System for precise temperature control of liquids in consumer products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current consumer products such as coffee makers and electric kettles have inadequate temperature control, resulting in significant temperature variations when heating liquids, which affects the flavor profile of beverages and the extraction process.
Innovation Solution
A system with precise temperature control components, including a heating element, temperature sensing device, and control module that allows for calibration and a 'glide in' feature to minimize excessive heating, ensuring the liquid reaches the target temperature accurately by adjusting the heating rate based on the amount of liquid and heating element capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional heating control is used in consumer products, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but temperature precision and manufacturing precision are poor with variations up to 10-12° F.
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by heating water to a known reference temperature (boiling point) and using this calibration data to adjust future temperature readings. This preliminary action compensates for component variations before normal operation, enabling precise temperature control without requiring extremely precise components from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature using a temperature sensing component and adjusts the heating component accordingly. The control component receives feedback from the temperature sensor and modifies heating power in real-time to maintain the target temperature, compensating for variations in heating rate and component performance.
2Productivity
If heating power is increased to reach target temperature faster, then productivity is improved, but temperature precision deteriorates due to excessive heating and overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating power based on the current temperature and the gap to the target temperature. As the liquid approaches the target temperature, the heating power is automatically reduced, preventing overshoot. This dynamic control enables both fast heating and precise temperature accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating parameter (power level) as the temperature progresses. High power is used when the temperature is far from the target for rapid heating, and power is gradually reduced as the target is approached for precise control, optimizing both speed and accuracy.
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
The system achieves precise and accurate temperature control, reducing variations by up to 50% compared to existing products, ensuring consistent flavor profiles and improved extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, temperature sensing device, and control module that allows for calibration and a 'glide in' feature to minimize excessive heating
Implementation Method 2
a component for determining the temperature of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems to allow temperature control more precise and accurate than the current state of the art for consumer products that heat liquids such as, without limitation, coffee makers, tea makers, electric kettles and espresso machines. One feature of such systems may include the ability to calibrate the system with reference to a known temperature point. Another feature of such system may allow reduction in the rate of water heating to allow the temperature of the water to approach a target temperature in a gradual manner.