Milk foam device of beverage dispenser

Abstract

The utility model discloses a milk foam device of a beverage dispenser, which comprises a main body of a three-way pipe fitting, a steam pipe joint is arranged in a first inlet of the main body, a milk suction pipe joint is arranged in a second inlet of the main body, milk foam is released from an outlet of the main body, and a mixing cavity and a foaming cavity which are sequentially connected and communicated from the first inlet to the outlet are arranged in the main body. An air inlet is formed in one side of the second inlet, a duckbill valve is arranged at the bottom of an air inlet plug in the air inlet, and air entering the air inlet plug enters the breast pumping pipe connector through the duckbill valve and a channel between the duckbill valve and the breast pumping pipe connector. Air enters the milk suction pipe connector through the duckbill valve and the channel and is mixed with milk and steam to make milk foam, the negative pressure in the channel can be changed by adjusting the flow speed of the steam, the internal and external pressure difference of the duckbill valve is changed, the opening and closing amplitude of the duckbill valve is changed due to the different internal and external pressure differences, and therefore the air amount is adjusted. The effect of milk foam can be simply and conveniently adjusted, and the drinking taste of coffee is ensured due to small concentration change of milk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of coffee machines, in particular to a milk frothing device of a beverage machine. Background Art

[0002] The milk frothing mechanism in a coffee machine generally refers to the component used to heat and whip milk to create rich foam. This mechanism is crucial for making coffee drinks like cappuccino and latte that require milk froth. Currently, common milk frothing mechanisms include: a steam nozzle, the most common method of frothing milk. Steam is injected into the milk through the machine's steam nozzle, while the milk is simultaneously stirred manually or with an automatic milk frother to create foam; an automatic milk frothing system, which some high-end coffee machines are equipped with, automatically controls the mixing of steam and milk, as well as the texture and temperature of the froth. The user simply selects the desired type and amount of froth, and the machine automatically creates the froth; a milk frother, a container with a fine-hole nozzle that allows milk to be frothed by shaking or using an electric blender. This method generally requires skill and practice; and a milk frother, a specialized device that automatically or semi-automatically creates milk froth. It has multiple ports for steam, air, and milk, and the frothed milk is dispensed directly from a spout.

[0003] CN202123288253.8 discloses a novel milk frothing device structure, comprising a frothing body, a negative pressure channel disposed therein, a steam nozzle, a milk inlet connector, an air intake assembly, and a milk frothing nozzle. The milk inlet connector and the air intake assembly are each connected to one end of the negative pressure channel. A mixing chamber is disposed between the milk frothing nozzle and the frothing body, and the steam nozzle, the negative pressure channel, the mixing chamber, and the milk frothing nozzle are sequentially connected. In this technical solution, the milk frothing effect is adjusted by adjusting the amount of milk entering the frothing body rather than the amount of air entering through the air intake assembly. This adjustment is relatively difficult, and changes in milk concentration can also affect the taste of the coffee. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a milk frothing device for a beverage machine, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that the milk frothing effect is adjusted by adjusting the amount of milk entering the frothing body instead of the amount of air entering through the air intake component, which is difficult to adjust and the concentration change of the milk liquid also affects the drinking taste of the coffee, so as to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] The utility model provides a milk frothing device for a beverage machine through the following technical scheme, including a main body of a three-way pipe fitting, a steam pipe joint being provided in a first inlet of the main body, a milk suction pipe joint being provided in a second inlet, and an outlet of the main body releasing milk foam, a mixing chamber and a frothing chamber being sequentially connected and penetrating from the first inlet to the outlet, an air inlet being further provided on one side of the second inlet, an air inlet plug being provided in the air inlet, a duckbill valve being provided at the bottom of the air inlet plug, a channel being provided between the duckbill valve and the milk suction pipe joint, so that air entering the air inlet plug enters the milk suction pipe joint through the duckbill valve and the channel.

[0006] Furthermore, the channel includes a slit between the milk suction tube connector and the inner wall of the second inlet, one end of the slit is connected to the duckbill valve, and the other end is connected to a through hole on the side wall of the milk suction tube connector.

[0007] Furthermore, a first limiting ring and a second limiting ring are sequentially provided on the side wall between the head of the milk suction tube connector and the through hole, and a first limiting groove cooperating with the first limiting ring is provided on the inner wall of the second inlet. The milk inlet tube connector is inserted into the second inlet, the first limiting ring is clamped in the first limiting groove, and the second limiting ring abuts against the end surface of the second inlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the air inlet plug includes a plug head and a retracted plug rod, the plug head and the plug rod are both hollow structures and are connected to each other, the outer wall of the plug rod is provided with a third limiting ring, and the inner wall of the air inlet is provided with a third limiting groove that cooperates with the third limiting ring, the air inlet plug is inserted into the air inlet, the third limiting ring is clamped in the third limiting groove, and the bottom of the plug head abuts against the end face of the air inlet.

