Labyrinth type steam chamber for steam equipment
By designing the steam chambers of the meandering fluid passages and parallel wall parts in the steam equipment, the problems of water splashing and service life in existing steam equipment are solved, achieving more efficient steam treatment and longer equipment life.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380073460.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-18
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
In existing steam equipment, the design of maze steam chambers has challenges in minimizing water splashing and extending service life, especially when used in different directions, which are more serious.
A steam chamber including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is designed to form a serpentine fluid passage by bending the first and second wall portions, combining parallel wall portions to reduce flow restriction and scale clogging, increase steam efficiency and extend device life.
Effectively minimizes the risk of water splashing on clothes, improves steam treatment efficiency, and extends the service life of steam equipment.
Smart Images
Figure CN120077174A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a steam device having a labyrinth steam chamber.
[0002] The present invention can be used in the field of clothing care. Background Art
[0003] Steam devices evaporate water to generate steam. The steam can be used for steam treating clothes, for example to help remove wrinkles from the clothes. Various types of steam devices are currently known, such as so-called upright steam irons. An upright steam iron typically includes a base unit, a hand-held unit having at least one steam nozzle, and a flexible hose connecting a steam generator in the base unit to the hand-held unit.
[0004] The steam device has a steam chamber in which water supplied to the steam chamber is evaporated to generate steam, and / or steam supplied to the steam chamber is reheated therein. Various different types of steam chamber designs are known. Some steam chambers have a labyrinth design in which it is required that a fluid flow along a meandering fluid path defined within the steam chamber.
[0005] Although such a meandering fluid path has various advantages, such as enhanced heat transfer of the fluid flowing along the meandering fluid path, there are still challenges in minimizing water splashing from the steam device (e.g., towards the clothes being treated with the steam device). Another challenge is related to extending the service life of a steam device having such a labyrinth steam chamber design, because the steam chamber can be clogged relatively quickly by scale deposits during water evaporation.
[0006] It is also desirable to improve the operation of such a steam device when the steam chamber is in various different orientations, for example when the steam chamber is vertically oriented for steam treating hanging clothes and horizontally oriented for ironing clothes, such as clothes placed on a horizontally oriented ironing board, to improve the operation of the steam chamber of such a steam device.
[0007] In some known steam devices, the orientation of the steam chamber may exacerbate the splashing problem. For example, the splashing problem may be more serious when the steam chamber is horizontally oriented compared to when it is vertically oriented. Summary of the Invention
[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a steam device to avoid or mitigate one or more of the above problems.
[0009] The present invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments.
[0010] To this end, a steam device according to the present invention includes a hand-held unit for releasing steam to clothes. The hand-held unit includes a steam chamber. The steam chamber includes:
[0011] A fluid inlet, which is arranged at the rear of the steam chamber to receive water and / or steam,
[0012] A fluid outlet, which is arranged at the front of the steam chamber,
[0013] The first and second lateral sides of the steam chamber, which face each other and extend between the rear and the front,
[0014] At least one first wall portion, each first wall portion of which bends and extends from the first lateral side to the second lateral side and terminates at a first end spaced from the second lateral side, and
[0015] At least one second wall portion, each second wall portion of which bends and extends from the second lateral side to the first lateral side and terminates at a second end spaced from the first lateral side,
[0016] wherein the first wall portions and the second wall portions are arranged continuously and alternately from the rear to the front and are spaced apart from each other, so as to define, together with the intervals between each said first end and the second lateral side and the intervals between each said second end and the first lateral side, a meandering fluid passage from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and wherein the first wall portions and the second wall portions extend in a parallel and curved manner.
[0017] The meandering fluid passage helps to lengthen the path of water and / or steam through the steam chamber from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, thereby helping to minimize the risk of water splashing onto, for example, the laundry being treated by the steam device. The term "bends and extends from..." can be understood to mean that the curvature of the corresponding wall portion is provided where the corresponding wall portion is adjacent to the corresponding lateral side.
[0018] The first wall portion and the second wall portion that bend and extend can mean that the fluid flow in the meandering fluid passage introduces a centrifugal force. This centrifugal force helps to force the water droplets into contact with the steam chamber wall, which can help the water molecules to gain energy, thus helping their phase change from the liquid state to the gaseous state.
[0019] The parallel first wall portions and second wall portions help to provide a relatively uniform width for the meandering fluid passage, thereby minimizing flow restriction and / or blockage caused by scale along the meandering fluid passage. Alternatively or additionally, the parallel first wall portions and second wall portions help to maximize the length of the meandering fluid passage. In these ways, the parallel first wall portions and second wall portions help to improve steam efficiency and extend the service life of the steam device.
[0020] In some embodiments, the distance by which adjacent (in other words, nearest-neighboring) first wall portions and second wall portions are spaced apart from each other is in the range of [5; 20] millimeters.
[0021] The distance between the adjacent first wall portion and the second wall portion can be large enough to avoid scale buildup while also being small enough to keep the steam chamber relatively compact.
[0022] In some embodiments, the total number of the first wall portions and the second wall portions is greater than two.
[0023] More than two wall portions can help minimize the risk of water splashing onto, for example, the laundry being treated with the steam apparatus.
