RU198892U1 - Processor-controlled water temperature device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device with processor control of water temperature. The task to be solved by the claimed utility model is: increasing the commercially significant characteristics of the device (reducing power consumption, increasing productivity, improving the usability of the device by the user, increasing the resource of the device). This task is achieved due to the fact that: The reservoir is made of metal and adapted for heating by an external heating element that acts on a substantial area of the tank. The heating element can be glued flat or using infrared radiation or in any other way capable of affecting a significant area of the tank from outside the tank, thereby achieving uniform heating of water in the tank without the need to install devices for forced convection (mixing) of water (no forced convection device increases the overall reliability and durability of the device). Water filling (filling) and water drainage (discharge) pipes are connected to the tank for the convenience of the User when using a large-capacity tank. Also, a set of user interface elements (data entry element and data display element), a processor module element, which is common for this type of equipment, is used. element of the water temperature sensor, allowing the User to set the required cooking temperature and cooking time. Additionally, the following can be installed: a cover with additional thermal insulation and / or thermal insulation of the tank walls to reduce heat loss; a water level sensor that allows you to block the use of the device when there is insufficient water (which increases safety for the User and the durability of the equipment); a water level sensor connected to the processor module, which allows to automatically fill the reservoir with water for the convenience of the User; pipe for drainage (drainage) of excess water in case of overfilling of the reservoir with water (for example, when the reservoir is filled with too much food).

Description

This utility model relates to cooking appliances.

A device is known from the prior art comprising: a reservoir for holding water; a user interface having one or more elements for user input and a display element; heating element for heating water in the tank; a temperature sensor element for providing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the water in the tank; a processor module that is connected to the user interface to receive input from the user; the processor module is connected to the temperature sensor element for receiving a temperature signal, the processor module controlling the heating element to control the temperature of the water in the reservoir; means for forced convection of water in the tank.

Examples of patents for similar devices:

RU 2015107000 A

US 5445062 A, 29.08.1995

WO / 2012/006674 (WO 2012006674 A1_19.01.2012)

US 5542344 A, 08/06/1996

The disadvantages of the previous technical solution are: high energy consumption, low productivity, the presence of moving parts that reduce the service life of the product when operating under high load conditions, manual filling of the reservoir with water and manual drainage (drainage) of water from the reservoir and thus making the device commercially unprofitable and inconvenient in large-scale food production conditions

In the claimed utility model, the shape and design of the reservoir and the connected elements achieve the goal of increasing the commercial value of the device (reducing power consumption, increasing productivity, increasing the reliability (service life) of the device, increasing user convenience).

The claimed utility model allows achieving the following technical results: (a) increasing the reliability and duration of the heater's operation before replacement by facilitating its thermal regime due to better heat transfer from the heater to the heated liquid as compared to immersion heaters based on heating elements, (b) increasing the accuracy of maintaining the temperature cooking mode due to automatic control of the heater, (c) increasing the reliability of the entire device due to the absence of mechanical units for mixing the heated liquid in comparison with the use of immersion heaters, (d) expanding the functionality of the device due to the absence of mechanical units for mixing the heated liquid preventing the preparation of thick or viscous dishes, (e) increasing the convenience and efficiency of the operator of the device due to the implementation of protective functions (overflow with an excess of heated liquid, protection against overheating with a lack of heating liquid), automating the process of filling the tank, regulating the temperature and heating duration, as well as through the possibility of using the upper surface of the device cover as a working surface, (f) increasing the energy efficiency of the device due to the thermal insulation of the tank and (g) improving the safety of the operator of the device for due to the thermal insulation of the walls and the lid of the tank, which the operator can touch during production activities.

The reservoir (figure 1, item 1) is made of metal. The good thermal conductivity of the metal makes it possible to efficiently transfer heat from the heater located outside the housing (figure 3, item 11) at the bottom or on the side walls of the tank. Placing the heater outside the device allows you to increase the reliability of the device (conventional heating elements) placed in water relatively quickly fail when used in the mode of maintaining the exact temperature - repeated frequent switching on and off of the heater). The utility model I have developed uses adhesive low temperature flat heating elements. They have an increased service life due to the fact that they are heated to low temperatures. Additional protection against overheating is provided by the element of the minimum water level sensor (figure 1, item 6), which, when connected to the element of the processor module (figure 6, item 18), will not allow the device to turn on the heating elements if the water level is below the level of the heating elements and the sensor element water temperature (figure 1, figure 6, p. 4). It is also possible to use, with the same result, other types of heating elements that provide uniform heating of a large area of the tank, for example (but not limited to): infrared quartz heaters, infrared ceramic heaters. The rectangular shape of the tank makes it possible to effectively use the space of the user's working room; in addition, it is possible to make the device with dimensions similar to the dimensions of the standard equipment for the user, thus an additional aesthetic effect can be achieved and the equipment will be a single composition with other equipment of the user. The ability to warm up a large area of the tank is important so that it is possible to evenly heat the entire volume of water in the tank, avoiding areas with excessively high or low temperatures and without using means for forced convection of water (so that food is placed in different parts of the tank prepared at the same speed). Figure 3, item 11 - shows a large area of the heating element, Figure 6, item 11 - shows an example of a heating element. If we use a heating element heating element that is standard for this type of device, then we will also have to use means of forced convection of water. This design reduces the reliability and durability of the device in two directions at once: the heating element of the heating element itself is short-lived when used in the mode of maintaining a constant temperature with frequent switching on and off, in addition, mechanical stirring of water (forced convection) is also a weak point when operating 24 hours 7 days a week (with continuous operation, the propulsion unit installed in standard devices breaks down with a high chance). The absence of moving elements in the claimed utility model allows to increase the service life of the device.

