A new steam flow channel structure

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of steam appliance technology and discloses a novel steam flow channel structure, comprising a closed cavity formed by assembling a base plate, a mounting frame, a cover plate, a frame, and a top plate. The closed cavity contains a flow channel for water flow and vaporization. At least one water-blocking rib is provided on the inner wall of the flow channel. This rib obstructs and impacts the water as it flows through, prolonging the water's residence time within the channel and promoting the refinement of water molecules. Through the inverted fish-scale-shaped water-blocking rib structure, as the water flows within the channel, it continuously collides with and rebounds against the ribs, slowing the water's forward speed and increasing the contact time between the water and the inner wall of the channel. Simultaneously, the hook-shaped structure causes secondary collisions between water molecules after initial impact, breaking large water molecule clusters into smaller clusters, making it easier for the water to absorb heat and complete vaporization, thus improving vaporization efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steam appliance technology, specifically a novel steam flow channel structure. Background Technology

[0002] In steam-based small household appliances such as irons, garment steamers, and steam cleaners, liquid water is typically delivered to a high-temperature vaporization channel. Through heat exchange with the water via the channel wall, the water absorbs enough heat to undergo a phase change and vaporize into steam, which is then ejected from the outlet for use.

[0003] Currently, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency between water and the flow channel and ensure that water can be fully vaporized within a limited flow channel length, existing technologies have designed a labyrinthine flow channel structure. By increasing the physical length and path tortuosity of the flow channel, the residence time of water in the flow channel is extended, and the contact area between the water and the flow channel wall is increased, thereby improving the adequacy of heat exchange.

[0004] In pursuit of longer flow channels and larger heat exchange areas, labyrinth structures inevitably occupy more internal space, resulting in excessively large product volumes. This hinders miniaturization and lightweight design. Furthermore, the more complex flow channel structure and the use of more materials directly increase manufacturing costs. In addition, simply relying on extending the flow channel to increase heat exchange time has reached its limit in improving heat exchange efficiency. Excessively long flow channels also increase steam flow resistance, affecting steam output rate and jetting effect, and causing condensation at the end of the flow channel, which in turn reduces the overall steam quality. Therefore, a novel steam flow channel structure is proposed to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a novel steam flow channel structure that solves the problems of labyrinthine flow channel structures, increased material usage, and higher product manufacturing costs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: a novel steam flow channel structure, comprising a closed cavity formed by assembling a bottom plate, a mounting frame, a cover plate, a frame, and a top plate, wherein the closed cavity is provided with a flow channel for water flow and vaporization;

[0007] At least one water-blocking rib is provided on the inner wall of the flow channel. The water-blocking rib is used to block and impact the water when it flows through, prolong the residence time of the water in the flow channel and promote the refinement of water molecules.

[0008] The top of the base plate is provided with multiple air outlets, and the interior of the base plate is provided with water inlets.

[0009] Preferably, there are multiple water-blocking ribs, which are arranged at intervals along the length of the flow channel.

[0010] Preferably, the water-blocking rib has a water-facing surface, which is hook-shaped relative to the extension direction of the flow channel, generating a reverse blocking and impact effect when water flows through it. The water-blocking rib has an inverted fish scale structure.

[0011] Preferably, it further includes a vortex chamber disposed at the water inlet, the vortex chamber being connected to the flow channel, and an inlet pipe being fixedly connected to the outside of the vortex chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the flow channel is provided with a drain port that communicates with the vortex chamber for discharging impurities separated by the vortex chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the flow channel is further provided with a movable cleaning component, which is used to clean the inner wall of the flow channel under the drive of water flow.

[0014] Preferably, the cleaning component is a spiral scraper, and multiple fixing blocks are fixedly connected to the top of the base plate. The spiral scraper is rotatably connected inside the fixing blocks, and the outer side of the spiral scraper contacts the inner wall of the flow channel, scraping off the deposits on the inner wall when rotating.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom end of the sewage outlet is connected to a detachable sewage pipe, which is connected to the sewage outlet via a quick-release structure.

[0016] Preferably, the quick-assembly / disassembly structure includes:

[0017] A ring-shaped groove pipe installed at the end of the sewage pipe;

[0018] An elastic locking component is installed on the outside of the sewage outlet.

[0019] Preferably, the elastic locking assembly includes a pull ring, the inner side of which is slidably connected to the outer side of the drain port, a spring is sleeved on the outer side of the drain port, one end of the spring abuts against the outer side of the pull ring, and a plurality of locking balls are slidably connected inside the drain port, with the outer sides of the plurality of locking balls contacting the inner side of the pull ring.

