Laundry treating apparatus comprising a flash steam generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam irons with instantaneous vaporization generators continue to release steam through holes in the soleplate for several seconds after the pump is stopped, leading to potential burns and inefficiency due to residual water vaporization and trapped steam.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a blind part in the vaporization channel upstream of the water injection orifice, which traps air that rises in pressure and rapidly expels remaining steam when water injection stops, combined with a spiral vaporization channel design and a high-power electrical resistor for efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is continuously injected into the vaporization channel to maintain steam flow, then steam production continues, but steam is released for several seconds after pump stoppage causing burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual steam from the system by introducing a blind part that traps air to create a pressure differential, actively expelling remaining steam from the vaporization channel and distribution circuit after pump stoppage, thereby separating the useful steam generation function from the harmful residual steam release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air trapped in the blind part to create a pressure differential that actively expels residual steam from the system. The air pocket acts as a pneumatic piston, pushing remaining steam out through the distribution circuit and outlet holes, preventing burn injuries
2Quantity of substance
If the vaporization channel volume is increased to maintain steam pressure, then steam flow rate increases, but the time for steam to leave the generator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-trapping air in the blind part before steam generation begins. This pre-positioned air cushion is ready to immediately expel residual steam when the pump stops, reducing the time lag for steam evacuation without requiring larger channel volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vaporization channel into a functional vaporization zone and a blind part. The blind part is specifically designed with dimensions (length >5cm, representing at least 10% of total length) to trap sufficient air volume for effective steam expulsion, while the rest of the channel maintains optimized dimensions for rapid steam generation and exit
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 significantly reduces steam inertia when the pump stops, ensuring rapid steam expulsion and maintaining high vaporization performance with continuous steam flow, reducing the risk of burns and improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
the air trapped in the blind part rises in pressure under the effect of heat
Implementation Method 2
the steam presents in the vaporization channel is rapidly expelled out of the device by the pressurized air stored upstream of the water injection orifice
Implementation Method 3
instantaneous vaporization steam generator comprising a vaporization channel
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
Household electrical appliance, for example for treating laundry, comprising a steam generator comprising a vaporization channel (41), means (40) for heating the vaporization channel (41), and means for injecting water in the vaporization channel (41) comprising at least one injection orifice (43) opening into the vaporization channel (41), the vaporization channel (41) comprising an end (41A) communicating with a vapor distribution circuit having at least one steam outlet hole (20) allowing the steam to be diffused outside the appliance, characterized in that the vaporization channel (41) comprises a blind part (41C) extending upstream from the injection orifice (43), said blind portion (41C) forming a dead end in which air is trapped when water is injected into the vaporization channel (41) through the injection orifice (43 ).