Dual-Heating Mobile Liquid Tank for Stable Beverage Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermos flasks fail to maintain a consistent temperature for extended periods, which affects the quality of beverages like coffee, as the temperature of the liquid inside drops or rises over time due to inadequate insulation and lack of efficient heating mechanisms, especially when not connected to a power source.
Innovation Solution
A mobile liquid tank equipped with two separate heating elements: one for initial heating to beverage preparation temperature and another to compensate for heat loss, using low voltage and extra-low voltage power sources respectively, along with a control unit for automatic temperature regulation, allowing for continuous temperature maintenance regardless of power source availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional thermos flasks are used to store hot liquid, then the liquid can be stored for extended periods, but the temperature of the liquid drops over time affecting beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element heats the liquid to the desired temperature before storage, and the insulation is designed to maintain this temperature for the intended duration. The system performs preliminary heating and temperature maintenance actions to ensure beverage quality throughout the storage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by using vacuum insulation and reflective barriers to dramatically reduce heat transfer. This parameter change in the insulation properties allows the liquid to maintain its temperature for extended periods without active heating.
2Temperature
If insulation quality is increased to maintain temperature, then temperature stability improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film reflective barriers and vacuum insulation layers that provide high thermal resistance without adding significant bulk or complexity. These thin film structures efficiently reflect radiant heat and conduct minimal thermal energy, maintaining temperature stability while keeping the device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum insulation creates an inert environment free of conductive and convective heat transfer media. This vacuum barrier effectively isolates the liquid from external temperature influences without requiring complex solid insulation structures.
3Temperature
If active heating elements are added to maintain temperature, then temperature stability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates continuously at low power to maintain temperature, rather than cycling on and off. This continuous low-level heating compensates for heat losses through the insulation, maintaining stable temperature while consuming minimal energy compared to periodic high-power heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system is designed to minimize heat loss so that only minimal energy input is required to maintain temperature. The system essentially serves itself by requiring only small amounts of energy to counteract the reduced thermal losses, making the heating requirement self-sufficient for extended periods.
4Speed
If high power heating is used to heat liquid quickly, then heating speed improves, but temperature control precision decreases when power is disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system transitions from high-power rapid heating to low-power maintenance heating based on the power availability. When mains power is available, high power heats the liquid quickly; when disconnected, the well-insulated liquid retains heat with minimal energy input, dynamically adapting to maintain precision temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary high-power heating to reach the target temperature quickly, then transitions to minimal energy maintenance mode. The insulation is designed to preserve the temperature achieved during preliminary heating, eliminating the need for continuous high-power input and enabling precise temperature control during storage.
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 mobile liquid tank maintains a substantially constant temperature within ±5 degrees Celsius, ensuring the quality of beverages by efficiently managing heat loss and allowing for use in both connected and disconnected power scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (H) for heating the liquid (1) in the tank body (2) to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
an insulating wall (3) having a substantially constant temperature for an extended period of time
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile liquid tank (T) comprising: - an insulated tank body (2) for receiving and storing a liquid (1) and heating means (H) for heating the liquid (1) in the tank (T), wherein the heating means (H) comprise: - a first heating element (17) for heating up the liquid (1) in the tank (T) to a predetermined temperature, and - a second heating element (18) for further heating the heated liquid (1) in the tank (T), wherein the first heating element (17) is configured to be connectable to an external power source and the second heating element (18) is configured to be connectable to a mobile power source (7, 51).