Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoblocks in beverage preparation machines face challenges in accurately controlling temperature and optimizing heating energy, leading to lengthy pre-heating periods and inefficiencies due to thermal inertia and uneven heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A self-learning heating device with a thermoblock and controller that adjusts power transmission parameters based on temperature differences, using a temperature sensor system to optimize heating time and adapt to changing conditions, allowing for faster and more accurate temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a thermoblock with high thermal capacity is used to accumulate heat energy, then the thermal energy storage is improved, but the heating time becomes excessively long due to thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating zones along the thermoblock, each with its own heating element. This allows selective heating of only the portions of the thermoblock that are needed for current operation, rather than heating the entire mass, thus reducing overall heating time while maintaining adequate thermal energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-heats the thermoblock to a temperature higher than the target operating temperature during idle periods or when energy is available. This preliminary heating action ensures that when heating is actually needed, the thermoblock can quickly reach the required temperature, reducing the effective heating time during demand periods.
2Quantity of substance
If a large mass of metal is used in the thermoblock for heat accumulation, then the thermal capacity is improved, but the temperature control precision deteriorates due to uneven heat distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoblock is segmented into multiple heating zones with independent temperature control. Each zone can be heated to the precise temperature required for its specific function, eliminating the temperature gradients and uneven heat distribution that occur in uniformly heated large-mass thermoblocks, while still maintaining overall heat accumulation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the thermoblock are given different thermal properties or heating characteristics suited to their specific functions. This allows each local region to maintain optimal temperature control precision while the overall system retains high thermal capacity through the combined mass of all zones.
3Stability of the object's composition
If resistive heating elements are placed at a distance from the duct to ensure proper positioning, then the structural stability is improved, but the heating efficiency deteriorates due to heat loss in the metal mass
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heating elements are distributed along the length of the thermoblock at optimized intervals. This segmentation allows each heating element to heat a specific local zone efficiently, reducing the distance heat must travel through the metal mass and minimizing thermal losses, while the overall structure maintains stability through the distributed arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are activated in a sequential or periodic manner rather than simultaneously, heating different zones in succession. This periodic heating action reduces cumulative heat loss in the metal mass compared to continuous full-power heating, while maintaining structural stability through the established positioning of all heating elements.
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 self-learning system reduces pre-heating duration by 30-70% and ensures the beverage preparation machine can start up quickly and efficiently, adapting to various environmental and operational conditions, thereby improving the heating process.
Implementation Method 1
They generally comprise a heating chamber, such as one or more ducts, in particular made of steel, extending through a mass of metal, in particular a massive mass of metal, in particular made of aluminium, iron and/or another metal or an alloy, that has a high thermal capacity for accumulating heat energy
Implementation Method 2
a massive mass of metal, in particular made of aluminium, iron and/or another metal or an alloy, that has a high thermal capacity for accumulating heat energy
Implementation Method 3
a high thermal conductivity for the transfer the required amount of the accumulated heat to liquid circulating therethrough whenever needed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a unit for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller with a start-up profile for starting-up the device from a temperature of inactivity to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature a fluid circulating through said device at start-up end, the controller being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through the device at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature and derive a temperature difference therefrom. The start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that the controller has a self-learning mode for adjusting the parameter as a function of the temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of the device. The invention concerns in particular a method for optimized heating up of a coffee machine.