Full-automatic milk froth device control system and control method

Abstract

The invention discloses a full-automatic milk froth device control system and a control method. The system comprises a milk froth device, a steam jet, a driving unit, a milk temperature acquisition unit, an upper computer, a milk liquid supply unit connected with the milk froth device, an air supply unit and a steam supply unit, the steam spray head is provided with a plurality of gears and is rotatably arranged on the milk foam device, a plurality of milk inlet holes with different cross section sizes are distributed in the circumferential direction of the steam spray head, and the plurality of milk inlet holes correspond to the plurality of gears in a one-to-one mode; the driving unit is used for driving the steam nozzle to rotate; the milk temperature acquisition unit is used for acquiring the initial temperature of milk in the milk supply unit; the upper computer is provided with a milk quantity input window, a foaming milk temperature input window and a foaming rate input window; the control system is electrically connected with the air supply unit, the steam supply unit, the driving unit, the milk temperature acquisition unit and the upper computer at the same time. According to the requirement of a user for hot milk foam or hot milk, the making parameters can be automatically matched for making.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of beverage equipment, and in particular to a full-automatic milk frothing machine control system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] For milk-containing beverages such as milk coffee, it is necessary to heat the milk or make milk foam or milk froth during the process of making the beverage. Therefore, the production of milk liquid (such as milk) is particularly important. For milk coffee machines, the milk frother is generally installed on the coffee beverage outlet device, which uses steam and Venturi negative pressure principle to suck milk liquid or sucks milk through a milk pump to mix milk liquid, air and steam for heating to make dense and delicious hot milk foam or make hot milk liquid through sucked milk liquid and steam. Although the milk pump can accurately control the delivery of milk liquid to make hot milk foam that meets the target temperature, foaming rate and milk volume or hot milk liquid with target temperature and volume, the milk pump is expensive, which increases the cost of beverage equipment.

[0003] At present, a milk frother with multiple gear adjustments adjusts the real-time milk intake amount of milk liquid through different gears, so as to achieve temperature regulation and foaming regulation of milk-containing beverages. However, the gear of the milk frother needs to be manually adjusted each time the gear is changed, which brings a poor user experience and inconvenient operation experience. In addition, in the existing coffee machine, when the user makes milk coffee or milk liquid and milk foam separately, the user needs to manually adjust the milk making parameters such as milk intake flow rate and steam time, etc. It is difficult for the user to obtain a milk-containing beverage that meets the preset parameters of target foaming rate, milk volume and milk temperature through manual adjustment. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a fully automatic milk frother control system and control method, which can automatically match production parameters to produce hot milk froth or hot milk liquid according to user needs for hot milk froth or hot milk liquid, thereby improving user experience.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A fully automatic milk frothing machine control system, comprising:

[0007] A milk froth machine, wherein a first channel and a second channel are formed inside the milk froth machine;

[0008] a milk supply unit, the milk supply unit being in communication with the first passage for supplying milk;

[0009] an air supply unit, the air supply unit being in communication with the first passage for supplying air;

[0010] a steam spray head, the steam spray head having a plurality of gears and being rotatably arranged on the milk frother, a steam channel communicating with the second channel being formed inside the steam spray head, and a plurality of milk inlet holes having different cross-sectional sizes and being communicated with the steam channel being distributed in a circumferential direction of the steam spray head, wherein the plurality of milk inlet holes correspond one to one with the plurality of gears;

[0011] a steam supply unit, the steam supply unit being in communication with the steam passage for supplying steam;

[0012] A driving unit, the driving unit is used to drive the steam spray head to rotate;

[0013] A milk temperature acquisition unit, used to acquire the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit;

[0014] A host computer, wherein the host computer has a milk quantity input window, a foaming milk temperature input window and a foaming rate input window;

[0015] A control system, the control system comprising a main control unit and a data storage unit communicatively connected to the main control unit, the main control unit is electrically connected to the air supply unit, the steam supply unit, the drive unit, the milk temperature acquisition unit and the upper computer at the same time, the data storage unit stores a plurality of parameter sets for making hot milk liquid or hot milk foam.

[0016] Furthermore, the parameter set includes multiple independent data groups and multiple dependent data groups, and one dependent data group corresponds to at least one independent data group, wherein the independent data group includes a milk volume value, a milk foam / milk liquid target temperature value, a foaming rate value and an initial temperature of the milk liquid, and the dependent data group includes an air injection amount, a steam output time and a milk intake flow rate.

[0017] Furthermore, the air supply unit includes an air pump or an air valve connected to the first channel, and the air pump or the air valve is electrically connected to the main control unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the driving unit includes a driving motor, a driving gear and a driven gear, the driving motor is electrically connected to the main control unit, the driving gear is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the driving motor, the driving gear and the driven gear are meshed with each other, and the driven gear is integrally formed on the steam nozzle.

[0019] Furthermore, a plurality of first trigger members are arranged on the driven gear, and the plurality of first trigger members correspond one-to-one to the plurality of milk inlet holes. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system also includes a first sensing member arranged corresponding to the first trigger member, and the first sensing member is electrically connected to the main control unit.

