Frothing module and milk frothing apparatus for coffee machine

Abstract

A frothing module and a milk frothing apparatus for a coffee machine. The frothing module comprises a frothing core part (1), an air intake part (2), a milk output part (3), and a frothing adjusting apparatus (4). The frothing core part (1) comprises a frothing cavity (11). The frothing cavity (11) is configured to provide a reaction space for steam and milk to generate milk froth. The air intake part (2) is configured to provide steam to the frothing cavity (11). One end of the air intake part (2) is configured to externally connect to a steam port of the coffee machine. The milk output part (3) comprises a joint (31) and a rotating rod (321). The end of the rotating rod (321) connected to the joint (31) is provided with a throttle cavity (33). The throttle cavity (33) is communicated with the frothing cavity (11). The frothing adjusting apparatus (4) is located above the frothing core part (1). The frothing adjusting apparatus (4) is capable of controlling a frothing speed in the frothing cavity (11) by adjusting an air exhaust rate in the frothing cavity (11). By rotating the milk output part (3), the inner diameter at a connection between the throttle cavity (33) and the frothing cavity (11) can be adjusted, to control a flow rate of the milk froth flowing from the frothing cavity (11) to the throttle cavity (33). Further, by rotating the milk output part (3), an output direction of the milk froth can be adjusted according to needs, so that the purpose of outputting milk froth in a plurality of directions is achieved.

Description

Foaming module and coffee machine milk foaming device Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of coffee machines, and more specifically, relates to a foaming module and a milk frothing device of a coffee machine. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the times, coffee is becoming more and more popular among young people. By adding milk foam to coffee, the taste of coffee can be made more delicate and mellow.

[0003] Currently, most common foaming modules and coffee machine milk frothing devices on the market have a reaction chamber with a larger air inlet diameter and a smaller exhaust port. As a result, when hot steam is introduced into the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber becomes a negative pressure chamber. The milk is then sucked into the reaction chamber by pressure to mix with the hot steam and heat it to form milk foam. Finally, the milk foam is supplied to the outside of the device by steam pressure. Technical issues

[0004] Most of the above foaming modules and coffee machine milk frothing device structures are fixedly arranged inside the coffee machine with steam function, and thus cannot be flexibly matched with various coffee machine models, and can only meet the foaming requirements of a single direction and a fixed rate. Solution

[0005] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a foaming module and a coffee machine milk foaming device that can be used with coffee machines of various specifications, can adjust the foaming rate, and can output in multiple directions.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is:

[0007] A foaming module comprises a foaming core, an air inlet, a milk outlet and a foaming regulating device; the foaming core comprises a foaming chamber, the foaming chamber is used to provide a reaction space for steam and milk to generate milk foam, the foaming chamber is conical, and the foaming chamber is connected to the milk outlet and the air inlet respectively; the air inlet is used to provide steam into the foaming chamber, one end of the air inlet is used to connect to the steam port of an external coffee machine, and the other end of the air inlet is detachably connected to the foaming core; the milk outlet comprises a connection The head and the rotating rod are detachably connected to the foaming core. A throttling chamber is provided at one end of the rotating rod connected to the joint. The throttling chamber is connected to the foaming chamber. The inner diameter of the connection point between the throttling chamber and the foaming chamber can be adjusted by rotating the milk outlet portion. The output direction of the milk foam can also be adjusted by rotating the milk outlet portion. The foaming regulating device is located above the foaming core. The foaming regulating device can control the foaming speed in the foaming chamber by adjusting the exhaust rate in the foaming chamber.

[0008] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the foaming core further includes a milk inlet, an air inlet, an exhaust port and a milk outlet, the milk inlet is located at the lower end of the foaming cavity, the exhaust port is located at the upper end of the foaming cavity, and the air inlet and the milk outlet are respectively arranged at both ends of the foaming cavity.

[0009] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the milk inlet is smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet, the diameter of the air inlet is larger than the diameter of the air outlet, and the diameter of the air inlet is smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet.

[0010] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet part includes an air inlet joint and a steam joint. The air inlet joint and the foaming core are detachably connected. The air inlet joint is communicated with the foaming chamber. A connecting pipe is provided between the air inlet joint and the steam joint. Several first sealing rings are also provided at the connection between the air inlet joint and the foaming core.

[0011] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the end of the steam connector away from the air inlet connector is provided with interfaces with several inner diameter sizes, and the interfaces are used to connect with the steam end of the coffee machine.

