Vertical Beverage Dispenser Layout for Stable Carbonation Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensers face challenges in maintaining carbonated beverages at optimal carbonation levels due to temperature fluctuations, especially when not in use, and require space-efficient designs for commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
A vertically-stacked beverage dispenser with a cold plate and ice bin configuration, using thermal insulation and chilled fluid lines to maintain beverage temperature, combined with a carbonator and multiple dispensing heads for flexible beverage options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a vertically-stacked beverage dispenser configuration is used, then space efficiency is improved, but thermal insulation and temperature maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The carbonator is nested within the beverage tower structure, with the water inlet line forming a U-shaped portion inside the tower. This nested configuration allows the carbonation system to be integrated into the existing vertical space without requiring additional floor area, while the U-shaped line routing ensures proper thermal isolation and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal arrangement of components to a vertical stacking configuration. The carbonator, cold plate, and dispensing heads are arranged vertically, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve space efficiency while maintaining functional relationships through carefully routed fluid lines.
2Reliability
If the dispenser is not used for a long interval, then carbonation levels deteriorate, but continuous cooling increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary carbonation of water before dispensing, and the carbonated water is maintained in the tower with the cold plate providing continuous cooling. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a beverage is requested, carbonated water is immediately available, maintaining reliability without requiring intensive cooling only during dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate provides continuous cooling action to maintain the temperature of carbonated water in the tower, preventing CO2 escape and maintaining carbonation levels. This continuous useful action ensures reliability of carbonation while optimizing energy use by maintaining a stable thermal environment rather than cycling on and off.
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
Maintains carbonated beverages at desired carbonation levels and optimizes space usage in commercial settings by ensuring efficient cooling and flexible beverage dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
A beverage dispenser includes a plurality of dispensing heads. A cold plates includes a plurality of fluid lines running therethrough. An ice bin is in thermal contact with the cold plate.
Implementation Method 2
An ice bin is in thermal contact with the cold plate.
Implementation Method 3
A carbonator extends vertically from the cold plate with a lower end of the carbonator in thermal contact with the cold plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispenser includes a plurality of dispensing heads. A cold plate includes a plurality of fluid lines running therethrough. An ice bin is in thermal contact with the cold plate. A carbonator extends vertically from the cold plate with a lower end of the carbonator in thermal contact with the cold plate. A plurality of fluid lines extend from the cold plate to the plurality of dispensing heads.