[0020] Furthermore, the milk froth device is concavely formed with a plurality of positioning grooves, and the plurality of positioning grooves are evenly spaced and circumferentially distributed at the opening edge of the second channel, and the steam nozzle is convexly provided with a plurality of positioning blocks corresponding to the plurality of positioning grooves one by one.

[0021] Furthermore, it also includes a milk shortage detection component, which includes a first detection electrode and a second detection electrode electrically connected to the main control unit, and the detection heads of the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode are both located in the pipeline between the milk supply unit and the milk frother.

[0022] Further, the steam supply unit includes a steam boiler and a steam valve, the steam boiler is communicated with the second channel of the milk frother, the steam valve is arranged between the steam boiler and the milk frother, and the main control unit is electrically connected to the control steam valve.

[0023] Furthermore, the milk temperature acquisition unit is a temperature sensor, which is disposed between the milk supply unit and the milk froth machine, and is electrically connected to the main control unit for acquiring the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit.

[0024] Furthermore, the milk temperature acquisition unit is a milk initial temperature input window in the host computer, and the user inputs the initial temperature of the milk through the milk initial temperature input window.

[0025] Furthermore, it also includes:

[0026] A milk volume detection sensor, the milk volume detection sensor is electrically connected to the main control unit and is used to detect the outputted milk foam / milk liquid volume in real time;

[0027] A milk temperature detection sensor, the milk temperature detection sensor is electrically connected to the main control unit and is used to detect the temperature of the output milk foam / milk liquid in real time;

[0028] A milk froth detection sensor is electrically connected to the main control unit and is used to detect the frothing rate of the milk froth.

[0029] Furthermore, the host computer also has a milk type selection window.

[0030] A control method for a fully automatic milk frothing machine control system comprises the following steps:

[0031] S1: Obtain the type of milk drink to be prepared;

[0032] S2: Determine the type of the milk drink obtained. In response to the obtained type of the milk drink being milk foam, execute steps S3-S5; in response to the obtained type of the milk drink being hot milk liquid, execute steps S6-S8;

[0033] S3: obtaining a milk amount value, a milk foam target temperature value, a foaming rate value, and an initial temperature of the milk liquid in the milk foam to be prepared;

[0034] S4: The main control unit analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, milk foam target temperature value, foaming rate value and initial temperature of the milk, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit. The main control unit issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set;

[0035] S5: the air supply unit, the steam supply unit and the driving unit respectively control the air injection amount, the steam output time and the milk flow rate according to the control instruction of the main control unit;

[0036] S6: Obtaining a milk amount value in the milk foam to be prepared, a target temperature value of the milk, and an initial temperature of the milk;

[0037] S7: the main control unit analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, the target temperature value of the milk, and the initial temperature of the milk, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit, and the main control unit issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set;

[0038] S8: The steam supply unit and the driving unit control the steam output time and the milk flow rate respectively according to the control instruction of the main control unit.

[0039] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0040] 1. The present invention can produce hot milk froth or hot milk liquid according to the user's demand for hot milk froth or hot milk liquid by automatically matching corresponding production parameters in the system, which is convenient and quick to use and improves user experience.

[0041] 2. The driving unit is set to realize automatic rotation of the steam nozzle, which is more convenient and quicker than the existing manual rotation method. In addition, the driving unit and the steam nozzle can be used in combination to achieve precise control of the milk intake. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit of the fully automatic milk frother control system;

[0043] Figure 2a It is a circuit control block diagram of a full-automatic milk frothing machine control system in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2b It is a circuit control block diagram of a full-automatic milk frothing machine control system in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a milk frother;

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drive unit;

[0047] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a steam nozzle;

[0048] Figure 6 Cutaway view of the fully automatic milk frother control system Figure 1 ;

[0049] Figure 7 It is the second cross-sectional view of the fully automatic milk frother control system;

[0050] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the milk frother;

[0051] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the coffee interface component;

[0052] Fig.10 It is a structural schematic diagram of a fully automatic milk frothing machine control system;

[0053] Fig.11 It is a partial exploded diagram of the full-automatic milk frother control system;

[0054] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the locking assembly;

[0055] Fig.13 Cutaway view of the fully automatic milk frother control system Figure 3 ;

[0056] Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the integrated structure of the temperature sensor and milk shortage detection component.

