Milk foam machine

Abstract

The invention provides a milk foam machine which comprises a machine base, a milk foam cup and a garland stirrer, and the garland stirrer comprises a paddle composed of a plurality of fan blades; wherein the machine base comprises a heating disc, a heating coil and a motor, wherein the heating disc is used for heating liquid in the milk foam cup; the temperature controller is used for monitoring the temperature of liquid in the milk foam cup; the controller is used for executing the following operations: controlling a motor for driving the garland stirrer to rotate so as to enable the blade to rotate at a first rotating speed, and controlling the heating disc to heat the liquid in the milk foam cup to a first temperature at the same time; the motor is controlled to enable the blades to rotate at the second rotating speed for a preset duration; the motor is controlled so that the rotating speed of the blade can be switched among the third rotating speed, the fourth rotating speed, the fifth rotating speed and the zero rotating speed according to the preset time interval, and the liquid in the milk foam cup can be in a garland state. The milk foam machine provided by the invention is exquisite in design, easy to manufacture and low in cost, and can be used for obtaining the garland liquid for coffee garland operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to kitchen appliances, and more particularly, to a milk frother. Background Art

[0002] Currently, people usually use a steam wand of a coffee machine or a manual milk frother to whip milk to form milk foam for latte art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a milk frother, and using this milk frother can directly obtain a latte art liquid for coffee latte art operations.

[0004] The milk frother provided by the present invention includes a base, a milk frothing cup, and a latte art stirrer. The milk frothing cup is disposed on the base, and the latte art stirrer is rotatably supported within the milk frothing cup.

[0005] Wherein, the latte art stirrer includes a paddle formed by a plurality of fan blades.

[0006] Wherein, the base includes:

[0007] A heating plate located below the milk frothing cup for heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup.

[0008] A thermostat located below the milk frothing cup and thermally insulated from the heating plate for monitoring the temperature of the liquid in the milk frothing cup; and

[0009] A controller located within the base for performing the following operations:

[0010] Preheating stage: controlling the motor driving the latte art stirrer to rotate so that the paddle rotates at a first rotational speed, and at the same time, controlling the heating plate to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup to a first temperature.

[0011] Air intake stage: receiving a signal sent by the thermostat indicating that the liquid has reached the first temperature, and in response to receiving this signal, controlling the motor so that the paddle rotates at a second rotational speed for a first preset duration, and at the same time, controlling the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup.

[0012] Foam cutting stage: when the paddle runs at the second rotational speed for the first preset duration, controlling the motor so that the rotational speed of the paddle switches between a third rotational speed and a fourth rotational speed at a second preset time interval, and at the same time, controlling the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup.

[0013] Stable stage: When the paddle rotates alternately at the third speed and the fourth speed for a second preset duration, control the motor to switch the speed of the paddle between zero speed and the fifth speed at a third preset time interval. Meanwhile, control the heating plate to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup to a second temperature and maintain the second temperature, so that the liquid in the milk frothing cup becomes in a state suitable for latte art, where the first speed is less than the second speed and the fourth speed, the second speed is greater than the third speed, the fourth speed and the fifth speed, the third speed is less than the fourth speed, and the fifth speed is less than the fourth speed.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first speed is 300 - 1200 rpm, the second speed is 2100 - 3600 rpm, the third speed is 300 - 1200 rpm, the fourth speed is 1300 - 2000 rpm, and the fifth speed is 300 - 1200 rpm.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first temperature is 40 - 55 °C.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the liquid reaches the first temperature, the controller controls the heating plate to continue heating until the liquid reaches the second temperature and maintains the second temperature.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second temperature is 55 - 65 °C.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the multiple fan blades are configured to be wavy or corrugated.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the multiple fan blades have one or more holes.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present invention, the multiple holes are arranged in multiple columns or rows on the corresponding fan blade, and the intervals between adjacent holes are the same.

[0021] In some embodiments, the area of the multiple holes accounts for 40% - 90% of the surface area of the corresponding fan blade.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present invention, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the latte art stirrer by magnetic force to make the paddle rotate.

