Contact-Area Sensing for Adaptive Beverage Container Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensing assemblies face challenges with varying container shapes and quality of contact, leading to inefficient thermal energy transfer and energy wastage due to inconsistent cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system with a sensor module and processing unit that adjusts cooling element operation based on the contact area and quality between the container and cooling contact body, using sensors to determine thermal energy transfer rates and controlling energy supply accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed cooling system is used for beverage containers, then the structure is simple, but the cooling performance is inconsistent due to varying container shapes and contact quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performance consistencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system dynamically adjusts the cooling power based on real-time contact area feedback. The control unit modifies the cooling element's operation according to the sensor signals, enabling the system to adapt to varying container shapes and maintain consistent cooling performance despite changes in thermal contact quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor module continuously monitors the contact area between the container and cooling contact body, providing feedback signals to the control unit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustment of cooling power to compensate for variations in contact quality, ensuring reliable and consistent cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If cooling power is increased to compensate for poor contact, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts cooling power based on actual contact conditions rather than operating at fixed high power. When contact quality is poor, the system increases power temporarily; when contact is good, it reduces power, thereby maintaining cooling performance while optimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the cooling power parameter in response to sensor feedback about contact area. By adjusting this key parameter dynamically, the system maintains effective cooling while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption that would occur with constant high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the cooling contact body is designed for maximum contact area, then thermal energy transfer is optimized, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy transfer rateVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling contact body is designed with a universal geometry that can accommodate various container shapes. Rather than creating custom contact surfaces for each container type, the system uses a standardized contact body combined with active control to achieve effective thermal contact across different container configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical design solutions (such as custom-shaped contact bodies for each container type) with a simpler mechanical design combined with electronic control. The sensor and control system compensates for the simpler contact body geometry, achieving effective thermal contact without manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Ensures efficient thermal energy transfer and consistent cooling performance by adapting to variations in container shape and contact quality, optimizing energy use and maintaining desired beverage temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling element, a cooling contact body thermally conductively connected to the cooling element and arranged to be in thermally conductive contact with the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12404164B2Beverage container cooling system for a beverage dispensing device

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN BV

AI summary

A cooling system is provided for contact cooling of a beverage container. The system comprises a cooling element, a cooling contact body thermally conductively connected to the cooling element and arranged to be in thermally conductive contact with the container, a sensor module arranged to provide a sensor signal having a sensor value indicative of a contact area between the cooling contact body and the container and a processing unit arranged to control operation of the cooling element in response to the sensor signal. The contact area or another indicator for quality of contact between the cooling contact body and the beverage container determines a transfer rate of thermal energy between the beverage container and a beverage contained therein on one hand to the cooling contact body and the cooling element on the other hand. A cooling system with this method of operation allows efficient use of energy provided.