[0012] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the milk outlet portion further comprises a foaming pipe, the foaming pipe is in communication with the throttling chamber and the foaming chamber, and a plurality of second sealing rings are provided at the connection between the joint and the foaming core.

[0013] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a limiting protrusion is provided at one end of the joint away from the foaming cavity, and a third sealing ring is provided on the inner side of the limiting protrusion.

[0014] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the foaming adjustment device includes an adjustment knob, and a fourth sealing ring is provided at the connection between the adjustment knob and the foaming core.

[0015] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of bosses are provided at intervals on one end of the adjusting knob close to the foaming core, and a plurality of ventilation holes are provided at intervals around the upper portion of the foaming core. Turning the adjusting knob can cause the bosses to close or open the ventilation holes.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a coffee machine milk frothing device uses the foaming module and is also provided with a cavity for accommodating a milk box, the cavity being located below the foaming core, and a straw for sucking milk being provided in the cavity, one end of the straw being connected to the milk inlet. Beneficial effects

[0017] One of the above technical solutions of the present invention has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0018] The present invention provides an air inlet and a milk outlet on the outside of a foaming core, respectively, and connects the foaming chamber with the air inlet and the milk outlet, wherein one end of the air inlet can be externally connected to a coffee machine device with a steam function of different specifications, for introducing hot steam into the foaming chamber, and utilizing negative pressure to suck milk into the foaming chamber to react with the steam. The other end of the air inlet is detachably connected to the foaming core, and a foaming regulating device is further provided above the foaming core. The exhaust rate in the foaming chamber is regulated by the foaming regulating device, thereby controlling the foaming speed in the foaming chamber. A throttling chamber is provided at the other end of the foaming chamber, and the throttling chamber is connected to the foaming chamber, so that the milk outlet can be rotated to adjust the size of the inner diameter of the connection point between the throttling chamber and the foaming chamber, thereby controlling the flow rate of milk foam flowing from the foaming chamber into the throttling chamber. The milk outlet can also be rotated to adjust the output direction of the milk foam as needed, thereby achieving the purpose of outputting milk foam in multiple directions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;

[0020] FIG1 is an overall cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG2 is an overall structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG4 is a structural diagram of a foam core according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG5 is a structural diagram of an adjustment knob according to an embodiment of the present invention. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0026] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are merely simplified descriptions for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, "several" means one or more, "many" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to implicitly indicate the quantity of the technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection or a movable connection, a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be internal communication between two elements, indirect communication, or an interactive relationship between two elements.

[0030] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different solutions of the present invention.

[0031] 1 to 5 , a foaming module is shown, comprising a foaming core 1, an air inlet 2, a milk outlet 3 and a foaming regulating device 4, wherein the foaming core 1 includes a foaming chamber 11, which is used to provide a reaction space for steam and milk to generate milk foam. The air inlet 2 is connected to a coffee machine with a steam function to provide hot steam for the foaming chamber 11. By making the diameter of the air inlet 13 larger than the diameter of the exhaust port 14 and the diameter of the air inlet 13 smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet 15, the "Venturi effect" is utilized to increase the pressure in the foaming chamber 11, thereby allowing milk to be drawn into the foaming chamber 11 to react with the steam to generate milk foam. Furthermore, a joint 31 and a rotating rod 321 are provided at the milk outlet 15 of the foaming chamber 11, and a throttling chamber 33 is provided in the rotating rod 321. The rotating rod 321 can further limit the flow rate of the foaming chamber 11 into the throttling chamber 33 by rotating the rotating rod 321.

