Evaporator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evaporators for household food processing appliances are complex and maintenance-intensive, particularly due to the need for direct contact level sensors that can corrode and calcify when measuring boiling liquids.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact, electromagnetic fill level sensor is used outside the evaporator's housing, combined with a surface heating system and a partition to minimize liquid agitation, allowing for accurate measurement without direct exposure to the heated liquid and preventing calcification, while an inductive or capacitive sensor measures the liquid level with high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a direct contact level sensor is used to measure liquid level in the receiving chamber, then the measurement can be performed directly on the liquid, but the sensor will corrode and calcify due to exposure to heated liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact level sensor that measures liquid level through the housing wall without direct contact with the liquid. This intermediary approach (measuring through the wall) allows accurate liquid level detection while preventing sensor corrosion and calcification, as the sensor remains outside the heated liquid environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or direct-contact level sensors with a non-contact electromagnetic sensing system. The level sensor detects liquid level by measuring changes in electromagnetic field properties through the housing wall, eliminating the need for physical contact with the heated liquid and thus preventing corrosion and calcification.
2Measurement precision
If a level sensor is mounted inside the receiving chamber to measure boiling liquid level, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but the sensor requires frequent cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall serves as an intermediary medium that allows the level sensor to measure liquid level without direct exposure to the boiling liquid. The sensor mounted on the outside of the housing wall can detect liquid level through the wall, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and replacement while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the level sensor is positioned close to the liquid surface for accurate measurement, then the measurement precision improves, but the sensor becomes exposed to hot vapor and liquid splashes
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall acts as a thermal barrier and intermediary medium, allowing the level sensor to detect liquid level accurately through the wall while remaining positioned away from the hot vapor and liquid splashes. The sensor can be mounted on the outside of the housing wall at an optimal distance from the liquid surface, achieving both precision and thermal protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a durable, low-maintenance evaporator with precise fill level measurement, improved steam quality, and reduced risk of sensor failure, enhancing the appliance's longevity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the level sensor is a non-contact sensor generating an electromagnetic (i.e., an electric and/or magnetic) field in the receiving chamber
Implementation Method 2
an electric heater for heating the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
An evaporator (1) for a household appliance (H) comprises: a receiving space (R) for liquid (W) to be evaporated, which has an electrical heating unit (9); and a fill level sensor (16) for measuring a fill level (L) of the liquid (W) in the receiving space (R). The fill level sensor (16) is a contactless sensor which produces an electromagnetic field in the receiving space (R) and is arranged on an exterior face of a housing wall (13) delimiting the receiving space (R). A household appliance (H), in particular a cooking appliance, comprises at least one such evaporator (1).