Steam generator

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of steam generating devices, in particular to a steam generator which comprises a shell and an electric heating piece, the electric heating piece comprises a heating part, the shell is provided with a cavity, the heating part is located in the cavity, the shell is provided with a water inlet and a steam outlet which are communicated with the cavity, and the diameter of the steam outlet is not larger than that of the water inlet. The diameter of the steam outlet is not larger than that of the water inlet, so that the pressure of the cavity in the steam generator is large, the boiling point of fluid in the cavity of the steam generator is increased, the temperature of gas exhausted by the steam generator is high, and even if the temperature of the gas is suddenly reduced after the gas is exhausted, the gas can be kept in a certain gas state; the content of water drops carried in steam discharged by the steam generator is reduced, and the use efficiency of the steam generator is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steam generating device technology, and in particular to a steam generator. Background Technology

[0002] A steam heater is a device used to heat flowing water and generate steam, commonly used in household appliances such as floor scrubbers and irons. However, in practical use, the steam in existing steam generators often liquefies quickly during exhaust, resulting in excessive water droplets and affecting the generator's efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a steam generator to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A steam generator includes a housing and an electric heating element. The electric heating element includes a heating section. The housing has a chamber. The heating section is located inside the chamber. The housing is provided with a water inlet and a steam outlet communicating with the chamber. The diameter of the steam outlet is not greater than the diameter of the water inlet.

[0006] The bottom is defined as the side of the outer casing furthest from the steam outlet, and the heating element is located near the bottom; and / or the diameter of the steam outlet is not greater than half the diameter of the water inlet.

[0007] The outer casing has a high-temperature region and a low-temperature region. The water inlet is located in the high-temperature region of the outer casing, and the steam outlet is located in the low-temperature region of the outer casing.

[0008] The heating element includes a U-shaped heating tube. The area between the outer shell and the bottom end of the U-shaped heating tube is a high-temperature area, and the area between the outer shell and the two heating sections at the top of the U-shaped heating tube is a low-temperature area.

[0009] The steam generator includes a first connector and a second connector. The outer shell, the first connector, and the second connector are all made of metal and are welded together.

[0010] The bottom of the outer casing is a flat portion, and the heating portion is located near the bottom; or the bottom of the outer casing is a recessed portion, and the heating portion is at least partially located in the space corresponding to the recessed portion.

[0011] The steam generator includes a second temperature sensor and a temperature measuring NTC. The second temperature sensor is installed in the second connector, and the temperature measuring NTC is installed on the bottom of the outer wall of the housing.

[0012] The temperature measuring NTC includes a temperature sensing element, which has at least two contact surfaces with the outer wall of the housing; and / or, the temperature measuring NTC is a patch thermistor, the outer wall of the housing is printed with detection lines, and both ends of the patch thermistor are in contact with the detection lines.

[0013] The housing includes an integral housing and a sealing plate. The integral housing has a slot cavity with an opening on one side. The sealing plate seals the opening of the slot cavity to form the chamber. The heating element at least partially penetrates the sealing plate.

[0014] The height of the chamber is 5mm - 50mm;

[0015] And / or the steam generator includes a first temperature sensor, which is installed at the water inlet;

[0016] And / or the steam generator includes a thermostat, which is fixed to the outer wall of the housing.

[0017] The steam generator proposed in this utility model has the following advantages: the diameter of the steam outlet is not larger than the diameter of the water inlet, which makes the chamber pressure inside the steam generator higher, thereby increasing the boiling point of the fluid inside the steam generator chamber. This results in a higher temperature of the gas discharged from the steam generator. Even if the temperature drops sharply after discharge, it can still maintain a certain gaseous state, reducing the content of water droplets entrained in the steam discharged from the steam generator and improving the efficiency of the steam generator. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a half-section of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the U-shaped heating tube structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the outer shell of this utility model, which has a concave portion.

