FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of household appliances, and more particularly
to a method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care
machine, a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes
care machine, a steam generator and a clothes care machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, working principle of a steam generator of a clothes care product is to
convert electricity to heat of steam by evaporating water with a metal heater.
[0003] Materials used for the heater for the clothes care product mainly include active
metals such as aluminum, iron and copper. No precautions are taken for preventing
electrochemical corrosion. The heater stays in a humid environment for a long term
during working and suspension, leaving an aqueous membrane attached on the surface
of the metal. A plurality of tiny primary cells is formed by the metal of the heater
surface and the impurities therein, which results in electrochemical corrosion. Such
metal heater may generate large amount of rust deposit within a short term due to
electrochemical corrosion, which has a significant impact on the lifetime and usage
of the product. The rust deposit mainly includes: hydroxides from aluminum corrosion,
rust from iron corrosion and basic copper carbonate from copper corrosion. The principle
of rust deposit generation is shown as follows:
- (1) The electrochemical corrosion of the heater made of aluminum occurs following
chemical equations shown as follows:
negative terminal (Al): Al-3e-=Al3+
positive terminal (impurities): 2H++2e-=H2↑
total reaction : 2Al+6H2O=2Al(OH)3+3H2↑
where Al(OH)3 is white flocculent precipitate.
- (2) The electrochemical corrosion of the heater made of iron occurs following chemical
equations shown as follows:
- i) Hydrogen evolution corrosion (when the aqueous membrane attached on iron has strong
acidity):
negative terminal (Fe): Fe-2e-=Fe2+
Fe2++2H2O=Fe(OH)2+2H+
positive terminal (impurities): 2H++2e-=H2↑
cell reaction: Fe+2H2O=Fe(OH)2+H2↑
It is described as hydrogen evolution corrosion due to hydrogen generation.
- ii) Oxygen absorption corrosion (when the aqueous membrane attached on iron has weak
acidity):
negative terminal (Fe): Fe-2e-=Fe2+
positive terminal: O2+2H2O+4e-=4OH-
total reaction: 2Fe+O2+2H2O=2Fe(OH)2
It is described as oxygen absorption corrosion due to oxygen absorption.
Fe(OH)2 generated by hydrogen evolution corrosion and oxygen absorption corrosion is oxidized
by oxygen to Fe(OH)3, then Fe(OH)3 is subjected to dehydration, forming a Fe2O3 rust. The chemical equation is 4Fe(OH)2+O2+2H2O=4Fe(OH)3. The predominant electrochemical corrosion of the heater made of iron is oxygen absorption
corrosion.
- (3) The electrochemical corrosion of the heater made of copper occurs following chemical
equations shown as follows:
2Cu-4e-=2Cu2+
2H2O+O2+4e-=4OH-
CO2+2OH-=CO32-+H2O
total reaction: 2Cu+2H
2O+O
2+CO
2=Cu
2(OH)
2CO
3 (basic copper carbonate, i.e. verdigris).
[0004] Following methods are currently used in the field of household appliances for preventing
generation of incrustation:
(1) Ion Exchange
[0005] There are two categories of ion exchange resins: one of which is known as sodium
ion exchange resin which reduces the hardness of water to obtain soft water used for
cleaning, shower and so forth; another one of which is known as hydrogen ion exchange
resin which reduces the hardness to a certain extent so that no incrustation is formed
during boiling the water.
(2) Physical Filtration
[0006] The physical filtration is such a membrane separation process that it is driven by
a pressure higher than osmotic pressure and allows water rather than a solute to pass
through the selectively permeable membrane by taking advantage of selective permeability
of the selectively permeable membrane, so that fresh water is extracted from an aqueous
system. The reverse osmosis process is also known as a counter osmosis process.
(3) Chemical Treatment
[0007] Chemicals preventing generation of incrustation or inhibiting precipitation and further
development of incrustation are used, for example Power-Phos, water softening agent
(sodium hydroxide, trisodium phosphate and sodium humate) and so forth.
[0008] No protective measure is currently taken to prevent the electrochemical corrosion
of the metal heater in the humid environment. The above methods for preventing generation
of incrustation cannot be used to avoid electrochemical corrosion of the heater. In
early usage stage of such a metal heater, the rust deposit generated from electrochemical
corrosion is more serious than the incrustation generated after water evaporation.
Besides, the lifetime of the heater is severely influenced by the serious corrosion.
[0009] Therefore, a method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a metal heater is
required. With this method, the electrochemical corrosion of the metal heater may
be efficiently prevented or inhibited, so that the lifetime of the heater is extended.
SUMMARY
[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one of the problems
existing in the related art to at least some extent.
[0011] Therefore, embodiments of a first aspect of the present disclosure provide a method
for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine, which
solves the technical problems of lifetime reduction and properties deterioration in
current metal heaters for the clothes care machine caused by electrochemical corrosion.
[0012] Embodiments of a second aspect of the present disclosure provide a device for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine.
[0013] Embodiments of a third aspect of the present disclosure provide a steam generator
and a clothes care machine each having a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of a heater for a clothes care machine.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine is provided. The clothes care machine
includes a steam generator for generating steam and an output power supply for providing
a protection current to the steam generator. The steam generator includes the heater.
The method includes: installing an electric conductor in the steam generator, where
the electric conductor is electrically insulated from the heater, forming a current
loop by electrically connecting the heater to a negative terminal of the output power
supply, electrically connecting a positive terminal of the output power supply to
the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with water in the steam
generator, so as to compensate for electrons lost in the heater, and to prevent the
heater from being corroded due to an electron loss.
[0015] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, a current loop including the output power
supply, the electric conductor, water and the heater is formed by installing the electric
conductor in the steam generator of the clothes care machine, the electric conductor
being electrically insulated from the heater, electrically connecting the heater to
the negative terminal of the output power supply, electrically connecting the positive
terminal of the output power supply to the electric conductor, and contacting the
electric conductor with water in the steam generator. Namely, an impressed current
is applied on a surface of the heater so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore,
an electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently
restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained,
and the lifetime of the heater is thus extended.
[0016] In an embodiment of present disclosure, the steam generator further includes a shell
fitted over the heater and a water tank communicated with the shell to form a water
supply loop. The method further includes: installing the electric conductor in the
heater, at the shell or at the water tank, the electric conductor being electrically
insulated from the heater; and forming the current loop by contacting the electric
conductor with the water supply loop of the steam generator to compensate for electrons
lost in the heater, so as to prevent the heater from being corroded due to the electron
loss.
[0017] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell and the water tank are communicated
to form the water supply loop. Therefore, the electric conductor can be contacted
with the water in the steam generator whether the electric conductor is installed
in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank, and thus a current loop including
the output power supply, the electric conductor, water and the heater is formed. Namely,
an impressed current is applied on the surface of the heater so that the heater acts
as the cathode. The electric conductor is ensured to be electrically insulated from
the heater. Therefore, the electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical
corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater is
avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is thus extended.
[0018] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor may be arranged in
the heater, at the shell or at the water tank by a plurality of ways including but
not limited to vertical arrangement, horizontal arrangement or lateral inclined arrangement.
[0019] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heater is a metal heater. The metal
is selected from a group including aluminum, iron and copper. The electric conductor
is an inert electric conductor which is made of a material selected from a group including
graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with platinum, gold or silver.
[0020] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of present disclosure, the heater is a metal heater, preferably a heater
made of an active metal. The metal includes but not be limited to aluminum, iron and
copper. The electric conductor is an inert electric conductor which is made of the
material including but not limited to graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material
plated with platinum, gold or silver.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed
in the clothes care machine. A negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus
is electrically connected to the metal heater which is used for heating a liquid medium,
and a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected
to the liquid medium, such that the current loop is formed by connecting the cathode
protecting apparatus, the metal heater and the liquid medium, and an electron migration
of the metal heater is restrained. Optionally, the cathode protecting apparatus is
configured to directly emit electrons to the metal heater of the clothes care machine
such that the electron migration of the metal heater is restrained.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathode protecting apparatus includes
the output power supply, the electric conductor, a first connecting wire and a second
connecting wire. The output power supply has the positive terminal and the negative
terminal in constant electrical polarity. The negative terminal of the output power
supply is electrically connected with a first end of the first connecting wire, and
the metal heater is electrically connected with a second end of the first connecting
wire. The positive terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with
a first end of the second connecting wire, and the electric conductor is electrically
connected with a second end of the second connecting wire. The electric conductor
is contacted with the liquid medium.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output power supply is a DC power
supply, or a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is disposed in
the metal heater through a top, a bottom or a side of the metal heater, and the electric
conductor is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water tank is disposed and connected
with the metal heater by a duct. The electric conductor is penetrated through the
metal heater and contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater; optionally,
the electric conductor is penetrated through the water tank and contacted with the
liquid medium in the water tank; optionally, the electric conductor is penetrated
through the duct and contacted with the liquid medium in the duct.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is disposed in
the water tank through a top, a bottom or a side of the water tank. The electric conductor
is contacted with the liquid medium in the water tank.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is made of an
inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component with
its surface coated with the inert metal. The metal heater is made of aluminum, iron
or copper.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed
on the clothes care machine. A negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus
is electrically connected to the metal heater which is used for heating a liquid medium,
and a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected
to the liquid medium in the metal heater, such that the current loop is formed by
connecting the cathode protecting apparatus, the metal heater and the liquid medium.
Therefore, the electron migration of the metal heater is restrained.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed
on the clothes care machine. A channel for the flowing of the liquid medium is disposed
between a water tank of the clothes care machine and a metal heater used for heating
a liquid medium. A negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically
connected to the metal heater, and a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus
is electrically connected to the liquid medium in the water tank or in the channel,
such that the current loop is formed by connecting the cathode protecting apparatus,
the metal heater and the liquid medium, and the electron migration of the metal heater
is restrained.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathode protecting apparatus includes
the output power supply, the electric conductor, a first connecting wire and a second
connecting wire. The output power supply has the positive terminal and the negative
terminal in constant electrical polarity. The negative terminal of the output power
supply is electrically connected with a first end of the first connecting wire, and
the metal heater is electrically connected with a second end of the first connecting
wire. The positive terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with
a first end the second connecting wire, and the electric conductor is electrically
connected with a second end of the second connecting wire. The electric conductor
is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output power supply is a DC power
supply, or a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a main body is disposed. The output power
supply is a battery, the metal heater is arranged in the main body, a battery groove
is formed in the main body, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove. Optionally,
a main body and a control circuit board are disposed, the output power supply is a
battery, the metal heater and the control circuit board are arranged in the main body,
a battery groove is formed in the main body or the control circuit board, and the
battery is arranged in the battery groove.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body includes a base and a shell.
