Steam generating device and ironing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steam generating device and an ironer, belongs to ironing equipment, and aims to solve the problems that in the prior art, a sealing element for sealing a steam generating chamber can quickly lose efficacy under high temperature, the detention and detouring time of steam in the steam generating chamber is short, and tiny water drops are easy to carry. The vaporizing chamber is provided with two side walls, the heating body is provided with an inclined face which is located in the vaporizing chamber, heated by a heating device to vaporize water into steam and forms an angle with the horizontal direction, and the inclined face is defined by an upper end portion, a lower end portion and the two side walls and located between the two side walls. The two side edges of the inclined face extend towards the corresponding side walls respectively and are spaced from the corresponding side walls, the corresponding spacing forms a groove which extends towards the back side of the inclined face and serves as a component part of the vaporizing chamber, the combination portion of the heating body and the cover is at least partially isolated from the inclined face through the groove, the sealing effect of the vaporizing chamber can be effectively improved, and the service life of the vaporizing chamber can be effectively prolonged. And the steam can be released at a more stable pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to ironing equipment, in particular to a steam generating device and an ironing machine. Background Art

[0002] The utility model patent with the authorization announcement number CN107208877B discloses a device for generating steam. The device includes a housing and a cover assembled together and forming a steam generating chamber inside them. The device also includes a plate, which forms a surface and is inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal direction to define an upper end and a lower end, and the plate is partially bordered by a wall, and the boundary formed by the wall is open at the lower end, so that the plate is connected to the scale collection container via at least one channel extending between the upper end and the lower end.

[0003] The utility model patent with the authorization publication number CN113266809B discloses a device for generating steam. The device comprises a housing and a cover assembled together and forming a steam generating chamber inside them. The housing of the device comprises a plate forming a surface and a scale collecting container, the plate being inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal direction to define an upper end and a lower end, the plate being partially bordered by a wall, and the wall being configured to ensure that water is guided downward along the plate toward the lower end.

[0004] The devices for generating steam described in the above-mentioned two patent documents require that the shell and cover assembled together be sealed, and since the plate is partially connected by the wall, the sealing part between the shell and the cover is close to the plate and the heating element. The heat generated by the heating element is directly transmitted to the seal at the sealing part through the plate and the wall. The seal will fail quickly when subjected to high temperature when the device is working, thereby reducing the sealing effect of the steam generating chamber and the life of the device.

[0005] Moreover, in order to continuously and stably transport steam to the outside of the steam generating chamber at a certain pressure, the steam generating chamber requires a certain amount of space to store the steam. However, since the plate is partially connected by the wall and the steam generating chamber is formed by the area extending between the plate and the cover, the space of the steam generating chamber is limited, and the steam generated by the device will be quickly discharged from the steam outlet, with a short residence time in the steam generating chamber and easy to carry tiny water droplets. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved and the technical task proposed by the utility model are to overcome the defects of the prior art steam generating device, that is, the sealing member will fail quickly when subjected to high temperature when the device is working due to the plate being partially connected to the wall, and the steam is short in the steam generating chamber due to the limited space, and is easy to carry tiny water droplets. A steam generating device and an iron are provided to improve the heating condition of the sealing part to extend the sealing mission, and to expand the space of the steam generating chamber to extend the steam's residence time in the steam generating chamber, so as to avoid the steam carrying tiny water droplets and pressure instability when discharged from the steam outlet.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the steam generating device of the utility model comprises a heating element and a cover assembled together, the joint between the heating element and the cover is sealed, and a vaporization chamber is defined within the heating element and the cover, and is characterized by:

[0008] The vaporization chamber has two side walls, the heating element has an inclined surface which is located in the vaporization chamber and is heated by the heating device to vaporize water into steam and is angled with the horizontal direction, the inclined surface is defined by an upper end, a lower end and two side boundaries and is located between the two side walls, the two side edges of the inclined surface respectively extend toward the corresponding side walls and maintain a spacing with the corresponding side walls, a groove which is a component of the vaporization chamber and extends toward the back side of the inclined surface corresponding to the spacing is formed, and the joint portion and the inclined surface are at least partially isolated by the groove;

[0009] The vaporization chamber has a water inlet device for conveying water to the upper end of the inclined surface and a steam outlet for releasing steam to the outside of the vaporization chamber.

