Steam Ironing Tank Cleaning Cycle to Prevent Scale Valve Blockage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ironing appliances with steam tanks face issues with scaling, which can block rinsing valves and hinder effective cleaning, leading to operational obstructions.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves emptying the tank into a recovery cavity and refilling it with clean water each time the appliance is started, followed by heating to evaporate residual water and transform aragonite seeds into stable calcite crystals, which are then filtered and reused, preventing scale formation and obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the tank is rinsed by injecting water from a reservoir and evacuating it through a rinsing valve, then the cleaning process can be automated, but scale particles eventually block the rinsing valve so that removal no longer takes place correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of cleaning processVSAvoideffectiveness of scale removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is activated before the rinsing cycle to pre-heat the water in the tank. This preliminary heating action transforms aragonite seeds into stable calcite crystals that adhere to the tank wall, preventing them from forming suspended precipitates that could block the rinsing valve during automated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the water in the tank before rinsing. By heating the water to evaporate residual moisture and transform aragonite seeds into calcite crystals, the chemical and physical properties of the scale-forming substances are altered, making them less likely to cause valve blockage during automated rinsing cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the tank is cleaned by evacuating water through a rinsing valve, then cleaning can be performed, but scale particles block the valve and prevent correct operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning operationVSAvoidscale obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts harmful aragonite seeds from the water by transforming them into stable calcite crystals that adhere to the tank wall. This extraction of the harmful scaling substance before the rinsing operation prevents it from being evacuated through the rinsing valve and causing blockages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful aragonite seeds into beneficial stable calcite crystals that adhere to the tank wall. By transforming the harmful scaling substance into a stable, adherent form through heating, the harmful factor is converted into a beneficial outcome that prevents future scaling without blocking the rinsing valve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If water is continuously used to rinse the tank, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor by heating the water in the tank to evaporate residual moisture. This phase transition effectively dries the tank interior without requiring additional large quantities of rinse water, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing water consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element continues to operate during the rinsing cycle to continuously evaporate moisture and transform aragonite seeds. This continuous useful action of heating and evaporation maintains cleaning effectiveness throughout the rinsing process while using minimal additional water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 method systematically cleans the tank, preventing scale buildup and ensuring continuous operation by evacuating scale-forming germs and particles before they concentrate, reducing water consumption and extending the appliance's usage without manual cleaning of the recovery cavity.

Implementation Method 1

Heating the tank to evaporate the residual water present in the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

transform any aragonite seeds present in this water into calcite crystals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallisation: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP2942431B1Method for operating an ironing appliance comprising a vessel for generating pressurised steam

Publication Date: 2019.02.20 SEB SA

Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3

AI summary

Method of operating an ironing appliance comprising a tank (5) for generating pressurized steam, characterized in that, each time the appliance is started, a cycle for cleaning the tank comprising at least the following operations is carried out: f) Emptying the tank (5) by sending the contents of the tank (5) into a recovery cavity (42) provided on the device, g) Injection of water into the tank (5), the injected water being drawn from a so-called clean water reserve (41), carried by the device.