[0023] The milk frother provided by the present invention belongs to small household appliances and is easy to manufacture. By using the milk frother provided by the embodiments of the present invention, an ideal liquid suitable for latte art can be obtained. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1Is a front cross-sectional view of a milk frother according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 Is a left cross-sectional view of a milk frother according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 Is to Figure 2 A left cross-sectional view when the milk frothing cup in the shown milk frother is separated from the base;

[0027] Figure 4 Is to Figure 2 A left cross-sectional view when the milk frothing cup in the shown milk frother is separated from the latte stirrer;

[0028] Figure 5 Is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a latte stirrer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 Is a schematic diagram showing the liquid temperature and paddle speed distribution in the milk frothing cup when the controller controls the operation of the milk frother according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Among them, it should be noted that the shapes, proportions, connection relationships, relative positions, etc. of the components in the drawings are all exemplary and should not be construed as limitations on the milk frother of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 Is a front cross-sectional view of a milk frother according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Is a left cross-sectional view of a milk frother according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Is to Figure 2 A left cross-sectional view when the milk frothing cup in the shown milk frother is separated from the base.

[0032] See Figures 1 to 3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the milk frother includes: a machine base 1, a milk frothing cup 2, and a latte stirrer 201, which will be described separately below.

[0033] The base 1 includes a panel 101 and a bottom cover 122, and the bottom cover and the panel define a receiving space. In the said receiving space, there are provided: a motor 120 for providing rotational speed, the motor 120 passes through the central hole of a retaining ring 124 and is fastened to the retaining ring 124 by a first screw 121; a transmission disk 109 to which a retaining piece 108 is fastened, the transmission disk 109 is tightly inserted into the motor shaft of the motor 120, and several first magnets 129 are sleeved on the transmission disk 109; a heat insulation sleeve 105, an aluminum sleeve 107 is sleeved inside the heat insulation sleeve 105, a thermostat 106 is sleeved inside the aluminum sleeve 107, and a spring 104 is sleeved outside the heat insulation sleeve 105; a heating disk 126 for heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup 2, the heating disk 126 to which a heating tube 125 is fastened is clamped by a heat insulation ring 127 and the retaining ring 124 and is fastened to the bottom of the panel 101 by a second screw 123, and the lower part of the spring 104 is supported on the retaining ring 124, and the other end (i.e., the upper part) of the spring 104 abuts against the outer convex edge of the heat insulation sleeve 105, thereby pushing out the aluminum sleeve 107 sleeving the thermostat 106 from the surface of the heating disk 126; a retaining ring 128 inserted into the central hole of the heating disk 126; a controller 131 and a lamp board 102 located at the lower part of the panel 101 and blocked by the bottom cover 122, and the controller 131 and the lamp board 102 are fastened to the bottom surface of the panel 101.

[0034] The milk frothing cup 2 is placed on the heating disk 126 of the base 1, the cup body 205 and the cup bottom 204 of the milk frothing cup 2 are tightly connected together, and a rotating shaft 202 for supporting a latte art stirrer 201 is fastened to the center of the cup bottom 204 at the bottom of the milk frothing cup 2.

[0035] Combined Figure 3 It can be seen that the milk frothing cup 2 and the base 1 are constructed as a separable mechanism. When the milk frothing cup 2 is separated from the base 1, since the lower part of the spring 104 is supported on the retaining ring 124 and the other end abuts against the outer convex edge of the heat insulation sleeve 105, under the action of the spring force, the aluminum sleeve 107 sleeving the heat insulation sleeve 105 is pushed out from the surface of the heating disk 126 along the heating disk hole; when the milk frothing cup 2 is placed on the heating disk 126 of the base 1, the aluminum sleeve 107 sleeving the heat insulation sleeve 105 is pressed down along the heating disk hole, so as to ensure that the aluminum sleeve 107 sleeving the thermostat 106 abuts against the lower surface of the milk frothing cup 2 (as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown).

[0036] A paddle 210 composed of several fan blades is sandwiched in the latte art stirrer 201, several second magnets 203 are provided inside the latte art stirrer 201, and the latte art stirrer 201 is buckled on the rotating shaft 202. The rotation of the motor 120 is transmitted to the latte art stirrer 201 and the paddle 210 through the magnetic force between the first magnets 129 and the second magnets 203.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple fan blades are configured to be wavy or corrugated. For example, the multiple fan blades are made of metal, and one or more of them are configured to be wavy or corrugated through pressing techniques. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the multiple fan blades have one or more holes. For example, the blade composed of multiple fan blades is configured to have a porous structure as shown in Figure 5 . Although each fan blade is shown to be provided with multiple holes in the figure, the present invention is not particularly limited. Some of the multiple fan blades are provided with holes, and the number of holes can also be one or more.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the multiple holes are arranged in multiple columns or rows on the corresponding fan blade, and the intervals between adjacent holes are the same. Optionally, the area of the multiple holes accounts for 40% - 90% of the surface area of the corresponding fan blade. For example, the interval between adjacent holes ranges from approximately 0.1 to 2.0 mm, and the hole density ranges from approximately 1 to 500 holes / cm 2 , and the proportion on the fan blade ranges from approximately 40% to 90%, etc. Optionally, 60% of the area of the fan blade surface is arranged with the holes, and the interval between adjacent holes is about 1 mm. Optionally, 60% of the area of the fan blade surface is arranged with the holes, and the hole density is about 250 holes / cm 2 . It should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. The interval between adjacent holes can be smaller, for example, about 0.1 mm, or larger, about 2.0 mm; the proportion of the arrangement of the holes on the fan blade can also be smaller, for example, about 40%, or larger, about 90%; the hole density can also be smaller, for example, 1 hole / cm 2 , or larger, about 500 holes / cm 2 .