[0010] In the steam generating device, since the joining part between the heating element and the cover is at least partially isolated from the inclined surface by the groove, on the one hand, the distance for heat conduction from the inclined surface to the joining part is extended, and a part of the heat conducted from the heating device to the joining part will be lost; on the other hand, the distance for the heat of the heating device to radiate to the joining part via the inclined surface is extended, and the radiated heat borne by the joining part is reduced. Therefore, the sealing of the joining part is improved by withstanding the high temperature of the heating device, which can effectively improve the sealing effect of the steam generating chamber and extend the life of the device.

[0011] In the steam generating device, since the groove extends to the back side of the inclined surface and serves as a component of the vaporization chamber, the space and capacity of the vaporization chamber are increased, especially the surface area of ​​the inner wall of the vaporization chamber adjacent to the heating device is increased, so that the heat of the heating device can be radiated into the vaporization chamber, and the generated steam is retained and detoured in the vaporization chamber by the convection of the gas instead of being directly released from the steam outlet, and the fine water droplets that may be mixed in the steam will be separated from the steam or further vaporized, so that the fine water droplets are prevented from being carried and released by the steam. The increase in the space and capacity of the vaporization chamber enables the steam to be released at a more stable pressure to iron the clothes.

[0012] Preferably, in order to facilitate assembly and ensure sealing, a sealing ring is placed between the heating element and the cover. The sealing ring is preferably squeezed between the heating element and the cover.

[0013] Preferably, in order to ensure the sealing effect, the joint between the heating element and the cover is matched with a plane.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element has a concave portion facing sideways, the inclined surface is located in the concave portion, and the cover covers the concave portion. In another embodiment of the present invention, the heating element has a concave portion facing upwards, the inclined surface is located in the concave portion, and the cover covers the concave portion. The presence of the concave portion can increase the capacity of the vaporization chamber.

[0015] In different embodiments of the present invention, the side wall is arranged on the heating element or the cover or both the heating element and the cover, so as to increase the capacity of the vaporization chamber and the heat conduction distance between the joint part and the heating device as required.

[0016] Preferably, the vaporization chamber has an upper wall, the upper wall is arranged on the heating element and / or the cover, and the inclined surface is located below the upper wall to form a space above the inclined surface to increase the capacity of the vaporization chamber.

[0017] Preferably, the water inlet device and the steam outlet are located on the upper wall, which is conducive to transporting the water to the upper end of the slope and outputting dry steam.

[0018] Preferably, the vaporization chamber has a bottom surface, the lower end of the inclined surface extends to the bottom surface and forms a scale containing space adjacent to the lower end above the bottom surface. Accordingly, the vaporization chamber extends from the lower end of the inclined surface to the periphery to increase the space of the vaporization chamber.

[0019] Preferably, the groove extends downward to the bottom surface and serves as a component of the scale accommodating space, thereby increasing the space of the vaporization chamber and being able to accommodate more scale.

[0020] In order to accommodate more scale, the scale accommodating space includes an expansion portion extending along the bottom surface in a direction away from the lower end portion and facing the lower end portion of the inclined surface.

[0021] In order to facilitate cleaning of scale, the scale containing space is provided with a scale cleaning port, and the scale cleaning port is provided with a cover.

[0022] Preferably, the back side of the bevel is exposed outside the vaporizer so that corresponding components can be arranged on the back side of the bevel to detect and control the temperature of the bevel. The groove protrudes as a ridge on the back side of the bevel to increase the heat dissipation area of ​​the heating device to conduct heat to the bonding part, thereby preventing the bonding part from being subjected to high temperature.

