Removable Boiler Assembly for Pressurized Drink Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boilers for hot drink machines, particularly coffee machines, face challenges in assembly and disassembly complexity and eco-design requirements, with many designs either being non-removable or requiring numerous fasteners, leading to high manufacturing and recycling costs and difficulties in recycling.
Innovation Solution
A boiler design featuring a body and support with complementary portions that cooperate to form a heating chamber, using a base for removable attachment and a diffuser with a heating element, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the body is fixed to the support in a non-removable way, then the structural integrity and pressure resistance are improved, but the ease of disassembly and recycling is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The boiler is divided into separable components (body and support) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The base acts as a removable connector that maintains structural integrity during operation but allows for simple separation when needed, enabling recycling and repair while maintaining strength during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from static non-removable fixation to a dynamic removable attachment system. The base provides stable connection during operation but can be easily detached when disassembly is required, allowing the system to adapt between operational stability and maintenance accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If numerous removable fasteners such as screws and nuts are used, then the ease of disassembly is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single integrated base component. Instead of using numerous separate fasteners like screws and nuts, the base combines attachment, sealing, and structural support functions into one piece that simplifies the assembly and disassembly process while reducing part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between body and support, provides sealing surfaces, enables removable attachment, and facilitates easy disassembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized fasteners and components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of screws and nuts is reduced, then the manufacturing cost is improved, but the pressure resistance capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The base features curved engagement surfaces and rounded corners that distribute stress more evenly across the connection interface. This geometric design allows the single base component to withstand high internal pressures without requiring multiple reinforcement fasteners, maintaining pressure resistance while simplifying the structure.
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 design facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, reduces the number of parts, and provides robust resistance to high fluid pressures, making it advantageous for pressurized boilers while minimizing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser associated with a heating element
Implementation Method 2
The support is thermally insulating. Advantageously, it has a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W·m −1
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a boiler for a hot drink preparation machine, comprising a body (200) and a substrate (100) intended to co-operate with the body (200) in order to define at least one fluid heating chamber. The invention is characterised in that it includes at least one base (300) arranged to co-operate with the substrate (100) and to be secured to the body (200) such as to ensure that the body (200) is removably connected to the substrate (100).