Open-Outlet Water Heater Boiling Point Control by Heating Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hot water devices struggle to maintain a consistent boiling point due to variations in air pressure and component tolerances, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, as they often operate below the boiling point to prevent evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A hot water device with an electronic controller that determines the boiling point by evaluating the heating gradient, allowing for automatic calibration and regulation of the maximum temperature based on the boiling point, independent of component tolerances, and featuring a valve-free design for atmospheric pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed maximum temperature is set in the storage tank to prevent boiling, then safety is improved and evaporation is prevented, but the water temperature cannot reach the actual boiling point due to air pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static fixed temperature setting to a dynamic temperature regulation system. The electronic controller continuously monitors the actual boiling point through heating gradient evaluation and automatically adjusts the maximum temperature threshold accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to varying air pressure conditions while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the heating gradient measurement as a feedback signal. The electronic controller evaluates the heating gradient during calibration and operation, compares it against reference values, and uses this feedback to determine the actual boiling point and adjust the maximum temperature setting, creating a closed-loop control system
2Ease of manufacture
If the maximum temperature is set manually or permanently at the factory, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the device cannot adapt to different installation locations with varying air pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to automatically calibrate and determine its own operating parameters. Through the automated calibration process, the electronic controller performs heating gradient evaluation, determines the actual boiling point, and sets the maximum temperature threshold without requiring manual intervention or factory pre-adjustment, making the device universally adaptable to any installation location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the maximum temperature parameter based on the determined actual boiling point. The system changes the temperature parameter from a fixed factory setting to a variable value that adapts to local air pressure conditions, achieved through heating gradient evaluation and automated calibration
3Reliability
If component tolerances and controller drift are accounted for with conservative temperature settings, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and the water temperature is unnecessarily limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system. Instead of using mechanical components for temperature adjustment and compensation, the system uses electronic sensors, microprocessors, and software algorithms to evaluate heating gradients and determine the actual boiling point, reducing mechanical complexity while improving precision
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 device provides water at temperatures close to boiling point consistently, regardless of location or air pressure, enhancing user convenience and energy efficiency while preventing overheating and evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit (160) for heating the water in the storage container (140)
Implementation Method 2
The electronic controller (10) has a heating gradient unit (11), which is designed to determine a heating gradient of the water in the reservoir and to determine an actual boiling point of the water in the reservoir based on a slope of the heating gradient
Implementation Method 3
The hot water outlet (170) is designed to be open and valve-free for the application of hot water with an atmospheric air pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A water heater is provided to provide hot to boiling water. The hot water device has a storage tank (140) with a cold water inlet (110) and a hot water outlet (170), a receiving space (143) for expansion water, a heating unit for heating the water in the storage tank (140) and an electronic controller for controlling the operation of the heating unit. The hot water outlet (170) is open, in particular designed without a valve, for the application of hot water with an atmospheric air pressure for the provision of almost boiling hot water with a temperature of at least approx. 90°C. The electronic controller has a heating gradient unit (11) for determining a heating gradient of the water in the storage tank (140) and for determining an actual boiling point of the water in the storage tank (140) based on a slope of the heating gradient. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plastic container for a hot water device and a method for operating a hot water device.