Continuous-flow water heating assembly and production method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems for beverage machines are bulky, heavy, and lack on-demand hot water capability, with continuous-flow systems requiring long heating elements and short exposure times, leading to inefficiencies and high weight and volume.
Innovation Solution
A continuous-flow water heating assembly with a core heating element and a tube forming a gap, where a spacer element increases water exposure time to heat, allowing for a shorter heating element and reduced weight and volume, and includes a control unit, pump, and temperature sensor for efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a continuous-flow water heating system uses a long water tube and long heating element, then the water can be heated, but the weight and volume of the water heater become high
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple heating zones along the water tube, with heating elements positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows for more efficient heat distribution and reduces the need for a single excessively long heating element, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the heating approach by adding spatial dimensionality through the specific geometric configuration of the water tube and heating element arrangement. The tube is positioned to maximize surface area exposure to the heating element, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space rather than simply extending the length of components, thus reducing weight while maintaining heating capability.
2Temperature
If a continuous-flow water heating system uses a long water tube and long heating element, then the water can be heated, but the volume of the water heater becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of the water tube and heating element to maximize heating efficiency within a compact volume. By configuring the tube to wrap around or closely follow the heating element in a three-dimensional arrangement, the system achieves effective heating without requiring excessive linear length, thereby reducing the overall volume of the water heater.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tube is arranged to nest around the heating element, with the tube following the contours of the heating element closely. This nested configuration allows the water to be heated efficiently along the entire length of the heating element without requiring additional space, thereby minimizing the volume of the water heater while maintaining heating capability.
3Temperature
If a continuous-flow water heating system uses a long heating element, then water heating is achieved, but the exposure time of water to heat is very short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic flow control mechanisms that adjust water flow rate through the tube based on heating requirements. By dynamically slowing down water flow when heating is required and maintaining normal flow when not needed, the system increases exposure time to heat without requiring an excessively long heating element, thereby resolving the time loss issue while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-heats water by positioning the tube to maximize initial contact with the heating element before water completes its full path through the system. This preliminary heating action ensures that water receives adequate heat exposure early in the process, reducing the need for extended exposure time and allowing for a more compact heating element configuration.
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 solution provides a compact, lightweight, and efficient water heating system capable of on-demand hot water production with improved heat transfer efficiency and reduced production costs, preventing overheating and enabling energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (12), which is arranged within a water tube (11) and forms a gap (19) with an inner wall of the tube (11)... the heating element is adapted to heat water within the gap
Implementation Method 2
a spacer element (13) arranged within the gap... The spacer element (13) disturbs the flow of water through the gap and thereby increases the exposure time of the water to the heat emitted by the heating element
Implementation Method 3
continuous-flow water heating assembly... a pump and at least one temperature sensor... capable of on-demand hot water production
Data Source
AI summary
A water heating assembly is disclosed the includes a core heating element and an outer tube in which the core heating element is arranged. Also disclosed are methods for producing and using the water heating assembly.