The shell covers and is fixed on the base to define an accommodating chamber. The
metal heater is arranged in the accommodating chamber, and the battery groove is formed
in the base or the shell.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first conducting plate is disposed
on the negative terminal and a second conducting plate is disposed on the positive
terminal. The first end of the first connecting wire is connected with the first conducting
plate, and the first end of the second connecting wire is connected with the second
conducting plate.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is made of an
inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component with
its surface coated with the inert metal.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine is provided. The clothes care machine
includes a steam generator for generating steam and an output power supply for providing
a protection current to the steam generator. The steam generator includes the heater.
The device includes: an electric conductor installed in the steam generator and electrically
insulated from the heater; a first connecting wire electrically connected with the
heater; a second connecting wire electrically connected with the electric conductor;
a first conducting plate by which a negative terminal of the output power supply is
connected with the first connecting wire; and a second conducting plate by which a
positive terminal of the output power supply is connected with the second connecting
wire. The electric conductor contacts with water in the steam generator to form a
current loop, so as to compensate for electrons lost in the heater and to prevent
the heater from being corroded due to an electron loss.
[0037] In the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the current loop including the output power
supply, the conducting plates, the electric conductor, water and the heater is formed
by installing the electric conductor in the steam generator, the electric conductor
being electrically insulated from the heater, electrically connecting the heater to
the negative terminal of the output power supply, electrically connecting the positive
terminal of the output power supply to the electric conductor, and contacting the
electric conductor with water in the steam generator. Namely, an impressed current
is applied on the surface of the heater so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore,
the electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently
restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained,
and the lifetime of the heater is thus extended.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam generator further includes
a shell fitted over the heater and a water tank communicated with the shell to form
a water supply loop. The electric conductor is arranged in the heater, at the shell
or at the water tank.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is installed in
the heater, the shell, the water tank, or the water supply loop by means of screwing
or interference fitting, in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction or in
a lateral inclined direction.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam generator further includes
a base defining an installing groove therein for placing the output power supply.
The device further includes a battery cover threaded for screwing the battery cover
into the base and covering the installing groove.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second connecting wire is fixed on
the heater by screw to electrically connect to the heater. The heater is a metal heater,
where the metal is selected from a group including aluminum, iron and copper. The
electric conductor is an inert electric conductor made of a material selected from
a group including graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with platinum,
gold or silver.
[0042] In the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell and the
water tank are communicated to form the water supply loop. Therefore, the electric
conductor can be contacted with the water in the steam generator whether the electric
conductor is installed in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank, and thus
a current loop including the output power supply, the conducting plates, the electric
conductor, water and the heater is formed. Namely, an impressed current is applied
on the surface of the heater so that the heater acts as a cathode. The electric conductor
is ensured to be electrically insulated from the heater. Therefore, the electron migration
of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is
thus extended.
[0043] Certainly, the electric conductor may be installed in the heater, the shell, or the
water tank such as on the base of the water tank, in the vertical direction, in the
horizontal direction or in the lateral inclined direction, by means of screwing or
interference fitting, as long as the electrical connection is efficiently ensured
and the electric conductor is contacted with the water in the steam generator.
[0044] In the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam generator further includes the
base defining an installing groove therein for placing the output power supply. The
device further includes a battery cover threaded for screwing the battery cover into
the base and covering the installing groove. Therefore, the output power supply is
fixed on the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater, thereby
preventing the output power supply from being detached from the device, protecting
the output power supply, and facilitating the replacement of the output power supply.
[0045] In the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the installing groove is defined in the shell,
thereby facilitating the electrical connection of the output power supply with the
heater and the electric conductor, and saving wires.
[0046] Certainly, the installing groove may be arranged in other places such as the control
circuit board of the steam generator, depending on actual requirements.
[0047] In the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, a way for fixing the wire on the heater includes
but is not limited to screw fixation; the heater is a metal heater, preferably a heater
made of active metal including but not limited to aluminum, iron or cooper; and the
electric conductor is an inert electric conductor made of a material including but
not limited to graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with platinum,
gold or silver.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a steam generator is provided. The steam
generator includes a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
as described in the above embodiments.
[0049] The steam generator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes
the device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater. With the device,
a current loop including the output power supply, the conducting plates, the electric
conductor, water and the heater is formed by installing the electric conductor in
the steam generator, the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the
heater, electrically connecting the heater to the negative terminal of the output
power supply, electrically connecting the positive terminal of the output power supply
to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with water in the
steam generator. Namely, an impressed current is applied on the surface of the heater
so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore, the electron migration of the metal
caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is
thus extended.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a clothes care machine is provided. The
clothes care machine includes a steam generator as described in above embodiments.
[0051] In the clothes care machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
a current loop including the output power supply, the conducting plates, the electric
conductor, water and the heater is formed by installing the electric conductor on
the steam generator, the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the
heater, electrically connecting the heater to the negative terminal of the output
power supply, electrically connecting the positive terminal of the output power supply
to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with water in the
steam generator. Namely, an impressed current is applied on the surface of the heater
so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore, the electron migration of the metal
caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is
thus extended.
[0052] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the electron migration of the
metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is
thus extended.
[0053] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a clothes care machine is provided. The
clothes care machine includes a metal heater for heating a liquid medium and a cathode
protecting apparatus having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The cathode
protecting apparatus, the metal heater and the liquid medium are connected to form
a current loop by electrically connecting the negative terminal of the cathode protecting
apparatus to the metal heater and electrically connecting the positive terminal of
the cathode protecting apparatus to the liquid medium; optionally, the cathode protecting
apparatus is an electron emitter configured to emit electrons to the metal heater.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathode protecting apparatus includes:
an output power supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity, an electric conductor contacting with the liquid medium, a first
connecting wire electrically connected between the metal heater and the negative terminal
of the output power supply, and a second connecting wire electrically connected between
the electric conductor and the positive terminal of the output power supply.
[0055] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the output power supply is a DC power
supply, or a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
[0056] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is disposed in
the metal heater through a top or a bottom or a side of the metal heater. The electric
conductor is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine further includes
a water tank and a duct connected between the water tank and the metal heater. The
electric conductor is penetrated through the metal heater and contacted with the liquid
medium in the metal heater; or the electric conductor is penetrated through the water
tank and contacted with the liquid medium in the water tank; or the electric conductor
is penetrated through the duct and contacted with the liquid medium in the duct.
[0058] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine further includes
a main body. The output power supply is a battery, the metal heater is arranged in
the main body, a battery groove is formed in the main body, and the battery is arranged
in the battery groove. Optionally, the clothes care machine further includes a main
body and a control circuit board. The output power supply is a battery, the metal
heater and the control circuit board are arranged in the main body, a battery groove
is formed in the main body or the control circuit board, and the battery is arranged
in the battery groove.
[0059] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body includes a base and a shell.
The shell covers and is fixed on the base to define an accommodating chamber. The
metal heater is arranged in the accommodating chamber. The battery groove is formed
in the base or the shell.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine further includes
a main body. The metal heater is arranged in the main body. The water tank is arranged
outside of the main body. The conductor is penetrated through the main body or the
water tank and extended to contact the liquid medium in the water tank or in the duct.
A water outlet is formed in a bottom of the water tank and a control valve having
a valve core is disposed at the water outlet. The conductor is penetrated through
the main body and extended below the control valve to the valve core. The electric
conductor is contacted with the liquid medium in the duct.
[0061] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine further includes
a first conducting plate and a second conducting plate. A first end of the first connecting
wire is connected with the negative terminal by the first conducting plate, and a
first end of the second connecting wire is connected with the positive terminal by
the second conducting plate.
[0062] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric conductor is made of an
inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component with
its surface coated with the inert metal. The metal heater is made of aluminum, iron
or copper.
[0063] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of present disclosure will be given
in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following
descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of a heater according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of a heater according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of a heater according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a clothes care machine according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
Reference Numerals:
[0065]
Liquid medium 100; Channel 200;
Heater 1; Heating chamber 11; Lower cover 101; Upper cover 102
Cathode protecting apparatus 2; Output power supply 21; Electric conductor 22; First
connecting wire 23; Second connecting wire 24; First conducting plate 25; Second conducting
plate 26;
Water tank 3; Water storage chamber 31; Main body 4; Base 41; Shell 42;
Battery cover 5;
Valve seat 62; Valve core 61; Spring 63; Sealing rubber 64;
Duct 7; Hollow internal path 71;
Device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater 10; Steam generator 50;
clothes care machine 60.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0066] Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The same
or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted
by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments described
herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally
understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit
the present disclosure.
[0067] It should be understood that, unless specified or limited otherwise, when one component
is "mounted" or "fixed" on another component, the component may be on another component
or an element between the two components may exist. When one component is "connected
to/with" another component, the component may directly connected to/with the another
component or an element between the two components may exist.
[0068] In the specification, unless specified or limited otherwise, relative terms such
as "right", "left", "below", "above", "top", "bottom" ,"lower", "upper", as well as
derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be
construed to refer to relative orientation or be construed with reference to a normal
working state of a product, and shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure.
[0069] In an embodiment of a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine is provided. The
clothes care machine includes a steam generator for generating steam and an output
power supply for providing a protection current to the steam generator. The steam
generator includes the heater. The method includes: installing an electric conductor
in the steam generator, the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the
heater, forming a current loop by electrically connecting the heater to a negative
terminal of the output power supply, electrically connecting a positive terminal of
the output power supply to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor
with water in the steam generator, so as to compensate for electrons lost in the heater,
and to prevent the heater from being corroded due to an electron loss.
[0070] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, a current loop including the output power supply,
the electric conductor, water and the heater is formed by installing the electric
conductor in the steam generator, the electric conductor being electrically insulated
from the heater, electrically connecting the heater to a negative terminal of the
output power supply, electrically connecting a positive terminal of the output power
supply to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with water
in the steam generator. Namely, an impressed current is applied on a surface of the
heater so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore, an electron migration of the
metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is
thus extended.
[0071] In an embodiment of present disclosure, based on the above technical solution, preferably,
the steam generator further includes a shell fitted over the heater and a water tank
communicated with the shell to form a water supply loop. The method further includes:
installing the electric conductor in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank,
the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the heater, contacting the
electric conductor with the water in the steam generator to form the current loop
and compensate for electrons lost in the heater, thereby preventing the heater from
being corroded due to an electron loss.
[0072] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell and the water tank are communicated
to form the water supply loop. Therefore, the electric conductor can be contacted
with the water in the steam generator whether the electric conductor is installed
in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank, and thus the current loop including
the output power supply, the electric conductor, water and the heater is formed. Namely,
the impressed current is applied on the surface of the heater so that the heater acts
as the cathode, and the electric conductor is electrically insulated from the heater.
