Steam Boiler Mounting with Damping Insulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam cleaning devices with electrically heatable steam boilers face high manufacturing and assembly costs due to complex fastening mechanisms, which increase the risk of steam boiler detachment and damage.
Innovation Solution
The steam boiler is secured to the housing using vibration-damping, thermally insulating supporting parts made of elastomer materials, which act as connecting elements for the screws, allowing for a detachable and cost-effective mounting system that decouples the boiler thermally and mechanically from the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex fastening mechanism with mounting ring and fixing beams is used to secure the steam boiler, then the steam boiler cannot unintentionally detach, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the support function and fastening function into a single integrated support element. The support element has a first end that supports the steam boiler and a second end that is connectable to the housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting rings and fixing beams. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and lowers manufacturing and assembly costs while maintaining attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the steam boiler, acts as a fastening element to secure the boiler to the housing, and can be detachably connected for maintenance purposes. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized components, reducing complexity and cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If the steam boiler is directly mounted to the housing, then assembly is simple, but thermal conduction causes the housing to become hot and mechanical vibrations are transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as an intermediary component between the steam boiler and the housing. It provides a detachable connection that allows the boiler to be securely mounted while enabling easy removal for maintenance. The intermediary nature of this support element prevents direct thermal conduction and vibration transmission while maintaining mechanical support.
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 solution reduces production and assembly costs while ensuring the steam boiler remains securely attached, preventing damage from vibrations and falls, and providing effective thermal and mechanical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
The support components located between the connecting screws and the support elements are made of a vibration-damping, thermally insulating material. This ensures, firstly, that the steam boiler is practically thermally decoupled from the housing of the steam cleaner. Secondly, the steam boiler is mounted to the lower part of the housing in a vibration-damping manner, so that mechanical vibrations of the lower part of the housing, such as those that can occur when the steam cleaner is moved along a floor surface, are not fully transmitted to the steam boiler.
Implementation Method 2
The support components located between the connecting screws and the support elements are made of a vibration-damping, thermally insulating material. This ensures, firstly, that the steam boiler is practically thermally decoupled from the housing of the steam cleaner.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam cleaning device, comprising a housing, which has an upper housing part (14) and a lower housing part (12), between which a boiler (24) that can be electrically heated is disposed for generating steam, which can be applied to a surface to be cleaned. The boiler comprises an upper boiler part (28) and a lower boiler part (26), which are screwed together by connecting screws (30), and the boiler is supported on support elements (54) of the lower housing part. In order to reduce the production and installation costs for fixing the boiler to the lower housing part, at least some of said screws are connected to a support element (54) by means of a vibration-damping, thermally insulating carrier part (34).