Coffee machine and milk foam structure thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides a coffee machine and a milk foam structure thereof. The milk foam structure comprises a foaming structure and a flow slowing mechanism. The foaming mechanism is respectively connected with a steam source, a milk source and air to form milk foam, the foaming mechanism comprises an outflow channel, the slow flow mechanism comprises a mixing cavity, the outflow channel is connected with the mixing cavity, and the mixing cavity comprises a milk foam outlet; the outflow channel comprises a cavity expanding in the radial direction, the mixing cavity comprises a blocking protrusion corresponding to the outflow channel, and a plurality of blocking walls are arranged on the periphery of the blocking protrusion at intervals. By means of the structure, the flowing-out speed of fluid is reduced, the flowing-out liquid cannot be sprayed disorderly at the position of the outlet, and dense and smooth milk foam is finally formed through multiple times of buffering.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a coffee machine and milk froth structure thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Automatic coffee machine is a common beverage making equipment, which can realize the automatic production of coffee and is widely used in family, office, catering place and various scenes. The design structure of modern automatic coffee machine is relatively complex, which usually includes water tank, heating device, pump, grinding device, coffee extraction system and milk froth system and multiple core parts. Among them, the milk froth system is an important module for making cappuccino, latte and other milk-containing beverages, and its function is to mix milk with air and heat through steam to form dense milk froth with certain temperature.

[0003] The milk froth structure in the automatic coffee machine is usually composed of the following parts: steam pipe, chamber, milk inlet pipe and air channel. The working principle of the milk froth system is usually based on the Venturi effect: when high-temperature steam enters the chamber through the steam pipe, negative pressure will be generated inside the chamber, which will suck milk from the milk inlet pipe into the chamber. At the same time, the air channel will also be affected by the negative pressure and suck in the appropriate amount of air. The milk, air and steam are fully mixed in the chamber to finally produce milk froth.

[0004] In the prior art, the milk froth is directly discharged from the chamber after being formed into the coffee cup or other container. However, this direct discharge method has certain technical defects. First of all, due to the fast mixing speed and large air bubbles of the milk froth in the chamber during the formation process, the stability of the milk froth is poor. After being discharged, the milk froth is easy to dissipate in a short time and cannot maintain the dense and uniform texture. In addition, the directly discharged milk froth does not undergo effective buffering and often has a large impact force, which may affect the appearance and taste of the finished coffee. The excessive impact force may also cause the milk froth to be unable to evenly cover and splash in the cup, affecting the overall effect of the beverage. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS

[0005] The utility model aims to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art and provide a milk froth structure which can slow down the discharge speed of milk froth and improve the stability and texture of milk froth.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the utility model provides a milk froth structure, which comprises a frothing structure and a flow buffering mechanism; the frothing structure is used to connect a steam source, a milk source and air respectively to form milk froth, the frothing structure comprises an outflow channel, the flow buffering mechanism comprises a mixing chamber, the outflow channel is connected to the mixing chamber, and the mixing chamber comprises a milk froth outlet;

[0007] Among them, the outflow channel comprises a radially enlarged chamber, the mixing chamber comprises a blocking protrusion corresponding to the outflow channel, and the periphery of the blocking protrusion is provided with a plurality of blocking walls.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the blocking protrusion is a conical protrusion upwardly protruding, and a through gap is formed between the adjacent blocking walls, and the through gap connects the milk bubble outlet.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the outflow channel comprises a main channel and a chamber, the radial dimension of the chamber is greater than that of the main channel, and the foaming mechanism comprises a foaming chamber, the first distance between the chamber and the foaming chamber is less than the second distance between the chamber and the mixing chamber.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of the chamber is circular.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall of the mixing chamber is provided with the blocking protrusion and the milk bubble outlet, the blocking protrusion is arranged at the middle position of the bottom wall of the mixing chamber, and the milk bubble outlet is arranged at the peripheral position of the bottom wall of the mixing chamber, wherein the blocking wall is arranged between the blocking protrusion and the milk bubble outlet.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a blocking block is arranged at the middle position of the milk bubble outlet, and the blocking block is tapered along the fluid outflow direction.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the foaming mechanism comprises a foaming body, the flow slowing mechanism comprises a flow slowing body, the foaming body comprises an annular slot, the flow slowing body comprises an annular plug, a protrusion is arranged at the middle of the annular slot, the outflow channel is formed in the protrusion, and the annular plug is capable of being inserted into the annular slot.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, one of the inner wall of the annular slot or the outer wall of the annular plug is provided with an annular groove, and the other of the inner wall of the annular slot or the outer wall of the annular plug is provided with an annular rib matched with the annular groove.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the foaming mechanism comprises a foaming chamber, a steam pipe, a milk inlet pipe and an air inlet joint, the steam pipe, the milk inlet pipe, the air inlet joint and the outflow channel are connected to the foaming chamber, the foaming mechanism forms a Venturi structure, a negative pressure is generated by the steam in the steam pipe, and milk bubbles are formed in the foaming chamber.

