An apparatus for preparing a hot liquid drink

Solution Overview

Problem

Hot drinks machines require complex and costly thermostatic control for electric pumps, which generate noise and are inefficient, necessitating a more effective pumping arrangement for preparing hot drinks.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus utilizing a phase change material with a phase change temperature in the desired temperature range for hot drinks to drive liquid displacement, eliminating the need for electric pumps and thermostatic control, by using expansion to perform pumping actions, such as with a piston pump mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an electric pump is used for pumping water, then the pumping function is achieved, but the apparatus generates noise and requires complex thermostatic control circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidthermostatic control circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric pump with a thermal expansion-based pumping mechanism. The phase change material (paraffin wax) expands when heated, directly driving the piston pump through thermal-mechanical conversion, eliminating the need for electric motors and complex electronic control circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of paraffin wax from solid to liquid state. When the wax melts, it expands in volume, creating pressure that drives the piston pump. This phase change occurs at a specific temperature range (46-50°C), providing automatic thermostatic control without additional circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If an electric pump is used for pumping water, then the pumping function is achieved, but noise is generated which is disliked by users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electric pump with a thermal expansion-based pumping mechanism. The phase change material (paraffin wax) expands when heated, directly driving the piston pump through thermal-mechanical conversion, eliminating the need for electric motors and complex electronic control circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of paraffin wax from solid to liquid state. When the wax melts, it expands in volume, creating pressure that drives the piston pump. This phase change occurs at a specific temperature range (46-50°C), providing automatic thermostatic control without additional circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Device complexity

If a phase change material is used to drive liquid displacement, then noise is reduced and complexity is lowered, but the mechanism requires thermal coupling and phase change temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping mechanismVSAvoidphase change temperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of paraffin wax from solid to liquid state. When the wax melts, it expands in volume, creating pressure that drives the piston pump. This phase change occurs at a specific temperature range (46-50°C), providing automatic thermostatic control without additional circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits the thermal expansion of the phase change material during its phase transition. The expansion of the melting wax provides the mechanical force to drive the piston pump, converting thermal energy directly into mechanical work for liquid displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

4Productivity

If the phase change material expands to drive liquid out, then pumping is achieved, but the volume of phase change material required may be large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid displacementVSAvoidphase change material volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a piston pump mechanism that converts the volumetric expansion of the phase change material into linear motion of the piston. This dimensional transformation amplifies the effective pumping action, allowing a relatively small volume of phase change material to displace a larger volume of liquid through mechanical leverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the phase change material within the heating vessel, nested alongside the liquid to be heated. The thermal coupling allows efficient heat transfer from the liquid to the phase change material, maximizing the expansion effect while minimizing the space required for the phase change material itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution provides a low-noise, cost-effective, and thermally efficient pumping mechanism that automatically operates at the desired temperature, reducing complexity and noise while maintaining efficient liquid displacement for hot drink preparation.

Implementation Method 1

a phase change material, having a phase change temperature which falls in a desired temperature range for the hot liquid drink... wherein an expansion of the phase change material when it changes phase induced by heating is used to drive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

an expansion of the phase change material when it changes phase induced by heating is used to drive displacement of the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20240099501A1An apparatus for preparing a hot liquid drink

Publication Date: 2024.03.28 VERSUNI HLDG BV

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for preparing a hot liquid drink makes use of expansion of a phase change material (as is for example used in a wax motor) to drive displacement of the liquid into or out of a heating vessel.