[0032] During the preheating stage, the rotating rod 321 is rotated upward or downward to reduce the inner diameter of the connection between the throttling chamber 33 and the foaming chamber 11, thereby ensuring sufficient pressure in the foaming chamber 11 to absorb the milk. After the reaction between the milk and the steam is completed, milk foam of the desired size is obtained. The rotating rod 321 is then rotated to increase the inner diameter of the connection between the throttling chamber 33 and the foaming chamber 11, and the angle of the foaming tube 32 is adjusted to obtain milk foam that meets the requirements. The entire process is convenient and quick to operate.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a coffee machine milk frothing device uses the foaming module, and a cavity 16 for accommodating a milk box is provided below the foaming core 1, thereby saving the space occupied by the foaming module and the coffee machine milk frothing device.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, a straw 161 for conveniently sucking milk is provided in the cavity 16. One end of the straw 161 is connected to the milk inlet 12, and the straw 161 is connected to the foaming chamber 11 through the milk inlet 12. The straw 161 is made of food-grade soft material, thereby ensuring that the other end of the straw 161 can be safely placed inside the milk box.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the foaming core 1 further includes a milk inlet 12, an air inlet 13, an air outlet 14, and a milk outlet 15. The milk inlet 12 is located at the lower end of the foaming chamber 11, the air outlet 14 is located at the upper end of the foaming chamber 11, and the air inlet 13 and the milk outlet 15 are respectively provided at both ends of the foaming chamber 11. Furthermore, by setting the diameter of the milk inlet 12 smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet 15, when steam flows within the foaming module and the milk frothing device of the coffee machine, the dynamic pressure reaches a maximum value and the static pressure reaches a minimum value at the narrowest point of the pipe. The gas velocity increases due to the reduced cross-sectional area of ​​the flow, so that the entire foaming chamber 11 experiences a pressure reduction at the same time, thereby generating a pressure differential within the foaming chamber 11. Under the action of this pressure differential, a certain amount of milk is sucked into the foaming chamber 11 through the milk inlet 12 for use.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air intake part 2 includes an air intake joint 21 and a steam joint 22. The air intake joint 21 and the foaming core 1 are detachably connected to facilitate replacement. The air intake joint 21 is connected to the foaming chamber 11, and the steam joint 22 is connected to the air intake joint 21 through an external steam generating device. A connecting pipe 23 is provided between the steam joints 22, wherein the connecting pipe 23 is a heat-resistant soft structure pipe. Two first sealing rings 24 are also provided at the connection between the air intake joint 21 and the foaming core 1 to further ensure that the steam does not leak out and prevent scalding of the operator.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet portion 2 is located outside the smaller end of the foaming chamber 11. The air inlet portion 2 is used to connect to the steam port of the coffee machine to provide steam into the foaming chamber 11, so that the steam and milk react in the foaming chamber 11 to generate milk foam. The steam joint 22 in the air inlet portion 2 is provided with four interfaces 221 with different inner diameters at one end away from the air inlet joint 21, so as to meet the needs of external coffee machine devices with steam functions of different calibers. The other end of the air inlet portion 2 is detachably connected to the foaming core 1 to facilitate cleaning.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the milk outlet portion 3 is located on the outside of the larger opening end of the foaming chamber 11, and the milk outlet portion 3 is connected to the foaming chamber 11. Rotating the milk outlet portion 3 can change the flow rate through the connection between the foaming chamber 11 and the milk outlet portion 3. The milk outlet portion 3 and the foaming core 1 are detachably connected, and rotating the milk outlet portion 3 can adjust the output direction of the milk foam.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the milk outlet portion 3 includes a joint 31, a rotating rod 321 and a foaming tube 32. The foaming tube 32 is connected to the throttling chamber 33 and the foaming chamber 11. The joint 31 and the foaming core 1 are detachably connected. The throttling chamber 33 is provided at one end where the rotating rod 321 is connected to the joint 31. The throttling chamber 33 is connected to the foaming chamber 11. Rotating the milk outlet portion 3 can adjust the size of the inner diameter of the connection point between the throttling chamber 33 and the foaming chamber 11, thereby controlling the flow rate of milk foam flowing from the foaming chamber 11 into the throttling chamber 33. Rotating the milk outlet portion 3 can also adjust the output direction of the milk foam.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, a second sealing ring 311 is provided at the connection between the joint 31 and the foaming core 1, and a limiting protrusion 312 is provided at the end of the joint 31 away from the foaming chamber 11. The limiting protrusion 312 can ensure that when the milk outlet part 3 rotates, the connection between the joint 31 and the foaming tube 32 will not be detached, thereby further ensuring the safety of the foaming module and the milk frothing device of the coffee machine. A third sealing ring 322 is provided on the inner side of the limiting protrusion 312. The second sealing ring 311 and the third sealing ring 322 can ensure that when the milk outlet part 3 is rotated, milk will not overflow.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the foaming regulating device 4 is disposed above the foaming core 1 . The foaming regulating device 4 can regulate the foaming speed of the reaction between milk and steam in the foaming cavity 11 by controlling the exhaust rate in the foaming cavity 11 .

