A milk frother for making fine milk froth

Abstract

The application discloses a milk frother for making delicate milk froth and relates to the technical field of milk frothing equipment. The milk frother comprises a milk froth generating system and an independent cleaning system. The milk froth generating system comprises a first three-way pipe fitting, a milk pump, a first heater and a multi-way switching valve assembly. The independent cleaning system comprises a second heater and a shunt structure of the multi-way switching valve assembly. In the cleaning mode, the high-temperature cleaning water output by the second heater is divided into a forward water flow and a reverse water flow. The forward water flow cleanses the milk pipeline. The reverse water flow flows reversely through the first heater, a filter joint and the milk pump in sequence and is finally discharged by a blow-off branch. The application realizes active aortic pulse air intake double frothing. By means of a double independent heating and bidirectional reverse flow cleaning architecture, the problems of pipeline dead angle milk scale residue and water-milk cross contamination are effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of milk foaming equipment, and particularly relates to a milk foaming machine that produces fine milk foam. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, milk frothers on the market have the following main technical defects in terms of milk frothing and pipe cleaning: First, the quality of milk foam is unstable and not fine enough. Traditional milk frothers mostly use the Venturi tube principle for passive air intake and foaming. The amount of air intake is greatly affected by the fluid flow rate, resulting in unstable air intake and uneven bubble size. The milk foam is easy to be coarse and defoams quickly, making it difficult to meet the demand for fine milk foam in high-quality beverages.

[0003] Secondly, existing milk frothers typically share a single heating system to heat milk and cleaning water. Since milk heating requires a moderate temperature to prevent protein denaturation and scorching, while pipe cleaning requires high temperature and high power to dissolve milk residue and sterilize, a single heater cannot meet both requirements. Sharing pipes and heating chambers easily leads to cross-contamination between cleaning water and milk residue, posing a potential food safety hazard.

[0004] Finally, it is difficult to overcome the dead corners in cleaning the core components. The core components inside traditional milk frothers, such as milk pumps and heaters, are prone to accumulating stubborn milk residue. Traditional water circuits often only support one-way flow rinsing, which makes it difficult to thoroughly clean milk residue with strong adhesion. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a milk frother that produces fine milk foam, aiming to solve the problems of coarse milk foam, cross-contamination caused by a single heating system, inaccurate temperature control, and incomplete cleaning of core components in the prior art.

[0006] The present invention achieves the above objectives through the following technical solution: a milk frother for making fine milk foam, comprising a milk foam generation system and an independent cleaning system; The milk frothing system includes a milk inlet pipe, an air inlet pipe, a first three-way fitting, a milk pump, a filter connector, a first heater, and a multi-way switching valve assembly, which are fluidly connected in sequence. The milk inlet pipe is equipped with a milk control valve, and the air inlet pipe is equipped with an air inlet control valve. The milk inlet pipe and the air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the two input ends of the first three-way fitting. The output end of the first three-way fitting is connected to the input end of the milk pump. The multi-way switching valve assembly is connected between the output end of the first heater and the milk outlet pipe. The independent cleaning system includes a water inlet pipe, a cleaning control valve, and a second heater that are connected in sequence. The milk pump has a drain branch on the front side of the input end; The multi-port switching valve assembly includes a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface. The first interface is connected to the output end of the second heater, the second interface is connected to the output end of the first heater, and the third interface is connected to the milk outlet pipeline. The multi-way switching valve assembly is configured as a flow-dividing structure: in the cleaning mode, the cleaning control valve is opened, and the cleaning water is sent to the second heater. The high-temperature cleaning water output by the heater enters through the first interface and is divided into forward flow and reverse flow. The forward flow enters the milk outlet pipeline in the forward direction through the third interface, and the reverse flow flows in the reverse direction through the second interface, sequentially through the first heater, the filter connector and the milk pump, and is discharged through the sewage branch.

