Angled-Bore Milk Steaming Nozzle for Operator-Free Foam Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional milk frothing tools require skilled operators to produce consistent high-quality milk foam, limiting their ability to perform other tasks and resulting in lower quality drinks due to the need for precise manipulation of the steam nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle structure with a hollow cylindrical body and multiple nozzle bores that direct a source fluid, such as steam, at an acute angle into a target fluid, creating a whirlpool effect for even distribution and aeration, allowing for consistent frothed milk production with reduced operator skill and effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional steam nozzles are used, then operator skill and attention are required to produce quality milk foam, but this limits productivity and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle structure is designed to automatically perform the function of creating milk foam without requiring operator intervention for depth control or manipulation. The specific geometry of the nozzle bore and outlet automatically generates the whirlpool effect and proper aeration when steam passes through, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for skilled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the nozzle, specifically using a nozzle bore with a diameter of 0.5-1.5mm and an outlet angle of 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. These parameter changes create a specific flow pattern that generates a whirlpool effect, automatically ensuring consistent foam quality without operator skill.
2Productivity
If conventional steam nozzles are used, then operators can perform other tasks, but milk foam quality becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle automatically maintains optimal operating conditions through its geometric design. The constrained bore diameter and outlet angle create a self-regulating flow pattern that consistently produces quality foam regardless of operator attention, allowing operators to multitask without compromising product quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If skilled operators manually control the steam nozzle, then quality milk foam can be produced, but this increases device complexity and reduces production speed
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle structure eliminates the need for complex control mechanisms by incorporating all necessary control features directly into its geometry. The specific bore diameter (0.5-1.5mm) and outlet angle (10-30 degrees) create a self-regulating system that automatically produces consistent foam quality without requiring external control systems or skilled manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing specific geometric parameters - the nozzle bore diameter of 0.5-1.5mm and outlet angle of 10-30 degrees - the invention achieves consistent milk foam quality through the resulting whirlpool flow pattern, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms and reducing device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional steam nozzles are used, then operators can manipulate the nozzle for optimal depth, but this reduces production speed and increases cognitive load
Solution Approach 1:
The optimized nozzle parameters - a bore diameter of 0.5-1.5mm and an outlet angle of 10-30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis - create a whirlpool effect that automatically ensures complete air and milk incorporation. This geometric optimization achieves proper mixing without requiring operator manipulation, thereby increasing production speed while maintaining foam quality.
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
The nozzle structure improves mixing and aeration of milk, enabling unskilled operators to produce high-quality milk foam efficiently, reducing cognitive load and increasing production speed compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
directing a source fluid, such as steam, at an acute angle into a target fluid, creating a whirlpool effect
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle structure having an intake end and an outtake end, wherein a lateral axis is associated with the center of the intake end. A plurality of nozzle bores are uniformly distributed over the outtake end, and each nozzle bore is orthogonal to the lateral axis. Each nozzle bore includes an outlet in communication with the intake end. A flow path between the inlet and outlet forms an acute angle with the intake end.