Three-Way Valve Control for Deep Fat Fryer Heating and Draining Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from emptying to filling the cooking tank in oil bath cooking appliances is complex and requires constant user monitoring, posing safety risks due to potential overheating or incorrect handling of heating controls.
Innovation Solution
A three-way valve with a manual actuator allows separate operations for heating, draining, and filling, preventing simultaneous actions and ensuring safe, intuitive use through electromechanical contactors and level sensors that automatically deactivate heating or pumping when thresholds are reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate controls are used for heating, draining, and filling operations, then each operation can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases and requires constant user monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate control functions (heating, draining, filling) into a single three-way valve with one manual actuator. This integration reduces the number of controls from multiple separate buttons to a single unified interface, simplifying user interaction while maintaining independent control of each operation through the valve's different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls heating activation, draining activation, and filling activation depending on its position. This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require separate controls for each operation, reducing overall system complexity while preserving operational independence.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating operation continues without monitoring, then energy efficiency is maintained, but safety risks increase due to potential overheating or low oil level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms through level sensors that continuously monitor oil levels and automatically deactivate the heating means when the oil level becomes too low. This feedback loop ensures energy is not wasted heating insufficient oil while simultaneously preventing dangerous overheating conditions, addressing both efficiency and safety concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-protection through automatic deactivation of heating when oil levels are insufficient. The appliance monitors its own state and takes corrective action without user intervention, preventing both energy waste and safety hazards associated with unmonitored heating operations.
3Extent of automation
If the transition between emptying and filling operations is automated, then user monitoring is reduced, but the device complexity increases requiring additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of draining and filling operations into a single three-way valve mechanism. The valve's intermediate position automatically manages the transition between emptying and filling states, eliminating the need for separate automated controls for each operation while still reducing user monitoring requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-way valve serves as a universal control that manages multiple operational states (heating, draining, filling) and transitions between them. By using this multi-functional component, the system achieves a degree of automation in transitioning between states without requiring separate automated mechanisms for each function.
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
Ensures safe and efficient operation by preventing improper manipulations, reducing risks of overheating, and enhancing user safety and hygiene through automatic shut-off mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
means for heating the oil contained in the upper cooking tank to bring the latter to a chosen cooking temperature
Implementation Method 2
a lower oil level threshold sensor of the capacitive type arranged opposite the pipe at a level corresponding to said threshold
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an oil bath cooking appliance (1) comprising at least one chassis (10), an upper cooking tank (20) having a drain orifice, means (30) for heating the oil, a lower oil recovery tank (100), draining means for discharging the oil from the upper tank (20) to the lower tank (100), and pumping means, characterized in that it further comprises a three-way valve (150) equipped with a manual actuator (151) movable between a first position in which the heating means (30) are activated, a second intermediate position in which the draining means are open, and a third position in which the pumping means are activated to fill the upper tank (20) with the oil contained in the lower tank (100).