction mode, in which the
fan 20 performs a sucking action through the supporting panel 10 of
the ironing board 1, at the negative normal operating speed.
[0038] Preferably, the push buttons 41, 42 are interrelated such
that it is not possible for the user to depress both buttons 41, 42
at the same time. However, this is not essential. For example, it
is also possible that the controlling unit 40 is programmed such as
to put the fan 20 to the default mode in case both push buttons 41,
42 are depressed.
[0039] The controlling unit 40 may be of any suitable type. For
example, the controlling unit 40 may comprise a type of processor
which is arranged such as to be operated on the basis of software,
for example. In a feasible embodiment, the controlling unit 40 is
adapted to controlling the speed at which the fan 20 is driven on
the basis of pulse-width modulation of a voltage supplied to the
fan 20.
[0040] During operation of the ironing board 1, it is ensured that
the fan 20 is continuously driven. Consequently, it is ensured that
circulation of steam inside the ironing board 1 and removal of
steam and/or condensed steam from the ironing board 1 continuously
take place. Even in case the user does not want the fan 20 to act
on an item to be ironed, either in the blowing mode or in the
suction mode, the fan 20 is still driven, namely in the default
mode. As a result, condensation of steam inside the ironing board 1
does hardly occur or does not occur at all, so that the ironing
board 1 is kept dry, and problems such as corrosion of elements of
the ironing board 1 and fungus growth inside the ironing board 1
are avoided. Preferably, the ventilating speed is close to the
lowest possible speed for effective removal of steam and/or
condensed steam from the ironing board 1 or is practically equal to
this speed, so that the noise produced by the fan 20 in the default
mode is as low as possible.
[0041] The drying effect of the method according to the present
invention on the ironing board 1 may be enhanced by various other
measures. For example, it is advantageous to have a relatively high
number of holes 11 in the supporting panel 10, so that a contact
area of steam and the supporting panel 10 may be relatively small,
and a number of places where condensation might take place is
relatively low. Furthermore, a relatively high number of holes 11
leads to a relatively high permeability of the supporting panel 10
to steam.
[0042] FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows an ironing board 2 according
to second preferred embodiment of the present invention. This
ironing board 2 resembles the ironing board 1 as shown in FIG. 1 to
a considerable extent. However, a main difference between the
ironing boards 1, 2 relates to the fact that the ironing board 1 as
shown in FIG. 1 comprises only one fan 20, and that the ironing
board 2 as shown in FIG. 2 comprises two fans 21, 22. Furthermore,
the ironing board 2 as shown in FIG. 2 does not comprise a heating
element 30 which is positioned right underneath the supporting
panel 10. The ironing board 2 comprises another element which is
capable of providing heat during its operation, namely a heater 50
for heating an airflow which is generated when at least one of the
fans 21, 22 is operated. In the ironing board 2 as shown, the
heater 50 is positioned right above the fans 21, 22. By applying
the heater 50 during the operation of the ironing board 2, the
drying effect of the airflow is enhanced. In an advanced
embodiment, the ironing board 2 comprises a temperature-controlling
device for controlling the temperature of the heater 50.
[0043] When the ironing board 2 is operated, one of the fans 21,
22, which will hereinafter be referred to as main fan 21, is
continuously driven at a substantially constant speed. Furthermore,
another of the fans 21, 22, which will hereinafter be referred to
as auxiliary fan 22, is only driven when the controlling unit 6 of
the ironing board 2 has received information indicating a user's
need of doing so, which is the case when the user has placed an
item to be ironed on the ironing board 2 and wants to keep this
item in place on the ironing board 2 and/or to dry this item, or
wants to have a blowing action performed in order to inflate this
item.
[0044] The speed at which the main fan 21 is driven is preferably
chosen such as to be just high enough for obtaining an airflow
which is capable of removing steam and/or condensed steam from the
ironing board 2. When both fans 21, 22 are driven, the obtained
airflow is also capable of performing a sucking action or a blowing
action on an item placed on the ironing board 2, depending on the
direction in which the fans 21, 22 are rotated. In the shown
example, the auxiliary fan 22 is larger than the main fan 21, and
the auxiliary fan 22 is capable of displacing a larger volume of
air than the main fan 21. In this way, it is achieved that both the
main fan 21 and the combination of the main fan 21 and the
auxiliary fan 22 are capable of effectively performing their
specific functions in a proper manner, wherein an application of
unnecessarily large fans is avoided.
[0045] In view of the above, three operational modes of the ironing
board 2 may be discerned, wherein the operational mode is set by
the controlling unit 40 on the basis of input provided by the user,
through the push buttons 41, 42 of the controlling unit 40. In the
first place, the ironing board 2 may be put to a default mode, in
which only the main fan 21 is driven. In the second place, the
ironing board 2 may be put to a mode in which both fans 21, 22 are
driven such as to perform a blowing action. In the third place, the
ironing board 2 may be put to a mode in which both fans 21, 22 are
driven such as to perform a sucking action.
[0046] During operation of the ironing board 2, it is ensured that
the main fan 21 is continuously driven. Consequently, it is ensured
that circulation of steam inside the ironing board 2 and removal of
steam from the ironing board 2 continuously take place. Even in
case the user does not want a blowing action or a sucking action to
be performed by the ironing board 2, the main fan 21 is still
driven, at a relatively low speed. As a result, condensation of
steam inside the ironing board 2 is prevented, so that the ironing
board 2 is kept dry, while the user does hardly experience any
hinder in the form of noise produced by the main fan 21.
[0047] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the
scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples
discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and
modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope
of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.
[0048] The ironing board 1 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a heating
element 30 positioned right underneath the supporting panel 10,
whereas the ironing board 2 as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a heater
50 positioned right above the fans 21, 22. Within the scope of the
present invention, it is possible to have an ironing board
comprising both the heating element 30 for heating the ironing
board and items to be ironed, and the heater 50 for heating the
airflow which is generated by the main fan 21 during operation of
the ironing board.
[0049] In the foregoing, an ironing board 1 is disclosed, which
comprises a fan 20 for generating an airflow and a controlling unit
40 for controlling a mode in which the fan 20 is driven during
operation of the ironing board 1. When there is a need for
obtaining an airflow through an item to be ironed, the controlling
unit 40 puts the fan 20 to a mode in which the fan 20 is driven at
a normal operating speed. However, when there is no such need, the
controlling unit 40 puts the fan 20 to a mode in which the fan 20
is driven at a speed which is lower than a normal operating speed.
In this way, it is achieved that the fan 20 is continuously driven
during operation of the ironing board 1, also in case an ironing
process performed with the help of the ironing board 1 does not
require an operation of the fan 20. As an advantageous result,
condensation of steam inside the ironing board 1, which is released
during a steam ironing process in which the ironing board 1 is
applied, is prevented.
* * * * *