[0024] In some embodiments, the steam chamber has three first wall portions and two second wall portions, where the first wall portion closest to the rear of the steam chamber is spaced apart from the second wall portion, and subsequent first wall portions are disposed between the second wall portion and a subsequent second wall portion, and the subsequent second wall portion is disposed between the subsequent first wall portion and another first wall portion closest to the front of the steam chamber.
[0025] In such an embodiment, a total of five alternately arranged wall portions are included in the steam apparatus.
[0026] This can provide a good balance between minimizing water splashing and the physical simplicity of the design.
[0027] In at least some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the steam chamber extends from the rear of the steam chamber to the front of the steam chamber.
[0028] It should be noted that arranging the fluid inlet at the rear of the steam chamber can facilitate the use of the steam apparatus for horizontal steam treatment and vertical steam treatment. In horizontal steam treatment, the longitudinal axis of the steam chamber is generally parallel to the horizontal direction, and in vertical steam treatment, the longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the vertical direction. In such a vertical orientation, the fluid inlet is located above or below the fluid outlet.
[0029] In some embodiments, the concave surface of each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion that extends in a curved manner faces the front of the steam chamber.
[0030] Arranging the concave surface of each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion that extends in a curved manner in this way can help introduce centrifugal force through the fluid flow in the meandering fluid passage, thereby enabling more efficient evaporation and minimizing the risk of splashing.
[0031] Furthermore, arranging the concave surface in this way may mean that the first wall portion and the second wall portion can each act as a bucket or a spoon in which water can be collected, rather than freely flowing to the rear of the steam chamber and pooling there during vertical steam treatment where the rear is lower than the front.
[0032] In some embodiments, the principal tangent direction of each curved and extending wall portion is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extending from the rear portion to the front portion of the steam chamber.
[0033] In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of at least some (e.g., each) of the first wall portion and the second wall portion is less than 32 millimeters. This has been shown to increase the centrifugal force, thereby being able to particularly effectively reduce splashing.
[0034] For example, at least some of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, such as each, have a radius of curvature in the range of [30; 32] millimeters.
[0035] The heating element arranged to heat the steam chamber is preferably aligned with at least a portion of the meandering fluid passage.
[0036] By aligning the heating element with at least a portion of the meandering fluid passage, heat can be efficiently supplied from the heating element to the fluid passing through the meandering fluid passage.
[0037] The term "aligned" herein can be understood as the vertical projection of the fluid passage coinciding with the heating element.
[0038] The heating element is preferably a tubular heating element.
[0039] In some embodiments, whether or not the heating element is aligned with a portion of the meandering fluid passage, the heating element is a U-shaped heating element connected to a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, and the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are each arranged near the rear portion of the steam chamber.
[0040] For example, the U-shaped heating element is bisected by the longitudinal axis extending from the front portion to the rear portion of the steam chamber.
[0041] The heating element preferably extends from the first electrical connector to a turning point near the front portion and extends back from the turning point to the second electrical connector, wherein the fluid outlet is aligned with the turning point.
[0042] Therefore, the heating from the heating element can be directly applied to the fluid leaving the steam chamber via the fluid outlet.
[0043] In some embodiments, the steam chamber includes a bottom, and the heating element is arranged in the bottom.
[0044] The bottom can be made of any suitable material capable of transferring heat from the heating element to the steam chamber. Preferably, the bottom is made of a metallic material such as aluminum.
[0045] In some embodiments, the surface of the bottom includes a raised portion that faces upward and follows the shape of the heating element received in the base.
[0046] For example, the raised portion follows the circular shape of the tubular heating element.
[0047] "Face up" in this document can be understood as the raised portion protruding into the vapor chamber.
[0048] For example, the raised portion is part of a metallic material (e.g., a metal casting) around the heating element, and the metallic material follows the circular shape of the tubular heating element.
[0049] In some embodiments, the fluid outlet is aligned with a front section of the raised portion.
[0050] In some embodiments, the raised portion includes a first lateral section extending along a first lateral side and a second lateral section extending along a second lateral side, wherein the first lateral section and the second lateral section are disposed at a space between the first end and the second lateral side and at a space between the second end and the first lateral side.
[0051] With such a design, the fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passage can flow through the heating element where the direction changes. During the direction change, the speed of the water droplets is slowed down and is easily captured by the first lateral section and the second lateral section of the raised portion. Such captured water droplets can be effectively heated by each lateral section of the heating element aligned with the first lateral section and the second lateral section of the raised portion.
[0052] The first lateral section and the second lateral section are preferably elevated relative to a central region of the vapor chamber disposed between the first lateral section and the second lateral section.
[0053] Alternatively or additionally, at least one first wall portion may extend toward the second lateral side such that the first end reaches the second lateral section, and / or at least one second wall portion may extend toward the first lateral side such that the second end reaches the first lateral section.
[0054] In some embodiments, the fluid inlet is aligned with a first region of one of the first lateral section and the second lateral section of the raised portion.
[0055] Thus, steam and / or water can be quantitatively supplied to the region of the surface of the base aligned with the heating element. This helps to transfer energy to the initially quantitatively supplied steam and / or water.
