Hot water and steam generating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water and steam generating devices lack a reliable and cost-effective method to determine the fluid filling level, which affects their operation and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hot water and steam generating device equipped with a single sensor that can determine both fluid temperature and filling level by measuring resistance changes and capacity changes between air and fluid volumes, integrated with a heating device and pump, allowing for efficient switching between flow-through heating and steam generation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine both temperature and filling level, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor to perform both temperature measurement and filling level determination. The sensor is configured to detect both parameters simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and level sensors, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for both parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single sensor unit. By integrating temperature sensing and filling level detection capabilities into one component, the system reduces the total number of parts, simplifies the device structure, and lowers costs while ensuring accurate measurement of both fluid temperature and filling level.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to determine temperature and filling level, then reliability of measurements is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single multi-functional sensor reduces component count and assembly complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs. The sensor is designed to reliably measure both temperature and filling level simultaneously, maintaining measurement reliability while reducing the bill of materials and assembly steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging temperature and level sensing functions into one component, the patent reduces part costs, assembly costs, and calibration requirements. The integrated sensor design simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces the need for multiple connection points and sealing arrangements, thereby lowering overall production costs while maintaining reliable measurements.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned near the heating device for accurate temperature measurement, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement is affected by the heating device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the immediate heated zone by positioning it in the upper section of the housing, away from the heating device located in the lower section. This spatial separation eliminates the harmful thermal interference from the heating device while the sensor continues to accurately measure the fluid temperature through the fluid medium, avoiding direct exposure to intense localized heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid itself acts as an intermediary medium that transmits thermal information from the heated region to the sensor. The sensor measures the fluid temperature at its location, which reflects the overall fluid temperature condition without being directly exposed to the heating device's localized thermal field, thus eliminating measurement interference while maintaining temperature monitoring accuracy.
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 device ensures reliable and cost-effective determination of fluid temperature and level, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing parts and complexity, while maintaining accurate temperature control and fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is configured to determine the temperature of the fluid in the interior of the housing by means of measuring a resistance change of the sensor
Implementation Method 2
the sensor is configured to determine the filling level of the fluid in the interior of the housing by means of measuring a capacity change of the ratio of air volume and fluid volume in the interior of the housing
Implementation Method 3
the at least one heating device has at least one heated area at least in the region of the lower section of the housing
Implementation Method 4
brings a stagnant fluid to boil in order to generate steam
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a hot water and steam generating device (100) comprising: a housing (110) having an inlet port (110a) and an outlet port (110b), wherein the housing (110) is adapted to receive a fluid to be heated and/or vaporized, the housing (110) having a lower section (112) and an upper section (114), wherein the inlet port (110a) is preferably arranged at the lower section (112) of the housing (110) and the outlet port (110b) is preferably arranged at the upper section (114) of the housing (110); at least one heating device (120) which projects into the interior of the housing (110), wherein the at least one heating device (120) has at least one heated area at least in the region of the lower section (112) of the housing (110); a pump (130) which is capable of pumping fluid into or through the interior of the housing (110); and a single sensor (140), the single sensor (140) being configured to determine the temperature of the fluid in the interior of the housing (110) and the filling level of the fluid in the interior of the housing (110).