BEVERAGE COOLING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF RAPIDLY COOLING AND MAINTAINING BEVERAGE AT APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE

BACKGROUND
Field

The disclosure relates to a beverage cooling apparatus, and for example, to a beverage cooling apparatus capable of rapidly cooling and maintaining a beverage at an appropriate temperature.

Description of Related Art

Generally, beverages are distributed in containers such as cans, glass bottles, or PET bottles.

Beverages may have their best tasting temperatures depending on the type of beverage, and users may have their own favorite beverage temperature.

Therefore, it is common for users to cool their beverages to an appropriate temperature depending on the type of beverage before drinking them.

For example, the beverage may be cooled by placing the beverage container in a refrigerator. The beverage may be cooled by immersing the beverage container in cold water. The beverage may be cooled by cooling the beverage container using cold air or cold bristles.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a beverage cooling apparatus capable of rapidly cooling a beverage to an appropriate temperature and maintaining the appropriate temperature.

According to an example of the disclosure, a beverage cooling apparatus may include: a housing; a container receiving portion disposed inside the housing, including a container chamber configured to receive a beverage container, and including a flexible side surface; a refrigerant received between the housing and the container receiving portion; a refrigerant control device comprising a piston configured to control an amount of the refrigerant between the housing and the container receiving portion; and a refrigerant cooling device including a radiator configured to cool the refrigerant. The refrigerant control device may control the amount of the refrigerant according to a type of beverage contained in the beverage container, thereby controlling a contact area between the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion and the beverage container, thereby cooling and maintaining the beverage at an optimal temperature.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the container receiving portion may be rotatably disposed with respect to the housing.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the container receiving portion may be configured to be rotated by a motor disposed below the housing.

According to one an example embodiment of the disclosure, the container receiving portion may include a base plate; a support ring disposed above the base plate; a plurality of connecting bars connecting the base plate and the support ring; a plurality of support bars extending upward from the base plate and disposed spaced apart at a specified interval between the plurality of connecting bars; and a flexible membrane disposed inside the plurality of support bars and including an edge fixed to the support ring and a concave portion forming the container chamber.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant control device may include a cylinder; a piston disposed inside the cylinder; and a linear motor configured to reciprocate the piston in a straight line.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant cooling device may be provided apart from the housing.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant cooling device may include a discharge pipe connected to the housing and configured to discharge the refrigerant in the housing; a radiator connected to the discharge pipe and configured to lower a temperature of the refrigerant; an inlet pipe supplying the refrigerant discharged from the radiator to the housing 10 and a circulation pump disposed in one of the discharge pipe and the inlet pipe.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage cooling apparatus may further include a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a heat exchanger, wherein the radiator may be configured to exchange heat with the heat exchanger of the refrigeration cycle.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the radiator may be configured to exchange heat with a Peltier effect device.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant cooling device may include a plurality of Peltier effect devices disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the housing.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant cooling device may include a Peltier effect cooling device configured to cool the plurality of Peltier effect devices.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerant may include water.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the housing may be disposed to be inclined with respect to a reference plane.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage cooling apparatus may further include: a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the beverage container; a beverage recognition sensor configured to recognize a type of beverage contained in the beverage container; and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to control the refrigerant control device according to the temperature of the beverage container transmitted from the temperature sensor and the type of beverage transmitted from the beverage recognition sensor, thereby controlling the contact area between the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion and the beverage container, thereby cooling the beverage to the optimal temperature and maintaining the temperature of the cooled beverage.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a home appliance may include a beverage cooling apparatus, wherein the beverage cooling apparatus includes: a housing; a container receiving portion \disposed inside the housing, comprising a container chamber configured to receive a beverage container, and including a flexible side surface; a refrigerant received between the housing and the container receiving portion; a refrigerant control device comprising a motor and configured to control an amount of the refrigerant between the housing and the container receiving portion; and a refrigerant cooling device including a radiator configured to cool the refrigerant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a housing of a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing of FIG. 2 taken along line A-A according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the housing of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the housing of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a container receiving portion including a membrane fixer according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant is filled in a refrigerant chamber of a housing of a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant in a refrigerant chamber of a housing of a beverage cooling apparatus is taken into a refrigerant control device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant is filled in a refrigerant chamber of a housing of a beverage cooling apparatus so that a flexible side surface of a container receiving portion is in close contact with a beverage container according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which some of a refrigerant is contained in a refrigerant chamber of a housing of a beverage cooling apparatus so that a lower portion of a flexible side surface of a container receiving portion is in close contact with a beverage container according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the beverage cooling apparatus of FIG. 13 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the beverage cooling apparatus of FIG. 15 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus configured as a home appliance according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator having a beverage cooling apparatus according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Since various example embodiments of the disclosure can apply various transformations and have various embodiments, example embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the scope to the disclosure, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the disclosure. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like elements.

In describing the disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the disclosure, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

The following example embodiments may be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the technical idea of the disclosure is not limited to the following example embodiments.

Terms used in this disclosure are simply used to describe various embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of rights. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this disclosure, expressions such as “has,” “can have”, “includes,” or “can include” indicate the existence of a corresponding feature (e.g., numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part) and do not preclude the existence of additional features.

In this disclosure, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may refer to all cases (1) including at least one A, (2) including at least one B, or (3) including both at least one A and at least one B.

Expressions such as “first,” “second,” “primary,” or “secondary,” as used in this disclosure may modify various components regardless of order and/or importance, are used simply to distinguish one component from other components, and do not limit the corresponding components.