[0020] This invention provides a novel steam flow channel structure. It has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. This invention utilizes an inverted fish-scale-shaped water-blocking rib structure. As water flows through the channel, it continuously collides with and rebounds against the water-blocking ribs, slowing down the forward speed of the water flow and increasing the contact time between the water and the inner wall of the channel. At the same time, the hook-shaped structure causes secondary collisions between water molecules after the initial collision, breaking large water molecule clusters into smaller clusters, making it easier for the water to absorb heat and complete vaporization. In addition, the inverted fish-scale-shaped structure directly increases the effective heat exchange surface area of ​​the channel, allowing more water to fully contact the inner wall of the channel for heat exchange, thereby improving vaporization efficiency without extending the channel.

[0022] 2. This invention features a spiral scraper inside the flow channel, which rotates with the water flow. The scraping end of the spiral scraper always adheres to the inner wall of the flow channel, continuously peeling off the attached scale deposits from the wall during rotation. This prevents scale buildup from affecting the heat transfer efficiency of the flow channel. The peeled scale and impurities flow back to the vortex chamber with the water flow, where they are enriched together with the impurities separated by the vortex. The enriched impurities are then discharged through the drain port into the drain pipe, achieving a self-cleaning function inside the flow channel and ensuring stable heat exchange performance during long-term use.

[0023] 3. This invention guides water flow into the vortex chamber and forms a high-speed vortex. Centrifugal force is used to separate scale particles, solid impurities, and other contaminants from the water, purifying the water entering the flow channel. Impurities accumulated in the vortex chamber are discharged through the drain pipe. The drain pipe uses a quick-release structure consisting of a locking ball and a spring. Pulling the pull ring releases the lock and allows the drain pipe to be removed, facilitating manual cleaning and maintenance of the drain channel by the user and ensuring long-term reliable drain function. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow channel structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the vortex chamber of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the pull ring of the present invention.

[0030] The components are as follows: 1. Base plate; 2. Mounting frame; 3. Cover plate; 4. Frame; 5. Top plate; 6. Flow channel; 7. Air outlet; 8. Water baffle; 9. Fixing block; 10. Spiral scraper; 11. Water inlet; 12. Swirl chamber; 13. Water inlet pipe; 14. Sewage outlet; 15. Sewage pipe; 16. Ring groove pipe; 17. Pull ring; 18. Spring; 19. Ball clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1:

[0033] Please see the appendix Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 4 This invention provides a novel steam flow channel structure, comprising a closed cavity formed by assembling a base plate 1, a mounting frame 2, a cover plate 3, a frame 4, and a top plate 5. The assembled closed cavity provides an independent and sealed working space for steam generation, preventing heat loss and steam leakage, and ensuring heat exchange efficiency. Inside the closed cavity is a flow channel 6 for water flow and vaporization. The flow channel 6 provides a preset path for water flow and vaporization, guiding water to complete efficient heat exchange. At least one water-blocking rib 8 is provided on the inner wall of the flow channel 6. The water-blocking rib 8 is the core structure for improving water vaporization efficiency, strengthening the contact between water and the inner wall of the flow channel 6 and promoting molecular refinement. The water-blocking rib 8 is used to block and impact water as it flows through, changing the water flow state through physical action, improving heat exchange and vaporization, extending the residence time of water in the flow channel 6, and promoting water molecule refinement, allowing water to fully absorb heat and making it easier to vaporize. The top of the base plate 1... Multiple air outlets 7 are provided, which can achieve uniform and rapid steam discharge and improve steam output efficiency. The bottom plate 1 has a water inlet 11 inside, which provides a precise input channel for water to enter the flow channel 6 and ensures stable water supply. There are multiple water-blocking ribs 8, which are arranged at intervals along the length of the flow channel 6. The spaced arrangement design allows the water to be continuously blocked and impacted during flow, achieving efficient heat exchange. The water-blocking rib 8 has a water-facing surface, which is the main force-bearing surface for water impact, ensuring the blocking and impact effect. The water-facing surface is set in an inverted hook shape relative to the extension direction of the flow channel 6. The inverted hook structure can enhance the reverse force on the water and improve the impact effect. When the water flows through, it generates a reverse blocking and impact effect, slowing down the water flow speed while allowing water molecules to collide fully. The water-blocking ribs 8 have an inverted fish scale structure. The inverted fish scale arrangement can make the water form turbulence and further expand the contact area between the water and the inner wall of the flow channel 6.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, it also includes a vortex chamber 12 located at the water inlet 11. The vortex chamber 12 adopts a conical design, and the conical cavity can guide the water flow to form a stable vortex, providing a dedicated cavity for the separation of water impurities, and achieving efficient separation of water and impurities. The vortex chamber 12 is connected to the flow channel 6 to ensure that the separated clean water can smoothly enter the flow channel 6 for vaporization. A water inlet pipe 13 is fixedly connected to the outside of the vortex chamber 12. The water inlet pipe 13 is arranged at a right angle to the vortex chamber 12. The right angle arrangement allows the water flow to enter the vortex chamber 12 tangentially, providing a power basis for the formation of a high-speed vortex. At the same time, the diameter of the vortex chamber 12 is larger than the diameter of the water inlet pipe 13, and the diameter difference can... The sudden change in water velocity after entry enhances the centrifugal separation effect. The inlet pipe 13 provides a stable channel for water delivery, ensuring a continuous water input to the cyclone chamber 12. After entering the cyclone chamber 12 from the inlet pipe 13, the water first contacts and swirls around the drain port 14, forming a high-speed vortex in the conical cavity. Centrifugal force is used to concentrate impurities towards the cavity wall. The bottom of the flow channel 6 is provided with a drain port 14 that communicates with the cyclone chamber 12. The drain port 14 provides a discharge channel for the concentrated impurities, preventing impurities from accumulating in the cavity. It is used to discharge the impurities separated by the cyclone chamber 12, and timely cleaning of impurities ensures the cleanliness of the inside of the flow channel 6, preventing impurities from affecting the heat exchange efficiency.