[0057] Among them: 1. milk frother; 10. first channel; 11. second channel; 12. positioning groove; 13. milk frother body; 14. bottom cover; 15. buffer outlet; 2. milk supply unit; 3. air supply unit; 30. air pump or air valve; 4. steam nozzle; 40. steam channel; 41. milk inlet hole; 42. sealing body; 420. protrusion; 421. groove; 43. positioning block; 5. steam supply unit; 50. steam boiler; 51. steam valve; 6. driving unit; 60. driving motor; 600. output shaft; 61. driving gear; 62. driven gear; 620. first trigger; 621. first induction member; 622. mounting groove; 623. second induction member; 624. second trigger; 7, temperature sensor; 8, host computer; 9, control system; 90, main control unit; 91, data storage unit; 20, milk shortage detection component; 200, first detection electrode; 201, second detection electrode; 21, milk quantity detection sensor; 22, milk temperature detection sensor; 23, milk foam detection sensor; 100, coffee interface component; 110, diverter; 111, liquid inlet; 112, overflow port; 113, diverter outlet; 114, lighting component; 120, cover; 130, locking component; 131, locking seat; 132, locking block; 133, elastic member; 134, sliding groove; 135, opening; 136, limit block; 140, shell; 141, folding edge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following is a further non-restrictive detailed description of the technical solution of the invention in conjunction with the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0059] like Figure 1-Figure 3As shown, a full-automatic milk frothing machine control system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a milk frothing machine 1, a milk supply unit 2, an air supply unit 3, a steam nozzle 4, a steam supply unit 5, a driving unit 6, a milk temperature acquisition unit, a host computer 8 and a control system 9. A first channel 10 and a second channel 11 are formed inside the milk frothing machine 1. The milk supply unit 2 is connected to the first channel 10 for supplying milk, and the air supply unit 3 is connected to the first channel 10 for supplying air. The steam nozzle 4 has a plurality of gears and is rotatably arranged on the milk froth machine 1. A steam channel 40 connected to the second channel 11 is formed inside the steam nozzle 4. The outer wall of the steam nozzle 4 is sealed and abutted against the inner circumferential wall forming the second channel 11. A plurality of milk inlet holes 41 with different cross-sectional sizes and connected to the steam channel 40 are distributed in the circumferential direction of the steam nozzle 4. The plurality of milk inlet holes 41 correspond to the plurality of gears in a one-to-one manner. The steam supply unit 5 is connected to the steam channel 40 for supplying steam. The driving unit 6 is used to drive the steam nozzle 4 to rotate. When the milk inlet amount of the milk froth machine 1 needs to be adjusted, the driving unit 6 drives the steam nozzle 4 to rotate to control the corresponding milk inlet hole 41 to be connected to the first channel 10. The milk temperature acquisition unit is used to acquire the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit 2; the host computer 8 has a milk volume input window, a foaming milk temperature input window and a foaming rate input window, and the control system 9 includes a main control unit 90 and a data storage unit 91 that is communicatively connected to the main control unit 90. The main control unit 90 is electrically connected to the air supply unit 3, the steam supply unit 5, the drive unit 6, the milk temperature acquisition unit and the host computer 8 at the same time, and the data storage unit 91 stores multiple sets of parameter sets for making hot milk or hot milk foam. When in use, the user first needs to input the milk volume value, the milk foam / milk target temperature value and the foaming rate value on the host computer 8. After starting the production, the control system 9 receives these parameters and automatically matches the corresponding processing parameters for making milk or milk foam in the data storage unit 91 according to the target parameters for making hot milk foam or hot milk set by the user on the host computer 8, and further issues corresponding control instructions through the main control unit 90 to achieve accurate milk heating and milk foam production. The control instructions mainly include controlling the gear position of the steam nozzle 4 by controlling the driving unit 6 to achieve the control of the milk flow rate, and adjusting the working states of the air supply unit 3 and the steam supply unit 5 to ensure that the milk liquid is processed into an ideal hot milk foam or hot milk liquid according to the preset temperature and foaming rate. The present invention can make hot milk foam or hot milk liquid according to the user's demand for hot milk foam or hot milk liquid by automatically matching the corresponding production parameters in the system, which is convenient and fast to use and improves the user experience.

[0060] In this embodiment, the milk supply unit 2 is a milk box for storing liquid milk such as milk.

[0061] like Figure 1As shown, the air supply unit 3 is started when preparing milk froth to provide air. In one embodiment of the present invention, the air supply unit 3 includes an air pump or an air valve 30 connected to the first channel 10, and the air pump or the air valve 30 is electrically connected to the main control unit 90. If an air pump is selected, the amount of air injected is determined by the air pump itself. Specifically, the air pump adjusts its duty cycle according to the instruction of the main control unit 90 to achieve the purpose of adjusting the amount of air injected. If an air valve is selected, the amount of air injected is determined by the air valve. The air valve can be a high-frequency air valve. Specifically, the air valve adjusts its opening and closing time according to the signal sent by the main control unit 90 to achieve fine control of the amount of air injected.

[0062] The steam supply unit 5 is activated when preparing milk froth to provide steam. By using the Venturi effect, the steam forms a negative pressure inside the second channel 11 of the milk frother 1. Under the negative pressure, milk and air are mixed in the first channel 10 and enter the second channel 11 to be fully mixed with the steam to generate milk froth. Figure 1 The steam supply unit 5 includes a steam boiler 50 and a steam valve 51. The steam boiler 50 is communicated with the second channel 11 of the milk frother 1. The steam valve 51 is arranged between the steam boiler 50 and the milk frother 1 to control the on-off of the pipeline therebetween. The main control unit 90 is electrically connected to the steam valve 51. The main control unit 90 controls the steam output time by directly controlling the opening and closing of the steam valve 51.