Terms such as ‘leading end’, ‘rear end’, ‘upper side’, ‘lower side’, ‘top end’, ‘bottom end’, etc. used in the disclosure are defined with reference to the drawings. However, the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, various example embodiments of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing 10, a container receiving portion 20, a refrigerant control device 30, and a refrigerant cooling device 40.

The housing 10 may be formed to accommodate a refrigerant and the container receiving portion 20. The housing 10 may be formed in a container shape with a bottom. The internal space of the housing 10 may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

The container receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and may form a container chamber C in which a beverage container is received. The container receiving portion 20 may include a flexible side surface capable of coming into contact with the beverage container inserted into the container chamber C.

The container receiving portion 20 may be formed in an approximately cylindrical

shape. The container receiving portion 20 may be formed in an approximately cylindrical container shape with a bottom.

The diameter of the container receiving portion 20 may be formed smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 10. Therefore, an annular space (hereinafter referred to as a refrigerant chamber R) may be formed between the housing 10 and the container receiving portion 20.

The refrigerant may be accommodated in the refrigerant chamber R between the housing 10 and the container receiving portion 20. The refrigerant may be formed so as to cool a beverage container inserted into the container receiving portion 20. For example, water may be used as the refrigerant.

The refrigerant control device 30 may be configured to control the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R between the housing 10 and the container receiving portion 20. The refrigerant control device 30 may be configured to inject refrigerant into the refrigerant chamber R or to remove refrigerant from the refrigerant chamber R.

When the refrigerant control device 30 injects refrigerant so that the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R increases, the contact area between the refrigerant and the beverage container may increase. When the refrigerant control device 30 removes refrigerant so that the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R decreases, the contact area between the refrigerant and the beverage container may decrease. Accordingly, the refrigerant control device 30 may adjust the contact area between the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion 20 and the beverage container.

When the refrigerant is filled to the maximum between the housing 10 and the container receiving portion 20 by the refrigerant control device 30, the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion 20 may be brought into close contact with the beverage container. Then, the contact area between the beverage container and the refrigerant may increase, so that the beverage in the beverage container may be cooled rapidly.

When the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R is minimized or reduced by the refrigerant control device 30, the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion 20 may not be expanded, so that the beverage container may be easily inserted into the container receiving portion 20.

The refrigerant control device 30 may include a cylinder 31, a piston 32, and a linear motor 35.

refrigerant pipe 37 connected to the housing 10 may be connected to the front end of the cylinder 31. In other words, one end of the refrigerant pipe 37 may be connected to the front end of the cylinder 31, and the other end thereof may be connected to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10. A refrigerant hole 14 may be formed on the lower surface of the housing 10 corresponding to the refrigerant chamber R. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 37 may be connected to the refrigerant hole 14 of the housing 10.

The piston 32 may be disposed inside the cylinder 31 and may reciprocate linearly inside the cylinder 31. By the linear and reciprocating movement of the piston 32, the refrigerant in the housing 10 may be taken into cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30, or the refrigerant in the cylinder 31 may be discharged into the housing 10.

The linear motor 35 may be configured to move the piston 32 linearly and reciprocally. In other words, the piston 32 may reciprocate linearly inside the cylinder 31 by the linear motor 35.

The linear motor 35 may be configured so that the linear motor 35 itself implements linear motion. The linear motor 35 may be configured to implement linear reciprocating motion using a rotating motor and a linear movement mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion.

One end of a piston rod 33 may be fixed to a moving part 36 of the linear motor 35. The piston 32 may be fixed to the other end of the piston rod 33. Therefore, when the linear motor 35 operates, the piston 32 may perform linear reciprocating motion by the moving part 36.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may be configured to cool the refrigerant accommodated in the housing 10.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may be provided away from the housing 10. In other words, the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be provided a certain distance away from the housing 10. As another example, the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may include a discharge pipe 41, a radiator 42, an inlet pipe 43, and a circulation pump 44.

The discharge pipe 41 may be connected to the housing 10 and may be configured to discharge the refrigerant in the housing 10. In other words, the discharge pipe 41 may be disposed to connect the housing 10 and the radiator 42.

An outlet 12 may be formed at the lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. The outlet 12 may be formed adjacent to the lower surface of the housing 10. The outlet 12 may be formed to penetrate the side wall of the housing 10. The discharge pipe 41 may be connected to the outlet 12 of the housing 10. Accordingly, the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may flow into the discharge pipe 41 through the outlet 12.

The refrigerant contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may flow to the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41.

The radiator 42 may be configured so as to lower the temperature of the refrigerant. For example, the radiator 42 is connected to the discharge pipe 41, and the radiator 42 may be configured so as to cool the refrigerant discharged through the discharge pipe 41.

An inlet 13 may be formed on the upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. The inlet 13 may be formed adjacent to the upper end of the housing 10. The inlet 13 may be positioned higher than the outlet 12. The inlet 13 may be formed to penetrate the side wall of the housing 10. The inlet pipe 43 may be connected to the inlet 13 of the housing 10. Accordingly, the refrigerant flowing the inlet pipe 43 may be introduced into the housing 10 through the inlet 13.

Therefore, the refrigerant cooled in the radiator 42 may be introduced into the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43.

The circulation pump 44 may be configured so as to circulate the refrigerant between the housing 10 and the radiator 42. Therefore, the refrigerant may be circulated through the housing 10, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43 by the circulation pump 44. For example, the housing 10, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43 may form a refrigerant circulation system.

