Removable Steam Filter and Scale Cavity for Ironing Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ironing appliances experience decreased steam flow performance over time due to filter clogging and scaling, particularly when high-filtration filters retain small scale particles, leading to staining and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ironing appliance with a steam distribution circuit featuring a removable filter and scale recovery cavity, where the filter is secured to a plug for easy inspection and cleaning, and a domed filtration grid with openings less than 0.4 mm to allow only small particles through, combined with a scale collector container that enhances particle recovery and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter with high filtration degree is used to retain small scale particles, then scale particle retention is improved, but steam flow performance decreases over time due to filter clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is extracted as a separate, removable component from the steam distribution circuit. It can be easily removed through the scale evacuation orifice for cleaning or replacement, allowing the filter to be maintained without disassembling the entire appliance. This extraction enables the filter to be cleaned regularly, preventing permanent clogging and maintaining steam flow performance while continuing to provide high filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed to be replaceable rather than permanent. When the filter becomes clogged despite cleaning, it can be discarded and replaced with a new filter through the same scale evacuation orifice. This approach ensures that the filtration function is continuously maintained at high efficiency while the clogged filter is discarded, preventing long-term performance degradation.
2Reliability
If a filter is installed in the steam distribution circuit to retain scale particles, then scale particle discharge is prevented, but the filter requires complex access for inspection and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The scale evacuation orifice serves multiple functions: it is used for evacuating scale particles from the steam distribution circuit and simultaneously serves as the access point for removing and cleaning the filter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access mechanisms, making the filter easily accessible for maintenance while using an existing structural feature of the appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter removal function is merged with the scale evacuation function. Both operations are performed through the same orifice using the same removable plug, combining two maintenance tasks into a single access point. This merging simplifies the user interface and makes filter inspection and cleaning as easy as scale evacuation.
3Ease of operation
If the filter is made removable for easy cleaning, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the risk of forgetting to replace the filter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is merged with the plug structure, forming an integrated assembly where the filter cannot be removed without removing the plug. Since the plug must be removed for scale evacuation anyway, the filter is automatically accessed and can be inspected or replaced at the same time, ensuring that filter maintenance is coupled with regular scale evacuation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned and secured on the plug in advance, so that when the user removes the plug for scale evacuation, the filter is already in position for potential inspection or replacement. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the filter maintenance opportunity is automatically presented to the user during routine scale evacuation, reducing the chance of forgetting filter replacement.
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 solution ensures effective filtration, prevents scale particle discharge onto linen, facilitates easy maintenance by allowing direct visual inspection and cleaning of the filter, and maintains optimal steam flow performance by systematically removing and storing scale particles.
Implementation Method 1
a filter intended to retain scale particles transported by the flow of steam
Implementation Method 2
the filter has a domed shape. Such a feature has the advantage of causing the water droplets to slide along the curved shape of the filter, this flow of the water droplets having the advantage of removing some of the scale particles attached to the filter
Implementation Method 3
the filter is arranged in a part of the steam distribution circuit at the level of which the flow of steam performs a bend of at least 90°. Such a feature has the advantage of limiting the clogging rate of the filter, the heaviest particles being entrained, due to their inertia, outside the filter, into a storage area.
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ironing appliance (1) comprising a steam generator (3) connected to steam outlet holes (10A) by a steam distribution circuit comprising at least one filter (7) intended to retain scale particles transported by the flow of steam, characterized in that said steam distribution circuit comprises a scale recovery cavity (51) comprising a scale evacuation orifice (50) closed by a removable plug (13) accessible from the outside of the apparatus and in that said filter (7) is removable from the apparatus through the scale evacuation orifice (50).