Heating device with an integrated thermoblock for a beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid food and beverage preparation machines face challenges in simplifying the integration of heating functions, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced reliability due to the need for numerous flexible and deformable cable connections.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with an integrated thermoblock that eliminates the need for flexible cables by rigidly securing electric components to a printed circuit board or flex-print, which is then connected to the thermoblock, allowing for automated assembly and reduced human intervention during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible and deformable cable connections are used to connect heating components, then the machine can accommodate movement and assembly variations, but the manufacturing cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating components and electrical connections into an integrated printed circuit board assembly. The heating elements are directly mounted on the PCB, eliminating the need for separate flexible cable connections. This merging of functions reduces the number of connection points from multiple cable interfaces to a unified rigid structure, thereby improving reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board serves as an intermediary structure that provides both mechanical support and electrical connectivity. Instead of using flexible cables as intermediaries between power sources and heating elements, the PCB acts as a rigid intermediary that integrates both functions, eliminating the reliability issues associated with flexible cable connections while maintaining electrical pathways.
2Ease of manufacture
If numerous flexible cable connections are used for heating components, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase due to manual assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements, electrical traces, and mounting structure are merged into a single printed circuit board assembly. This integration allows standard automated PCB manufacturing techniques to be used instead of manual cable assembly operations. The heating components are soldered or otherwise permanently attached to the PCB during automated assembly processes, eliminating the need for costly manual cable connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electrical circuit board system. Instead of mechanically connecting heating elements via flexible cables that require manual routing and connection, the electrical pathways are created through PCB traces during automated manufacturing. This substitution eliminates the mechanical assembly steps associated with cable management and reduces manufacturing costs.
3Productivity
If rigid connections are used to eliminate flexible cables, then automated assembly becomes possible and manufacturing cost decreases, but adaptability to assembly variations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flexible mechanical cable system with a rigid electrical circuit board system that can be manufactured using automated PCB fabrication processes. The rigid PCB structure with pre-defined electrical pathways allows for high-speed automated assembly through soldering and mounting techniques, significantly increasing productivity compared to manual cable assembly while maintaining electrical connectivity.
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 machines by minimizing human error and the complexity of cable connections, while ensuring efficient heat transfer and control of the heating process.
Implementation Method 1
acts as a heat sinker for this triac
Implementation Method 2
evacuate the heat produced by the switch to the liquid
Implementation Method 3
resistive heating cable cast in the mass
Implementation Method 4
metal mass with resistive heating cable cast in the mass and with a duct for the circulation of water to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid food or beverage preparation machine that includes a fluid arrangement and a printed circuit board for controlling one or more functions of the fluid arrangement, with the printed circuit board being enclosed within a substantially impervious housing to protect the printed circuit board from fluid or vapor emissions from the fluid arrangement.