Vending Machine Water Mixing With Shape Memory Alloy Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-beverage vending machines face challenges in controlling the temperature of mixed water for beverage preparation, as they often rely on a single heater or multiple heaters, leading to inefficient energy use and poor temperature control due to variability in water supply temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A water supply system incorporating a thermostatic shape memory alloy device that mixes hot and cold water to achieve a selected temperature between the heater's output and the water mains supply, using valves and ducts to control the water flow, allowing for precise temperature adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heater is used to supply hot water at high temperature for coffee preparation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision deteriorates because the heater cannot provide optimal temperatures for different beverage types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water supply system into multiple independent outlets, each equipped with its own thermostatic shape memory alloy device. This allows each outlet to independently control water temperature for different beverage types (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk) without requiring multiple heaters, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving precise temperature control for each beverage category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermostatic shape memory alloy devices as intermediary components between the single heater and the mixing bowls. These intermediary devices automatically regulate water flow and temperature mixing based on thermal expansion/contraction, enabling precise temperature control without complex electronic systems or multiple heating elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple water heaters are used to provide different temperatures for different beverages, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single heater serve multiple functions by distributing its hot water output to multiple outlets, each equipped with thermostatic control devices. This universal heater design eliminates the need for multiple specialized heaters while maintaining the ability to provide different temperatures for different beverages through the downstream thermostatic mixing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostatic shape memory alloy devices automatically self-regulate water temperature mixing without external control systems. The shape memory alloy elements automatically expand or contract in response to temperature changes, opening or closing water passages to maintain optimal temperatures, thereby eliminating the need for complex electronic controls, sensors, or multiple heated storage tanks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hot water is mixed with cold water from water mains using a multichannel mixing tube, then the adaptability to different beverage temperatures is improved, but the temperature control reliability deteriorates due to variability in water mains supply temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermostatic shape memory alloy devices as intermediary control elements between the hot water supply and the mixing process. These devices act as automatic temperature regulators that compensate for variations in cold water supply temperature by adjusting the mixing ratio through thermal-driven mechanical action, thereby maintaining reliable temperature control across different environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostatic shape memory alloy devices incorporate inherent feedback mechanisms where the alloy elements continuously sense the water temperature and automatically adjust their state (expanded/contracted) to maintain the desired temperature. This passive feedback system ensures reliable temperature control by automatically compensating for supply temperature variations without requiring external sensors or control systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single heater operates at high temperature for coffee percolation, then the versatility for different beverage types is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous heating and mixing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic thermal action through thermostatic shape memory alloy devices that only activate heating when needed. The shape memory alloy elements periodically expand and contract based on temperature thresholds, controlling water flow and mixing on-demand rather than maintaining continuous high-temperature heating, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while still providing versatility for different beverage types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy by using the cold water from the water mains supply as a cooling agent to mix with hot water, reducing the need for continuous high-power heating. The thermostatic mixing process efficiently combines hot and cold water to achieve target temperatures, discarding the need for excessive heating and recovering energy through passive thermal mixing controlled by shape memory alloy devices.
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 enables efficient temperature control with reduced hot water consumption and power usage, allowing for precise temperature adjustments based on beverage requirements, improving beverage quality and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device having a first water inlet coupled to the connection to the water mains, a second water inlet connected to one of the heater outlets and an outlet supplying water at a selected temperature T3 comprised in the range between T1 and T2
Data Source
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AI summary
Instant drink vending machine comprising a water supply system (100) for obtaining mixed warm water with a temperature (T3', T3") selected among a set of pre-determined temperatures comprised between an upper (T2) and a lower (T1) value corresponding to the temperatures of the hot water and the cold water to be mixed, said system including thermostatic shape memory alloy devices (70; 70').