Heating device for drinkalbe liquid

Abstract

A heating device for a drinkable liquid includes a pipe connected to a liquid-storage unit, a heat-storage module including, the pipe mounted in the heat-storage module, a control valve mounted on the pipe and between the liquid-storage unit and the heat-storage module, a liquid outlet on an end of the pipe, and a control unit including a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat-storage module. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heat-storage module to control operation of a heater unit for maintaining the temperature of the heat-storage module not lower than a predetermined temperature. The control unit is operable to control opening of the control valve to allow the drinkable liquid in the liquid-storage unit to flow through the heat-storage module along the pipe for heat exchange, allowing the temperature of the drinkable liquid to reach the predetermined temperature in a short period of time.

1 . A heating device for a drinkable liquid, comprising: 
 a pipe adapted to be connected to a liquid-storage unit;    a heat-storage module including at least one heater unit for increasing temperature of the heat-storage module, the pipe winding in the heat-storage module;    a control valve mounted on the pipe and between the liquid-storage unit and the heat-storage module for controlling flow of the drinkable liquid in the liquid-storage unit to the heat-storage module;    a liquid outlet on an end of the pipe; and    a control unit including a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat-storage module, the first temperature sensor being electrically connected to the control valve;    wherein the first temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heat-storage module to control operation of the heater unit for maintaining the temperature of the heat-storage module not lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit is operable to control opening of the control valve to allow the drinkable liquid in the liquid-storage unit to flow through the heat-storage module along the pipe for heat exchange, allowing the temperature of the drinkable liquid to reach the predetermined temperature in a short period of time.    
   
   
       2 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-storage module includes a first portion for receiving the heater unit and for storing heat energy generated by the heater unit.  
   
   
       3 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the heat-storage module further includes a second portion adjacent to the first portion, and wherein the pipe winds along the second portion.  
   
   
       4 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the heat-storage module includes at least one heat-resistant groove between the first portion and the second portion for regulating heat transfer between the first portion and the second portion.  
   
   
       5 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heater unit is a thermoelectric chip or a heat pipe.  
   
   
       6 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liquid-storage unit is a container or a pipe of a filter.  
   
   
       7 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the control unit further includes a second temperature sensor mounted to the second portion of the heat-storage module and electrically connected to the control unit.  
   
   
       8 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit further includes a second temperature sensor mounted to the second portion of the heat-storage module and electrically connected to the control unit.  
   
   
       9 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit further includes a level sensor mounted in the liquid-storage unit for detecting a remaining amount of drinkable liquid in the liquid-storage unit.  
   
   
       10 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a control member for controlling opening and closing of the liquid outlet, the control member being electrically connected to the control unit to control opening and closing of the control valve.  
   
   
       11 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the temperature of the first portion of the heat-storage module detected by the first temperature sensor is below a lower limit, the control unit activates the heater unit to proceed with heating and closes the control valve, avoiding the drinkable liquid to enter the heat-storage module via the pipe.  
   
   
       12 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein when the temperature of the second portion of the heat-storage module detected by the second temperature sensor is below a lower limit, the control unit activates the heater unit to proceed with heating and closes the control valve, avoiding the drinkable liquid to enter the heat-storage module via the pipe.  
   
   
       13 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein when the temperature of the heat-storage module detected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor is above an upper limit, the control unit stops heating operation of the heater unit.  
   
   
       14 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein when a level of the drinkable liquid in the liquid-storage unit is below a predetermined level, the control unit closes the control valve.  
   
   
       15 . The heating device for a drinkable liquid as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control valve is an electromagnetic valve or a pump.