Liquid-Filled Temperature Control Device Using Mixed Sensing Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid-filled temperature control devices using Freon or oils are limited in their temperature range, particularly failing to provide effective overtemperature protection for heat-producing apparatuses, and suffer from medium leakage and safety issues due to elastic fatigue in the switching mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A liquid-filled temperature control device using a mixed solution of water, ethanol, and glycol as the temperature sensing medium, with a snap-type diaphragm and quick flip spring leaf coordination to ensure safe and effective temperature control across high temperature ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If low temperature cooling medium such as Freon is used as the temperature sensing medium, then the temperature control device can operate at low temperature ranges, but the device cannot provide effective overtemperature protection for heat producing apparatus and the medium may cause environmental pollution when leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control rangeVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and safety issues
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the temperature sensing medium by using a mixed solution of water, ethanol, and glycol instead of traditional Freon. This mixed solution has appropriate vapor pressure and boiling point characteristics that enable it to function effectively in high temperature ranges (up to 100°C and above) while being environmentally friendly and non-toxic, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature range and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of the water-ethanol-glycol mixed solution, where the liquid medium undergoes vaporization at controlled temperatures to generate pressure changes that actuate the temperature control mechanism. This phase transition approach allows the device to detect and respond to high temperature conditions effectively while using an environmentally safe medium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Temperature

If oils are used as temperature sensing medium, then the device can provide temperature control, but the liquid temperature sensing part requires bigger volume and the temperature sensing control area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing capabilityVSAvoidvolume of liquid temperature sensing part
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the temperature sensing medium by formulating a mixed solution with optimized composition ratios of water, ethanol, and glycol. This formulation achieves appropriate viscosity, vapor pressure, and thermal expansion characteristics that enable effective temperature sensing with smaller volumes, overcoming the limitations of oil-based mediums

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite liquid medium consisting of water, ethanol, and glycol mixed in specific proportions. This composite formulation combines the advantages of each component: water provides high specific heat capacity, ethanol contributes to appropriate vapor pressure and freezing point depression, and glycol enhances viscosity and boiling point elevation, resulting in a temperature sensing medium with superior performance and reduced required volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the power part uses peristaltic diaphragm chamber or corrugated structure for gradual expansion, then the structure can accommodate gradual temperature changes, but the switching part cannot make instantaneous action when quick flip type energy storage reed loses quick flip effect due to elastic fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegradual expansion capabilityVSAvoidinstantaneous switching action
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an energy storage spring in the switching part that is pre-loaded to store mechanical energy. This spring acts as a cushioning mechanism that can instantly release stored energy to drive the switching action, ensuring reliable instantaneous response even when the diaphragm expansion is gradual, thus compensating for the slow response of the power part

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic coupling between the gradual expansion of the peristaltic diaphragm and the instantaneous response of the switching mechanism through the energy storage spring. The spring transforms the slow, gradual mechanical displacement from the diaphragm into a rapid, instantaneous switching action, enabling the system to maintain both gradual adaptation and quick response capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides reliable temperature control and overtemperature protection across a wide temperature range, enhancing safety by ensuring instantaneous switching action even after elastic fatigue, and reducing the risk of medium leakage and environmental pollution.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid-gas phase transformation of cooling medium occurs, the gasification quantity increases, so that the volume of cooling medium increases and thus the cooling medium pushes the power part to expand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid-gas phase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a snap-type diaphragm combines with a quick flip spring leaf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

quick flip type energy storage reed, so that the switch contact may make instantaneous action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2573641B1Temperature sensing liquid medium of liquid-filled temperature control device of heat producing apparatus and temperature control device
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 WANG CHANSONG
  • EP2573641B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2573641B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2573641B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a temperature sensing liquid medium of a liquid-filled temperature control device of a heat producing apparatus and the temperature control device are provided. The temperature sensing liquid medium is a mixed solution of any two or three components of water, methanol or alcohol, and ethylene glycol. The temperature control device comprises a temperature sensing part, a power part and a switching part. The temperature sensing part is a capillary (3). One end of the capillary (3) is sealed and the other end is connected with the power part. An enclosed space formed by the capillary (3) and a cavity of the power part is filled with the temperature sensing liquid medium. The power part cooperates with the switching part in such a manner that a snap-type diaphragm (2) combines with a quick flip spring leaf (9). As a result, the present invention can solve the safety problem in electric appliance which is caused by the malfunction of the snap-type diaphragm and the quick flip spring leaf.