Milk foaming mechanism of coffee machine

Abstract

The utility model provides a milk foaming mechanism of a coffee machine, which comprises a foam maker, an air inlet pipe assembly, a steam pipe assembly, a milk inlet pipe assembly and a milk outlet pipe assembly, and is characterized in that a foaming cavity is arranged in the foam maker, and a narrow opening is arranged in the foaming cavity to divide the foaming cavity into a front chamber and a rear chamber which are communicated with each other; the front chamber is respectively communicated with the air inlet pipe assembly, the steam pipe assembly and the milk inlet pipe assembly, the rear chamber is communicated with the milk outlet pipe assembly, the air inlet pipe assembly is provided with an air valve to control the air inlet amount, and the air valve is provided with a knob / rotating handle used for adjusting the opening degree of a valve body. According to the utility model, milk suction and foaming can be accurately controlled, and the product has a simple structure, is easy to disassemble and assemble, and is very convenient to use and clean in daily life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a coffee machine, specifically to a milk frothing mechanism for a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] As coffee flavors have diversified, coffee machines have also improved to offer more diverse brewing functions, with adding milk and frothing being among the most important. For example, cappuccino and latte require different ratios of milk to foam, and baristas often have their own preferred ratios when creating new drinks. This necessitates that coffee machines be able to adjust the amount of milk foam. Furthermore, for hygiene reasons and to prevent residue from affecting the frothing process, routine maintenance requires disassembling the coffee machine's milk frothing mechanism for thorough cleaning. This necessitates a simple and easily reassembled structure for the milk frothing mechanism. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model proposes a milk frothing mechanism for a coffee machine, which realizes the intake and frothing of milk, and is specifically achieved through the following technical means:

[0004] A milk frothing mechanism for a coffee machine includes a frother, an air inlet pipe assembly, a steam pipe assembly, a milk inlet pipe assembly, and a milk outlet pipe assembly. The frother has a frothing chamber with a narrow opening that divides it into a front chamber and a rear chamber that are interconnected. The front chamber is connected to the air inlet pipe assembly, the steam pipe assembly, and the milk inlet pipe assembly, respectively. The rear chamber is connected to the milk outlet pipe assembly. The air inlet pipe assembly is equipped with an air valve to control the air intake volume. The air valve is equipped with a knob / handle for adjusting the opening degree of the valve body.

[0005] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the foamer has a tubular foaming chamber, and a first receiving port for connecting a steam pipe assembly is provided at one end of the front chamber of the foaming chamber. The pipe wall between the front chamber and the narrow opening has a tapered transition section. The steam pipe assembly includes a steam nozzle, the front end of which is frustoconical and has a steam nozzle orifice, and the rear end of which is used to connect a steam pipe. The steam nozzle is inserted into the front chamber through the first receiving port and extends to face the narrow opening. A gap is left between the front end of the steam nozzle and the transition section.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a limiting protrusion is provided at the rear end of the steam nozzle, the limiting protrusion being used to contact the edge of the first receiving interface when it moves to the first receiving interface, thereby preventing the steam nozzle from moving into the foaming chamber.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a latch is provided on the edge of the first receiving interface, and the limiting protrusion falls into the latch and is stopped from axial displacement by the bottom edge of the latch and from circumferential displacement by the side edge of the latch.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the side of the foamer is provided with a side pipe, and an air inlet is provided on the pipe wall of the front chamber, which is connected to the side pipe. The air inlet is located beside the steam nozzle, and the outer end of the side pipe is provided with a second receiving interface for connecting the air inlet pipe assembly. The air inlet pipe assembly includes an air inlet pipe, one end of which is inserted into the second receiving interface, and the other end is provided with the air valve.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the frother has a milk inlet pipe connector, and a milk inlet hole communicating with the milk inlet pipe connector is provided on the pipe wall of the front chamber. The milk inlet hole is located next to the steam nozzle. The milk inlet pipe assembly includes a milk inlet pipe and a filter nozzle. One end of the milk inlet pipe is connected to the milk inlet pipe connector, and the other end is provided with the filter nozzle.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a third receiving port for connecting a milk outlet tube assembly is provided at one end of the rear chamber of the foaming chamber. The milk outlet tube assembly includes a milk outlet foam tube and a milk outlet foam tube connector. The milk outlet foam tube connector includes an access section inserted into the rear chamber and a guide section for connecting the milk outlet foam tube.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the flow channels in the inlet section and the guide section are connected and perpendicular to each other. The milk frothing tube connector is also provided with a control component. The control component is used to drive the milk frothing tube connector to rotate around the central axis of its inlet section, thereby driving the guide section to shift. The control component includes a shaft connector, one end of which is connected to the milk frothing tube connector, and the other end is provided with a lever.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a housing and a milk box are included. The housing is provided with an opening through which a milk frothing tube passes and moves. The milk box is located below the housing and has a vertical groove on its surface for receiving the milk frothing tube. A lever is moved to drive the milk frothing tube into or out of the vertical groove.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the bottom of the outer shell is provided with a plurality of buckles, which are connected to a plurality of buckle holes at the upper end of the milk box; the buckles include fixed buckles and elastic buckles, and the elastic buckles have a pressing part, pressing the pressing part causes the elastic buckles to move out of the buckle holes to unlock.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: it not only enables precise control over milk intake and frothing, but also features a simple structure, easy assembly and disassembly, and convenient daily use and cleaning. Specifically, this product cleverly utilizes a pipe-connection structure, with sealing rings and sealing ring fixing grooves respectively set on the air inlet pipe, steam nozzle, and milk frothing pipe connector. While solving the airtightness requirement (ensuring no steam leakage and preventing scalding), the friction between the sealing ring and the pipe wall also satisfies the connection limit of these pipe components such as the air inlet pipe, steam nozzle, and milk frothing pipe connector. Users only need to apply force to insert or pull out the pipe components to achieve assembly and disassembly without the need for tools. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is one of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is the second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the outer shell of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the milk box structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly structure of the foaming mechanism components of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a disassembled structural diagram of the foaming mechanism of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the components of the foaming mechanism of this utility model in their disassembled state.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the assembled state of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged view of part A.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the milk frothing tube of this utility model in the flipped-up state. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 10 The following is a further description of the proposed solution:

