Beverage maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers are not compact, efficient, and effective in preventing temperature increases due to heat from condensers, which complicates the fermentation process and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker design featuring a main frame that supports a fermentation module, water tank, and cooling cycle components, including a condenser, with a blowing fan and partition plate to manage heat and maintain compact size, and a control module protected within the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a beverage maker is integrated into a refrigerator to save counter space, then kitchen space utilization is improved, but the beverage maker becomes inaccessible when the refrigerator is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is nested within the refrigerator structure, specifically utilizing the drawer assembly space. The beverage maker housing is positioned within the drawer cavity, allowing it to be stored inside the refrigerator when not in use, thus saving counter space while remaining accessible during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage maker is designed to be dynamically accessible through the drawer mechanism. When the drawer is pulled out, the beverage maker becomes accessible for operation. The system transitions between a stored state (drawer closed) and an accessible state (drawer open), resolving the contradiction between space saving and accessibility.
2Area of stationary object
If the beverage maker is placed inside the refrigerator drawer, then counter space is saved, but cleaning the beverage maker becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is segmented into separable components, including a removable tray assembly and a main housing. The tray can be detached from the housing for independent cleaning, allowing thorough cleaning of all surfaces even when the beverage maker is installed within the confined drawer space.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly is designed to be extractable from the beverage maker housing. This extraction capability allows the tray to be removed for easy cleaning in a sink or dishwasher, overcoming the cleaning accessibility issue created by the integrated drawer installation.
3Area of stationary object
If the beverage maker is integrated into the refrigerator, then device footprint is reduced, but water supply and drainage connections become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is designed to accept both bottled water input and ice maker output, providing multiple water source options. This multi-functionality allows flexible installation configurations, enabling simpler water connections depending on the specific refrigerator model and installation location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the refrigerator's existing ice maker mechanism as an intermediary water source. The ice maker tray serves as a mediator that stores and dispenses ice to the beverage maker, eliminating the need for direct complex water line connections in some installation scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a base; a fermentation module which comprises a fermenter module having an opening part, and a fermentation lid for opening and closing the opening part, and which is disposed on the upper side of the base; a passage module connected to the fermentation module and comprising at least one passage and at least one valve; and a main frame disposed on the upper side of the base and having at least a part of the passage module mounted thereto.