[0009] Furthermore, a first step is provided at the bottom of the plug rod, and a second step is provided at the top of the duckbill valve. The outer diameter of the second step is larger than the inner diameter of the first step. The valve mouth of the duckbill valve extends from the bottom of the plug rod into the air inlet, and the lower surface of the second step abuts against the upper surface of the first step.

[0010] Furthermore, a plug cap is provided in the air inlet plug, one end of the plug cap is located in the plug head, and the other end abuts against the upper surface of the second step.

[0011] Furthermore, a connecting seat is provided in the first inlet, and the connecting seat is installed with an interference fit with the first inlet. The inner wall of the connecting seat is provided with a thread groove, and the outer wall of the steam pipe joint is provided with an external thread that matches the thread groove. The external thread is screwed into the thread groove to realize the installation connection between the steam pipe joint and the connecting seat.

[0012] Furthermore, a fourth limiting ring is provided on the outer wall of the steam pipe joint above the external thread, and a sealing groove is provided on the outer wall between the fourth limiting ring and the external thread. A sealing member is provided in the sealing groove. When the steam pipe joint is installed and connected to the connecting seat, the fourth limiting ring abuts against the end face of the connecting seat.

[0013] Furthermore, a blocking component is provided in the outlet, the blocking component is circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the outlet, and a milk foam channel is provided between the outer edge of the blocking component and the inner wall of the outlet.

[0014] The utility model has the following beneficial effects: air enters the air inlet plug from the air inlet, enters the milk suction pipe joint through the channel between the duckbill valve and the milk suction pipe joint, and is mixed with milk and steam to make milk foam. The flow rate of the steam can be adjusted to change the negative pressure in the channel, so that the internal and external pressure difference of the duckbill valve is also changed. The different internal and external pressure differences cause the opening and closing amplitude of the duckbill valve to change, thereby realizing the adjustment of the air volume. The effect of the milk foam can be simply and conveniently adjusted, and the concentration of the milk liquid changes less, ensuring the drinking taste of the coffee. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a milk frothing device of a beverage machine described in the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an explosion of a milk frothing device of a beverage machine described in the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of a milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A.

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of part B.

[0020] Figure 6 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the enlarged portion C.

[0021] in, Figures 1 to 6 The corresponding relationship between the reference numerals and component names is as follows:

[0022] 1 Main body, 2 First inlet, 3 Second inlet, 4 Outlet, 5 Air inlet, 6 Steam pipe connector, 7 Milk suction pipe connector, 8 Mixing chamber, 9 Foaming chamber, 10 Air inlet plug, 11 Duckbill valve, 12 Slit, 13 Through hole, 14 First limiting ring, 15 Second limiting ring, 16 First limiting groove, 17 Plug, 18 Plug rod, 19 Third limiting ring, 20 Third limiting groove, 21 First step, 22 Second step, 23 Plug cap, 24 Connecting seat, 25 Threaded groove, 26 External thread, 27 Fourth limiting ring, 28 Sealing groove, 29 Sealing member, 30 Blocking component, 31 Milk foam channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0024] The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application.

[0025] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this application and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] Refer to the following Figure 1-6 A milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to some embodiments of the present application is described.

[0029] The present invention provides a milk frothing device for a beverage machine through the following technical solutions, comprising a main body 1 of a three-way pipe fitting, a steam pipe connector 6 provided within a first inlet 2 of the main body 1 for connecting to a steam valve port of the beverage machine; a milk suction pipe connector 7 provided within a second inlet 3 for connecting to a milk suction tube extending into milk; an air inlet 5 provided on one side of the second inlet 3, an air inlet plug 10 provided within the air inlet 5; and a mixing chamber 8 and a frothing chamber 9 sequentially connected and extending from the first inlet 2 to the outlet 4. Steam generated by the beverage machine enters the main body 1 through the steam pipe connector 6. Under the action of the Venturi effect, steam drives air through the air inlet 5 and milk through the milk suction pipe connector 7 into the mixing chamber 8. After mixing, the air enters the frothing chamber 9 to form milk foam, which is then released through the outlet 4 for consumption by the user.

[0030] In the technical solution of this embodiment, the air inlet plug 10 includes a plug head 17 and a retracted plug rod 18. The plug head 17 and the plug rod 18 are both hollow structures and are interconnected. A duckbill valve 11 is provided at the bottom of the plug rod 18. The valve mouth of the duckbill valve 11 extends from the bottom of the plug rod 18 into the air inlet 5.