Therefore, the electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion
is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater is avoided
or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater is thus extended.
[0073] In an embodiment of present disclosure, based on the above technical solution, preferably,
the electric conductor is arranged in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank
in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction or in a lateral inclined direction.
[0074] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of present disclosure, the electric conductor is arranged in the heater,
at the shell or at the water tank by a plurality of ways including but not limited
to vertical arrangement, horizontal arrangement or lateral inclined arrangement.
[0075] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
the heater is preferably a metal heater. The metal is selected from a group including
aluminum, iron and copper. The electric conductor is an inert electric conductor which
is made of a material selected from a group including graphite, platinum, gold, silver
or a material plated with platinum, gold or silver.
[0076] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according to
an embodiment of present disclosure, the heater is a metal heater, preferably a heater
made of an active metal. The metal includes but is not limited to aluminum, iron or
copper. The electric conductor is an inert electric conductor which is made of a material
including but not limited to graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated
with platinum, gold or silver.
[0077] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0078] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0079] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0080] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0081] In an embodiment of a second aspect of the present disclosure, a device 10 for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine is provided. The
clothes care machine includes a steam generator for generating steam and an output
power supply 21 for providing a protection current to the steam generator. The steam
generator includes a heater 1. The device includes: an electric conductor 22 installed
in the steam generator and electrically insulated from the heater 1; a first connecting
wire 23 electrically connected with the heater 1; a second connecting wire 24 electrically
connected with the electric conductor 22; a first conducting plate 25 by which a negative
terminal of the output power supply 21 is connected with the first connecting wire
23; and a second conducting plate 26 by which a positive terminal of the output power
supply 21 is connected with the second connecting wire 24. The electric conductor
22 contacts with water in the steam generator to form a current loop, so as to compensate
for electrons lost in the heater 1, and to prevent the heater 1 from being corroded
due to an electron loss.
[0082] In the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the current loop including the output
power supply 21, the conducting plates, the electric conductor 22, water and the heater
1 is formed by installing the electric conductor 22 in the steam generator, the electric
conductor 22 being electrically insulated from the heater 1, electrically connecting
the heater 1 to the negative terminal of the output power supply 21, electrically
connecting the positive terminal of the output power supply 21 to the electric conductor
22, and contacting the electric conductor 22 with water in the steam generator. Namely,
the impressed current is applied on the surface of the heater 1 so that the heater
1 acts as the cathode. Therefore, the electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical
corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1
is avoided or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater 1 is thus extended.
[0083] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the output power supply 21 of the device 10 for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is a DC power supply or a power supply with constant electrical
polarity.
[0084] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the electric conductor 22 may be replaced by any device capable of donating
free electrons to the heater 1, such as an electron gun.
[0085] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the steam generator further includes a shell 42 fitted over the heater
1 and a water tank 3 communicated with the shell 42 to form a water supply loop.
[0086] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the electric conductor 22 is preferably installed in the heater 1, at
the shell 42 or at the water tank 3.
[0087] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the electric conductor 22 is arranged in the heater 1, at the shell 42,
or at the water tank 3, in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction or in a
lateral inclined direction, by means of screwing or interference fitting.
[0088] In the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shell 42 and the water tank 3 are
communicated to form the water supply loop. Therefore, the electric conductor 22 can
be contacted with the water in the steam generator whether the electric conductor
22 is installed in the heater 1, at the shell 42 or at the water tank 3, and thus
the current loop including the output power supply 21, the conducting plates, the
electric conductor 22, water and the heater 1 is formed. Namely, the impressed current
is applied on the surface of the heater 1 so that the heater 1 acts as the cathode,
and the electric conductor 22 is ensured to be electrically insulated from the heater
1. Therefore, the electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion
is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 is avoided
or restrained, and the lifetime of the heater 1 is thus extended.
[0089] Certainly, the electric conductor 22 may be installed in the heater 1, at the shell
42, at the water tank 3, such as on a base of the water tank 3, in the vertical direction,
in the horizontal direction or in the lateral inclined direction, by means of screwing
or interference fitting, as long as the electrical connection is efficiently ensured
and the electric conductor 22 is contacted with the water in the steam generator.
[0090] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
preferably, the steam generator further includes a base 41 defining an installing
groove therein for placing the output power supply 21. The device further includes
a battery cover 5 threaded for screwing the battery cover 5 into the base 41 and covering
the installing groove.
[0091] In the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by defining the installing groove in the
base 41 of the steam generator to place the output power supply 21 and threading the
battery cover 5 for screwing the battery cover 5 into the base 41 and thus covering
the installing groove, the output power supply 21 is fixed on the device 10 for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of the heater, thereby preventing the output power supply
21 from being detached from the device 10, protecting the output power supply 21 in
isolation, and facilitating the replacement of the output power supply 21.
[0092] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
the installing groove for placing the output power supply 21 is preferably defined
in the shell 42.
[0093] In the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the installing groove is defined in the
shell 42, thereby facilitating the electrical connection of the output power supply
21 with the heater 1 and the electric conductor 22, and saving wires.
[0094] Certainly, the installing groove may be arranged in other places such as the control
circuit board of the steam generator, depending on actual requirements.
[0095] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the above technical solution,
the second connecting wire 24 is fixed on the heater 1 for electrically connecting
with the heater 1 preferably by screw fixation. The heater 1 is a metal heater and
the metal is selected from a group including aluminum, iron and copper. The electric
conductor 22 is an inert electric conductor which is made of a material selected from
a group including graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with platinum,
gold or silver.
[0096] In the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the way for fixing the wire on the heater
1 includes but is not limited to screw fixation. The heater 1 is the metal heater,
preferably a heater 1 made of active metal including but not limited to aluminum,
iron or cooper. The electric conductor 22 is the inert electric conductor made of
the material including but not limited to graphite, platinum, gold, silver or the
material plated with platinum, gold or silver.
[0097] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0098] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the steam generator
50 includes a device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater as
described in any one of the above embodiments.
[0099] In the steam generator 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with
the device 10 for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater, a current loop
including the output power supply, the conducting plates, the electric conductor,
water and the heater is formed by installing the electric conductor in the steam generator
50, the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the heater 1, electrically
connecting the heater of the steam generator 50 to the negative terminal of the output
power supply, electrically connecting the positive terminal of the output power supply
to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with water in the
steam generator 50. Namely, an impressed current is applied on the surface of the
heater so that the heater acts as a cathode, and the electric conductor is ensured
to be electrically insulated from the heater 1. Therefore, the electron migration
of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained, the lifetime of the heater is thus
extended, and thereby the lifetime of the steam generator 50 is extended.
[0100] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a clothes care machine according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0101] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the clothes
care machine 60 includes a steam generator 50 described above.
[0102] In the clothes care machine 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
a current loop including the output power supply, the conducting plates, the electric
conductor, water and the heater is formed by installing the electric conductor in
the steam generator 50, electrically connecting the heater of the steam generator
50 to the negative terminal of the output power supply, electrically connecting the
positive terminal of the output power supply to the electric conductor, the electric
conductor being electrically insulated from the heater, and contacting the electric
conductor with water in the steam generator 50. Namely, an impressed current is applied
on the surface of the heater so that the heater acts as a cathode. Therefore, the
electron migration of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently
restrained, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater is avoided or restrained,
the lifetime of the heater is thus extended, and thereby the lifetime of the clothes
care machine 60 is extended.
[0103] The technical solutions of the present disclosure are described in detail hereinabove
with reference to drawings. With these technical solutions, the electron migration
of the metal caused by electrochemical corrosion is efficiently restrained, thereby
avoiding or restraining the electrochemical corrosion of the heater, and extending
the lifetime of the heater.
[0104] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
the heater for the clothes care machine provided in Example 1 of the present disclosure
specifically includes: disposing a cathode protecting apparatus 2 in the clothes care
machine, electrically connecting a negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus
2 to the heater 1 which is used for heating a liquid medium 100, and electrically
connecting a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus 2 to the liquid
medium 100, such that a current loop is formed by connecting the cathode protecting
apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid medium 100, and thus the electron migration
of the heater 1 is restrained. Specifically, the liquid medium 100 may be water or
a mixture of water and a solute. In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of the heater for the clothes care machine according to this embodiment, the cathode
protecting apparatus 2 connects the heater 1 with the liquid medium 100 to form the
current loop, in which the heater 1 is at a cathode terminal of the current loop and
the liquid medium 100 is at an anode terminal of the current loop. Therefore, the
cathode protecting apparatus 2 may supplement electrons to the heater 1, thereby restraining
the electron loss of the heater 1 due to electron migration, efficiently preventing
the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 and greatly reducing the effect of the
electrochemical corrosion on the lifetime and properties of the heater 1.
[0105] Preferably, the heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum,
iron and copper. In other words, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of the heater for the clothes care machine provided in Example 1 is preferably applied
to an aluminum heater, an iron heater or a copper heater. Although the aluminum heater,
the iron heater and the copper heater are easy to be electrochemically corroded under
humid environment, the electrochemical corrosions of those heaters are efficiently
prevented by the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater according
to the present disclosure, thereby greatly improving the quality reliability and extending
the lifetime of those heaters.
[0106] Specifically, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 has an output power supply 21, an
electric conductor 22, a first connecting wire 23 and a second connecting wire 24.
The output power supply 21 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity. The negative terminal of the output power supply 21 is connected
with a first end of the first connecting wire 23, and the heater 1 is connected with
a second end of the first connecting wire 23. The positive terminal of the output
power supply 21 is connected with a first end of the second connecting wire 24, and
the electric conductor 22 is connected with a second end of the second connecting
wire 24. The electric conductor 22 is contacted with the liquid medium 100. The "constant
electrical polarity" indicates that the electrical polarity of the output power supply
21 does not change, i.e. the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output
power supply 21 may not exchange. In this Example, through the cooperation of the
output power supply 21, the electric conductor 22, the first connecting wire 23 and
the second connecting wire 24, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 can be effectively
connected with the heater 1 and the liquid medium 100 to form the current loop, with
the heater 1 at the cathode terminal of the current loop, thereby effectively restraining
the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 due to the electron migration. Besides
electrically connecting the heater 1 and the negative terminal, the first connecting
wire 23 may prevent a direct contact of the output power supply 21 and the heater
1. Therefore, by non-contacting arrangement of the output power supply 21 and the
heater 1, the massive heat generated from the heater 1 during working may be prevented
from being directly transported to the output power supply 21, thereby guaranteeing
the lifetime of the output power supply 21.
[0107] Preferably, in a specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 is a DC power supply.