[0016] The utility model also provides a coffee machine which comprises the milk bubble structure.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The slow flow mechanism comprises a mixing cavity, the outflow channel is connected to the mixing cavity, the mixing cavity comprises a milk bubble outlet; wherein the outflow channel comprises a radially enlarged cavity, the mixing cavity comprises a blocking protrusion corresponding to the outflow channel, and the periphery of the blocking protrusion is provided with a plurality of blocking walls. After milk bubbles are formed in the foaming cavity, the milk bubbles flow to the outflow channel. Due to the existence of the cavity, the fluid formed by the milk bubbles can temporarily stay in the enlarged cavity, thereby reducing the pressure of the fluid sprayed and playing a buffering role. After the milk bubbles enter the mixing cavity, the milk bubbles are impacted and rebounded on the blocking protrusion for the first time. Due to the action of the blocking walls, the liquid is impacted on the blocking walls, changes direction again, and finally flows out from the milk bubble outlet. The structure slows down the flow speed of the fluid, and the liquid flowing out at the outlet position cannot be sprayed randomly. Through multiple buffering, the milk bubbles are finally formed to be dense and smooth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Fig. 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic view of a milk bubble structure in a preferred embodiment of the utility model;

[0020] Fig. 2 It is a sectional view of a milk bubble structure in a preferred embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Fig. 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slow flow mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The utility model is further described below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] Referring to Figs. 1-3 A coffee machine, the coffee machine comprises a milk bubble structure. The milk bubble structure comprises a foaming mechanism 1 and a slow flow mechanism 2.

[0024] The foaming mechanism 1 is connected with a steam source and a milk source respectively to form milk foam. Specifically, the foaming mechanism 1 comprises a foaming chamber 11, a steam pipe 12, a milk inlet pipe 13 and an air inlet joint 14; the steam pipe 12, the milk inlet pipe 13, the air inlet joint 14 and an outlet channel 15 are connected with the foaming chamber 11, and the foaming mechanism 1 forms a Venturi structure to generate negative pressure by steam in the steam pipe 12 to form milk foam in the foaming chamber 11. One end of the steam pipe 12 is connected with the steam source, and the other end of the steam pipe 12 is connected with the upper end of the foaming chamber 11. The lower end of the foaming chamber 11 is connected with the outlet channel 15. One end of the milk inlet pipe 13 is connected with the milk source, and the other end of the milk inlet pipe 13 is connected with the side wall of the foaming chamber 11. The foaming mechanism 1 comprises a foaming body 16, the foaming body 16 forms the foaming chamber 11, the side wall of the foaming body 16 forms an insertion port 111, the insertion port 111 is connected with the foaming chamber 11, the milk inlet pipe 13 is inserted into the insertion port 111, and the air inlet joint 14 is inserted into the foaming body 16. Steam from the steam pipe 12 enters the foaming chamber 11 and forms negative pressure in the foaming chamber 11, which can suck milk from the milk inlet pipe 13 and air from the air inlet joint 14 to form milk foam. In this embodiment, the steam pipe 12 is arranged in the direction of the outlet channel 15.

[0025] The slow flow mechanism 2 comprises a mixing chamber 21, the outlet channel 15 is connected with the mixing chamber 21, and the mixing chamber 21 comprises a milk foam outlet 22; wherein the outlet channel 15 comprises a radially enlarged chamber 151, the mixing chamber 21 comprises a blocking protrusion 211 corresponding to the outlet channel 15, and a plurality of blocking walls 212 are arranged at the periphery of the blocking protrusion 211. After milk foam is formed in the foaming chamber 11, the milk foam flows to the outlet channel 15. Due to the existence of the chamber 151, the fluid formed by the milk foam can stay in the enlarged chamber 151 for a short time, which reduces the pressure of the fluid to a certain extent and plays a buffering role. After the milk foam enters the mixing chamber 21, it will be impacted and rebound on the blocking protrusion 211 for the first time. Due to the action of the blocking walls 212, the liquid changes direction again when it is impacted on the blocking walls 212 and finally flows out from the milk foam outlet 22. This structure slows down the flow rate of the fluid, and the liquid at the outlet position is not sprayed randomly. Through multiple buffering, the milk foam is finally formed to be dense and smooth.

