Beverage Dispenser Disinfection Scheduling for Germ Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensers face challenges with germ formation due to plastic materials that cannot be heated to kill germs, and irregular disinfection schedules lead to inefficiencies in energy and agent consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a beverage dispenser that determines the optimal disinfection time based on beverage output volume and temperature, using thermal or chemical disinfection with a controller to ensure efficient germ elimination and prevent biological film formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used in beverage dispensers, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but germ formation cannot be eliminated because plastic cannot be heated to kill germs
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispenser is divided into two distinct parts: a plastic housing (outer shell) and a removable inner container made of heat-resistant material. The inner container can be separated from the plastic housing for independent disinfection, allowing the plastic parts to remain while the removable container undergoes thermal disinfection without emitting plasticizers.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable inner container acts as an intermediary between the plastic housing and the beverage. This inner container is made of material that can withstand high temperatures for disinfection, while the plastic housing remains unaffected. The intermediary allows thermal disinfection to occur without directly heating the plastic components.
2Reliability
If disinfection is performed frequently, then hygiene and germ elimination are improved, but energy consumption and agent usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispenser is equipped with a controller that monitors usage parameters and automatically determines when disinfection is necessary. The system tracks beverage volume dispensed, time since last disinfection, and usage patterns to intelligently schedule disinfection cycles, performing disinfection only when actually needed rather than on fixed schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfection schedule is made dynamic rather than static. The system adapts the disinfection timing based on actual usage conditions - increasing frequency when usage is high and decreasing when usage is low. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between hygiene maintenance and energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If disinfection is delayed, then energy consumption is reduced, but germ formation and biological film growth occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors usage data and provides feedback to determine the optimal disinfection timing. Based on accumulated usage information, the system calculates when disinfection should occur to prevent germ formation while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption. This feedback mechanism enables precise timing of disinfection events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of usage patterns to predict when disinfection will be needed. By analyzing current usage rates and historical data, the controller can schedule disinfection in advance at the optimal moment - just before germ formation becomes a risk - rather than reacting after contamination occurs.
4Device complexity
If water stagnates in beverage preparation devices, then device complexity is reduced, but germ formation and biological film growth are promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispenser implements periodic flushing cycles where water is circulated through the beverage preparation devices at regular intervals. This periodic action prevents water stagnation by continuously moving water through the system, eliminating the conditions that promote biological film growth without requiring complex continuous circulation 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
Prevents germ formation and biological film growth, optimizes energy and disinfection agent use, and ensures the beverage dispenser remains available and functional by scheduling disinfections accurately.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal disinfection device operated during the disinfection step and adapted to heat a liquid to a temperature at which bacteria, virus and/or pathogenic microorganisms are killed
Implementation Method 2
a chemical disinfection device operated during the disinfection step and adapted to output a liquid that is adapted to chemically kill bacteria, virus and/or pathogenic microorganisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method of disinfecting a beverage dispenser employs the following steps: disinfecting at least one beverage preparation device of the beverage dispenser as a preceding disinfection step; outputting the beverage by the beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage passes the at least one beverage preparation device; determining the set point of time of the next disinfection step since the preceding disinfection step depending on at least one of the following: volume of beverage output by the beverage dispenser; temperature of beverage output by the beverage dispenser; carbonization of beverage output by the beverage dispenser; further comprising the following steps: mineralizing the beverage with a plurality of ions; dispensing the beverage with a first temperature and mineralizing the beverage with a first concentration of hydrogen carbonate ions; and dispensing the beverage with a second temperature and mineralizing the beverage with a second concentration of hydrogen carbonate ions, wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature and the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.