Specifically, the DC power supply may be a dry cell, a storage battery, or a DC power
generator. The DC power supply has the constant electric polarity, which meets the
requirement for the property of the output power supply 21. In a preferred embodiment,
the output power supply 21 is the dry cell. The dry cell is known as its small size,
low cost and easy installation. By adopting the dry cell, the method for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine according to
this embodiment may be easily achieved with a comparatively low cost.
[0108] Optionally, in another specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 may be a combination
of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier. The constant electric polarity
of the output power supply 21 may be realized by rectifying of the rectifier, thus
meeting the requirement for the property of the output power supply 21. In addition,
in this embodiment, an output voltage of the output power supply 21 may be adjusted.
Therefore, the output voltage of the output power supply 21 may be flexibly adjusted
depending on the specific working conditions, such as the deposit on the surface of
the heater 1 and the deposit on the surface of the electric conductor 22, to guarantee
a current value in the current loop. As a result, a reliability of the cathode protecting
apparatus 2 to prevent electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 is ensured.
[0109] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is disposed in the heater 1 through a top or
a bottom or a side of the heater 1. The electric conductor 22 is contacted with the
liquid medium 100 in the heater 1. By each arrangement above, an electrical connection
between the electric conductor 22 and the liquid medium 100 in the heater 1 can be
achieved.
[0110] More preferably, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the side of the
heater 1. An end of the electric conductor 22 extends to contact with the liquid medium
100 in the heater 1. By disposing the electric conductor 22 through the side of the
heater 1, on the one hand, it is beneficial to the installation and fixation of the
electric conductor 22, and the installation place of the heater 1 is flexible; on
the other hand, it is convenient for an arrangement of the second connecting wire
24. Specifically, in this embodiment, the electric conductor 22 is disposed in the
heater 1 through the side of the heater 1 by a horizontal extending way or an inclined
extending way, each enables the electric conductor 22 to be arranged in the heater
1 through the side of the heater 1. Optionally, in a specific situation, the electric
conductor 22 may be disposed in the heater 1 through the top or the bottom of the
heater 1 by a vertically extending way or an inclined extending way.
[0111] Further, in the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for
the clothes care machine hereinbefore, a water tank 3 may be disposed and a duct 7
may be further disposed between the tank 3 and the heater 1. The electric conductor
22 is penetrated through the heater 1 and contacted with the liquid medium 100 in
the heater 1; or the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the water tank 3
and contacted with the liquid medium 100 in the water tank 3; or the electric conductor
22 is penetrated through the duct 7 and contacted with the liquid medium 100 in the
duct 7. The heater 1 defines a heating chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium
100 therein. The water tank 3 defines a water storage chamber 31 for accommodating
the liquid medium 100 therein. The duct 7 defines a hollow internal path 71 for the
flowing of the liquid medium 100. The heating chamber 11 and the water storage chamber
31 are communicated by the hollow internal path 71. Therefore, the current loop can
be formed by connecting the cathode protecting apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid
medium 100 and contacting the electric conductor 22 with the liquid medium 100 either
in the heating chamber 11, in the water storage chamber 31 or in the hollow internal
path 71, thereby preventing the heater 1 from being electrochemically corroded.
[0112] Specifically, the electric conductor 22 may be disposed in the water tank 3 through
the top or the bottom or the side of the water tank 3 and contacted with the liquid
medium 100 in the water tank 3. In each case, an electrical connection between the
electric conductor 22 and the liquid medium 100 in the water tank 3 can be achieved.
More specifically, the electric conductor 22 may be disposed in the water tank 3 through
the side of the water tank 3 by a horizontal extending way or an inclined extending
way. Optionally, the electric conductor 22 may be disposed in the water tank 3 through
the top or the bottom of the water tank 3 by a vertically extending way or an inclined
extending way.
[0113] Additionally, a cut-off valve may be disposed at the duct 7 for controlling the opening
or closure of the duct 7, which is beneficial to maintenance of the product.
[0114] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the
electric conductor 22 is a conductive component with its surface coated with the inert
metal. Therefore, the electrochemical corrosion on the surface of the electric conductor
22 is prevented and the reliability of the electric conductor 22 is ensured, thereby
ensuring the lifetime and the electric conductivity of the electric conductor 22.
Specifically, the inert metal may be platinum, gold or silver and so forth.
[0115] Further, the Example 1 of the present disclosure further provides a clothes care
machine including a cathode protecting apparatus 2 and a heater 1 for heating a liquid
medium 100. The cathode protecting apparatus 2 has a positive terminal and a negative
terminal. The cathode protecting apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid medium 100
are connected to form a current loop. The negative terminal of the cathode protecting
apparatus 2 is electrically connected to the heater 1, and the positive terminal of
the cathode protecting apparatus 2 is electrically connected to the liquid medium
100. The clothes care machine according to the instant example may further include
a hanger (not shown) for hanging clothes. As the clothes care machine applies the
method mentioned above to prevent the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1, the
performance and the lifetime of the clothes care machine are effectively guaranteed,
the quality reliability of the clothes care machine is improved, and thus the competitiveness
of the product is enhanced.
[0116] Preferably, in the clothes care machine of Example 1 of the present disclosure, the
heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum, iron and
copper. In other words, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the
heater for the clothes care machine provided in Example 1 is preferably applied to
an aluminum heater, an iron heater or a copper heater.
[0117] Preferably, in the clothes care machine of Example 1 of the present disclosure, the
cathode protecting apparatus 2 includes the output power supply 21 having a positive
terminal and a negative terminal in the constant electric polarity, the electric conductor
22 contacted with the liquid medium 100, the first connecting wire 23 electrically
connecting the heater 1 and the negative terminal, and the second connecting wire
24 electrically connecting the electric conductor 22 and the positive terminal.
[0118] Preferably, the output power supply 21 may be the DC power supply. The DC power supply
may be the dry cell, the storage battery, or the DC power generator. More preferably,
the output power supply 21 is the dry cell. Optionally, the output power supply 21
may also be the combination of the AC power supply, the transformer and the rectifier.
[0119] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 may be disposed in the heater 1 through the
top or the bottom or the side of the heater 1. More preferably, the electric conductor
22 is disposed in the heater 1 through the side of the heater 1 and an end of the
electric conductor 22 extends to contact with the liquid medium 100 in the heater
1. Specifically, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the side of the heater
1 by the horizontal extending way or the inclined extending way.
[0120] Preferably, the clothes care machine of Example 1 of present disclosure further includes
the water tank 3 and the duct 7 connected between the water tank 3 and the heater
1. The electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the heater 1 and contacted with
the liquid medium 100 in the heater 1; or the electric conductor 22 is penetrated
through the water tank 3 and contacted with the liquid medium 100 in the water tank
3; or the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the duct 7 and contacted with
the liquid medium 100 in the duct 7.
[0121] Specifically, the electric conductor 22 is disposed in the water tank 3 through the
top or the bottom or the side of the water tank 3 and contacted with the liquid medium
100 in the water tank 3. More specifically, the electric conductor 22 may be disposed
in the water tank 3 through the side of the water tank 3 by the horizontal extending
way or inclined extending way. Optionally, the electric conductor 22 may also be disposed
in the water tank 3 through the top or the bottom of the water tank 3 by the vertically
extending way or inclined extending way.
[0122] Additionally, the cut-off valve may be disposed at the duct 7 for controlling the
opening or closure of the duct 7, which is beneficial to maintenance of the product.
[0123] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of the inert metal or graphite, or
the electric conductor 22 is the conductive component with its surface coated with
the inert metal. The inert metal may be platinum, gold or silver and so forth.
[0124] As a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine is a
garment steamer. By providing the garment steamer with a configuration for realizing
the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine mentioned hereinbefore, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1
of the garment steamer can be efficiently restrained. As a result, the quality reliability
and the lifetime of the garment steamer may be further improved.
Example 2:
[0125] In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine of Example 2, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 is configured to directly
emit electrons to the heater 1 such that the electron migration of the heater 1 is
restrained. Accordingly, in the clothes care machine according to this example, the
cathode protecting apparatus 2 is an electron emitter, such as an electron gun, which
can emit electrons to the heater 1. A major difference between Example 2 and Example
1 is that: the cathode protecting apparatus 2 in Example 1 enables the heater 1 and
the liquid medium 100 to be connected to form a current loop; whereas in Example 2,
the cathode protecting apparatus 2 does not make the heater 1 and the liquid medium
100 to be connected to form a current loop, but directly and separately emit electrons
to the heater 1. In such a case, the objective of supplementing electrons to the heater
1 can also be achieved. Therefore, the electron loss of the heater 1 due to the electron
migration can also be restrained, thereby effectively preventing the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater 1.
[0126] Specifically, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for
the clothes care machine provided in this Example also is preferably applied to the
aluminum heater, the iron heater or the copper heater. Therefore, the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater 1 can be efficiently prevented, and the quality reliability
and the lifetime of the aluminum heater, the iron heater or the copper heater can
be greatly improved.
[0127] As illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of the heater for the clothes care machine according to examples of the present disclosure
specifically includes: disposing a cathode protecting apparatus 2 on the clothes care
machine, electrically connecting a negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus
2 to the heater 1 which is used for heating a liquid medium, and electrically connecting
a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus 2 to the liquid medium in
the heater 1, such that the cathode protecting apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid
medium are connected to form a current loop, thereby restraining the electron migration
of the heater 1. The liquid medium specifically may be water or a mixture of water
and a solute. In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
for the clothes care machine according to this example, the cathode protecting apparatus
2 connects the heater 1 with the liquid medium in heater 1 to form the current loop,
in which the heater 1 is at the cathode of the current loop and the liquid medium
is at the anode of the current loop. Therefore, the cathode protecting apparatus 2
may supplement electrons to the heater 1, thereby restraining the electron loss of
the heater 1 due to electron migration, efficiently preventing the heater 1 from being
electrochemically corroded, and greatly reducing the effect of the electrochemical
corrosion on the lifetime and properties of the heater 1.
[0128] Preferably, the heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum,
iron and copper. In other words, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion
of the heater for the clothes care machine provided in the instant example is preferably
applied to the aluminum heater, the iron heater or the copper heater. Although the
aluminum heater, the iron heater or the copper heater is easy to be electrochemically
corroded in the humid environment, the electrochemical corrosions of those heaters
are efficiently prevented by the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
the heater, thereby greatly improving the quality reliability and extending the lifetime
of those heaters.
[0129] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the cathode protecting apparatus
2 has an output power supply 21, an electric conductor 22, a first connecting wire
23 and a second connecting wire 24. The output power supply 21 has a positive terminal
and a negative terminal in constant electrical polarity. The negative terminal of
the output power supply 21 is connected with a first end of the first connecting wire
23, and the heater 1 is connected with a second end of the first connecting wire 23.