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the foaming adjustment device 4 includes an adjusting knob 41, and eight bosses 42 are provided at intervals on one end of the adjusting knob 41 close to the foaming core 1, and two air holes 17 are provided at intervals around the upper end of the foaming core 1. Rotating the adjusting knob 41 can cause the bosses 42 to close or open the air holes 17, that is, by rotating the adjusting knob 41, two air holes 17 can be leaked when it is necessary to increase the exhaust, and when it is necessary to increase the pressure in the foaming chamber 11, the adjusting knob 41 can be rotated to use the bosses 42 to block the two air holes 17. A fourth sealing ring 411 is provided at the connection of the foaming core 1, and the fourth sealing ring 411 is used to ensure the good air tightness of the foaming chamber 11.

[0043] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A foaming module, characterized in that: It comprises a foaming core part (1), an air inlet part (2), a milk outlet part (3) and a foaming regulating device (4); The foaming core (1) comprises a foaming cavity (11), the foaming cavity (11) being used to provide a reaction space for steam and milk to generate milk foam, the foaming cavity (11) being conical, and the foaming cavity (11) being respectively connected to the milk outlet portion (3) and the air inlet portion (2); The air inlet portion (2) is used to provide steam into the foaming chamber (11); one end of the air inlet portion (2) is used to be connected to a steam port of an external coffee machine; and the other end of the air inlet portion (2) is detachably connected to the foaming core portion (1); The milk outlet portion (3) comprises a joint (31) and a rotating rod (321); the joint (31) and the foaming core portion (1) are detachably connected; a throttling chamber (33) is provided at one end of the rotating rod (321) connected to the joint (31); the throttling chamber (33) is connected to the foaming chamber (11); the inner diameter of the connection point between the throttling chamber (33) and the foaming chamber (11) can be adjusted by rotating the milk outlet portion (3); and the output direction of the milk foam can also be adjusted by rotating the milk outlet portion (3); The foaming regulating device (4) is located above the foaming core (1), and the foaming regulating device (4) can control the foaming speed in the foaming cavity (11) by regulating the exhaust rate in the foaming cavity (11).

2. The foaming module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foaming core (1) further comprises a milk inlet (12), an air inlet (13), an air outlet (14) and a milk outlet (15); the milk inlet (12) is located at the lower end of the foaming cavity (11); the air outlet (14) is located at the upper end of the foaming cavity (11); and the air inlet (13) and the milk outlet (15) are respectively arranged at two ends of the foaming cavity (11).

3. The foaming module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter of the milk inlet (12) is smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet (15), the diameter of the air inlet (13) is larger than the diameter of the air outlet (14), and the diameter of the air inlet (13) is smaller than the diameter of the milk outlet (15).

4. The foaming module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air inlet portion (2) comprises an air inlet joint (21) and a steam joint (22); the air inlet joint (21) and the foaming core (1) are detachably connected; the air inlet joint (21) is in communication with the foaming chamber (11); a connecting pipe (23) is provided between the air inlet joint (21) and the steam joint (22); and a plurality of first sealing rings (24) are also provided at the connection between the air inlet joint (21) and the foaming core (1).

5. The foaming module according to claim 4, characterized in that: An end of the steam joint (22) away from the air inlet joint (21) is provided with interfaces (221) of a plurality of inner diameter sizes, and the interfaces (221) are used for docking with the steam end of the coffee machine.

6. The foaming module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The milk outlet portion (3) further comprises a foam outlet pipe (32), wherein the foam outlet pipe (32) is in communication with the throttling chamber (33) and the foaming chamber (11), and a plurality of second sealing rings (311) are provided at the connection between the joint (31) and the foaming core portion (1).

7. The foaming module according to claim 6, characterized in that: A limiting protrusion (312) is provided at one end of the joint (31) away from the foaming cavity (11), and a third sealing ring (322) is provided on the inner side of the limiting protrusion (312).

8. The foaming module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The foaming adjustment device (4) comprises an adjustment knob (41), and a fourth sealing ring (411) is provided at the connection between the adjustment knob (41) and the foaming core (1).

9. The foaming module according to claim 8, characterized in that: A plurality of bosses (42) are provided at intervals at one end of the adjusting knob (41) close to the foaming core (1), and a plurality of air holes (17) are provided at intervals around the upper end of the foaming core (1). Turning the adjusting knob (41) can cause the bosses (42) to close or open the air holes (17).

10. A milk frothing device for a coffee machine, characterized in that: The foaming module according to claims 1 to 9 is used, and a cavity (16) for accommodating a milk box is also provided, wherein the cavity (16) is located below the foaming core (1), and a straw (161) for sucking milk is provided in the cavity (16), and one end of the straw (161) is connected to the milk inlet (12).

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