Steam Generator Tank Drain Recess for Self-Emptying Ironing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generator tanks in household ironing appliances have a drain hole design that is not self-emptying when the tank is lying flat due to a raised junction between the bottom and side wall, making complete emptying of water difficult without tilting or shaking.
Innovation Solution
A tank design with a recessed area at the edge of the side wall, where the rounded edge is lowered, allowing the drain orifice to be positioned lower than the tank bottom, facilitating easy emptying and reducing the volume of water that doesn't flow through the drain when the tank is flat, along with a removable plug and a container for collecting scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drain hole is made above a rounded edge at the junction between bottom and side wall for manufacturing reasons, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the volume of water that does not flow naturally through the drain orifice increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension change by creating a recess in the bottom wall that extends downward, allowing the drain orifice to be positioned at a lower level than the tank bottom. This dimensional modification enables gravity-driven complete drainage while maintaining the rounded junction for manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess creates a localized region with different geometric properties at the bottom of the tank where the drain orifice is positioned. This local modification allows the drain to extend below the general tank bottom level, enabling complete water evacuation without affecting the overall tank structure or manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drain orifice is positioned at the rounded edge junction, then the manufacturing is easier, but the complete emptying of water requires steep tilting or shaking
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a vertical recess in the bottom wall, the invention positions the drain orifice in a lower dimension than the tank bottom. This allows water to flow naturally to the drain orifice position through gravity without requiring the tank to be tilted or shaken, simplifying the emptying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess structure with the lowered drain orifice enables the tank to self-empty through gravity-driven flow. Water naturally accumulates and flows to the lowest point (the recess with drain orifice) without requiring external intervention such as tilting or shaking the tank.
3Productivity
If a recess is created in the bottom at the edge of the side wall to lower the drain orifice, then the emptying efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is created as a localized feature only at the specific location where the drain orifice needs to be positioned, rather than modifying the entire tank structure. This minimizes the added complexity while achieving the goal of improved water emptying efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess introduces a vertical dimension change at a specific location, creating a localized depression in the bottom wall. This focused dimensional modification achieves efficient drainage without requiring complex overall structural changes to the tank.
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 efficient and ergonomic emptying of water and scale collection without the need to tilt the tank, ensuring effective ironing performance and easy maintenance by allowing gravity-driven emptying and visualization of scaling.
Implementation Method 1
the volume of water in the tank which does not flow naturally through the drain hole when the tank is lying flat is greatly reduced
Implementation Method 2
the flat part of the bottom of the tank is in thermal contact with a heating body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a household ironing appliance. The household ironing appliance (1) comprises a steam generator comprising a tank (4) for the generation of steam under pressure, the vessel (4) having a bottom (41) surmounted by a side wall (42) comprising a drain port (60) closed by a stopper (7) removable, the container (4) having a rounded edge (43) at the junction between the bottom (41) and the sidewall (42), characterized in that the bottom (41) present inside the tank (4), bordering the side wall (42), a recess (45) at which the rounded edge (43) of the tank (4) is lowered and where the side wall (42) has a portion (42A) extending further towards the bottom and in that the drain port (60) is formed at least partially in said portion (42A) lowered from the side wall ( 42).