[0031] There is a passage between the duckbill valve 11 and the milk suction tube connector 7, so that the air entering the air inlet plug 10 enters the milk suction tube connector 7 through the duckbill valve 11 and the passage.

[0032] Duckbill valves are typically made of elastic neoprene and synthetic fibers, specially processed to resemble a duckbill. When pressure is low, the duckbill's outlet closes due to its inherent elasticity. As internal pressure increases, the outlet gradually expands, maintaining a high flow rate for liquid discharge. For this technical solution, the duckbill valve is made of food-grade silicone, which maintains its elasticity while meeting the food hygiene requirements of milk frothing.

[0033] Specifically, the passage includes a slit 12 between the milk suction pipe connector 7 and the inner wall of the second inlet 3 . One end of the slit 12 is connected to the duckbill valve 11 , and the other end is connected to a through hole 13 on the side wall of the milk suction pipe connector 7 .

[0034] At the same time, a third limiting ring 19 is provided on the outer wall of the plug rod 18, and a third limiting groove 20 is provided on the inner wall of the air inlet 5 to cooperate with the third limiting ring 19. When the air inlet plug 10 is inserted into the air inlet 5, the third limiting ring 19 is engaged with the third limiting groove 20, and the bottom of the plug head 17 abuts the end face of the air inlet 5, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the air inlet plug 10 and the air inlet 5. A first step 21 is provided at the bottom of the plug rod 18, and a second step 22 is provided at the top of the duckbill valve 11. The outer diameter of the second step 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the first step 21, and the lower surface of the second step 22 abuts the upper surface of the first step 21. A plug cap 23 is also provided inside the air inlet plug 10, one end of which is located inside the plug head 17, and the other end abuts the upper surface of the second step 22.

[0035] The abutment between the plug cap 23, the second step of the duckbill valve 11, and the first step 21 at the bottom of the plug stem 18 ensures airtight connection between the plug cap 23, the duckbill valve 11, and the bottom of the plug stem 18. External air can only enter the plug stem 18 through the preset gap between the plug cap 23 and the plug head 17, then enter the slit 12 through the duckbill valve 11 at its bottom, and then enter the milk suction pipe connector 7 through the through-hole 13 at the end of the slit 12, where it enters the mixing chamber 8 along with the milk entering the milk suction pipe connector 7. Due to the Venturi effect, the slit 12 and the milk suction pipe connector 7 are under negative pressure, while the air inlet plug 10 is connected to the outside atmosphere at positive pressure. This creates a pressure difference between the external positive pressure and the internal negative pressure of the duckbill valve 11. Since the external atmospheric pressure remains basically unchanged, the internal negative pressure is related to the flow rate of the steam entering the mixing chamber 8. The greater the flow rate, the greater the negative pressure in the slit 12 and the milk suction tube joint 7, the greater the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the duckbill valve 11, the greater the opening amplitude of the valve port of the duckbill valve 11, and the more air enters the slit 12 through the duckbill valve 11; conversely, the smaller the steam flow rate, the smaller the negative pressure in the slit 12 and the milk suction tube joint 7, the smaller the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the duckbill valve 11, the valve port of the duckbill valve 11 retracts due to its own elasticity, so that the opening amplitude is reduced, and the amount of air entering the slit 12 through the duckbill valve 11 is also reduced.

[0036] This technical solution changes the negative pressure in the channel by adjusting the steam flow rate, so that the internal and external pressure difference of the duckbill valve also changes. The different internal and external pressure differences cause the opening and closing amplitude of the duckbill valve to change, thereby achieving the adjustment of the air volume. The adjustment of the milk froth effect is simple and convenient. Moreover, because it does not involve the separate adjustment of the milk concentration, the milk concentration in the produced milk froth varies little, ensuring the drinking taste of the coffee.

[0037] In the technical solution of this embodiment, a first limiting ring 14 and a second limiting ring 15 are sequentially provided on the side wall between the head of the milk suction pipe connector 7 and the through hole 13, and a first limiting groove 16 is provided on the inner wall of the second inlet 3 to cooperate with the first limiting ring 14. When the milk inlet pipe connector 7 is inserted into the second inlet 3, the first limiting ring 14 is engaged with the first limiting groove 16, and the second limiting ring 15 abuts against the end face of the second inlet 3, thereby realizing the installation connection between the milk inlet pipe connector 7 and the second inlet 3.