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, as can be seen in combination with Figure 4 , the milk froth cup 2 and the latte art stirrer 201 are configured to be a separable structure. In an alternative embodiment, the latte art stirrer 201 can be combined with the milk froth cup 2 and rotatably connected, and it is not necessarily a separable structure.

[0040] In this embodiment, the controller 131 is configured to perform the following operations: In the preheating stage, control the motor 120 driving the latte stirrer 201 to rotate so that the paddle 210 rotates at a first speed. At the same time, control the heating plate 126 to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup 2 to a first temperature; In the air intake stage, when receiving a signal sent by the thermostat 106 indicating that the liquid has reached the first temperature, in response to receiving this signal, control the motor 120 to make the paddle 210 rotate at a second speed for a first preset duration. At the same time, control the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup; In the foaming cutting stage, when the paddle 210 runs at the second speed for the first preset duration, control the motor 120 to make the speed of the paddle 210 switch between a third speed and a fourth speed at a second preset time interval. At the same time, control the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup; In the stable stage, when the paddle rotates alternately at the third speed and the fourth speed for a second preset duration, control the motor to make the speed of the paddle switch between a zero speed and a fifth speed at a third preset time interval. At the same time, control the heating plate to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup to a second temperature and maintain the second temperature, so that the liquid in the milk frothing cup 2 is formed into a latte art state, where the first speed is less than the second speed and the fourth speed, the second speed is greater than the third speed, the fourth speed and the fifth speed, the third speed is less than the fourth speed, and the fifth speed is less than the fourth speed. In a further embodiment, when the heating plate 126 heats the liquid in the milk frothing cup 2 to the first temperature, the controller 131 controls the heating plate 126 to continue heating so that the temperature of the liquid in the milk frothing cup 2 reaches the second temperature and maintains the second temperature.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first rotational speed is approximately 300 - 1200 rpm (revolutions per minute), the second rotational speed is approximately 2100 - 3600 rpm, the third rotational speed is approximately 300 - 1200 rpm, the fourth rotational speed is approximately 1300 - 2000 rpm, the fifth rotational speed is approximately 300 - 1200 rpm, the first temperature is approximately 40 - 55 °C, the second temperature is approximately 55 - 65 °C, the first preset duration is about 10 seconds, and the second preset duration is about 22.5 seconds. Optionally, the first rotational speed is about 900 rpm, the second rotational speed is about 2800 rpm, the third rotational speed is about 600 rpm, the fourth rotational speed is about 1800 rpm, the fifth rotational speed is about 900 rpm, the first temperature is about 45 °C, and the second temperature is about 58 °C. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. The first rotational speed can be lower, for example, about 300 rpm, or higher, for example, about 1200 rpm; the second rotational speed can be lower, for example, about 2100 rpm, or higher, for example, about 3600 rpm; the third rotational speed can be lower, for example, about 300 rpm, or higher, for example, about 1200 rpm; the fourth rotational speed can be lower, for example, about 1300 rpm, or higher, for example, about 2000 rpm; the fifth rotational speed can be lower, for example, about 300 rpm, or higher, for example, about 1200 rpm; the first temperature can be lower, for example, about 40 °C, or higher, for example, about 55 °C; the second temperature can be lower, for example, about 55 °C, or higher, for example, about 65 °C.

