Nested Carbonation Tank for Compact Beverage Machine Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Carbonated beverage machines have a large footprint and inefficient cooling systems, which affect the carbonation process and occupy valuable countertop space.
Innovation Solution
A carbonation system where the carbonation tank is positioned within the liquid tank, allowing for shared cooling and reduced overall size, with a separate chamber and cooling system to maintain optimal carbonation temperature and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the carbonation tank and liquid tank are positioned separately, then the cooling system can be simpler, but the footprint of the beverage machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbonation tank is positioned inside the liquid tank, creating a nested configuration where the carbonation tank is surrounded by the liquid tank walls. This nesting arrangement allows the liquid tank to serve as both a storage container and a cooling element, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining separate functional zones for carbonation and liquid storage
2Volume of stationary object
If the carbonation tank is cooled by a separate cooling system, then the cooling can be more controlled, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid tank serves multiple functions: it stores liquid for carbonation, acts as a thermal mass for cooling the carbonation tank, and provides structural containment. By making the liquid tank multi-functional, the system reduces overall volume while maintaining effective temperature control through the thermal interaction between the liquid and carbonation tank walls
3Temperature
If the carbonation chamber and liquid chamber are separated by a wall, then thermal benefits are achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carbonation chamber is nested within the liquid chamber, with the liquid tank walls forming the separation barrier. This nested arrangement provides thermal isolation between the chambers while using the existing tank walls as the separating structure, thereby achieving temperature control without adding significant structural complexity
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 achieves a smaller footprint, efficient cooling, and improved carbonation performance by nesting the carbonation tank within the liquid tank, maintaining a consistent temperature and enhancing the carbonation process.
Implementation Method 1
positioning the carbonation tank in the liquid tank can facilitate cooling of the carbonation tank via the liquid tank
Implementation Method 2
The liquid chamber can be configured to receive liquid such that the liquid contacts the wall of the carbonation chamber
Implementation Method 3
introducing pressurized gas to the liquid in the second tank to carbonate the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A carbonation system for a beverage appliance or machine that can include a liquid chamber and a carbonation chamber separated from the liquid chamber by a wall of the carbonation chamber is disclosed herein. In some implementations, the liquid chamber is defined by a liquid tank (e.g., a water tank), and the carbonation chamber is defined by a carbonation tank. The carbonation system can move liquid (e.g., water) from the liquid chamber to the carbonation chamber and introduce carbonating gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) into the carbonation chamber to create a carbonated liquid (e.g., a carbon dioxide water dissolution, such as carbonated water, sparkling water, or seltzer).