[0026] The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine of this utility model includes a shell 1, a milk tank 2, a frother 3, an air inlet pipe assembly 4, a steam pipe assembly 5, a milk inlet pipe assembly 6, a milk outlet pipe assembly 7, and a control assembly 8.

[0027] The outer shell 1 is used to house the frother 3, air inlet pipe assembly 4, steam pipe assembly 5, milk outlet pipe assembly 7, control assembly 8 and other functional components. The milk box 2 is located below the outer shell 1. The bottom of the outer shell 1 is provided with several buckles 11, which are connected to several buckle holes 21 at the upper end of the milk box 2. The buckles 11 include fixed buckles 111 and elastic buckles 112. The elastic buckles 112 have a pressing part 113. Pressing the pressing part 113 causes the elastic buckles 112 to move out of the buckle holes 21 to unlock, thereby separating the outer shell 1 from the milk box 2.

[0028] The frother 3 has a tubular foaming chamber 30, in which a narrow opening 301 divides the foaming chamber 30 into a front chamber 302 and a rear chamber 303 that are interconnected. The front chamber 302 is connected to the air inlet pipe assembly 4, the steam pipe assembly 5, and the milk inlet pipe assembly 6, respectively. The rear chamber 303 is connected to the milk outlet pipe assembly 7. A side pipe 31 and a milk inlet pipe connector 32 are also provided on the side of the frother 3. An air inlet hole 310 connected to the side pipe 31 and a milk inlet hole 320 connected to the milk inlet pipe connector 32 are provided on the pipe wall of the front chamber 302.

[0029] The steam pipe assembly 5 includes a steam nozzle 51, which is provided with a first sealing ring 52 and a first sealing ring fixing groove 511. The front end 512 of the steam nozzle 51 is truncated cone-shaped and is provided with a steam spray hole 510. The rear end 513 of the steam nozzle 51 is used to connect a steam pipe. A limiting protrusion 53 is also provided on the surface of the rear end 513.

[0030] The intake pipe assembly 4 includes an intake pipe 41, an air valve 42, and a knob 43. A second sealing ring 44 and a second sealing ring fixing groove 411 are provided at one end of the intake pipe 41. The air valve 42 and a knob 43 for adjusting the opening degree of the valve body of the air valve 42 are provided at the other end of the intake pipe 41. The intake volume is controlled by rotating the knob 43.

[0031] The milk inlet tube assembly 6 includes a milk inlet tube 61 and a filter 62. One end of the milk inlet tube 61 is connected to the milk inlet tube connector 32, and the other end is connected to the filter 62 and placed into the milk box 2.