[0056] In at least some embodiments, the fluid outlet disposed at the front of the vapor chamber is defined between the first lateral side and the second lateral side.
[0057] In these embodiments, the outer peripheral wall preferably extends around the first lateral side and the second lateral side, wherein a steam channel is defined between the outer peripheral wall and one or both of the lateral sides. Thus, the steam channel can extend from the fluid outlet to a fluid outlet disposed at a rear portion of the fluid passage.
[0058] This helps to provide a longer path to maximize the evaporation of water before the steam exits the steam outlet.
[0059] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral wall stands upright from a base surface of the steam channel, wherein the steam outlet is defined in a raised surface portion of the base surface.
[0060] The raised surface portion can help to retain heavier particles in the steam channel because such particles are less likely to rise up to the raised surface portion and be conveyed out of the steam device via the steam outlet.
[0061] These particles may be water droplets, scale particles, and / or steam promoter particles, such as alkali metal silicates and / or polysaccharide particles exfoliated from the steam chamber surface.
[0062] Xylan is an example of a polysaccharide that can be used for a steam promoter coating. In embodiments where the steam device includes a raised portion, the raised surface portion preferably extends from a first channel section of the raised portion across to a second channel section of the raised portion opposite the first channel section.
[0063] More generally, in embodiments where the steam chamber includes a raised portion, the raised portion preferably protrudes in the steam channel near the steam outlet.
[0064] This can enhance heat transfer to the fluid before it is discharged via the steam outlet, thereby helping to reduce the risk of splashing.
[0065] In some embodiments, the steam channel includes a first steam channel extending from the front portion to the rear portion along the first lateral side, and a second steam channel extending from the front portion to the rear portion along the second lateral side.
[0066] Dividing the fluid path in this way helps to reduce the steam velocity, enabling water droplets to easily descend by gravity rather than being carried out of the steam outlet. Additionally, the parallel flow provided by the first steam channel and the second steam channel helps to increase the heat transfer area.
[0067] In some embodiments, the turning point of the heating element is aligned with the splitting position where the fluid passage bifurcates into the first steam channel and the second steam channel.
[0068] Since the turning point may be a region of higher power density of the heating element, aligning the turning point with the splitting position can help to transfer energy to the water droplets entrained in the steam exiting the fluid outlet.
[0069] In at least some embodiments, the hand-held unit includes a lid for enclosing the steam chamber and a mounting portion for mounting the lid to enclose the steam chamber.
[0070] In such embodiments, at least some of the mounting portions are arranged at positions along the first lateral side and the second lateral side, from which at least some of the first wall portions and the second wall portions extend bendably.
[0071] Such positioning of the mounting portions (e.g., screw bosses) may mean that they are located at the corners of the first wall portion and the second wall portion near the dead ends along the fluid passage. These dead ends can be regarded as areas without scale deposition and evaporation. Therefore, such positions can be advantageously used for the mounting portions.
[0072] In some embodiments, the fluid inlet is at least partially defined by a position within the steam chamber that initially receives the fluid metered into the steam chamber via a metering head provided at the lid.
[0073] In at least some embodiments, the steam device is a garment steam device.
[0074] In some embodiments, the steam device includes:
[0075] a base unit for supplying water and / or steam,
[0076] a hand-held unit that includes a steam chamber and has a treatment plate defining at least one steam nozzle, and
[0077] a flexible pipeline for delivering the water and / or steam to the steam chamber, wherein the steam chamber is arranged to heat the water and / or steam delivered to the steam chamber via the flexible pipeline for generating steam via at least one steam nozzle.
[0078] The present invention and other aspects will be explained in detail below. Description of the Drawings
[0079] Specific aspects of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described below and in conjunction with the drawings, wherein the same parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:
[0080] Figure 1A and Figure 1B shows a steam device according to the present invention,
[0081] Figure 2 provides a perspective view of the steam chamber of the steam device according to the present invention.
[0082] Figure 3A provides Figure 2 a plan view of the shown steam chamber.
[0083] Figures 3B to 3G provides Figure 2 and Figure 3A a cross-sectional view of the steam chamber shown.
[0084] Figure 4 provides Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3G a perspective view of the portion of the steam chamber shown,
[0085] Figure 5 provides a plan view of a cover of a steam chamber covering a steam device according to the present invention.
[0086] Figure 6 depicts an exploded view of a steam device according to Figure 2 .
[0087] Figure 7 depicts Figure 6 a partially enlarged view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0088] Figure 1A and Figure 1B depict a steam device 100 according to the present invention. In this non-limiting example, the steam device 100 includes a base unit 10 for supplying water and / or steam to a hand-held unit 12 via a flexible line 13.
[0089] The function of the hand-held unit 12 is to generate steam from the water and / or steam supplied by the base unit 10. The hand-held unit 12 has a processing board 14 that defines at least one steam outlet (not shown), from which the steam is released. In this way, the steam generated by the hand-held unit 12 can be released onto the laundry for treatment.
[0090] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The steam device 100 shown can be regarded as a vertical steam iron. In this non-limiting example, the steam device 100 includes an ironing board 16 that can be tilted between a vertical direction (as shown in Figure 1A and represented by a dashed line 18 in Figure 1B ) and a horizontal direction (as shown in Figure 1B ).
