Beverage Cooling Water Sterilization With Stable Ozone Electrolysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink supply apparatuses fail to effectively prevent germ proliferation and scale formation in cooling water, especially when used for beverages like beer or wine, and the ozone concentration varies with seasonal temperature changes due to fixed current settings in electrolysis.
Innovation Solution
A drink supply apparatus with an integrated sterilizing module that includes an electrolyzing device, original water supply, and ozone generation system, where the original water cooling pipe maintains constant temperature, ensuring consistent ozone concentration and using a solid polymer electrolyte membrane to reduce scale formation, allowing for in-apparatus sterilization without a separate unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolysis is used to generate ozone for sterilization, then germ proliferation is prevented, but ozone concentration varies with seasonal temperature changes due to fixed current settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current applied to the electrolyzing module adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the current amount according to the temperature of original water, ensuring consistent ozone concentration across different seasonal conditions. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the electrolysis process to temperature variations while maintaining reliable sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (current amount) based on temperature conditions. By adjusting the current applied to the electrolyzing module according to original water temperature, the system maintains stable ozone concentration despite seasonal temperature changes, thereby ensuring consistent sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a separate sterilizing device is used to clean the drink supply line, then sterilization is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sterilizing module with the drink supply apparatus, integrating the electrolyzing device, original water cooling pipe, and sterilizing water supply system into the existing cooling water circulation system. This eliminates the need for a separate sterilizing device while maintaining effective sterilization capability, thus reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling water in the drink supply apparatus serves dual functions: it cools the drink supply line and acts as a medium for ozone sterilization. The sterilizing module utilizes the existing cooling water circulation path to distribute ozone-containing water, making the system multi-functional and eliminating redundant separate devices.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cooling water is used for a long time to supply drinks, then refreshment is maintained, but scales form and germs proliferate in the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously generating ozone in the cooling water before it circulates through the drink supply line. The electrolyzing device constantly produces ozone that dissolves in the cooling water, providing preemptive sterilization and scale prevention throughout the flow path during continuous operation, thereby preventing germ proliferation and scale formation even during long-term use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ozone, a strong oxidant, to prevent scale formation and germ proliferation. The electrolyzing device generates ozone that dissolves in the cooling water, creating a highly oxidative environment that inhibits bacterial growth and prevents scale accumulation in the flow path, enabling safe long-term continuous operation.
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
Prevents germ proliferation and scale formation by using ozone sterilizing water as cooling water, maintaining consistent ozone concentration, and allowing for internal sterilization of the flow path, ensuring the quality and safety of stored drinks.
Implementation Method 1
a structure to clean and sterilize a drink supply line using sterilizing water by electrolyzing original water to form ozone
Implementation Method 2
an original water cooling pipe positioned in the cooling water of the drink cooling unit made of a metallic material in a shape of coil
Implementation Method 3
using sterilizing water by electrolyzing original water to form ozone, and by forming the ozone as the sterilizing water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A drink supply apparatus is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes: a drink cooling unit configured to store cooling water inside thereof; a cooling unit housing disposed on a lower portion of the drink cooling unit; a drink storage configured to store a plurality of drink supply cans; a sterilizing module formed in a dry area disposed on an upper portion of the drink cooling unit, wherein the sterilizing module includes: an electrolyzing device; an original water supply port configured to supply original water to the electrolyzing device; an original water cooling pipe made of a metallic material in a shape of coil, having one end thereof connected to the original water supply port and another end thereof connected to the electrolyzing device; a sterilizing water supply pipe configured to eject sterilizing water generated in the electrolyzing device; a valve member configured to branch into a first flow path and a second flow path, one end of the first flow path connected to the sterilizing water supply pipe and another end of the first flow path connected to a sterilizing water outlet, and the second flow path connected to a sterilizing water outlet.