[0026] By setting the radially enlarged chamber 151 and the blocking protrusion 211, the liquid will undergo multiple buffering and remixing processes before entering the mixing chamber 21, significantly reducing the impact force when the milk foam is formed, avoiding the rapid collapse caused by the excessive size of the bubbles, thereby effectively improving the stability and density of the milk foam, making the milk foam texture more uniform and delicate. The chamber 151 plays a preliminary buffering role for the fluid, reducing the ejection speed of the liquid. The blocking protrusion 211 in the mixing chamber 21 further disperses the kinetic energy of the fluid, and the blocking wall 212 guides and slows down the flow path of the liquid. After this series of buffering, the milk foam flows out of the milk foam outlet 22 at a smooth flow rate, significantly reducing the phenomenon of liquid splashing.

[0027] In this embodiment, the blocking protrusion 211 is a conical protrusion upward, the blocking wall 212 between adjacent forms a through gap 213, the through gap 213 connects the milk foam outlet 22. The bottom wall 214 of the mixing chamber 21 is provided with the blocking protrusion 211 and the milk foam outlet 22, the blocking protrusion 211 is arranged at the middle position of the bottom wall 214 of the mixing chamber 21, the milk foam outlet 22 is arranged at the peripheral position of the bottom wall 214 of the mixing chamber 21, wherein the blocking wall 212 is arranged between the blocking protrusion 211 and the milk foam outlet 22. The upward protruding design of the conical blocking protrusion 211 guides the milk foam to diffuse outward after impacting the protruding surface. Its conical shape can effectively disperse the kinetic energy of the fluid, avoiding the breakage of bubbles or the generation of turbulent flow caused by direct impact, which promotes the further mixing of milk, air and steam, making the fluid more uniform before discharge. The blocking protrusion 211 is located at the middle position of the bottom wall 214 of the mixing chamber 21, and the milk foam outlet 22 is arranged at the peripheral position, through the design of the flow path from the center to the periphery, the fluid is buffered layer by layer. After the fluid is bounced off the protrusion, it is guided to the peripheral outlet position, and the blocking wall 212 is arranged between the protrusion and the outlet, effectively dispersing the fluid impact force and guiding it to flow along a specific path, thereby avoiding turbulent flow.

[0028] The outflow channel 15 comprises a main channel 152 and the chamber 151, the radial dimension of the chamber 151 is greater than that of the main channel 152, the foaming mechanism 1 comprises a foaming chamber 11, the first distance between the chamber 151 and the foaming chamber 11 is less than the second distance between the chamber 151 and the mixing chamber 21. The cross section of the chamber 151 is circular. Since the radial dimension of the chamber 151 is greater than that of the main channel 152, the fluid will diffuse when entering the chamber 151 from the main channel 152, the flow rate will decrease, and the kinetic energy will decrease. This design plays a buffering role, effectively reducing the pressure when the liquid is sprayed, preventing the bubbles from breaking or turbulence due to excessive pressure. The first distance between the foaming chamber 11 and the chamber 151 is small, so that the milk foam can quickly enter the chamber 151 after formation, reducing the possibility of bubble rupture due to long residence time after formation. The second distance between the chamber 151 and the mixing chamber 21 is large, providing the necessary time and space for the fluid to fully buffer and mix in the chamber 151, making the milk foam more stable and delicate before entering the mixing chamber 21. The chamber 151 serves as a transition structure between the main channel 152 and the mixing chamber 21, gradually reducing the flow rate of the fluid through the design of radial expansion, dispersing the kinetic energy of the fluid, and laying the foundation for multiple buffering and direction adjustment in the subsequent mixing chamber 21.