[0023] Preferably, the vaporization chamber has a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall, and a slit as a component of the vaporization chamber and communicating with the groove is formed between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall, thereby increasing the space of the vaporization chamber and being able to accommodate more scale.

[0024] Preferably, there are two inclined surfaces which are arranged opposite to each other, thereby improving the vaporization efficiency.

[0025] Preferably, the grooves on the same side of the two inclined surfaces are connected as one and communicate with the grooves on the other side, thereby making the space inside the vaporization chamber communicate, and promoting the temperature of each part of the vaporization chamber to be consistent.

[0026] To achieve the above object, the ironing machine of the utility model comprises the steam generating device of the utility model.

[0027] The utility model defines a vaporization chamber within the heating element and the cover, and configures two side walls for the vaporization chamber. The heating element has an inclined plane that is located in the vaporization chamber and is heated by a heating device to vaporize water into steam and is angled with the horizontal direction. The inclined plane is defined by an upper end, a lower end and two side boundaries and is located between the two side walls. The two side edges of the inclined plane extend to the corresponding side walls respectively and maintain a spacing between the corresponding side walls. The corresponding spacing constitutes a groove that extends to the back side of the inclined plane and is a component of the vaporization chamber. The junction of the heating element and the cover is at least partially isolated from the inclined plane by the groove. On the one hand, the distance for heat to be conducted from the inclined plane to the junction is extended, and a part of the heat conducted by the heating device to the junction will be lost. On the other hand, the distance for the heat of the heating device to be radiated from the inclined plane to the junction is extended, and the radiated heat borne by the junction is reduced. Therefore, the sealing of the junction is improved by the high temperature of the heating device, which can effectively improve the sealing effect of the steam generating chamber and extend the life of the device.

[0028] In the steam generating device, since the groove extends to the back side of the inclined surface and serves as a component of the vaporization chamber, the space and capacity of the vaporization chamber are increased, especially the surface area of ​​the inner wall of the vaporization chamber adjacent to the heating device is increased, so that the heat of the heating device can be radiated into the vaporization chamber, and the generated steam is retained and detoured in the vaporization chamber by the convection of the gas instead of being directly released from the steam outlet, and the fine water droplets that may be mixed in the steam will be separated from the steam or further vaporized, so that the fine water droplets are prevented from being carried and released by the steam. The increase in the space and capacity of the vaporization chamber enables the steam to be released at a more stable pressure to iron the clothes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a steam generating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram from another perspective;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1-2 A schematic diagram of the structural breakdown of the steam generating device shown;

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram from another perspective;

[0033] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an orthographic projection of a steam generating device of Example 1 of the utility model from a top view;

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 5 AA section view;

[0035] Figure 7 for Figure 5 BB section view;

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the CC section after rotating 180°;

[0037] Fig. 9 for Figure 7 DD section view;

[0038] Fig.10 for Figure 7 EE section diagram;

[0039] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steam generating device according to Embodiment 2 of the present utility model;

[0040] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steam generating device according to Embodiment 3 of the present utility model;

[0041] Description of the numbers in the figure:

[0042] 100 heating element, 101 inclined surface, 102 upper end, 103 lower end, 104 side, 105 recessed portion,

[0043] 200 caps,

[0044] 300 joint, 301 sealing ring,

[0045] 400 vaporization chamber, 401 side wall, 402 groove, 403 water inlet device, 404 steam outlet, 405 upper wall, 406 bottom surface, 407 scale accommodating space, 408 expansion part, 409 scale cleaning port, 410 cover, 411 ridge, 412 first vertical wall, 413 second vertical wall, 414 slit, 415 sealing member;

[0046] 500 heating devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the embodiment of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0048] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present utility model are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a method or product comprising a series of technical features is not necessarily limited to those technical features clearly listed, but may also include other technical features that are not clearly listed and can be included in the method or product.

