Nested Spiral Steam Generator for Fast, Compact Clothes Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators face issues such as large size requirements, slow initial steam generation, high energy loss, small steam generation amount, durability problems due to local cooling, and complex control logic, particularly in water tank and instant steam generator designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact steam generator design featuring a recovery chamber with spiral pipes and a heater device integrated with a heat wire member and molding member, optimized for efficient steam generation, including a water supply and recovery pump system, and insulation to enhance heat transfer and reduce energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a water tank type steam generator is used, then steam generation capacity is improved, but device size and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into multiple heating zones (first heating zone with first heater, second heating zone with second heater) and separate water circulation paths (first circulation path through first pipe, second circulation path through second pipe). This segmentation allows compact arrangement of heating components while maintaining high steam generation capacity through parallel operation of multiple heating zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pipe is disposed inside the second pipe, creating a nested configuration where the first circulation path is contained within the second circulation path. This nested arrangement maximizes heat transfer efficiency while minimizing the overall device volume, resolving the contradiction between steam generation capacity and device size.
2Volume of moving object
If an instant steam generator is used, then device size is reduced, but steam generation amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator employs continuous water circulation through pumped circulation paths instead of batch heating. The water supply pump and circulation pump maintain continuous water flow through the heating zones, enabling sustained high-rate steam generation in a compact instant steam generator configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple identical heating zones (first heating zone and second heating zone with respective heaters and pipes) that can operate simultaneously. This duplication of heating components in a compact nested arrangement multiplies the steam generation capacity while maintaining a small device footprint.
3Speed
If high power heating is used to increase steam generation speed, then initial steam generation speed is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator applies heating locally at specific zones (first heating zone and second heating zone) rather than heating a large volume of water uniformly. The heaters are positioned to heat water locally as it flows through the circulation paths, enabling rapid steam generation with reduced overall energy consumption by targeting only the water that will be converted to steam.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic circulation (pumped water flow) to continuously deliver water to the heating zones and remove heated water. This forced circulation ensures efficient heat transfer and rapid steam generation without requiring excessive heating power, as water is continuously replaced rather than heating a static large volume.
4Use of energy by moving object
If spiral pipe configuration is used to increase heat transfer area, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first pipe is configured in a spiral shape within the first heating zone, and the second pipe is configured in a spiral shape within the second heating zone. These spiral configurations maximize the heat transfer area and contact time between water and heating elements within the compact device volume, significantly improving heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pipe and second pipe are merged in a nested configuration where the first pipe is disposed inside the second pipe. This merging of circulation paths in a compact nested spiral arrangement achieves high heat transfer efficiency while minimizing device complexity through integrated rather than separate pipe 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
The design improves driving efficiency and compactness, increasing steam generation capacity while reducing energy loss and complexity, offering a more durable and efficient steam supply for clothes care apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a heater device configured to heat water moving through at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe
Implementation Method 2
The heater device may include a heat wire member configured to dissipate heat
Implementation Method 3
a molding member configured to integrate the first pipe and the heat wire member
Implementation Method 4
The first pipe may include a heating area covered by the molding member and is formed to be spiral to surround the heat wire member
Implementation Method 5
the lower surface of the recovery chamber may be formed to be downwardly inclined toward the drain outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator is disclosed. The steam generator includes: a recovery chamber which includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a steam outlet, and a drain outlet; a first pipe configured to receive water through a first end of the first pipe and which is connected at a second end of the first pipe to the first inlet; a second pipe which is connected at a first end of the second pipe to the drain outlet and is connected at a second end of the second pipe to the second inlet; and a heater device configured to heat water moving through at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe.