Dual-Stage Heating in Mobile Beverage Dispensers for Lower Battery Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile beverage dispensing machines require high energy to heat liquids from a low initial temperature to a suitable brewing temperature, leading to reduced usage time and increased power consumption due to bulky and heavy batteries.
Innovation Solution
A mobile beverage dispensing machine with a liquid tank, a beverage preparation unit, and a fluid circuit, utilizing a dual heating system where an external power source heats the liquid to the desired temperature, and a smaller mobile power source maintains the temperature, reducing overall weight and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a mobile beverage dispensing machine uses a single large battery to heat liquid from fresh temperature to brewing temperature, then the heating function is achieved, but the power consumption is high and usage time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is divided into two separate heating elements: a first heating element for initial heating and a second heating element for temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows the system to use different power sources for different heating stages, reducing the power requirements of the mobile battery while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid is pre-heated by the first heating element before being transferred to the beverage preparation unit. This preliminary heating action reduces the thermal mass that the mobile battery must heat, thereby extending usage time and reducing power consumption during autonomous operation.
2Power
If a mobile beverage dispensing machine uses a single large battery for all heating needs, then heating capability is sufficient, but the battery becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two heating elements with different power requirements. The first heating element handles the high-power initial heating, while the second heating element handles low-power temperature maintenance. This allows the mobile battery to be smaller since it only needs to provide power for the lower-demand maintenance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-power heating function is extracted from the mobile battery and assigned to the first heating element, which can be connected to external power sources. The mobile battery is left to handle only the low-power temperature maintenance function, significantly reducing its size and weight requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a mobile beverage dispensing machine uses efficient insulation to maintain temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but the tank becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The second heating element provides continuous low-power heating to maintain liquid temperature throughout the autonomous operation period. This continuous temperature maintenance eliminates the need for heavy insulation that would be required to passively maintain temperature, allowing for a more compact tank design.
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
This configuration extends the operating time of the machine by minimizing power usage for temperature maintenance and reduces the machine's weight and cost while ensuring consistent beverage temperature.
Implementation Method 1
heating means for heating the liquid in the tank
Implementation Method 2
a liquid tank having an insulated tank body for receiving and storing a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile beverage dispensing machine is disclosed that includes a liquid tank, a beverage preparation unit, a fluid circuit, and/or heating means. The machine may further include a mobile power source. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using the mobile beverage dispensing machine.