Continuous-Flow Heater Lime Filter for Hot Drinks Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous-flow heaters suffer from calcification issues, where limescale particles accumulate and clog downstream piping systems, leading to functional failures and the need for specialist repairs, especially in pump-operated hot drinks machines.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastic limescale filter with passage openings in the water pipe, which vibrates due to pressure fluctuations, preventing large limescale particles from entering the downstream system and using a non-stick, low-surface-tension material like polyorganosiloxane to minimize accumulation and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous-flow heater is used in pump-operated hot drinks machines, then heating efficiency is improved, but limescale particles accumulate and clog downstream piping systems
Solution Approach 1:
A filter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating element and downstream piping. This filter captures limescale particles that detach during heating operations, preventing them from traveling to and clogging downstream components such as valves, nozzles, and T-pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful limescale particles are extracted from the water flow by the filter element before they can enter the downstream piping system. The filter selectively removes these particles while allowing heated water to continue flowing to the beverage preparation system.
2Temperature
If limescale particles are detached during rapid heating and cooling, then heating performance is improved, but particles accumulate at the lowest point and clog the pipe system
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element serves as a mediator that intercepts limescale particles detached during thermal cycling. By positioning the filter in the water flow path between the heating element and downstream components, it captures particles before they can settle and clog the piping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transforms the harmful effect of limescale particle detachment into a manageable situation by capturing these particles in a controlled location. The filter itself becomes the accumulation point for limescale, protecting the rest of the system from clogging and maintaining overall system reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If passage openings in the limescale filter are made smaller to prevent particle passage, then particle filtration is improved, but passage openings become clogged more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to deform and flex in response to water pressure and particle impact. This dynamic behavior prevents particles from becoming permanently lodged in passage openings, as the flexible structure can shift to maintain open pathways while still filtering particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element utilizes a flexible, thin-walled structure with passage openings that can deform under pressure. This flexibility prevents the openings from becoming permanently blocked by limescale particles, as the material can bend or shift to maintain flow paths while still capturing particles effectively.
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
Effectively prevents limescale particles from entering the downstream piping system, reducing the risk of clogs and maintaining the functionality of hot drinks machines by self-cleaning the filter and preventing passage opening blockages.
Implementation Method 1
Turbulent flows develop in the water pipe in particular in the case of pressure fluctuations, for example due to a rapid change in temperature, due to heating up to steam operation or due to the pump operation of the continuous-flow heater. These currents set the lime sieve according to the invention in motion, possibly in vibration.
Implementation Method 2
using a non-stick, low-surface-tension material like polyorganosiloxane to minimize accumulation and clogging
Implementation Method 3
The tubular heating element typically consists of a metal tube, for example made of aluminum or stainless steel, in which a spirally wound heating wire is arranged.
Implementation Method 4
The tubular heating element is cast together with the liquid-carrying water pipe in an aluminum block or soldered from the outside flat onto or spirally around the liquid-carrying water pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an instantaneous water heater with an electrically heatable water pipe, with a tubular inlet and a tubular outlet, each with an insertable connection part which is designed for connecting at least one water line and optionally other functional elements, which is characterized in that at least one connection part is a elastic lime screen projecting into the water pipe. The instantaneous water heater according to the invention is particularly suitable for pump-operated household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers or coffee machines.