Insulated Beverage Cooler With Circulating Fluid Temperature Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining a consistent beverage temperature during consumption is challenging, as beverages rapidly adjust to atmospheric temperature after being removed from heating or cooling sources, leading to undesirable temperature changes, especially when consuming large quantities or beverages with alcohol.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cooling unit with a container insulated with temperature control material, a detachable lid, and a water pump system that uses a mixture of ice and water to maintain the beverage's temperature between 32°F and 45°F (0°C to 7.22°C) through a conduit system, allowing for adjustable consumption rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a beverage is removed from a cooling or heating source, then the beverage can be consumed, but the beverage temperature rapidly changes to match atmospheric temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system remains continuously active while the beverage is being consumed from the container. The conduit system continuously circulates cooling fluid through the container walls, maintaining the beverage temperature throughout the consumption period rather than stopping when the beverage is removed from the cooling source.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the beverage container and the atmospheric environment. This insulation layer reduces heat transfer between the beverage and the surrounding air, slowing down the temperature equalization process and maintaining beverage temperature stability during consumption.
2Temperature
If a beverage is kept in refrigeration systems, then the beverage temperature is maintained, but the beverage cannot be consumed until removed from the system
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container serves multiple functions: it acts as both the beverage storage vessel and the cooling chamber. The conduit system integrated into the container walls provides continuous cooling without requiring the beverage to be removed from the container, combining storage and temperature control functions in a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function continues uninterrupted during the entire consumption period. The cooling fluid circulates continuously through the conduit system embedded in the container walls, maintaining beverage temperature even as the beverage level decreases during consumption.
3Productivity
If the beverage temperature is allowed to change rapidly, then the beverage can be consumed at any rate, but the drinking experience becomes unpleasant and potentially unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor continuously monitors the beverage temperature and provides feedback to the cooling system controller. Based on this feedback, the cooling system adjusts its operation to maintain the beverage within the desired temperature range, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling regardless of the consumption rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates dynamically by adjusting the cooling fluid flow rate and temperature based on real-time beverage temperature conditions and consumption rate. The system can increase or decrease cooling intensity as needed to maintain optimal beverage temperature throughout the consumption process.
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 a consistent beverage temperature during consumption, allowing for any desired rate of drinking while preventing rapid temperature changes, ensuring a pleasant drinking experience and safety, especially with larger volumes.
Implementation Method 1
the container (104) is insulated with a temperature control material (318)
Implementation Method 2
Adjusting the temperature of the beverage (102) with the cooling fluid (322) flowing through the conduit system (306)
Data Source
AI summary
A container enclosing a volume. The container having a container floor facing the volume, a release valve, and a container roof positioned opposite the container floor. The container roof having a container roof inlet that penetrates the container roof. A trough is coupled to the container roof inlet. The trough has at least one beverage mount for holding the beverage, a trough outlet, and a water pump coupled to the trough for transferring a fluid through the trough and the trough outlet.