EP2785226A1

EP2785226A1 - Boiler or heating device

Info

Publication number: EP2785226A1
Application number: EP12799103.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Göltenboth; Heinz Albert; Johannes Bais; Alexander Kiefer; Oliver Schneider
Original assignee: WMF Group GmbH
Current assignee: WMF Group GmbH
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-26
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Also published as: DE102011087403A1; WO2013079445A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a boiler or a heating device (1) having or not having a storage vessel, in particular for a beverage machine. It is essential to the invention that a pressure-limiting element (3) designed as a predetermined breaking point is provided on or near a wall (2) of the heating device or of the boiler (1), which pressure-limiting element opens above a predefined pressure and/or a predefined temperature due to geometric shaping in particular in relation to a retainer, and/or due to the material strength and/or the fastening of the pressure-limiting element. Thus, a low-cost and functional safety device can be created.

Description

Boiler or heater

The present invention relates to a boiler or a heating device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a

Beverage machines, in particular a coffee machine, with such a boiler or such a heater.

Storage tanks of boilers or heaters in modern day

Drinks are temporarily exposed to high pressures during operation, which is why usually a safety valve is installed, which opens when reaching or exceeding a predefined limit pressure and reliably dissipates excess energy. This is intended in particular a

Overuse can be prevented. However, such safety valves are technically complex and therefore expensive. At the same time, such

Safety valves partly used in the medium-flow path to save costs. Since the safety valve is constantly in contact with the medium, limescale deposits can form which can impair reliable operation of the safety valve.

The currently on the market safety valves are usually built as so-called check valves and spring loaded and open upon reaching or exceeding the limit pressure described in the previous paragraph, in order to dissipate the excess energy can. This device secures the system against exceeding the designed system pressure. In addition, rupture disks, for example made of metal, are in use at

Exceeding the predefined limit pressure irreversibly destroyed and thereby dissipate the excess energy. The rupture disc has a membrane, usually made of a metal foil, which breaks apart at a defined pressure. This membrane must by exact interpretation of the material strength and

Notch geometries are adapted to the limiting pressure, whereby the metallic rupture discs are relatively expensive. Furthermore, this membrane must be mounted with elaborate brackets on the pressure vessel, which causes costs.

The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing for a boiler or a heater of the generic type an improved or at least one alternative embodiment, in particular by a cost-effective and reliable at the same time against

Damage characterized by overpressure.

This problem is inventively by the objects of

solved independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are

Subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea, in a known boiler or a known heating device,

for example, with a storage container for storing heated liquid, in particular in a coffee machine, directly on or in the vicinity of a wall of the boiler, the heater or the storage container

According to the invention provide a pressure limiting element, as

Predetermined breaking point by attachment, shaping, preferably formed by a notch effect and / or in combination with the material strength. It is also conceivable that the pressure limiting element is attached via, for example, a clip connection to the wall of the boiler and this

Clip connection opens from a predefined pressure or from a predefined temperature. The biggest advantage of such designed as a predetermined breaking point pressure limiting element is the comparatively cost-effective solution, since the pressure limiting element can serve as a closure element / holder at the same time and cost-effective

Materials or manufacturing methods can be used. By attaching such trained as a predetermined breaking point

In addition, pressure limiting elements directly on or near the wall do not require any extra cables, which reduces the variety of parts and at the same time reduces assembly costs. In addition, since the predetermined breaking point no mechanical moving parts, such as a spring or a

In addition, valve disk, which has a significantly increased

Reliability in terms of function can be achieved because in particular a calcification and thus a mechanical blocking can be reliably excluded. With the invention directly on the wall of the

Storage container, such as a boiler arranged

Pressure limiting element is therefore on the one hand a cost-effective and on the other hand a very effective and accurate working against

Unwanted overpressure feasible.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the pressure limiting element can be combined with another useful element of the boiler. This useful element may for example be a thermocouple, a pressure sensor, a heater or the like, but no medium-carrying line that breaks through the wall of the heater. As a result, the assembly and brackets of this element can be saved. The additional attachment of the useful element, the function of the

Do not affect the pressure limiting element.

