Steam Generator Two-Part Structure for Water Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators in cooking apparatuses face challenges in preventing water inflow into the cooking compartment and efficiently discharging water, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential hazards such as overheating.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design featuring a two-part structure with a sloped bottom surface and a temperature sensor to detect water levels, allowing for accurate water supply and discharge management, preventing water overflow and ensuring continuous steam generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a steam generator is used to supply steam to the cooking compartment, then cooking efficiency and food texture are improved, but water may overflow into the cooking compartment causing hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into a first part (water storage) and a second part (steam generation) with different widths. The narrowing from the first part to the second part creates a natural barrier that prevents water overflow into the cooking compartment while maintaining steam generation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect water levels and heater temperature. This sensor acts as a mediator between the water storage system and control mechanisms, enabling timely detection and prevention of water overflow conditions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If water is stored in the steam generator for continuous steam supply, then steam generation is maintained, but water discharge becomes difficult leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is segmented into a first part for water storage and a second part for steam generation. This segmentation allows water to be stored in the first part while facilitating easy discharge through the water outlet, preventing overheating during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom surface of the first part is designed with a slope that is inverted relative to conventional designs - it slopes upward from the water outlet toward the back. This inverted slope naturally guides water toward the outlet for easy discharge while maintaining adequate water levels for continuous steam generation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the steam generator structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but water level detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor serves as an intermediary device to detect water levels by measuring heater temperature. This approach provides accurate water level detection without requiring complex mechanical level sensors, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical water level sensors with a temperature-based detection system. The temperature sensor detects water levels indirectly through heater temperature changes, substituting a simple thermal measurement system for a complex mechanical sensing system.
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 effectively prevents water from entering the cooking compartment, ensures easy water discharge, and maintains optimal steam generation by detecting heater temperature to determine water levels, thus enhancing cooking efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a heater disposed in the steam generator... a first part in which water supplied from the chamber is stored
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor mounted to an outer surface of the first part, the temperature sensor being located at a position corresponding to a position of the heater. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature of the heater to measure a water level in the first part.
Implementation Method 3
a water supply pump to pump water from the chamber to the steam generator... Water may flow into the first part through the water inlet from the chamber
Implementation Method 4
a drain pump to pump water from the steam generator to the chamber
Implementation Method 5
The second part may be provided with a steam supply port at a portion thereof, through which steam is discharged from the second part
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a steam generator capable of preventing water inflow into a cooking compartment and easily discharging water therefrom and a cooking apparatus having the steam generator. The steam generator includes a first part to store water therein, a second part extending from the first part and having a smaller width than the first part, a heater disposed in the first part to heat water in the first part, and a temperature sensor mounted to an outer surface of the first part to detect a temperature of the heater. Whether the steam generator lacks water is determined by detecting a temperature of the heater using the temperature sensor.