Chilled beverage dispensing systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinkware containers fail to maintain liquids in a cooled or heated state for an extended period, as they lack effective temperature regulation systems.
Innovation Solution
A drinkware container system incorporating a cold-side heat sink, phase change material, and thermoelectric modules, which can be coupled with a cooling unit to maintain the temperature of the liquid, using a combination of heat sinks and fans to efficiently cool or heat the contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional drinkware container is used, then the container is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot maintain the liquid in a cooled state for an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where an inner container holding the liquid is placed within an outer container. The cavity between the inner and outer containers houses the heat sink and insulation materials. This nested arrangement allows the cooling system components to be integrated within the container structure without increasing external dimensions, thereby maintaining temperature control while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat sink as an intermediary component between the liquid and the external environment. The heat sink, positioned in thermal communication with the inner container, acts as a mediator to absorb or release heat from the liquid. Additionally, insulation materials serve as intermediaries to reduce heat transfer between the liquid and the outer environment, enabling extended temperature maintenance.
2Temperature
If insulation materials are added to the container, then temperature maintenance is improved, but the container weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies insulation materials selectively in specific locations rather than uniformly throughout the container. The heat sink is positioned at the base and/or sidewalls where heat transfer is most significant. This localized approach provides effective temperature maintenance while minimizing the total amount of insulation material required, thereby controlling the increase in container weight.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a cooling system is integrated into the container, then extended cooling capability is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a heat sink, insulation materials, and an optional phase change material. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled into the final container. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each part to be produced independently and reduces the complexity of the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs conventional, readily available materials for the heat sink (such as aluminum or copper), insulation (such as foam or air gaps), and optional phase change materials. These are standard materials that can be sourced and processed using existing manufacturing techniques, avoiding the need for specialized or expensive components, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 effectively maintains liquids at a desired temperature for several hours, ensuring beverages remain chilled or heated throughout their use, enhancing user experience and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
one or more thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with the first heat sink, and a second heat sink in thermal communication with the one or more thermoelectric modules so that the one or more thermoelectric modules are interposed between the first heat sink and the second heat sink. The one or more thermoelectric modules are operable to draw heat from the first heat sink and transfer it to the second heat sink to cool the first heat sink
Implementation Method 2
a cold-side heat sink in the cavity and in thermal contact with one or both of the inner wall and the base wall
Implementation Method 3
The cavity can optionally be filled with an insulation material between the cold side heat sink and the outer wall
Implementation Method 4
a phase change material disposed in the cavity and in thermal communication with at least a portion of the chamber and with the cold side heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing machine (e.g., coffee maker) has a cooling unit. The cooling unit includes a thermal mass. The cooling unit is operable to freeze at least a portion of the thermal mass to provide a cold storage reservoir. The cooling unit also includes a passageway within which a brewed beverage flows, the passageway being in thermal communication with the thermal mass that cools the brewed beverage as it flows within the passageway to chill the brewed beverage before it is dispensed.