The positive terminal of the output power supply 21 is connected with a first end
of the second connecting wire 24, and the electric conductor 22 is connected with
a second end of the second connecting wire 24. The electric conductor 22 is contacted
with the liquid medium in the heater 1. The "constant electrical polarity" indicates
that the electrical polarity of the output power supply 21 does not change, i.e. the
positive terminal and the negative terminal of the output power supply 21 may not
exchange. In the instant example, through the cooperation of the output power supply
21, the electric conducts 22, the first connecting wire 23 and the second connecting
wire 24, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 can be effectively connected with the
heater 1 and the liquid medium to form the current loop, with the heater 1 at the
cathode terminal of the current loop, thereby effectively restraining the electrochemical
corrosion of the heater 1 due to the electron migration. Besides electrically connecting
the heater 1 and the negative terminal, the first connecting wire 23 may prevent the
direct contact of the output power supply 21 and the heater 1. Therefore, by non-contacting
arrangement of the output power supply 21 and the heater 1, the massive heat generated
from the heater 1 during working may be prevented from being directly transported
to the output power supply 21, thereby guaranteeing the lifetime of the output power
supply 21.
[0130] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the heater 1 includes a lower cover
101 and an upper cover 102. The upper cover 102 covers the lower cover 101, defining
a heating chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium. The electric conductor 22
is penetrated through the upper cover 102 or the lower cover 101, and extends to contact
with the liquid medium in the heating chamber 11. In the instant example, the heater
1 is designed to include two parts, i.e. the upper cover 102 and the lower cover 101,
which facilitates the formation of the heating chamber 11. By disposing the electric
conductor 22 through the upper cover 102 or the lower cover 101, on the one hand,
the installation and fixation of the electric conductor 22 in the heater 1 may be
realized; on the other hand, the electric conductor 22 is contacted with the liquid
medium in the heating chamber 11, thereby realizing the electrical connection of the
electric conductor 22 and the liquid medium in the heating chamber 11.
[0131] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 may be fixed in the heater 1 by means of threaded
connection. Optionally, the electric conductor 22 may be fixed in the heater 1 by
means of interference fitting. In order to prevent the direct electrical connection
of the electric conductor 22 and the heater 1, an insulating duct (not shown) may
be provided between the electric conductor 22 and the heater 1. Specifically, through
the insulating duct, the electric conductor 22 is fixed in the heater 1 by means of
the threaded connection or the interference fitting. Specifically, an installing hole
(not shown) is defined in the heater, and the insulating duct is fixed in the installing
hole. The electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the insulating duct by means
of threaded connection (the electric conductor 22 is threaded on its outer surface,
and the insulating duct is threaded internally to cooperate with the electric conductor
22) or by interference fitting, thereby realizing the installation and fixation of
the electric conductor 22 in the heater 1. Despite insulating the electric conductor
22 from the heater 1, the insulating duct may also seal a fitting part where the electric
conductor 22 is fitted with the heater 1.
[0132] Specifically, in the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
for the clothes care machine described above, the electric conductor 22 may be penetrated
through the upper cover 102 by a horizontal extending way or inclined extending way.
Optionally, the electric conductor 22 may be penetrated through the lower cover 101
by a vertical extending way or inclined extending way. In each case, the electric
conductor 22 can be installed through the heater 1 and contacted with the liquid medium
in the heater 1. In a preferred embodiment of this example, as illustrated in Fig.
3, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the upper cover 102 by inclined
extending way, in such an arrangement, on the one hand, an installing place of the
electric conductor 22 is flexible as the upper cover 102 has a large installing space,
on the other hand, a sealing requirement for installing the electric conductor 22
may be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure the contact reliability
of the electric conductor 22 and the liquid medium in the heating chamber 11 in a
long term, an end of the electric conductor 22 penetrated through the heating chamber
11 can extend to a position near the bottom of the heating chamber 11. In a preferred
embodiment of this example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the electric conductor 22 is
penetrated through a middle of the lower cover 101 vertically, in this case, as the
electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the bottom of the heating chamber 11,
the contact of the electric conductor 22 and the liquid medium in the heating chamber
11 can still be ensured even if a limited amount of liquid medium is contained in
the heating chamber 11. As a result, the contact reliability of the electric conductor
22 and the liquid medium in the heating chamber 11 can be ensured in a long term.
[0133] Preferably, in a specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 is a DC power supply.
Specifically, the DC power supply may be a dry cell, a storage battery, or a DC power
generator. The DC power supply has constant electric polarity, which meets the requirement
for the property of the output power supply 21. In a preferred embodiment, the output
power supply 21 is the dry cell. The dry cell is known as its small size, low cost
and easy installation. By adopting the dry cell, the method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine may be easily achieved with a
comparatively low cost.
[0134] Optionally, in another specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 may be a combination
of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier. The constant electric polarity
of the output power supply 21 may still be realized by rectifying of the rectifier,
thus meeting the requirement for the property of the output power supply 21. In addition,
in this embodiment, the output voltage of the output power supply 21 may be adjusted.
Therefore, the output voltage of the output power supply 21 may be flexibly adjusted
depending on a specific working condition, such as the deposit on the surface of the
heater 1 and the deposit on the surface of the electric conductor 22, to ensure the
current value in the current loop. As a result, the reliability of the cathode protecting
apparatus 2 to prevent electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 is effectively ensured.
[0135] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine described above, a main body
4 is additionally disposed. The output power supply 21 is a battery, the heater 1
is arranged in the main body 4, a battery groove is formed in the main body 4, and
the battery is arranged in the battery groove. Optionally, in the method for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine described above,
a main body 4 and a control circuit board are additionally disposed, the output power
supply 21 is a battery, the heater 1 and the control circuit board are arranged in
the main body 4, a battery groove is formed in the main body 4 or the control circuit
board, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove. By the arrangement of the
main body 4, on the one hand, the installation and fixation of the heater 1 can be
realized, on the other hand, the heater 1 can be protected effectively, and the using
reliability can be improved. The arrangement of the control circuit board is beneficial
to the power control of the clothes care machine. The arrangement of the battery groove
is beneficial to the fixation and installation of the output power supply 21.
[0136] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine described above, a battery cover
5 is disposed. The battery cover 5 covers and is fixed on the battery groove by a
threaded connection or a snap connection. The arrangement of the battery cover 5 is
beneficial to ensure a seal effect of the output power supply 21 in the battery groove
and to protect the output power supply 21. Both the threaded connection and snap connection
are characterized by a convenient assembly and disassembly and a reliable fixation.
Therefore, it is beneficial to ensure the stability and reliability of the installation
of the battery cover 5, to the quick assembly and disassembly of the battery cover
5 and to the replacement of the product.
[0137] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the battery cover 5 is arranged
outside of the main body 4. Therefore, the assembly and disassembly of the battery
cover 5 may be performed outside of the main body 4. That is, the assembly and disassembly
of the main body 4 is not essential for the assembly and disassembly of the battery
cover 5. Therefore, it is beneficial to the assembly and disassembly of the battery
cover 5 and to the maintenance of the product.
[0138] Preferably, the main body 4 includes a base 4 and a shell 42. The shell 42 covers
and is fixed on the base 41 to define an accommodating chamber. The heater 1 is arranged
in the accommodating chamber, and a battery groove is formed in the base 41 or the
shell 42. In this example, the main body 4 is designed to include two parts, i.e.
the base 41 and the shell 42, which facilitates the formation of the accommodating
chamber and further to reduce the difficulty for manufacturing the main body 4.
[0139] Preferably, a first conducting plate 25 is disposed at the negative terminal and
a second conducting plate 26 is disposed at the positive terminal. The first end of
the first connecting wire 23 is connected to the first conducting plate 25, and the
first end of the second connecting wire 24 is connected to the second conducting plate
26. Specifically, the first conducting plate 25 and the second conducting plate 26
may be installed on the main body 4. The arrangement of the first conducting plate
25 and the second conducting plate 26 is beneficial, on the one hand, to a location
of the first connecting wire 23 and the second connecting wire 24, ensuring a good
contact of the first connecting wire 23, the second connecting wire 24 and the output
power supply 21, and ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection of the
first connecting wire 23 to the negative terminal and the electrical connection of
the second connecting wire 24 to the positive terminal; on the other hand, to the
assembly and disassembly of the output power supply 21.
[0140] Preferably, the second end of the first connecting wire 23 is fixed on the heater
1 by a screw (not shown). Therefore, both the electrical connection of the first connecting
wire 23 to the heater 1 and the limiting arrangement of the first connecting wire
23 can be realized. Besides, it is convenient for the assembly and disassembly of
the screw.
[0141] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, in the above method for preventing
electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine, it is also possible
to provide a water tank 3 and a duct (not shown) between the water tank 3 and the
heater 1. The heater 1 has a heating chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium.
The water tank 3 has a water storage chamber 31 for accommodating the liquid medium.
The duct has a hollow internal path for the flowing of the liquid medium, and the
hollow internal path can communicate the heating chamber 11 with the water storage
chamber 31. The water tank 3 may be configured to store a certain amount of the liquid
medium and supplement the liquid medium to the heater 1 through the duct. Preferably,
the water tank 3 is arranged outside of the main body 4. Therefore, the real-time
observation for the volume of the liquid medium in water tank 3 is realized, thereby
preventing the heater 1 from being parched due to a shortage of water, and ensuring
the usage safety and reliability of the product.
[0142] Further, it is also possible to provide a cut-off valve (not shown) at the duct for
controlling the opening and closure of the duct, which is beneficial to maintenance
of the product.
[0143] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the
electric conductor 22 is a conductive component with its surface coated with the inert
metal. Therefore, the electrochemical corrosion on the surface of the electric conductor
22 is prevented and the reliability of the electric conductor 22 is ensured, thereby
ensuring the lifetime and the electric conductivity of the electric conductor 22.
Specifically, the inert metal may be platinum, gold or silver and so forth. In specific
applications, the electric conductor 22 may also be made of other metal materials,
such as sodium, zinc, iron, aluminum, copper and the like.
[0144] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a clothes care machine is further provided
in an example of the present disclosure, the clothes care machine includes a cathode
protecting apparatus 2 and a heater 1 for heating the liquid medium. The cathode protecting
apparatus 2 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The cathode protecting
apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid medium are connected to form a current loop
where the negative terminal is electrically connected to the heater 1, and the positive
terminal is electrically connected to the liquid medium in the heater 1. The clothes
care machine in the instant example may further include a hanger (not shown) for hanging
clothes. As the clothes care machine applies the method mentioned above to prevent
the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1, the performance and the lifetime of
the clothes care machine are effectively guaranteed, the quality reliability of the
clothes care machine is improved, and thus the competitiveness of the product is enhanced.
[0145] The configuration, configured to perform a method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of a heater of a household appliance, of the clothes care machine according
to examples of present disclosure may be designed and optimized with reference to
the method as described hereinbefore, and specifically as follows.