[0091] In some embodiments, the base unit 10 includes a steam generator (not visible in the figures), and the hand-held unit 12 includes a steam chamber 102 (not visible in Figure 1A and Figure 1B ), which is arranged to reheat the steam received from the steam generator before the steam exits the hand-held unit 12 via at least one steam outlet.
[0092] In such an embodiment, the steam chamber can help minimize water splashing onto the garments being processed by the steam appliance 100, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0093] In an alternative embodiment, the base unit 10 includes a water tank (not visible in the figures), and the hand-held unit 12 includes a steam chamber 102 (not visible in Figure 1A and Figure 1B ), the steam chamber 102 being arranged to generate steam using water received from the water tank (e.g., via a water pump).
[0094] In Figure 1A and Figure 1B illustrated non-limiting examples, the steam appliance 100 includes a holder 20 for supporting the hand-held unit 12 when the user is not holding it. Such a holder 20 can be mounted on the ironing board 16, as shown.
[0095] More generally, referring to Figure 2 , the steam chamber 102 includes a fluid inlet 104 arranged at the rear 102A of the steam chamber 102 to receive water and / or steam, and a fluid outlet 106 arranged at the front 102B of the steam chamber 102.
[0096] In at least some embodiments, as Figure 3A illustrated, the longitudinal axis LA of the steam chamber 102 extends from the rear 102A of the steam chamber 102 to the front 102B of the steam chamber 102.
[0097] Arranging the fluid inlet 104 at the rear 102A of the steam chamber 102 can facilitate horizontal steam processing (where the longitudinal axis LA of the steam chamber 102 extends generally parallel to the horizontal direction) and vertical steam processing (where the longitudinal axis LA extends generally parallel to the vertical direction) using the steam appliance 100, with the fluid inlet 104 being above or below the fluid outlet 106 in the vertical orientation.
[0098] In some embodiments, such as the embodiments illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3A , the treatment plate 14 includes a wider rear end 14A and a narrower front end 14B. In these embodiments, the rear 102A is closer to the wider rear end 14A than the narrower front end 14B, and the front 102B is closer to the narrower front end 14B than the wider rear end 14A.
[0099] For example, when the steam chamber 102 is included in the hand-held unit 12 of a steam appliance 100 of the type illustrated in Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the water and / or steam received at the fluid inlet 104 is supplied to the steam chamber 102 from the base unit 10 via a flexible line 13.
[0100] The water received at the fluid inlet 104 can be vaporized into steam during the passage of the water from the fluid inlet 104 through the steam chamber 102 to the fluid outlet 106.
[0101] Alternatively or additionally, the steam received at the fluid inlet 104 can be reheated during the passage of the steam from the fluid inlet 104 through the steam chamber 102 to the fluid outlet 106.
[0102] The first lateral side 108A and the second lateral side 108B of the steam chamber 102 face each other and extend between the rear portion 102A and the front portion 102B, as Figure 2 and Figure 3A shown.
[0103] At least one first wall portion 110A, 110B, 110C extends curvingly from the first lateral side 108A towards the second lateral side 108B and terminates at first ends 112A, 112B, 112C spaced apart from the second lateral side 108B. Thus, a space, in other words, a gap, is provided between each said first end 112A, 112B, 112C and the second lateral side 108B.
[0104] Similarly, at least one second wall portion 114A, 114B extends curvingly from the second lateral side 108B towards the first lateral side 108A and terminates at second ends 116A, 116B spaced apart from the first lateral side 108A. Thus, a space, in other words, a gap, is also provided between each said second end 116A, 116B and the first lateral side 108A.
[0105] The term "extends curvingly from..." can be understood to mean that the curvature of the respective wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B is provided where the respective wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B are adjacent to the respective lateral sides 108A, 108B.
[0106] Continuing to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3A , the first wall portions and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B are arranged continuously and alternately from the rear portion 102A to the front portion 102B and are spaced apart from each other, so as to define, together with the space between each said first end 112A, 112B, 112C and the second lateral side 108A and the space between each said second end 116A, 116B and the first lateral side 108B, a meandering fluid passage FP from the fluid inlet 104 to the fluid outlet 106.
[0107] The serpentine fluid passage FP helps to extend the path of water and / or steam through the steam chamber 102 from the fluid inlet 104 to the fluid outlet 106, thereby helping to minimize the risk of water splashing onto, for example, the laundry being processed using the steam treatment device 100.
[0108] The first wall portion and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B that are bent and extended can mean that the fluid flow in the serpentine fluid passage FP introduces a centrifugal force. This centrifugal force helps to force the water droplets into contact with the steam chamber wall, thereby helping the water molecules to gain energy, which helps with the phase change from liquid to gas.
[0109] As Figure 2 and Figure 3A shown, the first wall portion and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B extend in a bent manner parallel to each other.
[0110] Such parallel first wall portion and second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B help to provide a relatively uniform width for the serpentine fluid passage FP, thereby minimizing flow restrictions and / or blockages caused by scale along the serpentine fluid passage. Alternatively or additionally, the parallel first wall portion and second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B help to maximize the length of the serpentine fluid passage FP. In these ways, the parallel first wall portion and second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B help to improve the steam treatment efficiency and extend the service life of the steam device 100.
