Recirculating Flow-Through Water Heater for Low-Power Coffee Makers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flow-through coffee maker heating systems require high electrical power consumption, limiting their use to slow-running or high-capacity installations, and are difficult to clean due to fixed water reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating flow-through water heating system that holds water at a lower holding temperature, reducing energy loss and allowing instant heating to near boiling temperature with lower power consumption, combined with a removable and cleanable water reservoir design using non-contact capacitive sensors for level detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional flow-through heating systems heat water from ambient temperature to dispensing temperature in a single pass, then heating speed is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating by maintaining a holding tank of pre-heated water at a temperature below the final dispensing temperature. When hot water is requested, this pre-heated water is combined with ambient water and quickly heated to the final temperature, significantly reducing the energy and time required compared to heating ambient water from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of water by maintaining it at different temperature stages. The holding tank stores water at an intermediate holding temperature, which is then rapidly heated to the final dispensing temperature. This staged temperature approach reduces the energy required for the final heating step.
2Productivity
If flow-through heating systems heat water with a single pass through the heater, then heating efficiency is improved, but the electrical current required becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating by maintaining a holding tank of pre-heated water at a temperature below the final dispensing temperature. When hot water is requested, this pre-heated water is combined with ambient water and quickly heated to the final temperature, significantly reducing the energy and time required compared to heating ambient water from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding tank acts as an intermediary thermal storage device between the ambient water source and the final dispensing point. It stores pre-heated water that serves as a thermal buffer, reducing the heating load on the main heater and thereby reducing the electrical current required.
3Device complexity
If the water reservoir is fixed in the coffee maker, then the heating system structure is simplified, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modular components: a removable holding tank that can be easily detached from the main coffee maker unit. This segmentation allows the tank to be removed for cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire heating system, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding tank is extracted as a separate removable component from the integrated heating system. This allows the tank to be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced by the user without affecting the main heating unit, thereby improving cleaning ease while keeping the overall system structure simple.
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 quick heating with reduced power consumption, suitable for installations with lower electrical capacities, and improves maintenance and sanitation by allowing easy removal and cleaning of the water reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
Flow-through heating systems generally use a direct heater immersion or heat exchanger in the water path
Implementation Method 2
A pump is provided to circulate the water through the flow-through heater
Implementation Method 3
The sensors are external to the reservoir and include non-contact capacitive sensors that detect the water level
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved heating methods for use in coffee makers and other beverage makers that use hot water for various beverages and other purposes. These improvements find particular use on-board aircraft or other passenger transport vehicles, where quick heating and reduced power consumption are particularly desirable and beneficial. Further embodiments also relate to improved water level sensing, improved water reservoirs, and improved carafe features.