Liquid-heating device for electric household appliance

Abstract

Liquid-heating device ( 11 ) for an electric household appliance, the device comprising a main body ( 1 ) and a complementary element ( 3 ) disposed opposite a face of the main body ( 1 ), a liquid circulation channel ( 4 ) existing between the complementary element ( 3 ) and main body ( 1 ), said channel having two ends forming an inlet ( 5 ) designed to be connected to a liquid reservoir and an outlet ( 6 ) designed for discharging the heated liquid, said complementary element ( 3 ) having a heating resistor ( 2 ) disposed in order to enable the heating of liquid travelling along the channel ( 4 ). Said channel ( 4 ) has a minimum cross-sectional liquid flow area (5 min) situated distant from said outlet ( 6 ) and within closer proximity to the outlet ( 6 ) of the channel than to the inlet ( 5 ) thereof.

1 . Liquid-heating device ( 11 ) for an electric household appliance, the device comprising a main body ( 1 ) and a complementary element ( 3 ) disposed opposite a face of the main body ( 1 ), a liquid circulation channel ( 4 ) existing between the complementary element ( 3 ) and main body ( 1 ), said channel having two ends forming an inlet ( 5 ) designed to be connected to a liquid reservoir and an outlet ( 6 ) designed for discharging the heated liquid, said complementary element ( 3 ) having a heating resistor ( 2 ) disposed in order to enable the heating of liquid travelling along the channel ( 4 ), characterised in that said channel ( 4 ) has a cross-section defined in depth by the main body ( 1 ) and the complementary element ( 3 ) and defined in width by at least a blade extending from the main body ( 1 ) to the complementary element ( 3 ), said channel ( 4 ) having a minimum cross-sectional liquid flow area (5 min) situated distant from said outlet ( 6 ) and within closer proximity to the outlet ( 6 ) of the channel than to the inlet ( 5 ) thereof. 
   
   
       2 . Device of  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a constricted channel portion situated within closer proximity to the outlet ( 6 ) of the channel than to the inlet ( 5 ) thereof, between said minimum cross-sectional liquid flow area (5 min) and said channel inlet ( 5 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device of  claim 2 , characterized in that the constricted channel portion becomes progressively constricted ( 7 ) in the direction of the channel outlet ( 6 ), this constricted portion being referred to as the constricted portion ( 7 ). 
   
   
       4 . Device of  claim 3 , characterized in that the minimum cross-sectional area (5 min) belongs to a channel portion of constant minimum cross section ( 8 ) over the entire length thereof, this channel portion of constant minimum cross section ( 8 ) being immediately contiguous with said constricted portion ( 7 ). 
   
   
       5 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the heating resistor ( 2 ) is screen-printed onto a face ( 9 ) of the complementary element ( 3 ) opposite the main body ( 1 ). 
   
   
       6 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the distance separating said minimum cross-sectional area of the channel from the outlet to be at least one tenth of the total length of the channel, when measured between the inlet ( 5 ) and outlet ( 6 ) thereof. 
   
   
       7 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the minimum cross-sectional area (5 min) is less than half of a maximum cross-sectional fluid flow area (Smax) in the channel, preferably less than a quarter of this maximum cross-sectional area (Smax) and preferably less than a fifth of this maximum cross-sectional area (Smax). 
   
   
       8 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the distance existing between the complementary element ( 3 ) and the main body ( 1 ), over the entire length of the channel, is minimal (Dmin) at the location of said minimum cross-sectional liquid flow area (5 min). 
   
   
       9 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said complementary element ( 3 ) is a tube inside of which the main body ( 1 ) is disposed, and in that the channel ( 4 ) is in the form of a spiral wound about the main body ( 1 ), the turns of this spiral closest to one another being situated in proximity to the location where said minimum cross sectional area (5 min) is located. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . Device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the turns of the spiral closest to one another are situated in proximity to the location where said minimum cross-sectional area (5 min) is located. 
   
   
       13 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the main body ( 1 ) is flat and the channel is in the form of a planar spiral. 
   
   
       14 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the channel ( 4 ) is formed by a groove ( 10 ) made in said main body ( 1 ).