The circulation pump 44 may be disposed in the inlet pipe 43. When the circulation pump 44 operates, the refrigerant whose temperature has increased while cooling the beverage container may move to the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41 and may be cooled. The refrigerant cooled in the radiator 42 may be supplied to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43. Therefore, the refrigerant in the housing 10 may be maintained at a certain temperature capable of cooling the beverage container.

As another example, the circulation pump 44 may be disposed in the discharge pipe 41. Accordingly, the circulation pump 44 may be disposed in either the inlet pipe 43 or the discharge pipe 41 as long as it can circulate the refrigerant between the housing 10 and the radiator 42.

The radiator 42 may be configured so as to cool the refrigerant introduced through the discharge pipe 41. The radiator 42 may be configured so as to exchange heat with a heat exchanger 54 of a refrigeration cycle. Accordingly, when the refrigerant passes through the radiator 42, the refrigerant may be cooled by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger 54.

The refrigeration cycle may include a compressor 51, a condenser 52, an expansion valve 53, and the heat exchanger 54. The refrigeration cycle may form a refrigerant cooling system that cools the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circulation system.

The refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle may undergo a phase transition when circulating through the compressor 51, the condenser 52, the expansion valve 53, and the heat exchanger 54. However, the refrigerant circulating between the housing 10 and the radiator 42 may exchange heat between a low-temperature section and a high-temperature section in a single-phase state without a phase change.

Therefore, when the circulation pump 44 operates, the refrigerant in the housing 10 may flow into the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41, the refrigerant flowing into the radiator 42 may have its temperature lowered by heat exchange with the heat exchanger 54 of the refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant with the lowered temperature may flow into the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43.

Hereinafter, the housing 10 and the container receiving portion 20 of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 2 to 5).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a housing 10 of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the housing 10 of FIG. 2 taken along line A-A according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the housing 10 of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the housing 10 of FIG. 2 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the housing 10 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be formed in a container shape having a bottom. For example, the housing 10 may be formed in a cylindrical container shape with a bottom. The internal space of the housing 10 may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

Therefore, the container receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10.

The container receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and may form a container chamber C in which a beverage container is received.

The container receiving portion 20 may include a base plate 21, a support ring 23, a plurality of connecting bars 26, and a flexible membrane 25.

The base plate 21 may be formed to support the lower surface of the beverage container. The base plate 21 may be formed to have a size smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 10. For example, the base plate 21 may be formed so that the rotation diameter of the base plate 21 is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 10.

The support ring 23 may be disposed above the base plate 21. The support ring 23 may be disposed at a certain distance above the base plate 21. The support ring 23 may be configured so as to fix the edge of the flexible membrane 25. The support ring 23 may be formed in a ring shape. A plurality of bolt holes 23a may be provided on the upper surface of the support ring 23.

An upper seal 18 may be disposed between the support ring 23 and the housing 10. For example, the upper seal 18 may be disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the support ring 23 and the inner surface of the upper end portion of the housing 10. The upper seal 18 may be configured so as to prevent or block the refrigerant inside the housing 10 from leaking to the outside.

The plurality of connecting bars 26 may be formed to connect the base plate 21 and the support ring 23. The plurality of connecting bars 26 may be disposed perpendicular to the base plate 21 and the support ring 23. The plurality of connecting bars 26 may be disposed spaced apart at a certain interval along the outer circumferential surface of the base plate 21. Each of the plurality of connecting bars 26 may be formed in a thin and long rod or bar shape.

The lower ends of the plurality of connecting bars 26 may be fixed to the base plate 21, and the upper ends thereof may be fixed to the support ring 23. Therefore, the base plate 21, the support ring 23, and the plurality of connecting bars 26 may be formed as a single body.

According to an embodiment, the base plate 21 and the support ring 23 are connected by three connecting bars 26. The base plate 21 may be formed in an approximately triangular shape. Three connecting bars 26 may be disposed at three vertices of the base plate 21.

However, the number of connecting bars 26 may not be limited thereto. As another example, the plurality of connecting bars 26 may include four or more connecting bars 26. In this case, the base plate 21 may be formed in an approximately circular or polygonal shape.

A plurality of support bars 22 may be disposed in the base plate 21. The plurality of support bars 22 may be formed to support the side surface of the beverage container.

The plurality of support bars 22 may extend upward from the base plate 21. The plurality of support bars 22 may be arranged in a circular shape on the upper surface of the base plate 21. The plurality of support bars 22 may be disposed spaced apart from each other at a certain interval.

The plurality of support bars 22 may be arranged along a circle having a smaller diameter than a virtual circle formed by the plurality of connecting bars 26. Therefore, the plurality of support bars 22 may be disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 21 inside the plurality of connecting bars 26.

According to an embodiment, six support bars 22 are disposed on the base plate 21. However, the number of support bars 22 may not be limited thereto. The number of support bars 22 may be less than or more than six as needed.

Each of the plurality of support bars 22 may be formed in a thin and long bar shape. The plurality of support bars 22 may be formed in the same shape. The support bars 22 may be bent. A bent portion 22a of the support bar 22 may be formed on the upper portion of the support bar 22. In other words, the upper portion of the support bar 22 may be bent. For example, the support bars 22 may be formed into a shape, for example, roughly like a hockey stick.

The flexible membrane 25 may be disposed inside the plurality of support bars 22. The flexible membrane 25 may be formed in a concave shape having a substantially circular shape and a central portion sunken downward. In other words, the flexible membrane 25 may include an edge and a concave portion. The concave portion may be provided in the central portion of the flexible membrane 25. The edge of the flexible membrane 25 may be fixed to the support ring 23. The concave central portion of the flexible membrane 25 may be positioned on the upper surface of the base plate 21. Therefore, the concave portion of the flexible membrane 25 may form the container chamber C.

