Steam Generator Auto-Rinsing Based on Cumulative Water Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining when a steam generator in steam ironing devices becomes excessively contaminated with scale and ions are inaccurate, relying on accumulated time of use without considering water hardness or total water supplied, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential foaming issues.

Innovation Solution

A method that tracks the total amount of water supplied to the steam generator since a cleaning event, using a controller to compare this value against a threshold, adjusted based on water hardness and TDS concentration, to determine when contamination exceeds maximum levels, triggering a rinsing process or ion exchange resin replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If accumulated time of use is used to determine contamination level, then the method is simple to implement, but the accuracy of contamination detection is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of implementationVSAvoidaccuracy of contamination detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for contamination assessment from accumulated time to total water amount supplied. This parameter change enables more accurate detection because water amount directly correlates with actual contamination levels (scale and TDS), whereas time does not account for variations in water hardness or usage intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If water hardness and TDS concentration are considered, then the accuracy of contamination detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of contamination detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary parameter (total water amount supplied) that indirectly reflects contamination levels without requiring direct measurement of water hardness or TDS concentration. The controller uses this intermediary parameter to trigger rinsing operations, effectively mediating between complex water quality parameters and simple control actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If rinsing is performed frequently, then contamination levels are kept low, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam generator performanceVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the total water amount supplied and compares it against threshold values. Rinsing operations are triggered only when the threshold is exceeded, creating a feedback loop that optimizes rinsing frequency based on actual contamination accumulation, thereby reducing unnecessary water consumption while maintaining performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If water is continuously supplied to maintain steam production, then continuous steam supply is ensured, but contamination accumulates faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous steam productionVSAvoidwater contamination level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces periodic rinsing actions based on cumulative water supply thresholds. Instead of continuous rinsing or fixed-time intervals, the system performs rinsing periodically when the total water amount supplied reaches predetermined thresholds, allowing continuous steam production while periodically removing accumulated contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach provides a more accurate and timely indication of when to perform maintenance, reducing scale buildup and ion contamination, thereby ensuring continuous steam supply and preventing foaming, by using the total water amount as a reliable measure of contamination levels.

Implementation Method 1

During operation of the steam ironing device, the water in the steam generator is heated, as a consequence of which scale is formed in the steam generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Basically, a reduction of the water hardness involves a replacement of calcium ions and magnesium ions while using ion exchange resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS7913433B2Measures for keeping a degree of contamination of a steam generator including its contents below a predetermined maximum

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 VERSUNI HLDG BV

AI summary

A steam ironing device includes a steam iron, a steam generator for generating steam and supplying steam to the steam iron, and a supply device for supplying water to the steam generator. During operation of the steam ironing device, scale is formed in the steam generator, and the water in the steam generator gradually gets contaminated with ions. In order to clean the steam generator and replace the water with fresh water, the steam generator is regularly subjected to an auto-rinsing process. A moment at which this process needs to take place is a moment at which an amount of scale and/or a concentration of ions have exceeded a predetermined maximum. The amount of scale and/or the concentration of ions are indirectly monitored by keeping account of a total quantity of water that has been supplied to the steam generator since a set starting point.