Refrigerator Beverage Dispenser for Solid Flavor Component Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators and liquid dispensing appliances lack the capability to receive, store, process, and manage liquid enhancement components in solid form for preparing beverages, as they are not configured to oversee the management of such processes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for a refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance that includes a product intake for receiving a solid liquid enhancement component, a processing system to reduce its particle size for easier dissolution, and a delivery system to transfer and disperse the processed component for mixing with liquid, using pneumatic, mechanical, or gravitational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a refrigerator is configured to receive, store, process and manage solid liquid enhancement components, then beverage preparation functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a product intake module for receiving solid enhancement components, a processing system for reducing particle size, a delivery system for transferring processed components, and a dispenser for mixing with liquid. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, enhancing versatility while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerator is designed with multi-functionality by integrating beverage preparation capabilities into the existing refrigeration system. The same appliance that stores liquids can now also receive, process, and dispense solid enhancement components, making it a universal beverage preparation station that handles both liquid storage and solid component processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If particle size reduction processing is implemented, then dissolvability of liquid enhancement component is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedissolvabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The solid liquid enhancement components undergo particle size reduction processing in advance, before being stored and later dispensed. The processing system reduces the particle size of components during an initial processing phase, so that when the components are later dispensed and mixed with liquid, they dissolve quickly and efficiently without requiring additional processing time at the point of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated transfer and dispersion of processed components is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism that transfers processed solid enhancement components from the processing system to the dispenser. This combined approach automates the intermediate transfer step, improving productivity by eliminating manual handling while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 beverages by effectively managing and processing liquid enhancement components within the appliance, enhancing the functionality of refrigerators and similar devices to dispense enhanced beverages.

Implementation Method 1

The delivery system includes means for transferring the liquid enhancement component from the product intake to at least one product discharge by means of pneumatic force, mechanical force, or gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The means for reducing the liquid enhancement component and particle size includes a device having one or more members for contacting the liquid enhancement component to reduce in particle size to be more readily dissolvable in a liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9267730B2Apparatus, method and system for managing and dispensing liquid enhancement components from a refrigerator

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.