Refrigerated Dispenser Power Control Using Audio Event Detection
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated dispensing appliances consume significant electrical power, even when inactive, due to continuous operation of cooling systems, leading to wasteful energy usage and potential product deterioration from temperature cycling.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerated dispensing appliance with a power control circuitry and audio signal detector that intelligently transitions between normal-operation and power-conserving modes based on dispensing events, such as product selection or customer interaction, to manage electrical power supply efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling system operates continuously to maintain optimal temperature, then product temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling system operation based on detected customer presence. When customers are detected via audio signals (conversations, laughter, applause), the cooling system activates to maintain optimal temperature. When no customers are present, the system reduces or stops cooling operation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining temperature stability only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses audio signal detection as feedback to monitor customer presence and automatically controls the cooling system accordingly. The audio detector continuously monitors for customer indicators, and based on this feedback, the controller adjusts cooling system operation to balance temperature maintenance with energy conservation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling system is turned off during inactivity to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but product temperature may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling before customers arrive by detecting audio signals of customer approach or presence. When customers are detected, the cooling system is activated in advance to ensure products reach optimal temperature before dispensing, preventing temperature deterioration while conserving energy during truly inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operation is dynamically adjusted based on real-time customer detection. The system transitions between off, reduced-power, and full-power cooling modes depending on customer presence detection, ensuring temperature reliability is maintained only when customers are present while minimizing energy consumption during inactivity.
3Reliability
If the cooling system operates at full capacity to ensure temperature control, then temperature control reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial cooling action only when necessary. Instead of continuous full-capacity operation, the cooling system operates at full capacity only when customers are detected and immediate temperature control is needed. During transitional periods or less critical situations, reduced cooling power is applied, balancing temperature control reliability with energy conservation.
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
This solution reduces energy consumption by minimizing cooling system operation during inactivity while ensuring products remain at optimal temperature, maintaining customer satisfaction and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an audio signal detector that generates at least one dispensing event data signal in response to detection of at least one sound wave
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator removes heat from the nearby chamber air
Implementation Method 3
The compressor increases the pressure of the coolant, raising its temperature in the process
Implementation Method 4
The condenser couples the coolant to a chilled environment. This causes the coolant to give up heat and condense into a liquid
Implementation Method 5
the dispensable items are maintained within a chamber that is thermally insulated from the exterior of the machine
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerated appliance that dispenses items for use with a power source and includes a cooling system. Power control circuitry is electrically coupled between the power source and components (for example, a compressor and one or more circulating fans of the cooling system) of the appliance. A controller, which is operably coupled to the power control circuitry, is adapted to manage the supply of electrical power to such components by intelligently transitioning between a normal-operation mode and at least one power-conserving mode. To achieve efficient power conservation, an audio signal detector is provided that generates at least one dispensing event signal that represents the occurrence of one or more sound-based dispensing events. The controller automatically transitions between the power-conserving mode(s) and the normal-operation mode based upon at least one dispensing event data signal supplied to the controller by the audio signal detector, and possibly other data signals supplied to the controller.