Integrated Thermoblock Assembly Without Flexible Cable Connections
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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 assembly complexity, manufacturing costs, and reduced reliability due to the use of flexible and deformable cables for electrical and fluid connections.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a flow meter and a printed circuit board with an integrated thermoblock that eliminates the need for flexible cables by rigidly securing electric components onto the thermoblock and printed circuit board, allowing for automatic assembly and reduced human intervention during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible cables are used for electrical connections between heating components and control circuits, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to deformable connections and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines previously separate components (heating element, control circuit, electrical connections) into a single integrated printed circuit board assembly. The heater traces, control electronics, and interconnections are all fabricated on the same rigid substrate, eliminating the need for flexible cables and manual wiring while improving both installation ease and connection reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (heaters, sensors, flow meters) are connected via flexible cables and hoses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into a single printed circuit board structure where heating traces, temperature sensors, and control circuits coexist on the same substrate. This integration dramatically reduces assembly complexity while maintaining design flexibility through PCB layout variations.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional separate component assembly with flexible cables is used, then ease of manufacture is improved for individual components, but productivity deteriorates due to increased assembly time and human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical assembly processes (manual cable routing, connector attachment, component mounting) with automated PCB fabrication processes. The heating elements are created through standard PCB trace deposition, and all connections are established during board manufacturing, enabling high-volume automated production without manual intervention.
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 liquid food and beverage preparation machines by eliminating the risks associated with flexible cable connections, while improving the integration and automation of heating functions.
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 heaters are made of an electric resistance wire
Data Source
Figure 1
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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 device and 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.