Integrated Thermoblock Assembly for Reliable Beverage Heater Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid food and beverage preparation machines face challenges in simplifying the integration of heating functions, leading to increased assembly complexity, manufacturing costs, and reduced reliability due to the use of flexible and deformable cables and tubes for connecting heating elements to other machine components.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an in-line heating device with a thermoblock that incorporates a metal mass for heat accumulation and transfer, along with rigidly secured electric components such as sensors and resistive heating elements, directly connected to a printed circuit board or flex-print, eliminating the need for flexible cables and enabling automated assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flexible cables and tubes are used to connect heating elements to other machine components, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to deformable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating element, temperature sensor, and electrical connections into an integrated thermoblock assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate flexible cables and tubes, providing both rigid reliable connections and ease of assembly as a single unit. The integrated design ensures stable electrical and thermal connections while simplifying the manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for heating functions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating system into a modular thermoblock assembly that functions as a complete, self-contained unit. This segmentation maintains adaptability by allowing the entire assembly to be easily replaced or configured for different applications, while reducing overall device complexity by pre-integrating all necessary components (heating element, sensor, connections) into one standardized module.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated thermoblock assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - heating, temperature sensing, and electrical connection - within a single universal component. This multi-functionality maintains the adaptability needed for various heating applications while significantly reducing assembly complexity compared to separate components.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual assembly of heating components is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling and pre-positioning all heating components (heating element, temperature sensor, electrical connections) into the thermoblock assembly during manufacturing. This preliminary integration ensures manufacturing precision is achieved during controlled production, while the completed assembly can then be rapidly installed in automated production lines, thereby increasing productivity.
4Reliability
If rigid connections are used for electric components, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all electrical connections into the integrated thermoblock assembly during manufacturing, the patent eliminates the need for complex rigid connection assembly steps. The rigid connections are established once during production with high reliability, while the complete assembly is easy to install, thus resolving the contradiction between connection stability and manufacturing ease.
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 enhances the reliability of the machine by minimizing human intervention and potential errors, while ensuring efficient heat transfer and control of the heating process.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoblock with a metal mass (1) that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding said liquid circulating through said mass, the mass being arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the mass being arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid
Implementation Method 3
resistive heating cable cast in the mass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An in-line heating device(1, 2, 3, 4) for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine in which liquid is circulated through the heating deviceand then guided into a brewing chamber. This heating device comprises: a thermoblock with a metal mass (1) that incorporates an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween to form a passage for guiding said liquid circulating through said mass, the mass being arranged to accumulate heat and to supply heat to the liquid; and one or more electric components (60,70,75) that are rigidly secured onto or into the thermoblock and that are connected to a printed circuit board (4) and/or a flex- print (4) arranged to control the thermoblock. The electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board and/or flex-print, in particular via rigid connector pins or blades or rigid plug and socket members.