[0038] In the technical solution of this embodiment, a connecting seat 24 is provided in the first inlet 2, and the connecting seat 24 is installed with an interference fit with the first inlet 2. A threaded groove 25 is provided on the inner wall of the connecting seat 24, and an external thread 26 that cooperates with the threaded groove 25 is provided on the outer wall of the steam pipe joint 6. The external thread 26 is screwed into the threaded groove 25 to realize the installation connection between the steam pipe joint 6 and the connecting seat 24.

[0039] At the same time, a fourth limiting ring 27 is provided on the outer wall of the steam pipe joint 6 above the external thread 26, and a sealing groove 28 is provided on the outer wall between the fourth limiting ring 27 and the external thread 26, and a sealing member 29 is provided in the sealing groove 28. When the steam pipe joint 6 is installed and connected to the connecting seat 24, the fourth limiting ring 27 abuts against the end face of the connecting seat 24 and the sealing member 29 in the sealing groove 28, thereby realizing a double seal after the steam pipe joint 6 and the connecting seat 24 are connected, so that all the steam in the steam pipe joint 6 enters the mixing chamber 8 through the connecting seat 24 without leakage.

[0040] In the technical solution of this embodiment, a blocking component 30 is provided in the outlet 4. The blocking component 30 is circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the outlet 4. A milk foam channel 31 is provided between the outer edge of the blocking component 30 and the inner wall of the outlet 4. The milk foam flowing out of the foaming chamber 9 slows down after encountering the blocking component 30, thereby further increasing the foam of the milk foam and releasing it from the milk foam channel 31.

[0041] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A milk frothing device for a beverage machine, comprising a main body of a three-way pipe fitting, characterized in that: A steam pipe connector is provided in the first inlet of the main body, a milk suction pipe connector is provided in the second inlet, and milk foam is released from the outlet of the main body. The main body has a mixing chamber and a foaming chamber sequentially connected and penetrating from the first inlet to the outlet. An air inlet is also provided on one side of the second inlet, an air inlet plug is provided in the air inlet, a duckbill valve is provided at the bottom of the air inlet plug, and a channel is provided between the duckbill valve and the milk suction pipe connector, so that air entering the air inlet plug enters the milk suction pipe connector through the duckbill valve and the channel.

2. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The passage comprises a slit between the milk suction pipe joint and the inner wall of the second inlet, one end of the slit is communicated with the duckbill valve, and the other end is communicated with a through hole on the side wall of the milk suction pipe joint.

3. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first limiting ring and a second limiting ring are sequentially provided on the side wall between the head of the milk suction tube connector and the through hole, and a first limiting groove matching with the first limiting ring is provided on the inner wall of the second inlet. The milk inlet tube connector is inserted into the second inlet, the first limiting ring is clamped in the first limiting groove, and the second limiting ring abuts against the end surface of the second inlet.

4. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air inlet plug includes a plug head and a retracted plug rod, the plug head and the plug rod are both hollow structures and are connected to each other, the outer wall of the plug rod is provided with a third limiting ring, the inner wall of the air inlet is provided with a third limiting groove that cooperates with the third limiting ring, the air inlet plug is inserted into the air inlet, the third limiting ring is clamped in the third limiting groove, and the bottom of the plug head abuts against the end face of the air inlet.

5. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first step is provided at the bottom of the plug rod, and a second step is provided at the top of the duckbill valve. The outer diameter of the second step is larger than the inner diameter of the first step. The valve mouth of the duckbill valve extends from the bottom of the plug rod into the air inlet, and the lower surface of the second step abuts against the upper surface of the first step.

6. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: A plug cap is further provided in the air inlet plug, one end of the plug cap is located in the plug head, and the other end abuts against the upper surface of the second step.

7. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting seat is provided in the first inlet, and the connecting seat is installed with the first inlet by interference fit. A thread groove is provided on the inner wall of the connecting seat, and an external thread matching the thread groove is provided on the outer wall of the steam pipe joint. The external thread is screwed into the thread groove to realize the installation connection between the steam pipe joint and the connecting seat.

8. The milk frothing device of a beverage machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: A fourth limiting ring is further provided on the outer wall of the steam pipe joint above the external thread, and a sealing groove is further provided on the outer wall between the fourth limiting ring and the external thread. A sealing member is provided in the sealing groove. When the steam pipe joint is installed and connected to the connecting seat, the fourth limiting ring abuts against the end face of the connecting seat.

9. A milk frothing device for a beverage machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A blocking component is provided in the outlet, the blocking component is circumferentially connected to the inner wall of the outlet, and a milk foam channel is provided between the outer edge of the blocking component and the inner wall of the outlet.

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