[0146] Preferably, in the clothes care machine according to an example of present disclosure,
the heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum, iron
or copper; in other words, the heater 1 of the clothes care machine is preferably
an aluminum heater, an iron heater or a copper heater. The specific configuration
and design principle may refer to that described in the above corresponding method,
and will not be elaborated here.
[0147] Preferably, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 includes an output power supply 21
having a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant electrical polarity,
an electric conductor 22 contacted with the liquid medium in the heater 1, a first
connecting wire 23 electrically connected between the heater 1 and the negative terminal,
and a second connecting wire 24 electrically connected between the electric conductor
22 and the positive terminal. The specific configuration and design principle may
refer to that described in the corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0148] Preferably, the heater 1 includes a lower cover 101 and an upper cover 102, the upper
cover 102 covers the lower cover 101, defining a heating chamber 11 for accommodating
the liquid medium, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the upper cover
102 or the lower cover 101, and extends to contact with the liquid medium contained
in the heating chamber 11. The specific configuration and design principle may refer
to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0149] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the upper cover 102 by
a horizontal extending way or an inclined extending way; optionally, the electric
conductor 22 is penetrated through the lower cover 22 by a vertical extending way
or an inclined extending way. Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated
through the middle of the lower cover 101 vertically. The specific configuration and
design principle may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and
will not be elaborated here.
[0150] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is fixed in the heater 1 by a screw connection;
or the electric conductor 22 is fixed in the heater 1 by an interference fitting.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0151] Preferably, the output power supply 21 is a DC power supply; or the output power
supply 21 is a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier. The
specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the above
corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0152] Preferably, the clothes care machine described above further includes a main body
4, the output power supply 21 is a battery, the heater 1 is arranged in the main body
4, a battery groove is formed in the main body 4, and the battery is arranged in the
battery groove; optionally, the clothes care machine described above further includes
a main body 4 and a control circuit board, the output power supply 21 is a battery,
the heater 1 and the control circuit board are arranged in the main body 4, a battery
groove is formed in the main body 4 or the control circuit board, and the battery
is arranged in the battery groove. The specific configuration and design principle
may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated
here.
[0153] Preferably, the clothes care machine described above further includes a battery cover
5 covering and fixed on the battery groove by a threaded connection or a snap connection.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0154] Preferably, the battery cover 5 is arranged outside of the main body 4. The specific
configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the above corresponding
method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0155] Preferably, the main body 4 includes a base 41 and a shell 42, the shell 42 covers
and is fixed on the base 41 to define an accommodating chamber, the heater 1 is arranged
in the accommodating chamber, and a battery groove is formed in the base 41 or the
shell 42. The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described
in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0156] Preferably, the clothes care machine described above further includes a first conducting
plate 25 and a second conducting plate 26, the negative terminal is connected with
the first end of the first connecting wire 23 via the first conducting plate 25, and
the positive terminal is connected with the first end of the second connecting wire
24 via the second conducting plate 26. The specific configuration and design principle
may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated
here.
[0157] Preferably, the second end of the first connecting wire 23 is fixed on the heater
1 by a screw. The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described
in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0158] Additionally, the clothes care machine further includes a water tank 3 and a duct
(not shown) connected between the water tank 3 and the heater 1. The heater 1 has
a heating chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium, the water tank 3 has a water
storage chamber 31 for accommodating the liquid medium, the duct has a hollow internal
path for the flowing of the liquid medium, the hollow internal path can communicate
the heating chamber 11 with the water storage chamber 31. The water tank 3 may be
configured to store a certain amount of the liquid medium and supplement the liquid
medium to the heater 1 through the duct. Preferably, the water tank 3 is arranged
outside of the main body 4. The specific configuration and design principle may refer
to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0159] Additionally, it is also possible to provide a cut-off valve (not shown) at the duct
for controlling the opening and closure of the duct, which is beneficial to maintenance
of the product.
[0160] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the
electric conductor 22 is a conductive component with its surface coated with the inert
metal. The inert metal specifically may be platinum, gold or silver and so forth.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0161] In a specific embodiment of the example of the present disclosure, the clothes care
machine is a garment steamer and the heater 1 specifically is a heating tank of the
garment steamer. By providing the garment steamer with a configuration for realizing
the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine mentioned hereinbefore, the electrochemical corrosion of the heating
tank of the garment steamer can be efficiently restrained. As a result, the quality
reliability and the lifetime of the garment steamer may be further improved.
[0162] As illustrated in Fig. 4, specifically, the method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine according to an example of the
present disclosure includes:
disposing a cathode protecting apparatus 2 on the clothes care machine;
providing a channel 200 between a water tank 3 and a heater 1 for heating a liquid
medium, for flowing of the liquid medium to transport the liquid medium form the water
tank 3 to the heater 1;
electrically connecting a negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus 2
to the heater 1, and electrically connecting a positive terminal of the cathode protecting
apparatus 2 to the liquid medium in the water tank 3 or the channel 200, such that
a current loop is formed by connecting the cathode protecting apparatus 2, the heater
1 and the liquid medium, and thus the electron migration of the heater 1 is restrained.
Specifically, the liquid medium may be water or a mixture of water and a solute. The
water tank 3 may be configured to store a certain amount of the liquid medium and
supplement the liquid medium to the heater 1 through the channel 200. The heater 1
has a heating chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium. The water tank 3 has
a water storage chamber 31 for accommodating the liquid medium. The channel 200 may
communicate the heating chamber 11 with the water storage chamber 31. Therefore, the
current loop including the cathode protecting apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid
medium can be formed whether the electric conductor 22 is contacted with the liquid
medium in heating chamber 11, in the water storage chamber 31 or in the channel 200.
In the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine according to this example, through the cathode protecting apparatus 2,
the heater 1 is connected with the liquid medium in the water tank 3 or in the channel
200 to form the current loop where the heater 1 is at a cathode terminal of the current
loop, and the liquid medium is at an anode terminal of the current loop. Therefore,
the cathode protecting apparatus 2 may compensate for electrons to heater 1, thereby
restraining electron migration of the heater 1, effectively preventing the heater
1 from being electrochemically corroded, and greatly reducing the effect of the electrochemical
corrosion on the lifetime and properties of the heater 1.
[0163] Preferably, the heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum,
iron or copper. Namely, the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the
heater for the clothes care machine according to examples of the present disclosure
is preferably applied to an aluminum heater, an iron heater or a copper heater. Although
the aluminum heater, the iron heater or the copper heater is easy to be electrochemically
corroded in the humid environment, the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 is
efficiently prevented by the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the
heater, by which the quality reliability and the lifetime of the aluminum heater,
the iron heater or the copper heater are greatly improved.
[0164] Preferably, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 has an output power supply 21, an
electric conductor 22, a first connecting wire 23 and a second connecting wire 24.
The output power supply 21 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity. The negative terminal of the output power supply 21 is electrically
connected with a first end of the first connecting wire 23, and the heater 1 is electrically
connected with a second end of the first connecting wire 23. The positive terminal
of the output power supply 21 is electrically connected with a first end of the second
connecting wire 24, and the electric conductor 22 is electrically connected with a
second end of the second connecting wire 24. The electric conductor 22 is contacted
with the liquid medium in the water tank 3 or the liquid medium in the channel 200.
The "constant electrical polarity" indicates that the electrical polarity of the output
power supply 21 does not change, i.e. the positive terminal and the negative terminal
of the output power supply 21 may not exchange. In present example, through the cooperation
of the output power supply 21, the electric conductor 22, the first connecting wire
23 and the second connecting wire 24, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 can be effectively
connected with the heater 1 and the liquid medium to form the current loop, with the
heater 1 at the cathode terminal of the current loop, thereby effectively restraining
the electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 due to the electron migration. Besides
electrically connecting the heater 1 and the negative terminal, the first connecting
wire 23 may prevent the direct contact of the output power supply 21 and the heater
1. Therefore, by non-contacting arrangement of the output power supply 21 and the
heater 1, the massive heat generated from the heater 1 during working may be prevented
from being directly transported to the output power supply 21, thereby guaranteeing
the lifetime of the output power supply 21.
[0165] Preferably, in the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
for the clothes care machine described above, a main body 4 is additionally disposed.
The heater 1 is arranged in the main body 4. The water tank 3 is arranged outside
of the main body 4. The electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the main body
4 or the water tank 3 and extends to contact the liquid medium in the water tank 3
or in the channel 200. The main body 4, on the one hand, may support and fix the heater
1 and the water tank 3, on the other hand, may effectively protect the heater 1 and
thus improve the reliability and safety of the heater 1 during using. The water tank
3 is arranged outside of the main body 4. Therefore, the real-time observation for
the volume of the liquid medium in water tank 3 is realized, thereby preventing the
heater 1 from being parched due to a shortage of water, and ensuring the usage safety
and reliability of the product.
[0166] Preferably, a water outlet is formed in a bottom of the water tank 3 and a control
valve 6 is disposed at the water outlet. The electric conductor 22 is penetrated through
the main body 4 and extended below the control valve 6 to a valve core 61 of the control
valve 6, thereby allowing the electric conductor 22 to contact with the liquid medium
in the channel 200. Specifically, the control valve 6 includes a valve seat 62, the
valve core 61 slidably arranged in the valve seat 62, a spring 62 fitted over the
valve core 61, and a sealing rubber 64 fixed on an end of the valve core 61 for sealing
or opening the water outlet. Specifically, the valve seat 62 may be disposed at the
bottom of the water tank 3 by a screw. In a specific application, in a case that the
valve core 61 is not subjected to an external force, the sealing rubber 64 may attach
and seal the water outlet of the water tank 3. In this case, the water outlet is sealed
such that the liquid medium in the water tank 3 may not flow out from the water outlet.
In a case of arranging the water tank 3 on the main body 4, the valve core 61 may
subjected to an upward force from the electric conductor 22. Therefore, the valve
core 61 slides upward along the water outlet such that the sealing rubber 64 detaches
from the water outlet. As a result, the water outlet is opened such that the liquid
medium in the water tank 3 may flow into the channel 200 through the water outlet
and further flow into the metal heater. In this case, the electric conductor 22 is
contacted with the liquid medium in the channel 200. In this example, the electric
conductor 22 is arranged below the valve core 61. Therefore, on the one hand, the
water outlet keeps opening after the water tank 3 is arranged on the main body 4,
ensuring the communication of the water storage chamber 31 and the heating chamber
11 in the long term, thereby preventing the heater 1 from being parched due to shortage
of water; on the other hand, the contact of the electric conductor 22 and the liquid
medium in the channel 22 is achieved.
