Fluid Heating Apparatus with Curved Impeller Blades for Flow Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid heating apparatuses face challenges in efficiently detecting the presence or absence of fluid, leading to inefficient heating processes due to suboptimal impeller design and flow detection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The fluid heating apparatus incorporates an impeller with blade portions curved towards the opposite rotational direction, a flow detection region with a curved or inclined bottom surface, and a flow passage with a smaller cross-sectional area leading to the detection region, enhancing the force applied to the impeller and reducing frictional resistance for efficient rotation and fluid detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the impeller uses conventional straight blade design, then the structure is simple, but the detection performance of fluid is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection performance of fluidVSAvoidimpeller blade structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the impeller blade by curving it towards the opposite rotational direction, transforming the conventional straight blade design into a curved blade configuration. This curvature modification enhances the force applied from the fluid to the impeller, improving rotation efficiency and fluid detection performance without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the bottom surface is flat, then the structure is simple, but frictional resistance between the bottom surface and impeller is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller rotation efficiencyVSAvoidbottom surface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the flat bottom surface by forming a curved surface that is displaced downwardly towards the outer side in the radial direction. This curved surface configuration reduces the contact area between the bottom surface and the impeller, thereby reducing frictional resistance and improving impeller rotation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Speed

If the flow passage has uniform cross-sectional area, then the structure is simple, but the flow speed of fluid entering the detection region is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow speed of fluidVSAvoidflow passage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cross-sectional area parameter of the flow passage along its length, creating a tapered configuration where the cross-sectional area decreases in the direction of fluid flow towards the detection region. This parameter change accelerates the fluid flow speed, ensuring sufficient force is applied to the impeller for effective detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the blade portion has constant thickness, then the structure is simple, but resistance of fluid against impeller rotation is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller rotation efficiencyVSAvoidblade portion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the thickness parameter of the blade portion by forming a curved surface that reduces the thickness towards the outer edge. This gradual thinning of the blade reduces the resistance of the fluid against the rotating impeller, improving rotation efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly improves the detection performance of fluid presence, ensuring efficient rotation of the impeller and stable operation, preventing heating without sufficient fluid and enhancing the accuracy of fluid flow detection.

Implementation Method 1

a component of a force applied from the fluid to the impeller, the component which is in a direction working on the rotation of the impeller, increases. Consequently, the impeller is rotated efficiently.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

frictional resistance generated between the bottom surface and the impeller is reduced. Consequently, the impeller is rotated efficiently.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

resistance of fluid (for example water) against rotations of the impeller is reduced. Consequently, the impeller is rotated efficiently.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrag: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP3141756B1Fluid heating apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 AISIN SEIKI KK
  • EP3141756B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3141756B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3141756B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid heating apparatus (1) includes an impeller (50) arranged in a flow detection region (40) in which flow of fluid to be heated by a heater (30) is detected, wherein the impeller (50) includes a blade portion (51), and the blade portion (51) includes a portion curved from a base end side corresponding to a rotational center side to a distal end side corresponding to an outer side, the portion being curved towards a side that is opposite to a rotational direction.