[0063] The milk temperature acquisition unit is used to acquire the temperature in the milk box. In this embodiment, the milk temperature acquisition unit is a temperature sensor 7, which is arranged between the milk supply unit 2 and the milk froth machine 1. The temperature sensor 7 is electrically connected to the main control unit 90 and is used to acquire the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit 2. The initial temperature of the milk is a data in the parameter set, and its temperature value can also be acquired by inputting it in the host computer 8. Specifically, the milk temperature acquisition unit is an initial temperature input window of the milk in the host computer 8. The user inputs the initial temperature of the milk through the initial temperature input window of the milk. On this basis, a temperature control device needs to be equipped to control the temperature of the milk, which undoubtedly increases the equipment cost. Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferred to acquire the initial temperature of the milk through the temperature sensor 7.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, the driving unit 6 includes a driving motor 60 and a transmission assembly, and the driving motor 60 drives the steam nozzle 4 to rotate through the transmission assembly. The driving unit 6 is provided to realize automatic rotation of the steam nozzle 4, which is more convenient and quicker than the existing manual plug-in adjustment method. In addition, by using the driving unit 6 and the steam nozzle 4 together, the amount of milk intake can be accurately controlled.

[0065] In this embodiment, reference Figure 4The transmission assembly includes a driving gear 61 and a driven gear 62. The driving motor 60 is electrically connected to the main control unit 90. The driving gear 61 is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft 600 of the driving motor 60. The driving gear 61 and the driven gear 62 are meshed with each other. The driven gear 62 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral wall of the steam nozzle 4. Under the control of the main control unit 90, the driving motor 60 rotates at a specific angle as set. The driving motor 60 drives the driving gear 61 to rotate and then drives the driven gear 62 to rotate synchronously, thereby accurately controlling the steam nozzle 4 to rotate to the target gear. Since different gears correspond to milk inlet holes 41 with different cross-sectional sizes, accurate control of the milk inlet flow rate can be achieved.

[0066] In addition, reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , a plurality of first triggering members 620 are arranged on the driven gear 62, and the plurality of first triggering members 620 correspond to the plurality of milk inlet holes 41 one by one, and the full-automatic milk frothing machine control system further comprises a first sensing member 621 arranged corresponding to the first triggering member 620, and the first sensing member 621 is electrically connected to the main control unit 90. Among them, the first triggering member 620 is a magnet, and the first sensing member 621 is a reed switch. Through the interaction between the first triggering member 620 and the first sensing member 621, the main control unit 90 can monitor the rotation position of the steam nozzle 4 in real time. Specifically, when the driving motor 60 drives the steam nozzle 4 to rotate through the transmission assembly, each first triggering member 620 on the driven gear 62 will be identified when passing through the first sensing member 621, thereby sensing the change of the gear position. The initial position of the steam spray head 4 is set to gear 1 by default. When the driving motor 60 rotates forward or reversely, the final gear can be determined according to the gear change count and fed back to the control system 9. For example, if the first sensor 621 detects that the gear has changed once, it is currently gear 2, and it changes twice to gear 3. If it changes four times, it returns to the initial gear 1 in one cycle. The cross-sectional size of the milk inlet hole 41 corresponding to each gear is different, and the aperture gradually increases or decreases from gear 1 to gear 4.

[0067] Further references Figure 5 A plurality of mounting grooves 622 are formed inwardly on one side of the driven gear 62 , and the plurality of first trigger members 620 are correspondingly engaged in the plurality of mounting grooves 622 .

[0068] In addition, if Figure 7As shown, the fully automatic milk froth machine control system further includes a second sensor 623 and a second trigger 624. The second trigger 624 is fixed on the milk froth machine 1. The second sensor 623 is electrically connected to the main control unit 90 and is arranged opposite to the second trigger 624. The second sensor 623 can be a reed switch, a micro switch, a Hall or a potentiometer sensor, etc., and its purpose is to detect whether the milk froth machine 1 has been installed or installed in place, and to feed back to the coffee machine control system. When the second sensor 623 detects the signal of the second trigger 624, the main control unit 90 confirms that the milk froth machine 1 has been installed in place, ensuring the stable operation of the milk froth machine 1.

[0069] In this embodiment, the steam nozzle 4 is made of hard plastic, and the part where the milk frother 1 and the steam nozzle 4 are combined is made of soft rubber. The steam nozzle 4 is sealed and connected to the milk frother 1 in a detachable manner, ensuring the convenience of maintenance and cleaning. In addition, the design of the milk inlet hole 41 in the milk frother 40 can be better automatically cleaned and disassembled for cleaning, effectively solving the bacteria caused by residual milk stains.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, the steam spray head 4 is integrally formed and includes a sealing body 42, the sealing body 42 is located in the second channel 11, and the outer wall of the sealing body 42 is sealedly connected to the inner circumferential wall forming the second channel 11, and a plurality of milk inlet holes 41 are formed in the circumferential direction of the sealing body 42, and the driven gear 62 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the sealing body 42 and exposed on the outside of the milk froth machine 1.