Connecting pipes to the reservoir for the supply (bay) (figure 1, item 2) and drainage (discharge) of water (figure 1, item 3) allows you to increase the convenience of using the device. In standard devices, this moment is often not provided due to the small volume of the tank, and the supply (filling) as well as the drainage (discharge) of water is carried out by the user independently with improvised means. The utility model I have developed is initially designed for use with large tanks (preferably 100 to 1000 liters, Figure 6 shows examples of finished devices with a tank volume of 100 liters), which allows cooking in large quantities (the goal of increasing productivity is achieved). Additionally, the device can be equipped with a pipe for draining (draining) excess water in the tank (overflow) (figure 1, p. 7). Additionally, the device can be equipped with a maximum water level sensor element (figure 1, figure 6, item 5), which, when connected to an element of the processor module, will automatically stop the water supply (flooding) when water reaches a certain level (for example, using a solenoid valve or other similar device).

The user interface (data entry element (figure 2, item 9) and the data display item (figure 2, figure 6, item 8)) and the element of the processor module (figure 6, item 18) allow the user to adjust and monitor the water temperature and time cooking. The element of the processor module, using the data from the temperature sensor element connected to it (figure 1, figure 6, item 4) and being connected to the heating element (figure 3, figure 6, item 11), can automatically heat water to the temperature set by the user and maintain it at the required level for a limited or unlimited amount of time. These elements and their principle of operation are standard for such devices. These elements can be placed both on the tank in a separate housing (Figure 2, item 10), and in any other area of the room or building, connecting to the tank using wires or wireless connection.

The claimed utility model is energy efficient due to the possibility to additionally install the thermal insulation of the tank, namely: to make double walls at the tank (figure 1, item 1) and / or use a suitable insulation (for example, but not limited to, reflective insulation made of polyethylene foam). The drawing (figure 1) and photographs of real devices (figure 6) show an example of a device made of a frame made of rectangular pipes, on the inside of which a reservoir is fixed, on the outside there is an additional heat-insulating casing. The parameters of reflective polyethylene foam insulation are suitable for installation on such devices, provided that they are used with a minimum water level sensor, which will not allow the tank to heat up above 100 degrees Celsius (operating temperature for this type of insulation)). Reducing heat loss is commercially important for long-term use and large-volume cooking. Also, to reduce heat loss, you can additionally install a lid (figure 4, item 12), made similar to the tank - with double walls and / or insulation. To improve the convenience, the lid (figure 5) can be made with the following structural elements: Double walls (figure 5, item 13) with the possibility of using a heater provide low heat loss.

Stiffening ribs (figure 5, item 14) and good thermal insulation make it possible to use the lid as a work surface, which is essential for commercial use in food production, where, as a rule, the floor space is limited and the addition of 1-2 square meters of the work surface is an important advantage. The lid can be divided into two parts, one fixed on the tank (figure 5, item 16) and the second (figure 5, item 17), attached to the first by means of a hinge (hinges or similar element) (figure 5, item 15 ). Such a design is necessary so that when the lid is opened, water condensate accumulated on it flows into the tank, and not onto the surface on which the tank is located.

The claimed utility model has been manufactured and is currently being tested (figure 6). The photographs show the main elements described in this application. Also in the image (figure 6, item 11) there is a photograph of a heating element used in prototypes.

Claims (19)

1. A cooking device containing: a water tank made of metal; a pipe for supplying water to the tank; a pipe for draining water from the tank; a heater located on the outside of the water tank and providing uniform heating of the water in the tank; a processor module connected to a heater; a water temperature sensor connected to the processor module; a user interface connected to the processor module, in which the processor module allows you to adjust the water temperature based on the data received from the temperature sensor, and the user interface allows you to set the temperature value. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface additionally allows setting a value for the device's operating time. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater comprises a flat heating element or an infrared emitter. 4. The device according to claim. 1, in which uniform heating of water is provided without the need for its forced mixing. 5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a minimum water level sensor to prevent heating when there is insufficient water in the reservoir. 6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a water level sensor and a controllable valve connected to the processor module to automatically fill the reservoir with water to a predetermined level. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pipe for overflowing the excess water. 8. The device according to claim. 1, in which the walls of the tank are provided with thermal insulation. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a thermally insulated reservoir lid. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cover can be used as a work surface. 11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the lid structure allows condensate to drain into the container when the lid is opened.

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