A fixing cap 27 may be disposed on the upper surface of the support ring 23. The fixing cap 27 may be formed to fix the edge of the flexible membrane 25 to the support ring 23. The fixing cap 27 may be formed as a thin plate having a ring shape. The fixing cap 27 may include a plurality of through holes 27a. The plurality of through holes 27a may be formed to correspond to the plurality of bolt holes 23a of the support ring 23.

Therefore, when the edge of the flexible membrane 25 is positioned between the support ring 23 and the fixing cap 27 and the fixing cap 27 is fixed to the support ring 23 with a plurality of bolts, the flexible membrane 25 may be fixed to the support ring 23.

When the edge of the flexible membrane 25 is fixed to the support ring 23, the flexible membrane 25 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and the upper end of the flexible membrane 25 may be opened.

The flexible membrane 25 may form the container chamber C in which a beverage container is accommodated. Accordingly, the flexible membrane 25 may form the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion 20.

The flexible membrane 25 may divide the inner space of the housing 10 into the container chamber C in which the beverage container is accommodated and the refrigerant chamber R in which the refrigerant is accommodated. The container chamber C may be formed in an approximately cylindrical shape, and the refrigerant chamber R may be formed in an annular shape surrounding the container chamber C.

The refrigerant may be accommodated in the annular refrigerant chamber R formed by the flexible membrane 25 and the inner surface of the housing 10. Because the refrigerant is blocked by the flexible membrane 25, the refrigerant may not flow into the container chamber C.

The flexible membrane 25 may be formed of flexible vinyl or plastic. For example, the flexible membrane 25 may be formed of low density polyethylene (LPDE) having flexible properties.

Therefore, when the refrigerant is filled in the refrigerant chamber R, the flexible membrane 25 may be compressed and may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container inserted into the inside of the flexible membrane 25, that is, the container chamber C. Therefore, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the beverage inside the beverage container may be effectively performed.

When the refrigerant is released from the refrigerant chamber R, the flexible membrane 25 may be restored to its original state and may become loose. Then, the flexible membrane 25 may be detached from the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container. Therefore, the user may easily take the beverage container out of the container receiving portion 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the container receiving portion 20 may include a membrane fixer 75.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a container receiving portion 20 including a membrane fixer 75 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6, the membrane fixer (e.g., fastener) 75 may be configured so as to fix the lower surface of the flexible membrane 25 to the upper surface of the base plate 21.

The membrane fixer 75 may include a first magnet 751 disposed on the lower surface of the flexible membrane 25 and a second magnet 752 disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 21. The first magnet 751 may be disposed at the center of the lower surface of the flexible membrane 25. The second magnet 752 may be disposed at the center of the upper surface of the base plate 21.

The first magnet 751 and the second magnet 752 may be configured so that they attract each other. Therefore, when the flexible membrane 25 is disposed on the base plate 21, the lower surface of the flexible membrane 25 may be fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 21 by the first magnet 751 and the second magnet 752. In other words, the lower surface of the flexible membrane 25 may be fixed to the base plate 21 by the membrane fixer 75.

In an example, where the membrane fixer 75 is formed by two magnets 751 and 752 has been described, but the membrane fixer 75 may not be limited thereto. Various one-touch connection structures may be used as the membrane fixer 75 and may be referred to generically as a fastener.

The container receiving portion 20 may be disposed rotatably relative to the housing 10. The container receiving portion 20 may be configured to rotate by a motor 60 disposed below the housing 10.

To this end, a rotation shaft 24 may be disposed on the lower surface of the base plate 21. The rotation shaft 24 may be disposed perpendicularly to the lower surface of the base plate 21. The rotation shaft 24 may be formed integrally with the base plate 21.

A boss 16 may be disposed on the lower surface of the housing 10. The boss 16 may be formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the housing 10. A through hole may be formed in the center of the boss 16. The rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21 may be inserted into the through hole of the boss 16. The lower end of the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21 may protrude downward from the boss 16 of the housing 10.

A lower seal 17 may be disposed on the inner surface of the through hole of the boss 16. The lower seal 17 may be configured to prevent or block the refrigerant from leaking between the boss 16 and the rotation shaft 24. The lower seal 17 may be formed as a rotation seal to support the rotation of the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21.

In addition, the upper seal 18 between the upper end portion of the housing 10 and the support ring 23 may be formed as a rotation seal. Then, the support ring 23 may rotate with respect to the housing 10. Therefore, when the rotation shaft 24 rotates, the base plate 21, the plurality of connecting bars 26, the support ring 23, and the flexible membrane 25 may rotate as a whole.

The motor 60 may be disposed below the housing 10. The motor 60 may be disposed so as to rotate the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21. The motor 60 may be fixed to the housing 10 by a motor bracket 70. The motor bracket 70 may fix the motor 60 to the housing 10 so that a shaft 61 of the motor 60 is positioned in a straight line with the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21.

The shaft 61 of the motor 60 and the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21 may be coupled by a coupling 66. Therefore, when the shaft 61 of the motor 60 rotates, the rotation shaft 24 rotates, so that the base plate 21 may rotate. When the base plate 21 rotates, the plurality of connecting bars 26, the support ring 23, the plurality of support bars 22, and the flexible membrane 25 disposed on the base plate 21 may rotate as a whole. In other words, the container receiving portion 20 may rotate by the motor 60.

When the container receiving portion 20 rotates, the housing 10 may be disposed so as to be inclined. In other words, the housing 10 may be disposed so as to be inclined with respect to a reference plane 5 (see FIG. 1). For example, the housing 10 may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the reference plane 5 with a fixed bracket 3 (see FIG. 1).

