Trough Mangle Integrated Steam Generation for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trough ironers face issues with uneven heating, leading to overheating of laundry items due to relatively small mangle troughs being inefficiently heated, and larger troughs requiring separate steam generators that are economically unviable for smaller models.
Innovation Solution
Generating steam within the double-walled mangle trough itself, where the inner wall serves as a flattening surface and condenser, and using external energy sources like flame tubes or heating pipes to evaporate liquid and produce steam, eliminating the need for separate steam generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate steam generator is used to heat the mangle trough, then the heating effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is merged with the mangle trough by integrating a steam generation chamber directly into the trough structure. The trough itself becomes the steam generator, eliminating the need for separate external steam generators while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mangle trough is given multiple functions: it serves both as the traditional mangle trough for supporting laundry and as a steam generator for heating. The double-walled construction allows the cavity to function as both structural support and steam generation chamber.
2Device complexity
If direct heating is used for small mangle troughs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged into the trough structure itself through the integrated steam generation chamber. Steam is generated internally and distributes heat uniformly through the double-walled structure, achieving both simplicity and temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is converted to steam through phase transition within the steam generation chamber. The steam then condenses on the inner wall of the trough, releasing latent heat uniformly across the heating surface, ensuring even temperature distribution.
3Temperature
If larger mangle troughs use double-walled construction with steam heating, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation function is merged directly into the double-walled trough structure. The cavity between the walls serves as the steam generation chamber, eliminating the need for separate steam generators and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature uniformity.
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 enables uniform and intensive steam heating of the mangle trough, ensuring consistent temperature distribution for laundry items, even in smaller models, without the need for external steam generators, thus improving energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
generate the steam by evaporating a liquid in the cavity of the respective mangle trough
Implementation Method 2
the inner wall of the double-walled ironer trough, which faces the ironer roller and forms a flattening surface for the laundry to be smoothed, can be heated evenly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The method involves assigning a rotary iron recess (10) to a rotary propelled mangling roller (11), where the rotary iron recess is heated by steam. The steam is produced in a hollow space (19) in the rotary iron recess by evaporation of liquid. An independent claim is also included for a rotary iron, which has a collection pan.