Steam Generator Dosing Hole Relocation to Reduce Water Spitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In compact steam generators for handheld steamers, incomplete evaporation of steam/water leads to 'spitting' where water droplets are spread on garments due to compromised sealing between the steam chamber and cover, causing user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
The dosing hole is relocated to the rear portion of the steam chamber, increasing the distance from steam outlets and using a tubular heating element with a nested double-loop shape for uniform temperature distribution, reducing the risk of water droplets reaching the outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dosing hole is located near the front portion of the steam chamber close to steam vents, then the steam channel length is extended for better evaporation, but water droplets may directly reach steam outlets causing spitting
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing hole is relocated from the traditional front portion location to the rear portion of the steam chamber, reversing the conventional arrangement. This inversion increases the distance between water injection and steam outlets, preventing water droplets from directly reaching the outlets while still allowing sufficient evaporation time through the extended steam channel path.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam channel is designed with a three-dimensional labyrinthine path that extends from the rear dosing hole to the front steam outlets. This multi-directional routing through the steam chamber volume maximizes the evaporation path length and contact surface area without requiring a simple linear extension, efficiently utilizing the available space.
2Reliability
If mechanical sealing with gaskets and sealing paste is used between steam chamber and cover, then sealing is improved, but sealing function may be compromised under pressure or over time
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical sealing system comprising gaskets, sealing paste, and male/female assembly is replaced with a magnetic sealing system. Magnets embedded in the cover interact with ferromagnetic material in the steam chamber to create a seal, eliminating the need for deformable sealing elements that deteriorate over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from mechanical contact and deformation to magnetic field interaction. The magnetic force parameter creates sufficient holding and sealing force without requiring physical deformation of sealing elements, thereby eliminating the degradation issues associated with gasket material aging and compression set.
3Weight of moving object
If compact size and light weight are implemented in steam generator, then portability is improved, but incomplete evaporation occurs leading to spitting
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with a nested double-loop shape that fits within the compact steam chamber volume. This space-efficient configuration maximizes the heating surface area and thermal contact with the water/steam mixture, ensuring complete evaporation within the limited space available in handheld devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing hole positioned at the rear portion creates a three-dimensional steam channel path that充分利用 the available volume of the compact steam chamber. This spatial arrangement allows sufficient evaporation distance and contact surface area without increasing the overall device dimensions, maintaining portability while ensuring complete evaporation.
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 significantly reduces the risk of water droplets spitting through the steam outlets, enhancing user experience by ensuring a more efficient evaporation process and maintaining a higher temperature at the steam chamber's front portion, preventing condensation-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
heating element for heating the steam chamber
Implementation Method 2
heating element for heating the steam chamber
Implementation Method 3
tubular heating element extending over the surface of the steam chamber by defining a nested double-loop shape
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam generator (200) comprising a steam chamber (201) for generating steam, said steam chamber (201) extending between a front portion (FP) and a rear portion (RP). The steam generator (200) also comprises at least one steam outlet (202) arranged at said front portion (FP) and receiving steam from said steam chamber (201). The steam generator (200) also comprises a heating element (203) for heating the steam chamber (201) and a cover (204) adapted to take a closed position for closing said steam chamber (201). The steam generator (200) also comprises a dosing hole (205) arranged in said cover (204), for receiving water and/or steam from outside said steam generator (200), said dosing hole (205) being arranged at proximity of said rear portion (RP) when said cover (204) is in said closed position.