Fast heat-up of a thermal conditioning device e.g. for coffee machine

Abstract

The invention concerns a unit (1000) for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device (100) e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller (2) with a start-up profile for starting-up said device (100) from a temperature of inactivity (TI) to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature (TT) a fluid circulating through said device (100) at start-up end, said controller (2) being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through said device (100) at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature (SOT) of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature (TT) and derive a temperature difference therefrom. It is characterized in that the start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that said controller (2) has a self-learning mode for adjusting said parameter as a function of said temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of said device (100). The invention concerns in particular a method for optimized heating up of a coffee machine (104).

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the activation of a thermal regulating device for heating or cooling a fluid circulated therethrough, in particular a thermal regulating device with a heat accumulator such as a thermal block, such as a heater for a beverage preparation machine. In particular, the invention relates to an optimized method of heating a coffee machine built-in heater from a rest temperature to an operating temperature, using the best possible heating time and taking into account different system configurations. [0002] For purposes of describing the present invention, "beverage" is meant to include any liquid food such as tea, coffee, cold or hot chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, and the like. "Capsule" means any pre-portioned beverage component contained within a sealed package made of any material, especially an airtight package such as plastic, aluminium, recyclable and / or biodegradable and having any Shape and construction, including flexible ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although this device provides satisfactory results in terms of speed of heating, the device is relatively bulky because the volume of water to be heated determines the height of the conduit, and the device is expensive because it requires the resistive element to be mounted in a thick film The form is printed on the surface of the catheter and uses a technique now known as "thick film"

[0010] Also, the accuracy of adjusting the temperature of the liquid is limited by the fact that the liquid is not in direct contact with the sensor located on the outside of the tube

The rate of response to temperature differences is also slower due to the inertia of the liquid to be heated and this detracts from the accuracy of the temperature that can be adjusted

It should also be noted that the proximity of the temperature sensor to the resistive element group risks affecting the measurement in an uncontrollable way due to heat conduction occurring through the tube wall

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