Beverage Maker Heater Case Design to Minimize Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage makers do not effectively minimize the influence of internal components' heat on the brewing process, which can affect the quality and convenience of home-brewed beverages like beer.

Innovation Solution

A beverage maker design where the water supply heater is positioned to minimize heat transfer by being spaced upward from the base, with a heater case that includes openings and protrusions for temperature sensing and safety valve connections, and a configuration that supports the water tank case to reduce heat conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the water supply heater is placed close to the base for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but heat transfer to internal components increases affecting brewing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidheat transfer influence
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heater case acts as an intermediary structure between the water supply heater and the base. It provides thermal insulation through its wall structure (which may include insulating materials) and physical spacing, mediating the heat transfer path to reduce unwanted thermal influence on internal components while maintaining a compact overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater case extends vertically to provide thermal insulation in the vertical dimension. By creating a three-dimensional insulated enclosure around the heater, the design addresses heat transfer issues not just horizontally but also vertically, allowing compact footprint while maintaining thermal isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the heater case includes openings and protrusions for sensing and safety connections, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature sensing and safety valve connectionVSAvoidheater case structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heater case integrates multiple functions into a single structural component: it provides thermal insulation, accommodates the water supply heater, incorporates temperature sensing capabilities through protrusions, and provides connection points for safety valves. By merging these functions into one integrated case, the design improves reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heater case serves multiple purposes simultaneously: thermal insulation barrier, structural housing for the heater, mounting structure for sensors and safety connections, and part of the overall compact device architecture. This multi-functionality allows the single component to address several requirements without adding separate dedicated parts for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances the brewing process by maintaining optimal temperatures and reducing heat transfer, thereby improving the quality and convenience of home-brewed beverages while maintaining a compact and cost-effective production.

Implementation Method 1

a water supply heater configured to heat water supplied to the fermentation module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heater case is configured to accommodate the water supply heater so as to allow the water supply heater to be spaced upward from the base, wherein heat transfer from the water supply heater to the surroundings may be minimized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3739032B1Beverage maker
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3739032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3739032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a beverage maker. The beverage maker includes a base, a fermentation module disposed on the base, a water supply heater configured to heat water supplied to the fermentation module, and a heater case disposed on the base, the heater case being configured to accommodate the water supply heater so as to allow the water supply heater to be spaced upward from the base.