Refrigerator Single-Serve Dispenser With Constant-Pressure Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator appliances lack an efficient method for dispensing single serve beverages, often requiring separate apparatus that occupy counter space, are not connected to plumbing, and use pumps leading to unpredictable flow rates and decreased beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance with a dispensing assembly that includes a flow control device generating a constant pressure, allowing for a consistent flow rate of liquid through an outlet conduit into a single serve dispenser, eliminating the need for external pumps and ensuring predictable liquid contact time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pumps are used to drive liquid into and through single serve dispensers, then liquid flow is enabled, but liquid flow rate becomes unpredictable and beverage quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump component from the system entirely. Instead of using a pump to drive liquid through the dispenser, the system relies on gravity and the natural flow characteristics of the refrigerator's existing water/ice dispensing system. This extraction of the problematic pump element eliminates the source of unpredictable flow rates while maintaining liquid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single serve dispenser is designed to operate using the refrigerator's existing water pressure and flow mechanisms without requiring an external pump. The liquid flow is self-regulated through the dispenser's internal structure and the refrigerator's built-in dispensing system, eliminating the need for active pump control and achieving reliable, consistent flow rates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate apparatus for dispensing single serve beverages are used, then single serve beverage capability is provided, but counter space is occupied and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the single serve dispenser directly into the refrigerator appliance, combining two functions (refrigeration and single serve beverage dispensing) into one unified system. The dispenser is positioned within the refrigerator door or body, sharing the same housing, water supply, and electrical system, thereby eliminating the need for separate standalone beverage dispensing apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator appliance is designed to perform multiple functions: standard water and ice dispensing, refrigeration, and single serve beverage preparation. The single serve dispenser utilizes the refrigerator's existing water supply, heating element, and control systems, making the appliance universally capable of various beverage preparation tasks without requiring additional dedicated equipment.
3Ease of operation
If separate apparatus not connected to plumbing are used, then portability is achieved, but manual filling is required and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single serve dispenser is integrated with the refrigerator's existing plumbing system, sharing the same water supply connections. This merging of water delivery systems eliminates the need for manual filling operations, as the dispenser automatically receives liquid through the refrigerator's built-in water supply infrastructure.
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 enables efficient and consistent dispensing of single serve beverages directly from the refrigerator, improving beverage quality by maintaining a constant flow rate and eliminating the need for separate dispensing apparatus, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a flow control device upstream of and in fluid communication with the outlet conduit, the flow control device outputting liquid at a generally constant pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Refrigerator appliances for use with single serve dispensers, and methods for operating refrigerator appliances, are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes an outlet conduit configured for flowing a liquid therefrom, the outlet conduit disposed in the dispenser recess, a housing for supporting the single serve dispenser, the housing disposed in the dispenser recess, and a flow control device upstream of and in fluid communication with the outlet conduit, the flow control device outputting liquid at a generally constant pressure.