Beverage Cooling Tray Layout for Vertical Stacking and Agitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling apparatuses face challenges in efficiently cooling multiple beverages due to reduced storage capacity and inefficient agitation mechanisms, leading to extended cooling times and potential damage to components.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus with a vertically stacked container holder and agitation tray design, where beverages are agitated in a linear reciprocating motion perpendicular to their longitudinal direction, ensuring uniform cooling and minimizing space usage, while the agitation tray performs a motion that maintains parallel lines during rotation to enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the tray is elongated to receive multiple cooled items in a single direction, then the number of cooled items increases, but the cooling apparatus increases in length and reduces storage compartment capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-direction linear arrangement to multi-directional three-dimensional stacking. Multiple container holders are arranged in the width direction and stacked vertically, enabling the cooling apparatus to receive multiple cooled items without increasing length in the front-to-rear direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple container holders are vertically stacked one above another in the width direction, creating a nested-like compact structure. This allows multiple items to be cooled simultaneously while minimizing the footprint and preserving storage compartment capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the tray is laterally expanded to receive multiple cooled items, then the number of cooled items increases, but the storage compartment use capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the width direction and vertical dimension for arranging container holders instead of expanding in the front-to-rear direction. This dimensional reconfiguration allows multiple items to be cooled while preserving storage compartment volume.
3Ease of operation
If a rotational agitation mechanism is used with the cooled item's central axis as the rotational center, then the cooled item rotates, but liquid agitation is insufficient and cooling time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the cooled item around its own central axis, the patent inverts the approach by moving the container holder back and forth horizontally. This causes the liquid inside to be agitated by inertial forces during acceleration and deceleration, achieving better mixing and heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal reciprocating motion of the container holder creates vibration and agitation of the liquid inside the cooled item. This mechanical vibration effect enhances liquid circulation and heat exchange between the cooled item surface and the liquid, reducing cooling time.
4Volume of stationary object
If multiple container holders are vertically stacked, then space utilization improves, but agitation uniformity across stacked containers becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the agitation function by providing separate agitation mechanisms for each container holder level. Each agitation mechanism independently agitates the liquid in its corresponding container, ensuring uniform agitation across all vertically stacked containers regardless of their position.
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
The solution allows for efficient cooling of multiple beverages with improved storage capacity utilization and reduced cooling times, minimizing noise and component damage, while maintaining uniform agitation intensity across stacked containers.
Implementation Method 1
the beverage may have an inertial force that continuously ascends at a time point at which descent of the beverage can K starts
Implementation Method 2
as the cool air supplied into the cooling apparatus and the liquid with the cooled item are not smoothly heat-exchanged, a cooling time may be extended
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus is provided in which items to be cooled may be vertically stacked on each other in a state in which the items to be cooled are laid out or laid on their sides. When the items to be cooled are vertically stacked in the cooling apparatus, a problem in that an upper space of the cooling apparatus is not utilized may be solved to efficiently utilize an inside of a refrigerator or a back surface of a door. Also, a problem in that capacity within the refrigerator is reduced when the items to be cooled are horizontally received may be solved.