Freezing detection device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional freezing detection devices inaccurately determine the formation of ice due to changes in water quality and electrolyte concentration, and struggle with antifreeze liquids that exhibit high electrical conductivity in both liquid and frozen states.
Innovation Solution
A freezing detection device using a temperature detecting unit, such as a thermistor, to determine if a liquid has frozen by monitoring temperature fluctuations, allowing for accurate detection irrespective of the liquid's electrical conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical conductivity detection is used to determine ice formation, then the detection method is simple and cost-effective, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when water quality changes or antifreeze liquids are used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the detection parameter from electrical conductivity to temperature fluctuation characteristics. By monitoring how temperature changes over time rather than relying on electrical conductivity, the system can accurately detect ice formation regardless of water quality changes or the use of antifreeze liquids, thus resolving the contradiction between simple device design and accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electrical detection method (electrical conductivity measurement) with a thermal detection method (temperature fluctuation monitoring). This substitution allows the system to detect ice formation through thermal characteristics rather than electrical properties, eliminating the problem of inaccurate detection when electrolyte concentration changes or antifreeze liquids are used.
2Device complexity
If water is used as beverage cooling liquid, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the lowest achievable temperature is limited to 0°C
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the cooling liquid parameter from water (freezing point 0°C) to antifreeze liquid (freezing point below 0°C). This parameter change allows the system to achieve lower temperatures while maintaining the same simple cooling apparatus structure, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and temperature achievement.
3Temperature
If antifreeze liquid is used as beverage cooling liquid, then the achievable cooling temperature is lowered below 0°C, but electrical conductivity detection becomes ineffective for ice formation determination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces electrical conductivity detection with temperature fluctuation monitoring. Since antifreeze liquids maintain high electrical conductivity even when frozen, the original electrical detection method fails. By substituting with thermal detection that monitors temperature fluctuations, the system can accurately detect ice formation in antifreeze liquids regardless of their electrical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from electrical conductivity to temperature fluctuation characteristics. This parameter change makes the detection method compatible with antifreeze liquids, which have different electrical properties compared to water, thus enabling accurate ice formation detection while achieving sub-zero cooling temperatures.
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
Enables reliable determination of ice formation regardless of the liquid's conductivity, ensuring precise control of ice formation and maintenance in beverage cooling systems, including those using antifreeze liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detecting unit located at a predetermined distance from the cooling unit; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on an output from the temperature detecting unit
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit located inside the liquid tank to cool the liquid
Implementation Method 3
determine whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit
Data Source
AI summary
A freezing detection device to be applied to a liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid tank for storing a liquid whose freezing is to be detected and a cooling unit located inside the liquid tank to cool the liquid, the freezing detection device comprises: a temperature detecting unit located at a predetermined distance from the cooling unit; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on an output from the temperature detecting unit, the determining unit determining whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on whether the output from the temperature detecting unit is fluctuating or not.