Refrigerator Beverage Dispenser With Air Injection Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single serve beverage dispensers experience unpredictable liquid flow rate variations due to pump-driven liquid flow, leading to inconsistent contact time and decreased beverage quality, especially when mixing powdered beverages with heated water.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system for a refrigerator appliance that includes a tank with a heating element, a liquid inlet and outlet conduit, and an air conduit with an air pump to control the flow rate of heated water, ensuring a consistent flow and improved mixing of powdered beverages by selectively pumping air into the liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pumps are used to drive liquid flow in single serve beverage dispensers, then liquid can be delivered to the dispenser, but unpredictable liquid flow rate variations occur leading to inconsistent contact time and decreased beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump component from the liquid delivery system entirely. Instead of using a pump to drive liquid flow, the system relies on gravity and pressure differential created by the water reservoir and dispensing mechanism. This extraction of the problematic pump element eliminates the source of flow rate variations while maintaining liquid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid delivery system is designed to be self-regulating without active pump control. The water reservoir, when positioned at an elevated location, creates a natural pressure differential that drives consistent liquid flow through the dispensing chamber. The system uses its own weight and pressure to maintain steady flow rates, eliminating the need for external pump control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heated water is dispensed for mixing powdered beverages, then hot drinks can be made, but inconsistent flow rate leads to unpredictable contact time and decreased beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump that caused flow rate instability. By eliminating this component, the system achieves consistent liquid flow rates that provide predictable contact time between water and powdered beverage ingredients, ensuring uniform mixing and consistent beverage quality across different drink types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump-driven flow system with a gravity-based flow system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical variations and control issues associated with pumps, providing naturally consistent flow rates that improve contact time predictability for powdered beverage mixing.
3Stress or pressure
If pumps are used to create pressure for liquid flow, then liquid can be forced through the dispensing chamber, but flow rate variations cause unpredictable contact time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump component that created pressure variations. By removing this element, the system relies on steady gravity-driven pressure from the elevated water reservoir, which provides consistent contact time between liquid and beverage ingredients without the unpredictable pressure fluctuations caused by pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical pump pressure system with a gravity-based pressure system. The elevated water reservoir creates a constant pressure head that drives liquid flow through the dispensing chamber, replacing the variable mechanical pressure from pumps with a stable gravitational pressure source.
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 provides a consistent flow rate of heated water, enhancing the quality of brewed beverages by maintaining predictable contact time and improving the mixing of powdered ingredients with heated water, eliminating the need for pumps to drive liquid flow.
Implementation Method 1
a tank and a heating element configured for heating fluid within the tank
Implementation Method 2
An air pump is coupled to the air conduit. The air pump is configured for selectively pumping air into a flow of liquid in the liquid outlet conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for a refrigerator appliance includes a liquid outlet conduit that extends from a tank. An air conduit extends to the liquid outlet conduit, and an air pump is coupled to the air conduit. The air pump is configured for selectively pumping air into a flow of liquid in the liquid outlet conduit. A related method for operating a dispenser of a refrigerator appliance is also provided.