Preferably, the pressure limiting element is designed as a plastic, elastomer, ceramic or metal formed closure. Such a closure can be, for example, as a blind plug or as a screw cap simply insert into an associated opening of the wall of the heater and is thus always in direct contact with an interior of the heater. The pressure limiting element is preferably arranged in an upper region of the storage container, so that in a bursting of the same preferably only an overpressure in the storage container can be reduced, but the hot water therein does not initially expire.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention

Solution, the pressure limiting element or the closure is held by means of a bayonet closure in the opening of the wall of the heater. Such a bayonet lock in particular allows easy replacement of the bursting after their use or at regular intervals

Maintenance work. Of course, instead of the bayonet closure, another clip or screw connection may be provided, wherein all connections should preferably be designed so that a reliable fixing of the pressure limiting element in the opening of the wall can be ensured, but on the other hand an exchange of the pressure limiting element with a reasonable effort is possible. A seal, such as a gasket, may be further attached to seal the heater.

In a further embodiment of the solution according to the invention, at least one useful element is provided on the boiler or on the heating device, which penetrates the wall, wherein the useful element can be designed as a thermocouple. The pressure limiting element can also by means of a

Bayonet be held in the opening of the wall of the heater. The pressure limiting element is preferably designed as a closure (element) or as a blanking plug and is on reaching the predefined limit pressure, preferably by notch effect and / or in combination of Strength of the material is fragile or destroyed, causing the inside

prevailing overpressure can be reduced. For sealing the

Heater, a seal, such as a gasket may be provided. The additional useful element can, for example, both cast directly with the pressure limiting element, glued or the like. be or the element can be mounted, for example with another screw on a clamping element or fixed to the element projection on, for example, a flat gasket to the pressure limiting element.

In a further embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the pressure-limiting element can also be connected to a reporting device developed for rupture disks or to an alarm system, such as, for example, a B.D.I. alarm system (burst-disc-indicator). In the event of a burst of the

Pressure limiting element is a signal cable damaged, thereby interrupting the electric current flow and issued a warning.

The pressure-limiting element preferably releases a bursting opening in the event of a burst, which is so great that an energy discharge, which is greater than a maximum energy inflow, for example via a heating device, can take place via the latter. When using the pressure-limiting element is therefore guaranteed in any case that the pressure prevailing in the interior of the storage tank pressure can be reliably reduced, even if the

Heater would continue to heat at full power. The pressure limiting element according to the invention thus also covers the worst case.

The invention is further based on the general idea of using such a pressure limiting element according to the invention in a beverage dispenser known per se, for example in a fully automatic coffee machine.

Especially in modern coffee machines is for the production Tasty coffee drinks often requires a relatively high pressure, for example, in the production of espresso, which

corresponding pressure requirements are also placed on the boiler or heating systems of coffee machines. In order to be able to realize a reliable protection against an undesirable overpressure, previously known from the prior art safety valves with all their disadvantages, such as the high cost and mechanical vulnerabilities, were installed. The inventive and designed as a predetermined breaking point

Pressure limiting element thus provides in such coffee machines a cost-effective and at the same time functionally highly reliable alternative for the known safety valves.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated

Description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, in each case schematically, 1 shows a sectional view through a first possible embodiment of a pressure-limiting element according to the invention,

Fig. 2-4 sectional views through further possible embodiments of the pressure limiting element.

1 to 4, an inventive boiler or a heater 1, in particular with a storage container for storing heated liquid, for a vending machine, at or near a wall 2 of the heater or the boiler 1 as a predetermined breaking point

trained pressure limiting element 3, which opens by a geometric shape, in particular with respect to a holder, and / or by its attachment and / or by its material strength from a predefined pressure and / or a predefined temperature, for example, it is destroyed, especially ruptures or dissolves in terms of its attachment. The pressure limiting element 3 could for example via a

Fixed clip that opens when a predefined pressure is reached. The biggest advantage of such designed as a predetermined breaking point pressure limiting element 3, is the relatively inexpensive solution, since this requires only a few components and at the same time cost materials or manufacturing processes can be used. By attaching such a pressure limiting element 3 directly on or in the vicinity of the wall 2 also no extra cables must be laid, thereby reducing the variety of parts and at the same time reduces assembly costs. In addition, since the predetermined breaking point has no mechanical moving parts, such as a spring or a valve disk, a significantly increased reliability in terms of the function can be achieved since

in particular calcification and thus a mechanical blocking can be reliably excluded. With the invention directly on the wall 2, For example, a boiler arranged pressure limiting element 3 is thus on the one hand a cost-effective and on the other an extremely effective and accurate working against unwanted overpressure feasible.

