Beverage Cooling Buffer Module for Freezing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage cooling devices face issues with coolant freezing in the dispensing line, leading to blockages, and lack precise temperature control, especially when the coolant temperature drops below the beverage's freezing point.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a buffer module and primary cooling circuit that includes a buffer heat exchanger, buffer container, and flow controllers to manage coolant temperature, preventing freezing and allowing for precise temperature control by circulating coolant through multiple heat exchangers in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If coolant temperature is decreased to increase cooling capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but beverage freezing risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate cooling circuits (primary, secondary, tertiary) that can operate independently or in combination. Each circuit can be controlled separately to provide cooling at different stages, allowing the system to achieve high cooling capacity while preventing beverage freezing through staged cooling rather than direct extreme cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer module pre-cools the coolant in a buffer circuit before it enters the primary cooling circuit. This preliminary cooling action allows the main cooling circuits to operate more efficiently while maintaining better temperature control, as the coolant enters the beverage cooling circuits at an optimized temperature that provides cooling capacity without excessive cold that could cause freezing.
2Measurement precision
If coolant circulation is increased to improve temperature control, then cooling precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer circuit serves multiple functions: it pre-cools the coolant, stores cooled coolant, and can operate as an independent cooling circuit. The heat exchangers can function in multiple modes (direct cooling, staged cooling, or maintenance mode). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby controlling system complexity while achieving precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the coolant's own thermal energy and the heat exchangers' thermal mass to maintain temperature stability. The buffer circuit naturally maintains coolant temperature through its thermal storage capacity, reducing the need for active control mechanisms. The system self-regulates to some extent by utilizing the thermal properties of its components rather than relying entirely on active control systems.
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
Enhances cooling capacity and accuracy, preventing beverage freezing and allowing for precise temperature control, even below the beverage's freezing point, by effectively managing coolant flow and temperature within the device.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer heat exchanger arranged to exchange thermal energy with coolant fluid flowing through the buffer circuit
Implementation Method 2
a primary cooling heat exchanger arranged to allow exchange of thermal energy between beverage flowing through the dispensing line and coolant fluid flowing through the primary cooling circuit
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A cooling device comprises a buffer circuit comprising a cooling unit for cooling coolant and a reservoir for buffering cooled coolant and a primary cooling circuit for providing coolant to a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is arranged for exchange of thermal energy between the coolant and beverage in a dispensing line. The primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit are connected to enable exchange of coolant. The cooling device comprises a coolant distribution module arrange to control exchange of coolant between the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may control at least one of valves as passive components and pumps as active components, in at least one of the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may operate based on coolant temperature in the primary cooling circuit.