When the housing 10 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the reference plane 5, the rotation shaft 24 of the base plate 21 and the shaft 61 of the motor 60 may be inclined with respect to the reference plane 5 at the same angle as the housing 10.

When the housing 10 and the motor 60 are disposed to be inclined, the container receiving portion 20 may rotate at a certain angle with respect to the reference plane 5. The center line of the rotation shaft 24 of the container receiving portion 20 may be inclined in a range of about 5 to 40 degrees with respect to a virtual straight line perpendicular to the reference plane 5.

When the container receiving portion 20 rotates while being inclined at a certain angle with respect to the reference plane 5, the beverage container accommodated in the container receiving portion 20 may be cooled quickly. In other words, when the beverage container is rotated in an inclined state, the beverage contained in the beverage container may be cooled more quickly than when the beverage container is rotated in a vertical state.

Hereinafter, the relationship between the refrigerant control device 30 and the refrigerant contained in the housing 10 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 7 to 10).

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant W is filled in a refrigerant chamber R of a housing 10 of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerant W may be filled in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10. In other words, the refrigerant W is filled to the top of the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10. In this state, the refrigerant W may be circulated by the circulation pump 44. In other words, the refrigerant W may be circulated through the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, the inlet pipe 43, and the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 by the circulation pump 44.

In this case, there is no refrigerant W in the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30. In other words, the piston 32 may be in contact with the front end of the cylinder 31.

In this state, when the refrigerant control device 30 is operated, the refrigerant W in the housing 10 may be taken into the refrigerant control device 30.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant W in a refrigerant chamber R of a housing 10 of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 is taken into a refrigerant control device 30 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the refrigerant W may be filled in the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30. In this case, most of the refrigerant W may move to the cylinder 31, and a small amount of refrigerant W may remain in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10. The amount of refrigerant W remaining in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be defined so that the refrigerant W circulates through the refrigerant cooling device 40. In other words, the amount of refrigerant W in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be defined so that the refrigerant W may circulate through the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, the inlet pipe 43, and the housing 10.

Therefore, in a state where most of the refrigerant W has moved to the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30 as illustrated in FIG. 8, the refrigerant W remaining in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be cooled by the refrigerant cooling device 40 while circulating through the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, the inlet pipe 43, and the housing 10.

In this case, because the refrigerant W does not apply force to the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20, the flexible membrane 25 may be in a loose state. In this state, a beverage container may be easily inserted into the container chamber C of the container receiving portion 20.

With the beverage container inserted into the container receiving portion 20 of the housing 10, the refrigerant control device 30 may be operated to move the refrigerant W in the cylinder 31 to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a refrigerant W is filled in a refrigerant chamber R of a housing 10 of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 so that a flexible side surface of a container receiving portion 20 is in close contact with a beverage container 100 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerant W may not be present in the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30, and the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be filled with the refrigerant W.

In other words, when the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 operates in the state of FIG. 8, the piston 32 may move downward. When the piston 32 moves downward, the refrigerant W in the cylinder 31 may move to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the refrigerant pipe 37. When the piston 32 contacts the front end of the cylinder 31, all the refrigerant W inside the cylinder 31 may move to the refrigerant W of the housing 10 and may fill the refrigerant chamber R.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the refrigerant W fills the refrigerant chamber R, the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may contract and come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100. In other words, the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100 inserted into the container chamber C due to the refrigerant W.

When the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 comes into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100, the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100 and the refrigerant W in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may efficiently exchange heat with each other through the flexible membrane 25. Therefore, the beverage contained in the beverage container 100 may be quickly cooled by the refrigerant W.

In the state of FIG. 9, the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 may be operated to move the piston 32 upward. Then, the refrigerant W accommodated in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be taken into the cylinder 31 through the refrigerant pipe 37.

When the refrigerant W escapes from the refrigerant chamber R of the container receiving portion 20, the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may become loose. When the flexible membrane 25 becomes loose while the beverage container 100 is inserted into the container chamber C, the flexible membrane 25 may fall off from the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100, so that the user may easily remove the beverage container 100 from the container receiving portion 20.

The beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may operate the refrigerant control device 30 to move some of the refrigerant W in the housing 10 to the cylinder 31 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which some of a refrigerant is contained in a refrigerant chamber R of a housing 10 of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 so that a lower portion of a flexible membrane 25 of a container receiving portion 20 is in close contact with a beverage container 100 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10, the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be filled with the refrigerant W to approximately half of its height, and the remaining refrigerant W may be taken into the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30.

Approximately the lower half of the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100, and approximately the upper half of the flexible membrane 25 may be separated from the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100 without being in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100. In this state, the temperature of the current beverage container 100 may be maintained.

In FIG. 10, the case where the refrigerant W is filled to approximately half of the height of the refrigerant chamber R is illustrated, but the height of the refrigerant W filled in the refrigerant chamber R is not limited thereto. The height of the refrigerant W filled in the refrigerant chamber R may be defined in various ways depending on the optimal temperature of the beverage contained in the container chamber C of the container receiving portion 20.

In a case where it is desired to rapidly cool the beverage container 100 to an optimum temperature and maintain the cooled beverage container 100 at the optimal temperature, some of the refrigerant W may be filled in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 11, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 90 configured to control the refrigerant control device 30 and the refrigerant cooling device 40.

The processor 90 may include various processing circuitry and control the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 to move the piston 32 up and down in a linear reciprocating manner. Therefore, the processor 90 may adjust the contact area between the beverage container 100 and the flexible membrane 25 by controlling the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 using the linear motor 35. The processor 90 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

The processor 90 may control the compressor 51 and the circulation pump 44 of the refrigerant cooling device 40 to cool the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10.