[0049] In the description of the present utility model, it is necessary to understand that the technical features defined by the terms "first", "second" and the like with sequential concepts are only for the purpose of clearly describing the defined technical features so that the defined technical features can be clearly distinguished from other technical features, but do not represent such naming in actual implementation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present utility model.

[0050] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] like Figure 1-10 As shown, the steam generating device includes a heating element 100 and a cover 200 assembled together, a joint 300 between the heating element 100 and the cover 200 is sealed, and a vaporization chamber 400 is defined within the heating element and the cover.

[0053] The vaporization chamber 400 has two side walls 401, and the heating element 100 has an inclined surface 101 which is located in the vaporization chamber 400 and is heated by the heating device 500 to vaporize water into steam and is at an angle a to the horizontal direction L. The heating element is preferably an aluminum die-cast component, and the heating device 500 is an electric heating pipe, and the electric heating pipe is buried in the heating element so as to fully supply heat to the heating element, especially to the inclined surface. The inclined surface 101 is defined by an upper end 102, a lower end 103 and two side edges 104 and is located between the two side walls 401. The two side edges 104 of the inclined surface 101 extend to the corresponding side walls 401 respectively and maintain a spacing with the corresponding side walls. The corresponding spacing constitutes a groove 402 extending to the back side of the inclined surface as a component of the vaporization chamber, and the joint portion 300 and the inclined surface 101 are at least partially isolated by the groove 402; moreover, the side wall 401 and the inclined surface 101 are also isolated by the groove and do not border each other.

[0054] The vaporization chamber 400 has a water inlet device 403 for conveying water to the upper end of the inclined surface 101 and a steam outlet 404 for releasing steam to the outside of the vaporization chamber. In the figure, the water device and the steam outlet are only represented by interfaces. In specific implementation, necessary pipes and other structures can be connected or installed at the corresponding interfaces.

[0055] Accordingly, when water is transported from the water inlet device to the upper end of the slope, the water will flow downward along the slope and be vaporized by the slope while flowing, and the water can be completely vaporized on the slope by controlling the flow rate of the water and the temperature of the slope. It is ideal that the water inlet device evenly distributes the water along the width of the upper end (corresponding to the distance between the two side edges), which is conducive to rapid vaporization of the water and avoids the water flow being concentrated together and not being fully vaporized and leaving the slope.

[0056] In order to maintain the seal, a sealing ring 301 is placed between the heating element 100 and the cover 200. Moreover, the joint 300 of the heating element and the cover is matched with a plane. In this embodiment, the heating element 100 has a recess 105 facing the side, the inclined surface 101 is located in the recess 105, and the cover 200 covers the recess 105. Therefore, the joint 300 is vertical. Corresponding flange edges are arranged on the heating element 100 and the cover 200, and the corresponding flange edges are connected together with fasteners, and the sealing ring 301 is squeezed between the corresponding flange edges. In view of this structure, the side wall 401 is arranged on the heating element 100 and the cover 200. In a specific implementation, when the position of the joint changes, the setting position of the side wall also changes accordingly, and the joint is offset from the illustrated position to the cover so that the side wall is only located on the heating element, or the joint is offset from the illustrated position to the heating element so that the side wall is only located on the cover.

[0057] The vaporization chamber 300 has an upper wall 405. As shown in the figure, most of the upper wall 405 is arranged on the heating element 100, and a small part is arranged on the cover 200. As mentioned above, when the position of the joint part changes, the distribution of the upper wall also changes accordingly. For example, when the joint part is offset from the position shown in the figure to the cover, the upper wall is only located on the heating element, or when the joint part is offset from the position shown in the figure to the heating element, the upper wall is only located on the cover. The inclined surface 101 is located below the upper wall 405. The water inlet device 403 and the steam outlet 404 are located on the upper wall 405.