[0071] In addition, a protrusion 420 is formed on the sealing body 42 at a position corresponding to the milk inlet hole 41, and the protrusion 420 is in sealing contact with the inner peripheral wall forming the second channel 11. The setting of the protrusion 420 further enhances the sealing effect, ensures the flow stability of milk and air when entering the second channel 11 through the milk inlet hole 41, and prevents milk or air from leaking between the sealing body 42 and the inner wall of the second channel 11, thereby affecting the adjustment accuracy of the gear position.

[0072] A groove 421 is formed between adjacent protrusions 420. The groove 421 not only relieves pressure in structure and reduces stress concentration of the material, but also the design of the groove 421 can further reduce the contact area between the outer peripheral wall of the sealing body 42 and the inner peripheral wall of the second channel 11, thereby reducing the friction between the two.

[0073] refer to Figure 8 The milk froth device 1 is concavely formed with a plurality of positioning grooves 12, and the plurality of positioning grooves 12 are evenly spaced and circumferentially distributed at the opening edge of the second channel 11. Figure 5The steam spray head 4 is provided with a plurality of positioning blocks 43 corresponding to the plurality of positioning grooves 12. The positioning blocks 43 and the positioning grooves 12 are used in coordination to ensure the stability and positioning accuracy of the steam spray head 4 when switching between different gears. At the same time, when the driving motor 60 drives the steam spray head 4 to rotate, the current changes each time it passes through a gear, which can also be used as a basis for detecting the change of the gear.

[0074] like Figure 8 As shown, the milk frother 1 comprises a milk frother body 13 , a bottom cover 14 and at least one buffer outlet 15 . The bottom cover 14 is detachably connected to the bottom of the milk frother body 13 , and the buffer outlet 15 is correspondingly connected to a channel at the bottom of the bottom cover 14 .

[0075] like Fig. 9 As shown, a coffee interface assembly 100 is also provided at the rear of the milk froth machine 1. The coffee interface assembly 100 includes a diverter 110 and a liquid inlet 111, an overflow port 112 and a plurality of diverter outlets 113 integrally formed on the diverter 110. A buffer cavity is formed in the diverter 110. The liquid inlet 111, the overflow port 112 and the diverter outlet 113 are all connected to the buffer cavity. The buffer cavity can buffer and divert the incoming coffee, preventing the coffee from directly splashing out from the diverter outlet 113. Through such a design, the stability and uniformity of the flow rate are ensured during the coffee making process. The overflow port 112 mainly exhausts air and ensures that the coffee flows out from the diverter outlet 113, preventing the coffee from generating bubbles in the buffer cavity, and ensuring the quality of the coffee.

[0076] Lighting elements 114 are provided on both sides of the coffee interface assembly 100. The lighting elements 114 can be inductive lights or light up automatically when the coffee machine is started, providing convenience for users to operate at night or in an environment with insufficient light.

[0077] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the fully automatic milk frothing machine control system further comprises a cover 120, a locking assembly 130 and a housing 140. The milk frothing machine 1 is disposed in the housing 140. The cover 120 is detachably connected to the housing 140 via the locking assembly 130 and is used to cover the milk frothing machine 1. The design of the cover 120 not only protects the internal components but also facilitates cleaning and maintenance. The locking assembly 130 ensures that the cover 120 is firmly connected to prevent the cover 120 from being accidentally opened.

[0078] Specifically, refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13The locking assembly 130 includes a locking seat 131, a pair of locking blocks 132 and an elastic member 133. The locking seat 131 is fixed on the housing 140, the locking block 132 is slidably disposed on the locking seat 131, and the elastic member 133 abuts between the pair of locking blocks 132. When the cover 120 is in the closed position, the pair of locking blocks 132 abut against both sides of the cover 120 under the elastic force of the elastic member 133. At this time, the locking blocks 132 are at least partially exposed outside the cover 120. When the milk frother 1 needs to be cleaned, the user needs to first press the locking blocks 132 exposed outside to remove the cover 120, and then further disassemble the milk frother 1. The disassembly is convenient and quick.

[0079] The locking seat 131 is provided with a sliding groove 134 for accommodating the locking block 132, the bottom wall of the sliding groove 134 is provided with an opening 135, and a stopper 136 is protruded on one side of the locking block 132 facing the opening 135. The stopper 136 is L-shaped and passes through the opening 135 to abut against the folded edge 141 of the housing 140, so as to prevent the locking block 132 from exceeding the predetermined range of the sliding groove 134 during the sliding process.