[0029] The flow buffering mechanism 2 comprises a flow buffering body 23, the foaming body 16 comprises a ring-shaped insertion slot 161, the flow buffering body 23 comprises a ring-shaped insertion block 231, one of the inner wall of the ring-shaped insertion slot 161 or the outer wall of the ring-shaped insertion block 231 is provided with a ring-shaped groove, and the other of the inner wall of the ring-shaped insertion slot 161 or the outer wall of the ring-shaped insertion block 231 is provided with a ring-shaped rib matched with the ring-shaped groove, and the two are stably connected through matching. A protrusion 1611 is arranged in the middle of the ring-shaped insertion slot 161, the outflow channel 15 is formed in the protrusion 1611, and the ring-shaped insertion block 231 can be inserted into the ring-shaped insertion slot 161. The foaming body 16 and the flow buffering body 23 are connected through the ring-shaped insertion slot 161 and the ring-shaped insertion block 231, forming a modular design. This detachable structure facilitates the maintenance, cleaning and replacement of parts, reduces the downtime of the equipment, and improves the use convenience and overall durability of the equipment.

[0030] The bottom wall of the mixing chamber is connected to the blocking block. A blocking block 221 is arranged at the middle position of the milk foam outlet 22, and the blocking block 221 gradually tapers along the fluid outflow direction, so that the fluid flows out of the milk foam outlet 22 more concentratedly to the central position of the plurality of milk foam outlets 22. In this embodiment, the milk foam outlet 22 is a plurality. In some simple alternatives, the milk foam outlet 22 can also be annular and formed between the flow buffering body 23 and the blocking block 221.

[0031] The above merely describes a preferred embodiment of the present application, and the design concept of the present application is not limited thereto, and any skilled person in the art, within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, can make non-essential changes to the present application using the concept, and such changes shall be deemed to fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A milk foam structure, characterized in that, The milk frothing structure comprises a frothing mechanism and a flow regulating mechanism; the frothing mechanism is connected with a steam source, a milk source and an air source respectively to form milk froth, the frothing mechanism comprises an outflow channel, the flow regulating mechanism comprises a mixing chamber, the outflow channel is connected with the mixing chamber, and the mixing chamber comprises a milk froth outlet; The outflow channel comprises a chamber with a radially enlarged diameter, the mixing chamber comprises a blocking protrusion corresponding to the outflow channel, and a plurality of blocking walls are arranged at intervals around the blocking protrusion.

2. A milk froth structure according to claim 1, characterised in that: The blocking protrusion is in the shape of a conical protrusion upwardly protruding, and a through gap is formed between adjacent blocking walls, and the through gap is connected with the milk froth outlet.

3. A milk froth structure according to claim 1, characterised in that: The outflow channel comprises a main channel and the chamber, the chamber has a larger radial dimension than the main channel, the frothing mechanism comprises a frothing chamber, and a first distance between the chamber and the frothing chamber is smaller than a second distance between the chamber and the mixing chamber.

4. A milk froth structure according to claim 3, characterised in that: The chamber has a circular cross section.

5. A milk foam structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that: The bottom wall of the mixing chamber is provided with the blocking protrusion and the milk froth outlet, the blocking protrusion is arranged at a middle position of the bottom wall of the mixing chamber, the milk froth outlet is arranged at a peripheral position of the bottom wall of the mixing chamber, and the blocking walls are arranged between the blocking protrusion and the milk froth outlet.

6. A milk froth structure according to claim 1, characterised in that: A blocking block is arranged at a middle position of the milk froth outlet, and the blocking block is tapered along a fluid outflow direction.

7. A milk froth structure according to claim 1, characterised in that: The frothing mechanism comprises a frothing body, the flow regulating mechanism comprises a flow regulating body, the frothing body comprises an annular slot, the flow regulating body comprises an annular block, a protrusion is arranged at a middle position of the annular slot, the outflow channel is formed in the protrusion, and the annular block can be inserted into the annular slot.

8. A milk froth structure according to claim 7, characterised in that: One of an inner wall of the annular slot or an outer wall of the annular block is provided with an annular groove, and the other is provided with an annular rib matched with the annular groove.

9. A milk foam structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The frothing mechanism comprises a frothing chamber, a steam pipe, a milk inlet pipe and an air inlet joint; the steam pipe, the milk inlet pipe, the air inlet joint and the outflow channel are connected with the frothing chamber, the frothing mechanism forms a Venturi structure, negative pressure can be generated by steam in the steam pipe to form milk froth in the frothing chamber.

10. A coffee maker characterized in that, The milk frothing structure comprises any one of the milk frothing structures according to claims 1-9.

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