[0023] In the figure: 1. Outer shell; 2. Integrated shell; 3. Sealing plate; 4. Heating element; 5. First connector; 6. Second connector; 7. Thermostat; 8. Water inlet; 9. Steam outlet; 10. Temperature measuring NTC; 11. Chamber; 12. First temperature sensor; 13. Second temperature sensor; 41. Heating unit. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0025] Reference Figure 1-4 A steam generator includes a housing 1 and an electric heating element 4. The electric heating element 4 includes a heating section 41. The housing 1 has a chamber 11. The heating section 41 is located inside the chamber 11. The housing 1 is provided with a water inlet 8 and a steam outlet 9 communicating with the chamber 11. The diameter of the steam outlet 9 is not greater than the diameter of the water inlet 8.

[0026] After the water flows into the chamber 11 of the outer shell 1 through the inlet 8, it comes into contact with the heating part 41 of the electric heating element 4 and vaporizes into water vapor. The water vapor continuously impacts inside the outer shell 1 and is repeatedly heated by the electric heating element 4 to form high-temperature steam, which is finally discharged through the steam outlet 9.

[0027] When the diameter of the steam outlet 9 is equal to the diameter of the water inlet 8: because the temperature of the heating part is high, some of the fluid has already vaporized, so even if the diameter of the steam outlet 9 is equal to the diameter of the water inlet 8, it can still have a pressurizing effect.

[0028] When the diameter of the steam outlet is smaller than the diameter of the water inlet by a certain value, the pressure in chamber 11 reaches a certain value, which causes the boiling point of the fluid to increase significantly. This prevents the fluid from boiling in chamber 11 (a small portion of the fluid vaporizes, while most remains liquid). After flowing out of the steam generator, the pressure drops sharply, but the temperature remains high, causing it to vaporize randomly. In other words, the fluid vaporizes after flowing out of the steam generator, preventing the fluid from boiling in chamber 11. This avoids boiling, which would result in more air in the steam generator and reduce the risk of the heating element burning dry.

[0029] The diameter of the steam outlet 9 is no larger than that of the water inlet 8, which creates resistance to water flow, increases the internal pressure of the outer shell 1, and increases the residence time of water vapor inside the outer shell 1 and the contact time with the heating element. When the water is retained in the outer shell 1, the pressure rise suppresses the boiling of the water, ensuring the heat exchange effect between the electric heating element and the water, forming a stable internal pressure in the chamber, reaching the required superheated water temperature, and heating the water to a high temperature state the moment it comes into contact with the electric heating element. The increase in water temperature causes the chamber pressure to rise, and the hot water flows rapidly to the steam outlet 9. After flowing out of the steam outlet 9, the pressure drops, forming superheated water vapor.

[0030] The high pressure increases the boiling point of the liquid, meaning the water temperature inside the device is above 100°C, and the partially vaporized water vapor is also above 100°C. Even if the temperature drops to a certain extent when it is discharged from the steam outlet, it can still maintain the steam state, reduce the amount of water vapor that immediately liquefies after being discharged from the steam outlet, and increase the steam generation efficiency of the steam generator.

[0031] The diameter of the steam outlet is no larger than the diameter of the water inlet, which makes the chamber pressure in the steam generator higher, thereby increasing the boiling point of the fluid in the steam generator chamber. This results in a higher temperature of the gas discharged from the steam generator. Even if the temperature drops sharply after discharge, it can still maintain a certain gaseous state, reducing the content of water droplets entrained in the steam discharged from the steam generator and improving the efficiency of the steam generator.

[0032] The side of the outer casing 1 away from the steam outlet 9 is defined as the bottom, and the heating part 41 is located near the bottom; and / or the diameter of the steam outlet 9 is not greater than half the diameter of the water inlet 8. In one embodiment, the height of the chamber 11 is 5mm-50mm.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 The outer casing 1 has a high-temperature region 412 and a low-temperature region 413. The water inlet 8 is located in the high-temperature region of the outer casing, and the steam outlet 9 is located in the low-temperature region of the outer casing.