At least one useful element 4, which penetrates the wall 2, may be provided on the boiler or on the heating device 1, it being possible for the useful element 4 to be designed as a thermocouple (cf. FIGS. 3, 4). The

Pressure limiting element 3 can be formed in one piece or in one piece with at least one useful element 4. The pressure limiting element 3 can be held by means of mechanical and / or positive connection, for example by means of a bayonet closure in the opening of the wall 2 of the boiler or the heater 1 or a storage container. Such a bayonet lock in particular allows easy replacement of the bursting after their use or at regular intervals

Maintenance work. Of course, instead of the bayonet closure, another clip or screw connection may be provided, wherein all connections should preferably be designed so that a reliable fixing of the pressure limiting element 3 in the opening of the wall 2 can be ensured, but on the other hand, an exchange of the pressure limiting element 3 with a reasonable effort is possible. It may further be a seal 6, for example, a gasket are attached to seal the heater 1.

In addition, the pressure limiting element 3 can in the event of a burst

Release burst opening which is so large that over this an energy discharge can take place, which is greater than a maximum energy flow, for example via a heater, and / or the bursting opening is dimensioned so that over this so much energy is dissipated that a predefined Pressure, especially in the heater 1 does not increase. Further, it can be provided that the generated by shaping

Predetermined breaking point of the pressure limiting element 3 is designed as a notch 5. In addition, the pressure limiting element 3 may also be provided with a rollover detection device or alarm system, such as a B.D.I. Be connected alarm system (burst-disc-indicator). In the event of a burst of the pressure limiting element 3, a signal cable is damaged, thereby interrupting the electrical current flow and issued a warning. The pressure limiting element 3 or the boiler or the heating device 1 according to the invention is used in a not shown

drinks machines

Preferably, the pressure limiting element 3 is designed as a plastic, elastomer, ceramic or metal formed closure. Such a

Closure can be used, for example, as a blanking plug or as a screw easily in an associated opening of the wall 2 of the heater 1 and is thus always in direct contact with an interior of the

Heating device 1. The pressure limiting element 3 can also be held by means of a bayonet closure in the opening of the wall 2 of the heater 1 and be formed, for example, as a closure or as a Blink lid, which upon reaching the predefined limit pressure, preferably by notch effect and / or in combination with the strength of Materials are fragile or destroyed, whereby the prevailing inside pressure can be reduced. For sealing the heating device 1, a seal 6, for example a flat gasket can be provided. The extra

Use element 4, for example, both directly with the

Pressure limiting element 3 potted, glued or the like. be connected or the useful element 4, for example, with a further screw 8, for example a nut, via a clamping element or on a projection. 7 be mounted on the example of a seal 6 to the Druckbegrenzungselennent 3.

Especially in modern coffee machines is for the production

Tasty coffee drinks often requires a relatively high pressure, for example, in the production of espresso, which

appropriate pressure requirements are also placed on the boiler or heating systems of coffee machines. In order to be able to realize a reliable protection against an undesirable overpressure, previously known from the prior art safety valves with all their disadvantages, such as the high cost and mechanical vulnerabilities, were installed.

Claims

claims

1 . Boiler or heating device (1), in particular with a storage container for storing heated liquid, for a vending machine, characterized

that at or in the vicinity of a wall (2) of the heating device or the boiler (1) designed as a predetermined breaking point pressure limiting element

(3) is provided by a geometric shape,

in particular with respect to a holder, and / or by his

Material strength and / or opens by its attachment from a predefined pressure and / or a predefined temperature.

2. boiler or heating device according to claim 1,

characterized,

that at the boiler or at the heating device (1) at least one useful element

(4) is provided, which penetrates the wall, wherein the useful element (4) may be formed as a thermocouple.

3. boiler or heating device according to claim 2,

characterized,

the pressure limiting element (3) is formed with at least one useful element (4).

4. boiler or heating device according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized, in that the pressure limiting element (3) is connected by means of a mechanical and / or positive connection, in particular by means of a

Bayonet or a clip connection, is held in the opening of the wall (2) of the boiler or the heater (1) or a storage container.

5. boiler or heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

- That the pressure limiting element (3) releases a bursting opening in the event of bursting, which is so large that over this an energy discharge can take place, which is greater than a maximum energy flow, for example via a heater (1), and / or

- That the pressure limiting element (3) releases a bursting opening in bursting, which is dimensioned so that over this so much energy is dissipated that a predefined pressure, in particular in the

Heating device (1) stops rising.

6. boiler or heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

that the predetermined breaking point of the

Pressure limiting element (3) is designed as a notch (5).

7. boiler or heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

the pressure-limiting element (5) is connected to a signaling device or an alarm system, such as, for example, a BDI alarm system (burst-disc-indicator).

8. Vending machine, in particular a coffee machine, with a boiler or a heater (1) according to one of the preceding claims.