For example, the processor 90 may control the circulation pump 44 to cause the refrigerant to circulate through the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43.

In addition, the processor 90 may operate the compressor 51 to cool the refrigerant introduced into the radiator 42. In other words, when the processor 90 operates the compressor 51 and the circulation pump 44 of the refrigerant cooling device 40, the refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant chamber R, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43, and may be cooled by the heat exchanger 54 of the refrigeration cycle in the radiator 42.

The processor 90 may control the motor 60 configured to rotate the container receiving portion 20. In other words, the processor 90 may operate the motor 60 to rotate the container receiving portion 20.

In addition, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a temperature sensor 91 and a beverage recognition sensor 92.

The processor 90 may receive temperature information from the temperature sensor 91 configured to measure the temperature of the beverage container 100. The temperature sensor 91 may be configured to measure the temperature of the beverage container 100 inserted into the container chamber C of the container receiving portion 20, generate temperature information including the measured temperature, and transmit the temperature information to the processor 90. The processor 90 may cool the beverage container 100 using the temperature information received from the temperature sensor 91.

The processor 90 may receive beverage information from the beverage recognition sensor 92. The beverage recognition sensor 92 may be configured to recognize the type of beverage contained in the beverage container 100 inserted into the container chamber C of the container receiving portion 20, generate beverage information including the recognized type of beverage, and transmit the beverage information to the processor 90. The processor 90 may cool the beverage container 100 to an appropriate temperature depending on the type of beverage using the beverage information received from the beverage recognition sensor 92.

The beverage recognition sensor 92 may be configured to recognize the type of beverage contained in the beverage container 100 in various ways. For example, the beverage recognition sensor 92 may be configured to recognize the type of beverage using a label attached to the outer surface of the beverage container 100.

The processor 90 may include a memory 93. The memory 93 may store appropriate drinking temperatures according to the type of beverage. The appropriate drinking temperature refers to a temperature at which a user drinking the beverage may properly feel the taste of the beverage. For example, the appropriate drinking temperature of cola may be 3° C., the appropriate drinking temperature of beer may be 8° C., the appropriate drinking temperature of red wine may be 15° C., and the appropriate drinking temperature of water may be 12° C.

In addition, the memory 93 may store the user's preferred drinking temperature according to the type of beverage.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

The refrigerant control device 30 may suck or take in the refrigerant W (S10).

For example, when the processor 90 controls the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 to move the piston 32, the refrigerant W contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be taken into the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30 through the refrigerant pipe 37. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the refrigerant W fills the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30, the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may become loose.

The user may insert a beverage container 100 into the housing 10 (S20). For example, the user may insert the beverage container 100 into the container chamber C of the housing 10. When the refrigerant W in the housing 10 moves to the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30, the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may become loose, so that the user may easily insert the beverage container 100 into the container chamber C of the housing 10.

The refrigerant control device 30 may fill the housing 10 with the refrigerant W (S30). For example, when the beverage container 100 is inserted into the housing 10, the processor 90 may control the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 to move the piston 32 in the opposite direction. Then, the refrigerant W in the cylinder 31 may move to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the refrigerant pipe 37.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 is filled with the refrigerant W, the flexible side surface of the container receiving portion 20 may be brought into close contact with the beverage container 100 (S40). In other words, the flexible membrane 25 may be contracted by the pressure of the refrigerant W filled in the refrigerant chamber R and may come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the beverage container 100 located inside the container receiving portion 20.

Because the refrigerant W in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 is continuously cooled by the refrigerant cooling device 40, the beverage container 100 inserted into the housing 10 may begin to be cooled by the refrigerant W.

The container receiving portion 20 may be rotated (S50). For example, the processor 90 may control the motor 60 to rotate the shaft 61. The rotation shaft 24 connected to the shaft 61 may rotate, so that the container receiving portion 20 provided integrally with the rotation shaft 24 may rotate.

Because the container chamber C of the container receiving portion 20 accommodates the beverage container 100, when the container receiving portion 20 rotates, the beverage container 100 may rotate integrally. When the beverage container 100 rotates, a flow may occur in the beverage inside the beverage container 100, so that a cooling speed of the beverage may be increased. Therefore, when the beverage container 100 rotates, the beverage accommodated inside the beverage container 100 may be cooled faster than when the beverage container 100 does not rotate.

The processor 90 may identify whether the beverage container 100 has reached an appropriate temperature (S60). When the beverage container 100 is inserted into the housing 10, the temperature sensor 91 may measure the temperature of the beverage container 100 to generate temperature information, and the beverage recognition sensor 92 may recognize the type of beverage contained in the beverage container 100 to generate beverage information.

The processor 90 may identify a beverage appropriate temperature, which is the target temperature for cooling the beverage container 100 inserted into the container receiving portion 20, from the beverage information received from the beverage recognition sensor 92 and the appropriate drinking temperatures according to the type of beverage stored in the memory 93.

The processor 90 may rotate the container receiving portion 20 using the motor 60 and may measure the temperature of the beverage container 100 using the temperature sensor 91.

When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 91 reaches the appropriate temperature for the beverage, the processor 90 may stop the rotation of the container receiving portion 20 (S70). In other words, when the processor 90 turns off the motor 60, the container receiving portion 20 may stop rotating.

The processor 90 may notify the outside that the cooling of the beverage container 100 is complete. For example, the processor 90 may notify the completion of the cooling through sound or voice. Alternatively, the processor 90 may notify the completion of the cooling through a mobile device such as a smart phone.

