Water Dosing System with Cleaning Valve for Steam Irons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water dosing systems in steam irons face challenges in efficiently cleaning the steam chamber due to temperature-dependent anti-drip systems, which restrict water flow during cleaning operations, and often require complex constructions with hollow needles and specific orientations.
Innovation Solution
A water dosing system with a cleaning valve actuated by the regulating device's actuator, allowing water to flow regardless of temperature, using a solid needle of smaller diameter and incorporating a gas evacuation system, eliminating the need for a hollow needle and enabling higher flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the anti-drip system is used to control water flow based on temperature, then water droplet prevention is improved, but cleaning capability deteriorates because the system stops water flow when temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent water passage paths: a first water passage controlled by the anti-drip system for normal steam generation, and a second water passage controlled by the cleaning valve for cleaning operations. This segmentation allows each path to operate independently according to its specific requirements, enabling the cleaning function to bypass the temperature-dependent anti-drip restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the water tank and the steam chamber during cleaning operations. It temporarily overrides the anti-drip system's temperature control by providing an alternative controlled path for water flow, allowing high-temperature cleaning water to be delivered regardless of the current steam chamber temperature.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hollow needle is used for dosing water, then gas evacuation is enabled, but device complexity increases and flow rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gas evacuation function is separated from the water dosing needle. Instead of using a hollow needle for both water delivery and gas evacuation, the system uses a solid needle for water dosing and a separate communication passage in the dosing valve body for gas evacuation. This segmentation simplifies the needle construction while maintaining gas evacuation capability through the dedicated passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing valve body serves as an intermediary structure that provides a separate communication passage for gas evacuation between the steam chamber and the outside environment. This mediator structure allows gas to escape without requiring the water-dosing needle itself to be hollow, thereby simplifying the needle design while preserving the gas evacuation function.
3Productivity
If the needle diameter is increased to achieve higher flow rate, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the system requires hollow needle construction increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow path for cleaning is separated into the second water passage controlled by the cleaning valve, which is independent from the needle-based dosing system. This allows the second passage to use a larger diameter solid needle or alternative flow path without being constrained by the gas evacuation requirements of the first passage, achieving higher flow rates with simpler construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas evacuation function is extracted from the water-dosing needle structure and placed into a separate communication passage in the dosing valve body. This extraction allows the water-dosing needle to be solid and potentially larger in diameter for higher flow rates during cleaning, while the gas evacuation function is handled by the separate passage system.
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 cleaning of steam chambers by allowing uninterrupted water flow for cleaning, achieving higher flow rates and simplifying the system design, while integrating a gas evacuation system for improved stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning valve (5) which opens or closes a water passage from the water tank to the steam chamber, said cleaning valve being actuated by the actuator of the regulating device
Implementation Method 2
a needle valve, made of plastic or metal, which goes up or down and varies the valve pitch
Implementation Method 3
The valve only accepts the passage of water when the temperature of the steam chamber is sufficient. It generally incorporates a bimetal connected to the valve that opens and closes it
Implementation Method 4
a heating element for heating the iron sole plate
Implementation Method 5
Water is passed through the steam chamber, with a high flow rate to break up the deposits by thermal shock and drag them out
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Water dosing system for irons and other pieces of equipment with a steam chamber (8) fed by a needle water dosing valve (3), comprising a zero steam position, wherein the needle (2) is supported by the seat of the dosing valve (3), and a maximum steam position. It also includes a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, the mechanism of which includes a cleaning valve (5) and a mobile actuator (1) passed through by the needle (2), wherein in the cleaning position the needle (2) pushes the actuator (1) and this in turn pushes the cleaning valve (5) to disengage it from its seat, leaving the cleaning water passage free.