[0042] As Figure 6 shown, when the controller controls the rotating flower stirrer buckled in the rotating shaft to rotate, it first stirs the liquid (such as milk or matcha liquid) in the milk frothing cup at a slow rotational speed (900 rpm). At the same time, the heating plate of the machine base slowly heats up. When the temperature of the liquid in the milk frothing cup reaches the first temperature (about 45 °C), the temperature controller transmits a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the paddle to start running at a high speed of 2800 rpm. A large amount of air is mixed into the liquid in the milk frothing cup through the holes in the paddle. After the paddle runs at a high speed for 10 seconds, the paddle first enters a process of frequently switching between low-speed rotation (600 rpm) and high-speed rotation (1800 rpm), cutting the large bubbles in the liquid into small bubbles. After the paddle frequently switches between low-speed rotation (600 rpm) and high-speed rotation (1800 rpm) for 22.5 seconds, the paddle finally goes through a process of frequently switching between multiple stops (zero-speed rotation) and low-speed rotation (900 rpm), and the liquid film on the surface of the small bubbles is further heated (58 °C) and solidified to form more stable small bubbles, thereby forming a liquid that can be latte art.

[0043] As can be seen from the above, the milk frother provided by this embodiment is exquisitely designed, easy to manufacture and low in cost. Using this milk frother, an ideal latte art liquid can be obtained. Compared with foaming for latte art by holding the steam wand of a coffee machine or using a manual milk frother, this embodiment can directly obtain an ideal latte art liquid with a consistent standard without the need for human judgment.

[0044] The specific values of the rotational speed, temperature, and time mentioned in the milk frother provided by the present invention are all exemplary. Those skilled in the art can change these values as needed, but such modifications based on the technical idea provided by the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0045] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the operation of the milk frother of the present invention can be realized by means of software combined with a hardware platform. Based on such an understanding, all or part of the technical solution of the present invention that contributes to the background technology can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product can be stored in a storage medium, such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions for causing a thermostat, a controller, etc. to execute the operations described in the present invention.

[0046] The above-disclosed are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the protection scope of the present invention cannot be limited thereby. Therefore, equivalent changes made to the above embodiments according to the teachings of the claims of the present invention still fall within the scope covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A milk frother, which comprises a base, a milk frothing cup and a latte stirrer. The milk frothing cup is arranged on the base, and the latte stirrer is rotatably supported in the milk frothing cup; Among them, The latte stirrer includes a paddle composed of multiple fan blades; Wherein, the base includes: A heating plate, which is located below the milk frothing cup and is used for heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup; A thermostat, which is located below the milk frothing cup and is thermally insulated from the heating plate, and is used for monitoring the temperature of the liquid in the milk frothing cup; and A controller, which is located in the base and is used to perform the following operations: Preheating stage: Control the motor driving the latte stirrer to rotate so that the paddle rotates at a first speed. At the same time, control the heating plate to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup to a first temperature; Air intake stage: Receive the signal sent by the thermostat indicating that the liquid has reached the first temperature. In response to receiving this signal, control the motor so that the paddle rotates at a second speed for a first preset duration. At the same time, control the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup; Foam cutting stage: When the paddle runs at the second speed for the first preset duration, control the motor so that the speed of the paddle switches between a third speed and a fourth speed at a second preset time interval. At the same time, control the heating plate to continue heating the liquid in the milk frothing cup; Stable stage: When the paddle rotates alternately at the third speed and the fourth speed for a second preset duration, control the motor so that the speed of the paddle switches between a zero speed and a fifth speed at a third preset time interval. At the same time, control the heating plate to heat the liquid in the milk frothing cup to a second temperature and maintain the second temperature, so that the liquid in the milk frothing cup forms a latte art state, wherein the first speed is less than the second speed and the fourth speed, the second speed is greater than the third speed, the fourth speed and the fifth speed, the third speed is less than the fourth speed, and the fifth speed is less than the fourth speed.

2. The milk frother according to claim 1, wherein, The first speed is 300 - 1200 rpm, the second speed is 2100 - 3600 rpm, the third speed is 300 - 1200 rpm, the fourth speed is 1300 - 2000 rpm, and the fifth speed is 300 - 1200 rpm.

3. The milk frother according to claim 1, wherein, The first temperature is 40 - 55 °C.

4. The milk frother according to claim 1, wherein, When the liquid reaches the first temperature, the controller controls the heating plate to continue heating so that the liquid reaches the second temperature and maintains the second temperature.

5. The milk frother according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second temperature is 55 - 65 °C.

6. The milk frother according to claim 1, wherein, One or more of the multiple fan blades are configured as wavy or corrugated.

7. The milk frother according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, One or more of the multiple fan blades have one or more holes.

8. The milk frother according to claim 6, wherein The multiple holes are arranged in multiple columns or rows on the corresponding fan blades, and the intervals between adjacent holes are the same.

9. The milk frother according to claim 8, characterized in that, The area of the multiple holes accounts for 40% - 90% of the surface area of the corresponding fan blade.

10. The milk frother according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotation of the motor is transmitted to the latte stirrer by magnetic force to make the paddle rotate.

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