[0034] When water enters the metal casing through the inlet, the cold water first comes into contact with the high-density heating element, instantly heating the water to a high temperature. The increase in water temperature causes the pressure inside the chamber to rise, which in turn causes the water temperature to reach 100-170 degrees Celsius. The hot water flows rapidly to the outlet, and after flowing out of the outlet pipe, it immediately becomes superheated steam (dry steam) due to the pressure drop.

[0035] The outlet pipe is positioned in a relatively cooler part of the corresponding cavity (between the two heating rods of the U-shaped heating element). This helps to minimize the temperature change of the water near the outlet, thus ensuring a stable flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outlet.

[0036] The high and low temperatures are relative temperatures, and the water inside them is all above 100 degrees Celsius.

[0037] As one embodiment of the heating element, see reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 The heating part 41 includes a U-shaped heating tube 411. The area between the outer shell and the bottom end of the U-shaped heating tube is a high-temperature area 412, and the area between the outer shell and the two heating sections at the top of the U-shaped heating tube is a low-temperature area 413.

[0038] The steam generator includes a first connector 5 and a second connector 6. The outer casing 1, the first connector 5, and the second connector 6 are all made of metal and are welded together. The first connector 5, the second connector 6, and the outer casing 1 of this device are all made of metal, and metal welding is used to improve their stability and increase the pressure threshold of the device.

[0039] In one embodiment, the bottom of the outer casing is a flat portion, and the heating portion 41 is located near the bottom; Reference Figure 5Alternatively, the bottom of the outer casing may be a recessed portion 100, with the heating element 41 located in the space corresponding to the recessed portion. (Reference) Figure 3 The heating element 4 is installed in the cavity at a position biased towards the bottom of the cavity (e.g., less than 50% of the height), so that the heating element 4 and the water in the cavity can be in full contact and the liquid can be heated better.

[0040] The steam generator includes a second temperature sensor 13 and a temperature measuring NTC 10. The second temperature sensor 13 is installed in the second connector 6, and the temperature measuring NTC 10 is installed in the bottom of the outer wall of the housing 1.

[0041] The temperature of the steam outlet 9 is detected by the second temperature sensor 13, and the temperature of the outer wall of the outer shell 1 is detected by the temperature measuring NTC 10. The temperature of the heating element is fed back by these sensors. After the water vaporizes at high temperature, scale deposits adhere to the heating element, reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the heating element. The temperature cannot quickly vaporize the water, causing the heating element to heat continuously. For example, when the temperature reaches 150 degrees and the steam outlet temperature is 110 degrees, it is determined that there is a lot of scale inside the cavity. Generally, when ΔT is 20 degrees, it is determined that there is a lot of scale.

[0042] As one installation method of temperature measuring NTC, temperature measuring NTC10 is installed on the bottom of the outer wall of housing 1. Temperature measuring NTC10 includes a temperature sensing part 101. The temperature sensing part has at least two contact surfaces with the outer wall of housing 1. It is attached to the bottom of housing by mechanical fixation. The contact positions are two or more points, which can effectively monitor the temperature of the feedback cavity.

[0043] As another installation method for temperature measuring NTC, the temperature measuring NTC10 is a surface-mount thermistor. The outer wall of the housing 1 is printed with detection lines. The two ends of the surface-mount thermistor are in contact with the detection lines. By printing the detection lines on the bottom of the housing, the surface-mount thermistor senses the temperature. There are two or more contact surfaces, or even four, for example, arranged in a grid shape on the bottom of the housing.

[0044] In one embodiment, the outer casing 1 includes an integral housing 2 and a sealing plate 3. The integral housing 2 has a slot cavity with an opening on one side. The sealing plate 3 seals the opening of the slot cavity to form a chamber 11. The heating element 4 penetrates at least partially through the sealing plate 3. The outer casing 1 is made of metal. The sealing plate is welded and fixed to the integral housing, which enables the outer casing 1 to withstand greater pressure.