[0035] Example 2:

[0036] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further includes a self-cleaning structure; please refer to the appendix. Figure 3 -Appendix Figure 4 The flow channel 6 is also equipped with a movable cleaning component that can move autonomously with the liquid flow, achieving automatic cleaning without power. The cleaning component is used to clean the inner wall of the flow channel 6 under the drive of liquid flow, completing the cleaning operation using liquid power, saving additional power consumption. The cleaning component is a spiral scraper 10, and the outer edge of the spiral scraper 10 is machined into a spiral guide surface inclined at 30° to 45° with the water flow direction of the flow channel 6. When the straight water flow along the length of the flow channel 6 flows through the spiral scraper 10, the water flow impacts the spiral guide surface to generate a tangential component force, converting the kinetic energy of the straight water flow into a spiral force. The torque drives the spiral scraper 10 to rotate around the fixed block 9. Multiple fixed blocks 9 are fixedly connected to the top of the base plate 1. These fixed blocks 9 provide stable rotational support for the spiral scraper 10, ensuring stable rotation without deviation. The spiral scraper 10 is rotatably connected inside the fixed block 9, ensuring flexible rotation without jamming. The outer side of the spiral scraper 10 contacts the inner wall of the flow channel 6. This close contact ensures thorough cleaning without dead angles. During rotation, it scrapes away the deposits on the inner wall, promptly removing scale and other sediments, and ensuring the heat conduction performance of the inner wall of the flow channel 6.

[0037] Example 3:

[0038] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further includes a detachable sewage discharge port. Please refer to the appendix. Figure 5 -Appendix Figure 6 The bottom end of the drain port 14 is connected to a detachable drain pipe 15. The detachable drain pipe 15 is easy to disassemble and clean, improving the convenience of drain maintenance. The drain pipe 15 is connected to the drain port 14 through a quick-release structure. The quick-release structure can realize tool-free quick disassembly and assembly of the drain pipe 15. The operation is simple and efficient. The quick-release structure includes an annular groove pipe 16 set at the end of the drain pipe 15. The annular groove pipe 16 can be precisely matched with the locking ball 19 to realize the firm locking of the drain pipe 15. An elastic locking component is set on the outside of the drain port 14. The elastic locking component provides elastic locking force for quick disassembly and assembly, ensuring a firm connection and convenient disassembly.