[0080] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Fig.14 As shown, the full-automatic milk frothing machine control system also includes a milk shortage detection component 20, which includes a first detection electrode 200 and a second detection electrode 201 electrically connected to the main control unit 90, and the detection heads of the first detection electrode 200 and the second detection electrode 201 are both located in the pipeline between the milk supply unit 2 and the milk frothing machine 1. When the milk passes through the first detection electrode 200 and the second detection electrode 201 normally, since the detection heads of the first detection electrode 200 and the second detection electrode 201 are both located in the milk, an effective detection circuit is formed between the first detection electrode 200 and the second detection electrode 201. On the contrary, when the milk shortage occurs, the effective detection circuit cannot be formed between the first detection electrode 200 and the second detection electrode 201. The main control unit 90 will receive the milk shortage signal and immediately feed it back to the host computer 8 or the alarm to remind the user to add milk in time, and at the same time interrupt the milk frothing generation process to prevent the machine from being damaged during operation. Reference Fig.14 In this embodiment, the first detection electrode 200, the second detection electrode 201 and the temperature sensor 7 are integrated into one, and the integrated design is convenient for maintenance, installation and replacement.

[0081] In the present application, in order to obtain the target milk temperature, foaming rate and hot milk foam of milk volume by steam whipping milk liquid, multiple parameters need to be adjusted and controlled, among which the foaming rate is affected by multiple factors such as the amount of injected air, steam flow, steam temperature, steam time, initial temperature of milk liquid, milk inlet flow rate, etc., and is also affected by the fat content and protein content of milk liquid, etc., which is complicated in reality and difficult to consider multiple variables and express them by formulas. In the present invention, the milk inlet flow rate is determined by the milk inlet holes 41 with multiple different gears to quantify the milk inlet flow rate, and the steam flow rate and steam temperature are controlled as fixed values ​​at the same time, and only the steam time variable is set, so that the control of the production parameters of hot milk liquid / hot milk foam becomes simple, and a milk production parameter set is formed by a large amount of prior test data and user data. In this embodiment, the parameter set stored in the data storage unit 91 includes multiple independent variable data groups and multiple dependent variable data groups, and one dependent variable data group corresponds to at least one independent variable data group. It can be understood that the independent variable data group is a parameter set by the user or a parameter objectively existing through detection, while the dependent variable data group is based on the independent variable data group and satisfies the production parameters under specific conditions for making hot milk liquid or hot milk foam. In this embodiment, the independent variable data group specifically includes the milk volume value, the milk foam / milk target temperature value, the foaming rate value and the initial temperature of the milk liquid, and the dependent variable data group includes the air injection amount, the steam output time and the milk inlet flow rate. For details, please refer to the following Tables 1 and 2, wherein Table 1 is a parameter set for hot milk foam, and Table 2 is a parameter set for hot milk liquid. It can be understood that what is shown in the table is only a parameter set composed of a part of the independent variable data group and the dependent variable data group. The number of parameter sets stored in the actual data storage unit 91 is not limited to the four items shown in the table. In addition, the parameter set stored in the data storage unit 91 can also be updated and modified according to the daily usage data records of the customer.

[0082] Table 1 Parameter set for hot milk foam

[0083]

[0084] The data in each row shown in Table 1 is a fixed parameter set. After the user sets the preset target parameters in the user interface, the control system 9 issues the corresponding automatic control instructions according to the preset target parameters in the user interface and the initial temperature of the milk. The automatic control instructions include the gear selection of the steam nozzle 4, the start and stop parameters of the air valve or the duty cycle of the air pump and the steam output time. Note that the air pump and air valve used in this application are selected when used, so one of the start and stop parameters of the air valve and the duty cycle of the air pump shown in Table 1 above can be selected. In addition, since the fat content, protein content, etc. of the milk will also affect the target parameters, the above parameters are best applied to the same milk source.

[0085] Table 2 Parameter set for hot milk

[0086]

[0087] Table 2 shows the parameter set of hot milk. According to Table 2, unlike the hot milk foam production, the hot milk production process does not require the introduction of air. Therefore, there is no need to input the foaming rate parameter in the host computer 8, and the air valve or air pump is always in a closed state during the preparation process. It should also be noted that the fat content and protein content of the milk will also affect the target parameters, so the above parameters are best applicable to the same milk source.

[0088] Based on the different effects of fat content and protein content in different milk sources, the type of milk can also be used as a preset parameter. The milk types include high-fat milk, skimmed milk, etc. Specifically, the host computer 8 also has a milk type selection window, which is selected by the user on the interface of the host computer 8, such as skimmed milk, high-calcium milk, high-protein milk, etc.

[0089] refer to Figure 2b Preferably, in another embodiment of the present application, a milk quantity detection sensor 21, a milk temperature detection sensor 22 and a milk foam detection sensor 23 electrically connected to the main control unit 90 are further provided, wherein the milk quantity detection sensor 21 is used to detect the quantity of the output milk foam / milk in real time, the milk temperature detection sensor 22 is used to detect the temperature of the output milk foam / milk in real time, and the milk foam detection sensor 23 is used to detect the frothing rate of the milk foam, and feed back the detected output milk foam / milk quantity, temperature and the measured frothing rate of the milk foam to the control system 9, and the control system 9 provides correction and update of the corresponding milk making parameters in the data storage unit 91 according to the feedback data. In addition, the control system 9 can record and keep the user's parameter configuration each time, record the user's historical data, and form a data record for the user's actual measured confirmation data and store it in the data storage unit 91.