When the rotation of the container receiving portion 20 stops, the processor 90 may operate the refrigerant control device 30 to take in the refrigerant W (S80). For example, the processor 90 may operate the linear motor 35 of the refrigerant control device 30 to move the piston 32 away from the front end of the cylinder 31. The refrigerant W in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may be taken into the cylinder 31 through the refrigerant pipe 37.

When the refrigerant W moves into the cylinder 31 of the refrigerant control device 30, the pressure of the refrigerant W that was pressurizing the flexible membrane 25 of the container receiving portion 20 may be removed, so that the flexible membrane 25 may become loose. The user may easily remove the beverage container 100 from the container chamber C of the housing 10.

In the above, the case where the refrigeration cycle is used as the refrigerant cooling device 40 has been described. However, the refrigerant cooling device 40 used in the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may not be limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the case where a Peltier effect device is used as the refrigerant cooling device 40 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 of FIG. 13 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing 10, a container receiving portion 20, a refrigerant control device 30, and a refrigerant cooling device 40.

The housing 10, the container receiving portion 20, and the refrigerant control device 30 are the same as those of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment(s), so detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is different from the refrigerant cooling device 40 of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so only this will be described.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may be configured to cool the refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10.

Referring to FIG. 13, the refrigerant cooling device 40 according to this embodiment may be provided apart from the housing 10. For example, the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be provided at a certain distance from the housing 10.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may include a discharge pipe 41, a radiator 42, an inlet pipe 43, and a circulation pump 44.

The discharge pipe 41 may be formed so as to discharge the refrigerant in the housing 10 to the radiator 42. In other words, the discharge pipe 41 may be disposed so as to connect the outlet 12 of the housing 10 and the radiator 42. For example, one end of the discharge pipe 41 may be connected to the outlet 12 of the housing 10, and the other end thereof may be connected to the radiator 42. Accordingly, the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may flow into the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41.

The radiator 42 may be configured so as to lower the temperature of the refrigerant. In other words, when the radiator 42 is connected to the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42 may be configured so as to cool the refrigerant discharged through the discharge pipe 41.

The inlet pipe 43 may be configured so as to supply the refrigerant discharged from the radiator 42 to the housing 10. For example, the inlet pipe 43 may be disposed so as to connect the inlet 13 of the housing 10 and the radiator 42. That is, one end of the inlet pipe 43 may be connected to the radiator 42, and the other end thereof may be connected to the inlet 13 of the housing 10.

Therefore, the refrigerant cooled in the radiator 42 may be introduced into the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43.

The circulation pump 44 may be configured so as to circulate the refrigerant between the housing 10 and the radiator 42. Therefore, the refrigerant may be circulated through the housing 10, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43 by the circulation pump 44. In other words, the housing 10, the discharge pipe 41, the radiator 42, and the inlet pipe 43 may form a refrigerant circulation system.

The circulation pump 44 may be disposed in the inlet pipe 43. When the circulation pump 44 operates, the refrigerant in the housing 10, whose temperature has increased while cooling the beverage container, may move to the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41 and may be cooled. The refrigerant cooled in the radiator 42 may be supplied to the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43. Therefore, the refrigerant in the housing 10 may be maintained at a certain temperature capable of cooling the beverage container.

The radiator 42 may be configured so as to cool the refrigerant introduced through the discharge pipe 41. The radiator 42 may be configured so that the refrigerant exchanges heat with a Peltier effect device 80. Accordingly, while the refrigerant passes through the radiator 42, the refrigerant may be cooled by exchanging heat with the Peltier effect device 80.

The Peltier effect device 80 may include a low-temperature part 80a and a high-temperature part 80b. The low-temperature part 80a of the Peltier effect device 80 may be disposed in the radiator 42. A separate cooling device, that is, a Peltier effect cooling device 81, may be disposed in the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80.

Therefore, the refrigerant passing through the radiator 42 may be cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature part 80a of the Peltier effect device 80. The high temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 may be cooled by the Peltier effect cooling device 81.

The Peltier effect cooling device 81 may include a water block 82, a water pump 84, and a water radiator 83. The water block 82, the water pump 84, and the water radiator 83 may be connected by a circulation pipe 85.

The water block 82 may be disposed in the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 and may be configured to cool the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80. For example, the water block 82 may be formed with an area corresponding to the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80, and may be configured to so that water is accommodated inside the water block 82. The water accommodated in the water block 82 may exchange heat with the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 to lower the temperature of the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80. The water heated by the heat exchange with the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 may be discharged to the water radiator 83.

The water pump 84 may allow the water to circulate between the water block 82 and the water radiator 83 along the circulation pipe 85.

The water radiator 83 may be configured to cool the water that has become high temperature by heat exchange with the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80. The water cooled by the water radiator 83 may be supplied to the water block 82 by the water pump 84.

Therefore, when the processor 90 operates the Peltier effect cooling device 81, the water pump 84 and the water radiator 83 operate to circulate the water, thereby cooling the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80.

Therefore, when the circulation pump 44 of the refrigerant cooling device 40 operates, the refrigerant in the housing 10 may flow into the radiator 42 through the discharge pipe 41, and the refrigerant flowing into the radiator 42 may be lowered in temperature by heat exchange with the low-temperature part 80a of the Peltier effect device 80. The lowered temperature refrigerant may flow into the housing 10 through the inlet pipe 43. In addition, the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 may be cooled by the Peltier effect cooling device 81.