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown, the elastic locking assembly includes a pull ring 17, which provides a convenient point of force for manual operation, facilitating the triggering of the unlocking action. The inner side of the pull ring 17 is slidably connected to the outer side of the drain port 14, ensuring that the pull ring 17 can slide smoothly along the drain port 14 to achieve locking and unlocking switching. A spring 18 is sleeved on the outer side of the drain port 14, which provides elastic power for the reset of the pull ring 17, ensuring that it can automatically return to the locked state after unlocking. One end of the spring 18 abuts against the outer side of the pull ring 17, ensuring that the elastic force of the spring 18 can be efficiently transmitted to the pull ring 17, and the reset action is smooth. Multiple locking balls 19 are slidably connected inside the drain port 14. The multiple locking balls 19 can lock the annular groove tube 16 from multiple directions, ensuring a more secure connection. The outer side of the multiple locking balls 19 is in contact with the inner side of the pull ring 17, ensuring that the pull ring 17 can squeeze and release the locking balls 19 through sliding, completing the locking and unlocking.

[0040] Working principle: The steam flow channel structure is composed of a base plate 1, mounting frame 2, cover plate 3, frame 4, and top plate 5, forming a closed flow channel 6 cavity. The tightly assembled closed cavity of multiple components can effectively reduce heat loss and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the flow channel 6, providing a stable temperature environment for liquid vaporization. The water to be vaporized is transported to the inlet 11 through the inlet pipe 13. The stable transport through the inlet pipe 13 can ensure the continuous replenishment of liquid in the flow channel 6, ensuring the continuity of steam generation. It first enters the vortex chamber 12 integrated at the inlet of the flow channel 6. The vortex chamber 12 serves as a pretreatment chamber before the liquid enters the flow channel 6, which can achieve the early separation of impurities. To ensure the cleanliness of the interior of the flow channel 6, the water flow is guided by the cavity structure in the vortex chamber 12 to form a high-speed vortex. The high-speed vortex can generate a strong centrifugal force, which provides the power basis for the separation of impurities. The centrifugal force principle is used to separate scale particles, solid impurities and other impurities mixed in the water from the water body. The physical structure achieves efficient separation without the need for additional filter consumables. Impurities are enriched on the cavity wall and bottom of the vortex chamber 12, allowing the clean water body and impurities to be spatially separated, which facilitates the subsequent centralized discharge of impurities. The clean water body enters the multiple flow channels 6 through the outlet of the vortex chamber 12, ensuring that the clean water body can be evenly distributed to each flow channel 6, and realizing the synchronous and efficient vaporization of multiple flow channels.

[0041] After clean water enters the flow channel 6, it flows along a preset path within the cavity of the flow channel 6. The preset path guides the liquid to fully pass through the baffles 8, ensuring heat exchange and molecular refinement effects. Because the inner wall of the flow channel 6 is integrally equipped with multiple inverted fish-scale-shaped baffles 8, these baffles continuously obstruct the liquid during flow, enhancing the heat exchange effect. As the water flows, it continuously collides with and bounces against the inverted fish-scale-shaped baffles 8. This collision and bounce significantly slows down the water flow speed, prolongs the residence time of the liquid in the flow channel 6, and increases the contact time between the water and the inner wall of the flow channel 6. This allows the water to fully absorb the heat transferred from the outside of the flow channel 6, improving the adequacy of heat exchange. At the same time, the inverted fish-scale-shaped baffles 8... The hook-shaped structure causes secondary collisions between water molecules after initial impact. These secondary collisions effectively break down large water molecule clusters, improving liquid vaporization efficiency. By breaking down large water molecule clusters into smaller clusters, water vaporizes more easily, reducing the heat requirement for liquid vaporization. This effectively increases the effective heat exchange surface area of ​​the flow channel 6, allowing more water to contact the inner wall of the flow channel 6, further enhancing heat exchange efficiency and vaporization effect. After sufficient heat exchange, the water vaporizes into high-temperature steam. This thorough heat exchange ensures efficient conversion of the liquid into high-temperature steam, increasing steam generation. The steam gathers within the flow channel 6 and is discharged from the outlet 7. Multiple outlets 7 enable rapid and uniform steam discharge, ensuring stable steam output.

