Household steam treatment appliance and method for operating a household steam treatment appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam treatment devices for household use are not user-friendly and lack simplicity in operation, particularly in terms of refilling, draining, and circulating liquids within the device.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a household steam treatment device equipped with three pumps allows for easy refilling, draining, and circulation of liquids within the device, enhancing user-friendliness and operational simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual refilling and draining operations are used in conventional steam treatment devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex user intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The steam treatment device automatically performs refilling, draining, and circulation operations without user intervention. The control unit activates pumps to refill the steam generator from the water tank, drain condensate from the steam treatment chamber, and circulate cleaning liquids through the system, making the device serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations (user pouring water, wiping surfaces) are replaced by an automated pump system controlled by a control unit. The pump system mechanically performs refilling, draining, and circulation functions that previously required human intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the water tank and steam generator are positioned flexibly within the device, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system uses hydraulic principles to transport water and cleaning liquids between components at different positions. The pumps can draw liquid from the water tank regardless of its position relative to the steam generator, enabling flexible positioning of these components within the device.
3Productivity
If multiple functions (refilling, draining, circulation) are integrated into a single system, then productivity improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs multiple functions: refilling the steam generator, draining condensate, and circulating cleaning liquids. The control unit manages these different operations by activating the pump system in different modes, allowing a single system to handle multiple tasks that improve operational efficiency.
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 use of three pumps in the steam treatment device simplifies the process of refilling, draining, and circulating liquids, making the device more user-friendly and efficient, while also allowing for flexible positioning of the water tank and steam generator.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for pumping liquid from the water tank to the steam generating device
Implementation Method 2
a steam generating device for generating steam
Implementation Method 3
The steam generator has at least one heating element for steam generation. When activated, the heating element heats the water in the steam generator to boiling temperature.
Implementation Method 4
a further pump for pumping liquid from the steam generating device to a receiving container
Implementation Method 5
a further pump for pumping liquid from the receiving container into the water tank
Implementation Method 6
at least one heating element for heating the steam treatment chamber and/or the goods contained therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A steam treatment appliance (1) has a steam treatment space (2), a steam generating device (3), a water tank (4) for providing liquid for the steam generating device, and a first pump (8) for pumping liquid from the water tank to the steam generating device, the steam treatment appliance further having a second pump (10) for pumping out liquid from the steam generating device to a receiving container (12, 14), and a third pump (15) for pumping liquid from the receiving container into the water tank. In a method for operating a steam treatment appliance, in a cleaning mode of operation the third pump is activated in order to pump cleaning liquid from the receiving container into the water tank; the first pump is activated in order to pump the cleaning liquid from the water tank into the steam generating device, and the second pump is activated in order to pump the cleaning liquid from the steam generating device into the receiving container. The invention can be particularly advantageously applied to domestic appliances for the steam treatment of foods, specifically to steam cooking appliances.