Integrated In-Line Heater With PCB Assembly for Beverage Brewers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid food or 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
A rigid in-line heater with a thermally conductive body and integrated thick-film resistive heating means, which eliminates the need for flexible connections by incorporating electric components directly onto a printed circuit board, reducing assembly operations and enhancing automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible and deformable cables or tubes are used for electrical and fluid connections in heating systems, then adaptability and ease of connection are improved, but assembly complexity and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical heating element, fluid passage, and structural body into a single integrated heater assembly. The thick-film heating element is deposited directly onto the outer surface of the heater body, eliminating the need for separate flexible cables and tubes for electrical and fluid connections. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity while maintaining connection flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If flexible and deformable cables or tubes are used for electrical and fluid connections, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to connection risks
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the heating element and fluid passage directly into the heater body structure, the patent eliminates multiple connection points that would require flexible cables and tubes. The single integrated assembly reduces installation steps while eliminating connection failure risks associated with flexible components.
3Device complexity
If integrated heating systems are implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assembly of separate heating components with thick-film deposition technology. The heating element is created by depositing conductive material directly onto the heater body surface, forming an integrated structure. This substitution of mechanical assembly with a deposition process reduces assembly complexity while the automated deposition process maintains consistent manufacturing precision.
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 the machine by eliminating the risks associated with flexible connections, while ensuring efficient heat transfer and precise temperature control.
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
a rigid in-line heater with a thermally conductive body and integrated thick-film resistive heating means, which eliminates the need for flexible connections
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
An integrated in-line heater (1,8,9) for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which liquid is circulated through said heater and then guided into a brewing chamber (7) for brewing a food or beverage ingredient, for instance within a pod or capsule (7''), supplied into the brewing chamber. An upstream part of the brewing chamber may be formed by the heater. One or more electric components (5,60,70,75) may be incorporated into the heater and rigidly connected to a printed circuit board (50). The heater may have a tubular inner core (9) that is eccentric with respect to a tubular or prismatic outer member (8) which form together a helicoidal heating chamber (4) of variable cross-section (4',4").