Adjustable Gear Pump Milk Frother for Cold and Warm Froth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk frother devices can only produce hot milk froth, and there is a need for a device that can efficiently prepare both cold and warm frothed milk, with adjustable parameters to control the frothing process.
Innovation Solution
A milk frother device that can be docked to a beverage preparation machine, equipped with a gear pump, air supply, and a mixing nozzle, allowing for adjustable operation parameters such as gear pump speed and air quantity, and capable of using steam to create a suction effect for frothing milk, with separate lines and spouts for cold and warm frothed milk production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If steam is used to foam milk according to the Venturi principle, then hot milk froth can be produced, but cold milk froth cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The gear pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it can convey milk for cold froth production and also work in conjunction with steam injection for warm froth production. The same mechanical component serves different operational modes, eliminating the need for separate heating mechanisms and enabling the device to produce both cold and warm milk froth.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a gear pump (mechanical hydraulic system) instead of relying solely on steam pressure (pneumatic/thermal system). This mechanical pumping approach allows for precise control of milk flow and enables the integration of steam injection as an optional secondary function, providing versatility in temperature control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gear pump is used to convey and foam milk, then cold milk froth can be produced, but adjustable frothing parameters are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gear pump speed is made variable rather than fixed, allowing the milk conveyance rate to be adjusted dynamically. This dynamic control parameter enables optimization of froth production for different milk types and desired foam characteristics. The system also dynamically switches between cold froth mode (gear pump only) and warm froth mode (gear pump plus steam injection), providing operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces adjustable parameters including gear pump rotation speed and steam injection quantity. These parameter changes allow the system to adapt to different frothing requirements - whether producing dense cold foam or lighter warm foam - while maintaining a relatively simple control architecture that builds upon the basic gear pump mechanism.
3Temperature
If steam is supplied to create suction effect in mixing nozzle, then warm frothed milk can be produced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The steam injection system is merged with the existing gear pump outlet structure. The mixing nozzle is integrated into the milk discharge path of the gear pump, and the steam injection point is combined with the milk flow path. This merging approach allows warm froth production to be achieved by adding steam injection to the existing cold froth mechanism, rather than creating a completely separate heating system, thus limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of both cold and warm frothed milk with adjustable frothing parameters, improving the versatility and efficiency of milk frothing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a gear pump (7), which conveys the milk from the milk container (3)
Implementation Method 2
The mixing nozzle can be designed in such a way that inflowing steam--which reaches the mixing nozzle from the steam connection--achieves a suction effect in a manner known per se. This allows air to be sucked in and the milk supplied to be mixed with the mixing nozzle
Implementation Method 3
foamed milk can be produced which is warm due to the heat given off by the water vapor - which is mainly, but not exclusively, given off to the milk as heat of condensation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A device according to the invention for preparing frothed milk can be docked on a beverage preparation machine (101) and for this purpose has at least one connection for steam generated by the beverage preparation machine and an interface for electrical current delivered by the beverage preparation machine. The device additionally has a milk foaming unit comprising a gear pump (7). The gear pump is connected on the input side to a milk supply line and to an air supply. A milk nozzle is additionally present on a path of the milk conveyed by the gear pump, and said milk, the steam and air can be supplied to this milk nozzle.