Steam Iron Scale Filter Layout for Clog-Resistant Steam Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ironing appliances with steam distribution circuits face issues of clogging due to scale particle accumulation, leading to reduced steam flow performance and complex, expensive filtration systems that are not ergonomic for use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a scale evacuation orifice and a filter with a grid structure that retains scale particles, allowing for easy collection and removal, along with a removable scale collector receptacle and a design that minimizes clogging by utilizing a sudden steam flow direction change and a cantilevered scale recovery cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is installed in the steam distribution circuit to retain scale particles, then scale particle emission is prevented, but the filter becomes clogged with scale particles upstream reducing steam flow performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful scale particles from the steam flow by introducing a dedicated evacuation orifice that communicates with the steam distribution circuit upstream of the filter. This allows scale particles to be removed separately from the main steam flow path, preventing filter clogging while maintaining steam flow performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the steam distribution system into separate functional zones: a steam flow path for water vapor and a scale evacuation path for particulate matter. The evacuation orifice creates an independent channel that divides the mixed steam-scale flow into separate streams, allowing each to be handled optimally.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a centrifugal separator is used to retain scale particles, then scale particle emission is prevented, but the construction becomes complex requiring disassembly for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scale removal function from the complex centrifugal separator system and implements it through a simple evacuation orifice that communicates with the steam distribution circuit. This simplified approach eliminates the need for complex disassembly mechanisms while effectively removing scale particles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex centrifugal separator that requires disassembly for cleaning, the patent inverts the approach by creating a simple evacuation system where scale particles are actively removed through an orifice, making the system easier to maintain without complex mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the filter openings are reduced to retain smaller scale particles, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but the vapor flow rate decreases due to reduced passage section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts scale particles from the steam flow before they reach the filter through the evacuation orifice. This pre-removal of scale particles prevents filter clogging, allowing the filter to maintain larger openings that support adequate vapor flow rates while still providing effective filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary removal of scale particles through the evacuation orifice before the steam flow reaches the filter. This preliminary action prevents the filter from becoming clogged, maintaining its passage section and vapor flow rate while ensuring effective particle retention.
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 effectively prevents scale particle emission onto linen, maintains steam flow performance, and simplifies scale removal, extending the appliance's service life and improving user ergonomics.
Implementation Method 1
a filter intended to retain at least some of the scale particles transported by the steam flow
Implementation Method 2
the flow of steam makes a sudden change of direction, preferably of at least 90°, such a feature has the advantage of limiting the clogging rate of the filter, the heaviest particles being entrained, due to their inertia, outside the filter, into a storage area
Implementation Method 3
the flow of steam traveling in the steam distribution circuit flows from bottom to top through the filter when the iron rests horizontally on its soleplate, such a characteristic has the advantage of blocking the particles against the lower face of the filter so that these particles are detached by gravity from the filter when the flow of vapor is stopped
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ironing appliance (1) comprising a steam distribution circuit comprising at least one filter (7; 107) intended to retain scale particles transported by the steam flow, characterized in that it comprises a scale (50; 150) which communicates with a part of the steam distribution circuit located upstream of the filter (7; 107) and in that said filter (7; 107) is fixedly mounted in the appliance or is removable through an orifice (109) separate from the scale evacuation orifice (50).