[0090] The present invention also discloses a control method for a fully automatic milk frothing machine, comprising the following steps:

[0091] S1: Obtain the type of milk drink to be prepared;

[0092] S2: Determine the type of the milk drink obtained. In response to the obtained type of the milk drink being milk foam, execute steps S3-S5; in response to the obtained type of the milk drink being hot milk liquid, execute steps S6-S8;

[0093] S3: obtaining a milk amount value, a milk foam target temperature value, a foaming rate value, and an initial temperature of the milk liquid in the milk foam to be prepared;

[0094] S4: The main control unit 90 analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, milk foam target temperature value, foaming rate value and initial temperature of the milk, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit 91. The main control unit 90 issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set;

[0095] S5: the air supply unit 3, the steam supply unit 5 and the driving unit 6 respectively control the air injection amount, the steam output time and the milk flow rate according to the control instruction of the main control unit 90;

[0096] S6: Obtaining a milk amount value in the milk foam to be prepared, a target temperature value of the milk, and an initial temperature of the milk;

[0097] S7: The main control unit 90 analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, the target temperature value of the milk, and the initial temperature of the milk, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit 91. The main control unit 90 issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set;

[0098] S8: The steam supply unit 5 and the driving unit 6 control the steam output time and the milk flow rate respectively according to the control instruction of the main control unit 90.

[0099] In this embodiment, the user inputs parameter requirements for preparing milk froth, namely, the milk volume value, the milk froth / milk target temperature value and the foaming rate value, on the host computer 8 , and the initial temperature of the milk liquid is detected by the temperature sensor 7 .

[0100] In addition, the control instructions mainly include controlling the driving unit 6 and then controlling the gear position of the steam nozzle 4 to achieve control of the milk flow rate, and adjusting the start and stop states of the air supply unit 3 and the steam supply unit 5.

[0101] In order to further understand the technical solution of the present invention, further elaboration will be made below in combination with specific implementations.

[0102] When making hot milk froth, the user sets the milk volume to 100 ml, the milk froth temperature to 60° C., and the foaming rate to 30% on the upper computer 8, and then clicks on the production. First, the steam boiler inputs steam to form a negative pressure in the milk froth machine 1, so that the milk is sucked into the first channel 10 from the milk pipe joint of the milk froth machine. The sucked milk is sensed by the temperature sensor 7 to obtain an initial temperature value of 15° C. and the milk inlet temperature value is fed back to the control system 9. The control system 9 includes a data storage unit 91, and the data storage unit 91 has a database of preset production parameter sets of milk froth or hot milk. The control system 9 automatically matches the processing parameters for milk foam production in the database, and then issues control instructions through the main control unit 90. The control instructions include: first, the main control unit 90 controls the drive motor 60 to start, and the output shaft 600 of the drive motor 60 rotates and drives the operation of the driving gear 61 and the driven gear 62 in turn, thereby controlling the steam nozzle 4 to rotate to the second gear position; second, the main control unit 90 controls the duty cycle of the air pump to be 35 or controls the air valve to start 5mm and close 23mm within a start-stop cycle; third, the main control unit 90 controls the steam valve 51 to open for 22s. The above production parameters are automatically called by the system after matching, and no manual adjustment is required. With the coordinated work of each unit, the milk foams rapidly under precise temperature control to form delicate and uniform hot milk foam. The whole process is efficient and stable, ensuring the consistency and high quality of each production.

[0103] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A fully automatic milk frother control system, characterized in that: include: A milk froth machine (1), wherein a first channel (10) and a second channel (11) are formed inside the milk froth machine (1); a milk supply unit (2), the milk supply unit (2) being in communication with the first channel (10) for supplying milk; an air supply unit (3), the air supply unit (3) being in communication with the first passage (10) for supplying air; a steam spray head (4), the steam spray head (4) having a plurality of gears and being rotatably arranged on the milk froth machine (1), a steam channel (40) being formed inside the steam spray head (4) and being connected to the second channel (11), and a plurality of milk inlet holes (41) having different cross-sectional sizes and being connected to the steam channel (40) being distributed in a circumferential direction of the steam spray head (4), the plurality of milk inlet holes (41) corresponding one to one to the plurality of gears; a steam supply unit (5), the steam supply unit (5) being in communication with the steam channel (40) for supplying steam; A driving unit (6), the driving unit (6) being used to drive the steam spray head (4) to rotate; A milk temperature acquisition unit, used for acquiring the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit (2); A host computer (8), the host computer (8) having a milk quantity input window, a foaming milk temperature input window and a foaming rate input window; A control system (9), the control system (9) comprising a main control unit (90) and a data storage unit (91) communicatively connected to the main control unit (90), the main control unit (90) being electrically connected to the air supply unit (3), the steam supply unit (5), the drive unit (6), the milk temperature acquisition unit and the host computer (8), the data storage unit (91) storing a plurality of sets of parameter sets for making hot milk liquid or hot milk foam.