[0007] Furthermore, the multi-way switching valve assembly consists of a control valve body and a second three-way fitting. The input end of the control valve body is the first interface, and the output end of the control valve body is connected to the input branch of the second three-way fitting. The other two branches of the second three-way fitting are the second interface and the third interface, respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, both the milk control valve and the air intake control valve are one-way valve assemblies, and the conduction direction of the one-way valve assembly is restricted to the direction towards the first three-way fitting; in the cleaning mode, the back pressure generated by the reverse water flow is used to achieve automatic closure, preventing high-temperature cleaning water from flowing back into the milk source and air path.

[0009] Furthermore, the intake control valve is a high-frequency solenoid valve, which is configured to break the air into tiny airflows and pump them into the first three-way fitting in a high-frequency opening and closing pulse manner to initially mix with the milk.

[0010] Furthermore, the sewage branch is led out through a third tee fitting added to the milk pump input, and the sewage branch is connected to a valve that controls the discharge of waste liquid. In foaming mode, the sewage valve remains closed.

[0011] Furthermore, the milk pump is equipped with an impeller, configured to physically shear the milk-air mixture entering the pump chamber to achieve secondary refinement of the bubbles.

[0012] Furthermore, the filter connector is equipped with a fine-mesh filter screen, configured to trap fluid impurities and to equalize and stabilize the output milk foam.

[0013] Furthermore, the first heater and the second heater are physically independent of each other and have independent temperature control and power regulation logic. The operating power of the second heater is greater than that of the first heater, and the operating temperature of the second heater is higher than that of the first heater.

[0014] Beneficial effects: This invention is reasonably designed and has the following beneficial effects: 1. In this invention, the limitations of traditional passive air intake are overcome. A high-frequency solenoid valve is used for active pulse air intake, and the air bubbles are further refined by high-speed physical shearing by the impeller at the milk pump, which significantly improves the density and durability of the milk foam. 2. In the present invention, a first heater specifically for milk and a second heater specifically for cleaning water are set up. The two are physically independent of each other, which completely solves the contradiction that a single heater cannot simultaneously prevent scorching and high-temperature sterilization, and eliminates cross-contamination within the system. 3. In this invention, a multi-way switching valve assembly is used to combine a passive tee with a control valve, and combined with pipeline resistance design, physical diversion of high-temperature cleaning water is achieved. The reverse water flow effectively disrupts the adhesion structure of milk residue in the normal flow direction, achieving deep peeling and dissolution of the entire system, especially inside the heater and milk pump; 4. In the present invention, a one-way valve assembly is used at the gas and milk inlet ends. The high-pressure water back pressure generated by reverse cleaning is cleverly used to achieve automatic closure of the mechanical water seal. While serving two purposes, the system’s safety isolation is ensured at extremely low structural cost. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the milk foam generation system of the present invention; Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of a partial structure of the milk foam generation system of the present invention.

[0016] In the diagram: 1 - Milk foam generation system, 2 - Independent cleaning system; 11-First tee fitting, 12-Milk pump, 13-Filter connector, 14-First heater, 15-Multi-way switching valve assembly, 16-Milk control valve, 17-Air intake control valve, 18-Drainage branch, 21-Water inlet pipe, 22-Cleaning control valve, 23-Second heater; 151 - First interface, 152 - Second interface, 153 - Third interface. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0018] Combination Figures 1 to 5The milk frother shown includes a milk frothing system 1 and an independent cleaning system 2 for making fine milk foam. The milk foam generation system 1 includes a milk inlet pipe, an air inlet pipe, a first three-way fitting 11, a milk pump 12, a filter connector 13, a first heater 14, and a multi-way switching valve assembly 15, which are connected in sequence. The milk inlet pipe is equipped with a milk control valve 16, and the air inlet pipe is equipped with an air inlet control valve 17. The milk inlet pipe and the air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the two input ends of the first three-way fitting 11. The output end of the first three-way fitting 11 is connected to the input end of the milk pump 12. The multi-way switching valve assembly 15 is connected between the output end of the first heater 14 and the milk outlet pipe. The independent cleaning system 2 includes a water inlet pipe 21, a cleaning control valve 22 and a second heater 23 that are connected in sequence. A sewage discharge branch 18 is provided on the front side of the input end of the milk pump 12; The multi-port switching valve assembly 15 includes a first port 151, a second port 152 and a third port 153. The first port 151 is connected to the output end of the second heater 23, the second port 152 is connected to the output end of the first heater 14, and the third port 153 is connected to the milk outlet pipeline. The multi-way switching valve assembly 15 is configured as a flow-dividing structure: In the cleaning mode, the cleaning control valve 22 is opened, and the cleaning water is sent to the second heater 23. The high-temperature cleaning water output by the heater enters through the first port 151 and is divided into forward flow and reverse flow. The forward flow enters the milk outlet pipe in the forward direction through the third port 153, and the reverse flow flows in the reverse direction through the second port 152, passing through the first heater 14, the filter connector 13 and the milk pump 12 in sequence, and is discharged through the sewage branch 18.

