Steam Generator Sealing Structure for Thermal Deformation Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators in drum-type washing machines experience water leakage due to thermal deformation of the heater mounting portion and sealing members, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design with a smaller opening than the sealing member, incorporating a leakage prevention portion that protrudes from the edges towards the center, effectively sealing the gap even during thermal deformation, and ensuring the overall size of the opening is smaller than the sealing member to prevent water and steam leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening size is made larger to accommodate the sealing member, then the sealing member can be properly mounted, but thermal deformation causes gaps and water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a leakage prevention portion with a specific local structure at the critical sealing area. This portion has a protruding shape that locally modifies the geometry of the opening, providing enhanced sealing capability exactly where thermal deformation occurs most severely (the central portion), while other areas maintain their original design.
Solution Approach 2:
The leakage prevention portion acts as a beforehand cushioning measure by pre-compensating for the expected thermal deformation. The protruding structure is designed in advance to accommodate the inward deformation of the sealing member, ensuring that even when thermal deformation occurs during operation, the sealing gap is prevented from forming.
2Reliability
If the opening size is reduced to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but the sealing member may not fit properly
Solution Approach 1:
The solution maintains the overall opening size appropriate for the sealing member while applying local quality modification through the leakage prevention portion. This localized protrusion provides the necessary sealing compensation without requiring a overall reduction in opening size, thus maintaining ease of manufacturing and installation.
3Reliability
If the central portion of the opening is made smaller, then thermal deformation gaps are prevented, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the central portion of the opening where thermal deformation occurs most severely. The leakage prevention portion is strategically placed and shaped to address the specific problem area without requiring complex modifications to the entire opening structure, thus minimizing overall structural complexity.
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
Prevents water and steam leakage by accommodating thermal deformation, minimizing gaps between the sealing member and the case, thereby enhancing the reliability and maintenance of the steam generator in washing and drying machines.
Implementation Method 1
a central portion of the opening formed at the steam generator case so as to mount the heater is thermally deformed, or a central portion of a sealing member mounted at the heater for tightly adhering (sealing) the steam generator case and the heater contact portion is concaved
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating the supplied water
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are the steam generator and the washing/drying machine having the same, the steam generator including: a case having an opening at one side thereof, a heating unit formed to penetrate the opening, and a fixing assembly mounted at the opening so as to seal the opening and supporting the heating unit, wherein the fixing assembly includes a sealing member for sealing the opening, and the opening includes a leakage prevention portion for preventing a gap formation between the opening and the sealing member when the sealing member is deformed, thereby preventing a leakage between the opening of the case and the sealing member even though the case or the sealing member is thermally deformed.