[0167] Preferably, in the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
for the clothes care machine described above, the electric conductor 22 is fixed in
the main body 4 by threaded connection. Optionally, the electric conductor 22 is fixed
in the main body 4 by means of interference fitting. In a specific application, an
insulating duct (not shown) may be provided between the electric conductor 22 and
the main body 4. Specifically, through the insulating duct, the electric conductor
22 may be fixed in the heater 1 by means of threaded connection or interference fitting.
Specifically, an installing hole (not shown) is disposed in the heater 1, and the
insulating duct is fixed in the installing hole. The electric conductor 22 is penetrated
through the insulating duct by threaded connection (the electric conductor 22 is threaded
on its outer surface, and the insulating duct is threaded internally to cooperate
with the electric conductor 22) or by interference fitting. Therefore, the installation
and fixation of the electric conductor 22 in the main body 4 are realized. The insulating
duct seals a fitting part where the electric conductor 22 is fitted with the main
body 4.
[0168] Preferably, in a specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 is a DC power supply.
Specifically, the DC power supply may be a dry cell, a storage battery, or a DC power
generator. The DC power supply has constant electric polarity, which meets the requirement
for the property of the output power supply 21. In a preferred embodiment, the DC
power supply 21 is the dry cell. The dry cell is known as its small size, low cost
and easy installation. By adopting the dry cell, the method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of the heater for the clothes care machine may be easily achieved with a
comparatively low cost.
[0169] Optionally, in another specific embodiment, the output power supply 21 may be a combination
of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier. The constant electric polarity
of the output power supply 21 may still be realized by rectifying of the rectifier,
thereby meeting the requirement for the property of the output power supply 21. In
addition, in this embodiment, the output voltage of the output power supply 21 may
be adjusted. Therefore, the output voltage of the output power supply 21 may be flexibly
adjusted depending on a specific working condition, such as the deposit on the surface
of the heater 1 and the deposit on the surface of the electric conductor 22, to ensure
the current value in the current loop. As a result, a reliability of the cathode protecting
apparatus 2 to prevent electrochemical corrosion of the heater 1 is effectively ensured.
[0170] Preferably, the output power supply 21 is a battery, a battery groove is formed in
the main body 4, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove. Optionally, in
the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine described above, a control circuit board (not shown) is additionally
disposed, the output power supply 21 is the battery, the control circuit board is
arranged in the main body 4, the battery groove is formed in the main body 4 or the
control circuit board, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove. Namely,
the battery groove may be arranged in the main body 4 or in the control circuit board.
The arrangement of the control circuit board is beneficial to a power control of a
household appliance. The arrangement of the battery groove is beneficial to the fixation
and installation of the output power supply 21.
[0171] Preferably, in the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater
for the clothes care machine described above, a battery cover 5 is additionally disposed.
The battery cover 5 covers and is fixed on the battery groove by a threaded connection
or a snap connection. The arrangement of the battery cover 5 is beneficial to the
sealing for the output power supply 21 in the battery groove and to the protection
for the output power supply 21. Both the threaded connection and snap connection are
characterized by a convenient assembly and disassembly and a reliable fixation. Therefore,
it is beneficial to ensure the stability and reliability of the installation of the
battery cover 5, to the quick assembly and disassembly of the battery cover 5, and
to the replacement of the product.
[0172] Preferably, the battery cover 5 is arranged outside of the main body 4. Therefore,
the assembly and disassembly of the battery cover 5 may be performed outside of the
main body 4. Namely, the assembly and disassembly of the main body 4 is not essential
for the assembly and disassembly of the battery cover 5. Therefore, it is beneficial
to the assembly and disassembly of the battery cover 5 and to the maintenance of the
product.
[0173] Preferably, the main body 4 includes a base 4 and a shell 42. The shell 42 covers
and is fixed on the base 41 to define an accommodating chamber. The heater 1 is arranged
in the accommodating chamber, and a battery groove is formed in the base 41 or the
shell 42. In this example, the main body 4 is designed to include two parts, i.e.
the base 41 and the shell 42, which facilitates the formation of the accommodating
chamber and further to reduce the difficulty for manufacturing the main body 4.
[0174] Preferably, a first conducting plate 25 is disposed at the negative terminal and
a second conducting plate 26 is disposed at the positive terminal. The first end of
the first connecting wire 23 is connected to the first conducting plate 25, and the
first end of the second connecting wire 24 is connected to the second conducting plate
26. Specifically, the first conducting plate 25 and the second conducting plate 26
may be installed on the main body 4. The arrangement of the first conducting plate
25 and the second conducting plate 26 is beneficial, on the one hand, to the location
of the first connecting wire 23 and the second connecting wire 24, ensuring a good
contact of the first connecting wire 23, the second connecting wire 24 and the output
power supply 21, and ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection of the
first connecting wire 23 to the negative terminal and the electrical connection of
the second connecting wire 24 to the positive terminal; on the other hand, to the
assembly and disassembly of the output power supply 21.
[0175] Preferably, the second end of the first connecting wire 23 is fixed on the heater
1 by a screw (not shown). Therefore, both the electrical connection of the first connecting
wire 23 to the heater 1 and the limiting arrangement for the first connecting wire
23 can be realized. Besides, it is convenient for the assembly and disassembly of
the screw.
[0176] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the
electric conductor 22 is a conductive component with its surface coated with the inert
metal. Therefore, the electrochemical corrosion on the surface of the electric conductor
22 is prevented and the reliability of the electric conductor 22 is ensured, thereby
ensuring the lifetime and the electric conductivity of the electric conductor 22.
Specifically, the inert metal may be mercury, platinum, gold or silver and so forth.
In specific applications, the electric conductor 22 may also be made of other metal
materials, such as sodium, zinc, iron, aluminum, copper and the like.
[0177] Preferably, the heater 1 includes a lower cover 101 and an upper cover 102, the upper
cover 102 covers the lower cover 101, defining a heating chamber 11 for accommodating
the liquid medium. In the instant example, the heater 1 is designed to include two
parts, i.e. the upper cover 102 and the lower cover 101, which facilitates the formation
of the heating chamber 11.
[0178] Further, a clothes care machine is further provided in an example of the present
disclosure, the clothes care machine includes a cathode protecting apparatus 2, a
water tank 3 and a heater 1 for heating the liquid medium. A channel 200 for the flowing
of the liquid medium is disposed between the water tank 3 and the heater 1. The cathode
protecting apparatus 2 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The cathode
protecting apparatus 2, the heater 1 and the liquid medium are connected to form a
current loop. The negative terminal is electrically connected to the heater 1, and
the positive terminal is electrically connected to the liquid medium in the water
tank 3 or in the channel 200. The clothes care machine according to the instant example
further includes a hanger (not shown) for hanging clothes. As the clothes care machine
applies the method mentioned above to prevent the electrochemical corrosion of the
heater 1, the performance and the lifetime of the clothes care machine are effectively
guaranteed, the quality reliability of the clothes care machine is improved, and thus
the competitiveness of the product is enhanced.
[0179] The configuration, configured to perform a method for preventing electrochemical
corrosion of a heater of a household appliance, of the clothes care machine according
to examples of present disclosure may be designed and optimized with reference to
the method as described hereinbefore,, and specifically as follows.
[0180] Preferably, in the clothes care machine according to an example of present disclosure,
the heater 1 is made of a material selected from a group including aluminum, iron
and copper; in other words, the heater 1 of the clothes care machine is preferably
an aluminum heater, an iron heater or a copper heater. The specific configuration
and design principle may refer to that described in the above corresponding method,
and will not be elaborated here.
[0181] Preferably, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 includes an output power supply 21
having a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant electrical polarity,
an electric conductor 22 contacted with the liquid medium in the water tank 3 or the
liquid medium in the channel 200, a first connecting wire 23 electrically connected
between the heater 1 and the negative terminal, and a second connecting wire 24 electrically
connected between the electric conductor 22 and the positive terminal. The specific
configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the corresponding
method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0182] Preferably, the clothes care machine further includes a main body 4, the heater 1
is arranged in the main body 4, the water tank 3 is arranged outside of the main body
4, the electric conductor 22 is penetrated through the main body 4 or the water tank
3, and extended to contact with the liquid medium in the water tank 3 or in the channel
200. The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in
the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0183] Preferably, a water outlet is formed in a bottom of the water tank 3 and a control
valve 6 having a valve core 61 is disposed at the water outlet, the electric conductor
22 is penetrated through the main body 4 and extended below the control valve 6 to
the valve core 61 of the control valve 6, and the electric conductor 22 is contacted
with the liquid medium in the channel 200. The specific configuration and design principle
may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated
here.
[0184] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is fixed on the main body 4 by a screw connection;
or the electric conductor 22 is fixed on the main body 4 by an interference fitting.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0185] Preferably, the output power supply 21 is a DC power supply; or the output power
supply 21 may be a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0186] Preferably, the output power supply 21 is a battery, a battery groove is formed in
the main body 4, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove; optionally, the
clothes care machine further includes a control circuit board, the output power supply
21 is a battery, the control circuit board is arranged in the main body 4, a battery
groove is formed in the main body 4 or the control circuit board, and the battery
is arranged in the battery groove. The specific configuration and design principle
may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated
here.
[0187] Preferably, the clothes care machine described above further includes a battery cover
5 covering and fixed on the battery groove by a threaded connection or a snap connection.
The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the
corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0188] Preferably, the battery cover 5 is arranged outside of the main body 4, and the specific
configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the above corresponding
method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0189] Preferably, the main body 4 includes a base 41 and a shell 42, the shell 42 covers
and is fixed on the base 41 to define an accommodating chamber, the heater 1 is arranged
in the accommodating chamber, and the battery groove is formed in the base 41 or the
shell 42. The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described
in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0190] Preferably, the cathode protecting apparatus 2 further includes a first conducting
plate 25 and a second conducting plate 26, the negative terminal is connected with
the first end of the first connecting wire 23 via the first conducting plate 25, and
the positive terminal is connected with the first end of the second connecting wire
24 via the second conducting plate 26. The specific configuration and design principle
may refer to that described in the above corresponding method, and will not be elaborated
here.
[0191] Preferably, the second end of the first connecting wire 23 is fixed on the heater
1 by a screw. The specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described
in the corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0192] Preferably, the electric conductor 22 is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the
electric conductor 22 is a conductive component with its surface coated with the inert
metal. The inert metal may be mercury, platinum, gold or silver and so forth. The
specific configuration and design principle may refer to that described in the above
corresponding method, and will not be elaborated here.
[0193] Preferably, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the heater 1 includes a lower cover 101 and
an upper cover 102, the upper cover 102 covers the lower cover 101, defining a heating
chamber 11 for accommodating the liquid medium. The specific configuration and design
principle may refer to that described in the corresponding method, and will not be
elaborated here.
