Beverage preparation machine and cooling module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines that combine hot and chilled beverage dispensing require significant space due to the bulkiness of heating and cooling arrangements, making them less suitable for compact installations in self-service areas and homes.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage preparation machine incorporating a cooling module with a heat exchanger, phase change material (PCM) thermal energy accumulator, and a heat pump, where the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat exchanger and preferentially extracts thermal energy from the liquid beverage ingredient, supplemented by thermal energy from the PCM, allowing for efficient cooling and reduced space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cooling compressor and heat exchanger are used to cool liquid, then chilled beverages can be dispensed, but the machine occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling compressor, heat exchanger, and thermal energy accumulator into a single integrated cooling module. This merging of previously separate components into one compact unit directly reduces the overall space occupation while maintaining the beverage cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the liquid conduit is positioned within the heat exchanger, which is thermally coupled to the thermal energy accumulator containing phase change material. This nesting of components within each other maximizes space utilization and minimizes the machine's footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a boiler or flow-through heater is used to heat liquid, then hot beverages can be dispensed, but the machine occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow-through heater with the cooling module components, merging heating and cooling functions into a compact shared structure. This reduces the total space required compared to having separate heating and cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger and thermal energy accumulator serve dual purposes: they are used for cooling beverages during cold drink preparation and can be utilized for heating during hot drink preparation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate heating equipment, reducing overall machine space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both heating and cooling arrangements are combined into a single machine, then both hot and chilled beverages can be dispensed, but the machine occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating and cooling arrangements into a single integrated machine with shared components including the pump, liquid conduit, heat exchanger, and thermal energy accumulator. This consolidation enables dual beverage dispensing while minimizing space occupation through component sharing and integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine employs universal components that serve multiple functions: the pump delivers liquid for both hot and cold beverages, the heat exchanger provides thermal exchange for both heating and cooling operations, and the thermal energy accumulator with phase change material assists in both temperature regulation modes. This multi-functionality is key to achieving compact dual-purpose beverage dispensing.
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 solution enables the machine to efficiently dispense both hot and chilled beverages while occupying minimal space, achieving compactness and efficiency in beverage preparation, with the PCM enhancing cooling capacity and reducing the overall footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump thermally coupled (connected) to the heat exchanger discretely from the at least one thermal energy accumulator and configured, in use, to extract thermal energy from a liquid beverage ingredient flowing through the liquid conduit in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermal energy accumulator comprising a phase change material (PCM) thermally coupled (connected) to the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
at least one thermal energy accumulator comprising a phase change material (PCM) thermally coupled (connected) to the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger having a liquid conduit for a liquid beverage ingredient to be cooled, at least one thermal energy accumulator comprising a phase change material (PCM) thermally coupled (connected) to the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage preparation machine has a cooling module (70) for cooling a liquid beverage ingredient. The module comprises a heat exchanger (72) having a liquid conduit (74) and a thermal energy accumulator (80) comprising a phase change material (PCM) (82) thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. A heat pump (78) is thermally coupled to the heat exchanger discretely from the thermal energy accumulator so as to extract thermal energy from a liquid flowing through the liquid conduit in preference over the PCM. More than one thermal energy accumulator (80) may be coupled to the heat exchanger. The beverage preparation machine may have a flow-through heater for heating a liquid beverage ingredient.