Refrigerator Beverage Dispensing With Air-Buffer Contamination Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current refrigerators lack the capability to produce a broad range of conditioned liquid streams, such as heated, chilled, carbonated, filtered, and oxygenated streams, and often require purging to prevent contamination, which is not always effective in minimizing back contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator with a multi-level liquid conditioning system and a liquid enhancement system that includes a cabinet with multiple conditioning components and a dispenser with a liquid enhancement device interface, allowing for the creation of various conditioned liquid streams and minimizing back contamination through an air buffer between the dispensing outlet and the enhancement device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple liquid conditioning components are integrated into the refrigerator to provide various conditioned liquid streams, then the beverage variety and conditioning capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid conditioning system is divided into separate, modular components (heating, cooling, carbonating, filtering) that can be independently installed and maintained. Each component handles a specific conditioning function, allowing the system to provide multiple conditioned liquid streams while keeping individual component complexity low and enabling selective installation based on user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid dispensing system is designed to handle multiple types of liquid streams (heated, cooled, carbonated, filtered) through a single unified dispensing interface. The system can selectively route different conditioned liquid streams through the same dispensing mechanism, reducing the need for separate dispensing systems for each beverage type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a liquid enhancement device is connected at the dispensing outlet to enhance beverages, then the beverage enhancement capability is improved, but the risk of back contamination into the dispensing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage enhancement capabilityVSAvoidback contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An air buffer acts as an intermediary barrier between the liquid enhancement device and the liquid dispensing system. This air cushion prevents direct fluid communication that could allow contaminants to be drawn back into the sterile dispensing system, while still allowing the enhancement device to receive conditioned liquid and dispense enhanced beverages through the same outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid enhancement function is extracted as a separate, externally connectable device rather than being integrated directly into the liquid dispensing system. This separation allows the enhancement device to be removed or replaced without affecting the sterile environment of the dispensing system, and the air buffer further isolates the two systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If purging procedures are implemented to prevent back contamination, then the contamination prevention is improved, but the loss of liquid and operational time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidpurging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The air buffer is pre-established in the system between the liquid dispensing outlet and the enhancement device, providing continuous contamination protection without requiring periodic purging operations. This preliminary protective measure eliminates the need for time-consuming purging procedures while maintaining reliable contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the preparation of enhanced beverages by combining conditioned liquid streams with enhancement components while effectively minimizing the risk of back contamination in the dispensing system.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid heating component to provide a heated liquid stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a liquid cooling component to provide a cooled liquid stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

An air buffer that is formed in the cavity between the liquid dispensing outlet and enhanced liquid within the liquid enhancement device minimizes the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier (air buffer):

Data Source

PatentUS9981839B2Apparatuses and methods for a refrigerator having liquid conditioning and enhancement components for enhanced beverage dispensing

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.