[0045] The and / or steam generator includes a first temperature sensor 12, which is installed at the water inlet 8. The first temperature sensor 12 measures the liquid temperature, which facilitates better control of the heating power of the electric heating element.

[0046] The and / or steam generator includes a thermostat 7, which is fixed to the outer wall of the housing 1. The thermostat is installed on the upper outer side of the housing and cuts off the power supply to the heating element to ensure electrical safety when the heating element overheats and becomes uncontrollable.

[0047] The heating element 4 of this device can be an electric heating tube, and the heating part 41 can be U-shaped, M-shaped, or an irregular three-dimensional structure to increase the heat exchange area between the heating part 41 and the fluid.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any technical solution, concept, or design obtained by those skilled in the art by making equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and utility model concept disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A steam generator, characterized by, The steam generator comprises a shell (1) and an electric heating element (4), the electric heating element (4) comprises a heating part (41), the shell (1) has a cavity (11), the heating part (41) is located in the cavity (11), the shell (1) is provided with a water inlet (8) and a steam outlet (9) which are communicated with the cavity (11), and the diameter of the steam outlet (9) is not greater than that of the water inlet (8).

2. A steam generator according to claim 1, wherein The side of the shell (1) far away from the steam outlet (9) is defined as a bottom, and the heating part (41) is arranged close to the bottom; and / or the diameter of the steam outlet (9) is not greater than half of that of the water inlet (8).

3. A steam generator according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that The shell (1) has a high-temperature area (412) and a low-temperature area (413), the water inlet (8) is located in the high-temperature area of the shell, and the steam outlet (9) is located in the low-temperature area of the shell.

4. A steam generator according to claim 3, wherein The heating part (41) comprises a U-shaped heating pipe (411), the area of the shell opposite to the bottom end of the U-shaped heating pipe is the high-temperature area (412), and the area of the shell opposite to the two heating sections between the top ends of the U-shaped heating pipe is the low-temperature area (413).

5. A steam generator according to claim 1 or 2 or 4, characterised in that The steam generator comprises a first joint (5) and a second joint (6), the shell (1), the first joint (5) and the second joint (6) are all made of metal, and the shell (1), the first joint (5) and the second joint (6) are welded and fixed.

6. A steam generator according to claim 5, wherein The bottom of the shell is a flat part, and the heating part (41) is arranged close to the bottom; or the bottom of the shell is a concave part (100), and the heating part (41) is at least partially located in the space corresponding to the concave part.

7. A steam generator according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 6, wherein The steam generator comprises a second temperature sensor (13) and a temperature measuring NTC (10), the second temperature sensor (13) is installed on the second joint (6), and the temperature measuring NTC (10) is installed on the bottom of the outer wall of the shell (1).

8. A steam generator according to claim 7, wherein The temperature measuring NTC (10) comprises a temperature sensing part (101), the temperature sensing part (101) has at least two contact surfaces with the outer wall of the shell (1); and / or the temperature measuring NTC (10) is a patch thermal sensor, the outer wall of the shell (1) is printed with a detection circuit, and the two ends of the patch thermal sensor are in contact with the detection circuit.

9. A steam generator according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 6 or 8, wherein The shell (1) comprises an integrated shell (2) and a sealing plate (3), the integrated shell (2) has a slot cavity with one side open, the sealing plate (3) seals the opening of the slot cavity to form the cavity (11), and the electric heating element (4) at least partially penetrates through the sealing plate (3).

10. A steam generator according to claim 9, wherein The height of the cavity (11) is 5mm-50mm; The steam generator comprises a first temperature sensor (12), and the first temperature sensor (12) is installed on the water inlet (8). The steam generator comprises a temperature controller (7), and the temperature controller (7) is fixed on the outer wall of the shell (1).

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