Beverage Foaming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage frothing systems face challenges in handling different types of milk, maintaining consistent foam quality, controlling temperature, and requiring complex cleaning processes, which often disrupt operating hours.
Innovation Solution
A beverage foaming apparatus with a gas pump, conductivity sensors, and a heat exchanger to control foam formation, temperature, and automatic cleaning processes, using conductivity ratios and temperature sensors to optimize foam quality and simplify cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating elements are used in beverage foaming systems, then heating function is provided, but temperature control precision deteriorates and foam quality consistency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating elements with an ultrasonic heating system that uses ultrasonic vibrations to generate heat directly in the beverage through cavitation and friction. This substitution enables precise temperature control (±1°C) and consistent foam quality without the thermal lag and temperature distribution issues of traditional heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction to ultrasonic cavitation, fundamentally altering the physical parameter of heat generation. By using ultrasonic frequency vibrations (20-100 kHz), the system achieves rapid and uniform heating with precise control, directly resolving the temperature control precision and foam quality consistency issues.
2Ease of operation
If manual cleaning procedures are used, then cleaning function is provided, but operational disruptions increase and cleaning complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning system where ultrasonic vibrations are used to automatically remove residues and contaminants from the beverage path components. The ultrasonic cavitation effect creates micro-jets and shock waves that dislodge and flush away deposits without manual intervention, making the system self-maintaining and eliminating operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by integrating cleaning functions into the normal operational cycle. The ultrasonic heating system simultaneously performs heating and cleaning functions, allowing the beverage foaming apparatus to maintain cleanliness without stopping operation, thus eliminating operational disruptions and time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mixing methods are used, then beverage foaming is achieved, but adaptability to different beverage types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mixing system where ultrasonic vibrations can be adjusted in frequency, amplitude, and duration based on the specific beverage type and desired foam characteristics. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different viscosities, densities, and chemical compositions of various beverages while maintaining consistent foam quality through real-time parameter optimization.
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 apparatus achieves consistent foam quality across different milk types, precise temperature control, and efficient cleaning, reducing operational disruptions and cleaning complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the beverage pump is arranged to drive said gas together with said beverage through a restriction downstream of the beverage pump for the formation of a gas beverage foam mixture
Implementation Method 2
the apparatus comprises a heat exchanger to heat the gas beverage foam mixture
Implementation Method 3
a first conductivity sensor downstream of the restriction to monitor the electrical conductivity of the gas beverage foam mixture downstream of the restriction, and comprises a second conductivity sensor upstream of the beverage pump to measure the conductivity of the beverage
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage foaming apparatus, various embodiments of which may include a gas pump and a beverage pump connected to a tube which is connectable to an external beverage holder to collect and transport said beverage out of said beverage holder. The gas pump may be arranged to supply foaming gas to the tube. The beverage pump may be arranged to drive said gas together with the beverage through a restriction downstream of the beverage pump for the formation of a gas beverage foam mixture. Embodiments may include an exit line to an outlet for the gas beverage foam mixture and a first sensor downstream of the restriction to monitor the density and quality of the gas beverage foam mixture downstream of the restriction.