[0194] As a specific embodiment of the example of the present disclosure, the clothes care
machine is a garment steamer, and specifically, the heater 1 is a heating tank of
the garment steamer. By providing the garment steamer with a configuration for realizing
the method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of the heater for the clothes
care machine mentioned hereinbefore, the electrochemical corrosion of the heating
tank of the garment steamer can be efficiently restrained. As a result, the quality
reliability and the lifetime of the garment steamer may be further improved.
[0195] In the present disclosure, the terms "install", "arrange", "dispose", "connection"
and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable
connections, or integral connections, which can be understood by those skilled in
the art according to specific situations.
[0196] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for purposes of description
and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to
imply the number of indicated technical features, which should be understood by those
skilled in the art.
[0197] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "one
embodiment", "another example," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples,"
means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as
"in some embodiments," "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in another example,"
"in an example," "in a specific example," or "in some examples," in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
embodiments or examples.
[0198] Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit
the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in
the embodiments without departing from spirit, principles and scope of the present
disclosure.
1. A method for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine,
wherein the clothes care machine comprises a steam generator for generating steam
and an output power supply for providing a protection current to the steam generator,
the steam generator comprises the heater, and the method comprises:
installing an electric conductor in the steam generator, the electric conductor being
electrically insulated from the heater, and
forming a current loop by electrically connecting the heater to a negative terminal
of the output power supply, electrically connecting a positive terminal of the output
power supply to the electric conductor, and contacting the electric conductor with
water in the steam generator, so as to compensate for electrons lost in the heater,
and to prevent the heater from being corroded due to an electron loss.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam generator further comprises a shell fitted
over the heater and a water tank communicated with the shell to form a water supply
loop, and the method further comprises:
installing the electric conductor in the heater, at the shell or at the water tank,
the electric conductor being electrically insulated from the heater, and
forming the current loop by contacting the electric conductor with the water supply
loop of the steam generator to compensate for electrons lost in the heater, and to
prevent the heater from being corroded due to the electron loss.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater is a metal heater, the metal is selected
from a group comprising aluminum, iron and copper; and
the electric conductor is an inert electric conductor and is made of a material selected
from a group comprising graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with
platinum, gold or silver.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed in the clothes
care machine,
a negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected
to the metal heater which is used for heating a liquid medium and a positive terminal
of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected to the liquid medium,
such that the current loop is formed by connecting the cathode protecting apparatus,
the metal heater and the liquid medium, and that an electron migration of the metal
heater is restrained; or
the cathode protecting apparatus is configured to directly emit electrons to the metal
heater of the clothes care machine such that the electron migration of the metal heater
is restrained.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cathode protecting apparatus comprises the output
power supply, the electric conductor, a first connecting wire and a second connecting
wire,
the output power supply has the positive terminal and the negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity,
the negative terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with a
first end of the first connecting wire, the metal heater is electrically connected
with a second end of the first connecting wire,
the positive terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with a
first end of the second connecting wire, the electric conductor is electrically connected
with a second end of the second connecting wire, and
the electric conductor is contacted with the liquid medium.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the output power supply is a DC power supply, or a
combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the electric conductor is disposed in the metal
heater through a top or a bottom or a side of the metal heater and the electric conductor
is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein a water tank is disposed and connected with the metal
heater by a duct, and
the electric conductor is penetrated through the metal heater and contacted with the
liquid medium in the metal heater; or
the electric conductor is penetrated through the water tank and contacted with the
liquid medium in the water tank; or
the electric conductor is penetrated through the duct and contacted with the liquid
medium in the duct.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the electric conductor is disposed in the water tank
through a top or a bottom or a side of the water tank and the electric conductor is
contacted with the liquid medium in the water tank.
10. The method of any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the electric conductor is made of
an inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component with
its outer surface coated with the inert metal,
the metal heater is made of aluminum, iron or copper.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed in the clothes
care machine, a negative terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically
connected to a metal heater used for heating a liquid medium and a positive terminal
of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected to the liquid medium
in the metal heater, such that the current loop is formed by connecting the cathode
protecting apparatus, the metal heater and the liquid medium, and that the electron
migration of the metal heater is restrained.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein a cathode protecting apparatus is disposed in the clothes
care machine, a channel for liquid medium flow is disposed between a water tank of
the clothes care machine and a metal heater used for heating a liquid medium; a negative
terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically connected to the metal
heater and a positive terminal of the cathode protecting apparatus is electrically
connected to the liquid medium in the water tank or in the channel, such that the
current loop is formed by connecting the cathode protecting apparatus, the metal heater
and the liquid medium, and that the electron migration of the metal heater is restrained.
13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the cathode protecting apparatus comprises the
output power supply, the electric conductor, a first connecting wire and a second
connecting wire,
the output power supply has the positive terminal and the negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity,
the negative terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with a
first end of the first connecting wire, the metal heater is electrically connected
with a second end of the first connecting wire,
the positive terminal of the output power supply is electrically connected with a
first end the second connecting wire, the electric conductor is electrically connected
with a second end of the second connecting wire, and
the electric conductor is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the output power supply is a DC power supply, or a
combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein a main body is disposed, the output power supply is
a battery, the metal heater is arranged in the main body, a battery groove is formed
in the main body, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove; or
a main body and a control circuit board are disposed, the output power supply is a
battery, the metal heater and the control circuit board are arranged in the main body,
a battery groove is formed in the main body or the control circuit board, and the
battery is arranged in the battery groove.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the main body comprises a base and a shell, the shell
covers and is fixed on the base to define an accommodating chamber, the metal heater
is arranged in the accommodating chamber, and the battery groove is formed in the
base or the shell.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein a first conducting plate is disposed on the negative
terminal, a second conducting plate is disposed on the positive terminal, the first
end of the first connecting wire is connected with the first conducting plate, and
the first end of the second connecting wire is connected with the second conducting
plate.
18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the electric conductor is made of
an inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component with
its surface coated with the inert metal.
19. A device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of a heater for a clothes care machine,
wherein the clothes care machine comprises a steam generator for generating steam
and an output power supply for providing a protection current to the steam generator,
the steam generator comprises the heater, and the device comprises:
an electric conductor installed in the steam generator and electrically insulated
from the heater;
a first connecting wire electrically connected with the heater;
a second connecting wire electrically connected with the electric conductor;
a first conducting plate by which a negative terminal of the output power supply is
connected with the first connecting wire; and
a second conducting plate by which a positive terminal of the output power supply
is connected with the second connecting wire,
wherein
the electric conductor contacts with water in the steam generator to form a current
loop, so as to compensate for electrons lost in the heater and to prevent the heater
from being corroded due to an electron loss.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the steam generator further comprises a shell fitted
over the heater and a water tank communicated with the shell to form a water supply
loop, wherein the electric conductor is arranged in the heater, at the shell or at
the water tank.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the electric conductor is arranged in the heater,
at the shell, at the water tank, or at the water supply loop by means of screwing
or interference fitting, in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction or in
a lateral inclined direction.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein:
the steam generator further comprises a base defining an installing groove therein
for placing the output power supply; and
the device further comprises a battery cover threaded for screwing the battery cover
into the base and covering the installing groove.
23. The device of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the second connecting wire is fixed
on the heater by a screw to electrically connect to the heater; and
the heater is a metal heater, where the metal is selected from a group comprising
aluminum, iron and copper; and
the electric conductor is an inert electric conductor made of a material selected
from a group comprising graphite, platinum, gold, silver or a material plated with
platinum, gold or silver.
24. A steam generator, comprising a device for preventing electrochemical corrosion of
a heater of any one of claims 19 to 23.
25. A clothes care machine, comprising a steam generator of claim 24.
26. A clothes care machine, comprising a metal heater for heating a liquid medium, wherein
the clothes care machine further comprises a cathode protecting apparatus having a
positive terminal electrically connected to the liquid medium and a negative terminal
electrically connected to the metal heater, and the cathode protecting apparatus,
the metal heater and the liquid medium are connected to form a current loop; or
the cathode protecting apparatus is an electron emitter configured to emit electrons
to the metal heater.
27. The clothes care machine of claim 26, wherein the cathode protecting apparatus comprises:
an output power supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal in constant
electrical polarity,
an electric conductor contacting with the liquid medium,
a first connecting wire electrically connected between the metal heater and the negative
terminal of the output power supply, and
a second connecting wire electrically connected between the electric conductor and
the positive terminal of the output power supply.
28. The clothes care machine of claim 27, wherein the output power supply is a DC power
supply, or a combination of an AC power supply, a transformer and a rectifier.
29. The clothes care machine of claim 27 or 28, wherein the electric conductor is disposed
in the metal heater through a top or a bottom or a side of the metal heater, and the
electric conductor is contacted with the liquid medium in the metal heater.
30. The clothes care machine of claim 27, further comprising a water tank and a duct connected
between the water tank and the metal heater, wherein
the electric conductor is penetrated through the metal heater and contacted with the
liquid medium in the metal heater; or
the electric conductor is penetrated through the water tank and contacted with the
liquid medium in the water tank; or
the electric conductor is penetrated through the duct and contacted with the liquid
medium in the duct.
31. The clothes care machine of claim 27, further comprising a main body, wherein the
output power supply is a battery, the metal heater is arranged in the main body, a
battery groove is formed in the main body, and the battery is arranged in the battery
groove;
or
further comprising a main body and a control circuit board, wherein the output power
supply is a battery, the metal heater and the control circuit board are arranged in
the main body, a battery groove is formed in the main body or the control circuit
board, and the battery is arranged in the battery groove.
32. The clothes care machine of claim 31, wherein the main body comprises a base and a
shell, the shell covers and is fixed on the base to define an accommodating chamber,
the metal heater is arranged in the accommodating chamber, and the battery groove
is formed in the base or the shell.
33. The clothes care machine of claim 27, further comprising a main body, wherein the
metal heater is arranged in the main body, the water tank is arranged outside of the
main body, and the electric conductor is penetrated through the main body or the water
tank and extended to contact the liquid medium in the water tank or in the duct,
a water outlet is formed in a bottom of the water tank and a control valve having
a valve core is disposed at the water outlet,
the electric conductor is penetrated through the main body and extended below the
control valve to the valve core, and the electric conductor is contacted with the
liquid medium in the duct.
34. The clothes care machine of any one of claims 27 to 33, further comprising a first
conducting plate and a second conducting plate, wherein a first end of the first connecting
wire is connected with the negative terminal by the first conducting plate, and a
first end of the second connecting wire is connected with the positive terminal by
the second conducting plate.
35. The clothes care machine of any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein the electric conductor
is made of an inert metal or graphite, or the electric conductor is a conductive component
with its surface coated with the inert metal,
the metal heater is made of aluminum, iron or copper.