[0111] In some embodiments, the distance between adjacent (in other words, nearest neighbor) first wall portion and second wall portions 110A, 114A; 114A, 110B; 110B, 114B; 114B, 110C is in the range of [5; 20] millimeters.
[0112] The distance between the adjacent first wall portion and second wall portions 110A, 114A; 114A, 110B; 110B, 114B; 114B, 110C can be large enough to avoid scale accumulation, while also being small enough to make the steam chamber 102 relatively compact.
[0113] In some embodiments, the total number of the first wall portion and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B is greater than two. The wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B that are greater than two help to minimize the risk of water splashing onto, for example, the laundry being processed using the steam device 100.
[0114] In some embodiments, asFigure 2 and Figure 3A As shown in Figure 3A , the steam chamber 102 has three first wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C and two second wall portions 114A, 114B. The first wall portion 110A closest to the rear portion 102A of the steam chamber 102 is spaced apart from the second wall portion 114A, and the subsequent first wall portion 110B is disposed between the second wall portion 114A and the subsequent second wall portion 114B, and the subsequent second wall portion 114B is disposed between the subsequent first wall portion 110B and another first wall portion 110C closest to the front portion 102B of the steam chamber 102.
[0115] Thus, in such an embodiment, the steam chamber 102 includes five alternately arranged wall portions 110A, 114A, 110B, 114B, 110C. This can provide a favorable balance between minimizing water splashing and the physical simplicity of the design.
[0116] More generally, any (non-zero) number of at least one first wall portion 110A, 110B, 110C and any (non-zero) number of at least one second wall portion 114A, 114B can be envisioned.
[0117] For example, in the simplest case, the steam chamber 102 has only one first wall portion and one second wall portion. In another example, the steam chamber has two first wall portions and one second wall portion located between the two first wall portions. In yet another example, the steam chamber has two first wall portions and two second wall portions. In yet another example (as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3A ), the steam chamber has three first wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C and two second wall portions 114A, 114B. In yet another example, the steam chamber has three first wall portions and three second wall portions. and
[0118] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3A , the steam chamber has three first wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C and two second wall portions 114A, 114B. In yet another example, the steam chamber has three first wall portions and three second wall portions. Figure 2 Figure 3A In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3A , the concave surfaces 118A, 118B; 120A, 120B of each of the curved and extending first wall portions and second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B face the front portion 102B of the steam chamber 102. and
[0119] Arranging the concave surfaces 118A, 118B, 120A, 120B of the curved and extending first wall portions and second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B in this way can contribute to introducing centrifugal force by the fluid flow in the meandering fluid passage FP, thereby making evaporation more efficient and minimizing the risk of splashing.
[0120] In addition, arranging the concave surfaces 118A, 118B; 120A, 120B in this way may mean that the first wall portions and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B can each act as a bucket or a spoon in which water can be collected, rather than freely flowing to the rear portion 102A of the steam chamber 102 and accumulating there during the vertical steam treatment where the rear portion 102A is located below the front portion 102B.
[0121] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3A the embodiment shown, the principal tangent direction of each curved and extending wall portion 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA extending from the rear portion 102A to the front portion 102B of the steam chamber 102.
[0122] In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of at least some (e.g., each) of the wall portions of the first wall portions and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B is less than 32 millimeters. It has been found that this can increase the centrifugal force, thereby enabling particularly effective splash reduction.
[0123] For example, the radius of curvature of at least some (e.g., each) of the wall portions of the first wall portions and the second wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C; 114A, 114B is in the range of [30; 32] millimeters.
[0124] Alternatively or additionally, the steam chamber 102 may have a length in the range of [100; 150] millimeters, such as about 120 millimeters.
[0125] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3A as well as Figures 3B to 3G the cross-sectional views provided in, the heating element 121 arranged for heating the steam chamber 102 is preferably aligned with at least a portion of the meandering fluid passage FP.
[0126] By aligning the heating element 121 with at least a portion of the curved fluid passage FP, heat can be efficiently supplied from the heating element 121 to the fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passage FP.
[0127] The term "aligned" herein can be understood as the vertical projection of the fluid passage FP coinciding with the heating element 121.
[0128] The heating element 121 can have any suitable design. In at least some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3GIn the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 121 is a tubular heating element 121. In some embodiments, the heating element 121 is a U-shaped heating element 121 that is connected to a first electrical connector and second electrical connectors 122A, 122B, regardless of whether the heating element 121 is aligned with a portion of the serpentine fluid passage FP. The first electrical connector and second electrical connectors 122A, 122B are each disposed near the rear portion 102A of the vapor chamber 102.
[0129] For example, the U-shaped heating element 121 is bisected by a longitudinal axis LA that extends from the rear portion 102A to the front portion 102B of the vapor chamber 102.
[0130] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3F , the heating element 121 extends from the first electrical connector 122A to a turning point 124 near the front portion 102B of the vapor chamber 102 and extends back from the turning point 124 to the second electrical connector 122B.