[0042] During long-term use, scale deposits that easily adhere to the inner wall of flow channel 6 are peeled off by the rotating spiral scraper 10 that moves with the water flow. The spiral scraper 10 enables automated cleaning of the inner wall of flow channel 6, promptly removing scale deposits. The scraping end of the spiral scraper 10 always adheres to the inner wall of flow channel 6, ensuring a tight fit and thorough removal of wall deposits without dead angles. During rotation, it continuously separates solid deposits from the wall, preventing scale buildup from affecting the heat transfer efficiency of flow channel 6 and ensuring that flow channel 6 maintains high-efficiency heat exchange performance over a long period. The peeled scale and impurities mix with the water flow and are carried away by the water. The water flows back to the cyclone chamber 12, where scale and impurities are collected and concentrated, facilitating their subsequent unified discharge. The impurities, along with those separated by the cyclone, are enriched within the cyclone chamber 12, allowing various impurities to be concentrated and improving sewage discharge efficiency. Under the pressure of the water flow, the enriched impurities enter the sewage discharge pipe 15 through the sewage discharge port 14 at the bottom of the flow channel 6 and are finally discharged from the cavity of the flow channel 6. The water flow pressure enables the automatic discharge of impurities without the need for additional sewage discharge power, thus completing the cleaning of impurities. Timely cleaning of impurities ensures the cleanliness of the flow channel 6 and the interior of the cyclone chamber 12, extending the service life of the equipment.

[0043] To ensure the long-term unobstructed use of the sewage discharge channel, the convenient disassembly and assembly structure allows for more efficient cleaning and maintenance of the sewage discharge channel, preventing blockages from affecting equipment operation. When manual cleaning or maintenance of the sewage discharge channel is required, pulling the pull ring 17 will cause the locking ball 19 to compress the spring 18. The unlocking process can be triggered with a simple pulling action, making operation convenient. At this time, the pull ring 17 releases the compression restriction on the locking ball 19, allowing the locking ball 19 to slide outward, releasing the locking ball 19 from locking the annular groove tube 16, thus unlocking the sewage pipe 15. Pulling the sewage pipe 15 outward will remove the annular groove tube 16, achieving quick disassembly of the sewage pipe 15. Disassembly can be completed without tools, improving maintenance efficiency. Releasing the buckle lock allows the sewage pipe 15 to be completely separated from the sewage interface 14, facilitating cleaning and maintenance of the inside of the sewage discharge channel. The spring 18 releases and rebounds, allowing the sewage interface 14 to return to its initial state. After unlocking, it automatically resets, preparing for the next installation of the sewage pipe 15 and ensuring the reusability of the locking structure.

Claims

1. A novel steam flow channel structure, characterized in that, include: A closed cavity is formed by assembling a base plate (1), a mounting frame (2), a cover plate (3), a frame (4) and a top plate (5), and the closed cavity is provided with a flow channel (6) for water flow and vaporization. At least one water-blocking rib (8) is provided on the inner wall of the flow channel (6). The water-blocking rib (8) is used to block and impact the water when it flows through, prolong the residence time of the water in the flow channel (6) and promote the refinement of water molecules. The bottom plate (1) is provided with multiple air outlets (7) at its top and a water inlet (11) is provided inside the bottom plate (1).

2. The novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple water-blocking ribs (8), which are arranged at intervals along the length of the flow channel (6).

3. The novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water-blocking rib (8) has a water-facing surface, which is hook-shaped relative to the extension direction of the flow channel (6), generating a reverse blocking and impact effect when water flows through. The water-blocking rib (8) has an inverted fish scale structure.

4. The novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a vortex chamber (12) located at the water inlet (11), the vortex chamber (12) being connected to the flow channel (6), and an inlet pipe (13) being fixedly connected to the outside of the vortex chamber (12).

5. A novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the flow channel (6) is provided with a drain port (14) that communicates with the vortex chamber (12) for discharging impurities separated by the vortex chamber (12).

6. The novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel (6) is also provided with a movable cleaning component, which is used to clean the inner wall of the flow channel (6) under the drive of water flow.

7. A novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cleaning component is a spiral scraper (10). The top of the base plate (1) is fixedly connected to a plurality of fixed blocks (9). The spiral scraper (10) is rotatably connected to the inside of the fixed blocks (9). The outer side of the spiral scraper (10) contacts the inner wall of the flow channel (6) and scrapes off the adhering substances on the inner wall when rotating.

8. A novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom end of the drain port (14) is connected to a detachable drain pipe (15), which is connected to the drain port (14) through a quick-release structure.

9. A novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The quick-assembly / disassembly structure includes: A ring groove pipe (16) is installed at the end of the sewage pipe (15). An elastic locking component is provided on the outside of the drain port (14).

10. A novel steam flow channel structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The elastic locking assembly includes a pull ring (17), the inner side of which is slidably connected to the outer side of the drain port (14). A spring (18) is sleeved on the outer side of the drain port (14), one end of which abuts against the outer side of the pull ring (17). A plurality of locking balls (19) are slidably connected inside the drain port (14), and the outer sides of the plurality of locking balls (19) are in contact with the inner side of the pull ring (17).

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