Steam Generator Flow Control for Tilted Ironing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steaming devices, such as steam irons, face issues with inadequate steam generation and water spillage when the sole plate is not in its horizontal position, due to gravity affecting the trajectory and spreading of water on the heated surface, leading to insufficient evaporation and excessive water accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A steaming device equipped with an orientation detector and a control unit that adjusts the pump flow rate based on the orientation of the heated surface, ensuring consistent steam production and minimizing water spillage by optimizing the fluid impact area and velocity, even when the device is tilted or vertical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pump flow rates are employed to achieve high steam rates, then steam generation is improved, but water accumulation and spillage increase when the device is in inclined or vertical positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pump flow rate is dynamically adjusted based on the detected orientation of the steaming device. When the device is in horizontal position, high flow rates are maintained for optimal steam generation. When inclined or vertical positions are detected, the flow rate is automatically reduced to prevent water accumulation and spillage, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful water spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational parameter of pump flow rate is changed according to device orientation. The control unit modifies the flow rate parameter based on orientation detector signals, switching between high flow rate for steam generation and low flow rate for preventing water spillage in different orientations.
2Productivity
If water is dosed vertically onto the heated surface in the direction of gravity when the device is in ironing position, then steam generation is maximized, but inadequate spreading and evaporation time occur when the device is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation based on real-time orientation detection. The pump flow rate and dosing strategy are adjusted according to the detected angle, ensuring reliable and consistent steam production whether the device is horizontal, inclined, or vertical, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability across different orientations.
3Productivity
If the pump operates at high flow rate to produce generous amount of steam, then ironing performance is improved, but water does not spread sufficiently across the heated surface when device is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The pump flow rate parameter is changed based on orientation to ensure complete water evaporation. In horizontal position, high flow rate maximizes steam production. In inclined or vertical positions, the flow rate is reduced to allow adequate spreading and evaporation time, preventing water accumulation while maintaining sufficient steam generation for effective ironing.
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 allows for efficient steam generation and reduced water accumulation, maintaining effective ironing performance across various orientations without water spillage or irregular steam production, ensuring better ironing results.
Implementation Method 1
water fed from a water receiving chamber to the steam generator is converted into steam
Implementation Method 2
water fed from a water receiving chamber to the steam generator is converted into steam
Implementation Method 3
gravity affects the path or trajectory of water pumped towards the heated surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a steaming device. The steaming device comprises a steam generator (8) having a heated surface (6), a pump configured to direct fluid against the heated surface (6) to generate steam, an orientation detector to detect orientation of the heated surface (6), and a control unit. The control unit is configured to operate the pump to adjust the flow rate of the pump in dependence on the orientation of the heated surface determined by the orientation detector.