Electric heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric flow through heaters require two separate units to heat water and steam simultaneously, leading to excessive dimensions and high costs, and can only heat one fluid stream at a time, limiting their efficiency and versatility in beverage preparation machines.
Innovation Solution
An electric heater design featuring a metal body with two distinct pipes and three heating stretches, where two heating stretches heat both pipes efficiently and the third stretch primarily heats one pipe, allowing for simultaneous heating of hot water and steam with improved energy efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate electric heaters are used to heat water and steam simultaneously, then both functions can be performed, but the overall dimensions and costs increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate electric heater units into a single integrated heater by providing one common heating element that heats a shared fluid reservoir, from which both hot water and steam can be simultaneously delivered through separate outlets
Solution Approach 2:
The single electric heater unit performs multiple functions (heating water for both hot water delivery and steam generation) through a universal heating mechanism, eliminating the need for dedicated separate heaters for each function
2Volume of stationary object
If a single tube is used for heating fluid, then the device is compact, but only one fluid stream can be heated at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into two separate outlets (one for hot water, one for steam) while maintaining a unified heating chamber, allowing simultaneous extraction of different fluid phases without requiring separate heating tubes
3Device complexity
If a single heating element is used, then the device is simple and compact, but it cannot efficiently manage multiple heating requirements simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of a single heating element through variable power delivery and timing control, allowing the same heating element to adaptively meet different heating requirements for simultaneous hot water and steam generation
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
Enables simultaneous heating of two fluid streams, reducing energy consumption and space requirements while maintaining high efficiency, allowing for the simultaneous delivery of hot water and steam from separate outlets.
Implementation Method 1
one or two resistors, which heat the tube and therefore the fluid flowing therein
Implementation Method 2
the first heating stretch and the second heating stretch are adapted to heat the first pipe and the second pipe by transferring heat through the metal body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An electric heater (1) comprising: - a metal body (2); - a first pipe (11) and a second pipe (12) provided in the metal body (2), which are mutually distinct so as to be crossed by two distinct flows of fluid to be heated; - a first heating stretch (21 ), a second heating stretch (22) and a third heating stretch (23) are arranged in the metal body (2); wherein the first pipe (11) and the second pipe (12) are arranged between the first heating stretch (21) and the second heating stretch (22); wherein the third heating stretch (23) is proximal to the second pipe (12) and distal from the first pipe (11); and wherein second pipe (12) is arranged between the first pipe (11) and the third heating stretch (23).