Beverage cooling device for preparing cooled beverage when paired with a beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines that provide both hot and cold beverages are often complex, bulky, energy-consuming, and costly, lacking modularity for adding or removing cold beverage modes as needed.
Innovation Solution
A standalone beverage cooling device with a phase-change coolant and a communication module that pairs with the beverage preparation machine, allowing for autonomous operation, energy management, and flexible temperature control, enabling efficient cooling and preparation of cold beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heavy and bulky refrigeration unit with compressor and evaporator is integrated into the beverage preparation machine, then the beverage can be cooled down rapidly, but the machine becomes complex, bulky, energy-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the main beverage preparation machine and separated into an external cooling container. The container includes a cooling chamber with cooling elements (ice compartment or thermoelectric cooling plate) that can be independently prepared in advance, eliminating the need for a built-in refrigeration unit in the main machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling elements are prepared in advance before the beverage preparation process. The cooling container can be pre-chilled by placing it in a freezer or preparing ice compartments beforehand, so that when beverage preparation is needed, the cooling function is already ready and can immediately cool the dispensed beverage without requiring a complex active refrigeration system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a refrigeration unit is integrated into the beverage preparation machine, then hot and cold beverages can be provided conveniently, but the machine lacks modularity for adding or removing cold beverage mode
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage preparation system is segmented into independent functional modules: the main beverage preparation machine and the separate cooling container. This segmentation allows users to independently add or remove the cooling function by simply adding or removing the cooling container, providing full modularity and flexibility for hot or cold beverage preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling container is designed as a universal accessory that can work with different beverage preparation machines. The container can serve multiple functions including cooling various types of beverages (hot, cold, frothed) and can be independently used or combined with the main machine, enhancing system versatility without adding complexity.
3Extent of automation
If a communication module is added to the cooling device for pairing with the beverage preparation machine, then autonomous operation and temperature control are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling container includes a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the temperature of the cooling element and communicates this information to the beverage preparation machine via a communication module. The machine receives feedback about the cooling state and automatically adjusts beverage preparation parameters (such as water temperature or dispensing timing) to optimize the final beverage temperature, enabling autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling container is designed to be self-sufficient with its own temperature sensor and communication capability. It can independently report its cooling status to the machine and receive control signals, allowing it to autonomously manage the cooling process without requiring complex centralized control systems in the main machine.
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 solution simplifies beverage preparation, reduces energy consumption, and enhances modularity, allowing for efficient and flexible preparation of both hot and cold beverages while minimizing bulk and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a closed chamber containing a phase-change coolant capable of accumulating and restoring thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
the closed chamber and cavity being separated by at least one heat conductive inner wall
Data Source
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AI summary
Beverage cooling device (2) for rapidly cooling a beverage and serving the beverage when cooled, after having been dispensed from a beverage preparation machine (100) in the device, comprising a heat exchange container (3) comprising a closed chamber (4) containing a phase-change coolant capable of accumulating and restoring cooling energy and a beverage cavity (5) with an open upper end (6) for receiving the beverage; the closed chamber (4) and cavity (5) being separated by at least one heat conductive inner wall (8). The device is arranged to be handled separately from the beverage preparation machine and comprises a control unit (13) comprising a communication module (14) arranged for communicating to the beverage preparation machine information representative of the presence of the device at proximity of the beverage preparation machine and/or of a cooling state of the coolant in the chamber. The invention also relates to a system comprising a beverage preparation device and the cooling device.