Steam Cleaner Thermal Heat Store With Meltable Overheat Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steam cleaning appliances are limited by their need for external electricity and battery power, which restricts mobility and runtime due to energy constraints and potential overheating risks.
Innovation Solution
A steam cleaning device with a thermal heat store that uses a meltable portion to trip an electrical circuit breaking device, preventing overheating and allowing for higher temperature operation without external power, combined with an insulating jacket to retain thermal energy and a water cooling circuit for efficient steam production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery is used to supply power to a steam generator, then the steam cleaner can operate without external power, but the runtime is very short due to limited battery energy
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal heat store is pre-heated to a high temperature before steam generation begins. This stored thermal energy then powers the steam generator for an extended period without requiring external power during operation, thereby extending runtime beyond what a battery alone could provide
2Speed
If the steam cleaning apparatus operates at higher temperatures for faster heating, then heating speed is improved, but overheating and burning risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The meltable portion acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the heating element and the electrical circuit. When overheating occurs, this portion melts and triggers the circuit breaker, providing automatic protection without requiring complex electronic temperature sensors or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own thermal energy to trigger the safety mechanism. The meltable portion automatically responds to excessive temperature through phase change, and the water cooling circuit automatically cools the thermal heat store after shutdown, providing self-regulating safety without external intervention
3Productivity
If a pressurized heating chamber is used to hold water and steam, then steam generation is efficient, but safety risks increase if the thermal fuse trips while pressurized steam remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the pressurized steam generation function from the water storage function. The thermal heat store generates steam under pressure, but the water is stored in a separate unpressurized tank. This eliminates the danger of trapped pressurized steam if safety devices fail, while maintaining efficient steam generation
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change of the meltable portion from solid to liquid is converted into a useful safety signal. This visible and tangible change provides clear indication of overheating conditions, transforming a potential failure mode into a reliable safety warning mechanism
4Productivity
If the steam cleaner is designed for quick reuse by refilling the pressure vessel, then productivity is improved, but the user must wait for cooling down and heating up again
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling circuit continuously or periodically cools the thermal heat store during or after operation. This preliminary cooling action reduces the wait time required before the next heating cycle can begin, enabling faster reuse without compromising safety
Solution Approach 2:
The water cooling circuit operates continuously or in parallel with the heating process rather than sequentially. This allows the system to maintain readiness for the next operation while current steam generation is occurring, eliminating idle waiting time
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
Enables reliable operation at higher temperatures, prevents overheating and burning, extends runtime by using stored thermal energy, and ensures safe operation by automatically shutting off the electrical circuit when faults occur.
Implementation Method 1
the meltable portion is arranged to melt when the thermal heat store exceeds a normal operating temperature
Implementation Method 2
an electrical heating element for heating the thermal heat store
Implementation Method 3
a water cooling circuit comprising a water input in fluid communication with a water tank and a steam output in fluid communication with the steam head
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steam cleaning device comprises a housing; a steam head coupled to the housing and arranged to clean a surface; a thermal heat store and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit comprises an electrical heating element for heating the thermal heat store. The steam cleaning device comprises a water cooling circuit comprising a water input in fluid communication with a water tank and a steam output in fluid communication with the steam head and a fluid flow path between the water input and the steam output. The water cooling circuit is in thermal contact with the thermal heat store. The thermal heat store comprises a meltable portion arranged to be in a solid phase during normal operation of the steam cleaning device and the meltable portion is arranged to melt when the thermal heat store exceeds a normal operating temperature. The electrical circuit comprises at least one electrical circuit breaking device located near the meltable portion.