Beverage Maker Fermentation Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage makers lack efficient control over the fermentation process of beer, particularly in maintaining optimal temperature conditions and pressure, which can affect the quality and taste of the final product.

Innovation Solution

A beverage maker with a fermentation tank, temperature sensor, and temperature controller that regulates temperature through a pre-fermentation and main-fermentation process, along with a gas discharger for pressure control, ensuring precise temperature and pressure management during the fermentation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If temperature control is simplified for ease of operation, then user convenience is improved, but fermentation quality deteriorates due to inability to maintain optimal temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidfermentation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fermentation process is divided into distinct stages (wort production, fermentation, aging) with different temperature requirements. The controller automatically switches between pre-fermentation mode (higher temperature) and main fermentation mode (lower temperature), providing precise temperature control for each stage without requiring user intervention or complex manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automatic temperature regulation. The controller monitors temperature continuously and automatically activates heating or cooling mechanisms to maintain optimal conditions, eliminating the need for manual temperature management while ensuring fermentation quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual temperature management is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but fermentation efficiency deteriorates due to inability to maintain precise temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidfermentation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control through temperature sensors that continuously monitor fermentation tank temperature. The controller receives temperature data and automatically adjusts heating or cooling elements to maintain optimal temperature conditions, ensuring high fermentation efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual temperature management is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The controller substitutes for manual temperature adjustment by automatically regulating heating and cooling mechanisms based on sensor feedback, maintaining precise temperature conditions while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If pressure control is not implemented to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but beverage quality deteriorates due to inability to maintain optimal pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidbeverage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions by managing both temperature control and pressure control operations. A single control unit coordinates heating/cooling mechanisms and pressure regulation systems, providing comprehensive beverage quality management without requiring separate complex control systems for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances the fermentation process by maintaining optimal temperature and pressure conditions, resulting in improved beer quality and user convenience by promoting yeast activation and fermentation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fermentation tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the fermentation tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control:

Implementation Method 3

Leaven, which is called yeast, may be added to liquid malt to ferment the liquid malt and assist production of alcohol and carbonic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3486308B1Beverage maker and method for making beverage
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3486308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486308B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3486308B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a beverage maker. The beverage maker includes a fermentation tank having a space in which a beverage is made, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fermentation tank, a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the fermentation tank, and a controller configured to operate when yeast is put into the beverage that is being made so that a fermentation process comprising a pre-fermentation process of controlling the temperature controller on the basis of a first setting temperature and a main-fermentation process of controlling the temperature controller on the basis of a second setting temperature.