[0131] In such embodiments, the fluid outlet 106 is preferably aligned with the turning point 124. Accordingly, heating from the heating element 121 can be directly applied to the fluid exiting the vapor chamber 102 via the fluid outlet 106.
[0132] In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3G , the vapor chamber 102 includes a bottom 126 in which the heating element 121 is disposed.
[0133] The bottom 126 can be made of any suitable material capable of transferring heat from the heating element 121 to the vapor chamber 102. Preferably, the bottom 126 is made of a metallic material (such as aluminum).
[0134] In at least some embodiments, the bottom 126 is at least partially formed via a casting process (such as a die casting process). In one specific non-limiting example, the bottom 126 is made of die cast aluminum.
[0135] The bottom 126 preferably has an upper surface 130 that includes a raised portion 132 that faces upward and follows the shape of the heating element 121 received in the bottom 126.
[0136] For example, the raised portion 132 follows the circular shape of the tubular heating element 121.
[0137] As used herein, the term "faces upward" can be understood to mean that the raised portion 132 protrudes into the vapor chamber 102.
[0138] For example, the raised portion 132 is part of a metallic material (e.g., a metal casting) around the heating element 121, and this metallic material follows the circular shape of the tubular heating element 121.
[0139] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3A , the fluid outlet 106 is aligned with the front section 132A of the raised portion 132.
[0140] Preferably, as Figure 3E shown, the bottom 126 includes a central lower surface 145 having a circular profile (i.e., an arch). This circular profile helps to eliminate dead corners, thereby reducing the accumulation of scale that may be contained in the steam from the steam outlet 134.
[0141] Preferably, the height between the upper surface of the processing plate 14 and the highest point of the lower surface 145 is at least 4 mm, preferably 6 mm.
[0142] Figure 3B Shows the Figure 3A AA cross-section of Figure 3C Shows the Figure 3A BB cross-section of Figure 3D Shows the Figure 3A CC cross-section of Figure 3G Shows the Figure 3A DD cross-section of
[0143] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 3B to 3E , the raised portion 132 includes a first transverse section 132B extending along the first transverse side 108A and a second transverse section 132C extending along the second transverse side 108B, wherein the first transverse section 132B and the second transverse section 132C are arranged at the space between the first ends 112A, 112B, 112C and the second transverse side 108B, and at the space between the second ends 116A, 116B and the first transverse side 108A.
[0144] With such a design, the fluid flowing through the meandering fluid passage can flow through the heating element 121 where the direction changes. During the direction change, the speed of the water droplets will slow down, and they are easily captured by the first transverse section 132B and the second transverse section 132C of the raised portion 132. These captured water droplets can be effectively heated by each transverse section of the heating element 121 that is aligned with the first transverse section 132B and the second transverse section 132C of the raised portion 132.
[0145] The first transverse section and the second transverse sections 132B, 132C are preferably raised relative to the central region of the steam chamber 102 that is arranged between the first transverse section and the second transverse sections 132B, 132C.
[0146] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first wall portions 110A, 110B, 110C may extend towards the second lateral side 108B such that the first ends 112A, 112B, 112C reach the second lateral section 132C, and / or at least one of the second wall portions 114A, 114B may extend towards the first lateral section 108A such that the second ends 116A, 116B reach the first lateral section 132B.
[0147] In some embodiments, the fluid inlet 104 is aligned with a first region of one of the first and second lateral sections 132B, 132C of the raised portion 132.
[0148] Thus, for example, steam and / or water supplied from the base unit 10 can be metered onto the region of the upper surface 130 of the bottom 126 that is aligned with the heating element 121. This can help transfer energy to the initially metered steam and / or water.
[0149] In at least some embodiments, referring again to Figure 2 and Figure 3A , the fluid outlet 106 disposed at the front portion 102B of the steam chamber 102 is defined between the first lateral side 108A and the second lateral side 108B.
[0150] The first lateral side 108A and the second lateral side 108B can be considered to be included in the inner peripheral wall 136 that extends around the steam chamber 102.
[0151] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral wall 138 extends around the first lateral side 108A and the second lateral side 108B, and the steam channels 140A, 140B are defined between the outer peripheral wall 138 and one or both of the lateral sides 108A, 108B. Thus, the steam channels 140A, 140B can extend from the fluid outlet 106 at the front portion 102B of the steam chamber 102 to the steam outlets 134 disposed at the rear portions of the steam channels 140A, 140B.
[0152] This can help provide a longer path to maximize water evaporation before the steam exits the steam outlet 134.
[0153] In embodiments where the steam chamber 102 is included in the handheld unit 12 of the steam device 100, such as in the handheld unit 12 of the steam device 100 shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B , the steam outlet 134 can supply steam to at least one steam nozzle defined by the processing plate 14 of the handheld unit 12.
[0154] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3G and Figure 4, the outer peripheral wall 138 stands upright from the base surfaces 142 of the steam channels 140A, 140B, and the steam outlet 134 is defined in the raised surface portion 144 of the base surface 142.
[0155] The raised surface portion 144 can help retain heavier particles in the steam channels 140A, 140B because such particles are less likely to rise up to the raised surface portion 144 and be conveyed out of the steam device 100 through the steam outlet 134.
