Beverage System Ice Maker Evaporator Coil Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home beverage systems face challenges in delivering high-quality, cold carbonated and non-carbonated beverages with efficient water conditioning, maintaining beverage quality, and compact size at a lower cost.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing apparatus with a storage tank having a top portion for ice formation using an icemaker with evaporator coils and a bottom portion for chilled water, pumped through a carbonator upon user command, allowing for efficient production and dispensing of various beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ice is formed using cold air in the storage tank, then the storage tank can be used as both storage and ice maker, but the bottom portion of the storage tank becomes filled with ice making water pumping difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is divided into two functional zones: an upper portion that serves as both storage and ice formation area, and a lower portion that remains ice-free to ensure proper water pumping. This segmentation allows the tank to maintain versatility while preventing operational problems associated with ice accumulation at the bottom.
2Reliability
If evaporator coils are used to form ice directly on the storage tank, then ice can be formed without cold air, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator coils are integrated directly into the upper portion of the storage tank, combining the ice-making function with the storage function. This merging eliminates the need for separate ice-making mechanisms while maintaining reliable ice formation through direct thermal contact between the coils and water.
3Volume of stationary object
If the storage tank is made compact, then the system footprint is reduced, but the space for ice formation and water storage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank employs local quality differentiation where the upper portion is optimized for ice formation with evaporator coils, and the lower portion is optimized for water storage and pumping. This localized functional assignment allows the compact tank to efficiently accommodate both ice and water volumes within a reduced overall footprint.
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 system provides high-quality, cold carbonated and non-carbonated beverages with a compact footprint and lower costs, matching commercial beverage standards by ensuring ample cold water for effective carbonation.
Implementation Method 1
The ice body is formed in an icemaker which is configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil
Implementation Method 2
The water is then pumped by a pump from the bottom portion of the storage tank, through a carbonator
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing apparatus including a storage tank. At least one ice body is formed proximate the top portion of the storage tank. The ice body is formed in an icemaker configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil and does not use cold air, or formed directly on a portion of the top portion of the storage tank using evaporator coils extending around a perimeter of the storage tank. The water is then configured to be carbonated and then dispensed to a user upon a user command.