External Resistor Heater Layout for Cleaner Beverage Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot beverage dispensing machines face issues with heat transmission to control/safety devices, corrosion, and residue accumulation due to the placement of electric resistors within the liquid heating circuit, which affects efficiency and requires additional support components.
Innovation Solution
A liquid heater design where the electric heating resistor is placed outside the container, with a second plate for heat control and safety devices, and a heat transmitting fluid means, such as a pipe, to indirectly heat the liquid, reducing residue accumulation and improving thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electric heating resistor is placed inside the liquid heating circuit, then heating efficiency is improved, but residue accumulation and corrosion occur on the resistor
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heating resistor is extracted from the liquid heating circuit and placed in a separate heating chamber. The resistor heats water in the first chamber, which then transfers heat to the liquid in the second chamber through thermal conduction via the container wall, preventing direct contact between the resistor and the liquid being heated.
Solution Approach 2:
Water in the first heating chamber acts as an intermediary medium. The electric resistor heats this water, which then serves as a heat transfer medium to warm the liquid in the second chamber indirectly, preventing residue accumulation on the resistor while maintaining heating efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the electric heating resistor is placed outside the container, then residue accumulation is reduced, but heat transmission to control/safety devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control and safety devices are integrated with the heating chamber structure rather than being separate external components. This merging ensures they remain in close thermal proximity to the heating process while the resistor itself stays outside the liquid chamber, preventing residue accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control and safety devices are nested within or adjacent to the heating chamber structure, creating a compact arrangement where thermal energy from the heating process naturally reaches these devices without requiring direct resistor contact, thus maintaining heat transmission while preventing corrosion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional supporting means are added to accommodate control/safety devices, then device accommodation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating chamber structure serves multiple functions: it contains the heating process, provides thermal pathways for control devices, and supports safety components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate supporting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining accommodation capabilities.
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 heat transmission to control/safety devices, reduces the risk of corrosion and residue buildup, allows for compact sizing, and facilitates easier temperature control and maintenance, while maintaining efficient heating performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric heating resistor (4), arranged outside said container (2), fixed in contact with said second plate (22), so as to indirectly heat said first liquid through said first and second plates (21, 22)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A machine for dispensing hot beverages, e.g. coffee, comprising a liquid heater, in particular for heating water intended for human consumption, provided with a container, adapted to be at least partially filled with a first liquid to be heated, and a heating electric resistor arranged outside the container, in contact with the bottom of said container, so as to indirectly heat said first liquid through said bottom.