Hand-held appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand-held steamers fail to maintain efficient steam generation when held in non-vertical orientations, as air is drawn into the heating chamber instead of water due to the positioning of the inlet in the reservoir, especially when the reservoir is partially full.
Innovation Solution
The hand-held appliance features multiple inlets within the reservoir with separate valve assemblies that ensure at least one inlet remains submerged regardless of the orientation, preventing air from entering the heating chamber by using a valve system where submerged inlets allow water flow and non-submerged inlets are closed, allowing consistent fluid or steam delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single inlet is positioned at the lowest point in the reservoir, then water delivery is efficient in vertical orientation, but air is drawn into the heating chamber when held in non-vertical orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The single inlet is segmented into multiple inlets (first inlet and second inlet) positioned at different locations within the reservoir. Each inlet is equipped with its own valve assembly, allowing the system to select which inlet is active based on the orientation of the appliance, thus maintaining reliable water delivery across different usage orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assemblies are designed to dynamically respond to changes in appliance orientation. When the appliance is tilted or rotated, the valve mechanisms automatically adjust to close the inlet that would be positioned above the water line and open the inlet that remains submerged, ensuring continuous reliable operation regardless of orientation.
2Productivity
If the inlet is positioned to ensure water flow in vertical orientation, then steam generation is efficient, but the appliance cannot be used effectively in horizontal or angled orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet system is divided into multiple segmented inlets with individual valve control. This segmentation allows the appliance to maintain high productivity in steam generation by ensuring that at least one inlet is always properly submerged and active, while simultaneously enabling ease of operation in various orientations through selective valve activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of which inlet is active based on the appliance's orientation. The valve assemblies detect orientation changes and switch between different inlets, maintaining optimal water flow parameters for steam generation regardless of how the appliance is held or positioned during use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inlets are provided without individual valve control, then water delivery is maintained in various orientations, but air may enter through non-submerged inlets
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple inlets are segmented with individual valve assemblies, allowing each inlet to be independently controlled. This segmentation enables the system to maintain adaptability to various orientations while preventing air ingress by closing the valve on any inlet that is not properly submerged, thus preserving steam generation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assemblies are designed to automatically self-regulate based on water level and orientation. Each valve assembly monitors its associated inlet's submersion status and automatically opens or closes as needed, providing self-service functionality that maintains both adaptability and reliability without requiring external control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures consistent delivery of fluid or steam in any orientation, preventing air from entering the heating chamber and maintaining efficient steam generation, making the appliance versatile for various cleaning tasks.
Implementation Method 1
the valve assembly having an outlet, first and second openings and a single valve member within said valve assembly that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via the first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through the second opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application relates to a hand-held appliance comprising a housing including a reservoir to contain water and a tube to convey water from the reservoir for delivery to a surface. The tube extends into the reservoir and comprises multiple tube inlets spaced from each other within the reservoir so that, when the reservoir contains water, a tube inlet is submerged irrespective of the orientation of the housing. In one embodiment, the tube inlet comprises a separate valve assembly associated with each tube inlet so that a valve assembly associated with a submerged tube inlet opens to allow flow of water through that tube inlet and a valve assembly associated with a non-submerged tube inlet closes to prevent the flow of air through said non-submerged tube inlet.In an alternate embodiment, the appliance may be provided with a single valve member that allows water to flow through the valve assembly via a first opening, whilst also preventing the flow of air through the valve assembly through a second opening.