[0032] The milk outlet tube assembly 7 includes a milk frothing tube 71 and a milk outlet tube connector 72. The milk frothing tube connector 72 includes an inlet section 721 that is inserted into the rear chamber 303 and a guide section 722 for connecting the milk frothing tube 71. The flow channels in the inlet section 721 and the guide section 722 are connected and perpendicular to each other. A third sealing ring 73 and a third sealing ring fixing groove 723 are respectively provided at the two connecting ends of the milk outlet tube connector 72.

[0033] The control component 8 is used to drive the milk frothing tube connector 72 to rotate around the central axis of its access section 721, thereby causing the guide section 722 to shift. The control component 8 includes a shaft connector 81 and a lever 82. One end of the shaft connector 81 is detachably connected to the milk frothing tube connector 72 for easy cleaning, and the other end is provided with a lever 82.

[0034] Regarding the connection method of each pipe fitting, this utility model adopts a pipe butt joint structure. Specifically, a first receiving interface 3021 for connecting the steam nozzle 51 of the steam pipe assembly 5 is provided at one end of the front chamber 301 of the foaming chamber 30. The steam nozzle 51 is inserted into the front chamber 302 through the first receiving interface 3021 and extends to be opposite to the narrow opening 301. The pipe wall between the front chamber 302 and the narrow opening 301 has a tapered transition section 3022, and a gap is left between the front end 512 of the steam nozzle 51 and the transition section 3022. The outer end of the side pipe 31 is provided with an air inlet pipe 4 for connecting the air inlet pipe assembly 4. The second receiving port 311 of 1 is used to connect the air inlet pipe 41 to the side pipe 31; a third receiving port 3031 for connecting the milk outlet pipe assembly 7 to the milk outlet pipe connector 72 is provided at one end of the rear chamber 303 of the foaming chamber 30; the access section 721 of the milk outlet pipe connector 72 is connected to the rear chamber 303 by inserting it into the third receiving port 3031; the air inlet 310 and the milk outlet 320 are located on the side of the steam nozzle 51 and close to the front end 512 of the steam nozzle 51.

[0035] The working principle of this utility model:

[0036] Steam from the steam generator enters the foaming chamber 30 through the steam nozzle 51. It flows at the narrowest point of the pipe in the foaming chamber 30 (i.e., the narrow opening 301), where the dynamic pressure reaches its maximum and the static pressure reaches its minimum. Therefore, the gas velocity increases due to the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. Consequently, the entire foaming chamber 30 experiences a pressure decrease simultaneously, creating a pressure difference within the chamber. Under this pressure difference, milk from the milk tank 2 is drawn into the foaming chamber 30 through the milk inlet pipe 61 to form foam, which then flows out through the milk outlet pipe 71. Simultaneously, the air intake can be controlled by rotating the knob 43, thereby adjusting the size of the milk foam to meet the barista's customized requirements.

[0037] This invention not only enables precise control over milk intake and frothing, but also features a simple structure, easy assembly and disassembly, and convenient daily use and cleaning. Specifically, the product cleverly utilizes a pipe-connection structure, with sealing rings and sealing ring fixing grooves respectively set on the air inlet pipe, steam nozzle, and milk frothing pipe connector. While solving the airtightness requirement (ensuring no steam leakage and preventing scalding), the friction between the sealing ring and the pipe wall also satisfies the connection limit of these pipe components, such as the air inlet pipe, steam nozzle, and milk frothing pipe connector. Users can easily assemble and disassemble the pipes by simply applying force to insert or remove them, without the need for tools.

[0038] Regarding space occupancy control, in addition to using the control component 8 to adjust the orientation of the milk frothing tube 71, this utility model also provides a vertical groove 22 on the surface of the milk tank 2 for receiving the milk frothing tube 71. Moving the lever 82 causes the milk frothing tube 71 to move into or out of the vertical groove 22, thus switching the milk frothing tube 71 from the storage position to the working position. To allow the milk frothing tube 71 sufficient space for flipping and repositioning, the outer shell 1 is provided with an opening 100 for the milk frothing tube 71 to pass through and move.