[0019] The multi-way switching valve assembly 15 consists of a control valve body and a second three-way pipe fitting. The input end of the control valve body is the first interface 151, and the output end of the control valve body is connected to the input branch of the second three-way pipe fitting. The other two branches of the second three-way pipe fitting are the second interface 152 and the third interface 153, respectively.

[0020] Both the milk control valve 16 and the air intake control valve 17 are one-way valve assemblies. The conduction direction of the one-way valve assembly is limited to the direction towards the first three-way fitting 11. In the cleaning mode, the back pressure generated by the reverse water flow is used to achieve automatic closure, preventing high-temperature cleaning water from flowing back into the milk source and air path.

[0021] The intake control valve 17 is a high-frequency solenoid valve, which is configured to break the air into tiny airflows and pump them into the first three-way fitting 11 in a high-frequency opening and closing pulse mode to initially mix with the milk.

[0022] The sewage branch 18 is led out through the third tee fitting added to the milk pump 12 input. The sewage branch 18 is connected to the valve that controls the discharge of waste liquid. In foaming mode, the sewage valve is kept closed.

[0023] The milk pump 12 is equipped with an impeller, which is configured to physically shear the milk-air mixture entering the pump chamber to achieve secondary refinement of the bubbles.

[0024] The filter connector 13 is equipped with a fine-mesh filter screen, which is configured to trap fluid impurities and equalize and stabilize the output milk foam.

[0025] The first heater 14 and the second heater 23 are physically independent of each other and have independent temperature control and power regulation logic. The operating power of the second heater 23 is greater than that of the first heater 14, and the operating temperature of the second heater 23 is higher than that of the first heater 14.

[0026] Working principle: Foaming mode: The system issues a foaming command, keeping the drain valve on drain branch 18 closed and the control valve body in the multi-way switching valve assembly 15 closed (i.e., cutting off the water supply from the second heater 23). Milk enters the first three-way fitting 11 via milk control valve 16; simultaneously, air intake control valve 17 (high-frequency solenoid valve) opens and closes frequently, pumping air into the first three-way fitting 11 in the form of pulsed micro-airflow, where it is initially mixed with the milk. The mixture enters milk pump 12, where the high-speed physical shearing action of the impeller inside milk pump 12 achieves secondary refinement of the bubbles. The refined milk foam passes through filter connector 13, where it is balanced and pressure stabilized by the internal fine-mesh filter to remove impurities, and then enters the first heater 14 for gentle heating. The heated, fine milk foam flows into the second port 152 of the multi-way switching valve assembly 15. Since the first port 151 is cut off, the milk foam is directly discharged smoothly from the milk outlet pipe via the third port 153.