[0058] The vaporization chamber 400 has a bottom surface 406, and the lower end 103 of the inclined surface 101 extends to the bottom surface 406 and forms a scale holding space 407 adjacent to the lower end above the bottom surface. Moreover, the groove 402 extends downward to the bottom surface 406 and serves as a component of the scale holding space 407. Further, the scale holding space 407 includes an expansion portion 408 extending along the bottom surface 406 in a direction away from the lower end and facing the lower end of the inclined surface. With such a structure, the scale holding space including the expansion portion is not located below the lower end.

[0059] Further, in order to facilitate cleaning of scale, a scale cleaning port 409 is provided for the scale containing space, and the scale cleaning port 409 is provided with a cover 410 and sealed with a seal 415. The cover can be removed to clean the scale in the vaporization chamber from the scale cleaning port, and the cover can be closed after cleaning.

[0060] The back side of the inclined surface 101 is exposed outside the vaporization chamber 400 so that corresponding components can be arranged on the back side of the inclined surface to detect and control the temperature of the inclined surface. The groove 402 protrudes as a ridge 411 on the back side of the inclined surface 101 to increase the heat dissipation area for the heating device to conduct heat to the bonding part, thereby preventing the bonding part from being subjected to high temperature.

[0061] When the steam generating device is in operation, water is transported from the water inlet device 403 to the upper end of the inclined surface 101 and is vaporized on the inclined surface. The steam generated by vaporization is released from the steam outlet 404 to the outside of the vaporization chamber. Figure 7-8 As shown, the scale is deposited on the bottom surface and accumulates upward. If necessary, the scale in the vaporization chamber can be cleaned through the scale cleaning port. Based on this embodiment, the scale holding space is increased due to the increase in the capacity of the vaporization chamber. Therefore, when the capacity of the scale holding space is sufficient to accommodate the scale generated during the life of the product, the cover can be omitted.

[0062] Example 2

[0063] like Fig.11 As shown, its corresponding Figure 6 The cross-sectional position and cross-sectional direction are shown. Compared with the embodiment 1, the steam generating device of this embodiment is provided with a first vertical wall 412 and a second vertical wall 413 for the vaporization chamber 400, and a slit 414 as a component of the vaporization chamber is formed between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall to connect the groove 402. Thus, the space of the vaporization chamber is increased and more scale can be accommodated. The rest of the structure is the same as the embodiment and will not be described in detail.

[0064] Example 3

[0065] like Fig.12 As shown, its corresponding Figure 6The cross-sectional position and cross-sectional direction shown. Compared with Example 1, the steam generating device of this embodiment has a heating element 100 with a recess facing upward, a slope 101 located in the recess, and a cover 200 covering the recess. There are two slopes 101 and they are arranged back to back to increase the vaporization efficiency. The grooves on the same side of the two slopes are connected as a whole and communicated with the grooves on the other side, so that the space inside the vaporization chamber is connected, which makes the temperature of each part of the vaporization chamber tend to be consistent. In the figure, two expansion parts 408 are provided to increase the capacity for accommodating scale. Moreover, both expansion parts 408 are provided with a cover so as to clean the scale in the vaporization chamber from different directions. Since there is a groove 402 in the vaporization chamber, the space of the vaporization chamber is connected along the bottom surface. Accordingly, only one cover is configured in the specific implementation to clean the scale in the vaporization chamber. The remaining structures are the same as those in the embodiment and are not repeated here.

[0066] In the aforementioned embodiments, although a spacing is maintained between the two side edges of the inclined surface and the corresponding side walls and the corresponding spacing forms a groove extending toward the back side of the inclined surface as a component of the vaporization chamber, so that water input into the inclined surface may flow away from the inclined surface from the side edge of the inclined surface, this phenomenon of flowing away from the inclined surface has little effect on the quality of the generated steam for the following reasons: first, under the guidance of gravity, the tendency of water on the inclined surface to flow downward is much greater than the tendency to flow sideways, which will greatly reduce the phenomenon of flowing away from the inclined surface; second, when water flows away from the inclined surface, it will enter the groove. If it contacts the groove wall, it will be directly vaporized. If it splashes into the groove, since the temperature inside the groove is maintained at a higher level, the splashing water droplets are vaporized in the groove due to their smaller shape, thanks to the existence of the groove.