2. The fully automatic milk frother control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parameter set includes multiple independent variable data groups and multiple dependent variable data groups, and one dependent variable data group corresponds to at least one independent variable data group, wherein the independent variable data group includes a milk volume value, a milk foam / milk liquid target temperature value, a foaming rate value, and an initial temperature of the milk liquid, and the dependent variable data group includes an air injection amount, a steam output time, and a milk intake flow rate.

3. The fully automatic milk frother control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply unit (3) comprises an air pump or an air valve (30) in communication with the first channel (10); the air pump or the air valve (30) is electrically connected to the main control unit (90).

4. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit (6) comprises a driving motor (60), a driving gear (61) and a driven gear (62); the driving motor (60) is electrically connected to the main control unit (90); the driving gear (61) is coaxially fixedly connected to an output shaft (600) of the driving motor (60); the driving gear (61) and the driven gear (62) are meshed with each other; preferably, the driven gear (62) is integrally formed on the steam nozzle (4).

5. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driven gear (62) is provided with a plurality of first triggering members (620), and the plurality of first triggering members (620) correspond one-to-one to the plurality of milk inlet holes (41). The full-automatic milk frothing machine control system further comprises a first sensing member (621) provided corresponding to the first triggering member (620), and the first sensing member (621) is electrically connected to the main control unit (90).

6. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The milk froth device (1) is concavely formed with a plurality of positioning grooves (12), the plurality of positioning grooves (12) being evenly spaced and circumferentially distributed at the opening edge of the second channel (11), and the steam spray head (4) is convexly provided with a plurality of positioning blocks (43) corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of positioning grooves (12).

7. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a milk shortage detection component (20), wherein the milk shortage detection component (20) comprises a first detection electrode (200) and a second detection electrode (201) electrically connected to the main control unit (90), and detection heads of the first detection electrode (200) and the second detection electrode (201) are both located in the pipeline between the milk supply unit (2) and the milk frothing machine (1).

8. The fully automatic milk frother control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam supply unit (5) comprises a steam boiler (50) and a steam valve (51); the steam boiler (50) is in communication with a second channel (11) of the milk frother (1); the steam valve (51) is arranged between the steam boiler (50) and the milk frother (1); and the main control unit (90) is electrically connected to the control steam valve (51).

9. The fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The milk temperature acquisition unit is a temperature sensor (7), which is arranged between the milk supply unit (2) and the milk froth machine (1), and is electrically connected to the main control unit (90) for acquiring the initial temperature of the milk in the milk supply unit (2); or the milk temperature acquisition unit is an initial temperature input window of the milk in the host computer (8), and a user inputs the initial temperature of the milk through the initial temperature input window of the milk.

10. The fully automatic milk frother control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a milk quantity detection sensor (21), the milk quantity detection sensor (21) being electrically connected to the main control unit (90) for detecting in real time the quantity of output milk foam / milk liquid; a milk temperature detection sensor (22), the milk temperature detection sensor (22) being electrically connected to the main control unit (90) for real-time detection of the temperature of the output milk foam / milk liquid; A milk froth detection sensor (23), the milk froth detection sensor (23) is electrically connected to the main control unit (90) and is used to detect the frothing rate of the milk froth.

11. The fully automatic milk frother control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The host computer (8) also has a milk type selection window.

12. A control method for a fully automatic milk frothing machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Obtain the type of milk drink to be prepared; S2: Determine the type of the milk drink obtained. In response to the obtained type of the milk drink being milk foam, execute steps S3-S5; in response to the obtained type of the milk drink being hot milk liquid, execute steps S6-S8; S3: obtaining a milk amount value, a milk foam target temperature value, a foaming rate value, and an initial temperature of the milk liquid in the milk foam to be prepared; S4: the main control unit (90) analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, milk foam target temperature value, foaming rate value and initial temperature of the milk liquid, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit (91), and the main control unit (90) issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set; S5: the air supply unit (3), the steam supply unit (5) and the drive unit (6) respectively control the air injection amount, the steam output time and the milk flow rate according to the control instructions of the main control unit (90); S6: Obtaining a milk amount value in the milk foam to be prepared, a target temperature value of the milk, and an initial temperature of the milk; S7: the main control unit (90) analyzes and evaluates the obtained milk volume value, the target temperature value of milk foam / milk liquid and the initial temperature of the milk liquid, and calls the corresponding parameter set in the data storage unit (91), and the main control unit (90) issues a corresponding control instruction according to the called parameter set; S8: The steam supply unit (5) and the driving unit (6) respectively control the steam output time and the milk flow rate according to the control instructions of the main control unit (90).

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