System for generating steam for a domestic appliance and method for mounting such a steam generation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generation systems for household appliances are not compact enough and are difficult to install and maintain, often requiring complex assembly and being prone to interference between components.
Innovation Solution
A steam generation system with a V-shaped to U-shaped profile that runs along a wall of the appliance, featuring a water reservoir above the evaporator and a steam inlet positioned to prevent condensation, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, with a water flow control device such as a valve for efficient water supply management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam generation systems are distributed over the depth and partitioned off by walls, then component protection is improved, but assembly difficulty increases and accessibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is reconfigured to run along a wall surface in a V-shaped or U-shaped profile rather than being distributed through the depth of the appliance. This dimensional change allows components to be accessible from the front while still being protected by the wall structure, resolving the contradiction between protection and assembly ease.
2Reliability
If steam generation systems are distributed over the depth and partitioned off by walls, then component protection is improved, but maintenance accessibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning components along the wall surface in a V-shaped or U-shaped configuration, the system enables maintenance personnel to access components from the front of the appliance without needing to reach into deep partitions, thus improving maintenance accessibility while maintaining protection.
3Productivity
If traditional steam generation system layouts are used, then steam production is achieved, but overall depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a depth-distributed layout to a wall-surface layout following a V-shaped or U-shaped profile. This redistributes components along the wall surface rather than through the depth, reducing the overall depth of the appliance while maintaining steam production capability.
4Volume of moving object
If components are positioned close together for compactness, then space utilization improves, but assembly interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is divided into distinct components (water reservoir, evaporator, control device) positioned at different locations along the V-shaped or U-shaped wall profile. This segmentation allows each component to be assembled independently without interference while still achieving compact overall integration.
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 configuration simplifies assembly, reduces depth, enhances accessibility, and ensures efficient steam production with minimal condensation, resulting in a compact, reliable, and easy-to-maintain steam generation system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one evaporator, in particular a flow heater, which can be supplied with water from the water reservoir
Implementation Method 2
at least one evaporator, in particular a flow heater
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The steam generation system (24) is provided for a household appliance (D) and has at least one water supply (28), at least one evaporator (3), in particular a flow heater, which can be supplied with liquid from the water supply (28), and at least one water flow control device (15 ), by means of which a water flow from the water supply (28) to the evaporator (3) can be controlled. The steam generation system (24) also runs at least partially on a wall (RW) of the household appliance (D) and has a substantially V-shaped to U-shaped profile there. The method is used for assembling a steam generation system, whereby the at least one evaporator (3) and at least one other element (28) of the steam generation system (24) are attached to a common assembly support (25) and the assembly support (25) is then attached to a wall (RW ) of the household appliance (D).