[0039] To achieve quick assembly and ensure a gap between the front end 512 of the steam nozzle 51 and the transition section 2022 during assembly, a limiting protrusion 53 is specially provided at the rear end 513 of the steam nozzle 51. The limiting protrusion 53 is used to contact the edge of the first receiving interface 3021 when it moves to the first receiving interface 3021, thereby preventing the steam nozzle 51 from moving further into the foaming chamber 30. At the same time, a retaining slot 305 is also provided on the edge of the first receiving interface 3021. The limiting protrusion 53 falls into the retaining slot 305 and is stopped from axial movement by the bottom edge 305a of the retaining slot 305, and its circumferential movement is stopped by the side edge 305b of the retaining slot 305.

[0040] The above preferred embodiments should be regarded as illustrative examples of the embodiments of the present application. Any technical deductions, substitutions, improvements, etc. that are similar to or based on the present application should be considered within the scope of protection of this patent.

Claims

1. A milk frothing mechanism for a coffee machine, comprising a frother, an air inlet pipe assembly, a steam pipe assembly, a milk inlet pipe assembly, and a milk outlet pipe assembly, characterized in that, The foamer has a foaming chamber, which has a narrow opening to divide it into a front chamber and a rear chamber that are interconnected. The front chamber is connected to the air inlet pipe assembly, the steam pipe assembly, and the milk inlet pipe assembly, respectively. The rear chamber is connected to the milk outlet pipe assembly. The air inlet pipe assembly is equipped with an air valve to control the air intake. The air valve is equipped with a knob / handle for adjusting the opening degree of the valve body.

2. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foamer has a tubular foaming chamber, and a first receiving port for connecting a steam pipe assembly is provided at one end of the front chamber of the foaming chamber. The pipe wall between the front chamber and the narrow opening has a tapered transition section. The steam pipe assembly includes a steam nozzle. The front end of the steam nozzle is frustoconical and has a steam nozzle orifice. The rear end of the steam nozzle is used to connect a steam pipe. The steam nozzle is inserted into the front chamber through the first receiving port and extends to face the narrow opening. A gap is left between the front end of the steam nozzle and the transition section.

3. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rear end of the steam nozzle is provided with a limiting protrusion, which is used to contact the edge of the first receiving interface when it moves to the first receiving interface, thereby preventing the steam nozzle from moving into the foaming chamber.

4. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first receiving interface has a bayonet on its edge. The limiting protrusion falls into the bayonet and is stopped from axial displacement by the bottom edge of the bayonet and from circumferential displacement by the side edge of the bayonet.

5. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The foamer has a side pipe on its side, and an air inlet is provided on the wall of the front chamber that communicates with the side pipe. The air inlet is located next to the steam nozzle. The outer end of the side pipe is provided with a second receiving interface for connecting the air inlet pipe assembly. The air inlet pipe assembly includes an air inlet pipe, one end of which is inserted into the second receiving interface, and the other end is provided with the air valve.

6. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The frother has a milk inlet pipe connector and a milk inlet hole that communicates with the milk inlet pipe connector is provided on the wall of the front chamber. The milk inlet hole is located next to the steam nozzle. The milk inlet pipe assembly includes a milk inlet pipe and a filter nozzle. One end of the milk inlet pipe is connected to the milk inlet pipe connector, and the other end is provided with the filter nozzle.

7. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, A third receiving port for connecting the milk dispensing tube assembly is provided at one end of the rear chamber of the foaming chamber. The milk dispensing tube assembly includes a milk dispensing foam tube and a milk dispensing foam tube connector. The milk dispensing foam tube connector includes an access section inserted into the rear chamber and a guide section for connecting the milk dispensing foam tube.

8. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The flow channels in the inlet section and the guide section are connected and perpendicular to each other. The milk frothing tube connector is also provided with a control component. The control component is used to drive the milk frothing tube connector to rotate around the central axis of its inlet section, thereby driving the guide section to move. The control component includes a shaft connector, one end of which is connected to the milk frothing tube connector, and the other end is provided with a lever.

9. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The device includes an outer shell and a milk box. The outer shell has an opening through which a milk frothing tube can pass and move. The milk box is located below the outer shell and has a vertical groove on its surface for receiving the milk frothing tube. Moving the lever causes the milk frothing tube to move into or out of the vertical groove.

10. The milk frothing mechanism of the coffee machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom of the outer shell is provided with several buckles, which are connected to several buckle holes at the top of the milk box; the buckles include fixed buckles and elastic buckles, and the elastic buckles have a pressing part. Pressing the pressing part causes the elastic buckle to move out of the buckle hole to unlock it.

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