Beverage making apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage-making technologies lack efficient temperature control and clean management during the fermentation process, leading to suboptimal brewing conditions and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A beverage-making apparatus featuring a fermentation tank assembly with a refrigeration cycle apparatus, heat insulating walls, and a supplier system for precise temperature control and clean operation, including a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and air supply mechanisms to regulate fermentation temperature and manage ingredients effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a refrigeration cycle apparatus is installed inside the fermentation tank for temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefermentation temperature control precisionVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigeration cycle apparatus components (compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator) are nested within the fermentation tank assembly, with the evaporator directly contacting the fermentation tank for efficient heat exchange. This nesting approach integrates multiple functions into a compact structure, improving temperature control precision while managing device complexity through spatial optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fermentation tank assembly is merged with the refrigeration cycle apparatus to form an integrated unit. The heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and evaporator combines thermal management functions, while the supplier system integrates ingredient addition with the fermentation process, reducing the need for separate external systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a heat insulating wall surrounds both the fermentation tank and evaporator, then temperature stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stability during fermentationVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single heat insulating wall is designed to surround both the fermentation tank and evaporator simultaneously, creating a unified thermal insulation system. This merged insulation structure improves temperature stability by isolating the entire refrigeration-fermentation system from external thermal influences, while simplifying manufacturing compared to separate insulation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a supplier system with capsule accommodation is added for ingredient management, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient management convenienceVSAvoidsupplier system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplier system uses detachable capsules for ingredient accommodation, where each capsule can be independently filled, sealed, and disposed of after use. This disposable capsule approach simplifies ingredient management and cleaning operations, as users can simply replace capsules rather than manually cleaning complex ingredient delivery mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through standardized replaceable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 apparatus ensures precise temperature control and clean operation, enhancing the brewing process by maintaining optimal fermentation conditions and simplifying the management of ingredients and waste, resulting in improved beverage quality and equipment hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigeration cycle:

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11136538B2Beverage making apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.