Beverage Dispensing Appliance User-Responsive Heating Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid supply devices require time to heat liquids to desired temperatures, leading to user wait times and increased energy consumption, as they often maintain liquids at a single heated temperature, which does not accommodate varying user preferences for different temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A liquid supply device with a tank, electric heating element, dispenser, and temperature sensor, where data on dispensed liquid temperature is recorded to develop an expected heating pattern, and the heating element is activated based on user presence to preheat liquids to predicted temperatures, allowing for efficient and user-responsive dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the appliance maintains liquid at a heated temperature, then the liquid is ready for dispensing, but energy consumption increases and operating costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser wait timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating actions based on predicted user needs. The controller analyzes historical dispensing data to predict when heating will be needed, then activates the heating element in advance but only for the predicted duration and temperature, rather than continuously maintaining heat. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the liquid beforehand (reducing wait time) while limiting the heating duration (reducing energy consumption).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes heating parameters (temperature, duration, power level) based on real-time predictions and actual user requests. Instead of maintaining a constant temperature, the controller adjusts the heating parameters to match the specific predicted needs, optimizing the balance between readiness and energy efficiency. When a user request comes in, the system adjusts the heating parameters to quickly reach the required temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the appliance heats liquid to a higher temperature, then it can accommodate more temperature preferences, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature preference accommodationVSAvoidheating energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the heating temperature based on real-time user requests and historical patterns. Rather than maintaining a fixed high temperature to cover all possibilities, the controller adapts the target temperature to match actual user needs. The system learns from dispensing data which temperatures are most commonly requested and adjusts its heating strategy accordingly, providing versatility when needed while conserving energy when higher temperatures are not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the appliance preheats liquid based on user presence detection, then dispensing speed improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing its own dispensing data to generate predictions and trigger heating actions without requiring complex external control systems. The controller uses the existing dispensing data already being collected for other purposes to train prediction models and initiate heating sequences. This approach improves dispensing speed through intelligent preheating while minimizing additional device complexity by leveraging existing data infrastructure and simple prediction algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If the appliance records and analyzes dispensing data over time, then heating pattern prediction improves, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature prediction accuracyVSAvoiddata storage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential features from the dispensing data that are most relevant for temperature prediction, rather than storing and processing all raw data. The controller identifies and extracts key patterns such as time-of-day trends, user preference distributions, and seasonal variations. By extracting only these critical predictive features, the system achieves high temperature prediction accuracy while minimizing data storage requirements and processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device efficiently anticipates and meets user temperature preferences, reducing wait times and energy consumption by preheating liquids only when needed, accommodating multiple users with different temperature requests.

Implementation Method 1

an electric heating element connected to the tank to heat the liquid in the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor provided within the liquid supply device and configured to sense a temperature of the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS11542148B2Free-standing beverage dispensing appliance and method for operating a beverage dispensing appliance
Publication Date: 2023.01.03 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC
  • US11542148B2 patent drawing
  • US11542148B2 patent drawing
  • US11542148B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid supply device includes a tank, an electric heating element, a dispenser to dispense liquid from the tank, and a controller configured to initiate a user-responsive heating operation. The user-responsive heating operation includes recording data regarding dispensed liquid amount and temperature, developing an expected heating pattern for the electric heating element, detecting a user, and directing the electric heating element accordingly.