Stirring paddle capable of controlling foam and quickly mixing

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of stirring devices and beverage dispensers, in particular to a stirring paddle capable of controlling foam and quickly mixing, which solves the problems that the existing stirring paddle is low in mixing efficiency and the amount of foam cannot be inhibited when a large amount of foam is generated by a mixture. The stirring paddle is provided with a paddle shaft and a paddle wheel which is coaxially arranged on the paddle shaft and rotates along with the paddle shaft, the paddle wheel is provided with a disc-shaped wheel disc, the disc-shaped wheel disc is provided with two parallel end faces, a plurality of protruding wheel blades are evenly distributed on one end face of the wheel disc in the circumferential direction, overflowing holes are evenly distributed in the wheel disc in the circumferential direction, and the overflowing holes are located between every two adjacent wheel blades. The protruding wheel blades are provided with top faces parallel to the end face of the wheel disc and front side faces and rear side faces perpendicular to the end face of the wheel disc, the wheel blades are distributed on the end face of the wheel disc in a radial mode, the length direction of the wheel blades is consistent with the radial direction of the wheel disc, and the front side faces and the rear side faces of the wheel blades are planes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of stirring devices and beverage machines, and in particular to a stirring paddle for controlling foam and speeding up mixing. Background Technology

[0002] Iced coffee is becoming an increasingly popular beverage, especially in summer. Currently, the equipment and methods for making iced coffee are still under development. The existing technology involves coffee grounds being pushed from the coffee machine's powder container into the water-coffee mixing chamber by a pusher screw. The mixture then falls into the beverage mixing chamber, and the stirred beverage flows out downwards. The water-coffee mixing chamber is connected to a water inlet pipe, through which pre-cooled cold water is introduced to brew iced coffee. Of course, ice cubes can also be added to the brewed coffee.

[0003] The use of common stirring paddles in mixing chambers presents problems such as slow dissolution and excessive foaming. This is because coffee powder and sugar granules dissolve slowly in cold water. Existing stirring paddles are essentially impellers with radially extending blades around the hub. When the impeller rotates, the water-powder mixture always rotates in one direction, preventing the cold water from quickly dissolving the coffee powder and sugar granules. As a result, iced coffee often lacks smoothness when consumed immediately, and excessive residue negatively impacts the customer's drinking experience. While extending stirring time and controlling forward / reverse rotation can address the insufficient dissolution problem, it introduces another identical issue: excessive foaming. Too much foam also reduces coffee quality, and extending stirring time and controlling forward / reverse rotation increase equipment efficiency and manufacturing costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a stirring paddle that controls foam and speeds up mixing, overcoming the problems of low mixing efficiency and inability to suppress foam when a large amount of foam is generated in the mixture.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: a stirring paddle for controlling foam and rapid mixing, having a paddle shaft and a paddle wheel coaxially mounted on the paddle shaft and rotating with the paddle shaft. The paddle wheel has a disc-shaped wheel with two parallel end faces. A plurality of protruding blades are evenly distributed around the circumference on one end face of the disc. Flow holes are also evenly distributed around the circumference on the disc, and the flow holes are located between two adjacent blades.

[0006] To improve the role of the impeller in controlling and reducing foam, with the impeller rotation direction as the front-to-back direction of the impeller, the protruding impeller has a top surface parallel to the end face of the impeller disk and front and rear sides perpendicular to the end face of the impeller disk. Tests have shown that this structure can control the amount of foam, probably because the right-angle cut formed between the top and side surfaces of the impeller causes the foam to burst.

[0007] Specifically, tests revealed that straight blades along the length direction are more conducive to creating turbulent flow for the liquid together with the flow holes, avoiding the formation of stable vortex flow by curved blades. The blades are radially distributed on the end face of the wheel disk, and the length direction of the blades is consistent with the radial direction of the wheel disk. The front and rear sides of the blades are both planar.

[0008] Specifically, for ease of processing, the impeller is integrally extended from the impeller disc.

[0009] Furthermore, to improve the connection strength between the blade and the disk, the front side of the blade and the end face of the disk, as well as the rear side of the blade and the end face of the disk, both have transition arc surfaces.

[0010] Specifically, the axis of the flow passage is perpendicular to the end face of the wheel, and the inner cylindrical circumferential surface of the flow passage is perpendicular to the end face of the wheel. This structure was found to control the amount of foam during testing, probably because the right-angle cut at the opening of the flow passage caused the foam to burst.

[0011] Specifically, if the diameter of the flow passage is made as large as possible, there can be only one flow passage between each adjacent impeller blade.

[0012] Specifically, the propeller wheel has a hub, the hub has a blind hole and an internal thread within the blind hole, and the propeller shaft is screwed onto the hub.

