Nested-Wall Evaporator Design for Compact Steam Cooker Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing evaporator devices for steam cookers face challenges in integrating a practical and efficient evaporator system within the cooker, often requiring significant space for the pump and experiencing temperature issues and leakage problems.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a water container with a heating device on the outer wall and an inner pump within the inner wall, allowing for a compact and efficient evaporator setup, with a separate fresh water area for thermal insulation and reduced leakage risks, utilizing a secondary pump type like an impeller or axial pump, and a partition wall to manage water flow and heat distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the pump is arranged outside the water tank, then the pump has sufficient space for operation, but the evaporator device occupies more space and the water path becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporator device volumeVSAvoidleakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is integrated inside the water tank by creating an inner wall within the water container, forming a nested structure where the pump housing is positioned within the water container's interior space. This nesting approach reduces the overall device volume while maintaining pump functionality and minimizing leakage risks through integrated sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the pump is integrated inside the inner wall area, then space is saved and evaporator capacity increases, but the pump is exposed to higher temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporator capacityVSAvoidpump temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The water container is divided into two separate areas by an inner wall: a water area for evaporation and an inner area for pump placement. This segmentation allows the pump to be positioned close to the water area for efficient water supply while being thermally separated to avoid excessive heat exposure, balancing productivity and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a large pump is used to ensure sufficient water supply, then water delivery is reliable, but the pump occupies more space and reduces evaporator capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply reliabilityVSAvoidpump volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump's operational parameters are optimized to achieve reliable water supply with a compact design. By adjusting pump speed, flow rate, and pressure parameters, the system maintains sufficient water delivery capability while using a smaller pump unit that fits within the integrated inner wall area, thus preserving evaporator capacity.

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 enhances evaporator capacity, reduces temperature risks for the pump, minimizes leakage, and optimizes space usage, enabling faster steam generation while maintaining efficient evaporation and reducing the risk of overheating.

Implementation Method 1

A water area running or formed between the outer wall and inner wall contains the water to be evaporated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

A heating device is provided on the outer wall, advantageously on the outside thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

an inner area is formed within the inner wall and a pump is arranged therein, which serves to pump water from a water supply

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3279570B1Evaporator device for water and steamer with such a device
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 E G O ELEKTRO GERAETEBAU GMBH
  • EP3279570B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3279570B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An evaporator device (20) for water for installation in a steam cooker (11) has a water container (24) with a peripheral outer wall (26) and with a peripheral inner wall (31), with a heating device (38) on the outer wall (26). is provided. The inner wall (31) runs inside the outer wall (26) and at a distance therefrom, with a water area (32) being formed between the outer wall (26) and the inner wall (31). A pump (41) is arranged within the inner wall (31) in order to pump water (36) from a water supply (16) into the water area (32). A steam outlet (21) goes up from the water area (32) and leads into the steam cooker (11).