Steam Diffuser Slit Design for Cabin Comfort and Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steam cabins for wellbeing treatments face discomfort issues due to steam jet positioning, complex cleaning and maintenance of fixed steam ducts, and complications in mixing steam with cabin air.

Innovation Solution

A steam cabin design featuring a steam diffuser with a containment body and slit configuration that allows steam to be dispersed from within the cabin, integrated with a removable steam dispenser and air intake system, simplifying user comfort, maintenance, and air mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If steam is dispensed through fixed ducts inserted in the containment structure, then steam can be supplied to the cabin, but cleaning and maintenance of the ducts becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam supply reliabilityVSAvoidduct cleaning and maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The steam supply system is divided into a fixed containment structure and a removable diffuser assembly. The diffuser can be detached from the containment structure, allowing easy access to steam ducts for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining reliable steam supply when installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser assembly is extracted as a separate removable component from the containment structure. This allows the steam ducts to be accessed by removing the diffuser, enabling easy cleaning and maintenance without disassembling the entire containment structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If steam is dispensed through fixed ducts in the containment structure, then steam supply is established, but the arrangement causes discomfort for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam dispensing capabilityVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steam dispensing system transitions from fixed horizontal jets to a dynamic vertical flow pattern through the removable diffuser. The diffuser directs steam vertically upward, allowing users to adjust their position relative to the steam source, thereby improving comfort while maintaining steam dispensing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If air intake circuits are added to mix steam with cabin air, then steam-air mixing is achieved, but cabin construction becomes considerably complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam-air mixing capabilityVSAvoidcabin construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air intake function is merged with the steam diffuser assembly. The diffuser structure incorporates air intake openings that allow ambient air to enter and mix with steam vertically within the diffuser body, achieving steam-air mixing without separate air intake circuits or complex construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides comfortable steam dispersion, simplifies cleaning and maintenance, and facilitates easier air-steam mixing, enhancing overall usability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the steam comes out of the steam dispenser (17) and is spread first in the space between the inner part of the containment body (8) and the closing element (15); it is then directed towards the outside through the slits (16) formed between the closing element (15) and the containment body (8), with the result that the steam creates a rising column

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP2452666B1Cabin for wellbeing treatments using steam
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 STARPOOL SRL
  • EP2452666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2452666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2452666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cabin for wellbeing treatments using steam, comprising steam feeding means (5) and at least one steam diffuser (6) located in an inner compartment (4) of the cabin and fed by the steam feeding means (5), the diffuser (6) comprising a containment body (8) which is open at least at the top, an upper closing element (15) substantially mounted at an upper part of the containment body (8) in such a way that between them at least one slit (16) is formed which puts in communication the inside of the containment body (8) and the surrounding environment, and at least one steam dispenser (17) which is fed by the steam feeding means (5) and located inside the containment body (8) below the closing element (15). A steam dispensing device comprising the feeding means (5) and the diffuser (6) is also claimed.