[0156] Such particles can be water droplets, scale particles, and / or steam promoter particles, such as alkali metal silicates and / or polysaccharide particles exfoliated from the surface of the steam chamber 102.
[0157] Xylan is an example of a polysaccharide that can be used for a steam promoter coating. In an embodiment where the steam chamber includes the raised portion 132, the raised surface portion 144 preferably extends across from the first channel section 132E of the raised portion 132 to the second channel section 132F of the raised portion 132 that is opposite to the first channel section 132E.
[0158] More generally, in an embodiment where the steam chamber includes the raised portion 132, the raised portion 132 preferably protrudes in the steam channels 140A, 140B near the steam outlet 132. This can enhance the heat transfer to the fluid before the fluid is discharged through the steam outlet 134, thereby helping to reduce the risk of splashing.
[0159] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 , Figures 3A to 3G and Figure 4 the embodiments shown, the steam channels 140A, 140B include a first steam channel 140A extending from the front portion 102B to the rear portion 102A along the first lateral side 108A, and a second steam channel 140B extending from the front portion 102B to the rear portion 102A along the second lateral side 108B.
[0160] Dividing the fluid path in this way can help reduce the steam velocity, enabling water droplets to easily descend by gravity rather than being carried out through the steam outlet 134. In addition, the parallel flow provided by the first steam channel and the second steam channels 140A, 140B can help increase the heat transfer area.
[0161] In some embodiments, the turning point 124 of the heating element 121 is aligned with the splitting position where the fluid passage FP bifurcates into the first steam channel 140A and the second steam channel 140B.
[0162] Since the turning point 124 may be a region of higher power density of the heating element 121, aligning the turning point 124 with the splitting position can help transfer energy to the water droplets entrained in the steam leaving the fluid outlet 106.
[0163] In at least some embodiments, the handheld unit 12 includes a lid 146 for enclosing the steam chamber 102, and mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B for mounting the lid 146 to enclose the steam chamber 102. Figure 5 The lid 146 for enclosing the steam chamber 102 is shown.
[0164] The lid 146 can be formed of any suitable material capable of withstanding the internal conditions of the steam chamber 102. Preferably, the lid 146 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum.
[0165] In at least some embodiments, the lid 146 is at least partially made via a casting process (e.g., a die-casting process). In a specific non-limiting example, the lid 146 is made of die-cast aluminum.
[0166] A seal, such as a rubber gasket and / or a sealant paste, can be provided between the lid 146 and the mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B to hermetically enclose the steam chamber 102.
[0167] In some embodiments, at least some of the mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B are arranged at positions along the first lateral side 108A and the second lateral side 108B, from which at least some of the first wall portion and the second wall portion 110A, 110B; 114A, 114B bendedly extend. Such positioning of the mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B (e.g., screw bosses) may mean that they are located at the corners of the first wall portion and the second wall portion 110A, 110B; 114A, 114B near the dead ends along the fluid passage. Such dead ends can be regarded as areas without scale deposition and evaporation. Therefore, such positions can be advantageously used for the mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B.
[0168] In some embodiments, the fluid inlet 104 is at least partially defined by the position in the steam chamber 102 where the fluid initially received in a quantified supply into the steam chamber 102 is located. In some embodiments, referring to Figure 5 , the fluid is fed in a quantified manner via a metering head 151 provided at the lid 146.
[0169] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3AAs best shown, the temperature sensing groove 152 is defined in one of the mounting portions 148A, 148B; 150A, 150B, and particularly in the mounting portion 148B centered along the longitudinal axis LA.
[0170] Reference Figure 3E and Figure 5 , the temperature sensor 154 projects into the temperature sensing groove 152. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 154 can be used to control the heating element 121.
[0171] Figure 6 is Figure 2 an exploded view. In this figure, the steam chamber 102 is separated from the processing plate 14. The steam generated in the steam chamber 102 exits via the steam outlet 134 and is distributed within the space formed between the bottom 126 and the processing plate 14 until it exits via at least one steam nozzle 141 formed on the processing plate 14. The processing plate 14 is heated via heat exchange with the steam chamber 102. Heat exchange occurs between the outer periphery 142 of the steam chamber 102 and the outer periphery 143 of the processing plate 14.
[0172] Heat exchange also occurs between:
[0173] a first set of ribs (Sla, S1b, S1c) forming part of the steam chamber 102 and a first set of ribs (R1a, R1b, Rlc) forming part of the processing plate 14,
[0174] a second set of ribs (S2a, S2b, S2c) forming part of the steam chamber 102 and a second set of ribs (R2a, R2b, R2c) forming part of the processing plate 14.
[0175] These ribs are intended to ensure steam distribution between the steam holes located at the rear of the processing plate 14.
[0176] Figure 7 depicts Figure 6 a partial enlarged view of, in particular, the first set of ribs (R1a, R1b, Rlc) forming part of the processing plate 14.
[0177] Preferably, at least one rib of the first set of ribs (R1a, R1b, Rlc) forming part of the processing plate 14, and / or at least one rib of the second set of ribs (R2a, R2b, R2c) forming part of the processing plate 14 forms a hollow wall structure. In fact, these ribs are not flat (i.e., solid), but include an outer peripheral wall forming a hollow structure. The thickness of the wall is in the range of 1 to 2 millimeters.
