Steam Generator Water Removal Using Dual Heating and Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators for cooking devices face challenges in efficiently emptying the water container after operation, leading to hygiene issues due to residual water, and existing solutions either require lengthy draining processes or are inefficient in removing remaining water.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing two separate heating devices on the steam generator's wall, with a control system that activates and deactivates them to reach a predefined temperature threshold, followed by evaporation and pumping to remove water, optimizing the pumping duration based on temperature detection and adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is drained using a drain valve after steam generation, then water removal is achieved, but the draining process takes too long and residual water remains in the water container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by activating heating devices after steam generation to heat the residual water to a predefined threshold temperature, enabling faster evaporation-based removal compared to conventional draining
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through heating and evaporation, allowing rapid water removal by converting residual water into steam that can be expelled through the steam outlet
2Reliability
If water is left in the water container after operation, then hygiene problems occur, but complete water removal requires extended draining time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary heating of residual water to a predefined temperature threshold before complete removal, ensuring that water is sufficiently heated to prevent hygiene issues while optimizing the overall emptying process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous heating action until the water reaches the predefined temperature threshold, ensuring complete water removal for hygiene purposes without unnecessary interruptions that would extend the emptying time
3Productivity
If pumping duration is extended to ensure complete water removal, then water container emptying is improved, but noise from the pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by heating water to a predefined threshold, which accelerates evaporation and reduces the time the pump needs to operate, thereby minimizing pump noise while ensuring complete water removal
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 method reduces the pumping duration, ensures complete water removal, and minimizes noise by adjusting the pumping duration based on the remaining water level, thereby maintaining hygiene and efficiency in steam generator operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating device is activated, wherein preferably at least the lower heating device is activated, until the first temperature detection device detects that the predefined first temperature threshold named above has been reached
Implementation Method 2
This serves to dry the inside of the steam generator for hygienic reasons
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A steam generator has a water container and an upper heating device and a lower heating device, a first temperature detection device covering a temperature detection area including the area covered by the two heating devices, a control device for monitoring and evaluating the first temperature detection device and for controlling the activation state of the two heating devices. For operation of the steam generator, water is filled into the container, at least one of the two heating devices is activated for generating steam for an operation of a steam household device, wherein finally this operation is over. Then at least the lower heating device is activated, until the first temperature detection device detects that a pre-defined first temperature threshold has been reached, upon which the lower heating device is deactivated. Remaining water is pumped off from the water container for a pre-defined first pumping duration.