Labyrinth Steam Channelling Plate to Prevent Condensed Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam channelling plates in steam irons and cooking devices allow steam to cool and form unwanted liquid drops, which are carried and expelled, damaging synthetic fabrics and reducing ironing quality due to lower temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A steam channelling plate with a specially shaped labyrinth path that includes fluid infeed and outfeed sections, pockets, and ducts, designed to create turbulent flow and intercept liquid drops, facilitating their vaporization through protrusions and discontinuities in the lateral surface, preventing drops from being carried undisturbed and ensuring they remain in contact with hot surfaces for evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the thermostat setting is lowered to iron synthetic fabrics, then fabric damage is avoided, but steam condenses into liquid drops that mark the fabric
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful condensed liquid drops into beneficial moisture by forcing steam through a labyrinthine path with protrusions that break up drops and maintain them in contact with hot plate surfaces, transforming condensation from a damaging defect into a controlled moistening effect that prevents fabric marking while avoiding damage
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinthine steam channel with its protrusions acts as an intermediary structure between the steam source and the fabric, intercepting and processing liquid drops through multiple reflections and contact points with hot surfaces, thereby mediating the transformation of harmful condensation into beneficial moisture before steam reaches the fabric
2Device complexity
If steam flows through a simple channel, then the device structure is simple, but steam cools and forms liquid drops
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a labyrinthine curved path instead of a straight channel, forcing steam to follow a tortuous route with multiple direction changes. This curved geometry increases the effective path length and contact time with hot plate surfaces, preventing cooling and condensation while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The steam channel incorporates vertical protrusions and three-dimensional labyrinthine features that add spatial complexity in multiple dimensions. This 3D structure increases surface area for heat transfer and creates multiple reflection points for steam flow, preventing temperature drop without requiring a completely complex device architecture
3Ease of manufacture
If the steam channel has large amplitude square waves, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but liquid drops are not effectively intercepted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces localized protrusions at specific positions within the steam channel that create discrete interception points for liquid drops. These localized features are strategically placed to maximize drop capture effectiveness while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity, addressing the specific problem of drop expulsion without requiring complete structural redesign
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
The solution prevents the expulsion of liquid drops, maintains thermal uniformity, and ensures a higher quality ironing process by producing a moist steam jet without liquid droplets, enhancing the ironing of synthetic fabrics.
Implementation Method 1
The steam generated by the boiler cools as it flows towards the plate, forming unwanted drops of condensed liquid
Implementation Method 2
ensuring they remain in contact with hot surfaces for evaporation
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~8
AI summary
A steam channelling plate has inside it a path (4) for a fluid, the path (4) comprising a fluid infeed section (11), a fluid outfeed section (12), a plurality of pockets (2) and ducts (3). The ducts (3) fluid dynamically interconnect the pockets (2) with each other and with the infeed section (11) and outfeed section (12). Each pocket (2) comprises an inlet (24) and an outlet (25) connected to the respective ducts (3) and is defined by a first base surface (21) and by a second base surface (22), at least partly opposite each other, and by a lateral surface (23) extending between the first and second base surfaces (21,22). The labyrinth path (4) characteristically changes the flow direction of the fluid repeatedly along more than two lines.