Water Dispenser Flow Control to Prevent Induction Heater Boiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water dispensing apparatuses for hot water often experience temperature instability and boiling issues due to variable flow rates, posing safety risks and inefficiencies in maintaining constant temperature discharge.
Innovation Solution
A water dispensing apparatus equipped with a flow rate sensing device and a flow rate control valve, controlled by a controller that adjusts the valve opening speed to maintain a constant flow rate through the hot water tank, using induction heating to ensure consistent temperature discharge, and includes a safety valve to manage pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow rate of supplied water is decreased, then the heater overheats water causing boiling and safety problems, but increasing the flow rate causes temperature instability in discharged hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a flow rate sensing device continuously monitors the flow rate of supplied water and sends signals to the controller. The controller adjusts the valve opening degree based on this feedback to maintain stable flow rate, preventing both overheating and temperature instability. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by dynamically balancing flow rate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the valve opening degree as a controllable parameter to regulate flow rate. By adjusting this parameter based on flow rate sensing, the system maintains optimal flow conditions that prevent heater overheating while ensuring stable discharged water temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and temperature stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the valve opening speed is increased to prevent boiling, then flow rate stability improves, but the risk of water spouting from the cock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sensing the flow rate before it becomes too low and proactively adjusting the valve opening degree to prevent boiling conditions. This anticipatory control prevents the need for rapid valve opening that could cause water spouting, thus maintaining flow rate stability while avoiding the harmful effect of water spouting.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous flow rate monitoring and feedback control mechanism allows the system to make gradual, controlled adjustments to valve opening degree, preventing sudden changes that could cause water spouting while maintaining stable flow rate to prevent boiling.
3Power
If a heater with fixed output is used, then heating efficiency is high, but water temperature becomes unstable when flow rate varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter through valve control to match the fixed heater output capacity. By regulating flow rate to remain within optimal ranges, the system maintains high heating efficiency while ensuring stable discharged water temperature, resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and temperature stability.
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 apparatus effectively prevents boiling and maintains consistent hot water temperature, ensuring user safety and operational efficiency by dynamically adjusting flow rates to match demand, thereby stabilizing the discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate sensing device provided on the water supply pipe to sense the flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module
Implementation Method 2
a hot water module configured to heat supplied water using an induction heating method
Implementation Method 3
a flow rate control valve provided on the water supply pipe to control a flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispensing apparatus includes a hot water module configured to heat supplied water using an induction heating method, a water supply pipe configured to supply water to the hot water module, a flow rate control valve provided on the water supply pipe to control a flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, a flow rate sensing device provided on the water supply pipe to sense the flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, and a controller configured to increase an opening speed of the flow rate control valve when the flow rate of supplied water sensed through the flow rate sensing device is equal to or less than a set flow rate.