[0013] Furthermore, the opening direction of the blind hole is the same as the protrusion direction of the blade, and the propeller shaft is screwed onto the hub on the side of the wheel disc where the blade is located.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The foam-controlling and rapid mixing impeller of this invention, through the combination of flow holes and impeller blades, enables liquid mixtures to blend rapidly without producing excessive foam. It is particularly effective for mixing mixtures containing sugar powder and cold water, solving a current industry challenge. It departs from the conventional design of curved impellers, instead using right-angled structures at the top of the impeller blades and the orifice of the flow holes. The flow holes and the impeller blades near them both drive fluid flow and impact and break up the foam, creating turbulence without swirling, while simultaneously impacting and compressing the foam to break it. When used for coffee mixing, the foam is not broken by impact, leaving a suitable number of small bubbles, resulting in a coffee with a fine and dense foam. Furthermore, this impeller eliminates the need for forward and reverse rotation to improve mixing efficiency. This type of impeller can also be used for mixing substances in other industries where foam control and rapid mixing are required. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the first structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is the three-dimensional structure of the propeller wheel in the first structure of this utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 3 This is the three-dimensional structure of the propeller wheel in the first structure of this utility model. Figure 2 ;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the second structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of this utility model in use.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Propeller shaft, 2. Propeller wheel, 2-1. Disc, 2-2. Blade, 2-2-1. Top surface, 2-2-2. Front side surface, 2-2-3. Rear side surface, 2-2-4. Transition arc surface, 2-3. Flow hole, 2-4. Hub. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0023] Appendix Figure 1 The first type of stirring impeller has an impeller shaft 1 and an impeller wheel 2 coaxially mounted on the impeller shaft 1 and rotating with the impeller shaft 1. The impeller wheel 2 has a disc 2-1 in the shape of a disc. The disc 2-1 has two parallel end faces. Six protruding blades 2-2 are evenly distributed around the circumference on one end face of the disc 2-1. Six flow holes 2-3 are also evenly distributed around the circumference on the disc 2-1. The flow holes 2-3 are located between two adjacent blades 2-2.

[0024] Appendix Figure 2 and 3This is a three-dimensional view showing the propeller 2 separately from different directions. The rotation direction of the blade 2-2 is taken as the front-back direction of the blade 2-2. The protruding blade 2-2 has a top surface 2-2-1 parallel to the end face of the disk 2-1 and a front side surface 2-2-2 and a rear side surface 2-2-3 both perpendicular to the end face of the disk 2-1. The front side surface 2-2-2 faces the front of the blade 2-2, and the rear side surface 2-2-3 faces the rear of the blade 2-2. The blade 2-2 is radially distributed on the end face of the disk 2-1. The length direction of the blade 2-2 is consistent with the radial direction of the disk 2-1. The front side surface 2-2-2 and the rear side surface 2-2-3 of the blade 2-2 are both planar.

[0025] The impeller 2-2 can also be curved in length, such as S-shaped or parabolic, but these two common shapes are not as good as straight shapes in terms of rapid mixing and foam control.

[0026] The blade 2-2 is integrally extended from the disk 2-1. Of course, the blade 2-2 and the disk 2-1 can also be separate structures and fixed by welding or bolts. The front side 2-2-2 of the blade 2-2 has a transition arc surface 2-2-4 between it and the end face of the disk 2-1, and the rear side 2-2-3 has a transition arc surface 2-2-4 between it and the end face of the disk 2-1.

[0027] The axis of the flow passage 2-3 is perpendicular to the end face of the wheel 2-1. There is one flow passage 2-3 between each adjacent blade 2-2. There can also be two or more flow passages 2-3 with smaller diameters between adjacent blades 2-2. Of course, the flow passages 2-3 with smaller diameters are evenly distributed on the wheel 2-1, which is equivalent to several groups of flow passages 2-3 being evenly distributed. The flow passage 2-3 can be a circular hole as shown in the figure, or a triangular hole, trapezoidal hole, or rectangular hole.

[0028] The propeller wheel 2 has a hub 2-4, which has a blind hole and an internal thread inside the blind hole. The propeller shaft 1 is screwed onto the hub 2-4. Obviously, the direction of the internal thread needs to be determined according to the direction of the propeller shaft 1 to ensure that the propeller wheel 2 will not fall off when the propeller shaft 1 rotates. The opening direction of the blind hole is the same as the protrusion direction of the blade 2-2. The propeller shaft 1 is screwed onto the hub 2-4 on the side of the disc 2-1 where the blade 2-2 is located.

[0029] Appendix Figure 4 This invention shows the second structure of the present invention. Unlike the first structure, the opening direction of the blind hole is opposite to the protrusion direction of the blade 2-2. The propeller shaft 1 is screwed onto the hub 2-4 on the other side of the wheel disk 2-1 where the blade 2-2 is located. Other aspects of the structure are the same as the first structure. After testing, the stirring paddles of the first and second structures have basically the same effect in terms of foam control and rapid mixing.