[0027] Cleaning modes: Upon initiating the cleaning command, the drain valve on drain branch 18 opens, allowing room temperature cleaning water to enter through inlet pipe 21. This water is then heated to high temperature and high pressure by the second heater 23. The control valve body within the multi-way switching valve assembly 15 opens, and the high-temperature cleaning water forcefully rushes into the assembly through the first port 151. Due to the system's impedance matching design, the high-temperature water flow is physically split here: one stream flows forward through the third port 153 into the milk outlet pipe to clean residual milk (forward flushing), while the other stream, under pressure, flows backward through the second port 152, forcefully flushing the first heater 14, filter connector 13, and milk pump 12 (reverse flushing). When the reverse flushing reaches the first three-way fitting 11, the back pressure generated by the high-pressure water flow directly acts on the output ends of the milk control valve 16 and the air intake control valve 17 (one-way valve assembly), causing them to automatically close and lock, effectively preventing high-temperature wastewater from flowing back into the milk box and air circuit equipment. Finally, the waste liquid containing stubborn milk residue is discharged from the system through the open drain branch 18, completing the thorough cleaning and sterilization process.

[0028] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A milk frother for making fine milk foam, characterized in that: The system includes a milk foam generation system (1) and an independent cleaning system (2). The milk foam generation system (1) includes a milk inlet pipe, an air inlet pipe, a first three-way fitting (11), a milk pump (12), a filter connector (13), a first heater (14), and a multi-way switching valve assembly (15) that are fluidly connected in sequence. The milk inlet pipe is equipped with a milk control valve (16), and the air inlet pipe is equipped with an air inlet control valve (17). The milk inlet pipe and the air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the two input ends of the first three-way fitting (11). The output end of the first three-way fitting (11) is connected to the input end of the milk pump (12). The multi-way switching valve assembly (15) is connected between the output end of the first heater (14) and the milk outlet pipe. The independent cleaning system (2) includes a water inlet pipe (21), a cleaning control valve (22) and a second heater (23) connected in sequence; a sewage branch (18) is provided on the front side of the input end of the milk pump (12). The multi-port switching valve assembly (15) includes a first interface (151), a second interface (152) and a third interface (153). The first interface (151) is connected to the output end of the second heater (23), the second interface (152) is connected to the output end of the first heater (14), and the third interface (153) is connected to the milk outlet pipeline. The multi-way switching valve assembly (15) is configured as a flow-dividing structure: in the cleaning mode, the cleaning control valve (22) is opened, and the cleaning water is sent to the second heater (23). The high-temperature cleaning water output by the heater enters through the first interface (151) and is divided into forward flow and reverse flow. The forward flow enters the milk outlet pipeline in the forward direction through the third interface (153), and the reverse flow flows in the reverse direction through the second interface (152) and sequentially through the first heater (14), the filter connector (13) and the milk pump (12), and is discharged through the sewage branch (18).

2. The milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-way switching valve assembly (15) consists of a control valve body and a second three-way fitting. The input end of the control valve body is the first interface (151), and the output end of the control valve body is connected to the input branch of the second three-way fitting. The other two branches of the second three-way fitting are the second interface (152) and the third interface (153), respectively.

3. The milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the milk control valve (16) and the air intake control valve (17) are one-way valve assemblies. The conduction direction of the one-way valve assembly is restricted to the direction towards the first three-way fitting (11). In the cleaning mode, the back pressure generated by the reverse water flow is used to achieve automatic closure, preventing high-temperature cleaning water from flowing back into the milk source and air path.

4. A milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 3, characterized in that: The intake control valve (17) is a high-frequency solenoid valve, which is configured to break the air into tiny airflows and pump them into the first three-way fitting (11) in a high-frequency opening and closing pulse mode to initially mix with the milk.

5. A milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sewage branch (18) is led out through the third tee fitting added to the milk pump (12). The sewage branch (18) is connected to the valve that controls the discharge of waste liquid. In foaming mode, the sewage valve is kept closed.

6. A milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The milk pump (12) is equipped with an impeller, which is configured to physically shear the milk and air mixture entering the pump chamber to achieve secondary refinement of the bubbles.

7. A milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter connector (13) is equipped with a fine mesh filter, which is configured to trap fluid impurities and equalize and stabilize the output milk foam.

8. A milk frother for making fine milk foam according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heater (14) and the second heater (23) are physically independent of each other and have independent temperature control and power regulation logic. The operating power of the second heater (23) is greater than that of the first heater (14), and the operating temperature of the second heater (23) is higher than that of the first heater (14).

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