Fluid heater and corresponding machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid heaters for producing hot water and steam in household appliances, such as coffee machines, face challenges in balancing simplicity, cost, reliability, and efficiency while minimizing consumption levels.
Innovation Solution
A fluid heater design featuring a thermally conductive body with a heating resistor and a conduit wound in a specific path, such as an hourglass or figure-eight shape, optimized for constant distance from the heating core, facilitated by spacers for mechanical anchorage and centring, allowing for various heating configurations and material choices to adjust heating time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional heating element design is used, then the structure is simple and cost is contained, but heat transfer homogeneity and heating efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the heating element in a serpentine (sinusoidal) pattern rather than a straight linear configuration. This curved path increases the surface area in contact with the fluid conduit and distributes heat more evenly across the heating zone, directly improving heat transfer homogeneity while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear heating element to a two-dimensional serpentine pattern. This dimensional expansion allows the heating element to cover a larger area and maintain closer proximity to the fluid conduit throughout its length, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and uniformity without significantly increasing structural complexity
2Productivity
If the conduit is positioned far from the heating core, then manufacturing is easier, but heat transfer efficiency and heating speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the spacing between the conduit and heating core along the length of the heating element. The serpentine configuration creates zones of closer proximity where heat transfer is most needed, while maintaining manufacturability through standard spacing in other areas. This localized optimization improves heating speed without requiring uniform complex positioning throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine design introduces dynamic variation in the distance between the heating element and conduit, creating alternating zones of close and moderate spacing. This dynamic configuration optimizes heat transfer in critical areas while maintaining ease of manufacture in less critical sections, balancing heating performance with manufacturing simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If different heating configurations are implemented, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but production process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serpentine heating element design serves multiple functions: it provides homogeneous heat transfer, maintains compact dimensions, and can be adapted to different fluid conduit configurations. This universal design approach allows the same basic heating element structure to be used across various applications (different fluid types, flow rates, and power requirements) without requiring radical production process modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adaptability through parameter changes rather than structural redesign. By adjusting parameters such as the amplitude and frequency of the serpentine pattern, the spacing between heating element and conduit, and the material properties, the same basic design can be optimized for different applications without changing the fundamental manufacturing process
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 design enhances heat transfer homogeneity, reduces production costs, and offers adaptable heating solutions for different applications by maintaining a consistent distance between the conduit and heating core, improving reliability and efficiency while minimizing consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element and a conduit with a winding path shaped in such a way as to optimize the distance between the conduit and the heating core
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid heater (10), for example, for machines for preparing beverages, includes: - a heating core (12) including a first elongated heating element (121) and a second elongated heating element (122), which are co-extensive; and - a conduit (14) with an inlet end (10a) for fluid to be heated and an outlet end (10b) for heated fluid. The conduit (14) is wound around the heating elements (121, 122) in a winding pattern including a set of first winding loops (141) wound around the first heating element (121) and a set of second winding loops (142) wound around the second heating element (122), the first winding loops (141) being interleaved with the second winding loops (142).