[0178] The purpose of the hollow rib wall is to allow heat transfer, but at the same time limit the heat transfer rate through the rib to balance the heat transfer rate from the side contact. It is desired to limit the heat flow rate through the rib by designing a hollow core to avoid hot spots on the processing plate 14.
[0179] The above embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the technical solutions of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. The word "comprising" in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
Claims
1. A steam device (100) includes a hand-held unit (12) for releasing steam to clothing. The hand-held unit includes a steam chamber (102), and the steam chamber comprises: a fluid inlet (104) arranged at the rear portion (102A) of the steam chamber to receive water and / or steam, a fluid outlet (106) arranged at the front portion (102B) of the steam chamber, a first lateral side (108A) and a second lateral side (108B) of the steam chamber, the first lateral side and the second lateral side facing each other and extending between the rear portion and the front portion, at least one first wall portion (110A, 110B, 110C), each first wall portion of the at least one first wall portion bending and extending from the first lateral side (108A) towards the second lateral side (108B) and terminating at a first end (112A, 112B, 112C) spaced apart from the second lateral side, and at least one second wall portion (114A, 114B), each second wall portion of the at least one second wall portion bending and extending from the second lateral side towards the first lateral side and terminating at a second end (116A, 116B) spaced apart from the first lateral side, wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion are arranged continuously and alternately from the rear portion to the front portion and are spaced apart from each other, so as to define a meandering fluid passage (FP) from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet together with the intervals between each first end and the second lateral side and the intervals between each second end and the first lateral side, and wherein the first wall portion and the second wall portion bend and extend parallel to each other.
2. The steam device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the concave surfaces (118A, 118B; 120A, 120B) of each of the bending and extending first wall portion (110A, 110B, 110C) and second wall portion (114A, 114B) face the front portion (102B) of the steam chamber (102).
3. The steam device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, includes a heating element (121) arranged to heat the steam chamber (102), and the heating element is aligned with at least a part of the meandering fluid passage (FP).
4. The steam device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the heating element (121) is a U-shaped heating element connected to a first electrical connector (122A) and a second electrical connector (122B), the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are arranged near the rear portion (102A) of the steam chamber (102), the heating element extends from the first electrical connector (122A) to a turning point (124) near the front portion, and extends back from the turning point to the second electrical connector (122B), wherein the fluid outlet (106) is aligned with the turning point.
5. The steam device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a bottom (126), wherein the heating element (121) is arranged in the bottom, the base has an upper surface (130), and the upper surface includes a raised portion (132) that faces upward and follows the shape of the heating element received in the base.
6. The steam device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the fluid outlet (106) is aligned with a front section (132A) of the raised portion (132).
7. The steam device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the raised portion (132) includes a first lateral section (132B) extending along the first lateral side (108A) and a second lateral section (132C) extending along the second lateral side (108B), and the first lateral section and the second lateral section are arranged at a space between the first end (112A, 112B, 112C) and the second lateral side, and at a space between the second end (116A, 116B) and the first lateral side.
8. The steam device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the fluid inlet (104) is aligned with a first area of one of the first lateral section (132B) and the second lateral section (132C) of the raised portion (132).
9. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the fluid outlet (106) is defined between the first lateral side (108A) and the second lateral side (108B), and an outer peripheral wall (138) extends around the first lateral side and the second lateral side, and steam channels (140A, 140B) are defined between the outer peripheral wall and one or both of the lateral sides, and the steam channels extend from the fluid outlet to a steam outlet (134) arranged at a rear portion of the steam channels.
10. The steam device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the outer peripheral wall (138) stands upright from a base surface (142) of the steam channels (140A, 140B), and the steam outlet (134) is defined in a raised surface portion (144) of the base surface.
11. The steam device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a first steam channel (140A) extends along the first lateral side (108A) from the front portion (102B) towards the rear portion (102A), and a second steam channel (140B) extends along the second lateral side (108B) from the front portion towards the rear portion.
12. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 when dependent on any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the raised portion (132) protrudes into the steam channels (140A, 140B) near the steam outlet (134).
13. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a lid (146) for enclosing the steam chamber (102) and mounting portions (148A, 148B; 150A, 150B) for mounting the lid to enclose the steam chamber, wherein at least some of the mounting portions are arranged at positions along the first lateral side (108A) and the second lateral side (108B), and at least some of the first wall portions (110A, 110B) and the second wall portions (114A, 114B) bend and extend from these positions.
14. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least some of the first wall portions (110A, 110B, 110C) and the second wall portions (114A, 114B) have a radius of curvature in the range of [30; 32] millimeters.
15. The steam device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: a base unit (10) for supplying water and / or steam, a hand-held unit (12) including the steam chamber (102) and having a treatment plate (14) defining at least one steam nozzle, and a flexible pipeline (13) for transporting the water and / or the steam to the steam chamber, the steam chamber being arranged to heat the water and / or the steam transported to the steam chamber via the flexible pipeline for generating steam via the at least one steam nozzle.