[0030] In both the first and second structures of this utility model, the propeller wheel 2 is screwed onto the propeller shaft 1. Of course, depending on the application, the propeller wheel 2 can also be fitted onto the propeller shaft 1 and fastening screws are set on the hub 2-4 for positioning the propeller wheel 2. The propeller shaft 1 is a hexagonal shaft and the mounting hole of the propeller wheel 2 is a hexagonal hole.

[0031] Appendix Figure 5 This demonstrates the application of this invention in a coffee machine. Cold water and coffee powder enter the mixing chamber together, and the mixture then enters the stirring chamber below. The stirring paddle in the stirring chamber mixes the water and powder quickly without producing excessive foam.

[0032] The performance testing process for this utility model is as follows:

[0033] Several stirring paddles were 3D printed and are shown in the attached image. Figure 4 Performance tests were conducted on the coffee machine shown. These stirring paddles are classified according to their structure: Paddle No. 1 is the first structure of this utility model; Paddle No. 2 is the second structure of this utility model; Paddle No. 3 belongs to the structure of this utility model, but the straight blades are changed to curved blades based on the first structure; In addition, Paddle No. 4 and Paddle No. 5 are used for comparison. Paddle No. 4 is based on Paddle No. 1 without the flow hole; Paddle No. 5 is based on Paddle No. 1 with only the blades, without the flow hole and the disc, and with a slight increase in the height of the blades. Paddle No. 5 is also a common coffee stirring paddle currently.

[0034] With the same parameters on the coffee machine, make 3 cups with each paddle and measure the foam height and residue in the cup. The less residue in the cup, the faster the mixing. The less residue in the cup, the better. Residue in the cup is the most important indicator. However, the foam height is judged based on a combination of appropriate amount and experience.

[0035] Table 1: Performance of Paddles 1 to 3 of this utility model

[0036]

[0037] Table 2: Performance of propellers No. 4 and No. 5 used for comparison

[0038]

[0039] In terms of appearance, the foam of propellers No. 1 and No. 2 is the most uniform and dense; the foam of propeller No. 5 is loose and the foam size varies the most, with the largest foam particles being the largest.

[0040] Tables 1 and 2 show that the parameters of propellers 1 and 2 are roughly the same, indicating that the difference between the two end faces of the impeller 2-1 is not significant. The parameters of propeller 3 are slightly worse, indicating that the straight impeller 2-2 is actually better than the commonly used curved impeller 2-2. Propeller 4, which does not have flow holes, produces less foam, but the residue in the cup does not meet the standard. Propeller 5, which has a common blade form, produces too much residue and too much foam, probably because it stirs up swirls.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing impeller, characterized by: The device has a propeller shaft (1) and a propeller wheel (2) coaxially mounted on the propeller shaft (1) and rotating with the propeller shaft (1). The propeller wheel (2) has a disc-shaped wheel (2-1) with two parallel end faces. A number of protruding blades (2-2) are evenly distributed around the circumference on one end face of the disc (2-1). The disc (2-1) also has flow holes (2-3) evenly distributed around the circumference. The flow holes (2-3) are located between two adjacent blades (2-2).

2. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: With the rotation direction of the blade (2-2) as the front-back direction of the blade (2-2), the protruding blade (2-2) has a top surface (2-2-1) parallel to the end face of the disk (2-1) and a front side surface (2-2-2) and a rear side surface (2-2-3) both perpendicular to the end face of the disk (2-1).

3. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing impeller according to claim 2, characterized in that: The blades (2-2) are radially distributed on the end face of the disk (2-1). The length direction of the blades (2-2) is consistent with the radial direction of the disk (2-1). The front side (2-2-2) and rear side (2-2-3) of the blades (2-2) are both planar.

4. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing impeller according to claim 3, characterized in that: The blade (2-2) is integrally extended from the disk (2-1).

5. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing impeller according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front side (2-2-2) of the blade (2-2) and the end face of the disk (2-1) both have transition arc surfaces (2-2-4) between them and the rear side (2-2-3) and the end face of the disk (2-1).

6. The stirring paddle for controlling foam and rapid mixing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axis of the flow passage (2-3) is perpendicular to the end face of the wheel (2-1).

7. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing paddle according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a flow passage (2-3) between each adjacent blade (2-2).

8. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing paddle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The propeller wheel (2) has a hub (2-4) with a blind hole and an internal thread inside the blind hole, and the propeller shaft (1) is screwed onto the hub (2-4).

9. A foam-controlling and rapid-mixing paddle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The opening direction of the blind hole is the same as the protrusion direction of the blade (2-2), and the propeller shaft (1) is screwed onto the hub (2-4) on the side of the wheel disc (2-1) where the blade (2-2) is located.

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