Integrated Heating Module for Liquid Pump to Reduce Energy Waste
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid heating systems for applications like coffee machines are inefficient due to separate modules for pumping and heating, leading to energy wastage, complex assembly, and increased maintenance, with thermal inertia causing excessive energy expenditure and potential reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact heating module that integrates directly with a liquid pump, eliminating the need for intermediate connections and allowing for direct heating of the liquid, featuring a cylindrical heat exchange zone with electric heating means, such as conductive tracks or cartridges, for efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate modules for pumping and heating are used, then each module can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases and assembly space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating module with the pump by integrating the heating element directly into the pump housing, creating a single unified device. This eliminates the need for separate heating modules and intermediate piping, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize heating and pumping functions independently through modular internal design.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate modules for pumping and heating are used with intermediate piping, then functional separation is achieved, but the risk of leaks increases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the heating element directly into the pump housing with no intermediate piping required, the patent eliminates potential leak points while maintaining functional separation between pumping and heating operations. The unified design ensures reliable liquid transfer without exposing the system to additional leakage risks associated with multiple connection points.
3Temperature
If a reservoir is used to preheat water before pumping, then the heating function is achieved, but energy waste occurs due to heating larger volume than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element integrated in the pump housing enables preheating of water immediately before it enters the pumping chamber, allowing the system to heat only the precise volume of water needed for each brewing cycle. This eliminates energy waste associated with heating excess water in a reservoir while maintaining the temperature control necessary for coffee brewing.
4Productivity
If continuous heating devices with separate heating tubes are used, then heating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and assembly space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous heating efficiency by integrating the heating element directly into the pump housing, allowing water to be heated continuously as it passes through the pump chamber. This unified design maintains the heating efficiency of continuous systems while dramatically reducing device complexity by eliminating separate heating tubes, mounting brackets, and intermediate connections.
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 provides a reliable, compact, and energy-efficient method for heating liquids, reducing assembly complexity and maintenance, while minimizing energy expenditure and extending the lifespan of components by isolating heating functions from pumping operations.
Implementation Method 1
said heating means comprise an electric heating circuit with at least one resistive element for electrically heating the liquid in said heat exchange zone
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Heating module (30) for liquid that can be mounted directly on the end of a liquid pump (10), extending in a longitudinal direction between an upstream portion (30a) and a downstream portion (30b) forming a terminal portion able to collaborate with a terminal portion (18) of a liquid pump (10). A liquid path (34) comprises a liquid inlet zone (34a), a liquid outlet zone (34c) and a heat exchange zone (34b) situated peripherally between the said liquid inlet zone (34a) and the said liquid outlet zone (34c). Heating means (38a; 49) are situated around the said heat exchange zone (34b) and fixing means (36a, 36d) allow the said heating module (30; 30') to be attached directly to a pump (10).