Mobile Modular Beverage Unit for Off-Grid Water and Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems in locations without electricity and water supply, such as hospitals and event catering, are inefficient, hygienic, and unsatisfactory in quality, requiring stationary serving points that pose hygiene risks and limit mobility.
Innovation Solution
A modular unit with a housing, boiler, pump, power unit, and control system, integrated into a mobile transport cart, providing water and energy to external devices like coffee machines, ensuring hygiene and quality through removable components and sensors for temperature and water level control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a stationary serving point with large insulated containers is used, then beverage storage capacity is improved, but beverage quality deteriorates and hygiene problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beverage service function into multiple mobile dispensing units distributed throughout the facility, each with its own water tank and heating element. This segmentation replaces the single large stationary container with multiple smaller units, ensuring fresh beverages are always available while maintaining hygiene through regular cleaning of individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static stationary serving points to dynamic mobile dispensing carts that can be moved to different locations. Each cart contains a water tank, heating element, and dispensing mechanism, allowing flexible deployment throughout the facility while maintaining beverage quality through controlled heating and minimal storage time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile coffee stations with water tanks are used, then independence from water connection is improved, but device complexity increases due to power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile dispensing unit is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple functions: heating water, brewing coffee, and dispensing beverages. The standardized design with integrated water tank, heating element, and power supply creates a multi-functional unit that eliminates the need for separate water and power connections at each service location.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stationary beverage dispensing systems are used, then beverage supply stability is improved, but mobility and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed stationary dispensing points with mobile dispensing carts equipped with water tanks and heating elements. These dynamic units can be rapidly deployed to different locations throughout the facility, reducing the time required to respond to beverage requests while maintaining supply stability through onboard water and heating capabilities.
4Ease of repair
If removable and replaceable components are implemented, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile dispensing unit is designed with segmented, modular components including removable water tanks, replaceable heating elements, and interchangeable dispensing mechanisms. This segmentation allows individual components to be easily removed, cleaned, repaired, or replaced without affecting the entire system, significantly simplifying maintenance operations.
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 hygienic, high-quality beverage supply with mobility and independence from fixed power and water sources, maintaining operation for up to 12 hours without external power, and ensuring easy maintenance and intuitive operation.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element heats the water in the boiler to a suitable temperature, for example, between 60°C and 80°C... This temperature is necessary to keep the stored water in the boiler free of bacteria and/or germs
Implementation Method 2
a pump with a piping system by means of which the water heated in the boiler can be conveyed to a fluid connection for an external device
Implementation Method 3
a power unit with an inverter having a standard AC output for at least one external device and a rechargeable energy storage device
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular unit (1) comprising as modular components a housing (2), a boiler (13) for storing and heating a defined volume of water to a determinable temperature, comprising a water tank (14) and a heating element, as well as a water connection (15) for an external water source and at least one outlet (16), a pump (30) with a piping system (31) by means of which the water heated in the boiler (13) can be conveyed to a fluid connection (32) for an external device, an internal energy unit (40) comprising at least one rechargeable energy storage device (41) and an inverter (42) with a standard AC output for the at least one external device, sensor means (20) for acquiring data on temperature and/or water level in the boiler and/or a state of charge of the energy unit (40), and control means (50) with an input and output panel (6) for controlling the modular components.based on the collected, inputtable and/or stored data.