Heating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines require manual intervention and have inefficient temperature control, leading to overheating and the need for a 'cooling flush, and are bulky due to separate steam and brew water reservoirs, resulting in slow warm-up times and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a steam generator to produce saturated steam at controlled pressure, which is used in a steam-water heat exchanger to heat drinking water to the optimal temperature for coffee extraction, eliminating the need for a 'cooling flush and allowing for quicker warm-up times by maintaining stable brew water temperature without continuous movement through a heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heat exchanger coffee machines continuously move brew water through the heat exchanger to control temperature, then temperature control is attempted, but the brew water overheats and requires cooling flush
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a temperature sensor to automatically detect when brew water reaches the optimal temperature, and a controller automatically operates the solenoid valve to stop heating, eliminating the need for manual intervention and cooling flush operations
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on brew water temperature to the controller, which adjusts the solenoid valve operation to maintain precise temperature control, preventing overheating without requiring manual cooling flush
2Temperature
If conventional dual boiler coffee machines use a large hot water reservoir for temperature stability, then temperature control improves, but the machine becomes bulky and has slow warm-up times
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters by using a small reservoir with precise electronic temperature control via a solenoid valve and temperature sensor, achieving temperature stability without requiring a large volume of water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using a large thermal mass (large reservoir) for temperature stability with an electronic control system (solenoid valve and temperature sensor) that achieves the same effect with minimal water volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dual boiler coffee machines include both a steam boiler and a separate hot water reservoir, then both steam and brew water functions are available, but the machine has high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The single boiler system is designed to perform multiple functions - generating steam for milk frothing and heating brew water for coffee extraction - eliminating the need for a separate hot water reservoir and reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the steam generation and brew water heating functions into a single boiler system, where the same boiler serves both purposes, reducing the total number of heating elements and power consumption while maintaining versatility
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 precise temperature control, avoids overheating, reduces the need for manual intervention, and results in a more compact and efficient coffee machine with faster warm-up times compared to conventional dual boiler machines.
Implementation Method 1
generating steam using a heat source
Implementation Method 2
water (released from the boiler) to steam
Implementation Method 3
transferring heat between the first and second passageways using a thermal conductor
Implementation Method 4
The thermal conductor therefore exchanges heat between the first and second passageways
Data Source
AI summary
A heating apparatus and method of heating. The embodiments of the invention relate to coffee machine heating apparatuses for providing heated brew water for passing through coffee grounds. The apparatus and method involves using low pressure steam (i.e. less than 1 bar absolute) at a saturation temperature that is substantially equal to the desired brew water temperature. Advantageously, improved temperature control of the brew water is achieved in a manner which is more convenient to an end user. The operating temperatures are more stable (the need for a “cooling flush” is removed) and the operating temperatures is reached in a quicker manner than with conventional machines.