Steam Physiotherapeutic Device Liquid Inlet Channel Height Difference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steam physiotherapeutic devices suffer from heat losses due to water backflow into the water tank, as the design lacks a height difference between the water inlet and outlet sections, leading to increased air pressure and non-vaporized water being pushed back.

Innovation Solution

The steam physiotherapeutic device features a liquid inlet channel with first and second passages at different heights, creating a pressure difference that prevents water backflow, and includes a third passage for communication between them, along with a heating mechanism and steam diffusion channel with a fan assembly for efficient steam distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the liquid inlet channel extends horizontally with no height difference between water inlet and outlet sections, then the device structure is simple, but water backflows into the water tank when air pressure increases in the boiler

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid inlet channel structureVSAvoidheat losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the liquid inlet channel by creating a height difference between the first passage (water inlet section) and second passage (water outlet section). The third passage connects these two passages at different heights, transforming the originally horizontal single-dimension channel into a multi-dimensional structure. This vertical height difference creates a pressure differential that prevents water backflow while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the liquid inlet channel extends horizontally with no height difference, then the device is easy to manufacture, but steam accumulation pushes non-vaporized water back into the water tank

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid inlet channel fabricationVSAvoidwater backflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If water flows freely into the boiler without height difference, then the water supply is sufficient, but air pressure increases cause water to flow back along the liquid inlet channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater supply quantityVSAvoidwater backflow

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the height difference between the first passage and second passage to create a counterbalancing pressure effect. The vertical elevation difference generates a hydrostatic pressure differential that acts as a counterweight to the air pressure increases in the boiler, preventing water from flowing back into the water tank while still allowing sufficient water supply during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 effectively reduces water backflow by maintaining a higher water pressure at the inlet section, requiring increased air pressure to push water back, thus minimizing heat losses and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heating mechanism configured in the boiler, wherein the heating mechanism is used for heating water flowing into the boiler to generate steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the height of the second passage in the steam physiotherapeutic device is greater than that of the first passage in the steam physiotherapeutic device... the water pressure of the water inlet section of the first passage is higher than that of the water outlet section of the second passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11278470B2Steam physiotherapeutic device

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 ZOU JIANHAN

AI summary

A steam physiotherapeutic device comprises a water tank, a boiler with a steam outlet, a liquid inlet channel for communicating the water tank with the boiler, a water valve mechanism for controlling the liquid inlet channel to open or close, and a heating mechanism configured in the boiler, wherein the heating mechanism is used for heating water flowing into the boiler to generate steam; the liquid inlet channel comprises a first passage with a water inlet section communicated with the water tank, a second passage with a water outlet section communicated with the boiler, and a third passage communicated with a water outlet section of the first passage and a water inlet section of the second passage; the first passage extends in the horizontal direction, and the second passage also extends in the horizontal direction; and the height of the second passage in the steam physiotherapeutic device is greater than that of the first passage in the steam physiotherapeutic device, and the third passage is communicated with the first passage and the second passage. The steam physiotherapeutic device prevents the drawback of water backflow.