[0067] The aforementioned embodiments and the steam generating devices defined in the claims of the utility model can be applied to irons of various structures and types, such as configuring the ironing auxiliary structure of the utility model in a handheld steam brush that generates steam by itself, or configuring it in a floor-standing main unit of a hanging ironing machine that obtains steam from the main unit through a steam pipe. In addition, in order to deliver water, a water tank of appropriate volume and a water pump for delivering water are configured to improve the durability of use and the stability of water delivery.

Claims

1. A steam generating device, comprising a heating element (100) and a cover (200) assembled together, wherein a joint (300) between the heating element and the cover is sealed, and a vaporization chamber (400) is defined within the heating element and the cover, wherein: The vaporization chamber (400) has two side walls (401); the heating element (100) has an inclined surface (101) which is located in the vaporization chamber and is heated by a heating device (500) to vaporize water into steam and is angled with respect to the horizontal direction; the inclined surface (101) is defined by an upper end (102), a lower end (103) and two side edges (104) and is located between the two side walls (401); the two side edges (104) of the inclined surface (101) respectively extend toward corresponding side walls (401) and maintain a spacing with the corresponding side walls; a groove (402) which extends toward the back side of the inclined surface (101) and is a component of the vaporization chamber corresponding to the spacing; the combination portion (300) and the inclined surface (101) are at least partially isolated from each other by the groove (402); The vaporization chamber (400) has a water inlet device (403) for conveying water to the upper end of the inclined surface, and a steam outlet (404) for releasing steam to the outside of the vaporization chamber.

2. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring (301) is disposed between the heating element (100) and the cover (200).

3. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The joining portion between the heating element (100) and the cover (200) is matched in a plane.

4. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating element (100) has a recessed portion (105) facing the side, the inclined surface (101) is located in the recessed portion (105), and the cover (200) covers the recessed portion (105).

5. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating element (100) has a recessed portion facing upward, the inclined surface is located in the recessed portion, and the cover covers the recessed portion.

6. The steam generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The side wall (401) is arranged on the heating element and / or the cover.

7. The steam generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The vaporization chamber (400) has an upper wall (405), the upper wall (405) is arranged on the heating element (100) and / or the cover (200), and the inclined surface (101) is located below the upper wall (405).

8. The steam generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The water inlet device (403) and the steam outlet (404) are located on the upper wall (405).

9. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vaporization chamber (400) has a bottom surface (406), and the lower end of the inclined surface (101) extends to the bottom surface (406) and forms a scale containing space (407) adjacent to the lower end above the bottom surface.

10. The steam generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The groove (402) extends downward to the bottom surface (406) and serves as a component of the scale containing space (407).

11. The steam generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The scale accommodating space (407) comprises an expansion portion (408) extending along the bottom surface (406) in a direction away from the lower end portion (103) and facing the lower end portion of the inclined surface.

12. The steam generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The scale storage space (407) is provided with a scale cleaning port (409), and the scale cleaning port (409) is provided with a cover (410).

13. The steam generating device according to any one of claims 1-4, 9-12, characterized in that: The back side of the inclined surface (101) is exposed outside the vaporization chamber (400), and the groove (402) protrudes into a ridge (411) on the back side of the inclined surface (101).

14. The steam generating device according to any one of claims 1-4, 9-12, characterized in that: The vaporization chamber (400) has a first vertical wall (412) and a second vertical wall (413), and a slit (414) as a component of the vaporization chamber and communicating with the groove (402) is formed between the first vertical wall and the second vertical wall.

15. The steam generating device according to any one of claims 1-3, 5, 9-12, characterized in that: There are two inclined surfaces (101) which are arranged opposite to each other.

16. The steam generating device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The grooves on the same side of the two inclined surfaces are connected as one and communicate with the grooves on the other side.

17. An ironing machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises a steam generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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