In the above description, the refrigerant cooling device 40 is disposed away from the housing 10 and the refrigerant circulates to cool the beverage container 100. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be disposed directly in the housing 10. In this case, there is no need to circulate the refrigerant.

Hereinafter, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 in which a refrigerant cooling device 40 is not spaced apart from a housing 10 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 of FIG. 15 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a housing 10, a container receiving portion 20, a refrigerant control device 30, and a refrigerant cooling device 40.

The housing 10, the container receiving portion 20, and the refrigerant control device 30 may be the same as those of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.

The beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may have the refrigerant cooling device 40 that is different from the refrigerant cooling device 40 according to the above-described embodiment, so only the refrigerant cooling device 40 will be described.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may be configured to cool the refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10.

Referring to FIG. 15, the refrigerant cooling device 40 according to an embodiment may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may include a Peltier effect device 80 and a Peltier effect cooling device 81.

The Peltier effect device 80 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. The Peltier effect device 80 may be provided to cool the refrigerant by exchanging heat with the refrigerant accommodated in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10. The Peltier effect device 80 may include a plurality of Peltier effect devices 80 disposed at regular intervals along the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10.

The Peltier effect device 80 may include a low-temperature part 80a and a high-temperature part 80b. The low-temperature part 80a of the Peltier effect device 80 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. The Peltier effect cooling device 81 may be disposed in the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80. Therefore, the high temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80 may be cooled by the Peltier effect cooling device 81.

The water pump 84 may allow the water to circulate between the water block 82 and the water radiator 83 along the circulation pipe 85.

The water radiator 83 may be configured to cool the water that has become high temperature through heat exchange with the high-temperature part 80b of the Peltier effect device 80.

Therefore, the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may maintain a low temperature. For example, when the temperature of the refrigerant rises due to a beverage container 100 inserted into the housing 10, the refrigerant may be cooled by heat exchange with the Peltier effect device 80 disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10. The heat transferred from the low-temperature part 80a of the Peltier effect device 80 to the high-temperature part 80b thereof may be released to the outside by the Peltier effect cooling device 81. Therefore, the refrigerant in the refrigerant chamber R of the housing 10 may maintain a low temperature.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, when the Peltier effect device 80 is disposed directly on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 10, there is no need to circulate the refrigerant.

The beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be configured as an independent home appliance or as a part of a home appliance having a refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view illustrating a beverage cooling apparatus configured as a home appliance according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 17, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be disposed inside a main body 200.

The main body 200 may be configured to be transportable. The main body 200 may be formed as a case having a hollow cylindrical shape or a case having a rectangular shape.

A housing 10, a container receiving portion 20, a refrigerant control device 30, and a refrigerant cooling device 40 may be accommodated in the internal space of the main body 200.

The housing 10 may be disposed directly below the upper surface of the main body 200. The container receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10. The refrigerant control device 30 and the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be appropriately disposed inside the main body 200.

The housing 10, the container receiving portion 20, the refrigerant control device 30, and the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be the same as those of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.

An opening 201 communicating with the container chamber C of the housing 10 may be provided on the upper surface of the main body 200. The user may insert or remove a beverage container into or from the container chamber C of the housing 10 through the opening 201.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, when the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure is configured as an independent home appliance, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 may be easily transported. Therefore, the convenience of use of the beverage cooling apparatus 1 may be improved.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view illustrating a refrigerator 300 having a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 18, a beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be disposed in a refrigerator 300.

For example, a housing 10, a container receiving portion 20, and a refrigerant control device 30 may be accommodated in the refrigerator 300.

The refrigerant cooling device 40 may include a discharge pipe 41, a radiator 42, an inlet pipe 43, and a circulation pump 44. The discharge pipe 41, the inlet pipe 43, and the circulation pump 44 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

The heat exchanger 54 of the radiator 42 may be configured to be connected to the refrigeration cycle 301 of the refrigerator 300. For example, the heat exchanger 54 of the radiator 42 may be configured to be connected to the refrigeration cycle 301 of the refrigerator 300 so as to cool the refrigerant passing through the radiator 42.

When the heat exchanger 54 of the radiator 42 is connected to the refrigeration cycle 301 of the refrigerator 300 in this way, there is no need to provide a separate refrigeration cycle for cooling the refrigerant of the radiator 42.

In the above, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure is disposed in the refrigerator 300. However, the home appliance in which the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure is disposed may not be limited thereto.

The beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be disposed in various home appliances having a refrigeration cycle. For example, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be disposed in an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, etc.

The beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure having the structure as described above may rapidly cool a beverage container using a refrigerant in a refrigerant chamber R formed by a housing 10 and a flexible membrane 25 without direct contact with water or ice.

In addition, the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure may adjust the contact area between the flexible membrane 25 and the beverage container, e.g., the heat transfer area. Therefore, beverage contained in the beverage container may be cooled to an optimal temperature depending on the type of the beverage, and the temperature of the cooled beverage may be maintained.

In addition, in the beverage cooling apparatus 1 according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the refrigerant cooling device 40 may be configured by dividing into a refrigerant circulation system that circulates refrigerant for cooling a beverage container and a refrigerant cooling system that cools the refrigerant. Therefore, the cooling temperature of the beverage container may be effectively controlled.

In the foregoing, the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various embodiments. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure including appended claims and equivalents thereof. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10-2022-0140131	Oct 2022	KR	national
10-2022-0172608	Dec 2022	KR	national

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/KR2023/014852	Sep 2023	WO
Child	19094224		US

BEVERAGE COOLING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF RAPIDLY COOLING AND MAINTAINING BEVERAGE AT APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE

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Priority Claims (2)

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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