Integrated In-Line Heater Structure for Simpler Beverage Machine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in simplifying the integration of heating functions, leading to increased assembly complexity, manufacturing costs, and reliability issues due to the need for flexible and deformable cables or tubes for electrical and fluid connections.
Innovation Solution
An in-line heater with a rigid passage and integrated thick-film resistive heating means, where the heater body is made of thermally conductive materials like steel or copper, and electric components are securely connected to a printed circuit board without flexible cables, reducing assembly operations and enhancing automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible cables or tubes are used for electrical and fluid connections in heating systems, then adaptability and ease of connection are improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical connections and fluid connections into a single integrated rigid passage structure. The heating element is embedded within a rigid body that provides both fluid flow pathways and electrical conductors, eliminating the need for separate flexible cables and tubes. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly while maintaining functional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid passage structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a fluid conduit, provides structural support, and integrates electrical heating elements. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If flexible cables or tubes are used for connections, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to deformable connections
Solution Approach 1:
By merging electrical and fluid connections into a single rigid integrated structure, the patent eliminates the reliability issues associated with separate flexible connections. The rigid construction provides stable, deformable-free pathways for both fluid and electricity, while the integration simplifies installation as a single unit.
3Use of energy by moving object
If thick-film heating elements are used, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thick-film heating technology which changes the physical parameters of the heating element to achieve high efficiency. The thick-film resistive heating circuit provides efficient heat generation, and while manufacturing precision is increased, the integrated rigid structure helps maintain consistent positioning and reduces variability.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves the reliability of beverage preparation machines by eliminating the need for flexible connections and minimizing human intervention during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heating means, in particular a thick-film, cooperating with the body for supplying heat into this heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
the heater body is made of thermally conductive materials like steel or copper
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient, for instance within a pod or capsule, supplied into the brewing chamber. An upstream part of the brewing chamber may be formed by the heater. One or more electric components may be incorporated into the heater and rigidly connected to a printed circuit board. The heater may have a tubular inner core that is eccentric with respect to a tubular or prismatic outer member which form together a helicoidal heating chamber of variable cross-section.